The London Fire Brigade confirmed it received 19 calls reporting the blaze, prompting more than a dozen fire engines to be dispatched to the scene where crews found three people trapped
Rachel Vickers-Price UK and World News Reporter
23:32, 20 Jun 2026
Three people have died following a blaze that erupted in west London on Saturday night (June 20), the London Fire Brigade has confirmed.
Approximately 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines rushed to tackle the inferno on New Zealand Way, which started at around 6.52pm, after the fire brigade received 19 calls about the incident.
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Speaking at the scene on New Zealand Way in White City, London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “The fire involved a single-storey pavilion, with just over half of the structure damaged by the fire.
“Three men were rescued from the building by firefighters and treated on scene by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service. Sadly, two of the men were declared dead at the scene. The third man was taken to hospital for further treatment, but was later declared dead.”
He said the brigade received the first of 19 calls reporting the fire at 6.52pm, and crews from North Kensington, Acton, Chiswick and surrounding fire stations were dispatched to the scene, with firefighters managing to bring the blaze under control by 9.25pm, reports the Express.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade’s specialist fire investigation officers and the Metropolitan Police Service, Mr Goulbourne said.
Firefighters were called to the Antalya Shawarma shop on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough after a blaze broke at 10.45am on Saturday (June 20).
Seven fire crews attended to extinguish the blaze while police closed the road closed and urged people to avoid the area.
Two people were taken by ambulance to James Cook University Hospital for treatment.
(Image: PROVIDED)
The cause of the fire is not yet known, and the road remains closed with a cordon in place until the building housing the takeaway can be made safe.
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Plumes of smoke could be seen across the town as the fire spread, with the fire service previously saying adjacent shops may also be affected.
An eyewitness at the scene said: “It looks so bad, we saw the smoke so thought we’d come have a look. The shop is completely gone.”
Another said: “The smell is horrendous, I just hope everyone is okay. It’s always horrible when someone loses a business they’ve worked hard for.”
(Image: OLIVIA HOWLETT)
A Cleveland Fire Brigade spokesperson said previously: “We are is currently attending an incident at 276 Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough.
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“Eight fire appliances, an aerial platform and three duty officers are currently in attendance.
“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area where possible to ensure emergency-service vehicles have clear and unrestricted access.
“Further information will be provided when available.”
The North East Ambulance Service confirmed it sent an ambulance crew, one clinical team leader, one duty officer and two HART resources to the scene and took two people to hospital. Their injuries are yet to be confirmed.
Long after the 23,626 fans had vacated Fitzgerald Stadium four members of the Armagh squad wandered out for one last look around one of the great amphitheatres of the GAA.
19:39, 20 Jun 2026Updated 19:46, 20 Jun 2026
Kieran McGeeney hopes the elder statesmen of his Armagh squad defer thoughts of retirement following their devastating 13-point loss to All-Ireland champions Kerry in Killarney on Saturday.
Long after the 23,626 fans had vacated Fitzgerald Stadium four members of the Armagh squad wandered out for one last look around one of the great amphitheatres of the GAA.
It was telling that 2024 skipper Aidan Forker was flanked by Andrew Murnin, Paddy Burns and Rory Grugan.
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McGeeney might have a job on his hands convincing the aforementioned quartet to return again when, in his own words, Armagh felt “a million miles away” while Kerry were far more clinical – falling just two points shy of their 32-point haul from last season’s stunning quarter-final win over the Orchard.
“Everybody in that changing room still has a lot to offer,” stated McGeeney, who was warmly embraced by his former coach Kieran Donaghy in the midst of his post-match press briefing.
“The likes of Aidan (Forker) and Rory (Grugan) for example – they’ve only come back into fitness around May time.
“They had no pre-season, they were starting to come and I still think themselves and Andrew (Murnin) and Paddy Burns still have a lot to offer.
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“I think too if we had some of those older players at the tail end of this year that we missed from last year, but that’s the hard thing about keeping fella’s after a day like today.
