Mark Allen suffered one of the most painful defeats imaginable on the snooker table, but took it incredibly well, admitting he didn’t deserve to beat Wu Yize given the chances he missed.

Wu is into the World Snooker Championship final thanks to beating the Northern Irishman 17-16 in stunning fashion at the Crucible.

Allen had one foot in his first final, leading 16-14 and making what looked likely to be the match-winning break.

He spurned that chance then missed more in the next two frames, most notably fluffing the final black in the 32nd frame, a pot which was entirely straightforward for a player of his quality.

The Pistol got in again in the decider, but broke down and China’s Wu is into the World Championship final for the first time.

40-year-old Allen was in his third Crucible semi, with a final in Sheffield still not on his CV, but he was impressive in defeat to the 22-year-old.

Are you snooker loopy?

You’re in the right place. I’m Phil Haigh, and I cover the game we all love for Metro.

In my new newsletter, The Table, I analyse the biggest talking points, pull back the curtain on the sport and crown the biggest winners and losers every week.

Advertisement

The next edition will look back on what has been a great World Championship yet again, so there’s no better time to sign up.

‘You don’t deserve to be in a World final if you’re missing balls like that [the final black in the 32nd],’ he told the BBC. ‘That was just pure pressure to be honest.

‘I’m normally pretty good under pressure but I didn’t handle it well today. I had two or three chances to close out the match, so credit to Wu. I had more than enough chances to win.’

On what he said to the winner at the end, Allen revealed: ‘I don’t know how much he understood, but I wished him good luck and said he played very well and I think he’s going to be a world champion.

‘Even though I’m devastated to lose that match, I think the right person is in the final. The way he plays is great for the game, scores heavy, pots some ridiculous long balls.

‘He just keeps potting, he doesn’t seem to mind the pressure. He stepped up and made a good clearance at 16-14, did what he needed to in the last.

‘All credit to Wu, if he doesn’t win it this time he’s going to win many world titles if he keeps playing the way he’s playing. But it’s a sore one for me, for sure.’

Wu started the match brilliantly, showing no signs of nerves on his first visit to the one-table set-up as he made five half-centuries in the first session to lead 6-2.

The second session could scarcely have been more different, though, with Allen winning five frames on the spin, including a 145 and a 121.

Then came the carnage of the 14th frame, the longest in Crucible history, as the black covered a corner pocked and both players nudged reds towards it without it dropping.

Allen eventually relented by potting the black, trying to avoid a re-rack as he had a lead, but went on to lose the frame and Friday night ended 7-7.

The next session was shared and they ended Saturday morning at 11-11, with Wu having made a run of 140 along the way.

Saturday night saw the first six frames shared, with the quality very high, but at 14-14, Allen finally broke away from Wu, making 65 and then pinching the 30th from behind.

The Pistol got in first in the 31st frame, but broke down on 45 and Wu pinched it, as he did the next two, in spectacular fashion.

The penultimate frame was incredible, with Allen having two prime bites of the cherry, firstly missing a red and then the final black for a place in the final.

Allen had another chance in the decider, but Wu made 71 to secure a clash with Murphy.

MORE: World Snooker Championship semi-final interrupted by ‘Epstein Files’ shout

MORE: Shaun Murphy responds to ‘like God’ John Higgins comment after Crucible clash

MORE: John Higgins ‘sick’ after nightmare moment in Shaun Murphy Crucible defeat

“I’ve loved exploring the Causeway Coastal Route and Wild Atlantic Way this time around”

Dermot O’Leary is back in Northern Ireland for the new series of his hit show Dermot’s Taste of Ireland.

The TV and radio presenter is returning to our screens ready to take viewers on another memorable adventure exploring Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland’s amazing coastline.

Series two will begin airing on ITV1 and on the streaming service ITVX on May 2, featuring two of the most iconic coastal touring routes – the Causeway Coastal Route and Wild Atlantic Way.

The 10-part series, produced by Rock Oyster Media and supported through the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project, will follow Dermot as he explores his passion for the island of Ireland, its people and cuisine.

