A boy from Manchester has been reunited with his three lost teddies after they went missing while on a family holiday.
Little Oliver Simpson, from Heywood in Rochdale, had just arrived at the hotel for a holiday in Costa de Almeria with his parents, Jill and Stewart, when the family realised that a bag with the six-year-old’s much-loved teddies inside was missing, and so they contacted Jet2’s Customer Services team to see if they could find out more.
After Jet2 heard that the family had lost one of their bags, the team said they “immediately launched a search” to find the missing teddies.
Customers Helpers at Almeria Airport worked together with the holiday resort’s Customer Helpers to track down the bears, and luckily, they were found safe and sound on the coach the family had hopped on from the airport to their hotel.
With the teddies safely found, the team then got to work to make sure Oliver was reunited with his three fuzzy friends.
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Jet2 helps reunite little Manchester boy with the teddies he lost while on holiday / Credit: Jet2
Keen to make the reunion one Oliver would remember forever, staff took the bears on an adventure at the airport and pictured them having a drink in a cafe, helping to check in customers’ luggage, and directing holidaymakers to their transfer coaches, all before meeting back up with the youngster.
Resort Customer Helper, Justina Tarvydaite, also stepped in and wrote a letter to Oliver from his teddies, telling the little Manc all about the adventures they had been on at the airport, and when he was finally reunited with his bears on his flight back to the UK, he was, as you can imagine, “over the moon”.
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Oliver’s mum, Jill, said the airline “literally went above and beyond” to find and reunite Oliver with his teddies.
Praising the “caring staff”, she went on to explain: “Not only did they locate his belongings, but they also showed Oliver the adventures his teddies went on whilst we were on holiday, which was magical and so thoughtful.
“He was over the moon, and I even shed some tears.”
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Oliver Simpson had been on holiday with his family in Costa de Almeria in Spain / Credit: Jet2
Claire Hernandez, who is a Destination Manager at Jet2holidays, said it was “all hands-on deck” when they heard Oliver had been separated from his teddies and how upset he was by it, adding: “I am immensely proud of how the team worked together to ensure Oliver and his family left feeling elated at the return of the teddies.
“Their reaction was priceless.
“It’s very important to all of us that each and every one of our customers feels like a VIP, and the team work extremely hard to ensure our customers have a memorable holiday.
“It never ceases to amaze me just how far they will go to make our customers happy.”
Featured Image – Jet2
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All-girl K-pop powerhouse aespa book MASSIVE Manchester arena show
Danny Jones
All-girl K-pop group, ‘aespa’, are coming to Manchester for some of their largest performances to date as part of a new global tour.
If you know anything about the K-pop scene, you’ll know that most acts are even bigger than you could ever imagine.
Manchester has gained a steady supply of gigs from artists within the genre over the past year or so, and now aespa are the latest to book the AO Arena for a headline show.
Rest assured, these tickets will fly…
aespa SYNK : COMPLæXITY
Catch the LIVE TOUR in Manchester at @AOArena on Thu 14th January 2027!
Register by [Wed 29 Apr at 6AM PT / 8PM CT / 9AM ET] for access to the artist presale: https://t.co/JuWFFMCE8Q
Dubbed the ‘SYNK : Complæxity World Tour’, this follows on from their last live iteration, ‘æXIS LINE’ shows, which began back in August 2025 and, technically, have only just ended this April.
As per an official press release, “Produced by Live Nation, the tour will bring aespa’s acclaimed live production and immersive performance experience to arenas across Asia, North America, Latin America, the UK, and Europe.”
There are actually just two shows in the entirety of Britain (the other being down in the capital), and Manchester has the good fortune of kicking off not only being the first of both, but the inaugural date of the entire European leg.
Consider us honoured.
Made up of a talented quartet – Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, the rising South Korean stars – this female-led phenomenon is arguably one of the fastest rising acts in the world of K-pop.
Having now been to a couple of these shows for ourselves, we’re starting to understand that these artists might have some of the most passionate followings on the planet.
Kicking off the latest run of performances back in their home country’s capital of Seoul, they’ll hit multiple continents before wrapping things up in Paris.
aespa EU tour dates 2027
14 January – AO Arena, Manchester
16 Jan – London
19 Jan – Amsterdam
22 Jan – Stockholm
24 Jan – Copenhagen
26 Jan – Berlin
29 Jan – Milan
31 Jan – Barcelona
2 February – Paris
If you’re a fan or are interested in throwing your hat in the ring for a first K-pop gig experience, you can register by signing up for their exclusive pre-sale window.
As for general admission, tickets to see aespa at the AO Arena in Manchester will go live at 3pm on Wednesday, 6 May; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Manchester United youth player James Overy praised for wholesome moment with young fan
Danny Jones
Manchester United academy player James Overy is receiving heaps of praise online after a video of a heartwarming interaction between him and a young fan went viral on social media.
The Australian-born youngster joined the club and the Carrington set-up back in the summer of 2024, and has flown somewhat under the radar to plenty of supporters, quietly going about his business and continuing his progression.
However, it’s fair to say he’s had a good month or so, as not only did he provide a crucial assist in the under-18s FA Youth Cup semis against Crystal Palace roughly a fortnight ago – with two goals proving enough to book their spot in a Manchester derby final – but now he’s being hailed off the pitch, too.
Taking the time to not just say hello and chat with the young girl after the game, but go so far in engaging with her as to gift her a pair of his boots, it wasn’t just a lovely gesture, but one that will probably stay with the wide-eyed child forever.
Not the point, obviously, but there’s something very charming about him repeatedly asking, “Is that alright?” and double-checking if she’s happy with the colour.
He might not be a born and bred Manc, but there’s still something very British about it.
The Aussie, only 18 years old himself, has quickly been applauded for what looked to be some very mature and admirable behaviour: spending time with Reds long after the full-time whistle and showing his own appreciation for their support.
Reactions are as you would expect: “What a lad!”, “What it’s [all] about, inspiring the younger generation. Top man”; “What a legend, hope he’s got a good career ahead of him”, and so on.
Others also noted his ‘humility’ at such a young age, with one person going on to add that “a lot of professional players could learn a lot from that young man.”
Here he is talking about his senior debut against West Ham United when he was just a boy:
Prior to a memorable night of his own in the important win at Old Trafford, Overy received his first national team call-up back in November, but is also eligible for Scotland, having already represented both at various youth levels.
He’s also worn the captain’s armband for the U18s and is one of several prospects that United fans who follow all the age groups are keeping an eye on.
Others in that same squad include the Fletcher twins (sons of former player turned coach, Darren), Chido Obi, and the increasingly promising JJ Gabriel, who is still just 15 himself.
If they all follow the example set by James on how to conduct themselves as professionals, as he did with young Imogen and her mum Rachael (@imogenmufc), they won’t go far wrong.
Highlights from Man United’s semi-final victory over Palace in the 2025/26 FA Youth Cup
Emily Sergeant -
5th September 2023 
