Millionaire Hot Seat is returning to ITV and on the hunt for contestants
Are you ready to take the Hot Seat in one of ITV’s newest game shows?
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Jeremy Clarkson is hosting another exciting series of Millionaire Hot Seat and they are looking for contestants from Belfast to take part.
Each episode of the ITV show sees six hopefuls compete for a £1 million prize, but only one player can take their place in the Hot Seat at a time, answering multiple-choice questions to work their way up the Money Ladder.
But unlike classic Millionaire, each question is against the clock. If a player answers correctly, they remain in the Hot Seat and continue up the Money Ladder.
However, if they get a question wrong, they are eliminated, the top prize drops down, and the next player takes their place.
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The stakes are high, leaving no room for indecision, and in every episode, one player has the chance to walk away with £1 million.
If you would like the chance to win, then you can apply here. Application closing date is Friday, October 16 2026.
Audition/Casting Period: Monday, 15th June 2026 – Friday, 6th November 2026. Applicants must be 18 years of age or over.
One of the cheeky Scots lads asked the ‘driver’: “Alright big man, what time you on ’till?”
Tartan Army take HILARIOUS Miami tripin driverless Waymo
Members of the Tartan Army have been left “buckled” after catching a driverless taxi around Miami.
The lads were left in stitches, dolling out Scottish patter to their “driver” while they made their way through the streets of the city in Southern Florida.
Filming their antics, the Scotland fans donned their strips as they got into the Waymo cab and asked “you busy the night?”.
The driverless car could be seen cruising through the streets and stopping to let pedestrians cross the road. The lads continued dishing out one liners to the empty driving seat, asking “Alright big man, what time you on ’till?”
The boys kept their windows down, as they blasted music and even had a singalong with a pedestrian who spotted their tartan strips.
Driverless taxis are commonplace in big US cities, and currently being tested in London – but Scottish ministers have yet to rule on whether they will permit them north of the border.
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As they were dropped off at their destination, the lads shouted: “Thank you driver, bye driver!”, mimicking an iconic Scottish viral video.
Hundreds of Scots and Americans weighed in on the lads’ patter, with the video racking up almost 100,000 likes.
One person wrote: “Not the bye driver!” Another said: “He wisnae very talkative.”
Another added: “I’m convinced the Scots are having way more fun than anyone else right now.” Another said: “Bonnie banter.”
The Tartan Army are clinging onto slim chances that we can still make World Cup history by progressing from a group for the first time. According to Opta, Scotland’s chances of progressing lie at just 0.07 per cent.
Steve Clark‘s team currently sit 10th in the 12-team third-place table, with only the top eight progressing to the last 32. While the journey for the Tartan Army in America may be over soon, Scots have been recalling the trip of a lifetime.
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Gordon Mains, a 55-year-old engineering director from Bishopbriggs, told the Record: “We’ve had a brilliant time in Miami, though. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. We were lucky enough to get tickets to see us play at the Hard Rock Stadium. The atmosphere was absolutely incredible. It’s just a shame the match didn’t live up to the same standard.”
Nando Vastano, a 45-year-old who runs a holiday complex in Aviemore, was heading home on Thursday with his pal Jamie Rodgers, a 46-year-old funeral director from Kingussie.
He added: “The game itself was really disappointing. Yesterday, everything that could have possibly gone against us, went against us. We had all the games on in Little Havana and we’re asking ourselves, ‘Are we going to Mexico?’… No, we’re going home.
“We blew it ourselves but now the results have gone against us too, it’s over. But the trip has been absolutely magnificent. Memories for the rest of our life for sure.”
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Jamie said: “It’s over now. We have no chance, I don’t think we deserve to go through anyway. It’s home time. We arrived on Monday night and haven’t stopped partying since then, so it’s probably a good thing!”
Scott Strachan, a 55-year-old chart surveyor, from Aberdeen, was enjoying a last cocktail with his son Scott Jnr, before the pair head home.
Scott Snr said: “Our trip has been amazing. Friendly people. But we’ve been out here in America for two and a half weeks so we are ready to go home now. We felt very deflated on the night and the results haven’t gone our way since. I think it’s almost impossible now, but we still live in hope.”
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Scott Jnr, a 25-year-old quantity surveyor now living in Brisbane, said: “We’ve still had a really good time. We’ve been watching the other games, but to be honest we don’t deserve to go through. If we go through, we will probably get gubbed 3-0 in the next game. So there’s no hope anyway. It’s time to go home.”
