Alexandra Topping
@lexytopping.bsky.social
Senior reporter at the Guardian. Northerner stranded in the South. Long-suffering Evertonian. Views are mine alone.
So damn proud of my bestie @helenpidd.bsky.social for being nominated for best host in her *first* (1st) year of being the host of Today In Focus. What a badass 👑 💪 👑
Very cool to be nominated as best podcast host alongside some actual legends. Bet Louis Theroux is quaking in his boots. I’m nothing without the amazing Today in Focus team @theguardian.com #BritishPodcastAwards
July 25, 2025 at 9:09 AM
So damn proud of my bestie @helenpidd.bsky.social for being nominated for best host in her *first* (1st) year of being the host of Today In Focus. What a badass 👑 💪 👑
Oh my god we’ve done it. Thank GOD for a single rubbish, but not quite so rubbish, penalty
July 22, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Oh my god we’ve done it. Thank GOD for a single rubbish, but not quite so rubbish, penalty
Hate cold callers? You’ll enjoy this story about Jan and Michael, garage owners who took down the largest nuisance call network in the UK. I loved writing it >> www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘We got upset, then we got angry’: the couple who took on one of the UK’s biggest cold-call scams
When clients started getting random calls about making personal injury claims, Jan and Michael Reed set out to discover who was stealing data from their family-run garage
www.theguardian.com
July 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Hate cold callers? You’ll enjoy this story about Jan and Michael, garage owners who took down the largest nuisance call network in the UK. I loved writing it >> www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
I'm on Today in Focus this morning, talking over-excitedly about one of my niche Mastermind subjects (NDAs). It's worth a listen because of the brilliant Zelda Perkins @cbmsuk.bsky.social also features www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
The law change that could transform toxic workplaces – podcast
Zelda Perkins was Harvey Weinstein’s PA – and has spent the last eight years campaigning against the non-disclosure agreements used to silence abused employees. Now she has won a major victory. Alexan...
www.theguardian.com
July 15, 2025 at 8:54 AM
I'm on Today in Focus this morning, talking over-excitedly about one of my niche Mastermind subjects (NDAs). It's worth a listen because of the brilliant Zelda Perkins @cbmsuk.bsky.social also features www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Zelda Perkins, a total badass >> www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
‘Nowhere for them to hide any more’: Zelda Perkins’ fight against NDAs after Harvey Weinstein
After eight-year campaign by Perkins, a former PA for Weinstein, UK ministers have announced plans to stop bosses using NDAs to silence abused workers
www.theguardian.com
July 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Zelda Perkins, a total badass >> www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
It was a pure joy to speak to Michael Cullen, aka Speedo Mick about his journey through addition to heroism - but also hear him talk so openly about what those massive charity walks in sub zero temperatures dressed only in Speedos cost him. I loved doing this one: www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/j...
‘It’s not happy-clappy’: the extraordinary story of Speedo Mick
As a musical about him opens at Liverpool’s Royal Court, Michael Cullen tells of hope, heart – and hitting rock bottom
www.theguardian.com
June 9, 2025 at 8:14 AM
It was a pure joy to speak to Michael Cullen, aka Speedo Mick about his journey through addition to heroism - but also hear him talk so openly about what those massive charity walks in sub zero temperatures dressed only in Speedos cost him. I loved doing this one: www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/j...
Never change Guardian, never change
June 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Never change Guardian, never change
I’ve been obsessed with Brighton’s bin wars for a while. The council say managers in their depot have had death threats and car tyres slashed. I spoke to former workers who say they still have pstd from their experience. My report here >> www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Death threats and slashed tyres as Brighton’s battle of the bins turns toxic
Decades-long dispute between council and GMB union resurfaces after report shows 140% rise in missed collections
www.theguardian.com
May 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM
I’ve been obsessed with Brighton’s bin wars for a while. The council say managers in their depot have had death threats and car tyres slashed. I spoke to former workers who say they still have pstd from their experience. My report here >> www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
If you read nothing else this weekend, or frankly this year, you must read this astonishingly beautiful piece by my lovely colleague @archiebland.bsky.social about his son Max, the boy who came back. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The boy who came back: the near-death, and changed life, of my son Max
It was, we were told, a case of sudden infant death syndrome interrupted. What followed would transform my understanding of parenting, disability and the breadth of what makes a meaningful life
www.theguardian.com
May 25, 2025 at 8:05 AM
If you read nothing else this weekend, or frankly this year, you must read this astonishingly beautiful piece by my lovely colleague @archiebland.bsky.social about his son Max, the boy who came back. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
What happens to an area when a premier league club leaves its home of 133 years? Tears are shed, plan Bs are set in action, bank balances are scrutinised anxiously. Going to L4 to write this was such a privilege, huge thanks to everyone who spoke to me www.theguardian.com/football/202...
