The author of the Christmas classic The Snowman has sadly died, it has been confirmed this morning.
Raymond Briggs, the revered author and illustrator, sadly passed away aged 88, his publishers Penguin Random House have confirmed this morning.
A statement from his family said: ‘We know that Raymond’s books were loved by and touched millions of people around the world, who will be sad to hear this news. Drawings from fans – especially children’s drawings – inspired by his books were treasured by Raymond and pinned up on the wall of his studio.
‘He lived a rich and full life, and said he felt lucky to have had both his wife Jean, and his partner of over 40 years Liz in his life.
‘He shared his love of nature with Liz on South Downs walks and on family holidays to Scotland and Wales. He also shared his sense of fun and craziness with his family, and with his family of artist friends – at get-togethers, fancy dress parties and summer picnics in the garden.
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He played practical jokes and enjoyed them being played on him. All of us close to him knew his irreverent humour – this could be biting in his work when it came to those in power. He liked the Guardian editorial describing himself as an “iconoclastic national treasure”.’
Francesca Dow, managing director of children’s at Penguin Random House, which served as Briggs’ publisher, said: ‘I am very proud that Puffin has been the home of Raymond’s children’s books for so many years.
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‘Raymond’s books are picture masterpieces that address some of the fundamental questions of what it is to be human, speaking to both adults and children with a remarkable economy of words and illustrations.
‘Raymond is probably best known for The Snowman. He needed greater freedom perhaps than the standard 32-page picture book format allowed and created a radical and beautiful innovation: a wordless picture book for children, a storyboard of stills that became an instant classic in its own right, as well as the much-loved animation.’
Sad to hear of the death of Raymond Briggs. When the Wind Blows was as powerful as Threads in changing hearts and minds about nuclear disarmament and made a huge impact on me. A genius at making pictures worth a thousand words pic.twitter.com/aUz3257lEo
She added: ‘Raymond was a brilliantly observant, funny storyteller, honest about how life is rather than how adults might wish to tell it to children. A kindness, integrity and generosity run through all his books.
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‘And so in life: Raymond was a generous, unjealous spirit who was a pleasure to work with, as well as to visit in his Sussex cottage and experience his teasing genius in its home. He was funny! He made us laugh a lot. I will miss him. All of us who had the privilege of working with him will miss him.’
Tributes have been pouring in thick and fast for the author online, with former Children’s Michael Laureate Rosen, who wrote We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, tweeteing: ‘Raymond Briggs… RIP xxxx. You are fantastic…’
Raymond Briggs brought so much magic and joy to so many. Rest in peace. And thank you for the memories.🧡 pic.twitter.com/6jgIFlh3OG
Angela Raynor, deputy leader of the Labour party, tweeted: “Raymond Briggs brought so much magic and joy to so many. Rest in peace. And thank you for the memories.”
Children’s author of How To Train Your Dragon Cressida Cowell said: “Deeply sad to hear of the death of Raymond Briggs.”
‘What a magnificent legacy he leaves, from his iconic Father Christmas and the Snowman to the terrifying Where The Wind Blows.
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‘His books brought so much joy and inspired so many, touching, hilarious and heartbreaking work. RIP.’
Feature image – Youtube
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FIFA confirm new changes to international breaks – and many fans are divided
Danny Jones
Global sporting body FIFA have announced new changes to the annual football calendar and the ever-divisive international breaks, specifically.
It’s fair to say that not everyone is in agreement over the update to what many fans and even players already find a frustrating format.
Put simply, FIFA have revealed that they will be merging the traditional September and October breaks into one extended period of international football from 2026 onwards.
Once again, although the decision has been met with plenty of support, it has also faced just as much, if not potentially even more, resistance.
That's well better. Always thought instead of having 3 short international breaks in autumn we'd be better off having one long one
As detailed by multiple outlets following full confirmation on Monday, 13 September, footy fans are now looking at a combined 16 days of watching national teams in World Cup qualifiers and other fixtures.
While other clubs further down the footballing pyramid will still be able to watch their team, supporters of Premier League sides and several other divisions will see domestic action cease for roughly three weeks when taking into account rest days between international and club fixtures
Besides incorporating more teams into this year’s World Cup (now a 48-team affair) and the still relatively recent advent of the Nations League – which UEFA introduced in the hopes of creating more interest in the much-maligned international breaks – this is one of the biggest changes in some time.
At present, there are typically four breaks: September, October, November and March/April – not including major tournaments themselves.
One criticism of this format has been the stop-start consequence it has on club football, and indeed, struggling to create any real momentum and/or excitement, as well as the impact on form it sometimes has on players both away on national team duty and when they get back to their clubs.
I suppose it’s better than having two different breaks in Sept and the October, and the stop start nature of the club season.
Another big concern these breaks have always been met with is the added risk of fatigue and injury.
Despite being athletes who regularly train to remain at the peak of their physical fitness, the increasingly congested fixture calendar – particularly for those playing in England, with multiple cup competitions, the prospect of European football AND no break over Christmas – continues to push bodies to the limit.
Once again, these new changes to international breaks won’t come into effect until next year, but there are plenty of pros and cons that professionals and supporters alike will continue to debate until the new schedule is implemented.
Family pay tribute to ‘loyal’ son who was killed in a stabbing in Moss Side
Emily Sergeant
The family of a 15-year-old boy who lost his life in a stabbing in Moss Side this week have paid a touching tribute to him.
The boy has also formally been named as Mohanad Abdullaahi Goobe.
Mohanad was described as having an ‘uncanny ability’ to make you laugh in his family’s emotional tribute, as shared with the public.
The family’s statement reads: “Mohanad was the baby of the family, he was quick to laugh, easy to love, with a ready smile. Our son had an uncanny ability to make you laugh, making it sometimes difficult to be serious with him. He had many friends, he was loyal and often played the class clown, simply to see them laugh.
#TRIBUTE | Following the death of a teenage boy on Monton Street in Manchester yesterday (15 September), we are now able to name him as 15-year-old Mohanad Abdullaahi Goobe.
“Mohanad’s life has been cut tragically short, it is difficult to comprehend that seeing your son head off for school in the morning, would be the last time that we would see that handsome face.
“Mohanad deserves to be remembered for the young man who was loved by his family, and loved big in return, not as the boy whose life was taken with no thought or reason.
“We will not allow his name to be known as yet another statistic in the rise of knife crime.”
Tributes come after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a ‘disturbance’ involving a number of people on Monton Street in Moss Side at just after 4:30pm on Monday (15 September), and when they arrived on the scene, they found a 15-year-old boy with serious stab wounds.
#ARREST | Following our earlier update, a 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
This arrest comes after the death of another 15-year-old boy on Monton Street, Moss Side yesterday (15 September 2025).
After being treated both at the scene and later in hospital, the boy was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
A murder investigation was subsequently launched, and another teenager, also a 15-year-old boy, was then arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday (16 September).
Anyone with any information, or who may have been in the area at the time of the incident, is urged to contact GMP on 101 or online, quoting log 2327 of 15/09/25.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
10th August 2022 
