Brit

BRIT Award viewers were left fuming after the show’s In Memoriam segment – blasting it as “a pathetic attempt”.

On Saturday night’s show, The Charlatans musician Tim Burgess was brought on stage to lead the In Memoriam tributes, leading on the loss of his close friend, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, who died in November.

However, the artist struggled to say his speech, simply referring to “Mani” which some viewers thought to mean Manchester, or not recognising who he was referring to.

A videotape then played, showing the name of dozens of stars who have passed across the past year, flashing on screen briefly as a select number of artists were played in the background.

But fans were left less-than-pleased at how quickly the segment ran, before the show cut to an ad break.

Complaining to X (formerly Twitter), one fan wrote: “What a pathetic memoriam to artists who had passed away last year.

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“Surely you could have made more time to show Mike Peters (a Welsh Brit) and also Rick Buckler of The Jam (another Brit) and a great drummer of his generation.”

“That tribute to all artists that have passed over this year was laughable,” wrote another.

“Wow! One of the worst ‘In Memoriam’ I have ever seen,” noted a third.

“What on earth was that all about #Brits2026 ?” complained a fourth. “I’m talking about those who lost their lives in the last year – that was disrespectful to many of those who passed.”

While a fifth wrote :”Putting the In Memorial names up quicker than anyone can read them. Poor show Brits, poor show #Brits2026″

“Whose idea was that In Memorial section? Blink and you’ve missed it – must get the adverts in….” wrote a sixth.

While on stage, Sturgess told the crowd at Manchester’s Co-Op Arena: “Hi everyone, I’m here tonight to pay tribute to my good friend. Mani changed music and inspired generations ahead of him. These songs he recorded will be his legacy.

“He was truly one of the phenomenal ones. I’d like you to think about Mani for a moment and we can cherish the thought that we got to experience our time and his time together.

“Let’s take a few moments to remember Mani.”

While the In Memoriam segment may have been lacking, the awards show was filled with tributes to artists loved and lost.

The Brit Awards viewers were left unimpressed by ITV’s decisions on a number of occasions during the ceremony hosted by Jack Whitehall

Viewers of the Brit Awards were left incensed by ITV as they watched the annual ceremony. As many tuned in to see how would be winning the biggest gongs of the year, they fumed as the ITV show kept being censored.

Bosses made the decision to blank out several of Jack Whitehall’s jokes throughout his hosting duties. And as a number of winners used their acceptance speech time to share their views, they also found themselves censored. Among those being bleeped was Geese frontman Cameron Winter.

The singer of the Brooklyn indie rock band took to the stage as the band won their first ever Brit Award for International Group of the Year. During his acceptance speech, he said: “I just want to say, Free Palestine, F–k ICE, go Geese!”

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But viewers at home didn’t get to hear his actual speech, with interference played over the top. The same thing happened during Noel Gallagher’s speech after he accepted the accolade for Songwriter of the Year.

After thanking his brother and his bandmates, Noel shouted: “Up the f***ing Blues” in reference to his beloved Manchester City. But the moment was banned from TV, and instead viewers at home just heard the aftermath of boos.

And another getting the bleep button was Angry Ginge as he took aim at London. The Manchester native made his feelings known as he called the country’s capital a “s***hole”.

Fans weren’t impressed with the cuts and on Twitter/X they let their feelings be known. One user ranted: “The buzzing to bleep things out is getting annoying. I’m sure what they’re saying is not that bad to air at 9.30 pm. #Brits2026”

“Free speech and all that. Bleep bleep. #Brits2026,” moan another. A third added: “I’ve never known the Brits bleep out so much stuff? What is happening #Brits2026”

A fourth tried to make light of the situation and create a drinking game for the irritation. “Take a shot every time there is a bleep #Brits2026 #BRITs.” And a fifth simply wrote: “Bleep bleep bleep bleeeeep #Brits2026”

The rage continued when Sharon Osbourne was also censored. A fan ranted: “It’s 23:00 and ITV are censoring Sharon Osbourne accepting an award for her late husband.”

But despite the complaints, one user had a different idea, hitting out at host Jack. “Why do they hire Jack Whitehall to present every year if they’re gonna bleep half the jokes just get someone else #Brits2026.”

Elsewhere at the awards ceremony, in between the awards wins, Jack “let slip” who will be the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down at the end of the last series and ever since speculation over their replacement has been rife.

Speaking to Bez and Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays, Jack joked they were ready for the role and “revealed” their secret. Shaun labelled Jack a “grass” as he played along with the joke announcement.

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OLIVIA Dean was queen of the Brit Awards last night, scooping four gongs — ten years after she attended the ceremony as a student.

The singer-songwriter, 26, won the best artist, album and pop act categories and the publicly voted song of the year with Rein Me In, with fellow award-winner Sam Fender.

London-born Olivia, who stunned on the red carpet, also performed on stage, a decade on from partying at the event as a Brit School student in 2016.

Her impressive haul followed the success of her second studio album, The Art of Loving, which spent seven weeks at No1 following its release last year.

The songstress celebrated by holding a private afterparty in Manchester where the ceremony was held.

The switch to the city’s Co-Op Live arena marked the first time the event has been staged outside London.

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A source said: “Olivia wanted to thank everyone around her for their support. She sees the success of the evening as a group effort.”

Olivia won a place at the free Brit School in Croydon, South London, aged 15, following in the footsteps of singer-songwriter former students Adele, Amy Winehouse and Jessie J.

She enrolled on a theatre course but later switched to songwriting as she began creating tracks on a second-hand piano which she begged her mum, Christine, to buy.

Speaking about the Brit School, Olivia said: “It set me up for life. I knew what I wanted for myself and it taught me so much. I just think it is a magic place.

“Look at all the people it has produced and will continue to do so.”

Last summer, Olivia made her first public appearance with her American drummer boyfriend Eddie Burns as they stepped out at the Wimbledon tennis championships together.

OLIVIA Attwood and pal Pete Wicks reunited for the Brit Awards on Saturday night.

The reality TV icons were seen arriving at their table together, having earlier left a Manchester hotel to head to the venue.

Olivia showed off her incredible figure after earlier “paying tax” at the gym with a sweaty workout to get red carpet ready.

She rocked an asymmetrical black dress with a dramatic fan cut out shape across the chest and back.

The stunning gown also had thigh high split and Olivia completed the look with sheer black gloves.

Once inside the venue, Olivia and Pete reunited with Pete’s podcast co-host Sam Thompson, where an onlooker said, “Pete was a gent and poured the drinks for the group before they settled down to their meal.”

