FURIOUS Crystal Palace fans have hit out at radio host Adrian Durham, after he suggested the club should face action over their anti-Roman Abramovich banner.

TalkSPORT drivetime presenter Durham – who once provoked outrage for running a campaign to 'ban' Palace from being awarded penalties – attacked Eagles fans for their protest before Saturday's defeat to Chelsea.

A section of supporters from the Holmesdale Fanatics displayed a banner which read: 'Roman's dirty money is a disease that has plagued our game.'

In his column for the Daily Mail website, Durham wrote: "There is no way that banner should have been allowed into the ground. Palace should be charged, although leniency should be shown to the club because stewards took it down swiftly.

"There is an irony with all this moralising and sermonising among the Selhurst faithful.

"Crystal Palace is a club that has hit hard times in the past. So hard that they had to go into administration less than five years ago. Going into administration means they got away with not having to pay all their bills in full."

Palace fans on Twitter reacted angrily to the claim.

George Toner wrote: "I think @talkSPORTDrive is still a bit upset that we relegated Peterborough. Always had a problem with us, and always will. #cpfc"

David Fraser added: "What is it with Adrian Durham and his anti-palace agenda. #cpfc"

And Richard Harvey tweeted: "It looks like Durham is still bitter that his penalty campaign backfired & same season we relegated the posh."

Palace legend Mark Bright also defended his former club, pointing to the fans right to "freedom of speech" and suggesting the radio host "#pipedown"

MILE Jedinak says the Chelsea players crowding around referee Craig Pawson to send Damien Delaney off last Saturday has to be expected at the top level.

The 30-year-old thought it was a good chance for the official to level things up following the red card shown to Cesar Azpilicueta minutes before for the challenge on himself.

"There was contact there," said Jedinak of the Spaniard's challenge. "Whether there was or wasn't, it wasn't the nicest of challenges. The referee has seen it and he's made that decision.

"I don't think they can have too many complaints with it but it is what it is.

"Our one was a little bit unfortunate. It was giving the referee a chance to even it up and it wasn't ideal.

"You have to accept that players crowding around the ref can happen, particularly at this level where players do have a big influence on games, and they can influence the referee sometimes.

"That's part and parcel of playing at this level and we knew that going into the game and tried not to give them that chance but unfortunately we didn't manage to keep it that way.

"I think Damien thought he didn't do too much wrong. I thought there wasn't a lot in it. These players have a knack of going down and he (the referee) blows for a free-kick.

"You have to accept it and get on with it. Maybe he (Delaney) was wound up but it was a bit out of character."

Jedinak returned to action following a couple of games with Australia last week and says the players didn't want to let the fans down after beating Chelsea in March.

"I felt fine - I don't know how the others were feeling but I was up for the game," he said.

"You know it's going to be difficult but we had a good feeling going into the game as well. We knew what happened here last season and we didn't want to disappoint."

REGENERATION of West Croydon is gaining "real momentum", the council's cabinet member for economic development, Toni Letts said this week.

Councillor Letts outlined a number of initiatives to Monday's council cabinet meeting which were underway to improve the area.

She said: "The overall investment is going to be £50 million and the local community can look forward to the future with confidence and excitement."

The investment includes £2 million being spent on improving the street scenery, building new shop fronts and providing new signage.

Improvements are also planned for the West Croydon interchange to the junction of Station Road, Poplar Walk and North End.

This will result in better interchange facilities between buses, trams and trains, improved landscaping and better lighting and footpaths to help reduce crime.

Separately, Transport for London is redeveloping West Croydon bus station.

Other leaps forward, Cllr Letts said, included the opening of an Enterprise Hub in London Road which has supported 58 businesses, created 44 jobs and helped 41 start-up businesses since it opened in July last year.

Other major projects in the pipeline mentioned by Cllr Letts included building a new Harris Academy on the former Croydon General hospital site in London Road and the refurbishment of The Interchange building next to West Croydon station, providing 180,000 sq ft of office space.

Councillor Jason Perry, the shadow cabinet member for economic development, while welcoming the progress report said it was putting details on work which was started by council's previous Conservative administration.

He said: "It is the dialogue and trust that has been built up over many years that has allowed these proposals to come forward."

ANCIENT Anglo-Saxon and Roman artifacts are to go on display to the public, some for the first time in generations, at the Museum of Croydon from next week.

