The moment armed men tried to force their way into an upmarket London nightclub has been caught on camera.

Four men have been arrested after people ‘armed with machetes’ tried to gain access to Tabu nightclub in Mayfair in the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving two people injured.

Footage of the chaotic incident showed a small group of men shouting and brandishing what appears to be weapons above their heads in front of security staff.

Amid the confusion a car alarm was triggered, while one of the men picked up a metal post and threw it over his head towards bouncers and onlookers.

Police were called at 3.11am and one man was arrested at the scene on Dover Street.

Three more men were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told Metro: ‘Police were called to a venue on Dover Street, W1 following reports of a disturbance and three people in possession of weapons. 

‘Officers attended and one man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

‘Following initial enquiries, three men were arrested in Hertfordshire in the early hours of this morning in connection with this investigation. All four men remain in custody.

‘At this time, it’s believed that this was an isolated incident.

‘Two people sustained injuries which are not life changing.’

UK News and Pictures, whose photographer took photos of officers at the scene, reported a nearby venue manager witnessed the moment the men tried to force their way in.

The unnamed worker said: ‘It was pure chaos. The men tried to charge the door with large blades. How anyone wasn’t hurt was just pure luck.’

Praising the swift response from police, he said: ‘The officers dealt with it very quickly, and we saw a number of people being arrested.

‘It’s not good for business to have this kind of trouble, but thankfully the situation was brought under control.’

Tabu nightclub describes itself as ‘the home of Tokyo Nightlife, located in the heart of Mayfair’.

It adds that ‘for the best experience and the easiest way to gain access into our Tokyo inspired universe, a table reservation is highly encouraged’.

The Met has asked anyone with footage or other information about the incident to get in touch.

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A stone’s throw from the upmarket Hampstead Heath, Kentish Town is famous for its colourful houses, top-notch pubs, and diverse restaurant scene.

Now, it could be set to become the UK’s answer to Hollywood, as plans for a £1,000,000,000 quarter dedicated almost entirely to filmmaking have just been adopted by Camden Council.

It’s no secret that the neighbouring Camden Town already has its roots firmly in the creative scene. After all, it was famously the home of Amy Winehouse, The Clash shot the cover of their debut album there, and Pink Floyd played their first-ever gig at The Roundhouse.

Plus, to this day, The Hawley Arms – favoured by Amy as well as Pete Doherty, Kate Moss and even Noel Fielding – is still plastered in various pieces of signed memorabilia, including from Amy herself, who would often serve up customers behind the bar.

With planning permission pending, the new plans for Kentish Town – also in the borough of Camden – could see part of the north London neighbourhood turned into the aptly named Camden Film Quarter.

Spearheaded by real estate investment company Yoo Capital, the blueprint has been developed in partnership with the National Film and Television School and the London Screen Academy.

It envisages a ‘mix of creative space including film studios,’ as well as soundstages, workshop spaces and even studio tours for the public.

In 2024, Lloyd Lee, managing partner at Yoo Capital, told Deadline of the plans: ‘I think that you could see a family coming to do a studio tour, see how movies are made and going into spaces where someone was filming, seeing golf carts go back and forth. They should feel like they’re in the film and television corner of London.’

Plus, the wider Regis Road development will see 1,000 new homes built, 50% of which will be affordable, as well as new pedestrian and cycle-friendly connections connecting Kentish Town to Gospel Oak and Hampstead Heath.

There’ll be green spaces galore too, with the vision aiming to ‘support local biodiversity and enhance the area’s natural environment.’ And if it all gets given the go-ahead, work on the development could start as early as 2026.

It’s no secret that Kentish Town is already a lovely place to live.

Over on the r/London Subreddit, Kentish Town local @wmgregory notes that they love living in the area because it’s ‘not Camden Town (quieter),’ and has ‘nice pubs, cafés and shops’ as well as decent transport links in the form of ‘trains, tubes, overground, and buses.’

@Tubo_Mengmeng lived in Kentish Town for a year and a half, and ‘definitely rate[s] the area personally.’

‘[It’s] just [a] low key chill nice north London neighbourhood which floats my boat a bit more than somewhere trying too hard, def has overspill/seeping of the surrounding areas into it too which helps give it a bit more of an identity,’ they add.

And in @mejogid’s opinion, Kentish Town has ‘some of the best pubs in London,’ citing local watering holes The Pineapple, The Southampton Arms, Tapping the Admiral, The Rose & Crown and The Lion & Unicorn.

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‘Barebacking’ the tube – also known as ‘rawdogging’ – involves passengers sitting without any form of entertainment and people-watching, staring at other passengers to pass the time.

The term was first coined by Curtis Morton, co-host of the Behind the Screens podcast, in a TikTok that’s since racked up nearly 100,000 views.

‘You’ve commuted enough times – why are you sitting there without a phone, without a book, just looking at me, looking at what’s going on? Keep yourself to yourself. Read a book – just do something,’ Curtis says in the clip, ranking the most annoying train travel habits.

Now, I’ll happily hold my hands up and admit that I take joy in ‘barebacking’ while I’m on the tube – but not for the reason you’d think.

For the vast majority of journeys, I’m usually either reading a book or listening to music, trying my best to look awkwardly at the floor so as not to irk other passengers.

As a rule, I try to avoid doomscrolling because it only sets my thoughts racing – and I’m trying to cut down on my screen time.

But every once in a while, I actively choose to put my headphones down and just sit with my thoughts. At the end of the day, I’m sometimes so overstimulated (I have ADHD) that I need to abandon all forms of entertainment and just decompress from it all.

And yes, I hate the screech of the tube – so I choose parts of the journey I know to be quieter if I’m going to remove my headphones completely, or sometimes, I just sit with them on top of my ears with nothing at all playing, so I get the muffled effect but without any music.

I never stare at people – I usually just sit and look at the floor, or if there’s a view to be found out of the window, I’ll admire that instead.

Living and working in London, it’s all too easy to become completely absorbed by our phones during the commute – so much so that we’re not really connecting with what’s around us.

So, every once in a while, I like to strip it all back and just sit and digest the day without anything at all. I consider it a treat, and one that’s necessary for me as a neurodivergent person.

Naturally, the concept of ‘barebacking’ has caused quite the stir among Metro readers, as @howard_hennes said that ‘staring at total strangers in a public place is rude and an invasion of privacy.’

However, there were plenty of commuters who, like me, admitted to regularly making it through their journey to work on straight vibes alone.

For @d_bell, it’s clear that ‘not everyone needs to be glued to a phone every minute of the day,’ while @MephistoPD127 said, ‘you often don’t have a signal on the tube’ anyway.

@lexxedit added that ‘staring is obviously rude,’ but they confessed that unless they have a long commute, they don’t use their ‘phone or a book.’

‘I like to see the scenery and look around. Could be my age, I’m nearly 75. But what is wrong with that? Times changed, but I didn’t.’ Fair enough.

And for @agach, ‘people watching’ is essential during their commute, as they ‘take pride in [the] fact that I am not glued to the phone all the time like the rest of the zombies.’

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Three people have died after a bus and a car crashed outside a prison in Feltham, west London. 

The Mercedes hit a single-decker bus outside Feltham Young Offenders Institution just after midnight. 

The H26 bus was heading towards Hatton Cross at the time of the incident that happened on the brow of a railway bridge. 

It is understood that the three who died in the crash were teenagers. Two were male and one female. 

Another girl in the car survived the crash, and a friend of one of the boys who died told Metro: ‘He was a lovely guy he would give you anything he had.’

He added: ‘He was generous and hardworking. He lived close to where the crash was. He must have been going home.

‘His family are heartbroken, absolutely devastated. When the mother lays the table for dinner there will be one less place.

‘It’s terrible.

The bus driver was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

The charred shell of the bus remained at the scene today while the burned car was covered with a blue tarpaulin. 

A prison worker told Metro: ‘There was a crash there just last week. Cars are always speeding down here.’

Local Alan McCandless, 70,said: ‘They speed over the bridge I have lived here 25 years there are accidents there and deaths.

‘There are always flowers there for the dead. 

‘What a shame it’s heartbreaking. There were police everywhere overnight. ‘Specialist accident investigators are on the scene. 

A witness Nero Verbickas, 45, said: ‘We heard boom like a bomb then I saw a fire. There were people screaming

‘It was terrible. The police told me a woman was driving the car.’

Jessica Fell-Hicks, 22: ‘The bus was smoking ambulances police everywhere. The front of the bud exploded it was like a fireball.

‘There’s accidents all the time. We saw a motorcyclist fire there recently.’

A London Ambulance spokesperson said: ‘At around 23.55 hrs on Monday, 31 March officers in a response vehicle came across a car alight on Bedfont Road, Feltham.

‘The vehicle had been involved in a collision with a bus at the location.

‘Very sadly, three occupants from the car were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth occupant was taken to hospital. We await an update on their condition.

‘The bus was also alight and officers led the driver and all passengers to safety.

‘Some were treated for injuries at the scene and two were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

‘London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service were in attendance to assist with the incident and roads in the area will remain closed while an investigation continues.

‘Anyone with information which could assist is asked to contact 101 quoting CAD 8411.’

A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘At around 23.55 hrs on Monday, 31 March officers in a response vehicle came across a car alight on Bedfont Road, Feltham.

‘The vehicle had been involved in a collision with a bus at the location.

‘Very sadly, three occupants from the car were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth occupant was taken to hospital. We await an update on their condition.

‘The bus was also alight and officers led the driver and all passengers to safety. Some were treated for injuries at the scene and two were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

‘London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service were in attendance to assist with the incident and roads in the area will remain closed while an investigation continues.

‘Anyone with information which could assist is asked to contact 101 quoting CAD 8411.’

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The family of an 82-year-old ‘recluse’ have won a legal battle to keep his £650,000 home after he signed it over to a waitress.