“You can feel like you’re a million miles away so you just have to let the dust settle and see where everybody comes back and start making plans then.
He added: “We got the Ulster championship, we did okay, the League was decent, we were just pipped in a lot of those games, but just the last 10 days will always put a bit of a sour taste on it.
“We didn’t maybe go where we are capable of going but if it was easy, everybody would be at it.”
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Jack O’Connor, meanwhile, was able to get crucial minutes into the legs of Sean O’Shea with the All-Star attacker making a great late block on Oisin Conaty.
“It was fantastic to get Seánie (O’Shea) back,” said O’Connor.
“A couple of weeks ago we didn’t think he’d make it back, but the man is such a leader in the group that getting him out on the field and getting minutes into him is crucial. It just increases our options.”
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park are being warned about extreme temperatures that will hit the popular destination early next week after a recent increase in heat-related incidents in the inner canyon, including the deaths of three hikers.
The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat watch at the Grand Canyon for midday Monday through Tuesday, forecasting temperatures that could reach or exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) at the low-elevation Phantom Ranch.
People are “strongly advised” to avoid hiking in the middle of the day, the National Park Service said this week in a statement following a “recent influx of heat-related incidents.”
An extreme heat watch was in effect June 16 when two hikers, ages 67 and 68, were found dead on the North Kaibab Trail, which the NPS describes as the most difficult of the major inner canyon trails. The service said they appeared to have succumbed to symptoms of heat-related illness.
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A third person, 72, died June 12 along the South Kaibab Trail after becoming ill from the heat, NPS said.
About 90 miles (145 kilometers) to the south, Oak Creek Canyon visitors and residents were evacuated late Friday as a wildfire burned hundreds of acres just north of Sedona.
Much of the Western U.S. from the Rockies to the Pacific Coast saw above-average temperatures Saturday and with even hotter weather anticipated for early next week. Officials also warned that the prolonged dry, hot weather and relatively low humidity increased the risk of fire danger.
Extreme heat increases risk of hiking at the Grand Canyon
Park and weather officials alike emphasize to visitors that hiking conditions can be deceiving. Temperatures at the rim of the Grand Canyon are often 20 to 25 degrees cooler than what hikers will experience at the bottom.
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“It’s just a hot place at the bottom of the Grand Canyon,” said Justin Johndrow, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Flagstaff. Johndrow warned that the region is approaching the hottest period of the year before rain monsoon season later in the summer offers some relief.
Hikers may have cooler temperatures and an easier time going downhill to start the descending trails, but they face an intense climb of thousands of feet in elevation and much hotter bottom-of-the-canyon temperatures to get back up. Those conditions can cause heat illness symptoms to sneak up on visitors.
“That’s very strenuous even on a mild day,” Johndrow said of the hike back up to the rim. “Throw in temperatures of 105 to 110 degrees, and that causes some pretty bad problems.”
Wildfire near Oak Creek Canyon posed risk to public safety
A federal interagency team and at least a dozen local agencies were working to combat the blaze, which was burning roughly 500 acres (200 hectares) of very steep and rough terrain near Oak Creek Canyon, said Dick Fleishman, fire information officer with the Southwest area complex incident management team.
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The fire was concentrated in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain wilderness area about 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of Sedona, but it started to creep into the Coconino National Forest. Firefighters were working to contain the burn, to prevent it from moving toward Oak Creek Canyon, where residents and visitors were evacuated, or Sedona, and to prepare for the possibility that it does.
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Fleishman said the steep slope, the nearby property at risk, the heat from the fire and the risk of post-fire flooding caused by rainwater rushing down the slope were among the reasons the Pocket Fire is particularly concerning.
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“This fire ramped up in complexity quickly,” he said. “We want to try and keep it as small a footprint as possible.”
About 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the adjacent state highway was closed in both directions.
