Real Madrid's 'dirty tricks' to get Gareth Bale leave Spurs raging

TOTTENHAM last night warned Real Madrid to back off over Gareth Bale as the dirty tricks campaign to unsettle him rumbles on.

Bale is going nowhere insists Spurs boss Villas-Boas

Sources close to Bale insist he has NOT asked for a transfer OR agreed terms with Real - contrary to several reports this week from the Spanish giants.

But Starsport has also learned that Spurs are so determined to keep him they have even issued a written hands-off warning to Madrid refusing to negotiate under any circumstances.

A club insider said last night: "We've made our position clear. It won't change. We have no interest in entertaining bids."

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is furious with Real's behaviour and grew increasingly irritated as he fielded more questions about Bale's future in Hong Kong yesterday.

Villas-Boas said: "On Gareth, I want to repeat what I was telling you last season and what I was telling you from the beginning of pre-season so I cannot extend myself. He's a Tottenham player, we are counting on him for the future."

Spurs look unlikely to match Roberto Soldado's £26m buy-out clause

“He's a Tottenham player, we are counting on him for the future.”

Andre Villas-Boas

Claims in Madrid newspaper Marca yesterday that Bale has agreed an eye-watering six-year contract with Real worth £8.5m a season are wide of the mark.

Bale will miss the club's Asia Trophy opener against Sunderland today, but Villas-Boas insists there is nothing sinister in that as he has a training-ground knock.

Meanwhile, Spurs opened the door for Liverpool to nab Roberto Soldado from under their noses last night after failing to meet his £26m buy-out clause.

Director of football Franco Baldini returned home emptyhanded after presenting Valencia with a new bid of around £22m plus performance-related add-ons for the Spain striker.

But Spurs risk missing out because representatives from Liverpool are now expected in Valencia for talks tomorrow.

Villas-Boas said: "Roberto is one of the players we have been following. But there isn't a deal being struck at the moment, it's just interest and conversations."

Manchester City's Jesus Navas aims to leave Premier League rivals reeling

MANCHESTER CITY new boy Jesus Navas has revealed he turned down the chance to join Arsenal three years ago.

Jesus Navas training with City yesterday

And now he is ready to show Arsene Wenger what he missed by lighting up the Premier League and helping City recapture the title.

Manuel Pellegrini has paid Seville £16m to add Navas' speedy wing play to a team that badly needed pace and width.

But the Spain international says he could already have been playing in England if he had accepted an offer from Wenger following the World Cup in 2010.

He turned down the move then because Seville were riding high in La Liga, had qualified for the Champions League three years on the bounce, and just won the Spanish Cup.

And he was still fighting to overcome the anxiety problems that dogged his early career and made him homesick whenever he was away from his family.

As he launched City's new black away kit here in Hong Kong, a relaxed Navas said: "At that time, I was still winning and achieving things at Seville and therefore it wasn't the right time to move.

"My time at Seville was great but we haven't won anything for two or three years and I feel now is the right time to move on. I am ambitious to win things. I always demand 100 per cent from myself so for that reason it was the right time to go."

Navas, 26, has overcome the anxiety attacks that also played a part in his decision to turn down the Gunners.

"It was a few years ago now," he added.

"It's all in the past and I've moved on.

Otherwise I wouldn't be here now. I have a wife and young baby now and having them in England will help me settle."

Navas will certainly feel quite at home at the Etihad Stadium thanks to City's ever-growing Spanish-speaking contingent.

Alvaro Negredo has followed him from Seville this summer while fellow Spaniards David Silva and Javi Garcia are already they along with Argentine pair Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta, who both have had spells in La Liga.

The new boys Negredo, Jovetic and Navas pose together

“We want to try to recreate the partnership we had at Seville, with me making the goals and Negredo scoring them”

Jesus Navas

Then there is Chilean boss Pellegrini while the club's chief executive, Ferran Soriano, and sporting director Txiki Begiristain, are both former Barcelona directors.

"It's going to make the transition easier," he said. "Obviously I'm very pleased to see Negredo follow me to City.

"We have played together for years at Seville so we know each other's game very well. But not only do we have a good relationship on the pitch, we have a good one off it.