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There’s a chance to get enhanced odds of 50/1 on a goal being scored in England’s clash with Panama in New Jersey this evening.
Paddy Power World Cup have boosted the odds for any side to score in the game at MetLife Stadium, with bettors receiving the majority of their winnings as World Cup free bets if there is a goal.
Paddy Power free bets: 50/1 for a goal in England vs Panama
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England drew a blank in their last Group L game against Ghana, but there has been one goal in each of Panama’s games so far at this World Cup, and that would be enough to get a payout on over 0.5 goals at 50/1 with Paddy Power.
New customers who sign up using one of the links on this page and enter the promo code YFBDHT at registration can claim the Paddy Power free bet offer.
After completing the registration process and making a first deposit of £5 or more via an accepted payment method, punters will need to stake a maximum of £1 on over 0.5 goals in the England vs Panama market at the standard odds on Paddy Power.
If there is a goal in the game, the £1 bet is settled in cash at the normal price, with the extra winnings credited as free bets for bet builders to take the cumulative payout up to 50/1.
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The free bet builder tokens are credited after the qualifying bet settles and are valid for 30 days, meaning they can be used later in the World Cup.
How to claim the Paddy Power welcome offer
Click on one of the links to Paddy Power’s website to register an account.
Make sure to enter promo code YFBDHS during sign-up.
After verifying your ID, deposit at least £5 using a debit card, Apple Pay or Pay by Bank.
Place a maximum £1 bet on over 0.5 goals in the England vs Panama market before kick-off at 10pm Saturday, June 27.
If the bet wins, winnings are paid at the normal price and the top-up to 50/1 is credited in free bet builder tokens.
Key terms of the Paddy Power offer
Offer applies to new customers only, who must be UK and Republic of Ireland residents aged 18+.
Promo code YFBDHT is required at registration.
Maximum qualifying stake of £1 on over 0.5 goals in the England vs Panama market.
Minimum deposit of £5 via debit card, Apple Pay or Pay by Bank. PayPal, Skrill, Paysafe and Neteller deposits do not qualify for the offer.
Cashed out, partially cashed out and Power Price bets do not count towards the promotion – using cash out on the qualifying bet also voids eligibility.
Cash winnings are paid at the normal odds on the £1 stake.
Extra winnings credited as free bet builder tokens to total a 50/1 payout, which are valid for 30 days.
Best odds guaranteed does not apply to bets placed with a free bet or partial free bet.
England are once again priced as favourites with most World Cup betting sites to win. The Three Lions have been favoured in each of their group stage game, beating Croatia to start before drawing with Ghana.
Paddy Power World Cup football offers
Bettors can enjoy a free bet builder bet for every England game at the tournament. The value of the free bet will vary per customer, ranging from £0.50 to £50, and qualifying bet builders must feature at least three legs and minimum odds of 2/1.
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Power Prices are a selection of enhanced Paddy Power World Cup odds across markets for a game or matchday, available via the Paddy Power site and app.
Paddy Power are running money-back specials or bet and get offers during the World Cup. A money-back special is where bettors’ stake is returned by betting sites if the wager doesn’t win, while bet and get rewards punters for placing a wager with a free bet.
2UP can be a big help, especially with multiples and accumulators. If the team you have backed goes two goals ahead at any point in the match, your bet is paid out in full immediately, regardless of the final result.
Paddy Power’s Super Sub promotion will also be running during the World Cup. This offer allows users to bet on a player in a match (first goalscorer, to be carded, shot on target etc) and if they are replaced, any unsettled bet carries over to their replacement.
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Of course, Paddy Power’s ongoing loyalty promotion, Paddy’s Rewards Club,will be running throughout the tournament. Opt in and place a minimum of five £5 wagers in a week to claim a free bet.
Alternative World Cup betting offers
Paddy Power are likely to prove popular with football bettors due to their range of World Cup offers, but for those seeking alternatives, there is plenty of choice available.
Here is what’s available at rival online bookmakers, while bettors wanting to stay up to date with the latest World Cup betting offers and odds can head to our tournament hub.
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This article is for 18+ only. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Standard a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK’s best online gambling companies.
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Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.
Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.
England’s deciding Test against New Zealand – and perhaps the future of the hosts’ management – hangs in the balance after a dramatic and fluctuating third day at Trent Bridge.
As a previously flat pitch began to break up and play tricks, England first surrendered the initiative with the bat, then tried gamely with the ball to hang in the contest.
At the end of it all, New Zealand moved to 120-3, a lead of 204 looking sizeable given the unevenness in the surface that became apparent on Saturday.
