Police were called to incident on Saturday evening
Carrington Walker Live News Journalist and Zena Hawley
21:00, 26 Jul 2026
Four people, including a baby, have died and one person has been injured after a crash on the A38 near Derby late on Saturday (July 25).
Emergency services were called at around 1pm to the stretch of road between the A50 Toyota Island and the A516, where a red Hyundai carrying five people had left the carriageway and hit trees. Police confirmed on Sunday that two women, aged 18 and 30, and a 36‑year‑old man were pronounced dead at the scene.
Advertisement
“A baby girl was taken to hospital where she was sadly pronounced dead a short while later. All four were passengers in the vehicle,” a spokesperson for Derbyshire Police added.
“The driver – a 33-year-old man – was taken to hospital to be treated for serious injuries where he remains today. He has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. All those involved are from Leeds in West Yorkshire. Our thoughts are with them at this most distressing time.”
Officers closed the road for several hours following the fatal incident, as detectives and emergency crews operated. It has since been reopened.
Advertisement
The relatives of those involved have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers, the force confirmed, adding that anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to come forward.
Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives… To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here.
Derbyshire Police would also like to hear from anyone who has any dash cam footage which may have captured the incident. Information can be passed to the police on 101, quoting incident number 26*442464.
You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website by clicking here
The good news is that restaurants, pubs, cafés and supermarkets across the UK are once again offering kids eat free, 88p meals , £1 deals, free breakfasts and even free fruit to help families save money.
Here’s a list of restaurants, pubs and cafés where kids can eat free or for less:
Angus Steakhouse
Offer: Children under eight eat FREE
When: Daily, 12pm-5pm
How: One free children’s meal with every paying adult.
ASK Italian
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Every day during the summer holidays
How: Via the free ASK Perks app when an adult buys a main. Maximum two children per adult.
Asda Café
Offer: Kids’ meals for £1
When: Every day
How: No adult purchase required.
Banana Tree
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Sundays
How: One free children’s meal with every adult main.
Bella Italia
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Sunday to Thursday
How: Three-course children’s meal and drink with an adult main.
Bill’s
Offer: Two children eat FREE
When: Monday to Friday until August 31
How: Adult orders a main course.
BrewDog
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Daily until August 31
How: Select the Kids Eat Free offer when booking.
Brewers Fayre
Offer: One child eats FREE
How: With one paying adult.
Chiquito
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Throughout the school holidays
How: One free children’s meal, side, dessert and drink with every adult main.
Dobbies Garden Centres
Offer: Kids eat for 88p
When: Until September 1
How: With any adult breakfast or main meal.
Farmhouse & Farmhouse Kitchen
Offer:Two children eat FREE
When: Monday to Friday, July 20-August 28
How: Buy an adult breakfast, main or carvery and two children eat free, plus each receives a free scoop of ice cream.
Flaming Grill
Offer: Kids eat for 88p
When: Weekdays until August 28
How: One children’s meal, drink and pudding for 88p with every adult meal.
Franco Manca
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Monday to Thursday
How: One free pizza for under-12s with every adult main.
Frankie & Benny’s
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: With an adult main at participating restaurants.
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Offer: Under-eights eat FREE
When: All day, every day
Where: Selected restaurants including Street Pizza and Gordon Ramsay Burger.
Greene King pubs
Offer: Kids eat for 88p
When: Monday to Friday until August 28
How: Children’s meal, dessert and drink for 88p with an adult meal. Larger meals cost £1.31.
Harvester
Offer: Kids eat for £1
When: Until September 4
How: With an adult main.
Hungry Horse
Offer: Kids eat for 88p
When: Monday to Friday until August 28
How: Up to two children receive a meal, drink and pudding for 88p with every adult meal. Upgrade to a larger meal for an extra 43p.
IKEA Restaurant
Offer: Children’s hot meals from 95p
When: Every day.
Las Iguanas
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Throughout the holidays
How: Via the app with an adult main.
Morrisons Café
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Every day
How: One child aged 16 or under receives a free meal and drink with an adult meal costing more than £5.
Pausa Café at Dunelm
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: Mini main, two snacks and a drink with every £5 spend.
Pizza Hut
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Daily from 3pm at participating restaurants.
Prezzo
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: Join the Kids Club (£1.99 per month) for free three-course children’s meals with every adult main.
Sainsbury’s Café
Offer: Kids eat for £1
When: Daily from 11.30am
How: With an adult hot meal.