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The pair, who host Kiss’ The Sunday Roast radio show, have long been friends, with Olivia even describing her former Towie co-str as her “twin flame.”

“We’re soul sisters. We’re twin flames. We’re the same person,” she said in September.

Olivia’s big night at the Brits comes after she admitted she’s working hard to keep herself busy to distract herself from her marriage breakup.

She recently admitted her marriage to footballer Bradley Dack “wasn’t healthy.”

It was revealed last month that the pair had separated after a “breach of trust” on his part.

The ITV star, 34, moved out of the marital home and into her own apartment and blocked her husband on Instagram.

While in conversation with TikTok sensation Tinx on the latest episode of her podcast, Olivia’s House, the Love Island icon made reference to her own relationships while discussing dating.

After Tinx said she’s happy in life but would like to meet someone, Olivia responded: “And that’s like the best place you could be in to meeting the right person. There’s not like a void to fill.

“If you’re going into relationships and there’s motivations of, you know, say you have a gap in your life or you need saving, it doesn’t start on a healthy trajectory.”

As It Was singer and former One Direction star Harry Styles took to the stage to open the Brit Awards 2026 live from Manchester on Saturday, with fans admitting they were ‘shaking’

It’s safe to say Harry Styles impressed fans with his performance at the Brit Awards.

The As It Was and Sign of the Times singer, and former One Direction star, opened the live ceremony on ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday night. He performed his new track Aperture after recently announcing the release of his fourth album would be very soon.

Marking his return to music, the singer took to the stage to kick things off, the performance no doubt gave fans a peak of what to expect with his upcoming world tour. Amid a backlash from many viewers about the prices of his tour tickets, Harry won over viewers with his vocals and choreography.

In fact, fans claimed they were “shaking” and “going to be sick” after watching it live. Taking to social media, one fan said: “Wish I could be normal but unfortunately I’m literally shaking over Harry Styles performing at the Brits.” Another said: “I AM SHAKING,” as a third added: “I’M GONNA BE SICK.”

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A fourth fan said: “HE IS A PERFORMER,” as a fifth said: “HARRY IS SO BACK THAT WAS INSANE.” A further post read: “Harry sounds GOOD. Aperture live is such a vibe.”

Another fan commented: “OMG DID HE HAVE TEARS IN HIS EYES!?? HARRY STYLES IS SO BACK.” A final tweet read: “Ok Harry actually ate that choreo.”

It was revealed the awards would take place in a new home on Saturday night, at the Co-op Live in Manchester. Artists revealed to be performing included Olivia Dean, Wolf Alice, EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, the singing voices of HUNTR/X (filmed in advance of The BRIT Awards).

Alex Warren, Mark Ronson, ROSALÍA, SOMBR and RAYE were also confirmed. Mark was also revealed to be receiving an award for his outstanding contribution to music, while Noel Gallagher was said to be receiving a songwriting award.

Speaking of honours, it had also been revealed that tributes would be made to some of the lost music acts who have recently passed away. Ozzy Osbourne is set to be honoured with Robbie Williams fronting a super group paying tribute to the star. It comes seven months after the Black Sabbath frontman died aged 76.

The performance will be a special arrangement of ‘No More Tears’ – the title track from Ozzy’s multi-million selling 1991 album of the same name. It was curated by Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, and will boast a phenomenal line up of British and international musical talent.

It will feature musicians that played as part of Ozzy’s band over the years, including Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo , Tommy Clufetos and Zakk Wylde. The makeshift group will be fronted by Robbie, who was invited personally by Sharon to be part of this special moment.

BRIT Awards bosses are also set to honour Stone Roses bassist Mani at Saturday night’s show – led by Charlatans legend Tim Burgess. Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield died suddenly aged 63 last November, and close pal Tim will be on hand to deliver an emotional speech.

A source said: “Tim is set to present the In Memoriam section, but before he does so, he is primed to talk about Mani who was both a dear friend and mentor. The fact that Mani was from Manchester too – and the awards is being held there for the first time – means it will be a really special moment. Mani will then feature heavily in the section, as will other greats we have lost including Ozzy Osbourne.”

Ahead of the ceremony, three acts had received the most nominations. They were Olivia Dean and Lola Young with five nominations apiece, and Sam Fender trailing closely on four nominations following his Mercury Prize success.

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PINKPANTHERESS has become the first woman and the youngest ever artist to be named the BRIT Awards’ 2026 Producer of the Year.

The 24-year-old is also nominated for two further awards; Artist of the Year and Dance Act, which will be revealed tomorrow.

Who is PinkPantheress?

PinkPantheress, real name Victoria Beverley Walker, is a British singer-songwriter and record producer.

Known for her unique, instantly recognisable music style that has been dubbed  “New Nostalgia”, the artist has picked up multiple awards for her music.

She was named Producer of the Year by Billboard Women in Music in 2024, whilst earning nominations for five Brit Awards and two Grammy Awards.

Her BRITs Producer of the Year nomination turned win marked her as just the second solo female musician to ever even be nominated for the award.

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With the previous nominee being Kate Bush in 1990. 

PinkPantheress burst onto the scene in late 2021 with the release of her first mixtape ‘To Hell with It’.

The mixtape contained singles “Just for Me” and “Pain“, which both peaked in the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, winning her BBC‘s Sound of 2022 poll. 

One year later she released her hit single “Boy’s a Liar” which reached number two in the UK.

Her TikTok viral tune “Illegal” was released in 2025 as part of her second mixtape, Fancy That, which earned two Grammy nominations and reached number three on the UK Albums Chart.

What did she win a Brit Award for?

Last year, PinkPantheress shared the mixtape Fancy That and its companion remix project, Fancy Some More? 

Featuring songs like “Stateside” and “Illegal”, Fancy That consists of nine songs with a duration of 20 minutes.

Described by PinkPantheress herself as the “most tied together project” of her career, the mixtape quickly reached number three in the UK after its release.

Featuring artists like Zara Larsson, Anitta and Ravyn Lanae, remix album Fancy Some More? was released on October 10, 2025 through Warner Records, consisting of 31 songs.

Stacey Tang, 2026 BRIT Awards Committee chair and co-president of RCA Records UK, said: “PinkPantheress is both an inventive and instinctive voice in British pop right now.

“As a producer, she’s precise and playful, building bold, boundary expanding sounds that travel beyond the UK.

“She’s quietly reshaping what modern pop can be, and in doing so, opening the door for a new wave of female producers to step forward. Celebrating her at the BRITs is both timely and significant.”