Journeying from Blackhead Lighthouse on the Causeway Coastal Route to Sligo’s Strandhill Beach on the Wild Atlantic Way, the second outing of this hit TV series showcases the magic of the island’s coastline.

Each episode will take viewers on a voyage to the heart of the coastal communities and highlight how these two routes make the perfect partner destinations for a coastal road trip. Click here to view a trailer for the second series.

Advertisement

Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of GB, said: “We are excited for viewers to tune in to the second series of ‘Dermot’s Taste of Ireland’, this time showcasing the Causeway Coastal Route and Wild Atlantic Way. These two iconic coastal touring routes are renowned for their breathtaking scenery, delicious local produce, vibrant cultural scene and exciting outdoor offering.

“There’s such a fantastic mix of unique and unmissable adventures to experience and viewers are sure to be inspired by Dermot’s journey and make plans to come and explore Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland for themselves.”

Commenting on this second series, Dermot O’Leary said: “Returning to the island of Ireland for series two of ‘Taste of Ireland’ has been another incredible experience and I’ve loved exploring the Causeway Coastal Route and Wild Atlantic Way this time around.

“Filming this series gave me the chance to reconnect with a place I hold so dear, while also discovering a completely new side of the island through the people who live and work there.

“From time spent with farmers, bakers and fishermen to learning traditional skills and cooking with brilliant local chefs, it was a real deep dive into the communities behind the exceptional food.”

The production of this TV series complements ongoing collaboration by Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Fáilte Ireland – in consultation with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Ireland) and the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland) – to forge greater links between the Causeway Coastal Route and Wild Atlantic Way.

The Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project is funded by the Government of Ireland through the Shared Island Fund.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter

A report was received by police early yesterday after a body was found on Seaburn Beach, off Whitburn Road, Sunderland, early on Friday (May 1).

The Northumbria force initially said the death of the woman was “unexplained” as efforts were made to identify her and to contact her relatives.

But, following further inquiries, the force issued a further statement today to say: “Just after 5am yesterday (Friday), we received a report that the body had been found on Seaburn Beach in Whitburn.

Police today (Sat May 2) ruled out any suspicious circumstances after the body of a woman was found on the beach at Seaburn, Sunderland, on Friday morning (Image: The Northern Echo)

“Emergency services attended the scene where the body of a woman was sadly located.

“A police presence remained in the area on Friday, while officers carried out further inquiries with partner agencies.

Read next … more emergency stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

Body of woman found on Seaburn Beach in Sunderland

Drug‑driver jailed for killing girlfriend in A19 Sunderland crash

Hunt for killer continues in mystery of murder victim Kieran Williams

“Formal identification has now taken place, and the woman’s next of kin have been informed.

“Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, and a report will be prepared for the coroner in due course.”

Dr Inks, on Coniscliffe Road, has reopened its outdoor space under new ownership, with a dramatic redesign featuring bold colours, upgraded facilities and new entertainment features.

The garden has been completely reworked following the removal of a dividing wall to create one large outdoor area, with the space levelled and fitted with pink Astroturf.

Look inside the brand new beer garden that has re-opened at Dr Inks following a major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

New furniture has been installed and painted in blue, alongside blue and pink décor throughout the venue.

The revamp also includes a new sound system, additional televisions, improved lighting with floodlights and festoon lighting, upgraded heaters, and brand new guest WiFi both inside and outside.

Look inside the brand new beer garden that has re-opened at Dr Inks following a major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

A large Dr.inks mural has also been added to the space, described by the owners as a key visual feature that must be seen in person.

Scott Barratt and Tom Cullen owners of Dr.inks which has reopened (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The reopening comes after Scott Barratt, 27, from Darlington, and Thomas Cullen, 26, originally from Richmond, took over the venue earlier this year in March and began an extensive refurbishment shortly after gaining the keys.

Dr Inks first opened in 2018 and quickly became a popular nightlife spot known for its vibrant atmosphere and beer garden. However, in recent years, its popularity had declined and the venue was placed on the market.

