the betting firm william hill is fined £19 million for failing to protect customers. the record fine comes after the regulator found what it called alarming problems — including new customers betting large sums without proper checks. the uk has the largest online gambling industry in the world. other regulators, other countries watch what we do. so it's important that we bring attention to these sorts of issues and make sure that we get the level of compliance we need to see. also this lunchtime: the terrorism threat level in northern ireland has just been raised, to severe — which means an attack is �*very likely�* the elementary school shooting in nashville that killed six people — police say they've recovered weapons and detailed plans from the home

of the attacker. improving london's victorian plumbing — we have rare access to the new super sewer, engineered to cope with modern demands. the idea behind it is that it will collect the sewage and storm water that at the moment goes into the river and take it downhill to east london where it can be processed properly. singing. and, a unique musical production written and performed by a cast who've experienced homelessness. and coming up on the bbc news channel: anthonyjoshua says a future fight with tyson theory is what boxing needs. the former two—time world champion says meeting the wbc belt holder is his priority for 2023.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. the betting company william hill has been ordered to pay more than £19 million for failing to protect its customers — the largest penalty ever imposed by the regulator. the gambling commission said it found problems that were so �*widespread and alarming' that it had considered suspending william hill's licence. in one case, a customer was able to open a new account and spend £23,000 injust 20 minutes — without any checks. our business correspondent theo leggett has this report. gamble leggett has this report. responsibly with william hill... gamble responsibly with william hill... ~ ., gamble responsibly with william hill... ~ . ~ , gamble responsibly with william hill... . ~ , ., hill... william hill likes to say it promotes _ hill... william hill likes to say it promotes responsible _ hill... william hill likes to say it| promotes responsible gambling, hill... william hill likes to say it - promotes responsible gambling, but today the regulator, the gambling commission, has found otherwise. it

accused the company of widespread and alarming failures, which put vulnerable customers at risk. gambling itself has never been easier, you can bet on sports, or play poker with the click of a mouse or using an app on your phone. but there are meant to be checks and balances in place to protect those who might be at risk of gambling related harm and prevent the industry from being exploited by criminals. it is these kinds of checks that william hill is being accused of not carrying out. when you customer opened an account and spent £23,000 injust you customer opened an account and spent £23,000 in just 20 minutes without any intervention from the company. another lost more than £45,000 before william hill gave them a call. and some customers placed very large deposits, but no inquiries are made up from where exactly the money came from. the regulator says it is prepared to take tough action over failures like these.~ . take tough action over failures like these. ~ . ., take tough action over failures like these.~ . ., , , these. what we have seen in this review is completely _ these. what we have seen in this l review is completely unacceptable. william hill accept that. william hill accept they need to improve

things and they have done so but we will not hesitate if we need to take further action, to do so again. we have since the beginning of last year suspended licenses from operators. we have taken considerable action and will continue to do so.— considerable action and will continue to do so. ~ . ., , continue to do so. william hill was recently bought — continue to do so. william hill was recently bought by _ continue to do so. william hill was recently bought by 888 _ continue to do so. william hill was recently bought by 888 holdings. l continue to do so. william hill was| recently bought by 888 holdings. it said... the £192 the £19.2 million talent he is the largest gambling commission has ever imposed but critics say it's nowhere near enough. iq’s imposed but critics say it's nowhere near enough-— near enough. 1996 of gambling industry profits _ near enough. 1996 of gambling industry profits come - near enough. 1996 of gambling industry profits come from - near enough. 1996 of gambling industry profits come from 596| near enough. 1996 of gambling i industry profits come from 596 of industry profits come from 5% of customers who are either addicted or at risk from addiction. so the £90 million may sound a lot of money to uri but it is not compared to william hill's turnover. they will