A BRITISH indie rocker has left pub punters feeling shocked as he performed in a cover band – but would you have recognised him?

The global songwriter, 31, was spotted singing at a local pub in his home town Shields alongside his dad and brother.

Sam Fender has had three Brit Awards and his albums Hypersonic Missiles and Seventeen Going Under also topped UK charts.

But the Geordie star took to covering other people’s songs as he got together with his family in a social club.

A fan took to TikTok and posted a video of the star performing and captioned it: “Rare .. Sam Fender playing and singing with his dad and brother on keyboard.

“All for a good cause #teamjanine raising awareness for MND . Real canny lads!”

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The award-winning singer took part in the event to raise funds for MND in memory of the late Janine Turnbull, joining his dad and brother on stage as part of band The Pirates.

In another video shared of the same event, fans rushed to the comments section to praise the star: “The vocals are absolutely insane, fair play.”

A second said: “They’re a talented bunch those Fenders.”

While a third wrote: “I love how humble Sam is and doing this.”

A fourth stated: “Was great that he was able to do that and just be Sam local lad again.”

A fifth added: “Unreal scenes.”

Sam is allegedly a multi-millionaire after years and years of hard graft combined with his natural musical talent.

He’s built formidable music connections from a collaboration with rising US star Noah Kahan to supporting Bruce Springsteen and The Killers and hanging out with the late guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck. and Johnny Depp when the actor was in the North East with his Hollywood Vampires band.

The singer-songwriter, nabbed the Mercury trophy and £25,000 cash at the 2025 ceremony in his native Newcastle – the first time the awards had been held outside London.

He won with his third album ahead of a star-studded pack of 12 nominees, including Pulp, Wolf Alice, FKA Twigs, PinkPantheress and Pa Salieu.

Sam was not fancied by the bookies, so his victory was something of a shock, and the crowd went ballistic at his name.

The Geordie name-checked fellow nominees during his acceptance speech and thanked an ecstatic crowd.

He said: “We did not expect this at all. I want to say thank you,” before declaring: “This region is the best region in the country.”

Sam then grabbed his guitar and launched into a rendition of his album’s titular track, People Watching.

He also paid tribute to the late actress Annie Orwin, the inspiration behind the song, who he described as like a “surrogate mother”.

Sam added that his win on home turf was “really, really important” because the music scene in Newcastle had “always been in an isolated bubble”.

Last year, Sam hoped to toast his global success with his own range of booze.

The star had been granted permission by the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to use his name to sell a range of goods.

The documents revealed he could market “Beers, Alcoholic beverages, and Non-alcoholic beverages; Retail services connected to the sale of Beers, Alcoholic beverages, Non-alcoholic beverages, Mineral and aerated waters, Fruit beverages and fruit juices.”

The application stays in place for ten years now that it has been rubber-stamped.

Robbie Williams is set to take to the stage at the Brit Awards to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne as the late singer has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award

Ozzy Osbourne is set to be honoured at this year’s Brit Awards – with Robbie Williams fronting a super group paying tribute to the star. The ceremony, which is taking place in Manchester for the first time in its history, will see the Prince of Darkness receive the posthumous award for Lifetime Achievement.

It comes seven months after the Black Sabbath frontman died aged 76. Now, to commemorate his outstanding contribution to music, the rocker who is known as the “godfather” of British heavy metal will receive the honour at Saturday’s event.

An all-star rock tribute performance will pay homage to Ozzy as they close the show on the night at Co-Op Live. The performance will be a special arrangement of ‘No More Tears’ – the title track from Ozzy’s multi-million selling 1991 album of the same name.

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It has been curated by Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, and will boast a phenomenal line up of British and international musical talent. It will feature musicians that played as part of Ozzy’s band over the years, including Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo , Tommy Clufetos and Zakk Wylde.

The makeshift group will be fronted by Robbie Williams, who was invited personally by Sharon to be part of this special moment. The invite comes as the former Take That man is a long-standing fan of the music, and is also a friend of the Osbourne family.

As well as being one of the most influential music figureheads and rock icons of all time, Ozzy hosted The BRIT Awards in 2008 along with his family Sharon, Kelly and Jack.

Speaking of the accolade, the Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, Stacey Tang, said: “Ozzy Osbourne has been a mighty force in modern music. Possessing an unmistakable voice and unique presence, he reshaped the sound and spirit of rock, inspiring generations of artists who followed.

“This Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a remarkable legacy built on originality and enduring influence, that continues to connect with fans worldwide.”

Among the accolades Ozzy won during his career that spanned over five decades included five Grammy awards, induction into both the UK Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (both with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, in separate years) and the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement (with Black Sabbath).

Last year saw him take to the stage for the final time just weeks before his death. His Back To The Beginning concert at his beloved Villa Park saw celebrities from across the globe unite to give Ozzy the perfect send off.

At the end of the day, which saw the likes of Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, YungBlud and Guns N Roses take to the stage, Ozzy reunited with his old bandmates to bring the house down one last time. Despite concerns over whether he would make the show, a determined Ozzy gave fans a show to remember. Sadly, he died just weeks later.

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DREAMING of swapping British grey skies for year-round sunshine?

Good news: moving abroad to a place by the beach may be easier than you’d think, plus you can even save hundreds of pounds on rent every month and cut the cost of food, beer, and tax.

From European coastal cities to Caribbean islands, these expat hotspots provide year-round sun, and your money can stretch much further.

Here’s our pick of sunshine spots with affordable rent, cheap drinks and laid-back lifestyles – plus how to actually go about moving there in 2026.

Portugal

With 300 days of sun a year, world-class cuisine and a laid-back vibe – why would you not want to move to Portugal?

It turns out many Brits have been asking themselves this question. In fact, the country is becoming an increasingly popular choice for British expats.

Portugal has recently overtaken Spain in the rankings for most desirable relocation spots for Brits, according to 1st Move International.

And it’s no surprise this European hotspot is becoming so popular to relocate to, with plenty of postcard-perfect towns to explore and an extensive, stunning coastline.

From the cobbled streets and grand cathedral of Faro Old Town, to kayaking through Benagil Cave, there’s plenty to explore here that feels worlds away from the UK grind.

The Algarve has long been a popular choice for Brits to settle down in, with its golden coves, affordable bars and a sizeable expat community.

And with around 3000 hours of sun a year, and beaches like Praia da Marinha on your doorstep, the southernmost tip of Portugal is pretty hard to beat.

Plus, one of the best parts about this region is its affordability.