The Coconino National Forest issued a formal closure Saturday afternoon for all campgrounds, picnic sites and trailheads in the area.
“For June 20,” said Fleishman, who drove through the area, “I’ve never seen it that quiet.”
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Oak Creek Canyon attracts millions of visitors each year.
Scottie Scheffler gave himself a shot at completing the career grand slam but will have to produce something special to reel in Wyndham Clark’s six-stroke lead if he is to win the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
World number one Scheffler, who headed straight to the putting green after shooting a 69 which moved him into joint second, turns 30 on Sunday and with it also being Father’s Day, he will be hoping to make it a triple celebration.
However, in addition to finding an answer as to how to score significantly enough to put pressure on Clark – bidding to become the first wire-to-wire US Open winner since Martin Kaymer in 2014 – he will also have to hope his compatriot’s good fortune and escapology skills finally desert him.
Clark made crucial par saves from five feet (three times), six feet, seven feet and 14ft but also produced some stunning shots, the best a 275-yard approach to inside five feet for the week’s first eagle at the par-five 16th.
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That gave him an advantage of seven over the chasing pack and Clark’s lucky breaks continued at the next where he found the heavy rough but claimed a free drop from a television tower and was then allowed to place his ball after it twice rolled away.
(Reuters)
There were also eyebrows raised about the amount of ‘gardening’ he was doing on the line of his putts over the closing holes on the Poa annua grass greens which have a reputation for becoming increasingly difficult as the day wears on.
The rules allow players to tap down spike marks but Clark spent an inordinate amount of time working on his lines.
He missed a five-footer on the last for par to offer some encouragement to the chasing pack, having signed for a level-par 70.
Since the first Masters in 1934 there have been 13 previous instances of players leading by six or more shots through 54 holes and only Greg Norman at Augusta in 1996 failed to close out victory.
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(Getty)
“I think it’s appropriate to understand what’s at stake,” said Scheffler, who will go out with Clark in the final group.
“I think understanding the moment and giving it your best shot I think is all part of the process.
“I mean, I’d rather be leading but I have an opportunity to go out there and have a great round and give myself a chance to win the tournament.”
Scheffler at least put himself in the picture, unlike Rory McIlroy, whose bid for a first US Open title since making his major breakthrough in 2011 collapsed after the turn after going out in a two-under 33.
Matthew Fitzpatrick of England walks the 18th green after a disappointing day (Getty)
Three successive birdies from the fifth moved him to within four of Clark, who was just teeing off, but he overshot the green at the difficult 10th for the second successive day for the first of five bogeys on an inward nine of 40 and a round of 73 which left him three over and his hopes in tatters.
“I feel good. I have got more and more comfortable every time I have got in these positions,” said Clark.
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“I’m hoping I can bring my A-game finally.”
(Getty)
There are only five players under par with Sahith Theegala (70), Tom Kim (72), Sam Stevens (72) joining Scheffler, with four at level par and English duo Matt Fitzpatrick, who struggled to a 74, and Tommy Fleetwood, who ground out a level-par 70, one over.
Fleetwood famously shot a final-round 63 to miss out by one the last time the US Open was at Shinnecock but in the current conditions a repeat seems unlikely.
Ramside Hall picked up the title at the North East Chamber of Commerce Business Awards on Wednesday (June 17).
The award recognised the hotel’s ongoing investment and rapid growth, which has transformed it into a leading destination in the region.
(Image: Ramside Hall Hotel)
Over more than a decade, the hotel has expanded its facilities, including the recent opening of The Pin – a £9.2 million development featuring state-of-the-art driving ranges, electronic games, a bowling alley, and an American-style food and bar offering.
The Pin has helped put the hotel on course for a projected growth of 40 per cent this year.
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John Adamson, owner of Ramside Hall Hotel, said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen for the award, which we see as real recognition for the continued investment in Ramside Hall Hotel.