"We want to try to recreate the partnership we had at Seville, with me making the goals and Negredo scoring them, but really it's a team effort. It will be down to all of us if we are going to be successful.

"My team-mates will help a lot with settling in England but this is something I really want. I'm here to play football and achieve really big things. So that is driving me to adapt here to the football and the culture. I plan to learn the language quickly.

"I'm ready for this. It's an exciting time to be joining City and I'm confident we will enjoy the season.

"The Spanish influence in the team can be very important but it's not all about that. Everyone in the squad worked together - there are many great players here and if it all comes together we can do great things."

Navas' spell at Seville afforded him a close-up view of Pellegrini as he forged a glowing managerial reputation by guiding unfashionable Villarreal and then Malaga into the latter stages of the Champions League.

"I've got a lot of respect for Pellegrini," he said. "He has a lot of experience as a manager. He managed to win a lot of games at Villarreal and Malaga with quite limited resources. His coaching style fits with me very well so I'm delighted to get the chance to play for him."

The Premier League's defensive hardmen might relish the prospect of leaving their calling card on the slightly-built Navas but he is ready for the more robust challenge of the English game - and even claims it will suit him.

"From day one that was one of the main things that attracted me to the Premier League - the speed and the high tempo nature of the game here. I will be naturally suited to it," he said.

"I believe my main quality is my speed and that can help to open games up. That's what I'm good at. And hopefully I can help set up goals like I did at Seville.

"It is a big challenge but I have a lot of experience. I've played a lot of big games for Seville and Spain. Hopefully that is going to help me embrace the challenge here."

Cesc Fabregas holds key for David Moyes

MANCHESTER UNITED landing Cesc Fabregas is set to trigger the sale of Wayne Rooney to Chelsea.

United boss David Moyes and the Old Trafford hierarchy want to bring in Fabregas

Starsport understands the champions want to make a marquee signing before letting Rooney go - and have told the Blues to hold off making a second bid until then.

Yesterday Starsport revealed how Rooney - despite reportedly having a hamstring injury - played golf on Sunday at a club near Chelsea's Cobham training ground.

Chelsea have already had a £20m bid for Rooney rejected, but boss Jose Mourinho remains confident he will get the 27-year-old.

United boss David Moyes and the Old Trafford hierarchy want to bring in Fabregas first - they have lodged a second offer with Barcelona, thought to be around £30m, for the Spanish midfielder.

David Moyes is keeping a tight grip on Wayne Rooney

“They have lodged a second offer with Barcelona, thought to be around £30m,”

That has been rebuffed but United will continue fighting to get their man.

Moyes towed the party line yesterday, again insisting Rooney was not for sale.

He said the expectation was that Rooney will be in Stockholm for the friendly against AIK Solna on August 6.

"We have said he is not for sale," said Moyes.

"That has not changed. I do expect Wayne to be in Stockholm."

Prince Charles and Camilla pay visit to Royal baby as Britain celebrates

PRINCE CHARLES and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have met the Royal baby for the first time.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are celebrating their new arrival

The proud Grandad and step-Grandmother arrived at St Mary's Hospital in west London to visit the tot and mum Kate.

The Duchess of Cambridge has sparked worldwide celebrations after giving birth to an 8lb 6oz baby boy yesterday afternoon.

Gun salutes across London today marked the birth of the new Prince.

And the bells of Westminster Abbey will sound for three hours this afternoon in celebration.

Three of the ten bell ringers are the same as those who performed the same task for new dad Prince William's birth more than 30 years ago.

The Duchess of Cambridge's parents Carole and Michael Middleton were the baby's first visitors, as they arrived at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's.

The new grandparents arrived in a black cab and were greeted lead clinician Jonathan Ramsay, before they walked up to the doorway.

Carole said the baby was "absolutely beautiful".

She added: "They're both doing really well, we're so thrilled."

Yesterday afternoon, proud Prince William immediately called the Queen, his father Prince Charles, and his brother Harry and made sure Kate’s family was told the happy news.

After more than a week of waiting, Kate was admitted to the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s, Paddington, west London, at 5.30am, already in labour.

Just under 11 hours later the baby, who is third in line to the throne after Charles and William, arrived at 4.24pm.

