Simon Calder warns train passengers to 'be prepared' and make 1 swap this week

Travel expert Simon Calder has issued a warning for anyone planning to travel by train this week, as the UK heatwave causes significant train disruption

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Add us as preferred source Comments By Charlotte Smith 12:44, Tue, Jun 23, 2026 Updated: 12:52, Tue, Jun 23, 2026

UK weather: Met Office issues warning for extreme heat

Travel expert Simon Calder has issued a fresh warning for anyone planning to travel by rail this week, sharing his latest guidance for millions of passengers across the country as a heatwave takes hold. His alert comes as train travellers face considerable disruption, with operators throughout Britain scaling back services owing to the scorching temperatures this week.

According to the Met Office, temperatures could reach 40C in parts of the UK, with the weather agency issuing a red extreme heat warning. Britain is facing what could be its hottest June since 1976.

Appearing on today's (June 23) episode of Good Morning Britain, the travel journalist and broadcaster delivered a stark caution to viewers. He implored people to rearrange their travel plans this week and, where possible, switch to an alternative date given the intense heat forecast over the coming days.

He said: "My advice to anyone booked to travel by rail over the next few days is, please, if you can, move your journey to the end of the week, then do so. It will be much more comfortable and have a higher degree of actually working as it is supposed to. Otherwise, I'm afraid, just be prepared for delays and disruption."

The rail industry is bracing itself for disruptions that can stem from extreme heat, including sagging overhead power lines, buckled tracks, and trackside fires. Passengers are advised to set off earlier in the day where possible and to carry a water bottle, reports the Mirror. Online journey planners may not reflect accurate timetables until the day of travel, owing to last-minute cancellations.

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What are my rights if my train is delayed or cancelled due to hot weather?

According to Citizens Advice, if your train is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund should you be unable to board the next service or decide against travelling. If you experience a delay and arrive at your destination more than 30 minutes late, you can generally claim a partial reimbursement.

Certain train operators may even provide compensation if your service is delayed by more than 15 minutes. Be sure to hold on to your train tickets in order to submit a refund request. It is advisable to lodge your claim within 28 days, though some operators may permit a lengthier timeframe.

For those who travelled with Transport for London (TfL), such as on the London Underground, you can visit its website to find out how much you may be entitled to and how to go about making a claim.

A red extreme heat warning has been issued as parts of England and Wales brace for temperatures of up to 40°C.

Care home workers are taking extra precautions to protect vulnerable residents as the Met Office warns there is a danger to life from the heat.

The warning comes as… pic.twitter.com/zuQ9jgmyDx
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) June 23, 2026

What have UK railway lines said about the hot weather affecting services?

Avanti West Coast announced plans to operate reduced services between Tuesday and Thursday, warning that "there's a risk of further disruption". The operator relaxed its ticketing restrictions, allowing passengers to board an earlier train than originally booked at no additional charge.

Those holding tickets for departures between Tuesday and Thursday are entitled to a full refund should they wish to cancel their travel plans. Chiltern Railways has scrapped more than half its services across those three days "to ensure the safe operation of the railway". The cancellations affect London Marylebone routes to and from Birmingham, Oxford and Aylesbury via Amersham.

The operator said: "We strongly advise you to avoid travelling if possible. Trains are running at greatly reduced levels to ensure everyone's safety, which means you may experience significant delays and very busy conditions."

Great Western Railway urged passengers to use its services solely for "essential travel" on Wednesday and Thursday, coinciding with a severe red warning issued by the Met Office. The operator explained that prolonged extreme temperatures can affect equipment on its older regional train fleet, including engines and cooling systems.

The company is running a reduced timetable between London Paddington and Reading until Friday, following a decision by Network Rail to leave certain points — the metal components that enable trains to switch tracks — unmoved along that route, in a bid to minimise the risk of failures, which become considerably more likely in extreme heat. LNER advised passengers travelling on Tuesday to board an earlier service, while warning that "we strongly advise that you do not travel across the LNER route" on Wednesday or Thursday.

Disruption was also reported across the Transport for Wales network, affecting routes between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay, as well as between Coryton and Penarth. South Western Railway issued an alert confirming it would operate reduced services between Tuesday and Thursday. Its Hampton routes in south-west London were further impacted by flooding on Tuesday morning, following torrential overnight rainfall.

Flooding also triggered severe delays on the Elizabeth line between Heathrow airport and London Paddington. Several London Underground lines experienced significant disruption on Tuesday morning, most notably the complete suspension of the Circle line due to a signalling failure.

Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'

Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.

The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.

Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.

But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.

'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.

'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'

The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.

Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'

A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs

Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts

But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'

A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.

'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.

Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.

'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.

'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.

'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.

'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'

'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.

'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'

Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming

Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.

The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.

Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.

They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.

Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.

Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'

Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad

The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year

Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'

Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'

But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.

Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.

He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.

Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.

Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.

Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.

It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.

An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.

An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million

In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.

In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'

After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.

The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'

Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.

'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'

Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.

Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.

Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'

Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.

And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.

A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.

'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.

'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.

It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.

Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'

Simon Calder warns train passengers to make 1 swap this week