Around 70 objects from the borough's collection of treasures from the period will be available to view at the museum's Riesco Gallery, in Katharine Street, on Tuesday, October 28.

The famous Wandle Road hoard, discovered in 1903, and the remains of a young Anglo-Saxon adult - uncovered in April by a builder working in the front garden of Alison and Michael Carpenter, in Riddlesdown Road, Purley - will both be exhibited.

The revitalised display is designed to give visitors an insight into the history of human settlement in the Croydon area and to support teaching and learning in local primary schools that, since September, have been studying the Roman and Anglo-Saxon eras as part of the new national curriculum.

The Museum of Croydon's learning team will be developing and delivering a special session for school groups visiting the gallery as part of their studies.

Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: "The relaunch of the Museum of Croydon's Riesco Gallery, to include our local Roman and Anglo-Saxon collections alongside Raymond Riesco's collection of Chinese ceramics, demonstrates our ambitions for culture in Croydon.

"Many of these objects have not been seen in Croydon for more than 60 years, and the fact that they will now be on permanent display in Croydon Clocktower, for local people to experience, is a major step toward creating a vibrant, exciting and diverse cultural offering that is attractive to people from across Croydon and further afield."

A BIRD lover and former school caretaker died after being hit by a lorry in Croydon town centre.

Maurice Baxter, 80, had taken a bus into town after spending the day with friends at an Anglo-Indian social club last Thursday afternoon when he was struck by the articulated vehicle in Wellesley Road.

Messages of condolence have been posted online by those who knew him from the 25 years he spent as the caretaker at Ashburton Junior School.

Maurice was also an active member of the community around his home in Longheath Gardens, Addiscombe, where he lived for more than 40 years.

He loved birds and, when his son Gordon was on shift at Gatwick, Maurice was kept company by a talkative parrot called Rocky Boy.

The African Grey constantly mimicked his late owner's voice while Gordon, 47, spoke to the Advertiser at their home this week.

"Dad loved wildlife," said Gordon. "We'd had birds at home since I was young. We used to have finches, lovebirds, cockatiels, all sorts. He was surrounded by birds while growing up, so I think they reminded him of his childhood."

Pointing to a bird calendar from 1999, which is still hanging on the wall, he added: "He kept that to remind him of a bird he once had. When it died we went a period without one until I persuaded him to get a parrot. He named him Rocky Boy and taught it things to say. It kept him company when I wasn't here."

Maurice was born in India and came to Britain in the early 1960s. He met Gordon's mum Rita, who passed away in 2001, and they got married and moved into a house in Wellesley Road, before moving to Longheath Gardens.

He had several factory jobs before becoming a relief caretaker covering various schools in Croydon. One day he covered a shift at Ashburton Junior School, now part of Oasis Academy Shirley Park, and later took up the position permanently. He worked there until he retired 25 years later.

"He liked everything about the job," said Gordon. "He used to get up early in the morning to walk to work, so he was quite fit. He got on with everyone he worked with. There have been a lot of changes at the school so I don't know if anyone would remember him. He's kept in touch with a couple of teachers. They were really shocked by what happened."

Maurice was a committed Catholic and attended Mass each Sunday at Our lady of the Annunciation, in Bingham Road, Addiscombe.

Gordon said: "When I went to Mass on Sunday it was hard because the priest spoke about my father passing away and how tragic it was. When it finished a lot of people in the church were trying to comfort me which was difficult so soon after it had happened."

Maurice, as well as being a prominent member of Longheath Community Care & Church Centre, regularly attended The New South London Anglo Indian Association, a social club in South Norwood.

He had been there last Thursday (October 16) before taking a bus to the town centre and getting off at Wellesley Road shortly before 2.30pm.

"I don't know what happened," said Gordon. "He was chatting with two friends one minute and then, well, you know the rest.

"That's what he was like. He was always out. He liked to go out, even if it were just to the shops in Croydon."

London Ambulance Service and the police were called but Maurice was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the lorry stopped and was not arrested. 

When he was at home Maurice entertained himself by teaching Rocky Boy new words.

"He was always trying to get him to say new phrases," said Gordon. "He taught him to say things such as 'Gordon, come here you naughty boy', 'Rocky Boy, I want my dinner' and 'Cheeky boom boom'.

"He would speak to him in the morning and Rocky Boy would pipe up. Obviously, that's not happening now. He must know something's different. I think he's okay because I'm here. As long as he's got company he is alright, but he must sense my dad's not here."