A bottle of local beer will only cost you €0.95 (83p), and a meal at a restaurant averages just €13.68 (£11.97) according to data from Wise.

Those looking for a younger crowd and a trendy feel can opt for the country’s capital, Lisbon.

Hop on the vintage yellow tram and spend your days stopping off at magnificent castles, strolling the city’s lively, narrow streets and finding treasures at flea markets.

In the evenings, the capital glows orange with dramatic sunsets. These views are best enjoyed outdoors at a tapas bar, with a glass of local wine and some affordable petiscos (small plates) to snack on.

Expat Lauren Clark relocated from busy London to laid-back Lisbon, and reflected on just how much cheaper her day-to-day has been.

And rent in this region is inexpensive, too. We found charming, traditional apartments from just €400 (£350) per month on the “Rightmove of Portugal” site, Idealista.

“I have been amazed how my money has been able to go further compared to back home.

“At many bars, restaurants and quiosques, you can still purchase a top-quality house white or red for just a few euros.

“A ride on a regional train service – such as from the 40 minutes from Lisbon to Caiscais – will set you back only a couple of euros.

“Meanwhile, the monthly ‘Navegante’ travel pass gives you unlimited use of public transport – including the famous trams – in the capital area for less than £30 per month”.

Barbados

Ever wished you could ditch the work desk to sip from coconuts on the white sandy beach of a tropical island?

It’s safe to say that the views working from Barbados beat those of back home.

Plus, relocating to Barbados may be easier than you think – especially if you already work remotely.

With the Welcome Stamp visa, you can spend a year on the island as a non-national working remotely for businesses based elsewhere in the world.

You must receive an income of at least £36,000 per year to receive this renewable visa, plus individuals must make an initial payment of £1,500.

But once you’ve bagged your Welcome Stamp, you can enjoy your lunch breaks on the beach and spend weekends exploring the island.

Some of the very best beaches include the lively Mullins Beach, as well as Paynes Bay, popular among sun-seekers and green sea turtles alike.

Top-quality rum cocktails can be found at beach bars dotted around the island, whilst local Bajan food can be enjoyed at affordable spots like Fisherman’s Pub in Speightstown.

And with a beer averaging BDS $5 (£1.83) and the average meal costing you BDS $40 (£14.67), you can laze on the sands without stressing about spending too much money.

“Once you know where to go, you can get a fish cutter sandwich for around 18 Barbadian dollars” (£7) says expat Polly Gould.

“In the evening, you can pop to Oistins (Barbados’ smallest town known for its Friday night Fish Fry) for fish, salad and sides for $35 BDS (£12.87).”

“The island is small and easy to get around, and people are really friendly and welcoming,” agrees fellow expat Nicola.

“The weather is a constant 30°C or thereabouts all year round, the white sand beaches and crystal clear aquamarine seas are stunning, and it’s still possible to get off the beaten track, which we love.”

Plus, the rent here can be super affordable too, even for beachfront properties.

We found apartments overlooking the sea of Silver Sands beach from £684 a month on rental site Terra Caribbean.

Cyprus

Cyprus sees hot summers with highs of 30°C and mild winters reaching 14°C, making it a year-round winner for sun seekers.

Top beaches include the turquoise crescent of Coral Bay frequented by families, as well as Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa, which is popular among party-goers.

Pair this with beautiful mountain scenery and plenty of historical sites to explore, and you won’t be short of things to do in this slice of Mediterranean paradise.

“In the summer it’s a hive of activity – boat trips along the coastline, buggy and jeep safaris in the Akamas, amazing fresh food in the family-owned restaurants” says expat Anna Warburton.

“In the winter it’s a select group of locals and expats – it’s like living in a real life soap, like Emmerdale but much warmer and with less murder.” 

Areas such as Paphos are popular for brilliant beaches and great value for money when it comes to property, whilst Limassol has lots of job opportunities and a luxury-feel marina.

Plus, apart from the change in surroundings and warmer temperatures, a move here won’t feel like too much of a change.

Cyprus uses the same plug socket style as the UK, and cars drive on the left hand side of the road.

In fact the country has lots of familiar favourites from the UK, including M&S supermarkets and even a Wagamamas restaurant. So you won’t be missing your home comforts!

In fact, Brits enjoy Cyprus so much that they make up the second-largest population of non-national residents after Greek expats.

According to Wise, the average restaurant meal costs just €15.00 (£13.12) whilst a bottle of local beer will set you back just €3.00 (£2.60).

Plus you can find apartments to rent from as little as €390 (£341) per month on popular Cyprus marketplace site Bazaraki.

Australia

You may have seen old friends and colleagues cropping up all over Australia on your Instagram feed recently, and there’s a reason everyone seems to be flocking out there.

The ‘Aussie effect’ is certainly real – and may leave you more relaxed, upbeat and with more sun-kissed skin than ever before.

It’s no surprise that days spent surfing, sunbathing and exercising can leave you looking and feeling more youthful.

And with influencers and celebs like Love Island star Patsy Field ditching the UK for a life down under, it seems a lot of Brits have followed suit.

Sunny Perth has the highest population of English residents in Australia, with almost one in ten Perth residents being born in England.

Perth blends sugar-white beaches such as Cottesloe with street art and sculptures, giving the city a relaxed and artsy feel. Plus, trips to Rottnest Island to spot quokkas are an adorable perk of being based here.

Sydney is another popular choice. Here you can enjoy an equally exciting and healthy lifestyle in a major city where the beach is your backyard.

5am run clubs rule the mornings, whilst post-work routines can look like a dip in the Bondi Icebergs before debriefing the day with your mates on the beach. Is there any better way to fast-track that sun-kissed glow?

The trendy bars of Melbourne, the South Bank of Brisbane, the burnt orange sunsets of the Gold Coast – the options are endless in this vast and varied country.

Expat Lewy (lewyp23 on TikTok) and his partner moved to Adelaide in South Australia, and has since raved about his relocation.

Lewy described leaving the UK to escape “miserable weather and negative people”, and now enjoys sunny weather, a cheaper cost of living and a salary increase since relocating.

“It’s highly likely that we will never live in the UK again because it cannot offer us the life we’ve got now”, he said in one TikTok video.

There are multiple visa options when it comes to relocating to Australia, including a Work-stream permanent visa if you manage to land sponsored employment.

And with the Skills in Demand visa having launched in December of 2025, it has now become even easier for skilled workers to make the move.

If your profession makes the list of skilled occupation shortages, you may be able to land this four-year visa. Occupation shortages include midwives, electricians and headteachers.

