Liverpool's emphatic victory over Watford sends them top of the Premier League for the first time under manager Jurgen Klopp.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Rain clearing eastwards this evening will bring lengthy clear spells and temperatures low enough for a frost in places in parts of the eastern region as the temperature drops to a minimum of -1C (30F).

Patchy cloud will bring isolated showers across northern counties later in the night.

Saturday outlook: A chilly start with frost in places. Some dry and bright weather but also frequent showers across northern and eastern counties. Feeling cold in a brisk northerly breeze.

More details on BBC Weather:

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Thanks for your company. We'll be back with the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates from 08:00 on Monday.

Today we've covered:

• 'Jealous and controlling' Paul Hemming from Milton Keynes jailed for at least 20 years for partner's murder
• A man charged over a Hitchin stabbing
• Bedfordshire actress Samantha Womack talks about this year's panto she's starring in and reflects on the man convicted of stalking her

In the meantime, any breaking news tonight and over the weekend will be posted here.

Have a lovely weekend.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

It's Friday - and that means just one thing to some people. It's only a day until the next episode of Strictly Come Dancing.

Last night, our man Greg Rutherford told the show's sister programme It Takes Two how much he's enjoying this week's dance.

The Milton Keynes long jumper said: "I very much enjoy being away from the Latin side of things. We've had a really good last couple of days and I'm thoroughly enjoying the Viennese Waltz - it's very fast and furious though.

"It's a very difficult dance... I'm very excited to perform it and I think and I hope it could be our very best dance."

If you're wondering how a man who normally runs in a straight line to win is handling the many turns of this dance - well, it seem that his partner Natalie Lowe is the one that's in a spin, as the clip below reveals.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Q. What is the mayor of Dacorum doing on a climbing wall surrounded by knitted red flowers?

Image source, Royal British Legion

A. Councillor Robert Mclean was launching the Royal British Legion's Hertfordshire Poppy Appeal at the XC Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

The fundraising target in Hertfordshire is £900,000, which will go towards the Legion's national target of £43m.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Meanwhile, Watford defender Sebastian Prodl is a doubt for Sunday's Premier League game against in-form Liverpool.

Image source, Getty Images

Prodl went off against Hull last weekend with a muscle injury and is unlikely to recover in time, while Craig Cathcart, who has a groin strain, and Isaac Success, with an injured foot, are both out.

A late decision will be made on striker Stefano Okaka, who trained this week after overcoming a hamstring strain.

Watford last played at Anfield in May (pictured) when the Reds won 2-0.

Who hits hardest? Who has the best banter? James Haskell on his acting dreams, a seance, Friends, social media and more.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

It's FA Cup weekend - the first round proper where lower league clubs battle it out to walk onto Wembley's hallowed turf in May.

Let's face it... it's rare for that to happen. But if you're wondering why supporters of those teams still make a fuss about it, then read Newsbeat's feature about why the FA Cup is still a big deal for lower league teams.

And if you fancy joining in the atmosphere, there's plenty of cup action in the three counties this weekend.

Luton manager Nathan Jones says he'll pick his strongest team as the Hatters travel to fellow League Two side Exeter on Saturday. Dan Potts may return at left back after Alan Sheehan played there last weekend.

Meanwhile, caretaker manager Richie Barker will again be in charge as Milton Keynes Dons host non-league Spennymoor.

Also in the first round tomorrow, Stevenage go to Port Vale, non-league Chesham go to League One Peterborough and Wycombe Wanderers are at Portsmouth, which manager Gareth Ainsworth calls "one of the best ties we could've had".

On Sunday, National League sides St Albans City and Boreham Wood host Carlisle United and Notts County respectively.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

EastEnders star Samantha Womack has been talking about the man who was convicted of stalking her at her Bedfordshire home.

Image source, Milton Keynes Theatre

Last year, Peter Rombough, from Ditchingham in Norfolk, admitted travelling 93 miles to stalk her twice in 2014 and was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

At the time, Womack said the events had a "massive impact" on her life.

Speaking ahead of appearing in panto at the Milton Keynes Theatre this Christmas, she said: "It was as reported, but I think the man was more confused than a threat.

"I was just concerned that he was looked after properly, which I believe he was."

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Samantha Womack may be filming her final EastEnders scenes at the moment, but she's not disappearing as she can be seen in Dick Whittington at the Milton Keynes Theatre later this year.

Image source, Milton Keynes Theatre

Playing the villain Queen Rat, you may not think it's too far a leap from the villainous Ronnie Mitchell, the character she's played in the soap for the past 10 years - but she begs to differ.

"Panto is such a different sensibility," she said.

"You can be as large as life as you like, it's not rooted in truth, it's a chance to put your old acting skills into play and let go of your inhibitions and let yourself go.

"People tell me you really do have to get used to the booing though, because it's really hard not to take offence at first."

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

I've been talking to EastEnders star Samantha Womack, who told me how happy she is to be able to go "straight from home to panto" this year when she appears in Dick Whittington at the Milton Keynes Theatre.

It's only a short journey from her Bedfordshire house.

Image source, Milton Keynes Theatre

Womack, who will be channelling her murderous soap character Ronnie Mitchell in pantomime villain Queen Rat, also told me why she loves living in the county.

"I've always been drawn to flat landscapes, but the main thing is I have so much more space and a country feel but it's still really accessible to London," she said.

"Also my husband is from Liverpool and we're right near the M1. It's just a great position to be in."