As he spoke, Rocky Boy chirruped: "What's the matter? What's the matter?"

Gordon smiled. "I'm okay at the moment because I'm organising the funeral. I've not grieved properly. I've not broken down. I think I'm still in shock. It's not really sunk in.

"I've got my friends calling and asking whether I'm alright. They have been really helpful and it has taken my mind off things. If I didn't have that it would be a real struggle. It's a huge comfort."

Maurice will be cremated at Beckenham Crematorium on Tuesday before a memorial service for family and friends at Longheath Gardens community centre later that afternoon. 

Police investigating the incident are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen what happened. The witness appeal line can be contacted on 020 8285 1574.

PLANS for Julian Speroni's testimonial have been stepped up after an official Twitter account was confirmed by the man himself on Tuesday night.

The goalkeeper is in his tenth season with the Eagles and discussions are under way in regards to who Speroni would like to face.

A number of players who have played with Speroni are set to be contacted about being in attendance.

The custodian confirmed the Twitter account @JS_Testimonial, which is to be run by his testimonial committee. Speroni is not running the account himself.

It received more than 1000 followers following the confirmation.

OUR columnist and Crystal Palace fanzine editor ROBERT SUTHERLAND says it's time for the likes of radio host Adrian Durham to wake up and smell the coffee when it comes to modern football...

THE weekend's Holmesdale Fanatics banner, upon which Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's role in English football was criticised, has seen plenty of column inches dedicated to it – some just describing the HF's work, others such as Adrian Durham's stating that they should be subject to legal action from Chelsea's billionaire owner.

We fans have grown used to Durham's infrequent yet furious critiques of Palace. He doesn't like the club or its fans.

His argument that Chelsea's owner should be lauded rather than criticised is perhaps the general consensus amongst the Premier League's hoard of lemming supporters, but there are plenty of fans who see what Abramovich has done (without the backdrop to how he made his billions) and feel sad at the state of the English game.

The lemmings will argue that the Premier League has profited greatly from Chelsea's investment; that it is because of the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and co. that the league has become a greater spectacle.

But at what price?

Durham states that Palace fans are hypocrites. That the club has seen administration twice and shouldn't chide a chairman who has invested hundreds of millions of pounds in their club.

But what Durham fails to see is that it's because of the total imbalance that we now see in English football that clubs like Palace risk everything to reach the pinnacle of the league pyramid.

Ask any Palace fan whether they regret the administrations the club suffered and all will say they do. Our fans were disgusted by the state the club was in prior to CPFC2010 buying it; so much so that we fans came together to raise the money that the St John Ambulance service were owed. No business owner should suffer as a result of one organisation's mismanagement; Palace fans suffered too, with a fair few being creditors.

Durham's ad hominem attack on our supporters doesn't change the fact that Abramovich's millions (and the millions invested by other billionaires) have critically affected the competitive integrity of the Premier League.

Where once a club like Palace could compete at the top level and even challenge for the title within a season or two, now an investment of £200m at the very least would be required to even have a hope of reaching the top six. Investment that, in many cases, is loaded on to the club in debt.

Perhaps Durham (and those who agree with his stance) should look a little deeper at the issues surrounding the English game and the role that the likes of Abramovich have played in its decay, than criticise a group of supporters who have the temerity to make their concerns public. 

CROYDON University Hospital said it will do more to treat a critically ill young dad as family, friends and supporters protested outside the hospital for the second night claiming it had "refused" to do so.

But Marcus Campbell's family, who were joined by around 50 protesters and the media at the main entrance of Croydon University Hospital at 6.30pm this evening, said they will continue to protest.

The family were protesting after they said a doctor told them in a meeting on Sunday that the 22-year-old, who has a rare inflammation of his brain stem, will not be resuscitated if his heart stops and will not be given antibiotics for infections.

A spokesman for Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, who runs the hospital, said there will be an urgent independent review of Marcus's treatment tomorrow and the results will be shared with his family.

Around 15 police officers as well as hospital security were at the entrance which was locked to keep the protesters out. They chanted "justice for Marcus", "treatment for Marcus", and "Mayday murderers" during the for the three-hour protest but there was no violence.

The group were also objecting to a ban stopping Marcus's sisters from visiting him in the hospital's intensive care unit.