Richard Joy had never married and didn’t have children, spending most of his time at the library or caring for his rare coins and medals.

In May 2018, two years before his death, he gifted his home in Harrow, north west London, to 38-year-old Mariia Romanyshyn.

Mr Joy met Ms Romanyshyn, from Ukraine, in 2011 while she worked as a waitress at a local breakfast café he visited three times a week.

The pair formed a close bond, with the pensioner inviting Ms Romanyshyn and her child to live with him as his ‘adopted family’.

Ms Romanyshyn claimed he ‘thrust’ the deeds of the home into her hands in 2016, saying: ‘The house is yours. I want you to keep the house.’

But Mr Joy’s cousin and executor of his estate, Martin Larney, sued the waitress, arguing he was too mentally frail to understand what he had done.

The two sides agreed to settle the court battle, with Ms Romanyshyn’s claim to the house being ‘dismissed’ by a judge.

Judge Simon Monty KC ruled that Mr Joy’s estate would be divided up as per the terms of a 2011 will, which leaves most of his estate to Mr Larney, his 87-year-old mum, Doreen, and a former friend.

Central London County Court heard that Mr Joy never had a family of his own, spending his entire life in his parents’ home in Harrow.

Mr Larney’s barrister, Andrew Nicklin, claimed the pensioner was ‘vulnerable with apparent cognitive impairment’ and ‘dependent’ on Ms Romanyshyn before he passed away.

But the waitress told the court she treated him ‘as her uncle’, while her daughter viewed him ‘as a grandfather figure’.

Ms Romanyshyn also said he played chess with her daughter and followed episodes of Sherlock on TV, using that as proof he was still mentally sharp enough to make major decisions after signing over the house.

When she first met Mr Joy in 2011, Ms Romanyshyn said she offered to help him with shopping after he had a hospital spell.

She soon began helping him regularly and he ‘repeatedly encouraged’ her and her family to move in with him, Ms Romanyshyn said.

Referring to house deeds, she claimed he told her: ‘I have a present for you’, to which she replied: ‘Don’t worry, I will look after it very well for you.’

She added: ‘He received and felt the care, love and affection from me and my family.’

Both parties involved in the legal battle agreed to settle their dispute out of court after negotiations behind the scenes.

Judge Monty stated he had been ‘satisfied on the evidence heard that the last true will of Richard Anthony Joy was the will dated November 26, 2011.’

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A woman as been arrested on suspicion of concealing a birth, neglect and infanticide after a baby boy was found dead outside a Notting Hill Church.

The child was found in a Marks and Spencer’s bag near All Saints Church in Notting Hill.

The infant was declared dead at the scene on Talbot Road in Notting Hill shortly before 1pm.

A woman in her thirties was found by police on Saturday and arrested in connection with the death.

She was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and still receiving care there.

Medical experts will conduct a forensic post-mortem later this week to assist in investigations into the baby’s death.

Superintendent Owen Renowden, who leads policing for Kensington and Chelsea said: ‘This is an ongoing, fast-paced investigation, with officers working tirelessly to ascertain the circumstances of the baby boy’s death.

‘We believe that the woman is the baby’s mother and I am reassured that she is receiving the support she needs, while officers continue their work to understand what took place.

‘I recognise that the news of this arrest may cause concern among our community, but when dealing with investigations of this nature our priority is to ensure the welfare of all involved and ensure that all lines of enquiry are fully explored.

‘I appreciate the high level of attention that this investigation has received, but we politely ask for the public not to speculate.’

The deputy warden at All Saints’ Church in Notting Hill said she had ‘never heard anything like this in my life.’

Marcia Haynes told reporters: ‘I came here to prepare for the food bank and I just saw loads of police arriving, and when I came out it was all taped over.’

Marcia added the news a baby had died ‘just freaked me out, and I just I had to abandon what I was doing and go home because I thought I was going to be ill, to be honest’.

‘I’ve been here since 1966, I’ve never heard anything like this in my life.’

Moving tributes were later placed outside the church, including bunches of flowers and a toy bunny.

A note, left under a lit candle, read: ‘God bless the little Baby x’.

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Electric bikes, which have been labelled a ‘ticking timebomb’, are now banned on the London Underground and Overground due to fire risk.

E-bike fires have caused concern among Londoners after incidents across the capital’s stations.

On average, there is an e-bike fire every other day in London, the fire brigade said.

Last month, an e-bike went up in flames moments before boarding a Tube carriage at Rayners Lane station, while an e-bike explosion caused a fire at Sutton station in April.

Transport for London (TfL) has now announced a safety ban on non-folding e-bikes on the Tube and rail services for the ‘safety of customers and staff.’ However, cycling campaigners have warned a blanket ban could reduce the use of legitimate e-bikes.

Here is a roundup of what the ban means and where on London transport e-bikes are still allowed.

When will e-bikes be banned on the Tube?

The ban will come into effect today, March 31, 2025.

Non-folded e-bikes are no longer accepted on most TfL services, including the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR, buses, trams and the IFS Cloud Cable Car.

It also includes standard bikes, which have been converted to e-bikes using conversion kits.

However, folding e-bikes will still be permitted after TfL didn’t identify any recorded incidents involving foldable e-bikes in London.

How will the ban be enforced?

Enforcement officers will be deployed across the network to ‘monitor and enforce compliance.’

‘Anybody who does not comply may be refused entry, directed to leave the network, or face a fine of up to £1,000, if prosecuted under the bylaws,’ TfL told Metro.

Why are e-bikes banned on the Tube?

Converted illegal e-bikes have been labelled ‘death traps’ after a monster e-bike capable of going at up to 70mph was seized in London last year.

Converted e-bikes adapted using electronic conversion kits are thought to pose a bigger fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes, although it can be ‘hard to differentiate between modified and un-modified e-bikes,’ TfL said.

It said that until ‘improved product safety measures are in place for converted cycles, batteries and charges, a ban is necessary for all non-holded e-bikes.’

Lilli Matson, TfL’s Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer, said: ‘Our priority is always the safety of our customers and colleagues.

‘We have been working closely with the London Fire Brigade on a review of the safety risks associated with e-bikes on our network and following this review, we will be putting this safety ban in place from 31 March 2025.

‘Customers with non-foldable e-bikes will not be permitted to use our tube and rail services.’

Scott Peden sounded the alarm on e-bikes after he lost his entire family and home in a blaze. He told Metro previously that modified and old bikes are ‘a ticking timebomb.’

Reaction to the e-bike ban

Charlie Pugsley, a London Fire Brigade’s deputy commissioner, said they welcome the ban as it ‘acknowledges the risks that we know e-bike batteries can pose.’

He said that while e-bikes can have ‘sustainable benefits,’ the reality ‘is that ‘across London we have been seeing an e-bike or e-scooter fire every other day, on average, and we have particular concern about the risk posed by conversion kits or modified e-bikes.’

However, cycling campaigners have criticised the blanket ban on all e-bikes on public transport.

Tom Fyans, the London Cycling Campaign’s chief executive, told Metro: ‘Safety must always come first, but the risk is that measures like this could confuse people about the safety of genuine ebikes and reduce usage, which would be a big concern.

‘The real issue is a total lack of control on the sale of dodgy conversion kits, batteries and the illegal modification of ebikes into mini motorbikes. Government, TfL and delivery companies need to get a grip on this issue and fast.

‘No one wants to compromise the safety of passengers, but once again the easy answer appears to be removing cycle access rather than dealing with the bigger issue of meaningful regulation.

‘As a result, battery fires are likely to keep happening and we will keep seeing dangerous, illegally modified bikes on our streets.’

James Metcalfe, the co-founder of Volt Bikes, told Metro that a blanket ban of all non-folded e-bikes on the TfL network is ‘a huge setback for active and sustainable transport.’

He argued that ‘ordinary commuters’ will be hit and that the focus should be on ‘education and enforcement, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.’

Shaf Hussain, a delivery rider in London, claimed that low pay is ‘reducing workers to making illegal upgrades to their bikes.’ ‘When you have to make more deliveries for less money, this is the inevitable result,’ he said.

Aslef, the train drivers’ union, welcomed the announcement today after suggesting previously they would consider industrial action unless a ban was introduced.

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s full-time organiser on the Underground, said the ban will ‘reduce the risk of a serious accident, and the dangers caused by large numbers of unfolded e-bikes blocking exits in emergencies.

‘We are pleased that TfL have listened to our concerns and has now acted on them,’ he added.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the ‘small number’ of incidents involving full-sized e-bikes catching fire on transport have caused him ‘great concern.’

‘This is why, following a comprehensive review of the safety of e-bikes, TfL is banning all non-folding e-bikes on tube and rail services. I have asked TfL to continue to work with Government and partners to improve e-bike safety as we build a safer London for everyone,’ he said.

This story was first published on March 26, 2025.

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Part of the M11 was closed for hours after a lorry crashed through the barrier in Essex.

Long traffic delays were building on the M11 northbound after the crash near Stansted Airport this morning.

All lanes were closed on the northbound carriageway after the lorry breached the barrier between junction J8 (Stansted Airport) and J10 (Duxford). The motorway has since reopened.

Footage shows the truck leaning on its left side and almost tipped over into the ditch.

Drivers faced around 20-minute delays approaching J8 and three miles of congestion.

Motorists should leave extra time for their journeys, the police said following the crash shortly before 6am this morning.

National Highways said the ‘recovery and barrier repair looks complicated’ and there is no estimate of re-opening.

Passengers heading to Stansted can still get there from J8, but delays are building on the northbound approach, it said.

Diversions have been put in place through A120 and drivers should follow the route marked with the solid circle symbol on local road signs.

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The mother of a boy who vanished 17 years ago has said her ‘heart has been ripped out’ as police put up a £10,000 reward.

Alex Sloley was 16 in 2008 when he went missing from his home in Islington, north London.

