Is Super Mario Bros. 3 the best platformer ever? (Nintendo)
The Thursday letters page is worried about what Epic Games’ layoffs mean for the rest of the industry, as one reader takes issue with the way Metacritic works.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Wonder-ful platfomer I also feel that Super Mario Bros. Wonder doesn’t get talked about enough. I’m glad that it sold well but I don’t think it gets enough recognition for being both a great 2D platformer and having an actual new gimmick for the series, unlike the New Super Mario Bros. games, which added absolutely nothing of value.
The new Switch 2 Edition does seem a little pointless though. I’m not sure why they didn’t just add more single-player levels, as I’m sure most people would’ve preferred that rather than a bunch of multiplayer minigames that you’re probably not going to play more than a few times each (judging by how these things normally go in Nintendo games).
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But I see you also brought up the age old argument over which is the best 2D Mario game, in your recommendations for Nintendo Switch Online games. I’m firmly of the opinion that it’s Super Mario World and that Super Mario Bros. 3, with everything else a long way behind (but still great). It is close, I’ll admit but for me Super Mario Bros. 3 is more technical and more focused on the actual platforming, whereas World has Yoshi and a lot of other gimmicks.
Again, I’ll say that the fact Wonder gets anywhere close to them both is a miracle, given how you’d think a lot of those skills have been lost over the years. So while it doesn’t seem like the Switch 2 Edition is essential I would definitely recommend Wonder to anyone who can play it on Switch 1 or 2. Onibee
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Nothing to do The problem with these Nintendo Switch 2 Editions is that I can’t think of any game that needs anything doing to them in terms of performance or features. I suppose they could up Super Mario Odyssey to 4K and maybe add a new world (or more likely some unwanted multiplayer modes) but it’s totally unnecessary and it’ll just end up being like Super Mario Bros. Wonder where you’re better off just buying the Switch 1 version for cheaper.
The only one I can think of is Astral Chain, which has already been mentioned, but I don’t think that sold enough to get the treatment and most of the people that made it have left PlatinumGames now, so there’s not even a guarantee they’d do a good job of it.
I’d much rather see Nintendo make more low budget games instead, to fill the gaps in the schedule, although given how the last few of those have gone maybe that’s not a great idea. Cubby
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Epic fail It’s hard to believe that Epic Games have lost almost 2,000 people in just the last couple of years, to the point where they’re getting close to losing half their number. And that’s for Fortnite, the most famous game in the world. No wonder everyone else is doing so bad.
As far as I can see they haven’t said exactly what people have left but if this includes people working on Unreal Engine then that’s going to have a knock-on effect on everything. Once again, we see the problem is that it’s too expensive to make games as they are now and yet the idea of lowering the budgets isn’t even a consideration.
I truly think we’ll be left with nothing but indie developers and Japanese publishers soon and I’m not sure I’ll be able to say anything other than Western companies had it coming. MNex
Subscription cons I do feel Nintendo is doing better with Nintendo Switch Online now and most of their own big name games are available on most formats, but there’s still some smaller first party titles left out and the third party support is low and random.
I guess this is the problem with the Netflix style subscription approach, compared to the Wii Virtual Console, where you had to buy individual games. When each game costs money the original publisher has a clear incentive to have it on the service and Nintendo just takes their cut.
But with the subscription service I imagine it’s a bit more murky how third party publishers get paid and there’s also not as much incentive for Nintendo to chase them to add their games, which is why most of the games that are included are Japanese ones, where they have a closer relationship with the company. So I don’t know if it’ll ever be that complete. Tanis
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I sink therefore I am RE: Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss inbox letter from a few days ago. I have played a short demo of the game during the last Steam Next Fest and I am positively optimistic. I read an interview with the developer where they promise an open-ended detective game in which you are free to roam, collect evidence, and investigate.
