missed

THE Wanted star Nathan Sykes has taken a swipe at bandmate Max George amidst bitter feud. 

Nathan, 32, tied the knot with his girlfriend of six years Charlotte Burke earlier this month and broke his silence as to why his former pal was not in attendance.

Feud rumours have recently reignited inside the huge UK boyband following a wedding snub. 

Nathan opted for an intimate celebration inviting just 61 of their closest friends and family, among them was The Wanted star Jay McGuinness.

But, Max was noticeably absent from Nathan’s wedding alongside Siva Kaneswaran – Max and Kiva now have their own boyband The Wanted 2.0 together.

Following the wedding Nathan opened up about why Max and Siva weren’t in attendance, speaking to OK! he said: “We haven’t touched base recently, so I’m not sure they would have known the wedding date. 

GOLD FOREVER

The Wanted’s Nathan Sykes marries girlfriend of six years in stunning ceremony

final days

The Wanted’s Siva shares promise he made to bandmate Tom Parker before his death

“With them being out in America at the time, we’ve not had the chance to [catch up], but I’m sure we will soon.”

He added: “We had a room full of people we’re comfortable with, so it was a really safe space and allowed us to relax.”

The band was first formed in 2009 by Max, Nathan, Jay, Siva and the late Tom Parker.

The group had massive hits between 2009 before it was disbanded in 2014, with plans to bring the boys back together.

But now it seems The Wanted aren’t reuniting, and Max and Nathan might not be talking at all.

Recently, fans on Reddit noticed that the pair unfollowed each other on Instagram, cutting off social media communication.

One wrote: “Not to sound parasocial or anything, but for some context, I have been a fan of The Wanted since 2012.

They added: “Couldn’t help but notice Max and Nathan unfollowed each other?

“I wonder if there’s any beef between them lol.”

Another fan replied to the Reddit thread, saying: “I’ve always suspected Max and Nathan had a falling out before they broke up the first time.”

A third said: “It’s a real shame because teenage me loved Nathan and Max’s interactions.

“I remember when Nathan used to comment on Max’s ig posts around 2 years ago.

“They haven’t followed each other in a very long time.

Seeing one of your portfolio’s positions generate a 10-year return of 50,000% is truly mind-boggling. But this is exactly what Bitcoin (BTC -0.25%) has done (as of Sept. 17). A $2,000 starting investment in September 2015 would be worth $1 million today.

With such a fantastic historical return, it’s understandable if investors think that it’s too late to put money to work. But that’s a pessimistic view. Here’s the biggest reason you haven’t missed out on Bitcoin.

Image source: Getty Images.

Unsustainable financial situation

It’s safe to assume that the U.S. federal debt, now at $37 trillion, will keep increasing in the decades ahead. It doesn’t matter who’s in the White House. The country will continue to run massive fiscal deficits. For what it’s worth, the last surplus was in 2001.

This unfavorable trend supports ongoing growth in the money supply, as the government keeps borrowing to fund spending. Something must eventually break.

The counterargument is that because the U.S. has the biggest and most powerful economy, and the U.S. dollar is the global reserve currency, things can continue on this path. To be fair, unsustainable trends can last longer than people might think.

But the situation is becoming more fragile as time passes. Imagine if you kept opening new credit cards to pay off the balances of your old cards. This is financially reckless, but this is essentially what the U.S. government does.

Capital flowing to a scarce asset

Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million units. No single entity has control over it. It transcends borders. And it’s permissionless. This makes it a unique asset for more capital to flow to, particularly as more money and debt keep being created in the financial system.

Therefore, as long as governments across the globe continue operating in fiscally irresponsible ways, Bitcoin will have uncapped upside.

As Sonia Silva prepared to leave work on Wednesday evening, she was asked by a colleague to help with a quick task.

It meant she missed her regular funicular ride down the hill with a work friend on their commute home from the office in the centre of Lisbon.

When she arrived at the stop a short while later, the funicular had crashed and her friend was dead.

“When I got there, it was a tragedy,” she said.

Sixteen people were killed on Wednesday evening in Lisbon when its iconic 140-year-old Glória funicular derailed and crashed into a building. The Portuguese prime minister has described it as “one of the biggest human tragedies of our recent history”.

Many of those killed were foreign nationals, including three British people whose identities have not yet been announced. Police say five killed were Portuguese – and four of them worked at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia charity, located at the top of the hill.