There were no signs suggesting Alex, a college student, was planning to run away, as he had no money or extra clothes on him.

His mother Nerissa told Metro she has been living in agonising ‘limbo’ since the Arsenal living teenager went missing.

She said: ‘My heart has been ripped out, I’ve been living in limbo for all these years.

‘I don’t think Alex is going to come back, but there’s always a slim hope.

‘If anyone knows anything, please come forward, please help us. Maybe after all these years, someone will be in a different position in life and can tell us something, especially as now there is a reward.

‘He went out and never came back.’

Of her son, who has two sisters, she added: ‘He is lovely, a family boy.

‘He loved Arsenal, was very good with numbers and has a bright future ahead of him. No family should have to go through this.

‘There was nothing I knew of to explain his disappearance.’

Detectives are offering £10,000 for anyone with information that could help to find him, treating Alex’s disappearance as an active missing person investigation.

Alex is described as a light-skinned Black man, 5ft 5ins tall and of medium build with striking blue eyes.

Former detective Mick Neville reviewed the case and drew parallels with the case of Andrew Gosden.

Andrew disappeared aged 14 after getting off the train at King’s Cross station in 2007.

Neville told Metro after the reward in Alex’s case was offered: ‘I hope it makes a difference. No parent should be put through what these go through.

‘There were some very unsavoury characters around the area and it’s just s gut feeling but there could be a connection between the disappearance of Alex and Andrew Gosden.’

Alex, an accountancy student at City and Islington College. had little money, no wallet and no bag with extra clothes to indicate he was planning to run away, police said previously.

Nerissa was left in tears in 2019 when the police released another e-fit of her son.

She said he looked like his father Christopher, who died in 2014 without ever finding out what happened to their only son.

Charity Missing People found previously that missing Black children are less likely to be found by police compared to white and Asian youngsters.

The ‘heartbreaking’ report found that a lower proportion of missing person cases relating to Black children were solved by the police following Freedom of Information requests to the UK forces.

Missing People charity said: ‘Alexander, we are here for you whenever you are ready; we can listen, talk you through what help you need, pass a message for you and help you to be safe.’

Anyone with information about Alexander can contact the Met by calling or texting on 07860 369603, while anonymous reports can be made via independent charity Crimestoppers.

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It’s a Monday morning and you’re half asleep on the District Line heading into the office.

Amidst a sea of rucksacks and travel mugs, people sit and read their books or doomscroll on their phones, avoiding eye contact by whatever means necessary.

There are plenty of irritating commuter types out there who disrupt this almost zombie-like journey to our desk.

But one subset of London Underground passengers have been labelled the worst of them all: the ‘barebackers’.

Get your mind out of the gutter – it’s a perfectly innocent term coined by Curtis Morton, co-host of the Behind the Screens podcast, in a TikTok that’s racked up nearly 100,000 views.

Essentially, barebackers – also known as rawdoggers – are people who sit without any form of entertainment and people-watch, staring at other passengers to pass the time.

‘Barebackers are number one,’ Curtis says in the clip ranking the most annoying train travel habits.

‘You’ve commuted enough times – why are you sitting there without a phone, without a book, just looking at me, looking at what’s going on? Keep yourself to yourself. Read a book – just do something.’

It might sound a little harsh, given that a mere 25 years ago this was likely considered perfectly acceptable behaviour. Heaven forbid, people may have even stuck up conversation with their fellow passengers.

According to Curtis though, it’s still not an excuse for someone to stare into your soul.

He tells Metro: ‘I’m honoured to be the unofficial spokesperson in the important fight to eradicate all barebackers from our transport network. 

‘I get that 20 or 25 years ago people commuted without TikTok, Tinder and a podcast for every possible niche. They might’ve had ten songs on a Walkman and pure vibes.

‘Even then, we didn’t have a nation of dirty barebackers! People read books, did crosswords, even flipped through the Metro.

‘But now, at least once a day I seem to encounter someone just sitting there, no headphones, no phone, no distractions, not even pretending to scroll – just staring through me.’

The podcaster says this unwanted attention makes him suspicious of other travellers, and a little paranoid, joking: ‘I think, what are you plotting? Or are my flies undone? Have I accidentally turned the flash on my phone?’ 

And while Curtis commends people who find the time to keep up with their correspondence outside their daily commute, he adds: ‘I think it’s completely reasonable to ask: pull out your phone. Buy a book. God, even fall asleep.

‘Just leave the barebacking to the privacy of your own home, and not while making eye contact with me on the 7.48am to London Bridge.’

On TikTok, there was a general consensus Curtis was speaking some hard truths, with one comment reading: ‘Every point got me nodding my head ferociously.’

Not everyone agreed though, including Mark Joseph who wrote: ‘Anyone who doesn’t need constant stimulation from a book/phone/iPad, and can just exist in peace for five mins, is awesome.’

Barebackers weren’t the only commuter type under fire either. Curtis’s list of the worst passenger behaviours also featured playing music out loud or having loudspeaker phone conversations, which he ranked at number five.

Not letting people off the train before you get on sat at number four, while prematurely getting ready to alight took the number three spot. People who sit with their legs spread were his second most hated commuter stereotype, just behind barebackers.

Curtis’s co-host James had a couple of honourable mention too, from people who won’t remove their rucksack on a crowded train to those who hog the space on the platform where the train doors will open.

Among the comments, many shared their own additions to the list of commuting no-nos, with @Julian nominating ‘people putting their bag on the window seat and sitting on the aisle seat (especially when the train is busy).’

‘Eating on a train – put that McDonald’s cheeseburger away!’ added @aaron_pacey, while a third user said: ‘People who get on and then stop right in front of the door, so they block anyone else trying to get on.’

So, are you guilty of any of the above commuting offences?

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Staff were confronting alleged dine and dashers when the family of four sped away with their car door open.

They left without paying after a meal at Pangs, a Chinese restaurant on Long Lane in Uxbridge, London, on March 23.

Footage from inside the restaurant showed two woman, one of them carrying a child in her arms, the other holding another child’s hand, as they walked out the door.

When staff realised what was happening, they chased them outside in an attempt to have them settle their bill.

But just as one man was stood holding the car door open for a chat, the driver hit the acceleration and sped off, leaving the staff members holding on for a brief chase.

‘Dine and dash… this is crazy’, the restaurant wrote on Facebook, describing the car as a white Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

‘Can’t believe they had two kids with them. Incident has been reported to the local authorities and they are looking out for the pair.

‘This is why we need to take payment up front for their sitdown meals, from now on. Fed up chasing the people out the door.’

A police spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of an incident at a restaurant in Uxbridge where a family left without paying their bill.

‘Enquiries are ongoing, and we urge anyone who may have seen something or has information to come forward.’

Dine-and-dashers can be a major headache for restaurant owners, who can lose hundreds of pounds each time.

An Italian restaurant West Sussex was down £390 after a group refused to pay food they described as ‘awful’. They left £60 for the alcohol they drank.

One couple racked up bills of £1,000 across five restaurants before using their children to walk out without paying between August 2023 and April last year.

Bernard McDonagh, 41, and his wife Ann, from Sandfields, Port Talbot, were jailed for eight and 12 months respectively for their stunts.

Ann had also pleaded guilty to thefts from two supermarkets and obstructing or resisting a police officer.

While some brazenly walk out without paying, some people go to great lengths to avoid settling up.

CCTV footage appeared to show one woman pluck a strand of hair from her head and place it on her plate at the Oriental Garden in Northampton.

She then allegedly left with her companion, without paying the £77 bill.

Like Pangs in Uxbridge, that Chinese restaurant said it would ask unfamiliar customers to pay when they order to avoid further losses.

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Men refused entry to an upmarket nightclub allegedly tried to storm it ‘armed with machetes’ last night.

Two people were injured during the incident at Tabu nightclub in Mayfair, around the corner from the celebrity favourite Annabel’s.

Police arrested one man at the scene and then detained another three men in Hertfordshire later in the night.

Photographs from the scene show officers outside the venue, with their vehicle parked nearby.

A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called at 3.11am on Sunday, 30 March to a venue on Dover Street, W1 following reports of a disturbance and three people in possession of weapons. 

‘Officers attended and one man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

‘Following initial enquiries, three men were arrested in Hertfordshire in the early hours of this morning in connection with this investigation. All four men remain in custody.

‘At this time, it’s believed that this was an isolated incident.

‘Two people sustained injuries which are not life changing.’

Police appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

UK News and Pictures, whose photographer took photos of officers responding last night, reported that a nearby venue manager witnessed the moment the men tried to force their way in.

The unmamed worker said: ‘It was pure chaos. The men tried to charge the door with large blades. How anyone wasn’t hurt was just pure luck.

‘Our customers come out for a good evening, and they don’t expect to see something like this.’

Praising the swift response from police, he said: ‘The officers dealt with it very quickly, and we saw a number of people being arrested. It’s not good for business to have this kind of trouble, but thankfully the situation was brought under control.’

Metro has contacted Tabu for comment on the incident.

The club’s website describes it as ‘the home of Tokyo Nightlife, located in the heart of Mayfair’.

It adds that ‘for the best experience and the easiest way to gain access into our Tokyo inspired universe, a table reservation is highly encouraged.’

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An urgent search has been launched for a missing man from east London after he was last seen weeks ago.

Concerned friends and family are looking for missing Tony.

He was last seen on Monday, March 10, in Lower Clapton, Hackney, a missing person poster says.

Tony is described as a middle-aged Black man, who is bald and often wears a cap and watermelon-patterned or Palestine solidarity clothing.

He usually rides a Brompton bike and he is involved organising the Great Ride Return bike rides and is a ‘passionate cyclist,’ friends and family said in a statement.

A friend said: ‘Tony, if you’re reading this, we want you to know how loved and missed you are – you’ve got the whole of East London out on the streets looking for you!