Sizzling Pubs
Offer: Kids eat for £1
When: Monday to Friday
How: With every adult main.
Subway
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: July 28-August 17
How: One free Kids’ Meal with every Footlong Sub at participating stores.
Tesco Café
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Throughout the summer holidays
How: Get one free Kids’ Hot Meal Deal, Kids’ Breakfast or Pick ‘n’ Mix meal when an adult buys any item from just 60p and scans a Tesco Clubcard. There is no limit to the number of free meals.
TGI Fridays
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: Via the Stripes Rewards app with an adult main.
The Real Greek
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Sundays
How: With a £15 adult spend.
Toby Carvery
Offer: Kids eat for £1
When: Weekdays
How: With an adult carvery or main meal.
YO! Sushi
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: One children’s meal with every £10 adult spend.
Zizzi
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Every day
How: One child can eat free with every adult main
Recommended reading
HMRC issues Child Benefit warning as thousands of parents face losing payments
Credit cards that let you spend abroad for free and reward you when you get home
Best screen-free family break in Cumbria Lake District stay guide
Supermarkets offering even more free food this summer
Tesco
Tesco is expanding its support for families over the holidays.
Alongside its Kids Eat Free café offer, the supermarket is bringing back Free Fruit for Kids until August 30 , with children able to pick up a free apple at checkouts in more than 800 Tesco stores and 77 larger Tesco Express stores.
Advertisement
Morrisons
Morrisons is once again running its free Kellogg’s Breakfast Clubs throughout the summer holidays.
Adults and children can enjoy a free bowl of Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, served with milk or a dairy alternative, plus a free apple or banana every day during the school holidays.
The supermarket is also continuing its Kids Eat Free café offer, meaning families can enjoy both breakfast and lunch for less.
Expert tips for saving even more
Ben Smye from Hotukdeals recommends:
Advertisement
Book ahead , as restaurants fill up quickly during the holidays.
Download restaurant apps , as many offers are app-only.
Join free loyalty schemes to unlock extra discounts.
Check your local branch , as not every venue takes part.
Read the small print , including age limits, minimum spends and valid days.
Try apps like Too Good To Go to pick up discounted food from cafés, bakeries and restaurants while helping reduce food waste.
He adds: “Eating out as a family can feel like a luxury. Planning around kids-eat-free offers can cut a typical £100 family meal bill almost in half.”
With some family meals costing well over £80, planning around these offers could save parents hundreds of pounds over the summer holidays.
Manchester United are close to making their next moves in the transfer market
Manchester United are close to making further inroads in the transfer market – and some deals could be completed this week. It’s a crucial summer for United as they look to build on the progress made under Michael Carrick over the second half of last season.
Advertisement
With Champions League football a welcome addition to the schedule, Carrick needs a stronger, deeper squad than the one he ended last season with. United also need to move players on, either permanently or on loan.
They have already strengthened their spine with the arrivals of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa but at least one more midfielder is set to follow.
Clubs are also in a rush to get their finances in check before July concludes to meet financial fair play regulations. Here’s a rundown of the moves that could potentially go through this week…
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Advertisement
Manu Kone
United are believed to have agreed personal terms with the Roma star, who is valued at around £50million. Corriere dello Sport reported over the weekend that United still hadn’t made a concrete offer and are ‘moving slowly’ over the signing.
That is said to be frustrating for Roma, who are eager for the deal to go through this month to avoid copping a hefty fine from UEFA. They have a settlement agreement with the governing body to ensure their losses do not exceed £51.25m but have until July 31 to prove they have stayed within financial limits. Therefore, they will be pressing for a deal to go through in a matter of days.
Radek Vitek
Having impressed on loan at Bristol City last season, the Czech keeper will be on the move again this summer. With a route to the United first-choice looking blocked following the arrival of Karl Darlow as chief back-up to Senne Lammens, Vitek could leave permanently.
Advertisement
A return to the Championship is on the cards, with Middlesbrough among the clubs to hold an interest in the 22-year-old. With the start of the Championship season less than three weeks away, they may want to get a deal over the line sooner rather than later.
Joshua Zirkzee
The Dutch striker appears to have little future at Old Trafford. It’s evident Carrick isn’t keen on the 25-year-old, although United can probably forget about recouping the £36.5m they paid for Bologna in 2024. A return to Italy is likely, with Juventus reportedly interested.