pay the fine and keep doing business as usual. the pay the fine and keep doing business as usual. , ., , , ., , as usual. the gambling commission is due to publish — as usual. the gambling commission is due to publish a _ as usual. the gambling commission is due to publish a review— as usual. the gambling commission is due to publish a review of— as usual. the gambling commission is due to publish a review of gambling i due to publish a review of gambling laws within weeks and is expected to call for reforms, including checks or gamblers can afford and tighter checks on advertising. but such measures are said to be controversial and will generate plenty of noise from the industry and its critics. theo is here now — changes to gambling regulations have been talked about for some time, so why is this sort of thing still happening? for a start there hasn't been a big change in gambling laws since 2005 and during that period we have seen and during that period we have seen a big expansion of the industry and the industry has changed. people gamble on their mobile phones in a way they didn't back then and the law hasn't kept up. but also there is the fact there are guidelines in place and according to the gambling commission, notjust william hill but other gambling firms have not been adhering to them, which is why over the past 15 months it has come

out with a number of fines. it is notjust out with a number of fines. it is not just william out with a number of fines. it is notjust william hill, that is the record fine but others have been penalised as well. the question now is what comes up in this government review, which was originally due to come out a long time ago when boris johnson was prime minister. it has been repeatedly delayed and that has caused some anger because of the political turmoil we saw in westminster last year and before that, the covid pandemic. we are expecting that to come out potentially in weeks and it is likely to have reforms, for example affordability checks, setting a framework where gambling companies will be able to check whether people can actually afford the kind of stakes they are playing for. reducing some of the stakes you can gamble with online. tightening up rules on gambling advertising, for example. there is this new framework coming out, wejust haven't example. there is this new framework coming out, we just haven't seen example. there is this new framework coming out, wejust haven't seen it yet. coming out, we 'ust haven't seen it et. ., ~' , ., coming out, we 'ust haven't seen it et. . ~' , ., ., in the last few minutes, the terrorism threat level in northern ireland has been raised from substantial to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.

the move follows a rise in dissident republican activity, including a gun attack last month on a senior police officer. 0ur ireland correspondent emma vardy is in belfast. why is this being done, emma? the main why is this being done, emma? tue: main security why is this being done, emma? tte: main security threat why is this being done, emma? tt2 main security threat in northern ireland is posed by violent dissident republicans. these are armed paramilitary groups still exist and take part in political violence, who want to try and force northern ireland to leave the uk. the terror threat level in northern ireland was reduced last year for the first time in 12 years, but it is now being raised again today too severe, meaning another attack is highly likely. there has been, mis had taken this decision because of an increase in activity by violent dissident republicans. there are threats we don't hear about but there was a notable incident last month when detectivejohn caldwell was shot multiple times by dissident republicans and that incident was

linked to the new ira. that threat level is being raised by mis today, but that said it is still true these organisations are very much smaller than they once were and have been weakened by security services, by infiltration, buy mis in recent years but this is still a recognition of the danger they pose. emma vardy, thank you. police in the us investigating yesterday's mass shooting at a school in nashville say it was a carefully planned attack. six people were killed, including three children, when a former pupil broke into the school and opened fire. the attacker was 28—year—old audrey hale who was shot dead at the scene — police described her as a biological woman who'd been using male pronouns. nomia iqbal�*s report contains images of the attacker inside school. 0utside this religious school, people quietly reflect. it's a familiar grief, but one that no one gets used to. since we survived a mass shooting injuly, i have met

with over 130 lawmakers. how is this still happening, how are our children still dying and why are we failing them? children from nursery age up to 12 years old attend here and, like most schools in america, they actually practise how to deal with an active shooting. police say this was a carefully planned attack by the perpetrator, audrey hale. we have also determined there were maps drawn of the school — in detail — of surveillance, entry points etc. we know and believe that entry was gained through shooting through one of the doors. video footage shows the 28—year—old driving to the school, shooting the glass to get in, and then stalking the halls with a gun. within 14 minutes of someone calling for help, hale was shot dead by police. by that point, three students aged nine and under were dead, as well as three adults,

