Newspaper headlines: 'Heartbreak' as Nicola search brings 'family's worst fear'

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By BBC News
Staff
PA Media

Nicola Bulley

Most of the front pages carry photos of Nicola Bulley after police searching for the missing mother found a body.

The Daily Star highlights how the discovery was made just a mile from where she vanished in the Lancashire village of St Michael's on Wyre. The Daily Mirror headlines its story on her "Family's Worst Fear", saying the hearts of millions will go out to them.

The Daily Mail says officers and divers twice scoured the area where the body was found in the first 48 hours after Ms Bulley's disappearance, while the Sun's headline asks: "How did it take so long for cops to make find?"

In an article by its crime editor, the Times says that the river hypothesis "was vindicated" - but that police still face serious questions over whether there were failings in the search.

In her analysis, the Guardian's North of England correspondent, Robyn Vinter, believes the police will be facing the consequences of the poor handling of public relations for some time.

Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph claims that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been forced to pause the Northern Ireland Protocol deal because of what it calls a "backlash" from senior Tories and Unionists. The paper says a plan to unveil the details today has been delayed.

However, the Times says Mr Sunak would be willing to press ahead with it, even if it did not get DUP support. The i agrees that he is "set to face down" attempts by Boris Johnson and Tory rebels to scupper a Brexit deal.

All Quiet on the Western Front has shaken up the awards season after it won seven Baftas, according to the Times. The paper said the World War One drama, though well liked and appreciated, had "never seemed like a genuine contender". It said what it described as a couple of "head-scratching" decisions meant by the end of the night it had overtaken Martin McDonagh's "impeccable" dark comedy The Banshees of Inisherin.

The Sun also says that Austin Butler being named best actor over Colin Farrell was "a shock."

And many of the papers carry tributes to Dickie Davies - the presenter of ITV's World of Sport after his death at the age of 94.

The Daily Express calls him a "TV legend", while the Daily Mirror describes the former broadcaster as "one of the most recognisable faces in Britain" - famed for his bushy moustache, sideburns and coiffured brown hair interrupted only by a patch of white.

In its tribute, the Daily Telegraph says whether it was World Cup or wrestling he made it feel like "the most exciting event of the weekend".