“The Pin has had a phenomenal response since the day we opened but that’s not just a success story for us, it’s for the region as a whole as it turns a spotlight on what we have to offer and helps grow visitor numbers.”
Mr Adamson said: “Ramside Hall Hotel is not only responding to changes within the hospitality sector – it is actively shaping what a modern destination resort should be.”
It comes after Andy Burnham stormed to victory in the Makerfield by-election
The number of MPs to call on Sir Keir Starmer to quit has reached 100, as pressure continues to build on the Prime Minister after Andy Burnham stormed to victory in the Makerfield by-election.
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Calls for Sir Keir to go have been building since Labour took a hammering in May’s local elections, and now marks around a quarter of the party’s 403 MPs. The Prime Minister has repeatedly vowed to fight any leadership challenge, insisting he will not “walk away”.
But Mr Burnham’s by-election victory has prompted more backbenchers and Labour grandees to call for Sir Keir to stand down.
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Some MPs who had signed a statement rejecting calls for a leadership election last month have now reversed their position, while former home secretary Alan Johnson told LBC his message to the Prime Minister would be: “It’s over, Keir.”
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Sir Keir is understood to have spoken to a number of Cabinet ministers on Friday, some of whom are reported to have told him he should set out a timetable for his departure. Some in Westminster believe a contest could begin as early as next week, but allies of Mr Burnham favour a longer wait to allow them to prepare for government.
Former transport secretary Louise Haigh, one of his supporters, said after his by-election victory: “We really hope that this can be a managed and orderly transition and Keir Starmer will reflect on the results, and Andy and Keir can meet in the coming days, and over the next week, and agree a path forward.”
It is understood that Mr Burnham’s camp wants Sir Keir to set out his plans in the coming days but would accept a timetable that kept him in No 10 until September. But former deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman has urged the party to move faster, telling Sky News’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast ministers could not be left “in a state of paralysis all through the summer”.
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She said there is a “sense of collective movement” from within Labour. She added: “I think it’s going to happen – that Andy Burnham is going to become prime minister. Keir Starmer is going to be leaving office.”
Jess Phillips, who quit as a minister last month, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she was looking forward to Mr Burnham arriving in Westminster on Monday and seeing prospective leadership candidates setting out their stall to Labour MPs. The Birmingham Yardley MP said Mr Burnham had “proved his hypothesis” that he could take on Reform UK by winning in Makerfield.
She added: “He beat off Reform absolutely soundly in an area that absolutely should have been delivered to Reform and if anyone else had stood there, we would not be having this conversation now … I think he has earned the right to come and make his case to the Parliamentary Labour Party.”
Peter Swallow, one of more than 100 MPs who signed a letter backing Sir Keir just last month, is among those who have withdrawn support. The Bracknell MP told Newsnight that “it is now the right time for the Prime Minister to resign and hand over to someone else” and said he would be “backing Andy”.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson told LBC that the Prime Minister now has to step aside. He said: “I’d say it’s over, Keir. And listen, he’s a bright guy. He knows it’s over. He will forever be in the history books as the man who turned us around, Labour, from the second-worst result in our history to the second best result in our history in one five-year period.”
Labour peer Charlie Falconer said Sir Keir has “absolutely no authority” because “everybody assumes” Mr Burnham is going to challenge him and win. He said he would advise Sir Keir not to stand in a leadership contest and instead agree a handover, preferably before the parliamentary recess on July 16.
“There should be an agreed transition process in which Andy and Keir cooperate as to when the handover should take place,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. But Sir Keir appeared to be digging in, warning Labour staffers during a call on Friday lunchtime to avoid “plunging our party and our country into chaos by turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement”.
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It is understood he has also amassed a campaign war chest to fight any leadership challenge with the backing of a group of private donors, as first reported by The Times. Fundraising has ramped up in the last two days with total pledges running into six figures, sources said.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told Sky News he did not understand Sir Keir’s strategy. He said: “I don’t understand what Keir Starmer’s strategy is in this other than saying he’s going to fight it, but not doing anything very obvious to fight it. I just wonder if we’re not going to witness a coronation of Andy Burnham in a few days’ time.”