‘Goodison Park has been part of saving my life’: Everton fans mourn club’s Mersey move
The departure of the men’s team from the ground marks the end of an era for many. Will new hosts Everton Women continue its legacy?
www.theguardian.com
May 18, 2025 at 10:50 AM
What happens to an area when a premier league club leaves its home of 133 years? Tears are shed, plan Bs are set in action, bank balances are scrutinised anxiously. Going to L4 to write this was such a privilege, huge thanks to everyone who spoke to me www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Special day for many Blues today, as the men’s team play their final game at Goodison Park. I made my final pilgrimage with my son earlier in the season, so glad I can now look forward to watching the women play there too 💙 www.theguardian.com/football/202...
History, memory, grief and belonging: my bittersweet Goodison farewell
Evertonian Alexandra Topping – knowing that the famous old ground’s time was running out – made a final pilgrimage with her nine-year-old son
www.theguardian.com
May 18, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Special day for many Blues today, as the men’s team play their final game at Goodison Park. I made my final pilgrimage with my son earlier in the season, so glad I can now look forward to watching the women play there too 💙 www.theguardian.com/football/202...
This is so beautiful from my pal Tom Jenkins. His dedication to story telling and authenticity come through so clearly. I 💙 it. So happy to have shared a few of these moments with you @tomjenkinspix.bsky.social !! www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Everton fans on the end of a Goodison era: ‘I’ll be thinking about my dad, my brothers, my son’
As ‘The Grand Old Lady’ prepares to host its last men’s match, Everton fans reveal what the ground means to them
www.theguardian.com
May 16, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This is so beautiful from my pal Tom Jenkins. His dedication to story telling and authenticity come through so clearly. I 💙 it. So happy to have shared a few of these moments with you @tomjenkinspix.bsky.social !! www.theguardian.com/football/202...
And if, you know, your history 💙 … love this from our Andy Hunter >> www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Riots, royals and legends: Goodison Park firsts and memorable moments
Everton won the first Merseyside derby they hosted, Dixie Dean set his goals record and Pelé made World Cup history
www.theguardian.com
May 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
And if, you know, your history 💙 … love this from our Andy Hunter >> www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted by Alexandra Topping
Goodison Park has been saved from demolition and will be dedicated solely to the Everton Women’s team next season.
Story: @lexytopping.bsky.social
Story: @lexytopping.bsky.social
Goodison Park saved from bulldozers with it set to become home of Everton Women
Exclusive: US owners confirm it will become the country’s first major stadium dedicated to a women’s team next season
www.theguardian.com
May 13, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Goodison Park has been saved from demolition and will be dedicated solely to the Everton Women’s team next season.
Story: @lexytopping.bsky.social
Story: @lexytopping.bsky.social
Exclusive: Everton Women will move into Goodison Park next season, saving the ground from demolition www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Goodison Park saved from bulldozers with it set to become home of Everton Women
Exclusive: US owners confirm it will become the country’s first major stadium dedicated to a women’s team next season
www.theguardian.com
May 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Exclusive: Everton Women will move into Goodison Park next season, saving the ground from demolition www.theguardian.com/football/202...
