Brighton

AN A-list Hollywood actor was spotted shopping at a Pokémon market in Brighton – but would you have been able to recognise him in the crowds?

A TikTok user shared a snap of the star, 48, looking around a gymnasium in a white cap and glasses.

Molly Wheatley, user name @xo_mxlly_ox, captioned the snap: “That’s just a random man in a white hat…”

But then in the next slide she revealed exactly who it was, as she posed for a picture with none other than Tom Hardy.

Fans rushed to the comments section to swoon over the Venom star, with one writing: “WOAH.”

Another said: “my jaw hit the floor.”

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“I knew it was him before the second picture. I KNOW THAT HANDSOME MAN FROM A MILE OFF,” a third chimed in.

A fourth added: “Idk you but I hate you!!”

A fifth chimed in: “I would simply keel over.”

A sixth joked: “He is a pretty good tom hardy look alike tbf.”

Tom, who was born in Hammersmith, London, is a well known English actor who has starred in a number of popular films and TV shows since shooting to fame in the late 90s.

Some of his movie roles include in Star Trek: Nemesis, RocknRolla, Bronson, Warrior, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dunkirk, Venom, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Bikeriders and Havoc.

Meanwhile he’s also been in Wuthering Heights, Peaky Blinders, Taboo, Oliver Twist, and most recently MobLand.

He has also won the Rising Star Award at the British Academy Film Awards in 2011, as well as the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor in an Action Movie in 2015.

And fans will be over the moon to know that Tom is reprising his role as Harry Da Souza on MobLand, after it was said that the hunky actor had been fired from the Paramount+ hit.

Deadline confirmed the integral cast – which is also made up of Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren – will remain for the third instalment, and that includes Tom.

And last month The Sun exclusively revealed a world-exclusive first look at the upcoming action.

DID you know Travelodge has more than 630 hotels around the UK?

Not only that, but lots of them are on the seafront so you are just steps from the beach or pier.

To save even further, kids get free breakfasts this summer including everything from pancakes and porridge to sausages and cereal

The deal includes two kids under the age of 15, per one paying adult.

Along with a Best Price Finder to get the biggest room bargain, to £14.95 meal deals, Travelodge is on a mission to save you money this summer.

Here are eight of the best Travelodges across the UK that are right on the seafront, all with rooms from £25.

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Travelodge Bournemouth Seafront

The Travelodge Bournemouth Seafront is just a few steps from the beach, which is Blue Flag.

This means you can enjoy clean, golden sand, before getting some shut eye back at the hotel.

Rooms from £25

Travelodge Brighton Seafront

The location of the Travelodge Brighton Seafront gives you the option of both the beach and the famous The Lanes.

With 159 rooms to choose from in the hotel, you are spoilt for choose.

Rooms from £25

Travelodge Paignton Seafront

Step out of the Travelodge Paignton Seafront and you can see the beautiful sea and pier right outside the door.

The hotel has 92 rooms, which include the New Design ones which have been upgraded.

Rooms from £25

Travelodge Ramsgate Seafront

Did you know Ramsgate is home to the UK’s only Royal Harbour? You can even look straight at it from the Travelodge Ramsgate Seafront.

It is also right by the beach – home to the UK’s biggest Wetherspoons.

Rooms from £25

Travelodge Worthing Seafront

If you want to explore the palm-tree lined promenade of Worthing, one of the cheapest stays you’ll find is Travelodge Worthing Seafront.

Of the 90 rooms, pick one at the front for views over the water.

Rooms from £25

Travelodge Skegness Seafront

This Travelodge not only is right by Skegness beach, but also has a top floor Bar-Cafe with panoramic sea views.

The beach is just two minutes by foot, while the main pier and theme park are nearby too.

Rooms from £25

Travelodge Rhyl Seafront

The Welsh town of Rhyl is getting a £20million makeover – but you can still stay on the cheap with Travelodge Rhyl Seafront.

There’s just 73 rooms to choose from so its a much more intimate hotel.

Rooms from £25

Travelodge Helensburgh Seafront

If you need a base when exploring the west coast of Scotland, choose the Travelodge Helensburgh Seafront.

Pop out for a seaside stroll with amazing views of the Clyde from the pier.

Rooms from £25

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Danny Welbeck while Jordan Henderson is set to cancel his Brentford contract to enable a move to Stamford Bridge.

Henderson, 36, is under contract until 2027. Welbeck, 35, has agreed a two-year deal and been given permission by Brighton to conduct a medical at Stamford Bridge.

