Guinness: still a thing. The once-forgotten pint, the pint of old men with watery eyes and gambling stubs, continues to be the UK’s number one beer.
Why the ongoing popularity? Marketing, for one; it works. Diageo, who own Guinness, have poured millions into advertising the brand — not just at the rugby but getting it in the right pubs, putting it in the right hands of the right influencers, upping the merchadise and so on. The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Covent Garden can be seen, in certain lights, as a huge, £73m advert posing as a microbrewery.
The second reason is that the drink itself. It is straightforward, a drink without sharp edges. It offers nothing that will offend, but has its own distinct flavour — and there lies the key to mass market success. It’s the Dairy Milk of beers, and that’s not a bad place to be.
The drink has entered our consciousness in other ways. Last year’s Netflix drama House of Guinness, which is set for an upcoming second season, is testament to that. The show, from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, charts the lives of Ireland’s most famous family during the 1800s, about 100 years after the brewery was founded (in 1759).
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It’s been a welcome evolution in the Guinness story arc. All will remember the earlier stages of the hype, when TikTok was infected with influencers “splitting the G” (sod off) and pervily praising “the dome”. Those who thought the hype was due to settle down were wrong.
One of the many myths of Guinness is that not every pint is poured equal. It’s probably nearer the truth to say that there are pints of Guinness — mostly all the same — and bad pints of Guinness, which stand out. These are down to dirty lines, or beer that’s sat too long in its keg, or to someone just not paying attention. But a pint poured in one, into the wrong glass? After it’s settled, it’ll likely taste the same, though it may be less enjoyable, or that the texture of the head won’t be up to much.
But it’s true too that a perfect pint, a pint that’s just right, requires a little care and an experienced hand. You’ve probably heard this, either from your boyfriend or his mate, but there’s a little pub science in it, something to do with the nitrogen, pressure, temperature, the cleanliness (or not) of the lines. The storage of the barrels counts. And then there’s all the theatre of pouring, the 45 degree angle, the famous pause, the chance to let it settle. Does it all matter? No factor on its own, but definitely altogether — no-one argues about where to find the best pint of Heineken, after all.
While a reported 40 per cent of the world’s Guinness is brewed on the African continent, almost every drop the UK drinks comes from St James’s Gate in Dublin (the exceptions are a handful of beers in the Covent Garden brewery), which can turn out some three million pints a day (not always enough). And while the stuff across the sea will always have a better reputation than what we’ve got here — and there is a difference, all to do with the pumps and the pressure and the gas — London certainly holds up its end, especially if you know what to look for.
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It would be remiss not to mention Murphy’s and Beamish, two other Irish stouts of repute. Murphy’s is all over London and Beamish is starting to make its way over, too.
shot from google maps, stoke newington pub The Auld Shillelagh
Stoke Newington might be a bit of a trek from anywhere that’s not Stoke Newington, but the Auld Shillelagh is a convincing enough reason to visit. Young for a pub – born 1991 – the place is an old soul. Curled into a tight corner and tiny from the outside, inside it opens up, though the space is kept cosy with old photos and newspaper clippings, as well as the odd sports trophy. Owned by Roscommon brothers Aonghus and Tomas Leydon, and run day-to-day by Tomas and wife Iwona, the Guinness really is quite perfect, rich as anything. Its reputation runs not just through London, but across the Irish sea, where the press there cite it as London’s best pint of the black stuff (although pole position is sometimes granted to the Coach & Horses, below). Accordingly, everyone from Shane McGowan to Brendan Gleeson has swung by, though there are countless stories of Irishmen in town heading up to test the stuff against their exacting standards. There’s always another round here.