including the head of the school. hale was a former student, but the motivation is unknown. after 19 children were killed in a school shooting in uvalde, texas last year, president biden passed major gun safety legislation which got bipartisan support. but he says this shooting is a reminder the law does not go far enough. we have to do more to stop gun violence. it is ripping our communities apart. ripping at the soul of this nation. ripping at the very soul of the nation. police are examining a manifesto left by the assailant. but yet, once again, american families are learning that sending their children to school doesn't necessarily mean they are sending them to safety. police here are trying to piece together exactly what they know about audrey hale, a former student at the school here. in the immediate

aftermath, there was some confusion about the attacker�*s identity. initially we were told the attacker was a woman and transgender. the police are saying, "audrey hale was a biological woman, who on a social media profile used male pronouns". when the shootings happened there is a focus on gun politics. president biden last year passed major gun safety legislation with bipartisan support, but what he really wants to do is ban assault rifles, the type of weapons used in the shooting, used in most mass shootings. but it is going to be pretty impossible for that to happen because he needs republican support. his opponents say any further laws will infringe on american people's constitutional right to own guns. nominated bell in nashville, thank you. the new leader of the snp humza yousaf is likely to be confirmed

as scotland's first minister this afternoon, in a vote by members of the scottish parliament. he'll then be officially sworn in tomorrow, succeeding nicola sturgeon — making him the youngest person to hold the post, and the first from a minority ethnic background. humza yousaf has pledged to unite the snp and achieve independence. 0ur scotland correspondent james shaw reports. i therefore declare humza yousaf duly elected as the national scottish party leader. humza yousaf's moment _ scottish party leader. humza yousaf's moment of- scottish party leader. humza| yousaf's moment of triumph, scottish party leader. humza _ yousaf's moment of triumph, becoming the new leader of the snp and the first from an ethnic minority. my immediate priority will be to continue _ immediate priority will be to continue to protect every scot as far as — continue to protect every scot as far as we _ continue to protect every scot as far as we possibly can from the harm inflicted _ far as we possibly can from the harm inflicted by— far as we possibly can from the harm inflicted by the cost of living crisis. — inflicted by the cost of living crisis. to _ inflicted by the cost of living crisis, to recover and reform our nhs _ crisis, to recover and reform our nhs and — crisis, to recover and reform our nhs and other vital public services. his success— nhs and other vital public services. his success is a moment to savour for scotland's asian communities, although not everybody here on the

south side of glasgow is a supporter and many shops and businesses are quiet because it is ramadan, the month of fasting. t quiet because it is ramadan, the month of fasting.— quiet because it is ramadan, the month of fasting. i think we feel he will do a good _ month of fasting. i think we feel he will do a good job. _ month of fasting. i think we feel he will do a good job. we _ month of fasting. i think we feel he will do a good job. we have - month of fasting. i think we feel he will do a good job. we have backed j will do a good job. we have backed him in the past and ifeel that will do a good job. we have backed him in the past and i feel that he will do a good job. but him in the past and i feel that he will do a good job.— will do a good 'ob. but the focus toda is will do a good 'ob. but the focus today is on — will do a good job. but the focus today is on edinburgh. _ will do a good job. but the focus today is on edinburgh. what - will do a good job. but the focus - today is on edinburgh. what happens this afternoon in this building, the scottish parliament is important. it is expected that humza yousaf will be voted in as the next first minister of scotland. and then tomorrow, just a short distance up the royal mile at the court of session, he will be sworn in. on thursday, the first big test, he will be interrogated by the leaders of the opposition parties at first ministers questions. and mr yousaf's entry is already bursting with problems that need to be urgently addressed. not least, reuniting his divided party. he may not get a lot of time to repair the fractures