Altay Bayindir
Another player with no future at the club, Bayindir has been granted extra post-World Cup leave to complete his departure. The Turkey keeper, who didn’t play at the World Cup, has been linked with a return to his homeland with Besiktas.
Advertisement
Bayindir has not played for United since his error in the 3-1 defeat at Brentford in September. The team lost seven of the 17 games he started, conceding 31 goals.
Marcus Rashford
It would be a surprise if the seemingly never-ending Rashford saga concludes this week, but don’t completely rule it out. The forward’s career is in limbo after Barcelona declined to convert his loan into a permanent deal.
United are eager to get him off the wage bill, but are reluctant to sell to a direct rival. As it stands, Rashford will join up with the United squad in August, unless another club decides to take the plunge on the enigmatic forward before then.
Advertisement
Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Official premium experiences at Old Trafford are available now for the 26/27 Premier League season. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.
Over 300,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires continue to rage across Spain and France.
At least one man has been killed in Spain and dozens others have been injured including at least 68 firefighters in France.
Government officials from both countries have commented on the historic nature of the blaze, with Madrid’s regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso describing it as “the worst fire in the history of the region”.
“The fires which are hitting our country have reached a level that has never been seen before,” French prime minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on X on Saturday.
Advertisement
Lecornu promised that over 1.5 million face masks would be provided as even areas unaffected by the worst of the blaze saw air quality deteriorate and smoke spread.
Below we look at the areas affected and evacuated as a result of the wildfires.
The fires appeared to be advancing towards the French city of Bordeaux after the flames continued to spread, with several suburban regions on the city’s outskirts evacuated on Saturday morning.
This included the evacuation of large parts of Bordeaux’s suburbs, including the areas of Le Haillan, Eysines and Merignac.
Advertisement
French officials told Sky News on Sunday that they are considering a total evacuation of the city of Bordeaux – the sixth largest city in the country – if needed.
Beach goers sit on the beach of Moutchic in Lacanau, southwestern France on July 24, 2026, as clouds of smoke rise into the sky from a wildfire. (AFP/Getty)
Local prefect Sophie Broca described the fast-spreading blaze throughout Gironde as an “XXL fire”.
Another major fire began further along the coast near the town of Biscarrosse in the Landes region on Thursday afternoon with several of the surrounding areas also evacuated for safety.
The French army has also been drafted in to help with the crisis as the inferno showed no signs of slowing down.
Over 220,000 people have been evacuated across France as it is experiencing worsening drought conditions following a heatwave and water shortages.
Advertisement
Spain
The government of Spain has declared a national emergency as the worst of the fires burned close to the country’s capital of Madrid, which is home to 6.8 million people.
Regional president Ayuso said that that conditions had been made worse by a combination of high temperatures, wind and the merging of blazes.
Advertisement
The Spanish interior ministry reported that a total of 70,000 people had been evacuated from villages outside Madrid.
One man died in Manises, near the Spanish city of Valencia, the country’s interior ministry has said, after he was found in a car in a ravine hundreds of kilometres away from the severe wildfires spreading near Madrid.
Elderly persons evacuated amid wildfires rest in a sports hall in Villaviciosa de Odon, 20 kms west of Madrid, on July 25, 2026. (AFP/Getty)
While Spain’s meteorological agency Aemet said that the fire risk remains at “very high” levels across vast areas of the country and “extreme” in the north-east and east, the threat was “lower that in previous days” in central and western Spain, according to an update on X on Saturday.
Spain’s health minister Monica Garcia warned people to be mindful of the air quality across Madrid as she advised residents to stay in doors and pay special attention to vulnerable people.
“Due to the fires, today’s air quality in Madrid is not good, with PM2.5 levels well above those recommended by the WHO,” she wrote in a post on X on Saturday.
Advertisement
A view of a wildfire near Lacanau, amongst worsening drought conditions following a heatwave and water shortages across much of France, July 25, 2026. (Reuters)
“Avoid physical activity and staying outdoors. If you go outside and there is smoke or ash, use an FFP2/95 mask and goggles to protect your eyes. Seek medical attention if you notice difficulty breathing, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
“Pay special attention to vulnerable people around you. Stay informed through official sources and follow the instructions from emergency services.”
Other areas impacted by wildfires include parts of Scotland where a major incident was declared following a blaze in Cairngorms National Park, with smoke drifting as far as Aberdeen nearly 150 miles away. Parts of Italy and Tunisia have also been affected.