A before and after in the Dr Inks Darlington beer garden following the major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

Look inside the brand new beer garden that has re-opened at Dr Inks following a major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

Look inside the brand new beer garden that has re-opened at Dr Inks following a major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

Speaking about the reopening and plans for the venue, Scott Barratt said: “When I used to work here, I thought I would always want to run it, but left for better opportunities. When I saw the price slash for it on sale, I knew now was the time to start.”

He added: “We want to take it back to how it was a couple of years ago. We are completely closing the garden to fully renovate it so that in the near future we can have garden parties.”

Scott also said: “We want people to come back and give us a try as it will be a completely different vibe now.”

Criminal Record has brought together a round-up of today’s biggest crime stories.

Every day on Criminal Record we will be bringing you a round-up of the biggest crime stories of the day.

If you love to read about crime in Scotland – this is the place to be every day.

Here’s what has been making the news across the country on Saturday.

Child killer and trans prisoner wedding axed

Advertisement

A child killer and trans prisoner who were engaged to be married inside HMP Greenock have called off their engagement.

It is understood Alex Stewart and child killer Nyomi Fee split before Stewart was accused of a sex attack on a female prisoner at the prison two weeks ago.

Fee, 37, and biological male Stewart, 38, announced their engagement in 2021. Anger grew among female prisoners after persistent claims that the couple were given preferential treatment and were able to access each other’s cells.

A court case last year heard they had been able to enjoy sexual relations in the jail shower block and a communal area. But the couple are now telling prisoners they are “just friends”.

Fee subjected her two-year-old stepson Liam to appalling abuse before murdering him in 2014. She is serving a life sentence. Stewart, born Alan Baker, has been a main focus for prison policy reform campaigners.

READ MORE: Jail wedding between child killer and trans prisoner called off

Murder of two gangster pals remains unsolved

The murder of two gangster pals found dumped in a scrapyard remains unsolved 25 years later. In October 2001, the bodies of two men were next to a burned out black Volkswagen Golf car at the spot in Larkhall, Lanarkshire.

Both victims had been shot and were quickly identified as small time Lanarkshire criminals John Hall, 45, from Carluke and David Macintosh, 33, from neighbouring Wishaw.

Strathclyde Police launched a major inquiry led by Detective Superintendent John Carnochan. A team of more than 50 police officers were involved in the hunt for the killer or killers.

However door-to-door inquiries, CCTV checks, and numerous witness appeals failed to provide any significant leads or evidence leading to an arrest. Twenty-four years later no one has ever been charged.

READ MORE: Murder of two gangster pals found dumped in a scrapyard remains unsolved 25 years later

Man rushed to hospital after ‘stabbing’ in Glasgow

A man has been rushed to hospital after reportedly being stabbed on a busy street in Glasgow. The incident took place shortly after 8pm on Friday, May 1 when officers were alerted to a serious assault on Maryhill Road.

Emergency services, including Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service, rushed to the scene in Maryhill in the north of the city.

A 32-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment after suffering serious injuries. His current condition is not yet known. An investigation has been launched by Police Scotland.

Detective Constable Scott Moran said: “This was a violent assault on the victim, and it is vital that we find out what happened, and trace whoever is responsible.“

READ MORE: Man rushed to hospital after ‘stabbing’ on busy Glasgow street

Teen found seriously injured on Scots street

A teenager has been rushed to hospital after being found seriously injured on a street in the early hours of the morning.

The alarm was raised at around 3:45am when police were alerted to a man seriously injured on John Wood Street in Port Glasgow on Saturday, May 2.

Emergency services, including Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service, raced to the Inverclyde town. A 19-year-old man was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after suffering serious injuries.

An investigation has been launched to get to the bottom of exactly what happened and officers remain in the area so anyone with information or concerns can speak to them directly.

READ MORE: Teen found seriously injured on Scots street as cops lock down area

Reform candidate ‘attacked’ on Glasgow campaign trail

A Reform candidate has allegedly been attacked while campaigning in Glasgow. Councillor Thomas Kerr, one of the party’s candidates in the city, is said to have been assaulted while leafleting in Shettleston on Friday, May 1.