A fee for the striker has also been agreed but remains undisclosed as Chelsea tie up the deal for him to join pre-season in Hong Kong after Chelsea‘s final match in Australia against Tottenham on Saturday evening.

Welbeck will become the oldest signing under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership, until Henderson’s likely arrival with the west Londoners.

It is part of new manager Xabi Alonso’s drive to add experience to Chelsea‘s squad, which has been the youngest in the Premier League for the past two seasons.

Their focus on youth has been viewed as a factor in their inability to challenge consistently for major honours.

Towards the end of last season’s disappointing campaign, when they finished 10th and won nothing, Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali said their recruitment model needed a “tweak”.

Since then, Chelsea have made an offer to reunite Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, 34, with Alonso – they won the Bundesliga title together at Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.

They have also signed 26-year-old centre-back Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace on a six-year contract, pending an official announcement, while talks continue over Henderson.

Morgan Rogers, who signed for a club-record £117m from Aston Villa earlier this month, is relatively experienced, despite having just turned 24.

The club have also signed 21-year-old full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta.

Welbeck, formerly of Manchester United and Arsenal, has hit 90 goals in 400 top-flight appearances – and is the leading Premier League scorer at Brighton, who he joined on a free transfer from Watford in 2021.

His arrival would leave Chelsea with six senior strikers on their books, with others available for loan or sale.

Among those who could leave on either a permanent deal or loan are Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu.

The Blues have also brought in Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha from sister club Strasbourg this summer and he could remain part of the squad.

Henderson, meanwhile, would add further experience and seniority to the squad, having been selected by Thomas Tuchel as part of England’s leadership group at this summer’s World Cup.

It was during the celebrations following England’s last-16 victory over Mexico that Henderson fractured his arm and wrist after landing awkwardly while jumping over an advertising hoarding.

Henderson joined Brentford last summer after spells abroad with Dutch side Ajax and Saudi club Al Ettifaq. That followed a hugely successful spell at Liverpool, where he won six major honours, including the Champions League and Premier League.

He joins a midfield that includes Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco – who is expected to join from Strasbourg – pending an official announcement.

Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Brighton striker Danny Welbeck.

The 35-year-old is keen on moving to Stamford Bridge and there is optimism from Chelsea‘s side that a deal can be concluded.

The Blues are looking for experience because of an acceptance that their model of signing young players needs a “tweak” – according to influential owner Behdad Eghbali in April – and Welbeck could be a good fit.

He scored a career-high 13 league goals in 37 games for Brighton last season, taking his tally to 51 goals in 201 matches since joining from Watford in 2020.

Brighton have declined to comment.

Welbeck signed a 12-month contract extension in March, with his current deal running until the end of the 2026-27 season.

There are questions over the futures of several Chelsea forwards, with Joao Pedro regarded as the club’s first-choice option.

Chelsea also have Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson on their books.

Guiu is understood to be available for either a permanent transfer or a loan move, with Chelsea valuing him at about £25m.

Jackson, who has returned to the club following a loan spell at Bayern Munich, was expected to remain at Stamford Bridge but is open to leaving amid interest from Aston Villa.

Delap was keen to establish himself under the new manager just a year after his £30m move from Ipswich, but he is increasingly expected to depart.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the future of Dutch striker Emegha, despite having only recently joined Chelsea from Strasbourg, a club within the same ownership group.

Chelsea have signed club-record £117m attacker Morgan Rogers, full-back Marco Palestra and are closing in on a move for centre-back Maxence Lacroix this summer.

A NEW lift that’s part of a major beach transformation is taking shape on Brighton’s seafront.

It forms part of the Madeira Terrace restoration project costing £750,000.

For those who aren’t Brighton regulars, Madeira Terrace is the historic structure that stretches along the promenade.

Built in the 1890s, it’s 865 metres-long and has 151 large arches – but due to safety concerns, part of it has been closed since 2012.

Over time its condition has deteriorated because of erosion thanks to its proximity to the sea.

Now, it’s undergoing a £750,000 makeover – and it’s taking shape already with its new lift being recently unveiled.

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The towering lift will provide step-free access to and from Madeira Drive along the promenade, all the way up to the road.

It’s still under construction, but the scaffolding has been taken away revealing its 20,000 red bricks.

Work on the lift first began in February 2026.

However, construction on the Madeira Drive site began two years prior in November 2024.

It was described by the council as one of its “most ambitious and technical engineering projects” – and there’s plenty more to do.