Marcus, a former Stanley Technical High School pupil who lives in Thornton Heath, has two daughters, Tierra, aged three, and Kara, aged six.

But during the protest Croydon Health Services NHS Trust tweeted saying: "Our doctors will resuscitate Marcus if his heart were to stop" and "our doctors will give Marcus antibiotics if he has an infection."

After a meeting with hospital security halfway through the protest Marcus's sister, Siobhan Chin, 29, said she and her sister Tonicka, 21, are now allowed to visit Marcus for 30 minutes at a time, however they must be with someone on his visiting list.

She said this includes their mother, Sandra, Marcus's girlfriend and the mother of his children, who all saw Marcus today.

But she said security must be present and his sisters cannot be in the hospital building at the same time. She and Tonicka have not seen Marcus since Sunday.

At the end of the protest Siobhan said the family will carry on their fight despite the hospital's changed position.

"We still stand by what we're doing because we haven't had anything confirmed in writing so as far as we are concerned it's void," she said.

"Me and Marcus and Tonicka have grown together, I've never left their side and I don't plan to and even if my brother dies tomorrow I will still continue to protest and fight for justice.

"How can you dictate to my mum that both her children cannot go and see her son? It's just not fair.

"It feels like a part of my heart has broken but I'm just fighting on in my brother's name and we will continue."

Siobhan also said the sisters will take their fight to Parliament and that they are looking into getting legal help. Over 19,000 people have signed an online petition to save Marcus.

Sandra, Marcus's mother, said she has lost faith in Croydon University Hospital and that she wants her son to be moved.

She said: " I could never trust the hospital again. They've made us feel like we've been in prison and then they want to make a deal with us now. It's all under their terms, why are we being punished?

"I felt like committing suicide because I felt like I couldn't carry on but I had to wake up. Justice has got to be done."

A spokesperson for Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said at 5pm today:

"Marcus' is sadly really poorly and his long-term condition has deteriorated rapidly in recent months. Our intensive care staff are working around-the-clock to make him as comfortable as we possibly can.

"His family has had some concerns and we've met with them today. We've listened and we are getting a second opinion on Marcus' care. This completely independent review will be done as quickly as possible and will be shared with the family.

"The hard fact is we have 12 patients are on our intensive care unit, all of whom are in a critical condition, and their families want to spend time with their loved ones also.

"Following an incident at the weekend where the police were involved, we were sorry to have to restrict the visiting of some of Marcus' family. It is important to us that Marcus' family spends as much time with him as possible, and we want to make arrangements for all family members to visit.

"We would encourage everyone who wants to see Marcus get the best care to let our staff do their job and allow everyone's family – including Marcus' mum, children and siblings – to quietly visit their loved ones. This is a very upsetting time for his family and we all have Marcus' best interests at heart."

They tweeted during the protest from @croydonhealth saying:

Our doctors will resuscitate Marcus if his heart were to stop.

"Marcus is sadly really, really unwell and was transferred to us from another hospital.

"We were sorry to have to restrict visiting to some of Marcus' family. This has been discussed with the family.

"We want to meet with Marcus' family to make arrangements for all to visit as quickly as pos.

"We've arranged for an urgent independent review of Marcus' care for impartial advice for best care.

"The independent external review will be shared with Marcus' family.

"Our doctors will give Marcus antibiotics if he has an infection.

"This is a very upsetting time for his family and we all have Marcus' best interests at heart."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

CRYSTAL Palace are on the brink of being taken over by Apollo Global Managment LLC owner Josh Harris, according to reports in the United States.

Talks are said to be under way but no contract has yet been signed. However, it is believed that Eagles co-chairman Steve Parish would continue to run the club for Harris should the takeover be completed.

Harris currently owns basketball side Philadelphia 76ers and hockey outfit New Jersey Devils across the Atlantic.

"Josh obviously knows how to run pro sports franchises," Sal Galitioto told Bloomberg of the link with Palace.

Galitioto is the founder of Galatioto Sports Partners, who represented Comcast-Spectacor in its sale of the 76ers to Harris in 2011.

"It's a very interesting investment that should be a very good one for him over the long run," he added.

"English Premier League soccer is arguably the best soccer in the world and it's very valuable media content. It's growing in other parts of the world, especially North America."

CROYDON South MP Richard Ottaway's dog narrowly missed out on a medal at Parliament's answer to Crufts.

