Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Dani Harmer: Tracy Beaker star ‘couldn’t think of anywhere better’ to celebrate 30 years in pantomime than home county

BAFTA award-winning Dani Harmer, best known for her role as Tracy Beaker, told the Chronicle & Echo she “couldn’t think of anywhere better” to celebrate her 30 years in pantomime than her home county. Dani is one of the biggest stars of children’s television, having played the title role in CBBC’s The Story of Tracy Beaker, Tracy Beaker Returns, My Mum Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls, alongside many other screen credits.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Steve McFadden: TV icon Phil Mitchell looks forward to swapping Albert Square for the Royal & Derngate stage

Television icon Steve McFadden, known best for his role as Phil Mitchell in Eastenders, told the Chronicle & Echo he looks forward to swapping Albert Square for the Royal & Derngate stage this Christmas. Steve has been on our screens in Eastenders for more than 36 years and has led many high-profile storylines, receiving accolades including the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement and the National Television Award for Outstanding Serial Performance in 2025.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Star-studded cast of Royal & Derngate’s 2026 pantomime brought early touch of Christmas to Northampton

The star-studded cast of the Royal & Derngate’s 2026 pantomime brought an early touch of Christmas to Northampton for the launch of Beauty and the Beast. It was on Tuesday June 9 when the cast came together for the first time to celebrate what is promised to be a spectacular family show and to meet the team where they will spend their festive period.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Michael Thompson: Forensic pathologist gives opinion on cause of death but recognises limitations in this case

A forensic pathologist has given his expert opinion on Kimberley Thompson’s cause of death, but told the court he recognises the “limitations” when it comes to complex cases like this one. 55-year-old Michael Thompson, of Pinewood Road, pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson – who was found dead at a home in Pinewood Road on August 9, 2025.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Michael Thompson: Green-yellow liquid with layer of sediment in alleged murder victim’s bedroom was not analysed

The court heard that a glass of liquid found in the alleged murder victim’s bedroom, which was green and yellow in appearance with a layer of sediment at the bottom, was not available for toxicological analysis. 55-year-old Michael Thompson, of Pinewood Road, pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson – who was found dead at a home in Pinewood Road on August 9, 2025.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Britain’s Best Cake winner from Northampton believes ‘consistency and creativity’ are key to his success

The winner of Britain’s Best Cake Competition believes it is his “consistency and creativity” that have contributed to his success in Northampton for more than three years. Ryan Grigg runs Pat-a-Cake Man from Pineham, which specialises in bespoke celebration cakes for every occasion including birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and corporate events.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Michael Thompson: Friend says alleged murder victim was ‘happiest’ she has ever seen her with new partner

A friend of the alleged murder victim says the 43-year-old was the “happiest” she has ever seen her with her new partner, the court heard on Wednesday, June 3. 55-year-old Michael Thompson, of Pinewood Road, pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson – who was found dead at a home in Pinewood Road on August 9, 2025.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Michael Thompson: First paramedic to arrive at alleged murder scene saw no signs CPR had been carried out

The court heard that the first paramedic to arrive at the alleged murder scene saw no signs that CPR had been carried out by the defendant on Kimberley Thompson. 55-year-old Michael Thompson, of Pinewood Road, pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson – who was found dead at a home in Pinewood Road on August 9, 2025.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Michael Thompson: ‘He said it was his right to have sex with her because he’d put up with her for so many years’

A friend and work colleague of the alleged murder victim told the court the defendant “said it was his right to have sex with her because he’d put up with her for so many years”. 55-year-old Michael Thompson, of Pinewood Road, pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson – who was found dead at a home in Pinewood Road on August 9, 2025.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Michael Thompson: Friend tells jury of Kim’s injuries to arm, eyes, nose, jaw and ankle

A friend of Kimberley Thompson’s told the jury of injuries to her arm, eyes, nose, jaw and ankle, which the 43-year-old said were down to basketball, falling or tripping. 55-year-old Michael Thompson, of Pinewood Road, pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson – who was found dead at a home in Pinewood Road on August 9, 2025.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

I love Northampton businesses – here’s three I’ll be supporting for the first time this spring and summer

I truly believe the wide variety of innovative businesses in this town are what make it so special, and here are three I will be supporting for the first time this spring and summer. Although it is important to remain loyal to the independents you have been long-term customers of, no bad can come from visiting other ventures and adding them to your repertoire.
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