Good for: Guinness, Murphy’s
Though one or two American accents can be heard barking in the one room bar, this devoutly old-fashioned boozer has managed, despite sitting at the east mouth to Covent Garden, to avoid a life as a tourist hell-hole. Guinness lovers will be drawn in from the bragging signs outside, that boast of being the best Guinness in London, as per the Irish Post. Inside, the walls are a ragtag of old newspaper clippings and pictures, and old-fashioned mirrors, while staff are friendly, chatting to their regulars, and service is quick. it serves as a reminder of why Freehouses can be so good. Pints here really are something special — they’re beautiful, actually, and entirely unrushed; the team is dedicated to giving it time to rest before topping it up for the proper head. The Murphy’s is given the exact same treatment, and may, in fact, be even better. A must.
Blythe Hill Tavern
Between Catford and Forest Hill is the Blythe Hill Tavern, a glorious Victorian local but also a pub worth travelling to. Inside, it is a traditional corner spot with a roaring fire, circular tables, low stalls and dark blue banquettes, as well as a solid pint of Guinness. Overseeing the place is Con Riordan, who moved to London from Limerick in 1974 to run the place. And so no wonder the Guinness is good. Enjoy a pint or two next to live music and top sourdough pizzas from Van Dough, a visiting food van that parks just outside.
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Good for: Guinness, Murphy’s
Helen Abraham Photography
“Purveyors of craic” is an amusing tagline for a place — not least because said out loud by uncultured British drinker it leaves some room for misunderstanding. Still, that’s about the only criticism of this Nunhead freehouse there is. Skehan’s earned a prestigiously high spot in our most recent list of top 50 pubs for good reason: it roars with music six nights out of seven, and there are quiz nights, karaoke, and writers’ meet-ups. It’s no surprise its following is so loyal: this is somewhere working for its crowd, who love them for it. And of course you can’t be a truly good pub without good Guinness, and often there’s Murphy’s too.
Clare Menary
Here it is. The pub that is always busy. It only opened late in 2023 and yet it is already famous across the UK and Ireland, not least because co-owner Oisín Rogers and his exceptional team put so much effort into ensuring the Guinness is golden. There are many reasons as to why it’s such a clean and crisp pint. One of the foremost is down to the amount The Devonshire gets through, which is a lot. But much credence must also go to Ross Culligan and Sam Donohoe, bar manager and assistant bar manager respectively and who moved from Dublin stalwart Kehoes for the gig — there are no better pourers in London today.
Flickr/Ewan Munro
This Irish pub in Wandsworth — absolutely not the posh side — is an ideal location to enjoy a Guinness or two. It has been for some time a classic south London bolthole, one filled with live music, sports, and warm hospitality. There’s a lovely little garden out the back as well, so if the weather is fine, there are few better locales. Guinness can vary a bit here but is usually on point. Anyway, it is as much about the setting as the drink.
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Simon Brown
The Audley opened at the tail end of 2022 and has already become a Mayfair attraction in part down to its decent Guinness. The quality can, from time-to-time, dip when the place is particularly busy, but mostly the pub has settled in and found its pace. It is a beautiful room and hums nicely throughout the day; the best time to come is early afternoon, for a pint and a whisky, or maybe a Calvados. Or, if you’re sticking to beers but don’t fancy a stout, one of the Sambrooks beers. Something about it — probably that ceiling mural — lends the Audley a sense of occasion.
Sheephaven
An unassuming spot in Camden, this locals’ favourite is one of those pubs with a regular Guinness tap alongside one of those extra-cold ones built for unknowing Brits. The bar staff here tend to ask if there’s a preference. Only a fool wouldn’t go for the regular. The classic pints here are reliably creamy and always have that all-important dome. Sat in one of the booths, it’s the sort of place one could spend hours and hours in. Do. And when quiet, the team will bring the Guinness to the table, which is an old school move but always a lovely one. A cracking pub.
Homeboy
A gleaming den of utter joy. A neighbourhood bar executed with disarming charm, Homeboy comes from top Irish bartender Aaron Wall, who has stuck to a premise that should be fool proof — good drinks, fair prices — but which seems to befuddle so many others. Wall is dry, game for a laugh and an expert at all drinks, but knows his pints too. Wall and his (presumably long-suffering) Guinness rep spent a long old time fiddling with the taps for the right pressure, playing with the pipes to stop the beer coming out shiveringly cold, and is exacting about when the lines get cleaned. One for cocktails and Irish whiskey after the pints are done.
