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England’s largest theatre given green light in capital’s ‘loveliest spot’

A NEW theatre is coming to the UK and it is set to be the largest in England.

Given the green light for London, a new 3,000-seat theatre is set to be built in Greenwich.

Greenwich will be getting a new 3,000-seat theatre, which will be the biggest in EnglandCredit: Greenwich Peninsula Theatre

The theatre will be on the eastern side of Greenwich Peninsula and will be split into two auditoriums, each with 1,500 seats.

Once complete, the Troubadour Theatre will overtake the London Coliseum with 2,359 seats, as the biggest theatre in the capital, as well as England.

It won’t quite be the biggest in the UK though, as that title will remain with the Edinburgh Playhouse, which has 3,059 seats.

Construction on the new theatre is expected to start this June and take nine months to complete.

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The Troubadour already operates two other theatres in London – one in Wembley Park and the other in Canary Wharf, which opened in October last year and is currently home to The Hunger Games: On Stage.

At Troubadour Wembley Park, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express is currently playing.

The Greenwich theatre wouldn’t be permanent though, as planning permission has only been granted for a decade, after which the land would be used for tower blocks of flats.

These plans form part of the Greenwich Peninsula Masterplan, which will make the area “an expression of the world’s boldest architects”.

The development will span across 195 acres and create 17,500 homes.

There will also be 47 acres of open public space which will include a creative hub.

New shops and office spaces will open too, with a focus on the creative industries.

A large part of this will be a new Design District.

And there will be The Tide – a mile long park for pedestrians and cyclists with access to the riverfront.

The whole development is then set for completion in 2043.

Greenwich itself has a lot to explore, including Greenwich Park and ObservatoryCredit: Alamy

There have been a number of new openings in the area recently as well including The Dial – a three-floor microbrewery.

On the lower floor, visitors will find a tap room home to brewing facilities.

The first floor is then focused on live sports screenings and the top floor is where visitors will find a rooftop bar with a terrace.

In May last year, The Telegraph revealed how Greenwich had become one of London’s “loveliest spots”.

The publication said: “Greenwich’s riverside pubs, bustling market and impressive museums make it the ideal place for a weekend escape (even if you live in London).”

One of the main attractions of Greenwich is its sprawling green park – which if you climb to the top of, you will find the spot where the Prime Meridian line splits the globe in two.

Here you can explore a museum as well as head inside a planetarium.

For a bite to eat, head to Greenwich Market Food Court to pick up some street food.

It is open daily and features a range of cuisines including Indian, Sicilian and Ethiopian.

Near the riverfront, you will also find a ship seemingly suspended in mid air.

You can also explore Cutty Sark, which used to carry tea from China in the 19th centuryCredit: Ray Collins

The Cutty Sark used to carry tea from China to London, with the first voyage taking place in 1870.

Known as a clipper – which is a fast, three-masted sailing vessel – the ship spent eight years in the tea trade.

Visitors can explore the ship, with tickets costing £22 per adult and £11 per child.

In other theatre news, here are all the best theatre shows for kids coming to the UK in 2026 – from Dogman to Spongebob and Great Showman.

Plus, here’s how to get cheap theatre tickets in London for top West End shows.

Greenwich will also be getting a number of new developments over the next two decadesCredit: Getty

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Joe Swash fans in hysterics as they spot detail in sweet photo with stepson Zach

JOE Swash and stepson Zach put on a dapper display as they posed for snaps before attending the TV Choice Awards tonight. 

Zach, 17 – the eldest child of 44-year-old Joe’s wife Stacey Solomon – scrubbed up in a navy suit, white shirt and striped tie. 

Joe and Zach put on a dapper display as they headed to the TV Choice AwardsCredit: Instagram
Fans spotted Joe was doing his best to minimise the height differenceCredit: Instagram
Joe and Stacey with Zach, Leighton, Rex, Rose and BelleCredit: Unknown

While the former EastEnders star opted for a black suit which he teamed with a low-cut black T-shirt. 

He captioned his upload: “Zach & Me off to represent the Solomon Swash’s tonight at the @tvchoicemagazine awards. 