We’ve found studio apartments to rent in Perth from as little as £460 per month on Australian rental site realestate.com.au.

Spain

Spain remains a solid choice for Brits relocating abroad for a spot of sun and an inexpensive lifestyle.

As the country with the most Blue Flag beaches in the world, there’s no shortage of stunning shores to pick from if you want to live by the beach.

Benidorm‘s Playa de Levante has an unbeatable upbeat atmosphere, whilst the scenic Playa de la Caleta in Cádiz sits between two castles.

But Spain’s appeal goes far beyond its beaches. The country offers a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, excellent food, and a strong expat community – all whilst being just a short flight from the UK.

Whether you’re after a relaxed retirement or a vibrant city scene, there’s a corner of Spain to suit every type of expat.

The Costa del Sol remains one of the most popular areas, with destinations like Marbella, Estepona and Nerja offering sunshine for more than 300 days a year.

Think palm-lined promenades, bustling tapas bars and a social atmosphere that makes it easy to meet new friends and fellow expats.

Costa Blanca is another solid choice thanks to its affordable lifestyle and charming seaside towns.

Places like Alicante and Torrevieja blend a beachy lifestyle with modern amenities, with many drawn to the relaxed pace and easy access to shops and transport links.

For those looking for city life, Barcelona and Madrid offer a completely different side of Spain.

Barcelona is buzzing with bold architecture, busy markets and a thriving cafe culture, whilst Madrid boasts elegant boulevards and classy late-night dining.

Food and drink across Spain is often far more affordable than in the UK.

A glass of local wine at the neighbourhood bar is part of the daily rhythm rather than a special occasion, and costs between €2 – €5 (£1.75 – £4.40) on average.

And with a local beer averaging at €3 (£2.60) and a cappuccino costing just €1.90 (£1.66), there’s no need to worry about spending too much whilst you’re out socialising.

“On average, most retirees can live comfortably on around €30,490 (£26,500) per year, covering housing, utilities, food, healthcare, and leisure” says Mike Harvey, managing director at 1st Move International.

“Those opting for coastal or rural areas typically find their money goes further than in major cities.

“Almería, Granada, Murcia, Lugo, and Torrevieja are some of the cheapest places to retire in Spain”.

Idealista is a popular site for properties to rent in Spain, and we’ve found apartments listed for as little as £447 per month in Costa Brava.

SWIFTIES assemble! Your favourite superstar Taylor could be in line to make a very special surprise appearance at next week’s Brit Awards.

Right now, there is a bit of a blank space when it comes to the exact details of her possible attendance at the celebrations.

In fact, no one seems to know what will happen on the night.

I can exclusively reveal, though, that Tay, along with an enormous entourage of more than 20 people, secretly landed in the UK this week.

I’m told they’re going to be visiting Manchester next week — the location for this year’s Brits.

Their schedule then sees them leaving the UK a week on Monday — just a couple of days after the ceremony.

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My music industry mole said: “Taylor is hiding out in London at the moment and is scheduled to visit Manchester, which seems like she could be lined up for a surprise appearance at the Brit Awards.

“Taylor was handed the Global Icon Award at the ceremony back in 2021 and has a huge amount of respect for the Brits. She loves it.

“Brits bosses are trying to keep everything under lock and key, but it feels too much like a coincidence that Taylor is secretly in the UK at the exact time of the Brits.

“The fact her team are all heading home the Monday after the ceremony is fishy. Manchester is an amazing city, but Taylor wouldn’t just be coming to look at the cathedral and the Etihad, would she?”

As lovely as those landmarks are, I doubt it.

If Tay is at the city’s Co-op Live arena on February 28, I think it could be the greatest coup for the Brits. She always delivers a show, on and off the stage.

In 2015, when I was working for Heat magazine, I exclusively revealed that Taylor had hooked up with Calvin Harris at an after-party, with the pair dating for a year.

And in 2021, when she received the Global Icon Award while we were mired in Covid restrictions, she had a very safe knees-up with pals including Haim and Olivia Rodrigo.

This time around, I know Manchester is ready for one massive party and having Taylor front and centre would be phenomenal.

And given her ex Harry Styles is also on the bill, I think it could be a very exciting night.

…AND SHE’S No1 AGAIN

TAYLOR has been named the biggest-selling artist globally of 2025 – the fourth year in a row that she’s topped the list.

The singer, who also took the title in 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024, triumphed thanks to the release of her 12th album, The Life Of A Showgirl, in October.

She is just ahead of K-pop group Stray Kids, who have become megastars around the world, despite not having chart success in the UK.

The list has been compiled by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry, which compiles streaming, downloads and physical formats in every country for its global artist chart.

The biggest gainer was Super Bowl headliner Bad Bunny, who hopped up from No20 in 2024 to No5, while country star Morgan Wallen rose from No13 to No7.

And there was good news for Lady Gaga.

She has re-entered the list at No10 for the first time since 2020, following the release of her album Mayhem.

JADE HAS A LITTLE HELPER IN GROOT

JADE THIRLWALL got comfort from a surprising source after stepping away from her musical roots when Little Mix went on hiatus in 2021.

She admitted walking around with a teddy version of Groot – the tree-like character from Guardians Of The Galaxy – on her shoulder as she pined for her girlband pals.

On new podcast By The Way  . . . With Harriet Rose, out today, Jade said: “Little Mix, that was my life. I’m very career driven and poured everything into Little Mix.

“So when that kind of stopped, that was a massive shock to the system. I had a little bit of a mini menty-b [mental breakdown].

“I had a little teddy of Groot and started wearing it on my shoulder all the time. It was really weird.

“After Little Mix, I went on holiday with my friends and they were like, ‘Why do you keep wearing Groot on your shoulder?’. I think I was replacing the girls with Groot.

“My friends were like, ‘I think it’s time to stop wearing Groot’.”

MILEY CYRUS will take part in a special for Disney+ to mark the 20th anniversary of her breakout show Hannah Montana.

In the one-off, which is to be screened on March 24, she will be interviewed by podcaster Alex Cooper in front of a live studio audience to look back at the series.

Miley said: “This ‘Hannahversary’ is my way of celebrating and thanking the fans who’ve stood by me for 20 years.”

YELL OF A LOOK, PRIYANKA

PRIYANKA CHOPRA spread some joy in this bright yellow outfit ahead of the premiere for her new movie The Bluff.

She wore the thigh-high dress at a photocall before changing into a leather look for the Los Angeles launch of the action thriller on Tuesday night.

