Newspaper headlines: 'Valentine tragedy' and No 10 vows to 'scrap licence fee' By BBC News

Staff Published duration 16 February

image copyright PA Media image caption The death of Caroline Flack is the lead story for many of the Sunday papers.

The death of Caroline Flack is the lead story for many of the Sunday papers.

The Sunday Mirror describes it as a Valentine tragedy, saying she had spent Friday apart from the boyfriend she was accused of attacking and banned from contacting as part of her bail conditions.

According to the Sun on Sunday , the day before she had posted Instagram pictures of herself with freshly-dyed hair, giving her pet dog, Ruby, a kiss.

The Mail on Sunday says the playful snaps gave no hint of the tragedy to come.

The main story for the Sunday Times is that Downing Street has vowed to scrap the television licence fee and make viewers pay a subscription for BBC services.

It says the national broadcaster could also be compelled to sell off most of its local and national radio stations and reduce the number of its television channels.

A No 10 source is quoted as saying: "The PM is firmly of the view that there needs to be serious reform. He is really strident on this."

However, the paper says the decision to ramp up hostilities is a high-risk move for No 10, with polls showing the BBC retains high approval ratings with more than 80% of voters.

For its lead, the Sunday Telegraph says it understands that anyone suffering flu-like symptoms could be ordered by health officials to "self-isolate" at home for a fortnight if the number of coronavirus cases in the UK hits the hundreds.

It says millions of people with coughs and colds could end up in quarantine as part of attempts to contain the virus.

The paper also reports that Boris Johnson has shelved plans to impose a "mansion tax" on owners of expensive homes, following a major backlash among Conservative MPs and grassroots.

It understands the prime minister "cooled" on the idea of including the measure in the Budget after discussing it with Sajid Javid before he resigned as Chancellor.

A cartoon in the Sunday Times shows Boris Johnson leaving Number 10 to take his ministers for a walk.

He's holding several dog leashes and they are on all fours.

After the cabinet reshuffle, the Mail on Sunday says Downing Street is the court of King Boris.

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Andrew Rawnsley , in the Observer, talks of a Number 10 power grab and an absolute monarchy.

But, he warns, the prime minister will encounter the sheer physical impossibility of trying to run everything from Downing Street.

An organism as complex as the government of an advanced nation can't all be managed from one terraced house in SW1, he adds.

Dan Hodges writes in the Mail that while Downing Street's authority has been reinforced, the authority of the prime minister has actually been weakened.

This morning, he goes on, people are no longer talking about Johnson's government, but the government of Dominic Cummings, his chief aide.

He says Mr Cummings is in danger of neutering his own prime minister.

Pictures of huge waves battering coastal towns, and swollen rivers threatening local communities fill the pages once again.

The Sunday Times says that when these events happen, flooded areas are rewarded with a visit from a wellington-booted minister - or even prime minister - and promised action.

But, it goes on, these promises are wearing thin.

It warns that flood defences matter more to people than grandiose announcements about HS2 or political games about reshuffles of people they have never heard of.

Finally, there's widespread praise for the Duchess of Cambridge for her candid podcast interview about the pressures of motherhood.

For the Mail , her thoughts will strike a chord with every parent.

The Sunday Express says her admission that she needed hypnobirth therapy for relaxation when she was giving birth will be a comfort and support to every woman going through pregnancy.