The Cow via Instagram
There are around 10 pubs now serving Beamish in London. One of the best is the Cow in Notting Hill, long heralded for its good Guinness but more recently celebrated for the Cork stout too. Take either or both and enjoy your pint(s) — usually plural here, let’s be honest — with oysters, possibly a pie, more than likely a conversation with a celebrity, minor royal and a resident snake. This is a joyous pub, raucous and ever-busy, and so the lines stay true and regular, which is very important indeed.
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Gibney’s / Daffodil Mulligan
Good for: Guinness, Beamish, Gibney’s Stout
Down beneath the fun food of Richard Corrigan’s Daffodil Mulligan is the bar space, Gibney’s. Named for famed Irish landlord Tony Gibney and for a long time run by his son, Cormac — he who figures he poured his pulled his first pint around 11 — the bar is warm and happy; walking in is like coming over an old photo of a good time. Cormac has headed to New York but the bar is in very safe hands with a first-rate team, smart enough that they introduced Beamish to London (no surprise, it is often sold out within a couple of days). Brass taps shine at the counter where the Guinness toucan perches. They pour slowly here, carefully, taking care of the pint; it comes out silky. They’ve a dangerous amount of Irish whiskey to drink with it.
The grand exterior of this fine old Irish pub in Rupert Street is unmissable, but it’s inside where the place really comes alive. Go through the Covent Garden boozer’s doors and you’ll find a wonderfully ornate interior, a fantastic atmosphere and an agreeable pint. The pub quite rightly prides itself on the quality of its beers and when the pub comes alive on match days there are few better to enjoy a few pints in W1.
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Erik Jacobson/Unsplash
Alongside the Fullback, this boozer down on Seven Sisters Road helps to make Finsbury Park something of a Guinness goldmine, says @shitlondonguinness’s Ian Ryan, the all-knowing fanatic based nearby. In fact, the Twelve Pins muscled any of the local competition out of Ryan’s top five, and while it might not be the cosiest of places — and its proximity to the Emirates Stadium means it gets packed out whenever Arsenal are playing at home — there is something self-effacing about the place, which ticks over as a local boozer that’s quietly nailed the art of a Guinness. Just be aware that there have been sightings of the stuff in John Smith’s glasses, which was almost enough to get it booted off this list.
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The Black Horse
The Black Horse is a relatively bonkers British boozer. The first iteration of a pub on the site dates back to the 1680s, when it was a traditional coaching inn, and it was for centuries owned and operated by long-standing East London families. Today, it is a lively spot, with rock music, darts, rugby, and regulars who are often up for a shot or two. As for the Guinness, it does the job. Take the time to visit.
The Black Horse, 40 Leman Street, E1 8EU, 020 7488 1406
The management at the Lord Nelson choose to serve Murphy’s over Guinness, even if stocks of the latter are abundant. Sadly, we can’t print why, but never mind all that. Know above all else that this Southwark boozer is a tremendous place for a pint, a mad place of floral arrangements, colour and song, old fashioned service and a lively beer garden. Is it, perhaps, a little chaotic? Sure, but why not. Murphy’s is poured expertly and comes thick and fast here, ideal for washing down a menu of fish finger sandwiches, wild boar burgers and falafel. It’s also named after Lord Nelson, so that’s another point in its favour. Absolute hero.
Good for: Guinness, Murphy’s
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Ewan Munro/WikiMedia Commons
Long before the Guinness shortages, this place was serving Murphy’s. Why? Because it’s a family-owned place, and they like to do things properly. It’s a pub with beautiful etched windows and a bare floor worn down by the regulars who have come and gone daily since it opened. There’s sport, but the telly is usually muted: you come here to chat, to socialise. And to drink pints, which are always reliably good.