Roxy, a 13 month old Welsh Springer Spaniel belonging to the veteran Tory, just missed out on a place on the podium at the 22^nd annual Westminster Dog of the Year competition.

The contest, organised by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, took place yesterday (Thursday) with 22 political poodles (we're not talking about the fine, upstanding MPs there, obviously) doing battle.

The MPs campaigned hard, canvassing for votes from the public before meeting a panel of expert judges to boast about their dog's deeds.

The judging panel - Clarissa Baldwin, CEO of Dogs Trust, Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, and Alan Duncan MP, owner of 2013's winning dog Noodle - spent the morning with the mutts before deciding the overall winner was Diesel, belonging to Rob Flello, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South.

Roxy impressed but only just missed out on a place on the podium.

Ruff justice, if you ask us.

MAYOR of London Boris Johnson has backtracked on statements which indicated plans for a Tramlink extension to Crystal Palace had been abandoned.

However, he once again stopped short of committing to the extension – which he has announced on three separate occasions during his term of office, only to then go back on it.

In answer to a question from Croydon and Sutton London Assembly member Steve O'Connell on Wednesday, the mayor distanced himself from the offending part of a consultation document on proposed plans to extend the Bakerloo tube line to Beckenham.

The document, as reported in the Advertiser two weeks ago, said that in terms of the Underground extension, a tram line serving Crystal Palace and another option to Bromley would bring little benefit to the wider south-east London area.

Its blunt statement that "these extensions are not actively being progressed at this time" caused a furore locally.

Mr O'Connell expressed anger at the document's wording, with the mayor replying during his Wednesday City Hall Question Time: "I regret some of the language that was used in this consultation."

The mayor suggested the idea was "being actively progressed and considered," but he stopped short of offering any firm commitment to a Crystal Palace extension.

Mr O'Connell told the Advertiser: "I was furious before but it now seems if a proper business case can be presented for the extensions there is all to play for."

The Advertiser spoke to West Bromwich Albion correspondent for the Express & Star, Steve Madeley, ahead of Saturday's game at The Hawthorns…

A 2-2 draw with Man Utd on Monday certainly puts the Baggies in a confident mood for Palace?

They were in a confident mood already, having beaten Tottenham and thrashed Hull. They gave a decent account of themselves in losing narrowly at Anfield, but Monday's game certainly won't have hurt their belief. They played very well and it was another step in the right direction.

Saido Berahino is getting better and better, isn't he? He's a man in form.

He is. He has always been a lad who knew where the net was, as he showed when he made a flying start to last season before losing his way. He was always prolific in age-group teams so goal-scoring has never been an issue, but his all-round game has improved beyond all recognition this season and he is full of confidence.

Happy with Alan Irvine in charge and that he has got a chance at the helm?

From a personal point of view, I am delighted he has started to turn things around as he's a genuinely nice guy who is a pleasure to deal with. I fully understood the scepticism of fans when he was appointed and in the early weeks of the season things didn't look good for him, but behind the scenes he has done great work getting all the players pulling in the right direction after last season.

Which other players are impressing so far for West Brom?

Joleon Lescott has made a big difference. He was injured at the start of the season and, since he came in at Tottenham, the team have looked a whole lot better defensively. Lescott is the man who has held it together but his partner at centre-back, Craig Dawson, has been very good too.

If you could sign anyone from Palace, who do you like the look of?

I haven't seen Palace at all this season so it's hard to say. Last season I was impressed by Mile Jedinak and I watched Scott Dann progress through the ranks at Walsall and have always thought he was capable of playing in the top flight, so probably one of them.

What's your score prediction?

West Brom are playing well at the moment so I'd back them to win. Let's say a 2-0 home win.

THE fireworks and bonfire display at Sanderstead Recreation Ground has been cancelled after more than 40 years and may never return.
The Rotary Club of Croydon Jubilee has called time on the event due to the escalating costs of staging it.
More than 3,000 people attended last year and in its heyday there were more than 6,000 packed in to the Limpsfield Road recreation ground.
However, Dhiraj Shah, of the Rotary Club of Croydon Jubilee, said the bonfire night tradition had become too costly after Croydon Council indicated it could not provide it with the same level of funding.
The cancellation leaves Croydon with only one major fireworks display at Crystal Palace Park, which is technically in the borough of Bromley.
Mr Shah said: "It's a real shame, we would have liked to keep doing it but unfortunately for one reason or another the council cannot offer the same level of support.
"We would like it to come back in the future but we would need more help. Last year, we did it as a community service and there was no fundraising side to it for us.
"The numbers have gone down a bit as well, we thought a lot of people would come to us once the fireworks were cancelled at Royal Russell School but it didn't really happen that way."