caused by a hard—fought leadership contest. tt caused by a hard-fought leadership contest. , caused by a hard-fought leadership contest. _ ., , contest. if by the end of summer su ort contest. if by the end of summer support for— contest. if by the end of summer support for independence - contest. if by the end of summer support for independence isn't i support for independence isn't backed up and labour are still breathing down the snp�*s net, so far as the next uk general election is concerned, perhaps a degree of nervousness will set in. opponents will see this _ nervousness will set in. opponents will see this as _ nervousness will set in. opponents will see this as much _ nervousness will set in. opponents will see this as much opportunity i nervousness will set in. opponents| will see this as much opportunity to try to end its dominance of politics in scotland. supporters of the party would be hoping it is the start of a new, more hopeful era. while all that has been going on, over on the other side of town in edinburgh, at bute house, the official residence of the first minister, we have seen the very last moments, the last seconds of nicola sturgeon's time in the office, writing her letter to the moment, to king charles iii, formally tendering her resignation. it has been accepted. those pictures suggest

nicola sturgeon is someone who feels a weight lifting off her shoulders while those responsibilities are being placed on someone else's shoulders and a new tenant will arrive very soon. thanks, james. housing campaigners say the police often don't understand the law when it comes to protecting tenants from harassment or illegal eviction. the charity shelter says there's a big disparity between the number of cases being reported and the number of people convicted. the national police chiefs council says most private tenancy disputes are civil in nature, but that police should be contacted if there are criminal actions. jim connolly has more. ahmet, not his real name, was renting a room in a five bedroomed house and his landlord tried to illegally evict him. when he refused to leave, things took a violent turn for the worse, captured on cctv. shouting. ahmet told us the attack,

by people acting for his landlord, was part of a sustained period of harassment. i was so scared, i couldn't go out of the room, i always stayed inside the room. i couldn't go to the toilet, only at night, in the middle of the night. during the daytime, i used a bottle to urinate. because somebody is there outside, i was so scared they were going to attack me again. anything could happen to me at that time. the two people were given a police caution. his landlord didn't respond to our request for a comment. it's worth noting these attacks are not the norm. that said, over a four—year period citizens advice received around 16,000 calls relating to harassment and illegal eviction. there's concern that there's a big gap between that figure and the 101 convictions over the same period. researchers say many don't come forward because they are worried about the consequences of doing so. we've seen this a lot in our research. people just too frightened to speak out for fear of the consequences. one case stands out, a man so badly beaten that he ended up in hospital.

he was too frightened to tell us his story because he was worried his landlord would come after him. the housing charity shelter says not enough people are being held accountable. i think in the case of the police, they often don't know what to do. they may not even know what's legal and what isn't. i think they feel sometimes that incidents that happen in people's own homes are kind of private. daniela is waiting to move out of the room she lives in with her five children. she says her family have been constantly harassed by the person she rents from. so here he has put the plug inside the toilet. so you put your clothes... inside, yeah, in. he closed the gas, he's closed the water, speaking very, very bad with the children. the person she rented from didn't respond to our request for a comment. the ultimate owner of the property says it's been sublet without his knowledge. we asked the national police chiefs' council whether the police use

powers available to them to protect tenants enough. it told us... for daniela, shejust hopes her new home will be more peacefulfor herfamily. i hope it's better for me, because here is very, very bad. jim connolly, bbc news. the time is 13:18. our top story this lunchtime: the betting firm william hill is fined £19 million for failing to protect customers after the regulator found what it called alarming problems. and still to come... i'm at wellington barracks in london with some of the soldiers and their horses that will be taking part in the coronation. and to celebrate they have been brought together for a big lunch this afternoon. coming up on the bbc news channel:

england captain leah williamson has come top of this year's women's hour power list, which recognises 30 women in the uk who have made a significant impact on the sporting world. more than 150 feet below london, engineers have been building what they hope will be the solution to the capital's sewage problems. the system dates back to victorian times and struggles to cope when there's heavy rainfall, often leading to untreated waste being pumped into the river thames. 0ur environment correspondentjonah fisher has been given rare access to the �*super sewer�* to find out how it�*s going to help. just looking for history. looking for stories, really. lara is a mudlark, forever searching the brown banks of the river thames. ifound a complete iron age pot, a tudor shoe... but alongside the treasures are more familiar items that have been flushed away. condoms, tampax applicators, sanitary towels, wet wipes. you name it, i�*ve found it.