Police Scotland said it was made aware of an assault on a man at Strowan Road in the east end around 2.15pm on Friday. The force said that another man will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal.

A Reform spokesperson dubbed the alleged incident “unacceptable” and “no politician should be subjected to violence while out campaigning.”

Police Scotland said no-one was injured and another man will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

READ MORE: Reform UK candidate ‘attacked’ while campaigning in Glasgow

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

From big‑ticket museums to soft play classics, these ideas all work whether you’re planning ahead or salvaging a soggy afternoon at the last minute.

Always check websites before you travel, as opening times and prices can change, especially on bank holidays.

Hopetown, Darlington

Darlington’s new railway attraction celebrates the Stockton & Darlington Railway with locomotives, interactive galleries and under‑cover play spaces – ideal when the rain sets in.

Entry to the site, including the North Road Station Museum, Goods Shed, café and outdoor areas, is free, with some exhibitions and activities carrying a separate charge.

Hopetown is generally open 10am–4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and is also open on bank holiday Mondays and during Darlington school holidays.

Pre‑booking a free site ticket online is recommended to manage capacity.

Locomotion, Shildon

Locomotion brings together an impressive collection of historic engines and railway vehicles in huge indoor halls at the birthplace of the railways.

Museum admission is free, with visitors encouraged to make a voluntary donation, and there is no need to pre‑book except for selected events.

It’s a solid choice for cost‑conscious families looking for a full day under cover when the weather is foul.

(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The bank holiday weekend sees a whole host of activities including mini steam engines on display, carousel rides and a film screening.

Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle

The Great North Museum: Hancock offers dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, natural history and hands‑on science exhibits, all in one free, family‑friendly space close to Newcastle city centre.

As with many Tyne and Wear museums, general admission is free, with possible charges only for some temporary exhibitions or special events.

Expect plenty to fill a wet afternoon, from interactive displays to family trails that keep primary‑age children busy.

Check Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums listings for latest opening hours and any bank holiday variations before you set off.

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Sunderland

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens combines local history, art and natural history with an indoor tropical garden under a glass dome.

Admission to both the museum and Winter Gardens is free, with donations welcome and occasional charges for specific exhibitions or events.

Typical opening hours are 10am–4pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm–4pm on Sundays, though visitors are advised to confirm details, especially around bank holidays.

It’s an easy, low‑stress option when rain interrupts seaside or city‑centre plans.

The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

The Bowes Museum delivers a grand “day out” indoors, with galleries dedicated to art, fashion, ceramics and decorative arts inside its landmark French‑style building.

Currently, a standard adult day ticket costs £20, or £22 with Gift Aid, while under‑18s, full‑time students and carers can visit for free.

Membership options are available for regular visitors and can offer better value over the year.

With family trails and activities, it works well for mixed‑age groups looking for something a bit more special than soft play on a wet bank holiday.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Life Science Centre, Newcastle

Life Science Centre in Newcastle is a hands‑on science attraction with changing exhibitions, a planetarium, play zones and making studios, particularly strong for under‑12s.

Current ticket prices list adults (18+) at £15 with a voluntary donation or £13.60 without, and children aged 3 and over at the same price; children aged 2 and under go free.

All exhibits, shows and activities in the science centre are included in the ticket price, making budgeting straightforward. Pre‑booking online is advised during busy periods such as school holidays and bank holiday weekends.

The Hullabaloo, Darlington

The Hullabaloo is a theatre and creative play space designed specifically for babies, toddlers and younger children, offering imaginative indoor play installations and performances.

Ticket prices vary depending on the show or activity, but many family performances and play sessions are kept low‑cost, with occasional free or pay‑what‑you‑decide events.

Sessions often need to be booked in advance, especially at weekends and in school holidays, so it is worth checking the current programme and prices online before heading over.

Its compact scale makes it a gentle, manageable rainy‑day option for families with very young children.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Fun Shack, Seaham

Fun Shack Seaham is one of County Durham’s largest indoor play centres, packed with a giant play frame, slides, trampolines, go‑karts and a dedicated toddler village.