Although that wasn’t the case with the demo itself, which was pretty straightforward, featuring sub-Resident Evil level puzzles with extra steps. However, the world building and the futuristic subsea setting is very intriguing to say the least and slightly reminiscent of SOMA, which is always a positive in my book. Ali K
GC: That description sounds like they’re trying to ape Call Of Cthulhu: Dark Corners Of The Earth to some degree, which was a decent but flawed game back in the day.
Righting the ship I don’t want to make light of people that have lost their jobs, but I have to admit I am glad that Sony is moving away from mobile gaming. Although, to be honest, I didn’t know they even had any mobile games at the moment, so no wonder they weren’t successful.
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But between this and also stopping PC ports they seem to be going back to their old ways. Only we can’t tell because they won’t talk about it and they won’t announce any new games. But I think if you’re optimistic that must be what they’re doing.
I guess the worst case scenario is that the PlayStation 6 generation is going to be even more expensive to make games for, so they’re cutting back in other areas and will still only maintain the frequency they have at the moment.
There’s reason to hope it’s more than that. The signs are that they regret the way this generation has gone and are getting ready to reverse course. After all, you’ve got to remember that with the PlayStation 5 dominating console sales they’ve not really been in a position to take advantage of that with their own games, so they’ve been missing out on a lot of easy profit over the last few years.
Hopefully that will tempt them back into making good games as a priority. Assuming any of us can afford the new console that is… Stolos
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Merch Effect I don’t know how many people will be interested in this but a company called Master Replicas are starting to do Mass Effect ships and considering how much sci-fi merch can cost they’re actually quite reasonably price. The first one is the Normandy, obviously, and it’s £70 and 22cm long, which in my experience as a collector is a bargain.
I’ve no idea whether we’ll really see a new Mass Effect game ever but there are definitely still fans out there and hopefully their love for merch might be enough to keep EA interested. Bungie deserve another shot. Fevermet
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No favourites I’ve long thought Metacritic is pointless. All the reviews it shows and they’re basically split into two sections: a bunch of websites you’ve never heard of that apparently give everything 9/10 and then all the trustworthy ones underneath that, which are then divided into American sites, that always mark too highly, and UK ones which are more sensible.
You have to completely ignore that first layer to get to any kind of believable opinion and even then there’s only a handful I really trust. But they all get lumped into the final score, which is usually nothing like what the reliable sites have given it.
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So I’m not a fan and now I see this list of the best publishers of the year and it’s Square Enix?! Who didn’t release a single brand new game last year? And the second is Chinese publisher, where even GC only knew one of the games they’d made.
The whole thing is silly and it was silly when Sega when last year and the year before it. The whole idea of having a best publisher is kind of dumb anyway, there’s only a very few publishers that I trust in any kind of a general sense and even then I’d never buy a game out of loyalty to them, so it makes no difference.
I think most people accept Nintendo and Capcom are great publishers but few people were in a hurry to pick up Drag x Drive or… actually, I can’t remember the last time Capcom made a bad game, so why didn’t they win? Like I said, the whole thing is dumb. Coop
Inbox also-rans I see there’s a new rumour that Capcom is also considering a remake of Resident Evil Revelations. I’m not too interested in that, but I really hope they do Revelations 2. It’s been mentioned a few times in the Inbox lately but I really feel it’s the hidden gem of the series. Rex
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I kind of lost track of what’s going on with Warner Bros. Is it being bought by Paramount now? Is that deal going through. I really want to hear about a new Batman game, but I feel we’re not going to until all that business is settled. Grackle
GC: There’s some minor political opposition to it in the US but we’re not sure that will amount to anything.
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Andrew’s dramatic fall from grace could reach a striking new low thanks to protocol rules.
Michael D. Carroll and Georgia Burns Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
10:30, 26 Mar 2026
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appears to be confronting yet another humiliating chapter in his public life, as he may be forced to bow down to his own daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have been allowed to retain their royal titles.
His military roles and honorary titles were among the first casualties of the royal fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Once his association with the convicted sex offender became impossible to justify, those titles were quickly stripped away.