Palace sources said the couple chose to delay the public announcement of the birth until 8.30pm to allow them to spend “quality time” together.

Prince Charles and Camilla have met the Royal baby for the first time

Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton were the tot's first visitors

The bells of Westminster Abbey will ring for three hours this afternoon

Pope feels the heat in Brazil

MASKED protesters fought bloody street battles with police as Pope Francis, right, arrived in Brazil yesterday.

The Brazilian government has spent £34m on the Pope's week-long visit

Dozens were hurt as demonstrators lobbed firebombs and officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control the crowds in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazilians are furious at their government for blowing £34m on the Pope’s seven-day visit while failing to tackle corruption, unemployment and reckless spending.

Labours of love: The babies who share a birthday with the new prince

THESE little charmers have had a right royal start in life by sharing their birth date with the Prince of Cambridge.

New mum Natia Kavelavli, 26, named her baby Kate after she gave birth at Basildon Hospital in Essex at 4.24pm, the exact same time as the Duchess.
She said: “It’s unbelievable.”

Alex Morpeth, 18, and Nicola Gray, 30, both of Gateshead, and Rebecca Gale, of Norwich, were also thrilled to give birth on the big day.

And another Kate Middleton, 25, also gave birth, naming her daughter Emily after she was born in Southend, Essex.

AT the exact moment the royal baby arrived - 4.24pm on Monday - so did little Kate Kilcoin, named in honour of the Duchess

ANOTHER Kate Middleton has given birth.
The royal namesake, of QUEENS ROAD, Southend, Essex, named her little princess Emily Francis.

John James Gray with his mother Nicola Gray at the Gateshead Queen Elizabeth Hospital Maternity Ward

'One's grandson is marvellous': The royal baby has the world's proudest grandparents

THE Prince of Cambridge had the world's proudest grandparents yesterday as both sets visited the new arrival for the first time.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital

Prince Charles declared the newborn tot was "perfect" and "marvellous" after slipping into the Lindo Wing with his wife Camilla to congratulate William and Kate.

Asked about his first grandchild, the elated royal sent the crowd into rapture as he confirmed the couple would pose on the steps - just as he and Princess Diana did 31 years earlier. Talking of the 8lb 6oz prince, Charles said: "He's marvellous, thank you very much, absolutely wonderful - you wait and see, you'll see in a minute."

In a break from royal protocol, the first visitors to the top-notch maternity unit were Kate's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton.

Their trip to the Lindo Wing is the strongest hint yet that the baby will enjoy a far more normal upbringing than Wills and his brother Harry, 28.

Carole admitted she was overcome with emotion at being the first family member to meet the little lad.

Looking summery in a blue polkadot dress similar to the one her daughter wore later in the day, she gushed: "He's absolutely beautiful!" The pair spent just over an hour admiring their grandson inside the central London maternity ward.

Wait for the Royal Baby finally over as Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to a son

THE Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a son weighing 8 lbs and 6 oz as the nation's wait for a Royal Baby reached its climax today.

The Duchess of Cambridge has gone into labour

Her husband Prince William was present as his wife gave birth to our future king, who is third in line to the throne.

Buckingham Palace said the Royal family are delighted with the news.

A statement said: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm. The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz.

"The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight."

An easel with details of the Royal Baby is set up outside Buckingham Palace

A town crier announced the arrival of the baby outside the hospital and a notice giving details about the baby was transported by car to Buckingham Palace.

The notice was placed in an easel in the palace's forecourt, much like when Prince William was born on June 21 1982.

Prince Charles said he was "enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time", adding that it was "an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine".

He added: "Grandparenthood is a unique moment in anyone's life, as countless kind people have told me in recent months, so I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future."

While Prime Minister David Cameron spoke outside 10 Downing Street to say the birth of the royal baby was 'an important moment in the life of our nation.'

The Duke of Cambridge issued a short statement, saying: "We could not be happier."

A town crier announces the arrival of the Royal Baby outside St Mary's

People gather outside Buckingham Palace after news of the Royal Baby's arrival emerges

New baby delivers a tot tips frenzy

BOOKIES cashed in yesterday as punters put down £100,000 an hour in bets.