The Islington North MP said it was “very strange” that there had been no policy debate so far. Sir Keir and his backers in the Parliamentary Labour Party have stressed the need to focus on the by-election for the Greater Manchester mayoralty triggered by Mr Burnham’s election.
That by-election is scheduled to take place on July 30, with Labour set to announce its candidate on June 26. The party is already pitching the contest as a two-horse race between Labour and Reform UK, but the Greens will look to build on their success in the Gorton and Denton by-election with a strong challenge of their own.
Over half a dozen Cambridgeshire villages have been hit with a power cut. An electrical fault has led to a power cut in villages such as Yaxley and Stilton this afternoon (Saturday, June 20).
Other villages affected include: Holme, Conington, Denton, Folksworth, Washingley, Caldecote and parts of Alwalton. The UK Power Networks website said: “A fault has occurred on an underground electricity cable affecting the local area. We may have to dig up the road to carry out repairs.”
As of 12.15pm, engineers are currently investigating the cause. The issue is expected to be sorted between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Cheddar cheese is a staple in most households, but does spending more actually get you a better flavour? I put Sainsbury’s organic, mid-range and budget mature cheddar to the test to find out
Who doesn’t love cheddar cheese? While a fancy cheeseboard will never get a no from me, you simply cannot beat the timeless classics, especially served on a cracker or melting gloriously inside a toastie.
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However, one of the most surprising revelations of adult life has been the cost of cheddar cheese. The big-name brands, in particular, came as quite a shock, so it’s fair to say I’ve made a firm switch to supermarket own-brand alternatives.
But even then, there are still some considerable price variations between the options lining the shelves, especially at Sainsbury’s.
Most supermarkets nowadays offer several pricing tiers across their own-brand ranges.
While I’ve been aware of this for some time, I’ve often questioned just how different these products truly are, given how similar they all appear — none more so than with cheddar cheese.
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So this week, I decided to purchase three blocks of cheddar from Sainsbury’s — each at a different price point — and conducted a taste test to see which came out on top.
To keep matters simple, I sampled a few slices on crackers, allowing the flavour of each cheese to truly speak for itself.
Being a firm fan of mature cheddar, I selected the same level four across all three options. I genuinely wasn’t expecting it, but a clear winner emerged — so here’s my verdict on all three.
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SO Organic Mature Cheddar – £3.50
Naturally, I started with the most costly option. Sainsbury’s organic cheddar was the most expensive I could find in my local store, priced at £3.50 for a 270g block.
Organic produce typically costs more, so this came as no surprise. It’s reportedly produced by Wyke Farms in Somerset, using British organic milk, accounting for its premium pricing.
It had a pleasing, sharp aroma, which was encouraging and enhanced the overall impression. I cut it into slices and placed it on a cracker, noting that it wasn’t rubbery whatsoever, which represents a disappointing drawback of certain cheddar varieties.
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It tasted wonderful too, beautifully creamy yet with a nice sharpness that made it seem far more premium than it genuinely was.
Even better, there was no unpleasant aftertaste – another common issue with cheddar. The only drawback was the slight absence of flavour in my view, and it was a little bit dry.
That said, I’d certainly purchase it again.
Rating 3.5/5
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Sainsbury’s Mature British Cheddar – £2.50
Following this was the mid-priced cheddar cheese which set me back £2.50 for 220g. While this was a slightly smaller block than the organic variety, it was still cheaper per kilogram.
I should highlight that all three cheeses looked and essentially smelled identical, to the extent where it was difficult to tell which was which when placed on the crackers. As for this one, it was probably my least favourite.
It was very potent, and maybe not in a positive way. It failed to achieve the balance between tanginess and creaminess, in my view, and had quite a bitter aftertaste that was difficult to shake.