From that moment on, scrutiny surrounding the 66-year-old has only intensified. King Charles relocated his disgraced brother from Royal Lodge to his private Sandringham estate, but that only signalled a further distancing from royal privilege.
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Arrested there on his birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office – allegations which Andrew strongly denies – has added yet another level of shame and controversy to the former prince. Now, royal writer Andrew Lownie has weighed in on the situation, outlining that the current arrangement regarding titles is likely to be a source of irritations for Andrew.
Writing in his Substack, The Lownie Report, Lownie said: “Andrew, of course, stands on ceremony, titles and all these things are very, very important to him, and the pecking order and people bowing and curtseying.”
He continued: “I think this is what is going to upset him now, his own daughters; he will have to bow to them.” According to Sky News, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 36, have kept their princess titles despite their parents downfall, creating a protocol situation that royal experts say is without modern precedent.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman echoed that view during an appearance on the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential, agreeing that such a scenario is entirely likely – albeit with one important condition, the Mirror reports.
“He will have to bow to everybody – that’s assuming he’s in the room with the rest of the family,” Hardman said. When asked whether Andrew would handle that situation well, his response was blunt: “No, I don’t.”
However, behind the scenes a different picture is emerging. Crates labeled HRH were reportedly spotted being unloaded at Marsh Farm, the Sandringham property that King Charles has assigned to his brother.
Andrew is currently staying at Wood Farm nearby while renovation work at Marsh Farm is complete. Staff who will attend to the father-of-two at his new residence have also been given clear instructions on how to address Andrew.
Speaking to The Sun, a source stated: “He’s lost his HRH, prince and duke titles and so staff, who didn’t know how to correctly address him, have been instructed that he is still to be called ‘Sir’.”
“He will be given his own chef and valet at Marsh Farm which is a climbdown to the luxury he was previously afforded.”
Despite the reduced circumstances, the arrangement remains a comfortable one.
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The costs are being covered personally by the King, who has taken on the responsibility for his brother’s finances to ensure the disgraced former prince does not become reliant on an outside source for support.
The road remains closed this morning (Thursday, March 26)
Two people have been taken to hospital after a crash in Cambridge. Emergency services were called to Newmarket Road, Cambridge at around 12.20am today (Thursday, March 26).
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The crash involved a car and e-bike. The East of England Ambulance Service took two people to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further treatment.
An ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called just before 12.20am this morning with reports of a road traffic collision on Newmarket Road, Cambridge, involving a car and an e-bike.
“Two ambulances, an ambulance officer vehicle and a response car from East Anglian Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. Two patients were transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further care.”
Cambridgeshire Police remain at the scene this morning, as Newmarket Road remains closed. Officers have warned people to avoid the area.
Bolton-based Boot Out Breast Cancer staged their annual glittering ball themed on the Shakespearian tale to make for an unforgettable evening of glamour, generosity and entertainment at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, which was transformed into a dreamlike woodland where music, performers and beautifully dressed guests brought the theme to life.
The evening’s programme featured entertainment, speeches, auctions and live performances that captivated the room throughout the night.
Boot out Breast Cancer ball 2026. Pictures by Linda Mulvey Photography and Select Digital Media (SDM).
Aventive Group delivered one of the evening’s most spectacular visual experiences.
Through dramatic lighting and stunning screen displays they transformed the ballroom, transporting guests deep into the enchanted world of the event and perfectly setting the scene for the night’s performances and celebrations.
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The evening was expertly compered by Hugh Ferris, who guided guests through the programme with warmth, humour and energy, helping create an atmosphere that was described as both celebratory and inspiring.
Boot out Breast Cancer ball 2026. Pictures by Linda Mulvey Photography and Select Digital Media (SDM).
The night’s main sponsor was Ian Wilkinson of DJH Perspective Wealth Management, whose generous support was said to have helped make the event possible.