A service was held on Friday in a church next to the charity’s headquarters, honouring the workers killed in the crash. The service was crowded, with people filling the aisles and any other available space.

As they left, colleagues wept and supported each other as they tried to make sense of what had happened. Several told the BBC that they regularly used the funicular as part of their commute.

Sitting on a bench outside, Sonia said she had worked at the charity for eight years and used the funicular each day.

“I can’t express [how I feel] – it’s very difficult. I am grateful but at the same time I’m very, very angry because my colleagues and lots of people died,” she said.

She said she would travel to and from work each day with her colleague Sandra Coelho.

“I was very fond of her because I always took the funicular with her – going home and in the morning. It’s very difficult because I’m not going to see her anymore,” she said through tears, as colleagues comforted her.

On their commute, she said the two women would gossip and talk about their days.

“We’d talk about colleagues, work, everything. We’d meet in the morning and when we finished,” she said.

Others around the church also mourned the loss of friends and tried to process what had happened.

“It’s awful, we are devastated. It’s difficult to work at the moment,” said Lurdes Henriques.

“We’re always thinking about our colleagues and wondering ‘did they suffer?’ They could be here with us now. We are deeply, deeply sad.”

“It could have been any one of us – all of us used this kind of transport and we felt very confident in it,” said Tania, another worker at the charity.

Rui Franco, a city councillor whose close friend and former colleague Alda Matias was killed in Wednesday’s crash, said he was in shock.

“She was about my age. She had a family, children and I can’t imagine if it was me what would be happening to my family. She was a great person… with a very solid way of acting in the world,” he said.

Mr Franco said he was “already angry” when he first learned of the fatal crash, “then when I understood I knew the people involved, the rage [became] overwhelming”.

While an investigation into the cause of the crash is under way, there was much speculation among mourners.

“It was always overcrowded,” one said, while another blamed poor maintenance.

The leader of the rail workers union Fectrans claimed that some workers had complained that problems with the tension of the cable that hauls the carriages had made braking difficult.

“Even planes fall out of the sky sometimes. Accidents happen,” said another woman.

Several told the BBC that whatever the cause, they could not imagine using the funicular again.

“I’ve told everyone I’m not going to use it anymore,” said Sonia before heading back into the office, flanked by work friends.

It’s been a big year for música Mexicana. Corridos tumbados are still dominating the global charts, with a handful of established stars leading the charge — among them Fuerza Regida, Peso Pluma, Tito Double P, Junior H and genre newcomer Netón Vega.

But amid this flurry of new releases, you might have missed an album or two worthy of recognition. Here are five música Mexicana records you should check out.

Chino Pacas, “Cristian”

Chino Pacas has staked his claim to the spotlight following the release of his sophomore album, “Cristian,” which came out earlier this month. At just 18 years old, he’s amassed over 17 million monthly Spotify listeners, largely due to his uniquely gritty vocals that pair well with the genre’s thunderous instrumentation.

Now with “Cristian,” Chino Pacas looks to stand out among other corridos tumbados stars by exploring a range of sounds, including traditional banda rhythms in “No Es Un Juego” (ft. Banda Otro Pedo) and the hip hop-infused “GTO” (ft. Santa Fe Klan). (The latter’s music video is filmed in some iconic Boyle Heights locations, including Mexican deli Los Cinco Puntos and El Mercado’s Virgin Mary shrine.) Pacas also picks up the pace with his rendition of Tropicalísimo Apache’s 1993 song “Ojitos Mentirosos,” a song currently trending on TikTok; Pacas’ version has risen considerably on Mexico’s Top 50 chart on Spotify.

Armenta, “Portate Bien”

After producing some of Fuerza Regida’s most iconic hits, Armenta seized the opportunity to release his own debut album, “Portate Bien,” in early August. At its core, the project captures the depths of love and heartache across 15 melancholic tracks, carried by the Mexican singer’s crisp and bold vocals.

Sonically, the LP is a blend of corridos tumbados with the occasional touch of reggaeton and harmonious pop, which shines brightest in tracks like “Ansiedad” and “AbrilSinTi” (ft. Alex Garcia). The crooner also plays with traditional bolero rhythms for his last track “Bolerito” (ft. Manuel Medrano). Already a growing hit for the singer-songwriter is the love-struck ballad “Pensando y Pensando,” which deals with ruminating thoughts of love and loss.