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The Black Caps had been 12-2 and 51-3, but Rachin Ravindra’s unbeaten 60, alongside 26 not out by Daryl Mitchell ensured the tourists remain in the driving seat.
England began the day with an opportunity to get close to New Zealand’s first-innings 438, only to lose three crucial wickets for 10 runs inside the first six overs.
Joe Root was out for 21 and Jacob Bethell 74 – neither man adding to his overnight score – before Jamie Smith managed only one.
Harry Brook made a calm 58, but when England lost their last three wickets for four runs, the home side were left 354 all out and 84 behind on first innings.
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New Zealand seamer Zak Foulkes, who only came into the game on Friday as a concussion sub for Blair Tickner, took three of the wickets to fall on Saturday, including Brook and England captain Ben Stokes.
Stephanie Davis’ mother Shirley Oliver, 42, was killed in one of Cardiff’s most notorious murders
19:13, 27 Jun 2026Updated 19:15, 27 Jun 2026
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“It’s just madness. They can do all that, come out and have a better life than people who are struggling and working for years. He has been allowed to change his name, I don’t understand how he was able to do that.”
These are the words of a woman who has lived for the last 21 years without the person she calls her best friend, her mother Shirley Oliver.
In that time, the two brothers who killed Shirley and left her body dumped in a Cardiff alleyway in 2005 have served life sentences and been freed from prison. One, Christopher Jones, was 21 when he was jailed for murder and was still younger than 42-year-old Shirley when he was released from his jail sentence.
Shirley’s daughter Stephanie Davies was also 21 when her mum died. She and her family were distraught and angry when the killers Christopher and Stuart Jones were released from prison.
Stephanie said it was wrong how he had been allowed to live a better life than people who lived honestly and worked hard.
She said: “The whole time since they got sentenced I fought to keep them inside, not out. The one brother Stuart, I haven’t heard his name since he’s been caught.
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“It’s just madness, they can do all that, come out and have a better life than people who are struggling and working for years. (Christopher) has been allowed to change his name, I don’t understand how he was able to do that.
“I never got over it, when it’s there we were horrified and it set us all back. My phone, my door, my messages, that’s the only way we found out.”
Christopher has since changed his name to Christopher Mason-Jones, and has been living in Russell Street, Swansea.
Stephanie said Mason-Jones, who laughed after being sentenced for murder, has shown no remorse for her mother’s murder and she was scared for her family’s safety.
She added: “He’s institutionalised now, his life is prison so coming out he can do what he wants because he doesn’t care if he goes back inside.
“And then who’s to say again when they let him out next he doesn’t do something like that again.
“There’s no closure either, I worry every time I see someone who looks like him and I worry about what I’d do if I came face to face with him. When he’s inside it’s no comfort because he’ll be released before you know it.”
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Her mother was beaten, strangled, and stamped on by brothers Christopher and Stuart Jones, then 31, before they dumped her body in a Cardiff alley in 2005. She was killed amid an argument over a garage bill she said she had paid after accepting a lift home from the two men.
A sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court heard Shirley was removed from the vehicle by Christopher and dropped on the floor. He then stamped on her. She was then strangled, beaten and left for dead. The murder was described by a judge as a callous and cold-blooded killing …of a woman who did you no wrong”. Don’t miss a court report by signing upto our crime newsletter here.
Both Christopher, then 21, and Stuart, then 31, were sentenced to life imprisonment. But Christopher, now 42, was given parole in 2018 and released on life-long licence against the wishes of Shirley’s family.
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This week he found himself back before the courts this week and was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment for being concerned in the supply of cannabis, being concerned in the supply of ketamine, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of ketamine with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property.
Speaking about the news of Mason-Jones returning to prison, Stephanie said she had been inundated with friends and acquaintances messaging her.
She said: “It just starts all over again, people stop me and ask questions… I’m grateful people care so much but it’s over and over and over. (The killers) get to move on and live their lives. We’re the ones with a life sentence, not them.”
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Stephanie still thinks about her mother all the time and described her as the “kindest person”. She added: “She would give anyone her last. She was like my mum and my best friend.”
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Richard Whiffin’s side held on to claim a narrow 24-25 victory against the hosts in Tbilisi
19:19, 27 Jun 2026Updated 19:30, 27 Jun 2026
Wales U20s held on to claim a dramatic 24-25 victory against Georgia in their opening match of the Junior World Championship, ending the game with 13 men.