‘We just want to know that you’re safe.’

His friends and family, who have formed a group called Find Tony Team, said the last known contact with him was around February 14.

‘He had recently undergone knee surgery, which has further heightened concerns for his welfare,’ they said.

The police confirmed to Metro that Tony was reported missing on Wednesday, March 26 and it remains an active missing person investigation.

Anyone with information should contact 101 or 999 in case of an emergency and to quote CAD number 2255/26MAR.

You can get in touch with the Find Tony Team by emailing findtony970@gmail.com.

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Heathrow Airport Easter holiday flights could be thrown into chaos after strike action was announced.

Around 500 workers at Heathrow are planning to take strike action at the airport after a row over pay, Unite the union said.

April’s walkout would affect Wilson James Heathrow staff, who assist passengers with restricted mobility.

The industrial action is expected from April 5 to 9, with further strike dates in the pipeline if an agreement is not reached.

The industrial action will last four days over Easter, meaning holiday flights could be disrupted during the peak travel season.

The announcement comes after all flights were grounded at Heathrow Airport after a power outage following a substation fire nearby, affecting around 200,000 travellers in the UK and worldwide.

Counterterrorism experts were called in to investigate the fire, but they found ‘no evidence to suggest that the incident was suspicious in nature,’ the police confirmed on Tuesday.

Why are Heathrow staff planning a strike at Easter?

Staff are angry for being paid 9.5% less than Wilson James staff in similar roles at Gatwick, Metro understands.

Wilson James recorded gross profits of £35,400,000 for the year ending July 2024, while the company’s gross turnover grew by 17.7% from the previous year, according to Unite.

Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport Limited saw a profit before tax of £696,000,000 in nine months to September last year.

Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Wilson James and Heathrow are both highly profitable, so there is absolutely no excuse for these workers to be paid far less than their colleagues at Gatwick. Unite is backing these workers 100 per cent in their fight for fair pay.’

Unite said Wilson James staff at Heathrow walk 13 miles a day on average and provide ’emotional reassurance and kindness’ to overwhelmed passengers.

A Wilson James spokesperson told Metro: ‘We are disappointed that Unite members have chosen to proceed with industrial action, particularly as our above-inflation pay offer – delivering a 5.16% increase and bringing hourly rates to at least 13.4% above the National Living Wage coming into commencement in April 2025 – has not been presented to members for a vote.

‘We are also disheartened that notice of this Industrial Action was issued while our teams were working closely with Heathrow to support passengers during an unprecedented airport closure.

‘Wilson James remains fully committed to constructive dialogue with our colleagues to find a resolution. In the meantime, we have robust contingency plans in place to ensure the continuity of the Assistance Service for passengers at Heathrow throughout the planned strike dates.’

Heathrow Airport is facing pressure from some of the world’s biggest airlines over the power outage disruption.

The airlines operating out of Heathrow suggested taking legal action to recover costs if the matter is not settled amicably.

National Grid said that Heathrow could have kept operating during the fire as it was supplied by two other power stations.

However, Heathrow Airport will argue the closure was due to a force majeure event that was out of its hands. Heathrow and airlines are likely to have an agreement in place for these kinds of events to be excluded from any compensation, aviation consultant Bernard Lavelle told Metro previously.

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A golf club in north London has sparked outrage after admitting to an ‘unauthorised’ shooting of foxes on its course.

Angry residents have branded Enfield Golf Club ‘horrific’, ‘inhumane’ and ‘cruel’ after learning that a fox cull took place across the 38-hectare course on Wednesday night.

Gunshots were heard by multiple people living near the course, which is located one mile west of Enfield town centre, but after contacting police, one resident was told that the authorities had been ‘legally informed’ about the shooting and that it could last until 2am on Thursday morning.

Enfield Golf Club, which describes itself as ‘the friendliest golf course in North London’ on its Instagram account, has issued an apology but claims that ‘internal management’ brought in ‘an external group to conduct an unauthorised culling’ on its 18-hole course, without approval from the club’s committee.

At this time of year in early spring, the majority of fox cubs are born and are dependent on the vixens to provide milk for at least the first six weeks. A cull of adult foxes in March would mean that any surviving cubs in the family will die of starvation within days.

In England, foxes are not protected for conservation purposes and while fox hunting is banned, they can be shot or caught in a trap and killed ‘humanely’ under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Moonstone Rescue, an animal welfare service based in London and Hertfordshire, has accused Enfield Golf Club of ignoring multiple offers to help any stranded fox cubs left remaining on the course following Wednesday’s cull.

Matt Stone, one of the founders of Moonstone Rescue, told Metro: ‘We were made aware of this very early on Thursday morning. Two offers to assist the fox cubs, one on Thursday and another on Friday, were made but have been ignored by the golf club.

‘Sadly, the results of delayed help will mean further deaths.’

Ali Quantrill, a resident who lives close to the course and heard the gunshots on Wednesday evening, claims she received abuse from Enfield Golf Club management after contacting them to ask about the incident and was told the club had received complaints from members about foxes biting their golf bags.

‘Everyone’s in uproar about it and the way the club have reacted,’ Ms Quantrill told Metro.

‘When the general manager called me back he was so aggressive, he asked why I rang the club and accused them of this.

‘He said, ‘what’s this got to do with you?’. He said, ‘you stupid woman, how dare you ring me about this’.

‘He went on, ‘we were very aware of what was going on, I have to protect my members, I’ve had complaints that bags have been bitten by foxes’.’

Also speaking to Metro, Feryal Clark, the Labour MP for Enfield North, slammed Enfield Golf Club’s ‘unacceptable’ and ‘incredibly cruel’ conduct.

‘I am deeply disturbed and appalled by the idea of fox culling on a golf course in my constituency,’ Clark said.

‘It is not only an awful act but, frankly, incredibly cruel.

‘Foxes are a protected species in the UK, and it is unacceptable for anyone to think that killing them on our doorstep is in any way justifiable.

‘Golf clubs cannot and should not be involved in culling foxes. We must ensure that our wildlife is protected and I will be following this up with the golf club.’

In a statement, Enfield Golf Club described its decision to cull foxes on the course as ‘incredibly poor’.

‘Enfield Golf Club unreservedly apologises to Enfield residents following a recent incident on the course concerning foxes,’ the statement read.

‘We can assure the community that this was an incredibly poor decision by internal management to allow an external group to conduct an unauthorised culling. This was not sanctioned by the Club Committee.

‘The Club and its members are extremely disappointed that this happened and can guarantee it will never happen again.

‘We are a club that supports the local community and provides an excellent place for all, we are saddened by these events and regret any distress this has caused in our local community.’

Enfield Golf Club finally permitted animal rescue responders on the course to carry out a search on Saturday afternoon.

However, no fox cubs were found in the 15 dens that were searched, while some had been signposted with white spray paint which volunteers discovered after their arrival at the course.

‘Finding nothing is not good and the reason I say finding nothing is not good because what was found was things like spray-painted arrows directing people to dens,’ Mr Stone said.

‘They’d marked it either to come back or go there initially to say, ‘yes, there are cubs here, there are foxes here’.

‘All of the dens that have been checked are empty, or at least to what we can find, are empty, which would suggest that not only adults were killed, cubs were killed.

‘What we can find is there is no bodies in these dens. If there’s no bodies in these dens, something has removed them. You can’t tell me all the corpses that were shot would be scattered about.

‘The fact is they’ve admitted to shooting foxes and there are no bodies there.

‘On some of the dens there was clear signs of disturbance and on some of the footpaths leading to the dens there was clear signs that people had been walking there, which would strongly suggest someone has interfered with the dens.

‘I know a handful of dens that were found were incredibly deep, nothing was moving in them, there was no sounds coming from them. In the shallower dens, hands were put in and nothing was found.’

In response to the backlash, Enfield Golf Club has taken its Facebook page offline and has switched its Instagram account to private.

Enfield Golf Club has been contacted by Metro for further comment but has not responded.

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A woman who secretly sold her millionaire ex’s Lamborghini and blew the money on holidays, clothes, clubbing and alcohol has been hit with a £300,000 court bill after he sued.

Erin Giumba, an estate agent from London, and international property tycoon Ernest Siow enjoyed a ‘brief but intense relationship’ after meeting in a nightclub in Miami in 2022.

Ms Giumba, 28, quit her job and enjoyed the high life with her new boyfriend, ‘constantly partying’ and driving around in a £260,000 Lamborghini Urus SUV, which he bought and put in her name.

But the couple split up in November 2022 and she then sold the green and black supercar, which she insisted had been a £260,000 ‘gift’ when Mr Siow complained.

Ms Giumba is now facing a £300,000 court bill after he sued and a judge agreed she had no right to sell the car as it was his.

During the trial at Mayor’s and City County Court, the judge heard how high-flying Singapore national Mr Siow and Ms Giumba met while both holidaying in Miami in April 2022.

The relationship was ‘brief but intense’, with Ms Giumba quitting her job and working part-time for Mr Siow in his international ‘rent to rent’ property business.

The car, described by Lamborghini as the world’s first super-SUV, with the ‘soul of a super sports car and the functionality of an SUV’, was bought in May 2022 with Mr Siow’s money and registered to Ms Giumba.

Mr Siow claimed it was bought to use in his business, so that he could make a good impression and look ‘wealthy and professional’ when viewing properties in London.

The court heard it was registered to Ms Giumba only because he was not a UK resident.

But the relationship burned out quickly and the couple parted in November that year after a dinner in Mayfair.

She then sold the car, but having run short of money and with no work, she was back home living with her mum in Hertfordshire and working as a part-time estate agent again by February 2023.

Ms Giumba told the court that the Lamborghini – which she described as her ‘dream car’ – had been a gift to her from Mr Siow, who she claimed was planning to buy a McLaren for himself.

‘I initiated the breakup, but wanted to give it another go – he was the one who then said no,’ she told the judge.

