New reports are suggesting that iconic football song Three Lions could be replaced as England’s anthem for the 2022 World Cup.
It’s fair to say that the song – which was released by band The Lightning Seeds in collaboration with comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel over 25 years ago for Euro 96, has been a staple at every major national football tournament ever since – with fans belting out the words “It’s Coming Home” at every opportunity.
But now, a new report in The Sun is claiming that the FA will look to replace the anthem for the upcoming Qatar World Cup because it risks offending other nations.
The Sun explained how all 32 nations taking part in the World Cup later this year have to nominate a song to be played in the build-up to kick-off, but while Three Lions would seem to many to be the obvious choice, bosses at the FA are said to be considering choosing an alternative song instead over fears the tune is seen as “arrogant” by other countries.
There is apparently speculation that Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline is the forerunner to replace it, after the song played a huge part in England’s run the final of Euro 2020.
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Three Lions could be replaced as England’s anthem for the 2022 World Cup / Credit: YouTube
England and Newcastle legend Paul Gascoigne told The Sun: “That song is in our DNA. It helped us in 1996 and it’ll help the boys in Qatar.
“The FA have totally lost the plot.”
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He added: “You can’t take that song off us. Sweet Caroline doesn’t come close. It would be like saying we can’t wave St George’s flags anymore.
“This woke nonsense has no place in football – it’s just a great song.”
The nature of the song and the way other countries perceive its meaning is something that critics have already discussed in previous years, and last year in particular, Three Lions co-creator David Baddiel spoke on the matter, explaining: “I think it’s the notion – misinterpreted by many people – that football’s coming home means that England owns football and we are the homeland of football.
“Which historically is the case. We were the first one to ratify the rules of the game. But somehow that’s offensive to other FAs.”
An alternative song could be chosen over fears it’s seen as “arrogant” by other countries / Credit: YouTube
Outspoken TalkTV presenter Piers Morgan has also had his say on the matter, calling the proposal to remove Three Lions a “ridiculous idea”, and adding: “This is a ridiculous idea. The song is all about wallowing in 30 years of hurt and pain at not winning anything, how can anyone say it is arrogant.
“We should absolutely stick with Three Lions.”
England’s official song choice is expected to be announced after the summer.
One in 10 Brits are fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party, new survey finds
Emily Sergeant
We’re in peak office Christmas party season right about now.
With just under two weeks to go until the big day itself is here, many businesses across the UK are treating their staff to night out to celebrate both the festive season and all of the hard work they have been putting in throughout the year… and as you can expect, these are usually quite eventful gatherings, shall we say.
But now, a survey by has shed light on just how ‘eventful’ they actually are, as a new survey has revealed that, apparently, one in ten Brits face some sort of disciplinary action or dismissal due to their behaviour at Christmas parties.
The study was conducted by After Drink, and included more than 2,000 participants.
During the research, it was highlighted that 89% of employees admitted to drinking alcohol at these events, Lad Bible reports – with 65% of these confessing that they drank “excessively”.
One in 10 Brits get fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party / Credit: Kraken Images | Mimi Thian (via Unsplash)
There are a multitude of incidents which could lead to disciplinary action in the workplace nowadays, but according to the survey, some of the common reasons following festive celebrations with colleagues included inappropriate comments (23%) and even getting into fights (21%).
16% of these incidents were because of drug use during the event, while inappropriate interactions with colleagues accounted for 14%.
Some of the legal reasons you can be fired from your place of work after a Christmas party include gross misconduct, drunken behaviour, and fighting of any kind.
Despite all these risks, however, Christmas parties still remain as popular as always, and a whopping 79% of respondents said they are planning to attend theirs this year.
Clearly, the moral of the story here is , enjoy yourself… but just not too much.
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Half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner, new survey reveals
Emily Sergeant
Christmas dinner is one of the key parts of any festive celebration.
No matter whether you choose to tuck into a traditional roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, or you prefer to go for something a little different like a curry or a Chinese instead, your Christmas dinner is a chance to gather round with your loved ones and enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll likely have all year.
However, some shocking new figures have revealed that half of Manchester residents have no clue how to even cook a Christmas dinner.
Through a major study by the UK’s leading electrical retailer, AO.com, it was revealed that the majority of our city’s residents are “losing confidence” in preparing even the simplest of British dishes – with a traditional roast or Christmas dinner being one of them.
A new survey has revealed that half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner / Credit: Freepik | GoodFon
As part of its new campaign to get Brits back into the kitchen, AO found that just 57% of respondents reckon they would be able to make a roast dinner, 52% could whip up a classic shepherd’s pie, 58% could cook bangers and mash, merely 61% could prepare a full English breakfast, and again, only 57% could tackle fish and chips.
Classic desserts are clearly a struggle for us Mancs too, according to the survey, as only 19% of respondents said they’d feel confident cooking a Christmas pudding.
The survey also found that nationwide, it was Gen Z – those between the age of 16 and 27 – that are the least confident in their ability to cook great British classics, while on the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers are the most capable, proving that culinary confidence increases with age.
Our region’s residents are apparently ‘losing confidence’ at cooking simple British classics / Credit: Freepik
Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in Manchester are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.
“Based on our findings, many younger people may be opting for convenience foods or takeaways due to their busy schedules and the perception that cooking from scratch is time-consuming or difficult.
Emily Sergeant -
5th May 2022 
