Big bags of Opal Fruits have been spotted on the shelves at B&M, and shoppers are feeling pretty nostalgic about it.
After the crushing news this week that iconic tropical fizzy drink Lilt has been discontinued after nearly 50 years on UK shop shelves, and rebranded and replaced with the brand-new Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit, people have taking to social media to reminisce on some of their favourite nostalgic snacks and sweets that are no more.
And Opal Fruits seemed to appear pretty high up on the list for many.
Luckily though, B&M has reminded shoppers that it still stocks the retro sweets in some stores across the UK, and the news has definitely gone down a treat.
Opal Fruits may not be the easiest to come by nowadays, especially after the brand name was phased out in the UK and Ireland in 1998 and changed to Starburst to make it the same globally, but it does appear that they’re sometimes still knocking around in their original format – if you know where to look, that is.
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The budget retailer has tipped-off fans of the fruity retro sweet that they should probably get on down to their nearest store, as their shop shelves are stocked full of them.
“We have Opal Fruits if anyone is interested,” B&M said on Twitter earlier this week to fans mourning the loss of Lilt and remembering the taste of Opal Fruits.
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First introduced by Mars in the UK in 1960, and given the name by a man called Peter Phillips, who was the winner of a competition that won him £5, Opal Fruits were made in the four original flavours strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime.
Other seasonal and limited-edition flavours were introduced at later dates.
Many people will probably remember the sweet by brand’s famous tagline “Opal Fruits – made to make your mouth water.”
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Opal Fruits were first introduced by Mars in the UK in 1960 / Credit: Mars UK
After B&M shared that Opal Fruits were stocked in its stores, fans were feeling all nostalgic about the news and shared their love of the sweets on social media.
“Omg need, my mouth’s watering just looking at them,” someone wrote on Twitter.
Another fan said on Twitter: “I love the Opal Fruits, the lime flavour, also as a bonus the tropical or summer fruits would be nice, was never a big fan of the strawberry mix”, while a third added: “Always fingers crossed for a high proportion of green ones. Always my favourite.”
“This makes me love the UK,” another said.
The retro sweets are back on the shelves at B&M / Credit: B&M
“People keep telling me Opal Fruits and Starburst are the same, they are so wrong,” another sweet tooth said on Twitter.
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“I’ll be in for some, can’t beat the yellow and the green, never buy Starburst but won’t pass these without buying some, thanks B&M,” one happy fan commented.
Fancy seeing if you can get your hands on a bag of the retro fruity sweets then? Head on over and check the opening times of your nearest B&M here.
Featured Image – B&M
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First look images released of new BBC drama series from Happy Valley creator filmed in Yorkshire
Emily Sergeant
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A new BBC series telling the story of five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band is set to air later this year.
Riot Women, the brand-new drama from the multi-BAFTA award-winning writer Sally Wainwright – best known for being the creator of Happy Valley – is a six-part series set and filmed in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
First look pictures of the new show have now been released.
Starring Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Amelia Bullmore as band members, alongside a talented supporting cast consisting of Taj Atwal, Chandeep Uppal, and Macy-Jacob Seelochan as the band’s riotous backing singers, the newly-released pictures show the women in action.
First look images have been released of a new BBC drama series filmed in Yorkshire / Credit: BBC
According to a synopsis on the BBC website, Riot Women dives headfirst into the world of five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest.
But, in writing their first original song, they soon discover that they have a lot more to say than planned – and this is their way to say it.
As they juggle demanding jobs, grown-up children, complicated parents, husbands who’ve buggered off, and disastrous dates, and relationships, the band becomes a catalyst for change in their lives, and it’s going to make them question everything.
📸 Here's your first look at Riot Women – the new drama from Sally Wainwright coming to @BBCiPlayer and @BBCOne in 2025
New pictures feature Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne, Amelia Bullmore, and more
Creators and producers say the show is a testament to the power of friendship, music, and the resilience of women who “refuse to be silenced by age or expectation”.
Speaking ahead of the show airing later this year, Riot Women creator, Sally Wainwright, commented: “I’m having a whole new buzz of excitement about the show as we bring it together in the edit, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”
Riot Women will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK later this year.
Featured Image – BBC
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A Manchester barbershop is offering a ‘pay what you can’ service this month
Danny Jones
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Amidst the tidal wave of January deals on food and drink in Manchester, a local barbers is championing their own ‘pay what you can’ offer to help people along this month.
Jefe’s Barbershop, located in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, is one of the best barbers in the city centre, offering a wide variety of cuts and facial hair grooming services – they even offer a subscription service that helps people save money on regular trims.
That being said, they are well aware of those January blues and the mounting obstacles and anxieties that come with weeks of penny-pinching to make it to month’s end, as well as the general toll it can take on people’s mental health.
So this January, Jefe and his team are doing something different – as he puts it, “something special”: the barbershop is allowing customers to simply pay what they feel comfortable handing over and, in the case of those struggling, whatever they can afford.
It’s a simple gesture with a big purpose which helps ensure no one has to miss out on a feel-good moment or the confidence that comes from a fresh trim.
“All we do is laugh and joke about life—that’s why people come here,” Jefe explains. “I don’t want anyone to lose the chance to be present, to feel good, and to laugh with us.
“Men often need more help than they’re willing to let on and we want to be a helping hand they can rely on.” Now that’s a cause all of us can and should get behind.
Community support has remained at the core of Jefe’s Barbershop since the beginning when he swapped a basketball career for providing a much-needed service to Mancunian men.
From partnering with Manc sandwich shops and offering free haircuts for the homeless, to hosting street parties with local events companies and providing £5 trims to promote men’s mental health in 2023 when the cost of living crisis really kicked in – Jefe’s is always trying to make a difference in the area.
You’ve got to love businesses that go the extra mile.
If you want to make the most of this wholesome deal or just feel like you’re in need of a trim, you can book HERE or call them directly on 0161 818 7659.
The ‘pay what you can’ offer runs Monday to Thursday, 9am-7pm, subject to availability. You’ll find Jefe’s Barbershop on Stevenson Square
Because as the man himself puts it, “Everyone deserves to feel their best”.
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2023 