‘He was very sweet when we saw each other the final time.

‘He told me I could keep the gifts, including the car. He only asked that he could drive the car when he was in the UK a few times a year, and I agreed with that.’

Mr Siow’s barrister, Jonathan de Rohan, suggested that she had ‘exploited his generosity and kindness’ and sold his car from ‘under his nose’ after they split, before changing her phone number.

‘These are not the actions of a person who honestly believed the car to be their property – rather, opportunistically and without notice, disposing of a very valuable item of property belonging to another,’ he said.

Cross-examining her, he continued: ‘We know that the vehicle was sold on November 24, 2022, for £219,500. That was transferred into your bank account. What happened to it thereafter?’

She replied: ‘I spent a lot of it on holidays, things that have no real value or investment. I was in a very deranged time of my life, and I was just spending stupidly, as I had learned from Ernest.

‘I’m not blaming him. I was just used to doing that.’

She said she had lived a certain type of ‘partying’ lifestyle with Mr Siow and ‘got used to it’, spending much of the money in two months on ‘holidays, clothes, alcohol and clubs’.

Even premium bonds she bought were cashed in and the money spent, she said.

‘I went down a very dark path,’ she said. ‘I am very happy I don’t have that lifestyle anymore.’

Mr Siow’s barrister said he accepted buying gifts for Ms Giumba.

But he said it had been a ‘transient, international, inherently unstable relationship’, so it was unlikely he would have given her something so valuable.

‘It was never intended to be a gift to Ms Giumba, but was to be Mr Siow’s car for when he was in London,’ he said.

‘She can have been in no doubt that the car was not hers and that she was not authorised or entitled to sell it.’

He said she had confused being registered keeper of a car, as she was, with being its actual legal owner.

Giving judgment, Judge Parfitt said: ‘Not telling him about the sale is consistent with her understanding that it hadn’t been a gift to her.

‘It’s a car. It’s very high value. It is on the face of it the unlikely subject of a gift, given the size of the value.

‘It was to be used for his business and was part of their relationship.’

Finding that the car was not Ms Giumba’s to sell, he told her: ‘When you sold the car, that money shouldn’t have gone to you. It should have gone to the claimant.’

He ordered that she pay him the sale price of £219,500, plus two years and four months’ interest at five per cent, plus his legal bills of £60,000.

She responded: ‘I don’t have the money. I can’t pay.’

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A food court which has served Londoners for almost a decade is being knocked down to make way for nearly 900 new homes.

The Borough Triangle development scheme, which was approved on Wednesday, will see around 900 homes built in Southwark.

A number of buildings will be bulldozed, including the the 100-year-old locally listed Institute of Optometry and a former papermaking factory home to the Mercato Metropolitano food court.

Some 40 businesses at the site will now have to move – with only 12 set to be rehoused in temporary accommodation.

Berkeley Homes, the company carrying out the development, has set aside £200,000 to support some of the 423 workers who have to relocate.

But resident Nina Wessel said the closure of Mercato Metropolitano would be devastating for the local community.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ‘Over the last nine years this market Mercato Metropolitano has become the heart of our community.

‘It now attracts over 600,000 yearly visitors, provides safe and inclusive spaces and offers activities for children and adults alike.

‘The traders provide jobs, support families and sustain the local economy.

‘This isn’t just a market. It’s a key reason people want to live here.’

Andrea Ferrario, who runs German Kraft Brewery, a beer stall within the food court, said: ‘People have between six to 12 months [leases at Mercato Metropolitano].

‘That’s not enough to establish your business and to give it the security to continue.

‘Having a longer lease, it will help you to establish your business, build your clientèle.’

Councillor Helen Dennis, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for New Homes, said: ‘The development will also deliver a 5,000sqft new community centre earmarked for the Latin American community and a new home for Mercato Metropolitano.

‘Through discussions with the developers we have also earmarked a contribution of £1 million to mitigate some of the impacts on residents of the neighbouring Scovell Estate.’

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Ever fancied living like the stars do? One 70s music legend’s childhood home has hit the market down in Bromley, South London for £449,500.

David Bowie is most closely associated with the vibrant Brixton, having lived at 40 Stansfield Road until he was six years old. To this day, a mural of everyone’s favourite Starman – specifically styled as his alter ego Aladdin Sane – shines over the streets of Brixton Road.

But after he moved out of SW9 in 1953, he and his family moved to Bromley, which was part of Kent until 1965, when it joined Greater London.

Now, the home on Canon Road, BR1, is up for sale for almost half a million – and since English Heritage specifies that blue plaques can only be placed over the homes of people who died at least 20 years ago, there’s nothing to be found here hanging on the exterior wall.

And while the Victorian period property might be small, it’s certainly steeped in plenty of history.

With two bedrooms, two reception rooms and one bathroom, the listing, marketed by Leaders, describes it as a ‘charming two-bedroom period terraced house’ which is ‘located in a quiet residential position close to the heart of Bickley on the borders of Bromley.’

Bowie stardom aside, it adds that it’s the ‘perfect place to call home,’ exuding ‘a sense of peace and tranquillity,’ and is available chain-free.

The family’s time at the home was brief, as the next year, they moved to Plaistow Grove, closer to Sundridge Park.

At the time Bowie – born David Robert Jones – moved to Bromley, the average UK house price rested at £1,884. Today, that translates to £44,795. Just imagine?

He eventually moved away from Bromley completely in 1965 – becoming David Bowie in January 1966 as he was constantly confused with Davy Jones of The Monkees – but it continued to hold a close spot in his heart.

In a 2003 interview with Vanity Fair, he recalled visiting the local department store Medhursts – which these days, is now a Primark.

‘There wasn’t an American release they didn’t have or couldn’t get. Quite as hip as any London supplier,’ he said at the time.

‘I would have had a very dry musical run were it not for this place.’

Bowie’s former home isn’t the only notable property to come onto the market in the last year. In September 2024, Boy George’s home in Hampstead was placed on the rental market for £65,000 per month.

Having bought the five-bedroom property in the 1980s after Culture Club first enjoyed commercial success, the singer looked to rent it out after 40 years of owning it.

He previously placed the home on the market in November 2022 for £17,000,000, and received some ‘very good offers’ on it, as estate agent Robert Irving Burns previously noted, but ultimately decided to turn it down.

Similarly, in November 2024, a recording studio formerly owned by The Pet Shop Boys on Garrett Street went up for sale with a price tag of £6,000,000.

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Delays in repairing a 12-inch gap at an Elizabeth line platform have been labelled ‘unacceptable’ after injuries.

Several people have been injured at Ealing Broadway station, west London, because of the vertical gap between Elizabeth line trains and the platform.

At least three passengers have been hurt at the station due to the gap, including serious injuries, Metro understands.

Lucy Daramola said she was knocked unconscious after tripping over the gap last summer, BBC News reported.

Commuters have eagerly waited for repairs, but now Network Rail has said they won’t happen for another four years.

‘It’s a matter of dignity and respect’

Network Rail, the owner of UK’s rail infrastructure and most stations, said it doesn’t currently have funding ‘to carry out improvements to the platforms at Ealing Broadway.’

The next funding opportunity will commence in April 2029 when the track could be lowered as part of wider track renewal, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan revealed at the London Assembly.

Mr Khan apologised to the injured passengers last summer after the string of accidents.

‘For over a year we have had commuters, in particular more vulnerable commuters, who have had problems with the significant gap on one of the platforms on the Elizabeth line,’ Bassam Mahfouz, the London Assembly member for Ealing and Hillingdon, told Metro.

He said some solutions were needed in the meantime as ‘it’s too big of an issue to leave for that period of time’ and that he has been ‘contacted by people who have anxiety because of this.’

‘The problem is that the gap is too big for many elderly and young commuters. We have had serious accidents at that location,’ he said.

One of the injured people was four-year-old Agamjot Kaur, who fell between the train and the platform last summer, leaving her unable to walk for days, the Standard reported.

While there have been ‘immediate improvements’ by TfL and MTR such as extra staffing and announcements, it is now ‘time for Network Rail to step up and do their bit,’ Mahfouz said.

Accessibility across stations is a ‘matter of dignity and respect’ for residents, he added.

Campaigners from Transport for All said the ‘chasm between the station and the platform at Ealing Broadway blocks many of us, as disabled people, from being able to travel.’

A spokesperson told Metro it is ‘unacceptable’ that the repairs will take Network Rail ‘nearly half a decade’ to fix ‘their dangerous mess.’

Josh Hughes, a partner at law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp, told Metro the’delay to the safety works is simply unacceptable.’

He warned that a further delay in fixing the gap could mean ‘significantly more people injured’ and there could be personal injury litigation, which could be ‘costly for Network Rail.’

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The heartbroken brother of a woman who last seen leaving Hyde Park more than a month ago has revealed it took two weeks for police to release any pictures of her.

Portia Vincent-Kirby, 33, was last seen leaving Hyde Park with friends to head towards Victoria in February.

Her bank cards and passport have not been used since March 3, and her phone has also not pinged since this then.

Portia’s family have been desperately searching for her ever since, but have been waiting for police to begin their search for weeks.

Her brother Max told Metro: ‘It took two weeks after she was reported missing just for them to release a picture of her.

‘We have heard very little from them, it’s been left to us to find her. All we have been told is her bank cards haven’t been used – which isn’t good.’

The family noticed Portia was missing after her mum returned from a trip away.

The pair spoke frequently, but upon her return texts stopped delivering.

Max said: ‘We all have our own lives and don’t speak to each other every day.

‘Her mum spoke to her the most, but messages soon stopped going through and none of us have been able to get in contact with her.’

Portia lived alone in her flat in North Finchley, and her landlord confirmed they have not seen or heard from her.

Her disappearance is ‘completely out of character’ as she was always ‘doing something big we knew about’.