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I can imagine that this might work well in a toastie or in cooking, such as when preparing macaroni cheese or lasagne. Nevertheless, by itself, this didn’t particularly impress.
Rating: 3/5
Stamford Street Cheddar – £2.49
Moving on to the third and final cheese in my taste test, the Stamford Street block. This brand is Sainsbury’s most economical range, and they stock hundreds of additional products throughout the store, from fruit and veg to garlic bread and pasta.
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This weighed almost twice the quantity of the mid-range cheese and cost less – admittedly by merely one penny – but I was still impressed by this. Nevertheless, it ultimately depended on the flavour.
It came off in neat clean slices, and it tasted superb too. It was by far the creamiest of the selection, and I was concerned it might taste rubbery or plasticky, but this fortunately wasn’t the case at all.
There was a satisfying burst of sharpness, and even when served plain on a cracker, it tasted wonderful.
You genuinely cannot fault the pricing either, so this became my favourite, and the one I’d certainly recommend buying.
For the sunniest start to Parklife in a good few years, it was good vibes only as the biggest metropolitan festival made its return to Heaton Park.
With the weather staying in check throughout the day, it meant the usual presence of staples like ponchos and wellies were kept well out of sight, replaced instead by bandanas, bucket hats and football shirts.
Taking over the Bury park for the first of two days, it was pioneering ladies Alexandria and Niamh given the distinct honour of kicking off the line-up as gates opened at 12pm at The Valley and the Matinee – with Catching Cairo over at the Magic Stage thanking those who made an ‘early start’ to the festivities.
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A breath of fresh air has been injected into Parklife 2026 with the addition of several new features – spanning from secret sets to new stages – with festival-goers enjoying a whole host of new offerings including a new food court, a supermarket with a twist, and Polaroid photographers who will snap you a vintage pic for £8.
Drawing one of the big crowds of the day at The Valley a remarkably early 1pm was Leeds electronic duo Prospa – made up of Harvey Blumler and Guiorgi ‘Gosha’ Smith – who rose to fame in 2018 with breakthrough hit Prayer after it was named the ‘hottest record in the world’ by Annie Mac.
Following up not long after on the same set was Josh Baker – with plenty of unfinished business. The local lad was one of the big names on the line-up last year – yet he never actually got to perform with his set on the Matinee Stage shut down just minutes after stepping in front of fans.
Taking over The Valley on Saturday as he played songs including Leave A Message, Back It Up and latest single Down To The Bone, it proved to be a special moment for the star who has been brought up the ranks of the Manchester festival. “We started from not even being on the flyer for my first set at Parklife to now playing on the mainstage,” he told the M.E.N earlier this year about the significance of the event to him. “It feels unbelievable.”
Later on The Valley, an interpretive dance show courtesy of jungle and drum and bass collective 4am Kru. Matched with high energy beats, the group featured street dancing, beatboxing, and a bit of topless drumstick slapping (not an innuendo).
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Anastasia Howden, 20, visiting with friends, said they had come specifically to see 4am Kru .“It’s been really good,” she said, though she noted the heat and lack of facilities: “The bad thing is there is no seating or shaded areas and it’s really hot.”
Lewis Norris, 19, said he had been looking forward to the event after missing a previous chance to see one of the acts. “I was meant to see them at Warehouse Project but didn’t, so I was excited to see them today. It’s our first time here.
“Prospa was also really good, such good vibes. Everyone has been really friendly and it’s been really good, so we’re really excited to do it all again tomorrow.”
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In terms of fashion this year, attendees basked in the sun beaming down by fits that wouldn’t be out of place at Coachella festival with bohemian chic and bejewelled shawls popular alongside low-rise chunky belts, ruffled skorts, football shirts, and bucket hats.
Charlotte Crowther, 28, and her sister Sophie, 30, along with Jack Smith, 31, said they had come primarily for the drum and bass acts on the Magic Sky Budweiser Stage. Charlotte said: “We came to mainly see the people on the Budweiser stage, all the drum and bass acts. I saw Kanine which was really good and we’re looking forward to Mozey later.”