THIS week's Croydon Advertiser is on the shelves, leading with the emotional story of Marcus Campbell - a campaign which has captured the hearts of people across the borough and beyond.

Our three pages of coverage include interviews with Marcus' mother and sister, as well as chronicling the sequence of events which led to Wednesday night's extraordinary demo outside Croydon University Hospital.

Elsewhere in the paper, we've the concluding part of our series of reports on Croydon's domestic violence 'epidemic', with three victims telling their harrowing stories, while there is also an interview with the son of Maurice Baxter, tragically killed after being hit by a lorry in the town centre last week.

We reveal the school which has warned children and PARENTS to stop spitting, the art gallery bringing a touch of Banksy to a neglected part of Croydon, and interview the residents' association member who's quit his post - all over a fallen tree.

Our First Day at School supplement features eight pages of new reception class photos - a must for the proud parents!

And, if you're a Palace fan, look out for interviews with Brede Hangeland and new assistant boss Kevin Blackwell, as well as a full preview of the West Brom game.

You don't get much for 80p these days - but you do get the Croydon Advertiser.

Buy it, and it'll change your life (maybe...)

IT'S big, it's orange – and it weighs more than your average newborn cow.

Feast your eyes on Croydon's biggest pumpkin, a 39kg monster fruit that is currently holed up in the spare room of Emma Cummins' home in The Waldrons, South Croydon.

The pumpkin was grown by Ernesto Figueira at his allotment in Mickleham Way, New Addington, and is so huge that when it came to showing his ex-partner Emma and their 10-month-old daughter Amelia, the only way he could carry it downstairs was in a suitcase.

"When I saw it I thought 'bloody hell, what am I supposed to do with that?'" said Emma.

"I thought it might be a world record but I found a heavier one, unfortunately."

IT'S Friday, which means it's time for the latest slice of Palace-inspired poetry from the Bard of Selhurst Park James Miller...

Oscar's screamer, Chelsea scored,

Terry late, Campbell floored.

Name not taken, tackled hard,

Delaney shown a yellow card.

Ref shows red, then red again,

Second half played ten V ten.

Chelsea two now, Palace nil,

Then Campbell's goal from Wilfred's skill.

Tough home game but held their own,

The Homesdale's message clearly shown,

Reactions from some overblown,

His hate for Eagles so well known.

'Legal action should be done'

Bitter his team is now league one.

Easy target, loves to hate,

As his team Palace did relegate.

West Brom away, lets come back strong,

Top flights where eagles now belong.

Tricky match, close to call,

A point not bad but lets take all.

Eight from eight lets add three more,

We've goals to score as Eagles soar.  

A DISAPPEARING bus stop left passengers confused on Tuesday when their bus failed to pull over because the stop had vanished.

Transport for London said they think the stop, thought to be between Charlton Avenue and Rockhampton Road on Selsdon Road, was stolen. It was an ordinary stop without a shelter.

Maria Gatland, Croham councillor, was told about the missing stop on Wednesday by upset passengers whose bus did not stop. She said it is a popular stop which elderly and disabled passengers rely on.

"I think it's strange and really bad service," Ms Gatland said. She believes a temporary stop is now in place.

Vernon Jones, TfL's Croydon Bus Infrastructure Controller said yesterday: "We believe the missing bus stop on Selsden Road in Croydon has been stolen and we are currently investigating the circumstances of this. We will be contacting the police to report the theft and will look to install a new bus stop as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience to our passengers in the interim."

TO SOME he's a laughing stock - to others, a clever and canny self-publicist.

But now, former boxer turned London mayoral candidate turned Croydon's most flamboyant Ukip member Winston McKenzie has been given a new - and very flattering - label.

Lee Jasper, former Respect Party candidate for Croydon North and once an adviser to London mayor Ken Livingstone, today posted a photo of McKenzie on Twitter, alongside the caption: "The most influential black man in UK politics right now. #UKIP"

Mr Jasper tagged four prominent politicians into his Tweet, including shadow cabinet member Chuka Umunna and Tory Sam Gyimah - both of whom could perhaps lay claim to the title bestowed on McKenzie, back in the headlines this week after his typically effervescent appearance on the BBC's Newsnight, where he defended DJ Mike Read's 'UKIP Calypso' song.