“Proud to be your +1 Zachy. Love you boy.”

But eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice Joe was trying his best to minimize the height difference between him and Zach – by standing on his tip toes. 

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One wrote: “The tiptoes haha love your relationship with all the kids.”

Another said: “Joe on his tippy toes.”

Someone else wrote: “Joe on your tip toes is cracking me.”

And a fourth added: “Love how Joe is trying to be taller than Zach.”

Stacey is also mum to 13-year-old Leighton from a previous relationship while she and Joe share Rex, six, Rose, four, and Belle, two.

Joe is dad so son Harry, 18, from his relationship with ex Emma Sophocleous.

Last month The Sun told how Stacey is desperate to get fans back on side after a flood of negative backlash over her ‘out of touch’ posts.

A source revealed: “The bottom line is Stacey is no longer relatable. 

“People think she flaunts her wealth and moans all the time – now Stacey’s being advised to rein it in and shut her mouth or risk ruining everything she’s worked so hard for.

“The plan is for Stacey to go back to basics and remember who her audience is. No more bragging about expensive holidays and keeping in mind not everybody is in her position.”

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First-of-its-kind swimming spot could be coming to UK

WILD swimming has become increasingly popular with Brits across the country who head down to lakes, ponds and the beach for a cold dip.

Now, another addition could be on the cards – and if plans go ahead, this swim spot would be the first of its kind in the world.

A gasholder in London could be transformed into a wild swimming pondCredit: Southwark Council
The gasholder site in Southwark hasn’t been used since 1953Credit: Getty

There are plans for a former London gasholder site to be turned into a new wild swimming pond that’s likely to become a very popular spot with the locals.

The Grade II listed site in Southwark sits on Old Kent Road and hasn’t been used since 1953.

However, Southwark Council bought much of the land in 2017 for £15 million and have big plans for the area.

Its new proposals are to create a cold water swimming spot in the centre of the historic structure that was once the world’s biggest gasworks site.

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So there would be no need to change the structure.

If this goes ahead, the project would also see a natural reed-based filtration system built to keep the pool water fresh.

Plans have also proposed a café, shop, and changing rooms which would pay towards the pool’s upkeep.

The development is set to be renamed Livesey Park after gasworks pioneer George Livesey.

Southwark Labour Councillor Helen Dennis told Southwark News: “The idea for a wild swimming pond in the planned Livesey Park is at an early stage but would transform the area with such an exciting and unique offer, and is a good example of what can be made possible through investment and contributions from developers.

“We are determined for the Old Kent Road regeneration to deliver a greener and healthier neighbourhood, ensuring that development results in new and improved parks and community facilities.”

Before work begins there will be more detailed proposals and consultation on the project.

Development would begin at the earliest in 2027 or 2028.

It’s not the first time that an idea has been proposed for the site.

Back in 2020, a developer wanted to build London’s first alligator park there, as reported by Southwark News.

Inside the gasholder would be a pool for alligators that went 20metres deep, and the frame of the gasholder would be made of glass to create a ‘Florida-like’ feel.

The gasworks in Bromley-by-Bow is undergoing a transformation

Similarly, some of the former gasworks sites in London are currently, or are set to go through a transformation.

The Bromley-by-Bow gasworks received planning permission for a revamp in March 2025.

The seven huge structures in the district won’t be destroyed but instead will be converted.

The site will have over 2,000 homes, with 70 per cent of the site being open space, there will be a 4.2-acre park full of wildflowers overlooking the River Lea.

The Grade II-listed gasworks structures were built between 1870 and 1882 and officially closed in 1976.

The development of the site will mean this is the first time the gasworks will be open to the public in over 150 years.

The gasworks in Bethnal Green is another that’s undergoing redevelopment – construction here started in August 2022.

The Bethnal Green project includes 555 homes, and 45,000 square feet of ground floor commercial and community space.

There will also be a 1.7-acre public park, green areas by the canal along with new pedestrian and cycle routes.

For more on lidos, this one in the UK was forced to close in 2023 but it is set to reopen soon.

Plus, this UK island has fairy pools that you can swim in – and nearby camping for £6.