The project will see 28 arches between the Royal Crescent steps and Concorde 2 restored and there will be a full replacement of the upper deck.

Councillor Julie Cattell said: “We’re determined to get this restoration right – and see Madeira Terrace once again become a thriving and important part of our iconic seafront.“

Running to a length of nearly three thousand feet, Madeira Terrace is the longest continuous cast iron structure in the UK – and possibly in the world.

Madeira Terrace was originally built to create a sheltered promenade for Victorian tourists.

As wealthy visitors arrived by train, the terrace would allow them to promenade along the beach no matter the weather.

It is anticipated the first restored section will open in 2026.

Brighton have agreed a club record £46m deal with Tottenham Hotspur for Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic.

Brighton had two bids for Vuskovic turned down last month.

However, they have now reached an agreement over a transfer that is also subject to potential additional payments that could take the overall fee to £50m.

The 19-year-old will have a medical when Croatia’s World Cup campaign is over.

They play Portugal in a last-32 tie in the early hours of Friday morning UK time.

Born in Split, Vuskovic came through the academy at local club Hajduk, becoming the youngest player to feature in Croatia’s top flight when he was just 16 – and going on to become his club’s youngest goalscorer.

He agreed a deal with Tottenham in September 2023 that saw him join the club in 2025.

Although he is yet to make his Spurs debut, Vuskovic made 30 appearances on loan with German club Hamburg last season, scoring six goals in the Bundesliga, and is now one of the most highly rated young central defenders in Europe.

He will replace Jan Paul van Hecke in Fabian Hurzeler’s squad.

Ironically, Van Hecke is moving in the opposite direction after Tottenham agreed to pay £52m for the Netherlands international, who had a year left on his Brighton contract.

The quirky coastal destination has been named one of the best to visit in 2026 by Time Out, thanks to its vibrant shopfronts and historic harbour

Thanks to the arrival of the long-awaited King Charles III Coastal Path, the UK’s coastline can now be walked in its entirety, and many are setting their sights on its stunning seaside towns to experience it all this summer.

According to Time Out, this is one of the must-visit destinations in 2026, and with an abundance of attractions set against a stunning seaside setting, it’s not difficult to understand why.

Outshining the likes of its well-known neighbours such as Margate, Whitstable and Brighton, Folkestone has carved out a reputation as a rewarding coastal escape for a picture-perfect break. Situated on the southern fringe of the North Downs, tucked into a valley between two cliffs, lies the historic town, overflowing with offbeat character.

With greater incentive than ever to forgo the flights and discover the UK coastline, Folkstone makes an excellent starting point, coming in at number four on the list of seaside destinations.

Creative Quarter

At the centre of this town lies a thriving cultural hub, overseen by the arts charity Creative Folkestone. Its mission has led to the restoration of more than 90 buildings, now home to a wealth of independent studios, cafes and businesses all rooted in creativity, which permeates the entire town.

Awash with colour, it’s this quarter, comprising winding and meandering streets, that makes Folkestone stand out as a destination. The rainbow-hued painted shopfronts and flourishing independent businesses are what distinguish it and make it immediately identifiable from a single photograph.

On visiting for the first time, one guest wrote on TripAdvisor: “Today was my first visit to Folkestone, and we wanted to visit the Creative Quarter. Was not disappointed.

“Fabulous sunny day, helps, of course. Cobble streets and set on a hill. So might not be great for some. Wonderful galleries and fabulous eateries. Quirky shops and friendly people. I will visit again.”

Visitors could easily find themselves whiling away hours browsing in and out of shops, picking up unique souvenirs, books, homeware and artwork.

Harbour

Steeped in history and buzzing with events throughout the week, the Harbour Arm is a true centrepiece of Folkestone. Once serving as the railway terminal for the Folkestone-Boulogne Ferry and a departure point for troops heading to the Western Front, it has since been transformed into a stunning setting for drinks, food and live entertainment with family and friends.

The picturesque promenade, stretching out towards the sea, is home to more than 70 independent food, drink and retail vendors, meaning visitors are genuinely spoilt for choice. If there’s one thing that rings true about Folkestone, it’s the town’s wholehearted dedication to championing local businesses throughout every corner of its tourist offering.

One impressed visitor shared: “Folkestone Harbour Arm has been transformed into a remarkable destination – a vibrant blend of artistic flair, seaside heritage, and excellent food.