Richard Whiffin’s side were eight points clear heading into the final five minutes, but faced a nervy finish as wing Tom Bowen picked up a second yellow card moments after Yestyn Cook was also sent from the field for conceding a late penalty try that saw the hosts in Tbilisi close the gap to a single point.
As Georgia pushed for a late winner, it looked as though they had done so as replacement back rower Irakli Kolbaia bulldozed his way over the line only to be judged to have been held up, with Wales holding on to record an opening round win.
Gloucester flanker Caio James had given Whiffin’s young side the perfect start as he powered over under the posts after just five minutes, with Scarlets fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones adding the extras from the tee.
Cardiff wing Rhys Cummings then stretched Wales’ advantage with just over quarter of an hour gone, showing neat footwork to beat two men and cross in the left corner.
However, Georgia responded through the highly-rated Mikheil Shioshvili, with the Toulon backrow bundling over after a powerful lineout drive.
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Shioshvili struck again three minutes before half-time, showing his immense strength as he carried Sion Davies and Evan Minto with him as he powered over the line to reduce the deficit to 15-12 at the break.
After the restart, Bowen was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, with Georgia capitalising immediately as prop Gabriel Razmadze got the ball down off the back of another lineout.
Despite their man disadvantage, however, Wales went looking for a response.
They thought they had it seven minutes later as a superb long-range pass from Steffan Emanuel saw full-back Lewis Edwards go over in the corner.
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However, replays showed that Edwards had lost the ball from his grasp under pressure when going over the line.
There was to be no mistake moments later, however, as Leggatt-Jones crossed following more impressive work from co-captain Emanuel.
A 75th-minute penalty try for Georgia saw Cook head off the field before Bowen was shown a red to set up a nail-biting finish, but Wales did enough to hold on to seal victory and leave the hosts heartbroken after a pulsating encounter.
A whopping £9.5M jackpot is up for grabs in tonight’s draw
A huge jackpot could be won tonight(Image: Merthyr Express)
It’s the weekend again, and what better way to top it all off than by winning the lottery. Tomorrow morning, someone could wake up a multi-millionaire with a £9.5M jackpot up for grabs in tonight’s National Lottery Lotto draw.
The winning Lotto numbers will be revealed at 8pm, with the Thunderball draw following shortly after, offering a top prize of £500,000. We’ll have all the results as they come in below.
The New Lotto game means that with one ticket you will have two chances to win as each Wednesday and Saturday Lotto draw will feature two rounds.
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That means two chances of winning a prize with every line of numbers you play, for the same price.
Since its first draw on November 19, 1994, the UK National Lottery has distributed funds far beyond its winners. Around half of all ticket sales go towards prizes, while 28% supports good causes. The remainder is split between government duty (12%), retailers (5%), and the operator (5%).
Over the years, the lottery has created some eye-watering wins. The biggest ever Lotto prize came in April 2016, when a single anonymous ticket-holder scooped £35 million. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here.
Follow the results live below:
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Good evening
Good evening and welcome to the lotto live blog as we bring you the winning National Lottery and Thunderball numbers live.
Good luck to everyone playing. The first numbers will be drawn at 8pm.
The beach is often overlooked, but this makes for a more peaceful visit
When the hot weather arrives in England, the beaches quickly fill up with sun-seekers. Unfortunately, people from our landlocked county of Cambridgeshire to travel to get to the coast.
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However, there are many beaches within an easy driving distance of the county. One that’s worth the visit is West Runton beach in Norfolk, just a two-hour drive from Cambridge.
This sand and shingled beach is considered one of the more peaceful to visit in Norfolk. There are miles of footpaths and bridleways for people to walk in the surrounding area.
The beach is also backed by cliffs, which offer an “impressive backdrop to the beach”, according to the Visit North Norfolk website. One thing the beach is most famous for is the discovery of a nearly-complete mammoth.
Part of the Ice Age animal was first discovered on December 13, 1990. Local residents Margaret and Harold Hems were walking along the beach when they discovered a large bone sticking out of the cliffs.
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The couple contacted a local museum and it was later discovered that the bone was a pelvic bone of a large steppe mammoth. A year later in 1991, fossil hunter Rob Sinclair discovered more large bones in the area.
After the two discoveries, an excavation took place in 1995. Within three months, archaeologists managed to find 85 per cent of a mammoth.
This is the most complete set of bones of a mammoth that has been discovered in the world. As well as this major discovery, other small fossils have been found at West Runton, making it an important archaeological spot.