The actress was supported on the red carpet by her husband Nick Jonas, who she grabbed by the cheeks while leaning in for a kiss, inset.

Nick released his fifth solo album Sunday Best earlier this month, but it failed to crack the charts.

Here’s hoping her movie fares better.

SHAUN BLASTS TRUMP

US President Donald Trump winds up many people – and Shaun Ryder is no exception.

The Happy Mondays frontman has channelled that into music and written his angriest ever song about Donald, who he branded “orange, fat and bloated”.

In an exclusive chat about their new album, Shaun told me: “Trump keeps popping up.

“There’s plenty on that f***ing orange, motherf***ing waste of space.

“Although I’ve not been mentioning his name, some songs are definitely influenced by that w***er. I f***ing hate him.

“He’s just a p**ck. You might as well have me and Bez up there saying s**t. We have probably got more of a clue than he has.

“I just can’t stand the f***ing man. You can see how it’s affecting me lyrically. I wrote one song that goes, ‘You orange, fat, bloated ****! You f***ing lying, f***ing delusional t**t!’ How’s that for a chorus?”

Brilliant, Shaun.

He also takes a pop at Nigel Farage on the record and said: “Reform, f*** me.

“Every time it gets a bit tough and people haven’t got jobs, it’s ‘blame f***ing immigrants, blame this’,’ it never changes. “That’s the f***ing world, the world is on a loop.

“We never seem to learn f*** all about wars or anything.”

RITA’S TIPS TO BRUSH OFF TROLLS

RITA ORA has advice for ignoring online trolls who target her and other celebs.

The Anywhere singer recites mantras to get into a good headspace.

Rita has teamed up with tech company Meta for a video series on Instagram in a bid to help others.

She said: “You can’t be afraid of something you can’t control.

“You can’t control it, stop thinking about it. These are the mantras I say to myself every day in the mirror.”

Rita added: “Comments can cut. Every tiny thing gets magnified and everyone can see through the walls.

“Someone in the public eye may have more people looking at them but the walls are just as fragile. The doubts are really what helps me make great songs though.”

Personally, I just like to laugh at the trolls, who are always sad, decrepit nobodies, who should get off the internet and find a job.

ACTOR Daniel Radcliffe does not want the cast of the new Harry Potter HBO TV show to be compared to those in the original movies.

He was boy wizard Harry on film, but that role is now Dominic McLaughlin’s.

Daniel said: “Just let them get on with it, it’s going to be a new, different thing.

“I’m sure Dominic is going to be better than me.”

ROB HITS WIG TIME

ROBERT PATTINSON is unrecognisable in this blond wig as he sits on the floor holding a ciggie.

The actor posed for Interview magazine, in which he and his The Drama co-star Zendaya interviewed each other.

Even she was puzzled about the snaps, saying: “The theme was, I don’t know.”

Rob revealed he doesn’t feel welcome in Hollywood, admitting: “I’m never really allowed in. I’m always knocking at the door, like, ‘Hey, guys. Where the party at?’

“And everyone just gets younger and younger.”

ROCK band The Enemy have been forced to cancel a string of gigs after a “medical emergency” as they issue an apology to their fans.

The group have revealed that their Glasgow and Edinburgh shows for tonight and Tuesday have been cancelled.

Taking to Instagram to share the news, their management posted a statement on their behalf.

It read: “Due to a family medical emergency within the band, they have had to rush back home and both tonight’s show at King Tut’s Glasgow and tomorrow night at The Caves Edinburgh have been cancelled.

“Refunds will be issued within the next 24 hours.

“We are so sorry for the disappointment caused, your support means the world to the band, thank you on their behalf for being so understanding of the circumstances. Many thanks, Management,” they signed off.

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The group are still currently scheduled to perform at Brudenell in Leeds on Friday 27 and 100 Club in London on March 4.

Their beloved fans rushed to the comments section to send them their well-wishes as they navigate the emergency.

One concerned fan penned: “Hope all is well. Family should always come first. The shows can wait.”

Another understanding social media user commented: “Sending loads of love, hope everything is ok. Family is always first priority.”

Somebody else said: “Gutted. Hope everything is ok though,” while a fourth added: “Sorry to hear this, family first.”

The English indie rock band was formed in Coventry back in 2006 and consists of members, Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts.

The Enemy’s debut album, We’ll Live and Die in These Towns was released in 2007 and went straight to number one in the UK Albums Chart.

They followed this up with a further three albums and are gearing up for their fifth studio album, Social Disguises, which releases this week.

After disbanding in 2016, the trio reunited in 2022 for two reunion shows in their hometown of Coventry as well as embarking on a UK tour.

While Tom is on lead vocals as well as guitar, piano and strings, Andy is on bass guitar and vocals and Liam is in charge of drums.

The group revealed earlier this month they’re releasing their newest album, Social Disguises.

Taking to Instagram, they penned: “We can officially say that there is a brand new album by The Enemy being released THIS MONTH.

“It’s been a while since last time we said that!

“Massive love to everyone who’s listened to singles and pre-ordered the record! Go get yours from our website.”

This Summer is also set to be a good one for the band’s fans as they’ve been lined up to play Tramlines in Sheffield, Y Not? Festival in Derbyshire and Victorious Festival in Portsmouth.

Benidorm Enthusiast Lucy Young took a stroll along the famous strip in the popular Spanish resort to investigate prices of pints in February before finding the cheapest and dearest

A British expat who has called Benidorm home for over 20 years took a stroll along the strip to investigate the average cost of a pint of beer – with one particular beverage’s price stunning her

Lucy Young, also known as the Benidorm Enthusiast, went on the boozy adventure after earlier this year revealing the one area that sees “violence beyond comprehension”.

But on the lighter topic of beverages, specifically pints on draft, she said: “Hi guys, the Benidorm enthusiast here, and today we are on the strip, the centre for all the bars and for all the British tourism and partying and we’re going to be finding out what is the price of a print.

“Prices are always something which people like to know about before they come on holiday. So let’s have a walk. We are going to go to every single bar that we find open at the moment, beginning of February, so not everything is open, and we’re going to find out what the prices of the pints are on the Benidorm strip 2026.”

During her adventure, she visited 10 bars — The Last Stop, The Wild Duck, the Western Saloon, Hotel California, The Crown Pub, Brit Station, Funky Flamingo, Million Dollar, Jumping Jacks and Rockstar.

Cheapest

In most bars she went to, the cheapest pint was usually the Spanish lager options, like San Miguel and Estrella, which could usually be snapped up for between €2 (£1.74) and €3 (£2.61).