28 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8QU, 020 7703 3188
Good for: Murphy’s, Guinness
Alamy Stock Photo
Is this Marylebone’s best pub? Almost certainly. Why people must call these proper boozers “old man’s pubs” is beyond us, but this is one of those: velvet-capped bar stools, wood panelling everywhere, quiz nights, live music. It is one of London’s perfect pubs, nothing to change. And here, beside the Guinness, is Murphy’s. They don’t make a song or dance of it, but it is a fine pint nevertheless.
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Two pints of Murphy’s at Nancy Spain’s
Courtesy
Nancy Spains appears to be a direct product of London’s much-reported Guinness boom. Or at least the city’s clear penchant for stout. There’s no Guinness here at this Irish pub; instead, Murphy’s, given the founders hail from Cork. It’s a busy, gloomy Shoreditch boozer, one with high tables, loud music and plenty of young bankers earning their stripes. Early success has led to a second branch set to open in the City. Murphy’s or Guinness, London cannot get enough.
ELLIOTT MORGAN
Mannions has made headlines — including the front page of The London Standard — for the way it has drawn the Gen Z fashion set. And, undoubtedly, it is one of London’s most fashionable pubs, even if at the same time it’s nothing more than a proper Norf Landan boozer. Will the models and DJs and all the rest probably come and eventually go? Perhaps, probably. But Mannions will remain, with its pool table and old Irish posters, and its regulars who’ve been coming since the Seventies. And, of course, for its Guinness.
Grove House Tavern
The group who own this place also own The Railway in Streatham, the Clock House Tavern, the Earl of Derby and others. A full list can be found here. All are excellent and at most, Murphy’s is readily available. Though they differ from each other, what binds them is a sense of comfort and community. So why choose the Grove House in particular? Because the food, coming from Mondo Sando, is a cut above. Mondo Sando are also behind Cafe Mondo, which the Standard gave five stars to, and which also serves Murphy’s. And excellent, tiny martinis.
Bahama Breeze, the Caribbean-themed dining chain, is shutting down after almost three decades in business.
Darden Restaurants — which operates restaurants including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Ruth’s Chris — is shuttering 14 of its tropical-themed Bahama Breeze locations and converting another 14 to different brands.
The company made the announcement in February, with many of the remaining Bahama Breeze locations closing for good Sunday, April 5. The closures and rebranding will mark the end of the chain.
Last May, Darden closed approximately a third of its Bahama Breeze locations and in June said it was searching for new opportunities for the brand.
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The stores that will be rebranded include 10 locations in Florida and one each in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The stores that are closing are located in Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, as well as five Florida locations, Restaurant Dive reports.
Darden Restaurants is closing half of its remaining Bahama Breeze restaurant locations and converting the other half of the remaining stores into different brands. The final day for the Bahama Breeze chain will be on April 5 (Getty/iStock)
“The conversion locations are great sites that will benefit several of the brands in its portfolio,” Darden said in a statement.
The company said it hopes to place as many of the affected workers as possible in other roles across its restaurants.
“Going forward, the primary focus will continue to be on supporting team members, including placing as many as possible in roles within the Darden portfolio,” the company said.
Darden said that it doesn’t expect the end of the Bahama Breeze chain to have “a material impact on its financial results.”
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The company did not reveal what the rebranded Bahama Breeze locations will become.
It’s a tough time for casual dining locations like Bahama Breeze, as inflation and the affordability crisis have made eating out more of a luxury than in past years. The rise in popularity of fast-casual restaurants has also eaten into the primary customer base for chains like those in Darden’s portfolio.
The company has seen growth thanks to its Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse brands, with both posting strong same-store sales growth last quarter.
But other chains are struggling.
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Last year, Bravo Brio, an Italian chain, went bankrupt for the second time and closed some of its locations. Outback Steakhouse closed several locations ahead of a planned 2026 brand overhaul. Other chains — including Hooters, Bar Louie, and Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe — shut down stores and filed for bankruptcy in 2025.
Bahama Breeze, the Caribbean-themed dining chain, is shutting down after almost three decades in business.
