Premier League Darts produced a cracker in Manchester on Thursday as Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler made it back-to-back wins in front of 11,000, but there was no finer moment than when someone in Where’s Wally fancy dress was spotted fighting in the stands.
Luke ‘The Nuke’ produced a great display against Stockport’s Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals, with the pair of them helping turn the crowd into a choir as a sea of Mancs serenaded the AO Arena to the tune of The Killers, but it was the other semi with Gerwyn Price that produced the biggest highlight of all.
As if things couldn’t get any more quintessentially British than a lot of drunken fans belting out ‘Mr Brightside’, a clip of someone dressed as Where’s Wally scrapping with other supporters as they desperately tried to cling onto their pints has now gone viral.
In typically chaotic fashion for UK crowds, it also happened to unfold just as Gerwyn Price hit the best of the night in the background as the AO was left utterly bouncing.
Can we just say, we have all the respect in the world for the people filming who quickly swivelled the camera to capture Price’s nine-darter and celebrate like nutters – rightly so. Well done to the arena staff who did a good job of defusing the situation as well.
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Although the runner-up himself shared a post saying the “final was spoilt before a dart was even thrown” and that “change is needed” after a pocket of fans were filmed throwing drinks at each other, we can assure ‘The Iceman’ that most the vast majority were well-behaved and soaking up what he admitted was an “amazing atmosphere”.
While we obviously don’t condone any form of violence and details surrounding how the bust-up began are still unclear, it’s also hard to take a fight involving a life-sized Where’s Wally seriously and fighting at the darts is still a relatively rare occurrence. When we think arrows we just think good vibes.
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Gezzy can rest assured that it in no way overshadowed what was another blockbuster night involving the very best talents on the circuit. Just look at the scenes.
As for the round itself, not only did Greater Manchester local ‘The Asp‘ do a great job of whipping the crowd up for his home turf match but it was another star showing from the 17-year-old darting superstar from Warrington.
Littler is absolutely one a roll and has taken like a duck to water in his first season in the Premier League, not to mention seemingly living the sports personality dream.
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His beloved Man United might have conceded two late goals to give up a huge result elsewhere but we’re sure going a point clear at the top of the table helped him get over it soon enough.
A bust-up in the stands or darts’ biggest phenomenon going for an inevitable kebab after his win might not be as iconic as this, but it’s a reminder that we’ll take British sporting culture over all others any day.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sport
Manchester City release limited-edition Blossoms shirts exclusively in new flagship store
Daisy Jackson
Manchester City have released a limited run of special Blossoms shirts, which will be available exclusively at the new flagship City Store.
Etihad Airways has donated the front-of-shirt space for the special drop, which celebrates the Stockport band’s lifelong support of Man City and will fundraise forCity in the Community’s 40th anniversary.
The Manchester City x Blossoms collab features the band’s logo across the chest of the 2024/25 season’s away shirt – one of the Club’s most popular designs in recent years.
Profits from sales of the shirts will be donated to CITC to support its 40th anniversary fundraising, which empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Blossoms have just secured their fifth UK number one album with their latest release, ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’, and will soon be heading on an arena tour that includes two massive shows at the Co-op Live.
There’s a very limited run of the Man City Blossoms shirts, available in sizes small to large, which will exclusively be sold at the new flagship CityStore.
The shirts have dropped in-store this morning, with further drops to be released around the band’s tour dates this November and December.
As for that new City store – it’s a whopping 21,000 sq ft, three-floor space at Medlock Square, right beside the Etihad Stadium, and is the biggest shop in the club’s history.
The new flagship has opened today in collaboration with PUMA and Stichd, and features a new, interactive ‘Make It Yours’ customisation station as well as an expanded range of Manchester City products.
Danny Jones -
5th April 2024 