Kane Rodriguez, “La Batuta”

Like many before him in the genre, newcomer Kane Rodriguez first debuted his signature raspy vocals on TikTok, where he would upload acoustic covers of popular corridos. Now the Houston native is using the same platform to promote “La Batuta,” his first album of all-original songs, which was released in April.

In a genre obsessed with flashy gimmicks, Rodriguez sticks to the traditional corrido sound across 13 tracks, setting himself apart from the crowd with his raw vocals and prickly guitar style. Like most of his contemporaries, the 22-year-old explores themes of illicit activity, touting a risqué lifestyle in popular numbers like “La Batuta” and “Morro Mañoso.” In the fierce standout track “Se Volvieron Locos,” he lambastes haters for not believing in him.

Clave Especial, “Mija No Te Asustes”

Clave Especial released their highly-anticipated debut studio album, “Mija No Te Asustes,” this past February — and the 16 hard-hitting tracks were well worth the wait. Since forming in 2021, the trio has transformed their tempered banda sound into a more boisterous affair, likely drawing inspiration from other acts on their label, Street Mob Records, led by Fuerza Regida frontman, Jesús Ortiz Paz. The LP remained on the Billboard 200 chart for 11 weeks, peaking at No. 91.

Clave Especial and Fuerza Regida join forces in their brassy mobster-core singles “Como Capo” and “No Pasa Nada.” The possessive love song “Tu Tu Tu,” which features vocalist Edgardo Nuñez, reached the top of the Regional Mexican Airplay chart just this week — marking a first for the band from Salinas, Calif. Clave Especial is set to kick off their first U.S. headlining tour this fall.

Chuy Montana, “No Fue Suerte”

In 2024, the rising corridos bélicos singer Chuy Montana was murdered in Tijuana after singing songs that authorities said “displeased his aggressor.” It’s a tragic fate that has met other legendary Mexican singers, including the narcocorrido trailblazer Chalino Sanchez in 1992. In June, Street Mob Records released Montana’s posthumous debut album, “No Fue Suerte,” after finishing his songs in close collaboration with his family.

Using his rugged vocal delivery, Montana peppers his lyrics with amusing vulgarities. His most popular song, “Qué Bendición,” tells tales of his trials and tribulations, and his mother’s blessing that follows him wherever he goes — although some songs sound haunting now, in light of Montana’s passing. Among those songs is the accordion-riddled track “Perdón Mamá” featuring Juanpa Salazar, in which Montana foreshadows his tragic death and delivers a heartbreaking, preemptive apology to his grieving mother.

Reach Screen Time spoke exclusively to Mudtown stars Tom Cullen and Erin Richards

A gripping new TV drama is set to hit our screens this month, promising viewers a captivating tale brimming with tension and conflict, reports Wales Online. This comes as audiences are binging another crime drama.

Mudtown, set in Newport, Wales, centres around magistrate Claire Lewis Jones (portrayed by Erin Richards), who finds herself in a dilemma when her childhood friend’s daughter is accused of arson.

Claire’s personal and professional worlds collide as she attempts to preside over the case. Adding to the complexity, her ex-lover and local gangster Saint Pete (Tom Cullen) re-enters her life, seeking her assistance in court.

She finds herself torn between divided loyalties and ensuring justice is served.

Mudtown was co-created by Keeping Faith actor and writer Hannah Daniels along with real-life magistrate Georgia Lee.

In an exclusive chat with Reach Screen Time, lead stars Cullen and Richards shared their thoughts on joining the series.

READ MORE: ‘Fantastic’ crime drama fans say will ‘tear your heart out’ is streaming for freeREAD MORE: New crime drama branded ‘exceptional’ now available to stream for free

Cullen confessed he’d been extremely hesitant about accepting the role of crime boss Saint Pete, despite having portrayed real-life gangster Johnny Palmer in BBC’s The Gold.

He revealed: “On a personal level, Pete is a character that I’ve never really got to play before and when they offered it to me, I was absolutely terrified and confused as to why they wanted me to play this character.

“And I was absolutely terrified of the prospect of playing because I thought it was way beyond my reach, capabilities as an actor and for that reason, also, I decided to do it, to scare myself.”

Explaining his decision to join Mudtown, Cullen said: “Lots attracted me to the show. Just on a script-level, I found it really interesting.

“I thought that its themes really resonated with me and the socio-political aspect to it about the choices we make and what choices do we have when we grow up in certain areas, and the different paths a certain decision can make, I found that really interesting. I also thought that the characters were so complex.”