Darden Restaurants — which operates restaurants including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Ruth’s Chris — is shuttering 14 of its tropical-themed Bahama Breeze locations and converting another 14 to different brands.
The company made the announcement in February, with many of the remaining Bahama Breeze locations closing for good Sunday, April 5. The closures and rebranding will mark the end of the chain.
Last May, Darden closed approximately a third of its Bahama Breeze locations and in June said it was searching for new opportunities for the brand.
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The stores that will be rebranded include 10 locations in Florida and one each in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The stores that are closing are located in Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, as well as five Florida locations, Restaurant Dive reports.
Darden Restaurants is closing half of its remaining Bahama Breeze restaurant locations and converting the other half of the remaining stores into different brands. The final day for the Bahama Breeze chain will be on April 5 (Getty/iStock)
“The conversion locations are great sites that will benefit several of the brands in its portfolio,” Darden said in a statement.
The company said it hopes to place as many of the affected workers as possible in other roles across its restaurants.
“Going forward, the primary focus will continue to be on supporting team members, including placing as many as possible in roles within the Darden portfolio,” the company said.
Darden said that it doesn’t expect the end of the Bahama Breeze chain to have “a material impact on its financial results.”
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The company did not reveal what the rebranded Bahama Breeze locations will become.
It’s a tough time for casual dining locations like Bahama Breeze, as inflation and the affordability crisis have made eating out more of a luxury than in past years. The rise in popularity of fast-casual restaurants has also eaten into the primary customer base for chains like those in Darden’s portfolio.
The company has seen growth thanks to its Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse brands, with both posting strong same-store sales growth last quarter.
But other chains are struggling.
Advertisement
Last year, Bravo Brio, an Italian chain, went bankrupt for the second time and closed some of its locations. Outback Steakhouse closed several locations ahead of a planned 2026 brand overhaul. Other chains — including Hooters, Bar Louie, and Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe — shut down stores and filed for bankruptcy in 2025.
Raval Indian Brasserie & Bar, located near the Tyne Bridge in Gateshead, has built a reputation as one of the region’s leading fine-dining destinations.
Sir Ian McKellen (Image: RAVAL)
In recent years, that reputation has travelled far beyond the North East, attracting a steady stream of A-list visitors.
Among the most notable names to dine at Raval is legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen.
The star of The Lord of the Rings and X-Men chose the restaurant during a visit to the region, a moment manager Nas Islam described as a particular honour.
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Claire King from Emmerdale (Image: RAVAL)
“It was a real privilege to welcome Sir Ian McKellen,” he said.
“For someone of his stature to choose to dine with us speaks volumes about the standards we aim to maintain every single day.”
The glittering guest list does not stop there.
Tony Hadley (Image: RAVAL)
Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has been spotted enjoying the restaurant’s refined dishes, while acclaimed classical pianist Martin James Bartlett visited ahead of a performance at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, just a short distance away.
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Raval has also struck a chord with pop royalty.
Brendan Cole (Image: RAVAL)
Boyzlife duo Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden praised the food during a recent visit, and 1980s music icon Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet fame described his experience as “first-class”.
Television favourites have likewise been drawn through its doors.
Toadie from Neighbours (Image: RAVAL)
Emmerdale star Claire King, a long-standing fan favourite, and Ryan Moloney, known to millions as Jarrod “Toadie” Rebecchi in Neighbours, have both sampled the restaurant’s signature blend of authentic Indian flavours and contemporary presentation.
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Raval’s rise as a celebrity hotspot comes as little surprise given its growing list of accolades.
The restaurant was named Best Indian Fine Dining Restaurant outside London at the 2024 Asian Curry Awards and currently sits at the top of the British Indian Good Food Guide’s national rankings.
Known for its elegant setting and carefully curated menu, Raval has carved out a distinctive niche in the UK’s competitive fine-dining scene.
It is hard to believe that Easter is behind us and we are a third of the way through 2026.