Ian also took to the stage during the evening to deliver a speech that was both informative and full of humour, warmly engaging the audience while highlighting the importance of the charity’s work.
Guests also heard directly from the hospitals that will benefit from the funds raised.
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Leeds Teaching Hospitals and the Macclesfield NHS Breast Unit shared moving video messages explaining how the vital equipment funded by the evening will support earlier detection and improved patient care. The audience was touched by a heartfelt message of support from Dame Sarah Storey, the charity’s Founder Patron, who spoke passionately about the importance of the charity’s work and the difference the fundraising will make to patients and their families.
Entertainment throughout the night was delivered by Carmina Entertainment, whose extraordinary performances blended extravagant costumes, dance, singing and breathtaking acrobatics. Their theatrical sets brought the enchanted theme to life and left the audience mesmerised and cheering for more.
Actress, singer and vocal coach Liz Long delivered a dramatic monologue followed by a beautiful singing performance.
Liz has recently been through her own cervical cancer journey.
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Guests were also treated to an exceptional three-course dining experience complemented by delicious wines, specifically paired by Milestone Wines.
The ballroom sparkled as guests embraced the theme in stunning gowns and formal attire, creating a truly magical setting for the charity’s flagship event.
A special artistic moment came from Ben Mosley, the Official Artist to Team GB, who generously donated an original painting to be auctioned during the evening.
Although he was unable to attend in person due to family commitments, he created a speed-paint video showing the artwork being brought to life, which was shown to guests during the live auction. The striking gold-leaf piece captured the spirit of the evening and helped raise further funds for the charity.
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Guests also had the opportunity to take part in a raffle featuring two exceptional prizes generously donated by supporters of the charity. Shelley Raja from Scan Computers donated a MacBook Air, while Sue Hart from Slack and Andrews provided a stunning diamond pendant valued at £6,000, helping to raise an incredible £8,000 through the raffle alone.
The night concluded with the announcement that £116,062 had been raised through generous donations, auctions and fundraising activities. Funds raised from the evening will go directly towards vital breast screening equipment for Macclesfield NHS Breast Unit and Leeds Teaching Hospitals, helping to support earlier detection and improved care for patients.
Funds raised from the evening will go directly towards vital diagnostic breast screening equipment, including £100,000 worth of equipment for Leeds Teaching Hospitals and £150,000 for New Alderley House at Macclesfield NHS Breast Unit, helping to support earlier detection and improved care for patients.
Debbie Dowie, Founder and Volunteer Chair of BOBC, said: “The Midsummer Night’s Dream ball was truly magical. I was completely blown away by the generosity in the room and by the incredible support from our guests, sponsors and volunteers. Every pound raised will help us continue our vital work supporting breast screening services. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who made the evening so special.”
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Next on the charity’s calendar is the Enchanted Ladies Lunch, taking place at Rivington Barn on 30 April, which promises another wonderful afternoon of fundraising, community and celebration.
For more information about BOBC events and fundraising initiatives visit https://bootoutbreastcancer.org.uk.
Barcelona are yet to confirm whether they will sign Marcus Rashford permanently (Picture: Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford’s future is still up in the air but he has no shortage of suitors, with interest in the England forward from the Premier League and abroad.
Rashford has made 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals, in what could be a superb season for Barca as they sit top of La Liga and are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they meet Atletico Madrid.
The forward is in the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan and looks set to be in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for this summer’s World Cup.
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However, he has not been a regular starter for his club in recent times, with four of his last five appearances coming off the bench.
He has not scored for Barcelona since January, with his last goal coming in a win at Elche nearly two months ago.
Rashford is reportedly keen to stay at Barcelona and the club has the opportunity to make his move permanent for just €30 million (£25.9m), which seems very reasonable.
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Rashford could finish this season with some huge trophies (Picture: Getty Images)
However, rumours abound about the Catalans looking to negotiate a lower price with Manchester United or defer the payment by securing another season on loan for Rashford.