She ran as the Green Party candidate for Hendon, north London, in 2019.

Most recently she worked as an administrator for an eco waste company and a legal PA.

The Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police are appealing for help to find 33-year-old Portia who is missing from Finchley.

‘Portia Vincent-Kirby was last seen on Friday, February 21 at around 8.45pm in Hyde Park.

‘After leaving her friends, she is believed to have gone to Victoria Station. She was reported missing to police on Thursday, 13 March.

‘She is known to have links with the Kent area. Portia is slim with blue eyes and shoulder-length dyed blonde hair.

‘Her clothing when she went missing is unknown, however she often wears a baseball cap. Officers remain in regular contact with the family to provide updates.

‘Enquiries to find Portia remain ongoing. If you have seen Portia or have any information about her whereabouts, please call 101 and quote the reference 01/7262039/25.’

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A major emergency response was underway in central London this morning after a man was spotted on the roof of the New Zealand embassy.

The man was reportedly first seen at height on top of New Zealand House on CCTV, near Trafalgar Square, shortly after 3.30am.

Emergency services were called to the scene as the man was seen moving across the roof of the embassy building by security staff.

Sources have told Metro officers the individual has not yet been found.

Emergency services set up a cordon around the area and the Metropolitan Police have sent specialist rope-trained officers.

The London Fire Brigade earlier brought an aerial ladder platform to assist in accessing the roof safely.

The LFB have now told Metro they are no longer at the scene, and added the incident is being dealt with by police.

Witnesses said there was a heavy emergency services presence, with officers managing the situation.

Road closures were in place on Haymarket and Pall Mall earlier this morning but according to the AA, they are no longer closed off.

Closures however are in place along The Mall this morning.

The Metropolitan Police said: ‘On Friday, 28 March police were called at 03:08hrs to New Zealand House, SW1 following reports of trespassing.

‘Officers attended the scene and placed a cordon as a precaution.

‘Police were unable to locate a suspect.

‘There were no arrests.’

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Looking for 10 things to do in London? Luckily, there’s lots to do in this city for cheap in 2025! At least… There is now.

Metro has teamed up with Time Out to bring you the best deals across the capital.

Every Friday, 10 new deals will drop, available in the Metro newspaper, on Metro, and on our socials. You’ll also find them in our weekly London newsletter, The Slice, in your inbox every Wednesday.

Want to live the high life this week without blowing your budget? We’ve rounded up the best deals in town, and some of them are seriously luxe.

Michelin-starred dining usually comes with a hefty price tag, but not this time. Enjoy an exclusive two-course set menu at Mayfair hotspot Benares from just £40.

For five-star indulgence, head to the Sanderson Hotel, where you can tuck into a three-course meal with a carafe of wine for only £39.95. Expect a menu packed with seasonal flavours and decadent desserts.

And if you’re overdue for some self-care, here’s your sign. Grab a friend or your other half for a five-star spa experience at the Athenaeum Hotel at 40% off. Bliss awaits. 

It’s all here and more in these 10 incredible offers, discounts and deals.

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A London council has been told they must stop ‘nuisance buskers’ in Leicester Square leaving residents thrilled.

Westminster Council has been ordered to bring musicians back under control in a first-of-its-kind case after residents said they were fed up of hearing ‘Sweet Caroline’ on repeat.

Global, which has an office space nearby, accused the council of failing to enforce the rules set out – leaving them relying on noise cancelling headphones.

Westminster Magistrate’s Court agreed with the broadcast company, officially declaring the musicians to be a ‘nuisance’.

Westminster Magistrates heard how set lists are repeatedly played on a loop, at a higher than necessary volume.

Simon Thomas, owner of the area’s iconic Hippodrome Casino, gave evidence at the hearing, saying the consistent thumping from amplifiers makes it impossible to get any work done in his office space.

He told Metro: ‘Hosting meetings while Sweet Caroline is playing at ridiculously loud volumes is ridiculous.’

All musicians who sign up and pay a license to busk in the area must sign a code of conduct which was introduced in 2021 following years of consultation.

This includes performances ending before 9pm, having a ‘varied repertoire’ to avoid song repetition, and using only basically-powered amplifiers in designated spots.

Six buskers have been prosecuted since September 2024 over unlicensed street entertainment offences.

Fines have ranged from £300 to £1,600 and in one case a 12-month conditional discharge.

Matt Bawtree, 21, who performs with his bandmates admitted other musicians with powerful amplifiers in the area ‘are not amazing’.

But his guitarist George Burton, also 21, said you get song repetition just by listening to Starbucks’ play their playlist in cafés.

‘The quality of busking in London is better than anywhere else in the UK, tourists come here and enjoy listening to us,’ he said.

‘They should maybe look into bringing in an audition scheme, but people come to Leicester Square to listen to us.’

A Westminster City Council Spokesperson said: ‘We understand the legitimate concerns raised in this case. Following this judgement the council will continue seeking a balance between minimising nuisance to our residents and businesses whilst ensuring performers can continue to add to the vibrant heritage of street entertainment in Westminster that has been loved by many for decades.

‘Our City Inspectors and Environmental Health teams will continue to partner with the police to address noise complaints and will continue to seize equipment or prosecute individuals when necessary.’

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London’s official gift shop is closing down leaving customers shocked that ‘a British symbol has died’.

Cool Britannia, on Oxford Street, central London, has announced a closing down sale with signs pictured in the window.

It specialises in patriotic items, with Union Jacks, big red buses and Paddington Bears adorned on mugs and key chains.

This has left some customers feeling disappointed that ‘brand GB’ is on the downhill.

Londoner Neil Davidson wrote: ‘Cool Britannia retail in Oxford Street has a closing down sale, reflecting on what’s happening to our great country.’

Shopper Parineeta Juneja told Metro the street is at risk of losing it’s ‘iconic identity’, especially as new plans to pedestrianise the area were announced just weeks ago.

Others added they would have ‘preferred candy stores’ to have closed.

Riyad Ali said: ‘I would rather the money laundering front shops to have shut down, and keep something that has actually been reputable over the years.’

The chain’s other store in Whitehall and Buckingham Palace remain open.

But Oxford Street is seemingly struggling to retain any retailers, with John James, owner of Ilona Rose House by Tottenham Court Road station, saying the iconic street is no longer the ‘premium shopping experience it once was’.

He told Metro: ‘Oxford Street has been left with loads of empty buildings after brands have decided it is not worth the money staying.

‘That’s why the place is filling up with American Candy stores and vape shops, landlords need to fill up their buildings with something.’

Metro has contacted Cool Britannia for comment.

It comes as Londoners complain the famous street has become riddled with American Candy Stores and derelict buildings.

In January, Park House, which is home to Pandora, Swarovski, Urban Outfitters, Bershka and the flagship River Island store, said the retailers are trying to cancel their lease.

Microsoft has also announced they will be closing down their Oxford Street store to focus on ‘digital growth’ after opening the 21,000 sq ft shop six years ago.

Jonathan Strong, speaking on behalf of Park House, said: ‘Park House occupies an entire urban block and includes [92,000 sq ft] of retail over basement, ground and first floors.

‘It is situated opposite Marks and Spencer and diagonally across from Selfridges, yet has not been performing well in terms of attracting footfall or retail expenditure.

‘In fact, most of the retail tenants of Park House are seeking to exit the building at the earliest opportunity.’

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You never quite know what will greet you as you step foot outside Brixton tube station.

From steel drums, to lively party-goers and the strong smell of incense (mixed in with hot dogs) wafting through the air, it’s an assault on the senses.

Influencer Olan Tekkers went viral on TikTok after painting a particularly vivid picture of the South London station, saying: ‘This place is the jungle, it’s not normal at all man, it’s a simulation.’

Others have described it as ‘like a fever dream’ and that ‘it’s like coming out a portal into another world’.

But if there wasn’t already enough going on here, the last stop on the Victoria Line could be getting a new addition, as plans for an ‘attractive new restaurant’ within the station have been proposed by TfL.

The dining spot would be situated in the disused back of the station, which backs onto Electric Lane, formerly used by tube workers as a recreational space.

The plans, submitted by TfL’s property arm, Places for London, were given to Lambeth Council, who will decide whether or not to give it the go ahead.

According to the planning documents there will be an ‘enhanced frontage’ to ‘improve the appearance of a building which is currently identified to make a negative contribution to the character and appearance of the Brixton conservation area.’

The application claims that the Five Guys restaurant situated at the north entrance of Electric Lane sets a precedent for there to be more dining spots on the former mews street.

The metal shutters, currently pasted with graffiti will be replaced with new entrance doors to the restaurant and two large windows, along with ventilation.

It’s not currently known what type of restaurant this establishment will be, although the mock up image in the planning proposals indicates a more refined dining experience, rather than a fast-food chain.

Anti-social behaviour concerns

Plans for this new restaurant also addressed the risk of the new venue attracting antisocial behaviour, which Places for London have said will be minimised by not offering takeaways.

It will also have opening hours of 10am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and close at midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Anti-social behaviour around the tube station has been a concern for some time, with the area having the twelfth-highest crime rate out of London’s 624 Safer Neighbourhood Teams – putting it among the top 2%.

A survey by ACTION on ASB – a Brixton community campaign taking action against high levels of anti-social behaviour like ‘human toileting, loitering, intimidation, theft and vandalism’ – also found that 75% of residents think anti-social behaviour is ‘out of control’ in the area.

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A mum who rushed her severely ill son to hospital and watched him die hours later is urging other hospitals and doctors to learn from his death.

William Hewes, aged 22, died within 24 hours of being admitted to Homerton University Hospital in January 2023 after his bacterial meningitis infection developed into sepsis.

Medical staff failed to give him antibiotics within an hour of his arrival at hospital, going against national guidelines, due to a communication error.