Fans are ecstatic about the new birth that many are willing to try and win some money on it

“The whole world has been waiting for Kate to give birth”

Nicola McGeady, Ladbrokes spokeswoman

 Ladbrokes reported a betting bonanza as Kate laboured on, with 900 wagers every 60 minutes.

And Coral said the royal baby was the biggest non-sporting betting event in the firm’s history.

Company spokeswoman Nicola McGeady said: “The whole world has been waiting for Kate to give birth.

“Now we have witnessed another betting frenzy."

Duchess Kate in expert hands

A MEDICAL team with extensive experience and knowledge of the Royal Family looked after the Duchess of Cambridge.

Kate is in good hands with Marcus Setchell at the Lindo Wing

Marcus Setchell, 69, who was the Queen’s gynaecologist for two decades, was in charge.

He helped save the lives of the Countess of Wessex and her eldest child Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor in 2003.

Sophie was rushed to hospital suffering severe internal pains when she was eight months pregnant.

She was dangerously ill from blood loss and doctors performed an emergency Caesarean.

Lady Louise – the first grandchild of the Queen to be born on the NHS –weighed just 4lb 9oz.

Two years earlier the Countess, 48, was airlifted to hospital after suffering a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.

Fans await the news outside St Mary's hospital

“She was dangerously ill from blood loss and doctors performed an emergency Caesarean.”

Mr Setchell assisted with the 66-year-old Duchess of Cornwall’s hysterectomy at King Edward VII’s Hospital in 2007 and delivered Sophie’s son James – Viscount Severn – the same year.

He looked after Kate when she was taken to hospital with severe morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy.

Mr Setchell was assisted by the Queen’s current gynaecologist, Alan Farthing, 50, the former fiance of murdered TV presenter Jill Dando.

He was appointed to the royal post in September 2008.

Kate’s baby is his first high-profile royal birth.

New boy to be caring like Princess Diana

THE future of Princess Kate’s little boy is already written in the stars, with the tot born a sensitive Cancer.

Princess Diana with Prince Charles and newborn WIlliam

The baby was born under the sign of the crab, meaning he will be in touch with his emotions and love a cuddle from mum and dad.

He is the same star sign as dad William, 31, and his late gran Princess Diana, whose down-to-earth, caring characters have seen them champion a string of good causes.

Carrying on such traits will make him a perfect candidate for the demanding role of Prince, understanding the challenges of ordinary people across Britain and the globe.

The boy has also picked an unusual time to come into the world, on the cusp of two star signs and during a Full Moon.

If he had been born after 4.57pm yesterday, when the signs changed, he would have been a trailblazing Leo.

But rather than a fiery, decisive and limelight-loving Leo, experts reckon he will be a sensible lad who can show great sympathy and compassion for others.

Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace to feel part of the atmosphere

“The boy has also picked an unusual time to come into the world, on the cusp of two star signs and during a Full Moon.”

Daily Star astrologer Lori Reid said: “Cancer is all about home and nurturing. They are great little collectors and very close to their mums. They are squidgy on the inside, sensitive and emotional but they have a hard, strong shell.” And she said a Full Moon baby almost certainly meant change.

She added: “A Full Moon baby brings a circle to a close. They like seeing through change.”

If the boy had been born just 33 minutes later, he would have been a Leo, added Lori.

But being so close to the sign of Leo he will almost certainly carry some traits of that sign too.

Lori added: “Being born so close to Leo, this child will transform British life and follow through with a lot of changes.”

Famous people with the Cancer sign include singer Cheryl Cole, 30, Pussycat Dolls babe Nicole Scherzinger, 35, and US rapper 50 Cent 38.

It's a boy! Wills and Kate's joy at royal baby

PRINCESS KATE sparked worldwide celebrations last night after giving birth to an 8lb 6oz baby boy.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are celebrating their new arrival

Proud Prince William immediately called the Queen, his father Prince Charles, and his brother Harry and made sure Kate’s family was told the happy news.

After more than a week of waiting, Kate was admitted to the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s, Paddington, west London, at 5.30am, already in labour.

Just under 11 hours later the baby, who is third in line to the throne after Charles and William, arrived at 4.24pm.

Palace sources said the couple chose to delay the public announcement of the birth until 8.30pm to allow them to spend “quality time” together.