ESPN report that the Red Devils are unfazed by this possibility because, rather than Barcelona looking to drive down the price, they could get more money for Rashford elsewhere.
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His form in Spain has been good enough that other clubs are interested in beating Barcelona to a permanent deal for the England star.
Rashford has re-established his place in the England squad under Thomas Tuchel (Picture: Getty Images)
The ESPN report states that ‘a number of clubs in England and Europe’ have inquired about Rashford’s availability.
Barcelona still have the situation in their hands, but if they do not pay the agreed price, there will be options for Rashford, and Manchester United, elsewhere.
There remains the possibility that he could return to Old Trafford, given Amorim has now departed and Michael Carrick is in interim charge.
Michael Carrick is a candidate to be permanent Man Utd manager (Picture: Getty Images)
Carrick was a coach at Manchester United under previous regimes and worked with Rashford, but whether he will still be in charge next season is yet to become clear.
The former England midfielder has done an excellent job so far during his interim stint in charge, with the Red Devils climbing to third in the Premier League table and looking very likely to return to Champions League action next season.
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The identity of the next permanent manager at Old Trafford could have an impact on Rashford’s future, if Barcelona do not make his move permanent.
UK tourists have been warned to expect “chaos” at a popular airport as it’s experiencing what’s been described as the “world’s longest queues”. Travellers have been told to be vigilant
09:40, 26 Mar 2026Updated 09:41, 26 Mar 2026
Lots of people are starting to think about jetting off on holiday at the moment, but tourists have been warned about alleged hellish queues at a popular airport. As much as we all want our travel experiences to be as easy and stress-free as possible, sometimes this just isn’t always the case.
For anyone heading to Spain soon, there’s some information you need to know due to alleged queues at a popular airport. Scenes at the venue have been described as “chaotic” with the amount of people waiting in line to be seen leaving people in complete shock and confusion.
A TikTok user, known as Homer, wrote: “Tenerife Airport right now is absolute CHAOS. This might genuinely be the world’s biggest queue, and it just keeps growing.
“Flights looming. Tempers rising. All because of the new security procedures, and no one was ready for it. People have been waiting for HOURS.
“If you’re flying from Tenerife anytime soon, get there EARLY. Like, really early.”
The video has been viewed hundreds of times since it was shared. Several people were quick to comment too.
One said: “I absolutely love Tenerife, but this is depressing.” Another added: “That would be enough for me. I would never go back, and I’ve been six times.”
A third replied: “It’s absolutely ridiculous.” Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “That is hell.”
However, some admitted they’ve travelled through the airport without experiencing any issues. It seems people have had mixed experiences.
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Another wrote: “Here now, and got through in 10 mins max. No issues.” Someone else replied: “We left yesterday with no problem. Got through in 10 minutes.”
One more also said: “Here now. No queue whatsoever.” It seems not everyone was hit by the lengthy queue times.
It’s reported the queues were linked to new travel rules that have come into place. From October 2025, the EU implemented the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires non-EU citizens (including UK citizens) to provide fingerprint scans and facial images upon entering the Schengen Area.
This digital process replaces passport stamping, aiming for full implementation this year. It’s claimed the process could cause initial airport delays, so it’s best to be prepared.
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Tenerife Airport was contacted to respond to the size of the queues witnessed by some travellers. It noted the airport has provided the necessary infrastructure, but the authority over the management of the border control depends on the Ministry of the Interior.
Andrew Garnett, who was 52, died in the crash on the A1035 near Tickton on Tuesday.
His family said: “Andrew was the kindest, most gentle and loving son, dad, brother, uncle and fiancé anyone could ever wish for.
“Adored and cherished by everyone who knew him, a huge void has forever been left in our hearts.”
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Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances around the collision.