William’s mum Deborah Burns had worked at that same hospital, in Hackney, east London, for more than 20 years as a consultant paediatrician. She says she raised the alarm eight times, and believes antibiotics were only given because of her intervention.

Dr Burns said on Thursday: ‘Getting to this point has been at huge personal cost. I have had no choice but to continue as it involves my integrity as a doctor. 

‘Throughout, I have had in mind my other children, their cousins, William’s many friends and all young people.

‘If it leads to learning and improvements in young people’s care, some good will have come from my family’s tragedy.’ 

The inquest into William’s death concluded at Bow coroner’s court this afternoon, where coroner Mary Hassell recorded his cause of death was ‘natural’.

Recording a narrative conclusion of the inquest, she said: ‘When he was admitted to hospital, William’s life threatening condition was recognised, but he didn’t receive immediate antibiotics, repeated fluid, or reassessment of his blood pressure and heart rate with the urgency that he should have.

‘He was already very unwell when he arrived, so it is unclear whether if he had been administered all treatment promptly, he would have survived.’

The night of William’s death

William arrived at the hospital just after midnight on January 21, 2023, and was quickly admitted to the hospital’s resuscitation area before arriving at the intensive care unit around 4am.

Studying history and politics and university, the 6ft 6in sporty student was described as fit and healthy before developing meningitis caused by a meningococcal infection.

Antibiotics were not administered to William as soon as possible and within an hour of his arrival, as per national guidelines, despite Dr Burns repeatedly raising the alarm.

He received antibiotics at about 1.25am – but Dr Rebecca McMillan, the emergency medicine registrar that night, had expected them to be given within 10 minutes of her instructing nurses to do so at 12.42am.

Nurse Marianela Balatico said she had not been told which antibiotics to give and concentrated on relieving William’s symptoms, adding: ‘The antibiotics slipped my mind.’

Throughout her son’s stay in resus and ICU, Dr Burns repeatedly asked hospital staff whether William had been given the antibiotics, telling them he needed them urgently.

The coroner concluded that this was an error of communication, and in a case where one member of medical staff told Dr Burns her son had been given antibiotics when he hadn’t, Ms Hassell concluded ‘she hadn’t listened properly to the question, I don’t think she intended to mislead’.

William ‘became a non-responder’ about two hours after being admitted, and Professor Nee suggested he could have been moved to ICU about an hour earlier than he was.

The amount of fluids given while he was in the resus room was ‘adequate or possibly excessive’, Professor Nee said, after being asked if he should have been given more earlier.

He died at 2.22pm on the same day.

Dr Ron Daniels, founder and chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, previously said he believed William could have survived if he’d received prompt care – something Professor Patrick Nee, former NHS consultant in intensive care, said was ‘a leap’.

However Ms Hassell concluded that she wasn’t convinced by either Dr Daniels or Professor Nee’s conclusions, saying: ‘I’m not convinced, even on the balance of probabilities, that the state of medical knowledge is such that we know the answer as to whether William would have survived had he received earlier treatment.’

Improvements could be made ‘up and down the country’

Earlier during the inquest, coroner Ms Hassell said other lives could be saved as a result of work done and changes made following William’s death, thanks to investigation work by his family.

She said: ‘It seems to me that improvements can be made up and down the country as a result of William’s death.

‘This isn’t the first time that I have heard an inquest where a great deal of the investigation has been driven by the family and I am sure it won’t be the last.

‘Nothing will bring William back but it seems to me that others may be saved as a result of the work done following his death.’

Speaking after the inquest Deborah Nadel, solicitor from Fieldfisher which represented the family, said: ‘We acknowledge and appreciate the coroner’s conclusion. The family are devastated to have lost William in these circumstances.

‘Unless errors like those identified during the inquest are discussed and acknowledged, lessons are not learnt and nothing changes.

‘What has been clear throughout this hearing is that recognising and treating sepsis efficiently must be a priority so that more people don’t die.  

‘We will continue to investigate whether the errors clearly identified during the inquest did cause or make a material contribution to William’s death. Advice from Dr Daniels, Head of UK Sepsis Trust, is that they did.’

Homerton Hospital previously said the trust has taken ‘appropriate steps’ since William’s death to continue to reinforce awareness of suspected sepsis in patients attending A&E.

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said in a statement on Thursday: ‘The loss of William Hewes was devastating to his family and deeply touched everyone involved in his care.

‘We extend our deepest condolences to William’s mother, Dr Deborah Burns, a much admired and respected consultant paediatrician in our team at Homerton, and all of William’s family.

‘As the inquest has heard, William’s case was thoroughly reviewed by our team and by independent experts.

‘They found there were aspects of his care that could have been done differently, from which we have learned and made changes and improvements.

‘A full action plan was drawn up following the investigation into William’s death and several improvements have been made relating to how clinical staff manage suspected sepsis cases in our emergency department.

Full action plan brought in at Homerton Hospital after William Hewes's death

• The emergency department team has embedded a full review of preadmission alerts to ensure staff are fully prepared to treat suspected sepsis patients on arrival at the hospital.
• Protocols have been updated to ensure an intensive care doctor attends the bedside in the emergency department for any patient with suspected sepsis.
• Sepsis trollies are available in the emergency department ready to respond to pre-alerts or walk in arrivals of suspected sepsis patients.
• The role of the emergency department specialist sepsis nurse has been expanded to ensure one is on call 24 hours a day.
• In addition to our existing training, further training has been delivered for clinical staff in the emergency department and all our wards in the treatment of sepsis and recognising deteriorating patients.

‘We will take on board what the coroner has said in relation to the actions we have taken and will be sharing these nationally with our NHS colleagues.  

‘We know that the impact of William’s death on his mother was compounded by it happening in the hospital where she works.

‘We have reflected on this rare situation, where a member of our staff is deeply impacted by the care provided to a family member.

‘Deborah has told us that our policies and processes for this situation are inadequate and detached and we are determined to learn from her experience.

‘This work will ensure a more personal response for staff members or members of their family who are patients here.

‘Our thoughts remain with Deborah and her family during this incredibly difficult time.’

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Kabal Singh is one of 500 Uber drivers who cannot work through no fault of his own.

He tells Metro, like so many others in his position, that he is now in debt after prolonged delays in getting his license renewed by Transport for London.

His union, the IWGB, says that many professional drivers are facing destitution – and it’s not just affecting Uber.

Kabal, from west London, told us that he has been unable to work for a month because his licence expired on February 26.

He said he has been forced to borrow £800 from a relative in the desperate situation to afford the basics.

Kabal, who has a teenage son, also cares for his disabled wife.

‘It is really difficult. I’m still waiting and I’m now jobless,’ he told Metro.

He said he is feeling the ‘stress’ and ‘tension every day’ and pleaded with TfL to urgently help him by renewing his permit.

All taxis and private-hire drivers have to get a license from TfL to be allowed to operate in the capital.

Kabal, who has been driving for apps like Uber and Eagle for around six years, said he applied for the license renewal in November last year.

On average, he earns between £2,500-£3,000 a month, but now he has been left scrambling to pay for his son’s tuition fees and ‘so I can pay the electricity bill.’

‘It’s very tough. My wife also needs private physical therapy.’

He said his son needs things, but he has to repeatedly tell him ‘I don’t have any money.’

To make matters worse, his family home was burgled on March 1, which has caused extra stress. Among the stolen items was almost £1,200 of money his son had saved up in a box.

He continued: ‘Why haven’t they sent my license? I’m a hard worker. I don’t like free money.

‘My license is my work.’

Nader Awaad, chair of the IWGB’s private hire driver branch and a driver, said the TfL backlog is causing ‘hundreds of drivers drowning in debt and destitution.’

He called for TfL to issue temporary licenses to all drivers until the backlog is fixed and for the government to ‘address this crisis’ if they were ‘serious about getting people “back to work.”‘

A TfL spokesperson told Metro that processing times are affected by ‘the difficulties we experienced following the cyber incident last year.’

TfL has recently introduced a new licensing system, which has ‘delivered a number of benefits to licensees, including the ability to track their applications online,’ they said.

The number of licensing staff has been increased and TfL is working with its system service provider ‘to rectify any system issues.’

The TfL spokesperson continued: ‘The vast majority of drivers have been unaffected, however we are aware that some drivers have been impacted, mainly those where we had requested that the driver provides missing or additional information necessary for making a licensing decision.

‘This has led to some drivers being unable to continue working. We apologise to any driver that has been affected and are working to resolve any urgent licensing issues.’

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Welcome back to The Slice!

Mums go through a lot. Nothing will ever repay them for the times they nursed you back to health when you were sick, or forgave you when you didn’t call even though you said you would.

But we’re here to help you get close, with the best ways to make your mum feel special – from a roast dinner with a complimentary Bloody Mary to a wild bingo night.

Or take her for dinner and a show with a difference at The Room Where It Happens, where singing waiters bring the magic of the musicals (and your meal) straight to your table. 

Plus: don’t miss cheap theatre tickets to some of the best shows out there, including the award-winning Hamilton and Starlight Express. 

Read on for a whole range of recommendations for March 29 and 30, handpicked as always by The Slice.

This week in London

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, here are 9 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital.

1. Take part in magical singalongs at The Room Where It Happens

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By Sophie Laughton

Looking to paint the town this weekend? I know a whoopee spot. Former haunt of Oscar Wilde, 5 Greek Street has become a den of iniquity for musical theatre lovers, complete with singing waiters and late night hijinks. And as the curtains rise in the West End at 7.30pm, things here are already in full raucous swing (it’s Happy Hour). Get the show on the road with one of the mainstay cocktails inspired by the grande dames of the stage, from the Judy [Garland], a heady mix of Bourbon and sweet cinnamon roll syrup, and the suitably Wicked Cynthia [Erivo], served Elphaba green and spiked with Olmeca tequila.