The only downside to performing so close to home is that "people I know will see me make a wally of myself," she said.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

We've been following the sentencing of Paul Hemming for beating to death mother-of-three Natalie Hemming, 31, in the lounge of their Milton Keynes home while their children slept upstairs.  

Judge Richard Foster, sentencing Hemming, said: "Once the children were in bed a violent argument arose in the course of which you attacked her viciously to the head with some sort of implement. She attempted in vain to defend herself.

"Having murdered your partner of 10 years and the mother of your children, you proceeded in the most callous way to cover up what you had done.

"You stripped her naked and put her body in the boot of your car. You drove to a remote location and dragged her body through the undergrowth. It was not found for another three weeks. You then went on to tell lie after lie."

Hemming showed no reaction when sentence was passed or when emotional victim impact statements were read to the court, about the effect of Miss Hemming's death on her family and three children.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A leading journalists' union has challenged the decision to axe 57 jobs by a newspaper publisher that sells titles in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. 

The National Union of Journalists said it was "extremely concerned by the proposed job losses at Archant".

Image source, NUJ

"There is little in the reported statements from Jeff Henry, chief executive, or Matt Kelly, chief content officer, to indicate how moving to an 'audience first' approach can justify the loss of at least 17 jobs," Andy Smith, national executive member, said. 

"Putting 57 staff at risk of redundancy, particularly at this time of year, will be incredibly stressful for them all, and our first responsibility is to support our members through this process. 

"Though the consultation is at a very early stage, it is difficult to see how these proposals can have any other effect than to impose more work and more stress on an already overburdened staff."

Nic Rigby
BBC News

A "jealous and controlling" man who murdered his partner after finding out she was having an affair has been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 20 years.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Paul Hemming beat mother-of-three Natalie Hemming, 31, to death in the lounge of their Milton Keynes home while their children slept upstairs.

Miss Hemming was found dead in woodland at Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire, on 22 May - 21 days after she disappeared. Hemming was found guilty of murder at Luton Crown Court.

Judge Richard Foster said that outwardly the couple had the appearance of being a normal family living in a nice family home.

But he said: "The reality was far removed from those outward appearances. As Natalie Hemming knew, you were overbearing, controlling, jealous and on occasions violent. You said you would mend your ways but you did not."

He said it was clear Miss Hemming was making plans to move out with her three children and that Paul Hemming was aware of her new relationship with Simon Dennis.

"I have no doubt that when she arrived home on Sunday afternoon you were in a state of high agitation and overcome by anger and jealousy," said Judge Foster.

A jealous man who killed his partner after finding out she was having an affair is jailed for life.

BBC Entertainment and Arts

The BBC has announced details of Mary Berry's first show since leaving The Great British Bake Off.

Image source, Getty Images

The Buckinghamshire cook will sample the culinary histories of stately homes and create new recipes inspired by her visits in Mary Berry's Secrets From Britain's Great Houses.

In September, she announced she would not remain as a judge on Bake Off when it moved from BBC One to Channel 4.

In a statement, she said she was "so excited" to be doing the new six-part series with the BBC.

"I have always had an inquiring mind so I know I will be inspired by the great houses we visit," she said.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

A jealous man who killed his partner after finding out she was having an affair has been jailed for life, and must serve a minimum of 20 years before being considered for parole.

Paul Hemming beat mother-of-three Natalie Hemming, 31, to death in the lounge of their Milton Keynes home while their children slept upstairs.

Judge Richard Foster sentenced Hemming at Luton Crown Court.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Luton-based companies TUI and Monarch Airlines are among a group of travel businesses calling on the government to announce when flights can resume directly to Sharm el Sheikh.

British flights to the Egyptian Red Sea resort were suspended last November following the suspected terrorist bombing of a Russian airliner.

UK holidaymakers who still want a break in the resort must either take multiple flights or book a place on a ferry from Hurghada.

Monarch has confirmed it had received "no indication" from the government on when the ban will be lifted.

Chief executive Andrew Swaffield said: "Much hard work has been done by the UK and Egyptian governments, along with the travel industry, to improve safety measures at Sharm el-Sheikh airport and it is very disappointing that it remains closed.

"If and when the airport does reopen then we will assess whether we start flights and holidays again."  

The government said aviation security is "under constant review".    

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Paul Hemming, 43, who's been found guilty of murdering his partner Natalie Hemming, 31, at their home in Milton Keynes, is due to be sentenced this afternoon at Luton Crown Court.

At the beginning of his trial he denied murder but admitted manslaughter.

He also pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body and obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty by "concealing" Natalie Hemming's body in woodland.

We'll bring you the latest from court as soon as we have it.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Paul Hemming and Natalie Hemming had been in a relationship since 2007 but had briefly separated in 2010 and 2013.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

When they first met in Hemel Hempstead she already had a young daughter from a previous marriage.

They then had a son and a daughter together and, although they weren't married, she took his surname.

The court heard Paul Hemming could be moody and sullen and would constantly check up on her, wanting to know where she was going and what friends she was seeing.

In 2007, she made a statement to police which said he had thrown her mobile phone at her, which struck her on the head, because he had been jealous about her contact with other men.

In 2013, Miss Hemming made another statement after he poked her in the eye and hit her over the head with a bottle.

This spring, Natalie Hemming was working at a Mercedes dealership in Milton Keynes when she became close to another employee, technician Simon Dennis.

They flirted with each another and began spending lunchtimes together away from colleagues kissing and cuddling.

In April, she told Mr Hemming that someone at work fancied her and that she was planning to leave him.