this is london, but it�*s a story repeated across the united kingdom — an ageing sewage network regularly spilling its pungent load. we are spoiling it, you know? we are pouring our waste into it and just destroying it. but deep beneath the river, the clean—up plan is nearly ready to flow. a £5 billion tunnel, the largest and deepest the capital has ever seen. the reason we are riding on bikes through this tunnel is because it�*sjust so big — it�*s 15 miles long, all the way across london, under the river thames. and the idea behind it is, well, that it will collect the sewage and storm water that at the moment goes into the river, and take it downhill to east london where it can be processed properly. here we are at the victoria

intersection point. we are showing one of the 34 sewage overflow pipes that are being diverted tojoin the tunnel rather than flowing into the thames. this will clean up the river quite significantly? absolutely. the tunnel can hold enough sewage to fill 600 olympic—sized swimming pools, but in the future that still might not be enough, with climate change expected to bring more heavy rain. the point here is that the solution for london going forward is to do something better with the rainwater than simply throw it in the sewers in the first place, and that is what is going to make the difference going forward. not far upstream, what we throw down the loo is actually changing the course of the river. so this is what we refer to as a wet wipe reef. a mass of wet wipes and sanitary products nowjut out into the river at several points.

well, these are what look like leaves, they are wipes. the best case scenario for us is that the tunnel reduces or even stops new material coming to a reef like this, and over time, when we start clearing the material, the reef will shrink. it�*s nice to have something positive to say, isn�*t it? yeah. after years of abuse, just maybe the tide has turned. jonah fisher, bbc news, on the banks of the river thames. firefighters in eastern spain have been battling the country�*s first major wildfire of the year, which has destroyed more than 10,000 acres of forest in the valencia region. more than 1,000 people have been moved out of their homes. prime minister pedro sanchez said the blaze was yet another example of how the climate emergency was affecting the country. france is facing another day of nationwide protests, as opposition continues to president macron�*s pension reforms. more than a million people took part

in protests last week, leading to violent clashes. france has been in turmoil since the president announced a number of new laws, including raising the state retirement age from 62 to 64. 0ur paris correspondent hugh schofield joins me. it seems the protests show no signs of dampening down, calming down? triat of dampening down, calming down? tirrt really. if you look behind me we have another monster demonstration going through the middle of paris. it kicked off about half an hour ago with about 200 riot police are ahead of the cortege and we have the same usual noisy very good—humoured demonstration filing past, which will continue to do so for another couple of hours. it is not the demonstration proper which are the issue, the fear is of the violence which tends to follow now after them

and if you remember last thursday we had a similar demonstration which started off fine but broke down the end of the opera into running street battles between protesters and these radical black blocks, as they call it, people from the far left to seek confrontation with the police. there was another very violent demonstration in the west of the country at the weekend on a totally different issue, water rights, which ended up in serious violence and people hospitalised and so on. the fear is we will see a repeat of that later after this demonstration comes to a close. . ~ later after this demonstration comes to a close. ., ,, to a close. thank you, hugh schofield — to a close. thank you, hugh schofield in _ to a close. thank you, hugh schofield in paris. _ the royal household is hoping that the king�*s coronation in may will be an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate. today sees the launch of the the big lunch, which will take place on the sunday of the coronation weekend, 7th may. 0ur correspondent charlotte gallagher is at wellington barracks in central london to tell us more.