Manchester United continue to push for more transfers this summer ahead of the upcoming Premier League season
Manchester United are pushing for more reinforcements as they continue their pre-season tour of Europe. Michael Carrick has welcomed Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow and Andrey Santos to Old Trafford.
Advertisement
The United boss needs to build a squad capable of competing domestically and in the Champions League. Paris Saint-Germain are next up for the Red Devils before Leeds and then a reunion with Ruben Amorim against AC Milan.
Kone has reportedly agreed personal terms with United. Corriere dello Sport suggest that the Roma midfielder is keen to join the Premier League side, with a fee yet to be agreed.
It is understood that United are in contact with Roma and plan to submit a bid of around £42.7million (€50m). Real Madrid withdrew from the race for Kone after seeing their £34.1m (€40m) offer rejected.
Saudi side Al-Ahli and Chelsea are also interested and Kone’s fee could rise to £51.2m (€60m) if a bidding war ensues.
Advertisement
Premier League star requests Utd move
Baleba’s camp have reportedly got in touch with United once again to suss out a move to Old Trafford. Fabrizio Romano claims that the 22-year-old’s representatives have made contact and is keen to work under Carrick.
The Brighton midfielder was pushing for a move last year and sees United as his dream destination. The Seagulls were demanding £100m for his services, which stalled any potential deal.
However, Baleba’s transfer fee has fallen to around £70m and could be an option for United after this significant drop in value.
Advertisement
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Cambridgeshire is home to many beautiful villages, such as the lovely Grantchester and its meadows, the riverside Hemingford Abbots and Castor. But they’ve all been beaten to the top spot
Milo Boyd Digital Travel Editor and Commercial Content Lead
02:47, 27 Jul 2026
The prettiest village in Cambridgeshire has been crowned.
When it comes to fair-looking spots across the country, there are plenty to choose from.
Advertisement
There is Grantchester, located just two miles south of Cambridge along the River Cam. It is famous for its links to the poet Rupert Brooke, its iconic Grantchester Meadows, and for taking afternoon tea at the Orchard Tea Garden.
Hemingford Abbots is another classic. It’s a highly sought-after riverside village near Huntingdon which features 16th and 17th-century thatched cottages. Its peaceful setting along the River Ouse makes it one of the most picturesque spots in the county.
And who could forget Castor, made up as it is of dry stone walls, thatched cottages, and a stunning 12th-century church. It is also home to the ruins of a significant Roman palace.
As pretty as all of these places are, they’ve been beaten to the top spot by Elton.
“Elton’s highlight is Elton Hall, a magnificent 15th-century estate that has been home to the Proby family since 1660. The Hall’s gorgeously furnished interiors – including a library housing ancient manuscripts – and its serene Victorian gardens make it a historical treasure,” writes Love Exploring, which placed Elton at number 41 on the overall England list.
“If bored of Elton Estate’s 3,800 acres, visitors can meander through woodlands of the Nene Valley, and areas bursting with local biodiversity. Additionally Elton Mill, a three-storey watermill on the River Nene, hints at the area’s industrial heritage.”
There are plenty of reasons to visit Elton.
Advertisement
Its main draw is Elton Hall, a historic country house that’s been in the Proby family for over 300 years. It’s a genuinely striking place, part Gothic in style, set in over 40 acres of land, including formal gardens, woodland walks, a lake, a large yew hedge, a walled garden, and a water garden.
The house and gardens are open to the public at certain times of year, with guided tours and occasional events like outdoor concerts and art exhibitions.
Beyond the Hall itself, a few things make Elton a good base for a day out. It’s two miles from Fotheringhay, where Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed, and the atmospheric ruins/church there draw many visitors.
Elton sits near Ferry Meadows Country Park, offering good cycling and walking routes toward Peterborough. Burghley House, an Elizabethan stately home, isn’t far.
Neiter is Oundle, an historic market town five miles away, home to the Talbot Inn. It is built from stones of the ruined Fotheringhay Castle and reportedly contains the staircase Mary Queen of Scots walked down to her execution.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has tied the knot with Alessia Elefante in Italy.
The Manchester City goalkeeper, 27, married his childhood sweetheart at the Chiesa Madre di San Giorgio Martire in Locorotondo, on Friday.
Alessia, 29, looked every inch the doting bride in a strapless lace corseted gown with sheer polka dot arm sleeves.