Recent price guides suggest toddlers (1–4) from around £5.49, children 5–12 from around £6.49 and adults or over‑12s from £1, with babies under 12 months free with an older sibling or around £2.50 otherwise.

Prices vary between term‑time, weekends and school holidays, and it’s best to check the website for up‑to‑date rates before you go.

Pre‑booking often secures the cheapest tickets and helps avoid disappointment on wet bank holidays.

Bowling, mini‑golf and arcades: Lane7 Durham / NAMCO Funscape

For older children and teens, an all‑in‑one bowling or arcade venue can rescue a rained‑off bank holiday plan. Lane7 Durham offers boutique‑style bowling and games, with bowling prices starting from about £9.50 per person, depending on time and day.

NAMCO Funscape at Metrocentre combines bowling, arcade games, dodgems and soft play, with family offers and deals available online.

One current guide price lists soft play at around £7.95 per child, with bowling and other activities bookable through their deals pages.

The Antrim man looked in pole position to reach the Crucible final, but missed a black off the spot to win

A ‘devastated’ Mark Allen suffered Crucible heartbreak as he lost a final frame shootout in the World Championship semi-final.

The Antrim man looked in pole position to reach the world final for the first time after taking a 16-14 lead in the first to 17 clash against Wu Yize.

He potted the final pink in the penultimate frame of the night and set up a straight black ball on the spot to claim victory. However, the tension and pressure of the occasion appeared to get to Allen who narrowly missed and gifted his Chinese opponent the frame.

Yize then took advantage in the deciding 33rd frame of the match to book a final date with England’s Shaun Murphy – Crucible champion in 2005.

For Allen, it’s another world final near miss – his third semi-final defeat at the Crucible – and that black on the spot will haunt him for some time.

“You don’t deserve to be in a world final if you are missing a ball like that, it’s just pure pressure,” said Allen right after the match. “I had two or three good chances to close out the match but didn’t do it.

“Even though I’m devastated to lose that match, I think the right person is in the world final. I wished him good luck, said he played very well. I think he’s going to be a world champion.

“All credit to Wu, if he doesn’t win it this time, he is going to win world titles in future. It’s a sore one for me.”

Yize, 22, will appear in his first world final tomorrow, looking to emulate country man Zhao Xintong who became the first Chinese player to win snooker’s biggest prize 12 months ago.

Even he had sympathy for Allen, considering the nature of the semi-final victory.

Yize told BBC: “I feel sorry for Mark. I was losing the match but I was able to catch the opportunity.”

The final is played over two days, starting on Sunday May 2nd and ending on Monday.

Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the latest sports news, headlines and top stories

With Xbox console sales at a new low, a reader suggests that Microsoft needs a major change of plan, and it doesn’t involve releasing a new console.

It seems this whole generation we’ve been watching the collapse of Xbox in slow motion. It was obvious the Xbox Series X/S was a flop from the first moment and I think most people were surprised by that and just how badly it did. I know I was but then it started to make sense when you realised that people are already locked into the PlayStation ecosystem and they’re not going to give that up for the sequel to the Xbox One, that has no decent launch games.

I was still shocked at how quickly things fell apart though, especially the failure of Game Pass and how buying Activision Blizzard, or really any of the companies they bought, didn’t even move the needle for them. I don’t think it was their fault but to spend all that money only to have Call Of Duty have its worst year ever is a terrible bit of luck.

Not that I’m going to shed a tear for a giant corporation but as much as other people have a go at him, I do feel Phil Spencer had his heart in the right place. Whether he was a good person to be in charge I’m not sure, but I think circumstances were definitely against him. Whether it was bad luck or bad management doesn’t really matter though because I think it’s time to admit that the Xbox experiment has failed.

The new boss keeps talking about bringing Xbox back to what it was and even hinting at exclusivity but either she’s a crazy person or she’s just having people on. There’s no way they can bring back exclusives. Who’d buy them? There aren’t enough people with only an Xbox to cover the cost of making a game and there’s no way they’d make money just on PC. There’s a reason big budget PC exclusives died out in the 90s.

