He's become the hottest ticket in town: a real-life equivalent of the golden tickets in Roald Dahl's children's classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

North Sea employment is set to boom this year. Up to 50,000 new jobs are expected in Britain's oil and gas industry, according to analysis by a leading industry headhunter.

Both countries' stock markets show huge potential but there are many issues to weigh up before investing your money

Private equity firms have bounced back to life this year, with the value of buyouts rising by almost a quarter in 2012. The total of deals completed in the UK has risen 23 per cent to £15.7bn, according to Ernst & Young, compared with £12.7bn in 2011.

Steppin’ Out with Katherine Jenkins, ITV1

Boris Johnson today accused David Cameron of pretending not to know what Magna Carta means so he did not appear too clever.

He insists on seasonal ingredients, is keen to sample the most exotic of local cuisines, and waxes lyrical about his breakfast. Charlotte McDonald-Gibson wonders if 007 was the prototype foodie

The energy watchdog has paid more than £1 million in bonuses to staff in the past two years.

Cairn Energy has confirmed that it will not be paying a controversial £2.5m bonus to its former chief executive, Sir Bill Gammell, nor make a £1m gift to charities he supports, after a huge shareholder revolt.

A hard-up vicar, a care home and a choir are among the recipients of €190,000 benefactor

The UK's greenhouse gas emissions rose in 2010, the first increase since 2003, figures confirmed today.

The International Cricket Council decided to try to save Test matches yesterday by throwing money at them. Whether this will actually persuade more spectators to watch, provide the players with an incentive to perform better, or spur the weaker nations to mighty deeds may be open to considerable doubt.

The International Cricket Council decided to try to save Test matches today by throwing money at them. Whether this will actually persuade more spectators to watch, provide the players with an incentive to perform better, or spur the weaker nations to mighty deeds may be open to considerable doubt.

The last day of an old year is as good a time as any to look to the future. Racing is unusual among sports that callow young beginners regularly compete on the same programmes as seasoned veterans, rather than being tucked away at junior meets or youth squad matches. And their presence in the public eye from the start makes the tracing of real talent all the more absorbing, though it's spotting not necessarily easier.