Tony Appleton, a town crier, announces the birth of the royal baby

Everyone got the message loud and clear

Tony Blair school claims rise

THE number of alleged sex abuse victims at Tony Blair’s former school has risen to 15 as police extend their probe.

Former PM Tony Blair attended the school from 1961 to 1966

Durham police confirmed that five more men, aged in their 60s, have claimed they were attacked at The Chorister School at Durham Cathedral.

As in all previous cases, the men accuse Canon John Grove, headmaster from 1957 to 1978, of sexual abuse. He died in 2001.

The surge in new cases comes as police revealed they are now looking for witnesses and new victims.

A spokesman said: “The investigation is still in the process of identifying victims and other people who may be able to assist police. At this stage no other staff member has been identified as being involved in any aspect of abuse other than John Grove.”

Current school headmistress Yvette Day is also helping police by providing historical records.

Liz Dux, of law firm Slater Gordon, who is representing five abuse claimants, welcomed the police action.

Comedian Rowan Atkinson also attended the school

“The investigation is still in the process of identifying victims and other people who may be able to assist police”

A spokesman

She is working for the original abuse claimant, also in his 60s, who told his story in the Daily Star Sunday.

She said: “Once again we have seen how it takes the courage of one person to give others confidence they will be believed.

“That so many have now reported their own sufferings is testament to my client’s courage and the campaign of this newspaper. This has ensured the full story of what happened at this school will be disclosed.”

Durham police added: “We would encourage victims to come forward and would also like to hear from anyone who may have relevant information about the behaviour of John Grove.”

Former PM Tony Blair attended the school from 1961 to 1966. Actor Rowan Atkinson was there at the same time.

There is no suggestion either man was abused during their time there.

Kanye West faces robbery rap

RAPPER Kanye West may face robbery charges after grappling with a paparazzo and appearing to take his camera off him at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday.

Kanye appeared to wrestle the photographer to the floor/ WENN.COM

The photographer was taken to hospital after the incident.

Celebrity website TMZ reported that police will refer the case to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office as attempted robbery.

In video footage of the incident, the cameraman is seen peppering rapper West, who recently welcomed his first child with reality star Kim Kardashian, 32, with questions.

“You’re trying to get me in trouble, so I’ll have to pay you, like, $250,000”

Kanye West

“Dude, seriously. I don’t want to fight with you,” the man says when West turns and walks towards him.

“You’re trying to get me in trouble, so I’ll have to pay you, like, $250,000,” West, 36, replies.

He then appears to grab the man and wrestle him to the floor.

An LA Police spokesman said an “investigation is ongoing”.

Taliban training children to be human bombs

CHILDREN as young as eight are being bribed with sweets to become suicide bombers for the Taliban.

The Taliban are bribing children to wear grenade vests

Starving orphans are lured with chocolate and money to wear bomb belts or grenade vests, according to a documentary to be shown tonight.

The Dispatches programme also claims children have been trained to use guns and explosive devices in Afghanistan.

There are 224 children in prison after being convicted of plotting attacks. But the Taliban deny the claims.

One former fighter, Neaz, says he was eight when he was kidnapped by the Taliban after his parents were killed in a raid.

He claims he was plied with sweets and given a suicide vest stuffed with grenades. He said: “They made me try it on. The ­grenades went all around my body and then they offered me the coins (50 Afghanis, about 60p).

“They told me to blow myself up at a checkpoint. I asked what I’d do with the money if I had to blow myself up.

“But they kept encouraging me, telling me that if I did it I would go to heaven.”

Grenade vests and ammunition are strapped to the children's bodies

He eventually escaped and walked nine miles to turn himself in to police.

Now aged 10, Neaz lives in an orphanage in Lashkar Gah.

Award-winning Afghan film-maker Najibullah Quraishi said: “Thousands of children are being recruited and taught to make bombs or become suicide bombers.

“It is common for 13-year-olds to carry guns. Less than 10% of the population is educated so these children don’t have their own minds, they only have what the mullahs are telling them in the mosques.”

“One former fighter, Neaz, says he was eight when he was kidnapped by the Taliban after his parents were killed in a raid”

Najibullah was given access to a £500,000 British-built prison in Helmand where each cell holds 20 boys.

