Yorkshire News Round-up 6th Jan 2024

Yorkshire News Round-up: What to watch, what’s on and why Christmas is officially over

Find out what’s hot in the news this week, what’s happening in West Yorkshire and some ideas to keep you entertained this weekend.

Journalist Sophie Mei Lan Malin aka Saturday Breakfast with Sophie show on LDC Radio each weekend, shares all you need to know.

News Lowdown: 

News: When a Leeds United Fan lifted the World Darts Championship trophy this week beating off a 16 year old. Fans realised the real meaning behind his name.

TV: The latest TV gossip 

Why it’s time to take down your Christmas decorations

Food and Drink: As it’s Veganuary where to head to in West Yorkshire for some healthy plant based grub. And what to drink this Dry January.

Arts and Culture: Weird and wonderful places to stay in West Yorkshire

Key shop openings and closures hitting Leeds city centre

Entertainment: We’re also talking theme parks as a popular attraction closes

Top News 

A Leeds United fan wins the World Darts Championship.

It was a battle of the Lukes as Luke Humphries (the LUFC fan) took on MUFC fan teenager Luke Littler in the final at Alexandra Palace.

Littler has been catapulted into the media spotlight due to his age – yes, he is just 16-years-old. Even his birth certificate has been leaked online to prove he is only 16.

One giveaway sign however was when Littler was asked before the final how he would celebrate his win. His reply? He’s too young for alcohol or flash cars, so it would be a kebab, coca cola and vapes.

Littler also met his 21-year-old girlfriend when playing Fifa on Xbox.

It was however Leeds United fan Humphries who took the title in a nail biting game.

Before the match, some viewers began to learn about the hidden reference to Leeds in Humphries’ birth name. The Berkshire-born star who has been brought up a huge Leeds supporter with his father naming him Luke because it stands for [L]eeds [U]nited [K]ings of [E]urope.

TV 

While we’re always spoiled over Christmas with lots of festive specials, this January the weather may be cold but things are hotting up on TV with lots to binge watch from ITV’s Mr Bates V the Post Office to BBC’s The Traitors and Michelle Keegan is on Netflix in Fool Me Once with legend Joanna Lumley. You may have caught the first episode of BBC’s Dragon’s Den too or Sky’s Based on a True Story.

Seasonal News 

Tis’ definitely the time to take your Christmas tree down as the Twelfth Night aka Epiphany has passed which means it’s bad luck to have your tree up. And it’s a good time to get the luck in as it’s coming up to Blue Monday.

Food and Drink 

Many of us are sobering up this month taking part in Dry January or cutting down on the meat for Veganuary.

There’s lots of Vegan options everywhere these days from independent coffee shops with delicious brunches to extensive menus at some of the chains too.

When it comes to being off the booze, head to a milk bar or maybe a smoothie or bubble tea joint for a pick me up.

Arts and Culture: Weird and wonderful places to stay in West Yorkshire

From Mirfield Monastery to Leeds Art Hostel and the surreal suite in Malmaison or Butterwick Alpaca Retreat. There’s lots of places to stay in West Yorkshire.

Retail 

Apparently every household spent over £400 at the supermarket this Christmas. So if you’ve overspent but you’re in need of a shopping fix head to Leeds or Wakefield’s Clothes exchange. Or sell your preloved goods or unwanted gifts on apps such as Vinted, eBay and Depop.

If you’re getting active this year you may fancy browsing the new Nike concept store which is set to open at Trinity Leeds alongside Zara.

Sadly for LUFC fans their store at Merrion Centre has closed.

Entertainment

Were you a fan of the log flume or the big dipper?

We’re talking about theme parks this week as a popular attraction closes.

The spa at Alton Towers has closed down. Who knew they even had a spa? Now if they’d have created an extreme spa for thrill seekers I may have gone.

Music

Last year should be known as “Now that’s what I call female music success 2023.”

Female artists had a record year in the UK singles chart, spending the most weeks at number one since records began in 1952.

The BBC reports

“For 31 out of 52 weeks, female acts topped the chart either as solo artists or in collaboration with other musicians.

“Miley Cyrus had the biggest song of the year, with the break-up anthem Flowers attracting 198 million streams.

“But new music was largely absent from the year’s top 10 best-selling albums.”

We saw new tracks being squeezed out of the Christmas number one lineup too. As WHAM! made chart history, finally securing the UK’s Official Christmas Number 1 with Last Christmas, a record-breaking 39 years after first being denied it.

Also in the music news, if you wannabe a stamp collector. Well you can pick up a stamp with the Spice Girls on it to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Leeds’ Spice Girl Mel B’s individual stamp shows her on stage performing at the Brit Awards.

For all the latest news across West Yorkshire go to ldcradio.co.uk follow @ldcradio @mrandmrsyorkshire