“We thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful walk to the lighthouse, passing a compact market area and plenty of great food stalls. The fresh sea air and creative atmosphere made it a joy.”

Beach

Folkestone boasts several sandy bays and pebble beaches, but one in particular has earned a reputation as a firm favourite with visitors, and tends to get packed out during the warmer summer months.

Nestled by the harbour is Sunny Sands, the go-to beach for many, thanks to its soft sands perfect for sandcastle building and sunbathing, plus its convenient location near the heart of the town.

According to visitors, while it suits everyone, it’s ” especially great for children”, owing to its well-maintained facilities and opportunities for water sports. What’s more, this is among the nearest beaches to London, less than an hour’s journey from the capital, making it a popular choice for Londoners craving a breath of seaside air.

Adding to its appeal is the parking available directly beside the beach at the Harbour Arm Car Park, though expect it to fill up rapidly during peak tourist season.

One visitor summed it up simply, saying: “Beautiful beach, lovely day out. fabulous views and scenery. Great for all ages. Lots to see and do. Very clean beach, worth a visit.”

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £52m deal with Brighton for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

The 26-year-old started in his country’s 2-2 draw with Japan on Sunday at the World Cup.

Van Hecke has a year left on his current Brighton contract and showed no inclination to extend the deal.

Brighton had already turned down one offer for a player who joined them from NAC Breda in 2020.

However, they have now accepted Tottenham’s offer, which should clear the way to Van Hecke rejoining former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi in north London.

The deal also includes a significant sell-on clause with Brighton profiting further should Spurs sell the player.

Van Hecke made 131 appearances for the Seagulls and started 36 out of 38 Premier League games for Fabian Hurzeler’s side last season as they secured an eighth-place finish. That secured European qualification for only the second time in the club’s history.

Tottenham have already strengthened De Zerbi’s squad in an effort to improve markedly on successive 17th-placed finishes.

Scotland defender Andy Robertson has already signed from Liverpool, with Argentinian centre-half Marcos Senesi agreeing a move from Bournemouth.

If you’re looking for a cheap UK seaside getaway, one beautiful town has been named among the best and most affordable to visit, with five-star food and a historic castle

Here in the UK, there are countless stunning seaside towns worth exploring, and they’re even more spectacular when the sun is out. But it’s well known that taking a holiday in the UK can sometimes cost more than travelling overseas.

Luckily, the consumer experts at Which? have carried out research into the best and most affordable seaside towns to explore in the UK. And securing one of the top spots is Stonehaven, a charming fishing town with excellent beaches and even better food and drink. According to the experts, costs average at approximately £90 for an overnight stay here on the northeast coast of Scotland.

This scenic harbour town, situated just a brief drive south of Aberdeen, has a rich history, coastal views and authentic Scottish character. One of the town’s main attractions is Dunnottar Castle, a medieval fortress perched on a rocky headland.

Following the cliffside route from the town to the castle ruins provides you with sweeping views of the North Sea, while the town’s lively harbour is an ideal spot to relax and observe the boats arriving.

Stonehaven’s beach is also hugely popular, earning a 4.2 out of five star rating on TripAdvisor. One delighted reviewer said: “This is such a lovely beach! It has a great promenade from the top of the beach where cafes are right to the harbour.

“We had fabulous weather dry and sunny so made the views spectacular. Well worth a visit.”

According to the most recent seaside town survey conducted by the experts at Which?, Stonehaven is also highly rated for its food and drink offerings.

It achieved a five out of five star rating for its culinary scene, making it a particularly brilliant destination for seafood lovers,

The Tolbooth Restaurant is an absolute must for the freshest catch of the day, while the Marine Hotel serves up classic pub grub such as fish and chips, steak or beef stew.

For those with a sweet tooth, Aunt Betty’s is the place to be, where you can treat yourself to an ice cream and savour it while strolling along the shoreline. And for the ultimate Scottish treat , a trip to The Carron Fish Bar — the birthplace of the world-famous deep-fried Mars bar — is unmissable.

Stonehaven’s beach is predominantly made up of pebbles and shingle, with numerous rock pools and fascinating geological features. However, if you fancy somewhere a bit more comfortable, Stonehaven’s seawater lido is well worth a visit.

The Olympic-sized pool is heated and accessible from late May through to September, so you know you can always go for a refreshing swim no matter what the weather is looking like.

Other budget-friendly seaside destinations worth considering include Whitby (£94 per night), Llandudno (£85 per night) and Lytham St Annes (£95 per night).