Meanwhile Gianluigi wore a white tuxedo jacket with smart black tailored trousers.
Advertisement
The happy couple were seen throwing their arms up as they walked out the doors of the church as husband and wife.
Gianluigi’s football mates were in attendance, including Pep Guardiola, Sandro Tonali, Paolo Maldini and Nicolo Barella.
Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had tied the knot with Alessia Elefante in a lavish Italian ceremony
Advertisement
The stunning occasion was attended by his teammates including Erling Haaland and his partner Isabel Haugseng
Erling Haaland was also seen in attendance with his partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen.
Later in the evening, Erling made sure to get the party started as he led a Viking row on the dance floor.
In a viral clip shared on social media, the footballer could be seen behind the drum during the chant.
Advertisement
The routine sees one person set a rhythm by striking a drum twice before everyone seated nearby leans back and forth in unison, chanting the word as they go.
Their wedding comes after the pair quietly completed a civil marriage earlier this year.
They announced the news on Instagram in May with an Instagram post that read: ‘Long-term contract signed.’
Although they had known each other for years, the pair officially started dating in 2016.
Advertisement
This was at the time Gianluigi was emerging as one of Europe’s brightest goalkeeping talents at AC Milan.
Alessia, 29, looked every inch the doting bride in a strapless lace corseted gown with sheer polka dot arm sleeves
Meanwhile Gianluigi wore a white tuxedo jacket with smart black tailored trousers
The happy couple were seen throwing their arms up in the air and sharing a kiss as they walked out the doors of the church as husband and wife
Advertisement
Although they had known each other for years, the pair officially started dating in 2016
Join the discussion
Do footballers’ extravagant weddings set a bad example or simply celebrate their success?
Alessia, who is an interior designer, has remained largely out of the spotlight but has been spotted in the stands at his matches.
Advertisement
She moved with him from Milan to Paris after his switch to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before the couple later relocated to England following his high-profile move to Manchester City.
The couple welcomed their son, Leo, in 2024.
Later that year, the footballer popped the question in Paris during a romantic candlelit surprise.
Advertisement
Share or comment on this article:
Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma ties the knot with Alessia Elefante in a lavish Italian ceremony alongside teammate Erling Haaland
Around 77,000 hectares have been affected by the fires in Spain, minister for ecological transition, Sara Aagesen, said on Sunday.
She added that the wildfire burning in the Ávila region is the largest in the country’s recent history.
Among the residents evacuating surrounding areas is Olga Congacha, 50, who had to flee her village Robledo de Chavela, west of Madrid, in a haste.
She said she felt “panicked” when she was told to leave her home.
Advertisement
“I didn’t know whether to cry or what. It was a moment when you feel awful,” she added.
Returning to her home briefly on Sunday to get medicine, she said the streets were deserted and her house had been covered in ash.
Authorities say winds were pushing the wildfires near Madrid to the south and away from the capital, but have forced the evacuation of more villages in its path.
More than 90,000 people have been evacuated from the regions around Madrid and Ávila.
Mass shooting leaves two dead and five injured including 2-year-old at Seattle food festival as terrifying video shows panicked festivalgoers fleeing for their lives
At least two people were killed when gunfire broke out at a food festival in Seattle on Sunday night, sending families running for their lives.
Rapid gunfire was heard at around 6pm at Seattle Center, which was hosting the Bite of Seattle food festival over the weekend, the Seattle Times reports.
Two people were killed in the rampage, the Seattle Fire Department reported.
Five others were also treated at the scene – four of whom were then rushed to a local hospital in stable condition, including a two-year-old boy.
Advertisement
Videos shared online showed authorities leading one man away in handcuffs.
Another video showed how the street festival descended into chaos.
It started with a man from Hawaiian Honey Cones showing off his product at the food festival and asking more people to subscribe to his channel when one of his employees tells him, ‘Shooting,’ and ducks behind the counter.
‘Shooting, oh s***,’ the man taking the livestream video replied, as people, including families with young children, started running.
Advertisement
What appears to be five gunshots could then be heard in the background as the live streamer encouraged others to take cover.
Meanwhile, people could be seen breaking through a barrier trying to run away.
People were seen running for their lives at the Bite of Seattle food festival on Sunday night
Advertisement
People are seen running from the convention site, which was hosting a food festival
One man was being led out of the food festival in a stretcher
Video: Shots heard, people fleeing at Seattle Center in Washington state. Reports of multiple victims.