hi, charlotte. these are just some hi, charlotte. these are 'ust some ofthe hi, charlotte. these are 'ust some of the soldiers * hi, charlotte. these are 'ust some of the soldiers and _ hi, charlotte. these are 'ust some of the soldiers and their- hi, charlotte. these are just some of the soldiers and their horses, . hi, charlotte. these are just some | of the soldiers and their horses, of course, that will be working during the coronation weekend. of course, they will be witnessing history, they will be witnessing history, they will be part of history but they will be part of history but they will be part of history but they will not have much chance to celebrate during that busy period so they have been brought here today for a big lunch. and also here is the presenter mel h, you have not joined the household division but you are dressed as if you have? t am you are dressed as if you have? i am aaivin you are dressed as if you have? i am giving coldstream _ you are dressed as if you have? i am giving coldstream with a twist. it is very— giving coldstream with a twist. it is very cold. giving coldstream with a twist. it is very cold-— giving coldstream with a twist. it is very cold. this was meant to be outside in — is very cold. this was meant to be outside in the _ is very cold. this was meant to be outside in the sun, _ is very cold. this was meant to be outside in the sun, we _ is very cold. this was meant to be outside in the sun, we have - is very cold. this was meant to be | outside in the sun, we have moved is very cold. this was meant to be i outside in the sun, we have moved it inside because it is cold and raining but mel is here as emotional support and to launch the big lunch? these guys will be super busy doing all their— these guys will be super busy doing all their amazing ceremonial stuff for the _ all their amazing ceremonial stuff for the coronation so we are having a big _ for the coronation so we are having a big lunch — for the coronation so we are having a big lunch today instead. the

horses, — a big lunch today instead. the horses, warrior and hastings, they had carrots — horses, warrior and hastings, they had carrots as part of the lunch. they— had carrots as part of the lunch. they had — had carrots as part of the lunch. they had eaten pretty much everything, salmon bagels, everything. i everything, salmon bagels, everything-— everything, salmon bagels, everything. everything, salmon bagels, eve hina. , everything. i think you could be aood in everything. i think you could be good in the _ everything. i think you could be good in the army? _ everything. i think you could be good in the army? i _ everything. i think you could be good in the army? i have - everything. i think you could be l good in the army? i have become everything. i think you could be - good in the army? i have become very bossy since — good in the army? i have become very bossy since being _ good in the army? i have become very bossy since being at _ good in the army? i have become very bossy since being at wellington - bossy since being at wellington barracks. they have got very quiet, they are _ barracks. they have got very quiet, they are scared.— barracks. they have got very quiet, they are scared. what would you be doinu for they are scared. what would you be doing for the _ they are scared. what would you be doing for the coronation? _ they are scared. what would you be doing for the coronation? i - they are scared. what would you be doing for the coronation? i will- they are scared. what would you be doing for the coronation? i will be l doing for the coronation? i will be havin: a doing for the coronation? i will be having a big _ doing for the coronation? i will be having a big lunch _ doing for the coronation? i will be having a big lunch myself, - doing for the coronation? i will be having a big lunch myself, not. doing for the coronation? i will be having a big lunch myself, not in| having a big lunch myself, not in london _ having a big lunch myself, not in london but — having a big lunch myself, not in london but in liverpool, prior to eurovision. _ london but in liverpool, prior to eurovision, so i will be sharing a scotch— eurovision, so i will be sharing a scotch egg — eurovision, so i will be sharing a scotch egg with rylan and scott mills. _ scotch egg with rylan and scott mills. i— scotch egg with rylan and scott mills, i would scotch egg with rylan and scott mills, iwould imagine. you scotch egg with rylan and scott mills, iwould imagine. mills, i would imagine. you used to host the bake _ mills, i would imagine. you used to host the bake of, _ mills, i would imagine. you used to host the bake of, do _ mills, i would imagine. you used to host the bake of, do people - mills, i would imagine. you used to | host the bake of, do people assume host the bake of, do people assume you will be bringing cakes and you know what you are doing? —— you used to host the bake 0ff. mary berry would not be impressed by that scone. tt