Do you agree with Lee Jasper? Have your say by commenting below...

Meanwhile, here's one of Winston's finest hours...

FIREFIGHTERS say a large blaze atop a tower block in East Croydon is now under control.

A large plume of black smoke, coming from the top of Delta Point, on Wellesley Road, was visible across the town centre this lunch time (Friday).

London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed the fire, which broke out shortly before 1pm, was under control by 2.15pm.

A spokeswoman for LFB said six engines, from Croydon, Woodside, Norbury and Mitcham, had been sent to the scene and 10 people safely escaped the building before they arrived and there were no casualties.

The 14-storey Delta Point, which doubled as Gotham General hospital in the Batman film Dark Kight Rises, is currently disused but is due to be converted into 348 flats by developers Criterion. Previously it was the home of BT in the borough.

See a gallery of the fire here or watch footage of the fire below:

Rachid Zaueal, who works on top of the Saffron Square tower overlooking the Delta Point roof, said he had seen three workmen on the roof with tools since yesterday.

"There were a lot of flames from out of nowhere but the fire crews came and dealt with it very quickly," he said.

The Advertiser understands work was being carried out to the air conditioning units atop the building.

Trams were suspended between East Croydon and Reeves Corner but are now running again. Wellesley Road was reopened at 3.15pm.

Croydon's Ben Haenow gives Advertiser readers a sneak peak behind the doors of the X Factor house in the first of his weekly blogs about life on the show...

IT'S been a bit mad in the house this week because we had the ghost hunter round. Apparently the house is haunted so if we could get hold of Derek Acorah and send him over that would be great.

The rest of the week has just been chilled. We had Thursday off so I managed to get back to Croydon and see my girlfriend, Jess, and stay with her.

That was really nice, I sat around in my onesie doing bugger all on Thursday, my nan cooked lasagne and we had a family meal. They were really glad to have me back - it was such a whirlwind getting back and trying to see everybody in that time and then get a bit of time to relax as well, but it was amazing to get back and see them.

I had a bit of a chat with Simon and changed my song on Wednesday because I wanted to go for something that was a bit more me. I was going to sing You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' but for me it didn't go anywhere and is a bit of a cheesy one and a bit boring, so hopefully I'll do something that's a bit more rocky. But I can't say what!

Simon was really cool about it. He's been saying to us throughout the competition "make sure you put your ideas forward". He said to me "if that's what you think you want to do I trust you", so it's definitely put the pressure on me this week.

Simon's a busy man and has his empire to run, but he makes plenty of time for us lot to get in touch and chat. He makes sure we're okay and he's becoming more like a mate now and I can just ring him to have a chat.

With the late song change I've spent some time trying to get my head around the lyrics, so it's been a lot of sitting with my head phones in ignoring everyone else. But it's becoming a lot more like that now, everyone is a lot more focused on their own game.

And I've been getting my spray tan and my make-up done today ready to go looking all TV good.

It's not quite what I'm used to but I am getting accustomed to it. I feel naked without make up now if I go on without me lipstick I can't bare to see myself in the mirror!

When I see Jess on Saturdays after the show she says "you look good". But it's all make up - I'm still the same ugly bloke underneath.

It's been cool in the house this week but because people have started to go it's a bit calmer. People are in bed before 11pm and everyone is rehearsing a bit more.

There's more space so people can get a bit more privacy and concentrate on what they have got to do, so the energy has gone down. As people go you start to miss them and what they bring to the house, so it starts to get a bit quieter and it's a bit strange.

Jake Quickenden and Paul Akister are my two main boys because I share a room with them. They are top lads and it will be really difficult if one of us leaves. They're my boys, keeping me strong and winding everyone else up and having a laugh.

I'm feeling confident in my song choice for the weekend but as I chose it myself the pressure is on there.

I'm feeling a bit nervous too. The competition is so tough and four people have gone. At the moment I can't choose a weak link so it's making me nervous. Everyone here is great now so you've got to be really great to stand out.

I'm used to doing two 40-minute sets in a dingy pub somewhere and on here you get two minutes to just go out and give it your all so I just go for it.