As far as I see, there are only two options for Microsoft right now and none of them involve releasing a console (if the new console is basically a PC then fine, but that means it’s going to be so expensive it’ll never be more than a niche). There’s just no point. They lost the rest of the world over a generation ago and I don’t think even anyone in the US cares all that much about being an Xbox fan now.

So option number one is to just admit that you’re a third party developer like EA or Take-Two and just make games and release them on every format possible. This is the most obvious thing to do I don’t understand why they haven’t done it already. I mean they kind of have, because nobody’s buying the Xbox right now, but going on about Project Helix and the new boss, they act like there’s a way back to the good old days of the Xbox 360.

There’s not though, I dare anyone to describe any scenario where Xbox comes in at anything more than a distant third this or next generation. Maybe they can be relevant again if video game streaming takes off but even then I wouldn’t bet on it. The name Xbox won’t attract anyone, only the quality of the streaming and at the moment, as far as I hear, it’s not very good.

Option two is a lot of bother but I suspect it’s actually more likely they’ll go for this, and that’s to sell off their games business. The big problem is that considering how badly Call Of Duty is doing at the moment, there’s no way that line is going to go up any time soon. It makes a lot of revenue, sure, but that number is going down.

All a company like Microsoft cares about is making more profit than the last year and that is not going to happen with Call Of Duty, Activision in general, or Xbox as a whole.

My preference would be to have Activision Blizzard go independent again abut I don’t know of any way that can happen, given the money involved. They can’t afford a management buyout given what Microsoft paid for them, so unless there’s some legal thing I’m not aware of they’ll have to sell them to Amazon or Apple or someone.

It’s not ideal but at least one company wouldn’t own half the Western game publishers anymore and Activision would have their undivided attention. It’s not perfect but the mess Xbox has put the whole games industry in is just terrible and I’d much rather Activision and Bethesda survived it than Xbox.

Microsoft has been in the games industry for 25 years this year and barely five years of that was anything but a complete disaster. At some point you’ve just got to accept things haven’t worked out and call it quits.

By reader Xane

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.

Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

MORE: Capcom should use their money to reboot Maximo: Ghosts To Glory – Reader’s Feature

MORE: 20 upcoming video games I’m more interested in than GTA 6 – Reader’s Feature

MORE: My video game memories from a boy in the 70s to army duty in 2001 – Reader’s Feature

‘It will make a huge difference to thousands of people’

Manchester Airport has announced a major new route to Africa bosses said would ‘make a huge difference to thousands of people’.

Algeria will be added to the list of more than 60 countries the airport offers direct flights to.

Air Algérie has announced a new twice-weekly service to the capital Algiers starting this summer, with the inaugural flight pencilled in for Sunday, June 14.

The airport said it would be the first ever direct flight from Manchester to the country in North Africa, and Manchester will become the only UK airport outside of London with a direct link to Algiers. Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Air Algérie will be the fourth African airline operating from Manchester, joining Royal Air Maroc, Egyptair and Ethiopian Airlines. The service will be operated on its fleet of Boeing 737s.

Algiers is a popular tourist destination in its own right, but also serves as a key connecting hub for onward travel to detinations around Africa including Johannesburg in South Africa, Abuja in Nigeria, Dakar in Senegal and Douala in Senegal.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We are proud to connect the North to the world and our new partnership with Air Algérie really epitomises what we mean by that. This new route doesn’t just connect people with a new destination for holidays – it connects African communities in the North to friends and families all over the continent.

“It will make a huge difference to thousands of people and we are very excited to welcome the first passengers in the summer – and, of course, all of those who follow. Those flying to Algiers from Manchester this summer will also benefit from the use of our outstanding new facilities in Terminal 2, fresh from a £1.3bn investment.”

Madjid Terghini General Manager UK&EIRE at Air Algérie, said: “We are delighted to launch this new direct service between Manchester and Algiers, a significant milestone in the continued expansion of our international network. This route holds particular importance for the Algerian community in the United Kingdom and further reinforces our commitment to delivering seamless connectivity between Algeria and key global markets.