would not be impressed by that scone. . , , would not be impressed by that scone. .,, , . ., , , scone. it was still delicious. these cu s scone. it was still delicious. these au s will scone. it was still delicious. these guys will do _ scone. it was still delicious. these guys will do an _ scone. it was still delicious. these guys will do an amazing _ scone. it was still delicious. these guys will do an amazing job - scone. it was still delicious. these guys will do an amazing job on - scone. it was still delicious. these | guys will do an amazing job on that weekend _ guys will do an amazing job on that weekend and i hope people will be having _ weekend and i hope people will be having big lunch —— big lunches all over the _ having big lunch —— big lunches all over the country, have it big or small. — over the country, have it big or small. to — over the country, have it big or small. to a _ over the country, have it big or small, to a sausage roll with your neighbour, — small, to a sausage roll with your neighbour, an interesting trestle table. _ neighbour, an interesting trestle table, whatever you like. and that is the point _ table, whatever you like. and that is the point of— table, whatever you like. and that is the point of these _ table, whatever you like. and that is the point of these big _ table, whatever you like. and that is the point of these big lunches, | is the point of these big lunches, for neighbours to meet and have a chance. shall we go for lunch? let�*s chance. shall we go for lunch? let's do it! thank — chance. shall we go for lunch? let's do it! thank you, _ chance. shall we go for lunch? let's do it! thank you, charlotte - do it! thank you, charlotte gallagher. _ do it! thank you, charlotte gallagher, make _ do it! thank you, charlotte gallagher, make sure - do it! thank you, charlotte gallagher, make sure the l do it! thank you, charlotte - gallagher, make sure the comes are right. charlotte gallagher at wellington barracks. a unique opera production, written and performed by a cast who have all experienced homelessness has been described as a life—saver. the project�*s aim was to inspire and empower the people taking part, to help them gain confidence and rebuild their lives. 0ur midlands correspondent navtej johal has the story. just about to go on. any nerves? no, i�*m very confident, yeah. we�*re going to show them

the best of what we can do. simon is about to walk on stage at one of the most prestigious concert halls in london. he will perform in front of hundreds of people who have bought a ticket to see him and dozens of others who all once felt invisible and ignored. the 58—year—old from nottingham reached this point from a tough start. can you show me where you used to sleep rough? yeah, i used to come down this way. when he was 16, simon became homeless after problems with his family. sometimes i�*d sleep in the toilet at night because it was warm. i felt so insecure. at times i�*d feel like committing suicide. simon continued to have struggles into his adult life, but streetwise 0pera helped him turn things around.

it�*s an opera company that works with people who have experienced homelessness. it�*s changed my life completely from head to toe, from within. i have friends which i�*ve never had. i havejoy, peace, love. their latest project is a show with nine micro operas, all written and performed by people who have been homeless from across manchester, nottingham and london, culminating in a big performance at the queen elizabeth hall in london, accompanied by the bbc concert orchestra and the 16 choir. all of the performers share the experience of being homeless. a lot of our performers talk about how when they�*ve experienced homelessness, they feel unseen, they feel ignored, and this is an opportunity for their voices to be heard. so this is it. they began working on this project a year ago, and it all comes together now.

the performers are walking on stage. the bbc concert orchestra and hundreds of audience members await them. cheering and applause. to everyone involved, that was absolutely magnificent. cheering. how was that? absolutely fantastic. you know, itjust feels like i'm a real star. a standing ovation and a night they�*ll never forget. an extraordinary well done. navteonhal, bbc news. and if you�*d like to hear the concert in full, it�*ll be on bbc radio 3 tomorrow at 7.30pm. time for a look at the weather. here�*s darren bett. hello, jane. we have more rain around today, it may not amount to very much but in cambridge we have

had more rain this month than