She added that they had previously attended the event but felt this year’s line-up was stronger. “We came two years ago and preferred this year, today’s line-up has been really good. We’re only coming today as we’re big drum and bass fans.”
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Over at the smaller Beatbox area, Artful Dodger brought the nostalgia vibes with the demand for a party. Joining the crowd of revellers in the intimate area, the act told fans ‘it’s a ****ing rave right now, it’s a rave right now!’ as they belted through versions of Sambuca and Show Me Love.
And the lively vibes at Beatbox continued when Happy Mondays legend Bez appeared for a scheduled DJ set. Taking more of a hype man approach, he urged fans to ‘call the cops’ in a nod to the band’s hit Step On, which was mixed with KRS-One’s Sound of Da Police as he kept in line with Parklife’s top fashion choice of the day by sporting an orange bandana.
Over at the Magic Sky stage, Manchester DJ and producer BOU brought a rowdy drum and bass set to the festival before being joined by Moston rapper Aitch for a special unscheduled rendition of Raving In The Studio, followed by Ring My Bell. “O161 every time,” the rapper declared in his love for his home time as he left the stage.
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Producer, DJ, singer and songwriter Nia Archives, who is no stranger to a Parklife stage, proved she is ever the multihyphenate with her takeover of The Valley between 4am Kru and Skepta on Saturday night.
Since being named both Artist of the Year by BBC Music Introducing and Best Breakthrough DJ by DJ Mag back in 2024, Nia has gone further and further up the ranks, working with the likes of PinkPantheress, Jamie XX, Jorja Smith and Fred Again.
The Emotional Junglist (the name of her upcoming album) brought an unrivalled energy as she tore up The Valley Stage, her 2023 hit Baianá feeling utterly joyful and anthemic – right on the money with the World Cup hype at the moment.
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Skepta delivered a standout moment of Parklife at the Valley Stage, opening his set with Shutdown immediately set the tone and built the energy from the very start. The crowd reaction was instant, the entire field erupted as soon as the beat dropped.
From that opening, the energy never dipped throughout the entire set. He performed some of his biggest hits including That’s Not Me and Toxic, keeping the momentum high. The Valley Stage was completely packed, with fans seen hands up, dancing, and fully immersed in the performance as Skepta kept the atmosphere electric the whole way through.
Performing towards the end of the day, he brought a closing energy that felt like a perfect peak for the festival crowd. Further into the set he also performed Energy and Papi Chulo, both of which went down massively well with revellers.
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One of the biggest highlights came when Skepta performed Praise the Lord by A$AP Rocky, which he featured on, sending the crowd into chaos as the track rang out across the Valley Stage.
To end the set, Skepta paused and closed with a nod to the moment, saying “it’s coming home” in reference to the World Cup, sending the crowd into one last huge reaction and finishing the performance on a high.
And so it came to one man to close the first night of Parklife 2026. Introduced to dubstep through Rinse FM mixes, Sammy Virji headlined The Valley stage on Saturday night for a celebration of his bassline and UK garage-tinged roots.
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Last September, he released his album Same Day Cleaning, which featured collaborations with the likes of Chris Lake, Salute, Giggs, MJ Cole and fellow Parklife headliner Skepta.
Later this month, he’ll play Electric Island in Toronto, Canada before heading to Cardiff Castle in July for a special headline gig. But tonight it was all about Manchester and there couldn’t have been a more perfect ending as the light faded down over Heaton Park, revellers closing moments of the day were soundtracked by an intoxicating mix of tracks from the last 30 years.
Skepta made a return to the stage for their collab Cops & Robbers while Flowdan appeared for a rendition of Shella Verse. All that was left was a picture-perfect finish courtesy of some well-timed fireworks and plenty of pyro to cap off what was an epic first day down at the park.
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