However, after visiting Hotel California, she said: “They’ve got the local larger which is Cruzcampo on at €1.90 (£1.65) a pint — the cheapest we’ve found yet.”

The most expensive draft beer at Hotel California was a Guinness, and even that was just €3.70 (£3.22).

Busiest bar

Lucy said Brit Station, a fairly new bar in the strip, had the biggest selection of pints of beer available, with an Amstel being the cheapest at €2 to the most expensive being Guinness at €4.90 (£4.26).

And standing by the packed boozer, she commented: “Absolutely spoiled for choice for daytime offers here as well at Brit Station. Bucket deals, two for ones, happy hours, it’s all going on here.

“And it really shows because there’s a lot of people inside here today. And we’re filming this at a quiet time of year. It’s probably the busiest bar we’ve come across. They’re also obviously enjoying these daytime offers.”

Most expensive pint

At Rock Star, Lucy noted that Heineken was the cheapest pint option at just €2.

She continued: “Then you’ve got Carlsberg and Moretti — €5 a pint, quite pricey, but they do have an offer on the two for one.”

But as for the pint that really stunned her, it was a UK favourite. With a shocked expression, she explained: “We’ve got Guinness at €6.50 (£5.66) a pint! Again, quite pricey…”

As for other bars on the strip, she said Jumping Jacks was particularly popular in the daytime, especially because they don’t raise their pint prices at night.

She also visited Funky Flamingo where a Guinness is €4.60 (£4) and she said it was her favourite bar on the strip, but stressed that it was not just because she loves doing karaoke there.

Lucy also singled out the Western Saloon for always having a “great atmosphere” and a pint of Estrella was set at €2.70 (£2.35) while Guinness was priced at €3.80 (£3.31).

Concluding

Finishing her investigation on the video, which you can watch in full here, she said: “So there you have it guys, a good look around the Benidorm strip at daytime pint prices for 2026. I think on average, if you stick to the local lager, you are going to be looking to pay between €2 and €2.50. Very very cheap I think, still, even though a lot of prices for other things have gone up in Benidorm in recent years.

“But do bear in mind these are the daytime prices and a lot of the bars, not all of them, but a lot of the pieces will go up when the nightlife starts and the entertainment starts in the evening.”

One person replied: “Looks very reasonable I’m coming over with a few mates in June.”

Another said: “I tend to stick to bottles to be honest Lucy, on average though loads cheaper than here in the UK for sure.”

A third said: “No wonder Rockstar is empty at those prices, never been in plenty of other bars to try.”

One commenter advised: “Stick to bottles, had so many bad pints in Benidorm i wouldn’t touch it now no matter how much it was. No weights and measures there so no guarantee what’s coming through them taps.”

NOEL Gallagher has confirmed he will reunite with brother Liam – three months after their Oasis reunion tour wrapped.

The brothers reunited after 16 years for a sensational five month tour – starting in Wales and ending in Brazil.

The Sun revealed last week that Noel will be getting a starring role when the Brit Awards come to his home city of Manchester this month.

The Wonderwall hitmaker will be honoured with Songwriter of the Year during the ceremony at Co-op Live.

Although some fans were left divided over Noel winning the prize in a year that he has not released any new material.

Meanwhile, Noel hit back over the decision to award him Songwriter of the Year at the upcoming Brit Awards. 

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Speaking on talkSPORT Drive about the award, Noel said: “I haven’t written a song for two years.

“I’m not sure how I’ve got away with that one but I’ll take it.”

Asked about the controversy, he responded: “Is there? I don’t know. Why, what’s it now?”

Host Andy Goldstein said: “Some people are questioning the fact that you’ve won it and haven’t written a song.”

Noel replied: “Well, I think the Brits is all based on record sales, and I’m not sure there was another single songwriter that sold… I mean, we sold a million records last year.

“Didn’t even get off the couch and I’m not sure there’s a songwriter that can match that.

“But you know, if anybody’s got a problem with it, meet me there. We’ll have it out on the red carpet.

“If any of those wet wipes songwriting teams, all 11 of them, want to write a song between the lot of them, want to have it out on the red carpet, I’m there.”

Noel then revealed that he and Liam are planning on reuniting for a Carabao Cup final, which takes place in March.

Revealing whether Liam will be at the BRITs with him, Noel said: “I haven’t, no, we’re just organising tickets for the Carabao Cup final today, but no, I haven’t spoke to him about that, no.”

The Sun revealed that mastermind behind Oasis‘s incredible back catalogue of hits would be receiving the award later this month.

A source said: “Noel has more than earned his stripes and after the phenomenal effect of Oasis’ reunion tour last summer, the time felt right to give him the honour.

“The cultural impact of Noel’s songwriting is hard to quantify. It’s not just the timeless hits from Oasis, like Wonderwall, Champagne Supernova and Live Forever, that he is being honoured for, but also the career-defining songs he wrote for his solo albums with High Flying Birds.

“The Brits are planning a special visual tribute to Noel too, which will showcase some of the highlights of his work before he picks up the awards.”

He famously said in 2013 that he’d never attend the ceremony again, after moaning it had lost its rock ‘n’ roll magic when he spotted Muse drummer Dominic Howard smoking an e-cigarette on the balcony above him.

Noel, below, said: “It was an instantly forgettable night. There was nothing going on at the Brits, there was nothing going on at the after-show parties.

“There are no characters left in the music business. I saw the drummer from Muse smoking an electronic cigarette. I had to say to him, ‘Really?”

Noel added: “That will be the last time I attend that show unless I get some award for . . .  ‘and the award this year for the only person in England writing his own songs, oh that’s right, there’s only one nominee’.”

This year marks 30 years since Noel and brother Liam enjoyed their biggest night at the Brits.

They picked up three gongs — Best Group, Best Album for (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? and Best Video for Wonderwall.

HE has more than two decades of hits under his belt and worked with everyone from Amy Winehouse and Dua Lipa to Adele and Miley Cyrus.

Now I can exclusively reveal Mark Ronson will get his flowers at the Brit Awards later this month, as he will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music award.

And, in even more good news for viewers, Mark will also take to the stage for a performance at the ceremony, being held at ­Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on February 28.

The superstar DJ, producer and songwriter said: “This is the most meaningful honour of my career.

“I think of the times I’ve watched artists I revere accept this same award.

“The idea that I’m now standing in that ­lineage feels impossible.

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“I left England as a kid, but this country runs through everything I’ve made.