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At approximately 6.50am, it was reported that a silver Nissan Micra was travelling westbound along the A1035 when it is believed to have been involved in a collision with a blue DAF heavy goods vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. The HGV is then believed to have collided with a grey BMW 330e and a grey Volkswagen Polo.
Emergency services attended, and the driver of the BMW, a 52-year-old man, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
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The drivers of the Nissan, the DAF HGV, and the Volkswagen Polo were taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.
Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the collision.
Officers are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information, including dashcam footage, to please contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting log 58 of 24 March.
The DWP has confirmed early payment dates for benefits including Universal Credit and State Pension ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend in April 2026
Chris Ballinger Executive Editor and Ashlea Hickin Content editor
03:50, 26 Mar 2026
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the early date when certain claimants will receive payments ahead of the four-day Easter bank holiday weekend. With Easter Sunday falling on April 5 this year, any payments due on Good Friday, April 3 or Easter Monday, April 6 will instead be brought forward to Thursday, April 2.
The DWP has additionally confirmed Jobcentre Plus offices and telephone services will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, resuming normal operations on Tuesday,April 7. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed the same with payments scheduled for Good Friday or Easter Monday being issued on the Thursday.
It’s important to remember that if your next payment isn’t due on either of the Easter bank holiday dates, it will be paid as normal.
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Below is a full list of all DWP and HMRC payments that could be affected by the Easter bank holiday weekend. If your benefit or payment doesn’t appear on the list, it won’t be impacted by the Easter bank holiday weekend, reports MyLondon.
DWP payment date changes over Easter bank holiday
Payments scheduled for Good Friday, April 3 or Easter Monday, April 6 for the benefits listed below will all be made early on Thursday, April 2.
Payments brought forward:
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Pension Credit
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
State Pension
Universal Credit
HMRC payment date changes over Easter bank holiday
Payments scheduled for Good Friday, April 3 or Easter Monday, April 6 for the benefits listed below will also be made early on Thursday, April 2.
The footballer has been convicted of speeding after a camera caught him in an Audi RS3
09:21, 26 Mar 2026Updated 09:22, 26 Mar 2026
Former Manchester United footballer Alejandro Garnacho was caught speeding away from the training ground just days before he left the club.
The 21-year-old winger, who moved to Chelsea for £40 million, was caught driving an Audi RS3 at 50mph in a 40mph zone as he left United’s training ground in Carrington. A speed camera was triggered amid the incident on August 26, just four days before he left the club.
Garnacho has since admitted, through his lawyers, to speeding. At Liverpool Magistrates’ Court he issued an apology and confessed he was ’embarrassed’ by it, the Mirror reports.
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He was handed a £660 fine, with an order to pay £120 in costs and a £264 victim surcharge. Magistrate Jane Haynes also handed down three points on his licence.
His lawyers at JMW Solicitors said: “Mr Garnacho accepts that he committed the offence of exceeding the speed limit and has pleaded guilty to the offence. Mr Garnacho explains this was an oversight on his part and apologises for the offence.
“Our client is embarrassed that he is currently in this position and apologises to the Court for the excess speed offence.”
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Garnacho was also charged with failing to respond to a Greater Manchester Police letter about the offence when he was asked to identify the driver of his car in October last year, but that was withdrawn after his guilty plea. The Chelsea star was convicted and sentenced in a hearing conducted last week behind closed doors under the Single Justice Procedure.
The date of the speeding offence came four days before he quit United. His exit had been expected after he fell out of favour with then head coach Ruben Amorim.
Since moving to Chelsea the Argentine has made 36 appearances scoring seven goals. 21 of his appearances have come as a starter with the rest off the bench.
HBO’s new Harry Potter series has been given a release window with a first trailer revealing the star-studded cast
Lucas Hill-Paul Content Editor
09:16, 26 Mar 2026
HBO’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has finally been given a new trailer leaving countless fans excited to see the fresh interpretation of JK Rowling’s bestselling books.
Starring Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, the series portrays the Boy Who Lived’s thrilling first year at Hogwarts.
