Jack Grealish has spoken out for the first time since burglars targeted his home in a £1 million ‘jewellery raid’ last week.
The distressing incident at the Manchester City and England midfielder’s Cheshire mansion was reported to have taken place while the 28-year-old was in action playing up against Everton in a 3-1 Premier League victory on Boxing Day (Wednesday 27 December), all according to reports in The Sun, and several other reputable publications.
Around 10 members of the footballer‘s extended family were thought to have been inside the property at the time of the distressing incident, it has been reported.
The Birmingham-born player’s parents and long-term girlfriend Sasha Attwood were said to have been among those present in the home watching the match on TV at the time.
Jack Grealish has been targeted by thieves in a £1 million ‘jewellery raid’ at his Cheshire mansion / Credit: Jack Grealish (via Instagram)
The Sun’s reports suggested the family heard noises coming from upstairs, and Grealish‘s dogs soon began barking, prompting the family to subsequently press the property’s panic alarm to alert security and authorities – with police responding shortly after and going on to deploy officers, a dogs unit, and a helicopter.
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Reports have suggested the thieves got away with around £1 million worth of jewellery and watches, but no suspects were said to have been found at the time.
Now, for the first time since the incident, Jack Grealish has broken his silence and taken to Instagram to speak out on the “traumatic experience” his family endured.
Claiming he’d been left “devastated” by the events, the footballer wrote in a statement: “I can’t begin to explain how devastated I am over the burglary that took place at my home a few days ago. My family mean the world to me and nothing is more important than ensuring their safety. This has been a traumatic experience for all of us, I am just so grateful that nobody was hurt.
“I have had so many amazing experiences and achievements over the last 12 months, but to be honest, the best year of my life in football now doesn’t feel like something I can celebrate.
“The people that commit these terrible crimes have no idea of the damage they cause to peoples lives. I hope they are found and brought to justice so no other family has to go through what we have.
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Jack Grealish with his parents, siblings, and girlfriend at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar / Credit: Sasha Rebecca (via Instagram)
“I appreciate the messages from everyone and the support from my friends, teammates, and the club.
“On a more positive note, I’d like to thank everyone for their support throughout this past year, and I wish you and your family a happy 2024.”
The post amassed thousands of supportive comments from members of the public, as well as several of Grealish’s teammates.
Fellow Manchester City players Ederson, Jeremy Doku, Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, and Sergio Gomez were among those to comment on the post, as was former Aston Villa teammate John McGinn, and England teammate James Maddison also sent well wishes.
Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd January 2024 
