More on the news that comedian Peter Kay has cancelled all of his forthcoming shows, including 11 performances at Leeds Arena in 2018 and seven in Sheffield Arena in 2019.

Image source, PA

In a statement on twitter, the comedian says: "Due to unforeseen family circumstances, I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects.

"This unfortunately includes my upcoming stand-up tour, Dance For Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments."

He added "My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly and I'm sure you'll understand my family must always come first."

Kay was due to play eight nights at Leeds Arena between on 2 to 13 October 2018 and at Sheffield Arena from 4 to 15 March 2019.

According to the statement, ticket holders will be refunded from where they bought their ticket.

Kay said:"I've always endeavoured to protect my family's privacy from the media. I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again, I'm very sorry."

Peter Kay's first live stand-up tour in eight years, including dates in West and South Yorkshire, has been cancelled.

Kay, was due to perform at Leeds Arena in October 2018 and at Sheffield Arena in March 2019.

In a statement, he says it's due to "unforeseen family circumstances".

BBC News Travel

Here's some sage advice, don't play chicken with your fuel gauge on the M1:

Bus drivers in York are risking confusing young children across the city on Friday by dressing as Father Christmas.

Image source, St Leonard's Hospice

They're donning the white beards and red suits as part of a Wear a Santa Suit for the Day campaign organised by the city's St Leonard's Hospice.

First York's Marc Bichtemann said: “Our drivers have supported St Leonard’s over the last few years, but this year they have really gone the extra mile."

More on the news that a 15-year-old boy has admitted causing the deaths of five people who were killed when the stolen car they were in hit a tree in Leeds.

Ellis, 12, and Elliott Thornton-Kimmitt, 14, died along with Darnell Harte, 15, Anthony Armour and Robbie Meerun, both 24, in the crash on 25 November.

The boy, who cannot be named, appeared at Leeds Crown Court by video link and he pleaded guilty to five counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Image source, Peter Byrne/PA Wire

West Yorkshire Police said the car had been stolen in the Headingley area of the city hours earlier.

A force spokesman previously said officers found a scene of "complete carnage" when they arrived at the crash site, on a residential street about three miles north of Leeds city centre.

The boy was remanded in custody for reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing, which is expected to take place on 26 January.

It seems like it's not just dogs that need a good pampering session, as Fonzie the South Yorkshire ferret is proving:

A man has been arrested in Leeds after a police pursuit through parts of the city this morning.

Officers say that a black Seat Leon failed to stop for them at 09:10 this morning on Shannon Street.

Police then followed the car on York Road where the Seat damaged other cars.

The pursuit ended in the Gipton area where officers brought the car to a stop, in which traffic lights were taken out.

The 28-year-old driver who was arrested suspicion of dangerous driving remains in police custody.

There were no injuries.

Sheffield City Council has lifted its suspension of cab-hailing app firm Uber's licence.

The restriction was originally brought in last week after the council said the company had failed to respond to official requests about its management when the licence was being reviewed.

But the authority now says Uber has provided satisfactory replies to its questions and that a new licence application is being considered, with a decision due early next year.

BBC News Travel

It seems a crash in Gipton in Leeds has taken out traffic lights:

There's been an increase in the number of unemployed people in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Image source, PA

Figures for August to October show an increase of 4,000 in the number of people out of work in our region to 131,000.

Nationally, however, unemployment has fallen by 26,000 to 1.43 million, the lowest since 1975.

A 15-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving of five people when a stolen car crashed into a tree in Leeds last month.

Image source, Reuters

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video link at Leeds Crown Court this morning and admitted the five counts.

Ellis and Elliott Thornton-Kimmitt, aged 12 and 14 respectively, died in the crash, along with Darnell Harte, 15, when the Renault Clio they were in hit a tree in Meanwood on Saturday 25 November.

Father-of-two Anthoney Armour, 24, and Robbie Meerun, 24, were also killed.

The teenager was remanded in custody for reports to be prepared and is expected to be sentenced on 26 January.

Uber in York says it's "disappointed" with a decision by councillors to not renew its operating licence in the city.

Image source, PA

Taxi drivers claim York is being "overwhelmed" with drivers who work for the cab-hailing app, which has already been banned in London and had its licence suspended in Sheffield.

Uber says it will review the decision in York once it's received formal notice from City of York Council.

A leading polar scientist has been given a prestigious new job at the University of Leeds.

Image source, University of Leeds

Professor Dame Jane Francis (pictured), whose most recent work focuses on understanding historical climate change, is the university's new Chancellor.

Her role will be to raise the university's profile and preside over events such as degree ceremonies.

She replaces Lord Melvyn Bragg, who has stepped down after 17 years in the role and will be installed as the Chancellor in a ceremony in 2018.

People who feed seagulls in Yorkshire's east coast tourist spots of Scarborough, Filey and Whitby may soon face fines.

It could be the next move in a bid to cut the number of so-called "gull muggings" in the towns, a councillor says.

Scarborough Borough Council says it now plans to take its "eat it, bin it" message into schools and will put it on fish and chip boxes as part of its ongoing campaign to cut down on attacks.

Herring gull nests and eggs will also continue to be removed for the next two years, the authority adds.

But Bill Chatt, from the council, says if people don't stop feeding the gulls fines may be the next step:

A South Yorkshire MP says he has limited some of his parliamentary activities on the advice of his doctor.

Image source, House of Commons

Sheffield Hallam Labour MP Jared O'Mara hasn't been seen publicly since a row in October over an alleged incident at a Sheffield nightclub earlier this year, allegations Mr O'Mara denies.

He'd previously issued an apology for a series of offensive online comments dating back to 2004.

Mr O'Mara is currently suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation.

The LibDem parliamentary candidate for Hallam, Laura Gordon, says she's having to deal with constituency matters because people can't get hold of Mr O'Mara.

Mr O'Mara's team say advice surgeries are still being held with his staff and people who have a problem can contact his office.

A multi-million pound flood protection plan is expected to be backed by senior Leeds councillors later.

Image source, PA

The plan is designed to protect homes and businesses upstream on the River Aire, including in Kirkstall, where huge damage was caused by the 2015 Boxing Day floods (pictured).

The plan's being debated by Leeds City Council's Executive Board later.

If it gets the go-ahead, a bid for the money to pay for it will then be sent to the government.

Lisa Gallagher
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

Risk of ice with a little mist and fog at first today, but brightening up with sunny spells and showers later.

Watch my full forecast here:

If you were planning to sashay around York's famous city walls - some of which date back to Roman times - it looks like you'll have to put off that promenade until the weather gets just a little warmer...

Image source, Visit York

City of York Council says the walls are closed for the time being due to patches of ice.

They'll be checked again at 10:30 this morning.

A piano delivery at the University of Leeds has given it an "all-Steinway school" status.

The university has invested about £742,000 in 27 Steinway & Sons pianos, which have recently arrived at its School of Music.

Sir Alan Langlands, University of Leeds vice chancellor, said: "World-class facilities and artistic endeavour across the university are more important than ever":

A man's been attacked by a knife-wielding schoolboy in York.

The 35-year-old victim was walking on a field near St Oswald's Primary School on School Lane in Fulford on Monday morning when a youth approached him and demanded he hand over his mobile phone.

When he refused, he was cut on the arm and stomach with what police describe as a "small blade like a Stanley knife".

He was taken to hospital but his injuries are not though to be serious.

Officers say the offender is "a young boy of school age", 5ft 5in tall, of slim build, wearing a black jacket with hood up, a snood and black tracksuit bottoms, with white socks over the ankles."

Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to contact police.