“The UK artists I’ve worked with — their brilliance and refusal to compromise — shaped not just my work but how I understand what music should do.

“And more than anything, it’s the crowds here who’ve ­sustained and showed up for me.

“The fans, the festival crowds, the record buyers and streamers — the love has always been overwhelming. I’m beyond grateful for all of it.”

The gong is richly deserved for Mark, who has helped guide some of my favourite artists to superstardom.

It is a poignant year to receive the award, as it marks 20 years since Mark produced Amy’s Back To Black album, which is widely considered one of the greatest records of all time.

Details about his performance are being kept under lock and key, but I imagine he will be treating us to a medley of his hits including the Bruno Mars classic Uptown Funk and Miley Cyrus’ Nothing Breaks Like A Heart.

He joins a stellar list of performers, with Harry Styles, Olivia Dean and Wolf Alice already announced. In receiving the gong, Mark is following in the footsteps of other British favourites including Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams and Blur.

Jack Whitehall is returning to host the biggest night in UK music for the sixth time.

And I am expecting my story about Maura Higgins’ kiss with married McFly singer Danny Jones at last year’s Universal Music after-party to feature heavily in his jokes.

Bring it on.

Nicole strikes a blue note

NICOLE SCHERZINGER looked belting in blue after performing at a charity concert.

She wore this stunning gown to the Love Life: West End Unites Against Cancer event at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane just as I revealed her ex Lewis Hamilton, who she dated from 2007 to 2015, is secretly seeing Kim Kardashian.

Nicole is now engaged to former rugby union player Thom Evans – but I won’t be surprised if this gives her a nudge to get on with her wedding planning.

Ben and Benson’s goalden gags

BEN STILLER and Benson Boone play brothers who can’t stop fighting in a new ad.

In the guise of an Eighties Europop duo, the pair argue after comedian Ben tries and fails to copy Benson’s famous backflips.

Then they lock horns over the Super Bowl, with Ben confusing American football with soccer.

He says: “We are excited to sing for you in this football game. Hopefully many, many goals.”

Singer Benson corrects him: “This is a different football – they touch down,” prompting yet more bickering.

Their double act is for online grocery service Instacart’s ad, which will air during the US sporting event on Sunday.

I feel like they need a whole film together.

Kooks show on Sail soon

THE KOOKS will play a huge show at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, South East London, on July 31 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their incredible album Inside In/Inside Out.

It comes as Luke Pritchard releases a live version of his brilliant 2014 tune See Me Now, which he wrote for his musician dad Bob, who died when he was three.

The new version was recorded at London’s O2 Arena last year, with Luke, telling me: “I didn’t think I would be able to finish the song.

“I just thought how much that this would blow my dad’s mind – that I played the song to that many people in London, you know.”

Bob, who once supported The Rolling Stones on tour, helped Luke first pick up a mic, with the star explaining: “My mum dropped off a load of tapes of me and my dad that I’d never seen.

“He was teaching me to use a microphone, play guitar, pose like a rock star, all when I was three.”

Tickets for the show go on sale at noon on Monday.

I’ll see you there.

Molotovs’ No1 battle

THE MOLOTOVS have thrown down the gauntlet to Lily Allen as they battle her for the No1 album spot this Friday, warning: “We’re coming for you.”

Punk rock siblings Matt and Issey Cartlidge, who make up one of the most exciting and disruptive new bands I’ve seen in years, are at No2 in the midweek charts with their debut record Wasted On Youth.

Meanwhile, Lily has shot up to the No1 spot with West End Girl, after she released physical copies of the record for the first time.

The race is tight, and in an exclusive chat, Matt told me: “Watch out silly Lily, we’re coming for you.

“We’d love to beat you. We wish you all the best but f***ing, come on! We’ll have you!”

Issey adds: “Battling with Lily Allen proves bands are coming back. People still have an appetite for our music.”

Lily, right, is more than happy to hand over the mantle and, on Monday night, issued a public statement to the siblings, writing on Instagram: “It’s all love baby, I hope you win the war.”

Matt and Issey have worked tirelessly to get their album heard and have played 600 live shows to date, while simultaneously championing grassroots venues.

Their campaigning, alongside the Sex Pistols and Frank Carter, helped save the iconic Bush Hall in West London, after a fundraising drive brought in £45,000.

Issey adds: “We’re now ambassadors for the Music Venue Trust too. The 30-date tour we’re on now has been in small, grassroots venues – we wanted to champion them.

“These venues and institutions are so important.”

The pair will support their pal Yungblud on his UK arena tour in April, before they embark on their own 13-date tour across the UK in September, taking in venues including London’s 2,300-capacity O2 Forum Kentish Town.

Matt said: “It’s a big step up. We’ve always had the same level of confidence, we’re just getting bigger.”

The Molotovs deserve a No1 for Wasted On Youth – it is fantastic.

CAUGHT LIVE

Suede @ Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

★★★★☆

SUEDE kicked off their sold-out UK tour in blistering form over the weekend, promoting latest album Antidepressants which topped The Sun’s album poll in December.

Brett Anderson teased us fans by inviting us into their world, before warning: “It’s not very nice and full of barbed wire.”

But in reality, the set is packed with new tunes and a sprinkling of classics from the Nineties, with Brett’s voice stronger than ever as he treats us to an off-mic a capella tear jerker among the thundering hits.

With 14 of the 21 songs coming from their post- 2010 comeback albums, it’s proof that being the self-dubbed “anti-nostalgia band” is a pretty perfect world after all.

THIS Sunday Bad Bunny will take to the stage for what I ­imagine will be an epic Super Bowl half-time show.

But before that, rapper Lil Wayne will also have his own half-time show . . . virtually, at least. The five-time Grammy winner is set to perform his 2008 hit A Milli on mobile game Clash Royale on Friday.

Lil Wayne said: “Music, sports, and gaming all in one place – y’all know how much I love being at the centre of the culture. I’m turning the Clash Royale Arena into the most lit concert of the week.

“Tap in on February 6 to see what we got in store for y’all.”

CHAPPELL ROAN has defended the “nipple ring” Thierry Mugler dress she wore to the Grammys on Sunday, insisting she had no idea it would cause controversy.

Sharing images on Instagram of the frock, which had fabric hanging from prosthetic pierced nipples, the singer wrote: “Giggling because I don’t even think this is THAT outrageous of an outfit.

“The look is actually so awesome and weird. I recommend just exercising your free will – it’s really fun and silly.”

I am pleased to see Chappell can laugh about it.

Every red carpet could do with a bit more silliness in these troubled times.