The video then ends with the live streamer telling his employee to grab the money and get down.
Paul Skinner, 47, also told the Seattle Times how he had just returned from grabbing drinks for his staff at his Filipino food booth when he heard a series of loud pops.
‘I just heard what sounded like what were some pretty loud fireworks at first,’ he recounted.
‘Then the energy changed. Mobs of people started flooding back down. I just told our staff to get down.’
Advertisement
Kayla Carris, 22, said she was sitting outside the Armory when the shooting occurred, and people started rushing to get inside.
‘Everyone was just throwing stuff and running,’ she told the Seattle Times. ‘Like everyone.’
Todd Behrends, 59, also told how he saw people jumping and running over others to get away.
Seattle police rushed to the scene of Seattle Center where multiple people were shot on Sunday night
Advertisement
Seattle police have locked down the area as the investigation continues
One woman fell in the chaos, he said, and someone stepped on her leg.
When Behrends then ran out the exit, he said he saw a woman on the ground and a man in a stretcher.
Police have now locked down the area as the investigation continues and the FBI responds to the scene.
Advertisement
In the meantime, the Monorail has been shut down for the rest of the night.
Share or comment on this article:
Mass shooting leaves two dead and five injured including 2-year-old at Seattle food festival as terrifying video shows panicked festivalgoers fleeing for their lives
By the early 2000s, British Asian culture was breaking into the mainstream.
In the middle of that shift was Bobby Friction, who now presents on BBC Asian Network.
“The revolutions of the 1990s paved the way for the riches of the early noughties,” he remembers.
” ‘Goodness Gracious Me’, for us, was monumental – that specific British Desi humour was on national TV.”
Advertisement
Seeing members of the cast who were from the same parts of London as he was felt, he says, “like the revolution wasn’t just in my head, it was happening across the country”.
“In 2002, Radio 1 decided to do a South Asian music show, and Nihal Arthanayake and I were chosen to present it.
“My ambition since the age of 15 was to be on Radio 1 playing South Asian music.”
That same year, Asian Network went national, and Desi DNA launched soon after.
Advertisement
“Suddenly you’re in this new era which has already started when the other era hasn’t even finished yet.
“At that time, if you were young and South Asian just coming of age, it was very, very different compared to even 10 years before.”
Andy Burnham has acknowledged a plea from a bride not to ‘ruin’ her wedding which is happening in the shadow of the new Number 10 North.
Advertisement
The government’s new northern headquarters, currently based in Heron House facing Albert Square in Manchester city centre, was officially opened by the new Prime Minister who made his first visit on Friday (July 24).
He is expected to work from the new hub at least once a week whilst other cabinet ministers are expected to work there on a regular basis.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
There was a police presence outside the building, which also houses GCHQ’s North West base, throughout the week. This then ramped up on Friday with a large police presence including armed officers patrolling the area around it.
Advertisement
Mr Burnham’s security convoy was driven straight into the building in the morning and metal fencing was also erected around the front entrance. He did however come out to greet crowds who had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of him, telling them: “I love you Manchester.”
The registry office is based in the same building, with the entrance being around the corner on Lloyd Street.
A number of bridal parties could be seen making their way into the building as police stood guard nearby.
Advertisement
And one bride-to-be has issued an emotional appeal to Mr Burnham ahead of her nuptials. In a video posted on TikTok, titled ‘Andy Burnham please don’t ruin my wedding’, Saz Burwin said: “I saw you set up your new gaff, Number 10 North, at Heron House. I saw it on the news, gorgeous, love what you’ve done with the place.
“But I’m actually getting married there on the 21st of August and on the news today, the place was surrounded with police, bollards, all sorts. A lot of stuff that wasn’t there before.
“My trouble is, I was planning to get nice photos like after, the registry office, outside, and I’m just a bit worried that all of this is kind of ruining the vibe.”
Advertisement
Saz, who has been documenting her wedding preparations on the social media site, continued: “So I would really appreciate it if you were maybe not there that day. I mean, you’re welcome, you’re invited. But maybe without the escorts, the police escorts. The guys with the rifles and s**t, because I’ve got a content creator coming.
“So I don’t really know what we’re gonna do if it’s surrounded by the military and police, you know. Just something to think on. No pressure. But if you could, you know, give them an hour off. I am just a little bit concerned about that, if you could let me know.”
Mr Burnham responded to her post saying: “Noted Saz.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login