As well as being a hotspot for fossils, the beach is often overlooked, as more people visit nearby Cromer. However, this provides a more peaceful visit for people.
Last weekend, the spotlight shone brightly on two of our extraordinary chorus quartets, ‘The Fourtuned Cookies’ and ‘A Tuneful of Sugar,’ as they took to the stage at the LABBS Quartet Prelims in Coventry. With livestream coverage bringing the excitement right into our living rooms, we rallied behind our talented singers from the comfort of our sofas. A whopping 39 other quartets were in the mix, turning the event into a thrilling showcase of talent and fierce competition! Our very own chorus chair and LABBS chair, Jill Cook, navigated the day with remarkable poise, ensuring everything ran smoothly. ‘The Sugars’ faced their inaugural Prelim experience with an unexpected twist: a last-minute line-up change! Samantha Miles emerged and took on a lead role for their uptune and then swapped to tenor for their ballad. This meant that Maria Lapworth bravely took on the Lead voice for the uptune, right at the last minute. Hats off to these fearless performers for their determination and outstanding debut! Meanwhile, ‘The Cookies’ returned for their second Prelims, showcasing their remarkable growth with a 5% increase in performance quality since their last outing in 2024. This impressive leap has secured them the exciting role of mic warmers at the semi-finals in Harrogate later this year! We couldn’t be more thrilled and can’t wait to cheer them on from the audience as they tackle the grand Harrogate stage! We burst with pride for both quartets, who not only achieved remarkable feats but also waved the Spinnaker flag high. The event was a fantastic celebration of camaraderie, with numerous other quartets joining in the harmonious festivities. As we gear up for the LABBS 50th anniversary convention in Harrogate, the anticipation is palpable! Mark your calendars for October—and watch the live stream to watch some amazing barbershop choruses and quartets that rehearse up and down the country. You don’t know what you’re missing!
Kerry Coombes, 33, died after a train collided with a car in Station Road on Thursday, June 25, where she was pronounced dead at the scene.
An eight-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.
The family paid tribute to Kerry today, saying: “Kerry was a loving daughter, sister, partner and devoted mum who meant everything to us.
“She had the biggest heart, always put other people before herself and brought so much love, laughter and kindness into the lives of everyone who knew her.
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(Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)
“The loss of Kerry has left a hole in our family that can never be filled. We are heartbroken and are trying to come to terms with what has happened.”
Yesterday, flowers were laid at the scene of the incident.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell said: “This was a shocking and tragic incident, and our specialist officers will continue to support Kerry’s family and friends throughout this ordeal.
“Following our initial enquiries, a criminal investigation into the incident has now been launched, and I would ask the public not to speculate, as further updates will be provided in due course.
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“We continue to urge witnesses or anyone with information who has yet to speak to officers to get in touch by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 152 of June 25.
“Information can also be given anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Groupia Ltd – which also trades as Groupia Golf, GoHen, StagWeb, Groupia School Trips, and Company Away Days – offers customers “the best” group travel holidays to destinations in the UK and abroad, including Prague, Split, and Barcelona.
More than 750,000 travellers have used the company since it began back in 2002, booking everything from stag and hen weekends to golf trips, team tours, and spa breaks.
Holidays cancelled as Groupia falls into administration
After 24 years in business, Groupia, which is based in Bath, has now fallen into administration.
Nigel Fox and Christopher Marsden of S&W Partners LLP were appointed joint administrators on June 16, according to the Groupia website.
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It continues: “The Company has now ceased taking new bookings, and arrangements are in place with ABTOT to support customers with existing bookings.”
Which Groupia bookings have been cancelled?
Bookings on or before August 31, 2026, are expected to go ahead as planned, the Groupia website says, thanks to an arrangement with ABTOT (financial protection company).
These bookings can still be managed via Groupia’s VIP booking system.
Any holidays booked with Groupia for after September 1, 2026, have been cancelled.
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Refunds are available for affected bookings through your card issuer (if you paid by credit or debit card) or by submitting an online claim to Gallagher Bassett, who act for ABTOT.
For online claims, travellers will need a booking confirmation and proof of payment.
Other UK travel companies that have closed in 2026
Seven other UK travel companies have ceased trading in 2026:
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Luxury UK holiday company Salamander Voyages also shut down back in April after entering administration.
Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation this year:
Ascend Airways (liquidation)
EcoJet Airlines (liquidation)
Zenith Aviation Limited (administration)
European Cargo (administration)
Have you booked a holiday through Groupia recently? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
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