He revealed he was also attracted to the project due to the opportunity to work in his native Wales, which he rarely got to do and “work with friends” he’d “known for years”, describing it as a “joyous experience”.

The Crown and Gotham star Richards confessed she had similar motivations for joining Mudtown, admitting she was also drawn to the chance to work in Wales and be near her family.

“It was such a dream and it was the first job I did since having my son, who is now two-and-a-half, but was one, and just the ability to come home every night and see him and sleep in my own bed, and travel to Newport which is somewhere I’ve never been before but obviously visited a lot,” she said.

Richards and Cullen have been friends for years after starring in a film together when they were just 16, which she confessed boosted their on-screen spark and transformed her acting.

The actress revealed: “I had a specific idea of who Claire was and I was playing her a certain way, and then when I would do the scenes with Tom, she would like change a little bit and I didn’t plan for that to happen.

“But I think just because of the history that Tom and I have and how much we know about each other, it really reflected how Claire and Saint Pete were together. It was a really dynamic we had as friends but also had as characters.”

The programme was filmed back-to-back in English and Welsh, like numerous Welsh productions including the aforementioned Keeping Faith and The Light in the Hall.

Recording simultaneously in both languages meant the Welsh-speaking actors would begin in one tongue for a scene and then switch to the other language for the following scene depending on the take.

Richards confessed: “It was a real mind-bending thing at the beginning, but then halfway through I got used to it and my brain would just do it and click into place.”

The performer got ready for the part by observing magistrates courts in both Cardiff and Newport, discovering how it operated and acknowledged she was “surprised” that more programmes about the court hadn’t been created. Addressing the possibility of a second season, Richards teased: “I think the final episode, the final scene leaves it open to another series. I would love to do one. Cullen added: “I’d love to do one. We’ll see how it goes, fingers crossed.”

Mudtown is available on U&alibi from August 29 at 9pm, available on Sky, Virgin Media and NOW

The latest episode featured a subtle scene that could hint at Belly’s endgame

*Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3*

The Summer I Turned Pretty’s latest episode featured an Easter Egg that could be good news for Team Conrad.

Based on the much-loved YA novels by showrunner Jenny Han, the latest season follows Belly (portrayed by Lola Tung) as she navigates life at university. In addition to her education, she’s also wrapped up in a long-term relationship with Jeremiah Fisher (played by Gavin Casalegno).

However, when Belly’s ex-boyfriend and Jeremiah’s elder brother, Conrad (played by Christopher Briney), re-enters their lives, she is forced to reconsider her feelings for the older Fisher boy.

Episode three, released on Prime Video on July 23, sees the trio reunited for Susannah Fisher’s memorial. Viewers see the Conklins and Fishers at lunch, where Belly’s mother Laurel (played Jackie Chung) announces she is footing the bill.

Upon hearing this, Adam Fisher (Tom Everett Scott) orders the most expensive entrée on the menu, the Surf n Turf. Jeremiah follows suit, echoing his father’s $75 request.

However, Conrad takes note that Belly had ordered an affordable starter for her main, and opts for the cheapest item on the menu, the Seared Salmon Fillet.

The scene is significant because the Fishers are portrayed as far wealthier than Belly’s family. Therefore, they could have ordered inexpensive items out of consideration for Belly’s single mother.

Although the scene is fleeting, viewers have noted that it signifies that Conrad is a better partner for Belly because he is more attentive to her family dynamic. This has left supporters of ‘Bonrad’ theorising that this scene is yet another Easter Egg teasing the pair’s eventual reunion.

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Taking to Reddit, one viewer voiced: “Not Conrad choosing the cheapest entrée. I can’t. I let out a squeak and cry. Oh my goodness this boy. I love him too much.”

Others were quick to praise the Fisher brother, with a second writing: “He knows Laurel and is so considerate. I love this man.” A third viewer, who completely missed the Easter Egg, penned: “Oh. That’s what that was about.”

“It’s the little things like attentiveness and thoughtful consideration that make Conrad so amazing. He is so in-tune with her needs,” said a fourth.

But others defended Jeremiah, with one arguing: “Don’t offer to pay at an expensive restaurant like that with a table full of young men who will eat you out of house and home if you cannot afford it. It was a silly gesture that Adam won’t even appreciate. Let him pick up the tab, it’s the least he can do.”

While the lunch exchange may have scored points for Conrad, Jeremiah and Belly later revealed to their families that they are engaged. And, as of episode three, the pair intend to go through with their marriage.