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The new trailer has also offered fans their initial glimpses at the star-studded supporting cast, including Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid and John Lithgow as Professor Albus Dumbledore.
It dropped yesterday (Wednesday, 25th March) in time to coincide with the exciting launch of HBO Max in the UK, where fans can stream some of the most critically acclaimed US dramas. But when will the first season of Harry Potter be added to the platform? Let’s examine what we know, reports the Mirror.
A specific premiere date is not currently known but the trailer confirms a release window of Christmas 2026. This could suggest a premiere for the first episode on Christmas Day, though it also means the series could arrive any time in mid-to-late December.
The first season of Harry Potter, officially titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will consist of eight episodes.
Earlier reports seemed to suggest a 2027 release date for the first series, so fans were delighted to discover the highly anticipated fantasy series will be arriving sooner than expected. A logline for the programme reads: “There is nothing special about Harry Potter – at least that’s what his Aunt Petunia always says.
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“On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic. But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past.”
Alongside the trailer, HBO has also unveiled some enchanting new stills of the cast, which also features Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, and Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone premieres Christmas 2026 on HBO Max.
Maura Higgins has reportedly had her say on ex Pete Wick kissing his pal Olivia Attwood and the Irish star had a brutal response
09:06, 26 Mar 2026Updated 09:06, 26 Mar 2026
Maura Higgins has been catching up with the news her ex Pete Wicks has shared a kiss with her ‘nemesis’ Olivia Attwood. A romance between Love Islander Maura, 35, and TOWIE’s Pete, 37, come to an end last year after a series of stormy rows, before they ever went public.
And now, sources close to the Irish beauty have said her ex growing closer to his pal is no surprise to her. Insiders says she had her suspicions during their time together and that Pete’s actions are “vindication” that her gut was right about him at the time.
But in a brutal response, she is said to have said Olivia can “have my sloppy seconds”. The insider added: “Maura is living her best life right now – she’s cracked America, Pete Wicks is the last thing on her mind.
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Speaking to The Sun, the source went on: “But she couldn’t resist a dig about how he took Olivia to the same place he took her. In her words, ‘That says it all’.”
Maura publicly called time on her spell with Pete as she left a Valentine’s dinner with friends at London’s Sheesh restaurant last year. When she was asked where Pete was, she bluntly replied: “Dunno. Probably out cheating.”
While Maura and Olivia are said to have bad blood in the past, with Olivia’s camp accusing Maura of trying to ‘copy’ her career. Both ladies have been trying to make waves in America after signing with the same agency Align PR.
Now it seems Olivia is going after Maura’s ex after her split from footballer Bradley Dack following less than three years of marriage. The sports star’s apparent actions are said to have led to the pair’s demise.
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The footballer has been called out by her friends, who said his alleged cheating sparked the toxic split that is playing out in public.
And on Tuesday, amid her love life drama, Olivia, 34, posted a defiant selfie to Instagram and wrote: “And reading ‘hey girly’ texts on my break, gals come to the front today please and then I’m moving on with my life ty x.”
According to Urban Dictionary, if a text reads “hey girly” it is a “text you receive or send about a man cheating”.
It comes as pals told The Sun: “She [Olivia] was trying to respect their ten-year relationship by staying quiet, but her friends are bemused as to how Bradley is the one who caused all this, and Liv was still trying to protect him.”
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But following images of Olivia and Pete’s kiss, sources close to Bradley say he is “livid”. Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed the footballer is “embarrassed” but “not surprised”.
“Bradley is livid, he’s not surprised at all but is completely embarrassed and upset,” they said. “He can’t believe Olivia has moved on so publicly and they’ve not even signed the divorce papers.
“Bradley was hopeful for a reunion with Olivia but after this, he’s just livid and will take her to the cleaners. She has been in the depths of a really horrible break-up and Pete has helped her through it. He’s suspected things for the past year but she’s always denied it.”
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