“Through our hub in Algiers, customers will benefit from enhanced access to a wide range of destinations across Africa and Asia, supporting both leisure and business travel with greater convenience and efficiency.”

Return fares start from just £263.43 for Manchester–Algiers–Manchester. Return fares start from just £881.73 for Manchester to Johannesburg via Algiers.

British nationals are required to secure a Visa before travelling to Algeria.

There are many options to suit a wide range of tastes, and on a personal level, I don’t think you can go wrong with something like a Peroni or Asahi.

What I tend to enjoy are rather crisp-tasting and refreshing beers, but some may prefer the ones with more bitter-tasting notes.

However, the conversation about what is considered to be the worst for sale got people talking on the r/AskUK Reddit thread.

The UK has a huge number of beers you can find in pubs, restaurants, supermarkets and more (Image: PA)

A user posted: “What is the worst beer you can think of in the UK, whether at the pub or at the shop?

“I don’t mean necessarily one that is objectively bad – I mean that beer that when someone brings it to your house party, you wish your friends never came; the beer that makes you wonder if water or Stella is a better option; the beer that elicits some plain sad feelings in you.”

With more than 1,000 comments left in response, there were plenty of different answers given, but a few popped up more than most.

I decided to try a few of the drinks that got mentioned the most to see if they truly deserved their reputation.

I tried the ‘worst beers’ for sale in the UK

Based on the responses, Carling had the most mentions at more than 200, while Fosters was also up there at more than 130.

I ended up trying Carling, Fosters and Budweiser from the beers mentioned on the Reddit thread (Image: Newsquest)

After that, plenty of drinks had a similar number around the 30 mark, but I ended up going for Budweiser out of those.

With the cans assembled from various corner shops near me, it was time to try them out and see if they deserved their reputation.

All three drinks were bought as cans and were in the fridge for a few hours before being consumed.

Budweiser

The first one on the list I tried was Budweiser, which I had had on numerous occasions in my student days.

The Budweiser was quite watery and flat (Image: Newsquest)

I think I had it back then because it had a relatively low ABV (alcohol by volume) and was probably quite cheap.

I always used to have it in bottles, but as there was the option to buy a single can of it in my local corner shop, I decided to get that.

When poured into a glass, it looked alright at first, but went quite flat relatively quickly.

Upon tasting it, I remembered why I eventually grew out of it, as it was just so watery.

What little flavour there is gets drowned out, and it’s not pleasant once it loses its coolness.

Fosters

Fosters wasn’t something I believe I had drunk before, and it noticeably kept a head of foam for a long time after being poured into a glass.

The Fosters was surprisingly okay (Image: Newsquest)

Considering it had the second-most mentions of any drink on the Reddit post, I was surprised to find it perfectly okay.

It might be because I didn’t find it to be too bitter, but I drank it with no issue, and it avoided going flat for a long while.

I can see the argument that it might be too carbonated for some, but I think its reputation may not be fully deserved.

Carling

As Carling had the most votes on the Reddit thread, I wanted to save it until last.

The Carling wasn’t an especially pleasant drink (Image: Newsquest)

The initial taste of it is actually fine, but it’s the aftertaste where the damage comes in.

I couldn’t put my finger on what the flavour actually reminded me of, but the unique bitterness of it was not pleasant at all.

Like Budweiser, it also became harder to drink once it stopped being cold, so it was another mark against it.

The verdict

Overall, I think Carling sadly might deserve its reputation as being a subpar beer offering on the UK market.

Recommended reading:

While it is obviously hard to definitively say what is the ‘worst’ one, it is not something I will be hurrying back to drink again.

Budweiser didn’t improve in my mind from the last time I drank it, and Fosters actually ended up being okay.

Granted, it’s not something I’m likely to pick from an option on tap at the pub, but you can arguably do far worse.

What is your favourite and least favourite beer on sale in the UK? Let us know in the comments.