Dennis Potter thought his twisted miracle story Brimstone and Treacle his best play.

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In demand: Rupert Friend

'The only way to act is to be the person'

Several films and a high-profile romance shot Rupert Friend into the spotlight. These days, back on the London stage, he prefers a quieter life, he tells Charlotte Cripps

BAE Systems win £446m contract

Defence giant BAE Systems has received a five-year, £446 million contract to provide a range of engineering support services for the fleet of Typhoon jets.

West Ham’s Carlton Cole holds off Jonathan Hogg last night

Allardyce laments lack of proven goalscorer

West Ham United 1 Watford 1

ICB says taxpayers' bank subsidy will top £10bn

The taxpayer subsidy to British banks is "considerably" more than £10bn, the Independent Commission on Banking told a Treasury Select Committee yesterday.

Vickers to hint at banking reforms

The head of the commission examining the potential break-up of Britain's biggest banks is expected to say today that significant reforms are needed.

'I won't celebrate if I score,' says Eduardo on return to Arsenal

Brazilian has fond memories of Gunners despite horrific leg break. By Nick Harris

To split or not to split? What is the future for Britain's banks?

Business Secretary Vince Cable wants the banks to separate their retail and investments sides, but the industry is not convinced that would be a sensible move. Richard Northedge reports

Watchdog may break up 'too big to fail' banks

A new Government banking watchdog today revealed it will consider splitting up "too big to fail" banks to break their stranglehold on the high street under a year-long probe into bank reforms.

So is Sir John preparing to break up the banks?

The independent Banking Commission starts taking evidence today and all options are open

Album: Martin Taylor's Spirit of Django, Last Train...(PTHE Guitar Label)

Django Reinhardt meets Hank B Marvin in guitarist Taylor's beautifully detailed, high-gloss contemporary version of gypsy jazz.

Phillips keeps straight face to frustrate Arsenal

Birmingham City 1 Arsenal 1

Ben Chu: A message to the useful idiots on bonuses

Excellent piece in the FT today on bonuses by Martin Taylor, a former Barclays executive, which all those who mistakenly believe that they're bravely holding the line against a populist mob on bankers' remuneration should read.

Evolution classes for primary pupils

Children at primary school are to be given compulsory lessons on evolution for the first time under a shake-up of the curriculum unveiled yesterday.

FA overhauls disciplinary rules

Disciplinary chiefs will be able to take into account the severity of injuries caused by serious fouls when dealing with red card offences in the coming seasons.

Career Services

Day In a Page

Countdown's rudest ever moments

Yesterday a contestant spelt the word 'minge'.
Special report: Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported

Special report

Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported
The problem with social mobility

The problem with social mobility

Politicians who say they want to break down Britain's social barriers have been told to unlock closed-shop professions – starting in their own backyard
France's sixth biggest city* goes to the polls (*that's London, by the way)

France's sixth biggest city* goes to the polls (*that's London, btw)

Next month expats in the stronghold of South Kensington will have a big say in who is returned as the first French overseas MP
Aftershock: How Haiti's quake hit the whole of Hispaniola

Aftershock: How Haiti's quake hit the whole of Hispaniola

Two years on from the disaster that shook the Caribbean state, its eastern neighbour, the Dominican Republic, fears a new wave of illegal immigrants could hurt its economy
Mean streets at the movies

Mean streets at the movies

Plan B's new film explores the urban tensions that led to last summer's riots – and he's not the only one finding cinematic inspiration in social unrest
Romney hits the magic number, but his smartphone app fails crucial spelling test

Romney hits the magic number...

... but his smartphone app fails crucial spelling test
Car-crash TV: Ferrari quits news after gaffes, rows and poor ratings

Car-crash TV: Ferrari quits news after gaffes, rows and poor ratings

Weeks after the demise of Sarkozy, the TF1 star he's said to have dated finds herself out of office too
Meet your doctor (please don't unplug it)

Meet your doctor (please don't unplug it)

Can a network of hi-tech terminals and online medics make the connection?
The 10 Best cycling gear

The 10 Best cycling gear

It’s summer, it's sunny... it’s the perfect time to get on your bike.
Song of the suicide bomber: How 'Babur in London' negotiated a cultural minefield

Song of the suicide bomber

Daring new opera 'Babur in London' features British terrorists planning an attack.
The school that brought the International Baccalaureate to the East End

Bringing the IB to the East End

The International Baccalaureate is not just for pupils in leafy suburbs.
England must beware brilliant Belgium

England must beware brilliant Belgium

They may have missed out on the Euros but the Belgians have a rash of young players who, thanks to the unifying skills of their coach, look to have a bright future
James Lawton: Liverpool must show new man the respect he needs to do the job

James Lawton

Liverpool must show new man the respect he needs to do the job
2012: the year when England's support decided to stay at home

2012: the year when England's support decided to stay at home

Three Lions will play their Euro 2012 games in front of only a few thousand of their fans