9am Briefing: Brown bid to raise himself for debate after grovelling apology

GORDON Brown will attempt to lift himself for the third and final prime ministerial debate TV tonight after offering a grovelling apology for branding a pensioner "bigoted".

Labour strategists have been billing this evening's economy-themed clash as an opportunity for the Prime Minister to turn the tide of the campaign.

But thanks to his unguarded comments about Gillian Duffy, overheard on a stray microphone, Mr Brown's personality is again centre stage.

3 Rifles home

THE LAST 63 members of the 3 Rifles Battlegroup were met by their families at Edinburgh's Redford Barracks last night after an arduous seven month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Thirty soldiers from the battlegroup were killed during their tour in Helmand province – the heaviest death toll suffered by a British regiment in 40 years. Around 16 of them were based in Edinburgh.

The regiment will be honoured with an official parade down the Royal Mile on 8 May.

Pond pregnant?

COULD Doctor Who's new sidekick Amy Pond be pregnant?

Amy, played by Edinburgh-trained actress Karen Gillan, will be seen with a bump in a forthcoming episode, Amy's Choice, to be screened on May 15.

The episode is partly set five years into Amy and The Doctor's future and show bosses are keeping tight-lipped.

RBS chief takes legal advice over Goldman Sachs

THE CHAIRMAN of Royal Bank of Scotland has revealed that it has taken legal advice about the possibility of suing Goldman Sachs.

Philip Hampton told investors that executives had spoken to lawyers in the wake of the decision by American regulators to charge the controversial investment bank with fraud.

The charges concern a complex investment portfolio related to sub-prime property on which Royal Bank lost around $840m (553m).

Boyle reveals all

SINGING sensation Susan Boyle has told how she brushes up "quite well, like a cygnet to a swan".

The Britain's Got Talent star was previously dubbed the Hairy Angel but has undergone a makeover since shooting to fame on the talent show.

She has also spoken about the loss of her mother and father, saying it was "life-changing" not having her mum to depend on so much after she passed away more than two years ago.