The Summer I Turned Pretty streams Wednesdays on Prime Video

Family handout

‘Mistakes were made’

Family handout

A study of 2,000 UK holidaymakers found health emergencies are the top worry when in a different country, with theft also being a big concern.

Holidaymakers are more concerned about misplacing luggage and missing flights than they are about being pickpocketed or losing their passport. A survey of 2,000 travellers revealed that health emergencies top the list of worries when abroad, with theft also a significant concern. Meanwhile, a third are apprehensive about getting lost, and a quarter worry about their accommodation not being safe.

However, only 8% are anxious about falling victim to online threats while overseas – a risk that is particularly prevalent on unsecured networks in foreign countries. With the most frequent activities carried out by those who connect to Wi-Fi when abroad include online banking, shopping with a credit card, streaming TV or music, and checking work emails.

Melissa Voeller, a cyber safety advocate for Norton, which conducted the study, stated: “When we travel, we often focus on physical safety, like guarding our belongings or catching our flight, but digital threats don’t take a holiday.

“From public Wi-Fi risks to phishing scams disguised as hotel confirmations, cybercriminals target travellers when their guard is down. That’s why it’s just as important to secure your digital life as it is to secure important documents like your passport.”

The research discovered that 86% of travellers believe they are cautious when arranging travel. However, 29% have been scammed or targeted, either during the trip or while planning it, with 23% confessing they’re not particularly knowledge about online safety.

It was revealed that 14% are uncertain about the risks associated with connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi network, which commonly include malware distribution; where unsecured networks can be used to distribute malicious software to your device.

To gain access to this Wi-Fi whilst travelling, 45% have provided their email address, 30% have entered their first and last name – and 28% even revealed their hotel room number. After connecting many encountered suspicious pop-ups, data breach alerts and even online scams.

Melissa commented: “Public Wi-Fi might be convenient for checking maps or posting on social media, but it can be a hotspot for cybercriminals, too. Logging into banking apps or entering personal information on an unsecured connection abroad can be just as risky as losing your wallet.”

She cautioned: “A few clicks in the wrong place could give hackers access to everything from your email to your banking details, making you more vulnerable to threats.” It was revealed that only 26% say they have used a VPN while travelling, yet Melissa says it’s a key way to safeguard privacy whilst away.

Travel expert Simon Calder said: “Staying connected while travelling is second nature these days, whether it’s checking flight details, finding directions or booking last-minute tickets. But public Wi-Fi, especially in places like airports or hotels, isn’t always as safe as it seems.

“That’s why using a VPN is a smart move. It gives you added peace of mind that your online activity stays private and for your eyes only, no matter where your travels take you.”

TOP 10 THINGS BRITS WORRY ABOUT ON HOLIDAY

1. Health emergencies
2. Losing luggage
3. Missing flights
4. Theft of personal belongings
5. Pickpockets
6. Losing important documents
7. Overcrowded tourist spots
8. Unsafe drinking water
9. Getting lost
10. Language barriers / cultural misunderstandings

WASHINGTON — Fired White House aide Lt. Col. Oliver L. North confessed last year that he attempted to destroy every official document that could have revealed the diversion of Iran arms sale profits to the contras– but that he missed one, former National Security Adviser Robert C. McFarlane said Monday.

McFarlane told the House and Senate investigating committees that North realized last November, as the Reagan Administration’s secret arms deals with Iran began to unravel, that the diversion of money to Nicaragua’s rebels could damage President Reagan if it were revealed.

Before other officials discovered the diversion, North told him that he planned to hold a “shredding party” to destroy the evidence, McFarlane said.

“He thought that the President was in a very solid position, and that there was only one matter that concerned him–and it was the matter of the channeling of funds to the contras,” he said.

“What did he tell you about a shredding party?” asked Arthur L. Liman, chief counsel for the Senate select committee on the scandal.

“Just that there had to be one,” McFarlane answered.

Later, after Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III publicly disclosed the diversion of funds and Reagan abruptly fired North, McFarlane said he telephoned North and asked him what had gone wrong.

“Ollie, it was approved, wasn’t it?” McFarlane quoted himself as asking.

“Yes, Bud, it was approved. You know I wouldn’t do anything that wasn’t approved,” North replied, according to McFarlane.

“Then don’t worry,” McFarlane said. “You did the right thing. Just tell it like it was.”

McFarlane then asked North how the diversion had been discovered.

“They must have found the memo,” he quoted North as saying.