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If you are the type to keep on top of your Bank Holidays to maximise your annual leave, you may be wondering when our next day off falls.
It is hard to beat a nice little long weekend so we have rounded up the remaining Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland for the rest of the year.
Whether you are looking to get a holiday booked or like to organise your nights out around a Bank Holiday weekend, there are six Bank Holidays left this year to work with.
Here is the list of the remaining Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland for 2026:
The C2K school system, provided by Capita, is used as a curriculum support and the Education Authority had apologised to those preparing for exams over the Easter break
20:43, 05 Apr 2026Updated 20:44, 05 Apr 2026
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The Education Authority is making “good progress” to restore access to a school IT system following a cyberattack.
The C2K school system, provided by Capita, is used as a curriculum support and the Education Authority had apologised to those preparing for exams over the Easter break.
In a statement on Sunday, the Education Authority (EA) said: “We are continuing to make good progress to restore access to the C2K system following the recent cyber attack.
“Our teams have been working hard through the weekend to restore access to the system safely and securely, starting with post primary schools.”
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It added: “This work will continue over the coming days, as we move to stand the system back up in all schools as soon as possible.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
The EA said the investigation is at an early stage and it “cannot yet be confirmed if any personal data has been affected”.
It said it would continue to provide updates on its social media channels and website.
Seven-time winners City, 4-0 victors over Liverpool, will be bidding for a place in the final for the fourth successive season having lost to Manchester United and Crystal Palace respectively following their last win in 2023, while the Saints will be looking to rekindle memories of their 1976 success.
The West Yorkshire club led 2-0 at the London Stadium, but saw the hosts score twice in added time to take it to an extra 30 minutes, only for the visitors to eventually triumph 4-3 on penalties and claim a place in the last four for the first time since 1987.
Chelsea, 7-0 victors over League One Port Vale, famously provided the opposition for Leeds in the 1970 final, which went to a replay eventually won by the Londoners, one of eight occasions on which they have won the FA Cup.
Chelsea and Leeds memorably contested the 1970 FA Cup final (Getty Images)
The ties will be played on Saturday 25 April 25 and Sunday 26 April at Wembley.
Rats carry lots of diseases and they can leave a mess behind so you might want someone else to help you with your rodent problem.
Let’s take a look at what you need to do and who you should call if you spot rats in your home or garden.
Who should you call if you find rats in your home or garden?
To report a pest problem, the government website encourages you to get in touch with your council to see if they provide pest control services to get rid of rats.
You can ask for help when it comes to removing rats from your home or garden (Image: Getty)
You can enter your postcode and the website will match the postcode to a council and direct you to their website for more information.
The website explains: “They are trained in rat control and will have access to a range of professional use rodenticides and tools, which are not available to the public.
“Knowing how much, where, and when to deploy products is where professionals are able to take control of situations efficiently. There’s also a growing issue with resistance, due to incorrect choice of rodenticide or widespread use by members of the public.
“Professional pest controllers will take an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to tackling your infestation.
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“A pest professional will have access to monitoring equipment, which they will use to confirm entry points into your property, the size of the infestation and to track the rat to its harbourage (nest).
“They can then recommend a proofing strategy and decide on the best course of action in terms of control; this could be traps, rodenticides or a combination of both.
“You should always expect to receive a full, written report from a professional pest technician.”
Recommended reading:
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You can find a pest management company using the BPCA website. You’ll need to enter your postcode and state whether your property is commercial or residential and the service you’d like.
Then, companies that are BPCA members and located in your area will be listed with contact details.
The BPCA says all of its members have the correct insurance and use trained and qualified technicians.
They all have to be audited to the British Standard in pest management EN 16636 and follow BPCA’s Codes of Best Practice.
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Have you spotted rats in your house or garden? Let us know in the comments below.
Days after HBO released the trailer for the forthcoming series adapted from J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, comedian Kam Patterson appeared Saturday on “Weekend Update” as Professor Severus Snape — a character previously played by the late white actor Alan Rickman, but now being portrayed by Black actor Paapa Essiedu.