I love this and Barry Horne. Thank you @davidsquires.bsky.social 💙
May 13, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I love this and Barry Horne. Thank you @davidsquires.bsky.social 💙
If you missed it yesterday @estheraddley.bsky.social Guardian magazine piece about the dirtiest race in Olympic history is utterly fascinating. Just a brilliant read >> www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
Inside the dirtiest race in Olympic history: ‘It wasn’t fair. I wasn’t on a level playing field’
How did the women’s 1500m in the 2012 London Olympics get its unenviable reputation? Athletes who were cheated out of medals talk about what happened that day – and how the results have slowly unravel...
www.theguardian.com
April 27, 2025 at 1:06 PM
If you missed it yesterday @estheraddley.bsky.social Guardian magazine piece about the dirtiest race in Olympic history is utterly fascinating. Just a brilliant read >> www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
Brilliant work by @michaelsavage.bsky.social this. Exclusive: Former British PM urges police to reopen inquiry – and claims media executive Will Lewis attempted to incriminate him >> www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...
Gordon Brown makes criminal complaint against Rupert Murdoch’s media empire
Exclusive: Former British PM urges police to reopen inquiry – and claims media executive Will Lewis attempted to incriminate him
www.theguardian.com
April 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Brilliant work by @michaelsavage.bsky.social this. Exclusive: Former British PM urges police to reopen inquiry – and claims media executive Will Lewis attempted to incriminate him >> www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...
I've been down the rabbit hole with this story for a long time, good to see it become the first Guardian Sunday Read >> From Johnny Depp in Somerset Life to Barack Obama in Dogs Today, the mystery behind a little-known freelancer's long litany of starry interviews www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
The strange case of the writer landing A-lister interviews for local magazines
From Johnny Depp in Somerset Life to Barack Obama in Dogs Today, Bernard Bale’s litany of starry interviews offers a rare insight into the engine room of celebrity journalism, and is every bit as intr...
www.theguardian.com
April 27, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I've been down the rabbit hole with this story for a long time, good to see it become the first Guardian Sunday Read >> From Johnny Depp in Somerset Life to Barack Obama in Dogs Today, the mystery behind a little-known freelancer's long litany of starry interviews www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
Reposted by Alexandra Topping
An imitation of Ukraine's Zorya Luhansk has just started up in the Russian pyramid. It's not the first example of teams from sovereign Ukrainian territory appearing in Russia, and may not be the last. Football is being used to normalise violent denial of the past. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
How a rip-off of Ukraine’s Zorya Luhansk are climbing Russia’s pyramid
In war-torn occupied territories, fake teams are being deployed as a tool to normalise a violent denial of the past
www.theguardian.com
April 20, 2025 at 8:46 AM
An imitation of Ukraine's Zorya Luhansk has just started up in the Russian pyramid. It's not the first example of teams from sovereign Ukrainian territory appearing in Russia, and may not be the last. Football is being used to normalise violent denial of the past. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
This wonderful piece by @BryanAGraham about Reese and Desiree Mistretta, the first mother-son pair to win New York’s Golden Gloves, is everything you could want in a sports story and more. Loved it >> www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
‘This was for her’: how boxing brought a mother and son back from the brink
Reese and Desiree Mistretta are the first mother-son duo to win New York’s prestigious Golden Gloves, but their deeper bond is how boxing helped them survive life’s hardest hits
www.theguardian.com
April 16, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This wonderful piece by @BryanAGraham about Reese and Desiree Mistretta, the first mother-son pair to win New York’s Golden Gloves, is everything you could want in a sports story and more. Loved it >> www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
The discourse around boys at the moment is much needed, but it can’t be either/or. Girls are not the winners in a zero sum game>> www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘We can’t pit boys against girls’: headlines overshadow struggles of a generation of girls
Growing crisis among boys dominates the narrative but girls in England also face unprecedented mental health challenges and systemic pressures
www.theguardian.com
April 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
The discourse around boys at the moment is much needed, but it can’t be either/or. Girls are not the winners in a zero sum game>> www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Gen z are super healthy! They love going to the gym! Also: They can't afford to do anything else, they are super anxious, they have massively negative body images injected into their eyeballs every waking hour of the day, they wfh and never see anyone www.theguardian.com/society/2025....
Healthy but lonely gen Zers drive UK gym membership to record high
More health-conscious young people take total to 11.5m memberships, report finds, as experts cite social aspect alongside fitness
www.theguardian.com
April 3, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Gen z are super healthy! They love going to the gym! Also: They can't afford to do anything else, they are super anxious, they have massively negative body images injected into their eyeballs every waking hour of the day, they wfh and never see anyone www.theguardian.com/society/2025....