The gasholder site in Southwark could soon get its own wild swimming pondCredit: Southwark Council

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Barcelona claim Champions League last-16 spot, but its the playoffs for PSG | Sport News

Barcelona leap into Champions League automatic qualifying positions with win in Copenhagen, but PSG face playoffs.

Barcelona stormed ‌back in the second half to claim a 4-1 victory over Copenhagen at the Camp ‍Nou, sealing ‍a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Marcus Rashford on Wednesday ensured the Catalans finished fifth in the standings on 16 points, level with Manchester City, Chelsea and Sporting but ahead on goal difference.

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Copenhagen shocked ⁠the hosts early when 17-year-old Viktor Dadason slotted the opener past Joan Garcia in the fourth minute, but ​the second half began with a Barcelona fightback.

Yamal set up Lewandowski to equalise in ‍the 48th minute, before scoring himself in the 60th with a deflected effort that left Copenhagen keeper Dominik Kotarski helpless. Raphinha made it 3-1 from the penalty spot after Lewandowski was fouled, and Rashford added a fourth with a free kick ‍in the 85th minute.

“We ⁠all came here tonight thinking about getting into the top eight. We’re very happy with the win,” 18-year-old Yamal told Movistar Plus.

“When you concede a goal in the Champions League, it’s very difficult to come back, but the team was very resilient and managed to turn it around. With the number of matches we play in a season, having two fewer matches leaves you feeling much better.”

Despite the comfortable final result, Barcelona endured a frustrating first half, during which Copenhagen took ​a shock lead.

Dadason stunned the home crowd after Mohamed Elyounoussi delivered a ‌defence-splitting pass, allowing Dadason to outrun Barca’s high defensive line before rifling a low shot past keeper Garcia.

Clearly unsettled, Barcelona were wasteful in attack during the opening 45 minutes. Raphinha and Lewandowski spurned opportunities to equalise, while Eric Garcia came closest to levelling ‌when his driven effort struck the crossbar in the 33rd minute.

The second half, however, saw a completely transformed Barcelona.

Barely three minutes after the restart, Yamal burst forward ‌on a counterattack, darting past Copenhagen defenders before unselfishly squaring the ⁠ball for Lewandowski to slot into an empty net.

The hosts seized control and upped the tempo, pinning Copenhagen deep inside their own half, and Barca took the lead on the hour mark through Yamal, whose deflected shot from inside the box looped over a ‌stranded Kotarski and nestled into the far corner.

Raphinha made it 3-1 from the penalty spot in the 69th minute after Lewandowski was brought down inside the area while attempting to shoot, and substitute Rashford wrapped up ‍the scoring.

Although Barcelona delivered a clinical attacking display, questions remain about their defensive organisation. They completed the league phase without a clean sheet and finished with the worst defence among the top 13 teams.

PSG's Ousmane Dembele
Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele has his penalty saved by Newcastle United’s Nick Pope [Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters]

Dembele’s penalty miss costs PSG in 1-1 draw with Newcastle

Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele had a night to forget, missing an early penalty and a golden chance from close range as defending champion Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 with Newcastle in the Champions League.

The draw meant both sides finished out of the top eight places in the league table and failed to qualify automatically for the last 16. They will enter the playoffs instead.

PSG was awarded an early penalty when Bradley Barcola got behind the defence down the left wing with less than one minute played. The ball hit Barcola’s arm following a tackle from a defender coming across, and then flew onto the arm of Lewis Miley right behind him.

Miley seemed unsighted, and the handball appeared accidental, but referee Slavko Vincic awarded the spot kick following a short video review.

Dembele aimed for the bottom right corner, but goalkeeper Nick Pope made a brilliant save. Pope was beaten in the eighth minute when Vitinha curled a shot into the same corner after being set up by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the edge of the penalty area.

Dembele, who scored 35 goals overall last season, scooped the ball well over the crossbar from 10 metres out in the 40th minute when meeting a cross from the left.

Joe Willock equalised for the visitors in first-half stoppage time, and substitute Harvey Barnes missed a chance to win it for the visitors with moments left.

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