Summer is right around the corner, and the mark the start of the sunny season, McDonald’s is adding a whole host of new items to its menu.
Launching in two separate waves across June and July, with the first menu set to be launched this week, not only will fast food fans soon be able to feast on the Cypriot favourite that is halloumi fries at their local Maccies, but there’ll also be four new burgers, and a brand-new Italian-inspired McFlurry flavour too.
The ‘Taste of Italy’ menu will land in McDonald’s stores across the UK on Wednesday 8 June, and it’s set to include two burgers – the Italian Stack, and the Crispy Chicken Italiano.
The Italian Stack consists of two beef patties, topped with crispy onions, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, crunchy lettuce, toasted tomato and a rich cheesy sauce on a warm herb bun, and the Crispy Chicken Italiano is made up of a crispy chicken fillet on a ciabatta style bun with basil pesto sauce, mozzarella, tomato, red onion, and lettuce.
Mozzarella dippers are also back once again as the go-to side order, but in what is a new addition for 2022, a tiramisu-flavoured McFlurry will be making its debut to really top off your Italian feast.
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The second menu wave, the ‘Taste of Spain and Cyprus’, is then set to hit McDonald’s restaurants across the UK from Wednesday 27 July.
It will include two additional new burgers, a delicious cheesy side dish, and a refreshing citrus soft drink.
Four new burgers, sides, desserts, and drinks are arriving at McDonald’s UK just in time for the summer / Credit: Flickr
The Spicy Spanish Stack burger will be made up of two beef patties on a paprika bun, topped off with a spicy tomato sauce, red onion, lettuce, and chilli cheddar, while the Chicken Fiesta burger will have a crispy chicken fillet on a paprika bun, accompanied by Chorizo, chilli cheddar, spicy tomato sauce, red onion, and lettuce.
The new menu will also welcome a bold and refreshing berry and citrus flavoured soft drink, which’ll be named the Spanish Fruit Punch.
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But it’s the Halloumi Fries that are already grabbing the headlines.
Fast food rivals Burger King have been selling the cheesy delights for quite some time now, but from 27 July, McDonald’s is adding halloumi fries to the menu and each serving will include four soft halloumi sticks lightly coated in batter, served with a rich tomato sauce.
Sadly though, all good things must come to an end, and to make room for all of these exciting new items, McDonald’s has confirmed that some products will sadly be dropped from the menu this week.
This means that from 8 June, the Grand Big Mac and McSpicy chicken burger, and Flake McFlurry will no longer be available.
Noel Gallagher reveals his and Liam’s children are now ‘best friends’ after the Oasis reunion
Emily Sergeant
Noel Gallagher has revealed that his and Liam’s sons had never met each other before the Oasis reunion last year.
But now? Well now they’re ‘best friends’, apparently.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then I’m sure you’ll know by now that Oasis reunited last year for the first time since they disbanded back in 2009 to bring the world the long-awaited Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour – including five nostalgia-drenched gigs here in Manchester at Heaton Park, which saw more than 300,000 people descend on our city.
It was undeniably one of the biggest cultural events of the 21st century so far, given the fact most fans presumed the Gallagher brothers‘ feud meant they would never meet each other again.
Now though, it’s been revealed that some Gallaghers actually hadn’t met before last year.
According to those lucky fans who have already had the chance to see the Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger documentary concert film – which premiered first at the 2026 Venice Film Festival this past weekend, and then had its world premiere in London last night (7 September) – Noel Gallagher shares a story about how his two sons, Donovan and Sonny, had never met Liam’s sons Lennon and Gene prior to the reunion tour.
Noel Gallagher reveals that his and Liam’s sons had never met before the Oasis reunion:
Noel has three children – 26-year-old daughter Anaïs from his first marriage to Meg Matthews, and then two sons, 18-year-old Donovan and 16-year-old Sonny from his second marriage to Sara MacDonald.
Liam, on the other hand, has four children – daughter Molly, 28, two sons Lennon and Gene, aged 26 and 25 respectively, as well as a 13-year-old daughter named Gemma, who he is yet to meet.
Speaking on the relationship between his kids and their cousins, Noel said: “When my kids met his kids they didn’t know each other.
“Donovan and Sonny had never met Gene and Lennon. Lo and behold they’re best friends now.”
Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger is set to show the meteoric rise of Oasis through rare footage and untold stories as the band reunites for Oasis Live ’25, chronicling their journey from Manchester streets to global rock stardom.
It releases in cinemas nationwide, including in IMAX, this Friday 11 September.
Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.
What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.
And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.
You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.
Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.
Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.
Emily Sergeant -
6th June 2022 