Considering the concept, the food is impressive: a solid Sirloin with french fries and duck breast with potato gratin. But it’s all a bit difficult to concentrate on, so stick to their tasty sharers – crunchy buttermilk chicken, salt & pepper squid, and all that jazz. Note you may have to wait for your waitress to finish belting out I Dreamed A Dream before you get any of it. Talk about dinner and a show.

As the evening draws on, it’s time to gather around the piano for a gigantic sing-a-long of your favourite show tunes. Expect to wake up the next morning with a cracking headache, a hoarse voice, and vague memories of doing the Time Warp with a stranger. Oscar Wilde would be proud.

Small plates from £8.50, cocktails from £13.50. Open for Mother’s Day Bottomless Brunch for £45pp on Sunday 30 March. 5 Greek St, Soho, W1D 4DD. Book here.

2. Give your mum the best Mother’s Day she’s ever had

Dabbers Mother’s Day Bingo

Best for: mums who like to let their hair down

Dabbers is putting on a Mother’s Day event just for the bingo lovers. In this special edition of bingo, it’s time to treat the mother figures in your life – whether that’s your best mum friend, or your own mum, it’s time to make them feel one-of-a-kind. You can expect three hours of bingo, and the opportunity to win flowers, chocolate and pampering sessions throughout the game. Add on a bottomless brunch package if Mum’s feeling wild! Or add on a nail art session for some extra pampering. 

Tickets from £13. Bottomless brunch, £27. Mother’s Day Nail Art, £25. Dabbers City and Dabbers Hackney. Book here. 

Blue Boar Pub’s Roast Dinner

Best for: a traditional family dinner

We know you can’t beat mum’s roasts, but the Blue Boar Pub is giving it a go. The iconic Westminster pub is hosting a special Sunday Roast with all the trimmings. Choose between a 56-day aged Cumbrian beef with a Yorkshire pudding & bone marrow gravy, Berkshire pork loin with crackling & apple sauce, or veggie toad in the hole. And to make it extra special, mums will be treated to a complimentary Bloody Mary. Plus: instant cameras will be capturing those special moments during the meal, so you’ll be able to take home a print for memories. 

Roast dinner, £29.50. 8 March. Book here. 

Natural History Museum’s Afternoon Tea 

Best for: nature buffs 

Inspired by nature’s wonders, you can look forward to a selection of loose-leaf teas alongside coronation chicken sandwiches, vegan Superstraccia and pesto tart, Earl Grey scones and more. There are even nature-themed desserts, including an Earth pot filled with raspberry and chocolate, a dinosaur-footprint macaron and an ammonite cookie. You’ll also get views of the Evolution Garden, where the newest dinosaur Fern gazes down on an immersive timeline of life on Earth. 

Inspired by Nature Afternoon Tea, £35. 30 March, 12pm and 3pm. Find out more here.

3. Join in on a Mother’s Day Concert

Momcozy is inviting new mums to step away from the nappies, night feeds, and endless to-do lists for an afternoon of relaxation at the ‘Your Journey, Your Rhythm’ Mother’s Day Concert.

There will be live performances from the Northern String Quartet, exciting giveaways, and a welcoming space to meet other London mums. 30 March, 1-4:30pm. RSVP here.

4. Eat Italian food where the footballers eat

By Lola Christina Alao

Babbo has a new home on bougie St John’s Wood High Street. Sleek interiors and faultless service with warm smiles all around are what you’ll get here. But get your purse ready, it’s pricey. Given it was originally based in Mayfair, and is apparently loved by footballers, this is no surprise.

Regardless, there are some dishes that stuck with me, including the perfectly salted burrata. (So many restaurants assume that burrata doesn’t need to be seasoned. They think wrong!) Order this and you’ll be happy. And though the truffle pasta was let down by having more oil sitting at the bottom than I think should be in a pasta dish, the truffle shavings on top are very generous. The tiramisu is light and not too sweet, but lacking in coffee.

Don’t miss their charming terrace outside, perfect for the early peeks of spring we’re having.

Antipasti from £16, pasta from £22. 29-31 St John’s Wood High Street, St John’s Wood, NW8 7NH. Book here.

5. Eat viral noodles at Noodle & Beer

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By Courtney Pochin

My favourite spot in Chinatown has always been Bun House, but it’s now got competition in the form of Noodle and Beer. The viral noodle spot from Shoreditch has launched a brand new location on Wardour St and it’s a real vibe, spread over two floors with a bistro-style space upstairs and a glamorous bar and restaurant downstairs. 

The crispy courgette fries and beef jerky make for delicious starters – imagine your favourite takeaway’s salt and pepper chips and crispy chilli beef but BETTER. Follow up with the super king braised beef rib blanket noodles. These are an experience. The staff cut the meat off the bone at the table in front of you with scissors, then you must stir it all to evenly distribute the chilli, spices and garlic heaped on top. It’s packed full of flavour (heavy on the garlic), not too hot, and the meat is wonderfully tender. You’ll have serious FOMO if you ordered anything but them.

Top tip for eating here? Bring a friend, come hungry and share everything. You won’t want to miss out on any of the fabulous flavours.

Noodles from £14.90. 27 Wardour St, Chinatown, W1D 6PR.

6. Indulge at a chocolate market

A chocolate market at Toklas Bakery in central London will bring together some of the UK’s biggest chocolatiers. So what can you buy? Bars, bonbons, chocolatey bites and limited-edition treats from Toklas bakery including chocolate sourdough!

Traders such as much-loved Finks, Manchester’s Dormouse Chocolate Makers and more will be available. The market is free to enter and will run from 10am until sell-out. 

7. Try a sliced southern fried chicken sandwich at Sandwich Sandwich’s second spot

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Are sandwiches having a resurgence? It sure feels like it! Yet another sandwich shop is opening, and we’re here for it. Sandwich Sandwich’s second shop is here, and they’ve said it will be ‘the biggest sandwich shop in the UK’.

We like the look of their sliced southern fried chicken sandwich and their overnight roasted sirloin of beef sandwich. 

8. Ride a vintage bus

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Fancy a vintage bus tour courtesy of the London Bus Museum? A free one? On 29 March, you can ride a bus dating from between the 1930s and 1990s.

The buses will be driving down the 19 route between Finsbury Park and Battersea Bridge. Get ready for some nostalgia. 

9. Get cheap theatre tickets for World Theatre Day

London Theatre Direct’s Spring Spectacular means that theatre doesn’t have to be expensive. In celebration of World Theatre Day, you can choose from over 60 musicals and plays from only £15. From Wicked to Starlight Express, The Great Gatsby and The Book of Mormon, there are some great deals on offer.

Whether you’re a theatre newbie or a pro, now’s your chance to experience the beauty of theatre at incredibly low prices. But be quick! These deals are high in demand – you won’t want to miss out. 

Find out more here. Launching 27 March.

MORE: I tried Marks & Spencer’s phenomenal new hot cross bun — even haters will love it

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It’s been three years since Abba opened their unbelievable show Voyage — and they’re about to give fans even more.

‘When we first opened we never imagined that we’d still be in London 3 years on,’ the band shared. ‘We’re very grateful that so many of you have joined us.’

Abba — Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad — stunned the world when they announced they would be putting on a full holographic show.

Their ‘abbatars’ perform seven days a week at the purpose-built, 3,000-capacity venue in East London and have raked in over £1.4billion for the UK economy since opening.

‘Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience. As we say in Sweden… Vilken resa!’ the band continued.

‘So, to celebrate we’ll be adding a little something to our concert from the 27th of May to thank you for your love and support. We hope you enjoy it!’

The ‘little something’ is a rumoured three songs added to the set list, which is already bursting with hit tracks like Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes It All and Voulez-Vous.

According to The Sun, Abba originally shot extra footage in 2020 while recording the show at Ealing Studios in West London.

The new tracks are reportedly favourites Super Trouper, Take A Chance On Me and Money, Money, Money.

Changes will come in on the third anniversary of the show opening, on Tuesday, May 27, after a short two-week break to reset and test the new set.

Abba Voyage is currently open for booking until January 2026 after huge critical acclaim.

Attendees have praised the show’s mind-blowing special effects as well as the opportunities to sing and dance your heart out.

Last year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan praised Voyage, calling it ‘an enduring testament to Abba’s timeless popularity.’

‘Abba Voyage has been a phenomenal success story for London, boosting our economy by more than £1bn and showing again why our capital is a global leader for music and culture,’ he said in a statement.

‘The fantastic show is an enduring testament to Abba’s timeless popularity, as well as providing cultural, financial and social benefits.

‘London is proud to host Abba Voyage and we look forward to continuing to welcome fans from far and wide to see this unique concert as we build a better London for everyone.’

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‘Zombie spiders’ have invaded London after they were found hidden in a suburban home.

Gareth Jenkins was working in a garden in Wanstead, east London, on Tuesday when he discovered the bugs beneath some decking.

The 46-year-old said he jumped back in shock after spotting 15 of the creatures with what appears to be a white foam around their bodies.

He told Metro: ‘They had almost see-through legs and were about half an inch big.

‘I’ve been a landscaper for 20 years and never in my life have I seen something like this.’

After posting images of his find online, he was told the spiders had been infected with a ‘zombie parasite’ – the entomopathogenic fungus.

The fungi infects the brains of spiders and then keeps them alive for a few more days, controlling their movements and ensuring it is able to spread to as many as possible before killing the host.

Gareth, from Greenman Landscaping, said he reported his finding to the British Mycological Society who confirmed it was in fact he zombie virus.

‘They assured me it can’t spread to humans,’ he said. ‘But if I saw one of them run towards me I know I will died of a heart attack.’

Gareth told the homeowner about the bugs living under the decking, who begged him to not tell his wife and teenage daughters about the creatures.

He said: ‘The house is just in the middle of suburbia, you would never expect to find these spiders here.

‘After I posted it online, I was told to burn the house down.’

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