After “Weekend Update” host Colin Jost introduced Snape, Patterson joked that the franchise’s titular character was “racist as hell.”
“We got this new kid. His name is Harry Potter, and he’s racist as hell,” Snape said. “Harry Potter — or, the Proud Boy Who Lived — spent the whole year telling everybody that the school’s only Black teacher was secretly evil.”
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Jost replied, referring to the plot of the first book in the series: “I think he’s just worried because he knows someone’s trying to steal the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
Kam Patterson played Professor Snape on a Weekend Update segment on ‘Saturday Night Live’ (NBC)
Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape in ‘Harry Potter’ (HBO)
Snape responded, “So somebody stole something, and the number one suspect is Black Snape?”
As the audience laughed, Snape joked that he was used to other characters jumping to conclusions with racist undertones.
“It happens all the time,” he said. “I showed up at Hogwarts, and on the first day they looked at me and said, ‘You’re the professor of the Dark Arts.’ I never even studied that! I majored in African Muggle Studies.”
“The whole wizarding world is racist,” Snape continued before joking about how Rowling’s books included a Black character named Kingsley Shacklebolt, which he said was “a name I’m guessing they got out of the Wu-Tang name generator.”
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“Everyone’s in these dignified robes. They dressed him up like he was selling cocoa butter incense out of a barbershop,” he said about the character’s portrayal in the original movies.
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Jost joked, “Well, for the very first time, I’m starting to think J.K. Rowling might be problematic.”
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Snape went on to say, “The whole wizarding world is messed up. We have magic, we have wands that can do anything, and people in my world still have slaves,” referring to the house elves in the series.
Patterson’s appearance concluded with Snape’s message to Harry Potter, referencing another plotline: “Your mama was thick as hell, dog. I miss her so much.”
Paapa Essiedu (left) is playing Professor Snape, who was previously played by Alan Rickman (right) (Getty Images / Warner Bros Pictures)
Essiedu’s casting has raised eyebrows, especially after the release of the first trailer, partly due to Snape being a figure that Harry mistrusts due to his own assumptions. However, the casting also sparked a wave of racist backlash against the actor over the fact that Snape was written as white.
“I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” Essiedu told The Times. “The reality is that if I look at Instagram I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.”
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He said, “Many people put their lives on the line in their work. I’m playing a wizard in Harry Potter. And I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally.”
Dressed in a pastel pink corset complete with bunny ears and a bow tie from Ann Summers, Helen’s cheeky Easter outfit quickly caught the attention of fans.
One wrote: “You look so beautiful Helen, wishing you and your family a lovely Easter.”
Another added: “Wow, that’s an Easter bunny.”
Helen Flanagan in her Easter finery (Image: Instagram/HelenFlanagan)
The 35-year-old regularly teams up with the high-street lingerie retailer for seasonal collaborations.
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It comes after a whirlwind few months for the mum-of-three, who swapped the stage in Bolton for the drama of reality TV.
In February, the former Westholme School pupil took to the stage at the Octagon Theatre, starring in The Memory of Water.
Playing Catherine in the emotional yet witty production, Helen showcased a different side to her talents in front of a home crowd, with the show proving a hit among theatre-goers.
But there’s been no rest. Just weeks later, she was back in front of the cameras — this time appearing on Celebrity Ex on the Beach.
Filmed in a luxury villa, the Paramount+ show sees a group of famous faces navigating explosive relationships, shock arrivals and plenty of jaw-dropping moments.
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Helen has long-standing links to Lancashire and Bolton, and fans will no doubt be enjoying seeing her back in the spotlight — whether on stage, on screen, or lighting up social media.
In a recent interview, she said: “I know who I am. And I think my children will always have respect for me, because all they see is their mum working hard to provide for them.”
She added: “In ten years’ time, I think I will have a lovely husband; a man who will be my best friend. By the time I am 45, I think my life will be peaceful and that I will be really, really happy…”
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