“Did he say, ‘I missed one’?” Liman asked.

“Yes,” McFarlane answered.

‘Residual Funds’

The document that disclosed the diversion was a memo that North wrote in April, 1986, proposing a sale of weapons to Iran to generate $12 million in “residual funds” for the contras.

The memo was discovered by Justice Department officials who searched the National Security Council files on Nov. 22–one day after North and his secretary, Fawn Hall, destroyed thousands of other documents in North’s office, according to knowledgeable sources.

Hall has already told investigators that North ordered her to shred some documents and to alter others, the sources have said. McFarlane’s testimony corroborated the secretary’s account and appeared to strengthen any possible criminal case against North for obstructing justice through destroying the evidence.

Approved by Poindexter

McFarlane said he did not ask North who had approved the diversion of funds to the contras. McFarlane had left the government in December, 1985, before the diversion occurred, but his successor, Rear Adm. John M. Poindexter, who was North’s boss, has acknowledged approving the diversion, according to the presidentially appointed Tower Commission. Reagan has denied giving his approval.

McFarlane said he did not mention the diversion or North’s reference to a “shredding party” to anyone else–even though he was interviewed about the scandal by Meese on Nov. 21, hours before North and Hall destroyed the documents.

“(Meese) was asking the questions,” McFarlane explained. “Perhaps it was something I should have told him. We discussed it two days later”–after the documents had been destroyed.

Exceeded Orders

McFarlane described North as a man who “ran very far with the ball” and sometimes exceeded orders in carrying out a mission.

He said North had devised several potentially illegal schemes for funding the contras, written “lurid” memos to promote his proposals and sometimes misrepresented his own wishes as coming from McFarlane or Reagan himself.

North “always responded to firm guidance,” McFarlane said, but also would “probably, on occasion, go beyond. I could foresee that.”

In 1985, North told McFarlane that he had not solicited any private funds for the contras–an assertion that has since been proven false. But on the basis of North’s promises, McFarlane personally assured Congress that the NSC staff was not soliciting aid.

‘More Probing’ Needed

“Looking back, I think that . . . suspicions that I had ought to have led me to be more probing,” a chastened McFarlane admitted.

But McFarlane still had warm words for his former protege. “I thought surely Ollie was probably the most mission-oriented, can-do professional on the staff,” he said.

In 1986, McFarlane wrote to North: “If the world only knew how many times you have kept a semblance of gumption and integrity to U.S. policy, they would make you secretary of state.”

When asked about that message Monday, McFarlane appeared to wince.

“Some of these communications were to build morale,” he said. “It involves a certain amount of hyperbole.”

A POPULAR burger branch has finally reopened its doors after nearly two years – and locals couldn’t be happier to see it back.

Wimpy has returned to Tufton Street in Ashford, Kent, after shutting in late 2023 when the previous franchisee stepped down following 30 years in charge.

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The iconic burger spot was originally expected to reopen at the start of 2024, but a series of delays, including unforeseen issues before Christmas, left customers fearing the restaurant might never return.

Now, to the delight of fans, the branch is back in business, with customers already queuing up for their fix of Wimpy classics.

The company, famous for menu staples like the Bender in a Bun and thick shakes, confirmed: “Wimpy Ashford is now open under new ownership with a fresh team and great vibe.

“We will still be serving your favourite Wimpy burgers, chips and thick shakes.”

News of the reopening has spread quickly among locals, with many taking to social media to share their excitement and memories of the eatery.

Several residents said the restaurant had been a regular haunt in their youth, and they were eager to return with their own children.

One customer wrote: “So glad Wimpy is back! Nothing beats a proper burger and chips with that classic taste. We’ve really missed it.”

Another added: “Ashford just hasn’t been the same without it. It’s not just the food, it’s the memories that come with it.”

Wimpy, once a major player on the UK’s fast-food scene, has been undergoing a gradual revival in recent years, with several branches refurbished or reopened under new management.

The Ashford branch’s relaunch is seen as a positive step for the town centre, which has faced a number of retail closures in recent years.

The new owners say they’re committed to maintaining the traditional feel of the restaurant while bringing in modern touches to enhance the customer experience.

Early visitors have already praised the updated décor and friendly atmosphere, saying it retains the charm of the old Wimpy while feeling fresh and inviting.

Staff say they’ve been overwhelmed by the warm welcome and steady flow of diners since opening, and hope to build on that momentum in the months ahead.

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