Hanan, 15, whose dad fought for the Taliban and was killed in a Nato air strike, is serving a two-year sentence.

He said: “I am not looking for revenge for my father. I chose to join and I want to do Jihad [holy war] for the sake of God.”

Taliban Child Fighters is on Channel 4 at 8pm.

My girlfriend slept with my best mate in our bed- can I ever trust her again?

I FIRST realised that my girl was having sex with my best mate when I discovered his wallet in our bed.

if your girlfriend repeatedly cheats, it's time to end the relationship

I had come home early from work and I thought that I’d surprise my woman by finally putting up the curtains she bought in the January sales.

I pulled our bed away from the wall and out fell the wallet. Naturally I peered inside.

There was a £20 note, a condom foil and an ID card with my best mate’s name and picture on it and I went ballistic.

I called him up and asked him if he’d lost anything. He tried to pretend that he didn’t know what I was talking about but then my girl walked in and I threw the wallet at her feet.

She begged for my forgiveness. She swore they’d only had sex once – when I was away with work on business – and that they’d both regretted it ever since.

But just three weeks later, I walked in through the back door to find the two of them having sex on the kitchen worktop. His jeans were pulled down around his ankles and she was screaming her head off.

I started throwing stuff. Flour, fruit, sugar and mugs rained down on them as they scrambled to get away.

Now my girl is asking me to be patient. She admits there is something between them but they need time to work it out. He won’t return my calls and she’s currently staying with her sister. Is it all over or can I trust her to come back to me and behave herself?

“What you can’t do is allow these two to ruin the rest of your life or make you feel bitter or angry”

JANE SAYS: I honestly think your relationship is a lost cause. First you discover that your best mate has been having sex with your girl in your bed. Then you walk into your own kitchen and he’s at it again.

The man is shameless and the woman is deluded. What has to be sorted out? Why can’t she finish with him and come straight back to you? I’m in no doubt that she’s trying to diffuse this situation by playing for time.

She’s too cowardly to admit that things are over with you because she’s with him now. Instead she’s tap-dancing like crazy and throwing up this smoke screen in the hope that you’ll calm down and won’t cause too much of a scene.

Let her go. Be the bigger person and don’t give her the drama or the attention she craves. Text your ex-mate and tell him he can have her. Organise for her stuff to be picked up and carry on with your life.

It’s a shame that you’ve been so badly let down by the two people you liked and trusted the most but that’s too bad. What you can’t do is allow these two to ruin the rest of your life or make you feel bitter or angry.

If she saw fit to have sex with your mate in your home, then she clearly wasn’t the girl for you

Betting hits £15k a day as the birth of royal baby approaches

BOOKIES are cashing in on Princess Kate failing to give birth as £15,000 a day is taken in royal baby bets.

Patriots wait outside St Mary's for the royal baby to enter the world

The punts include stakes on what date it will be born and whether the tot will be a boy or a girl.

And bookies are on course to make hundreds of thousands of pounds more profit if, as feared, the Duchess of Cambridge does not deliver until August.

Medics at private St Mary’s Hospital in west London could wait up to two weeks before inducing the royal.

Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: “We’d love it if Kate and Wills have completely pulled the wool over our eyes and are actually expecting a late July/early August baby.

“All the media thought the birth would be earlier, so that’s where all the money went.”

Ladbrokes, who have so far taken £25,000 in bets, said its biggest single wager came from a punter in Wiltshire who lost £1,000 on the baby being born last Wednesday, at odds of 3-1.

Kate could be expecting an early August baby

A flurry of bets have been made on the baby being a boy.

They came after Kate, 31, sparked rumours she is having a lad after snapping up blue curtains.

The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted choosing a £45-a-metre fabric in the traditionally masculine colour at a shop in Chelsea, west London.

“We’d love it if Kate and Wills have completely pulled the wool over our eyes and are actually expecting a late July/early August baby”

Ladbrokes

Meanwhile, William’s former bodyguard Ken Wharfe has revealed how gifts for the royal baby will be screened by special X-ray machines in the post room at Buckingham Palace.

Ken, 65, who was Princess Diana’s protection officer, said plans were already in place for the thousands of presents expected from across the globe.

He said most would be donated to charities.