85 m. ago ‘Youths everywhere were spitting over tinny beats playing off a Nokia’: great grime photographer Simon Wheatley

He was young and broke when he became grime’s first documentarian. Then his book Don’t Call Me Urban captured the energy of the grittier first wave – and an expanded edition is finally hereIt’s an overcast Thursday morning, and photographer Simon Wheatley is doing a soft-shoe shuffle through Roman Road in Bow, east London, as a market stall blares out exquisite 70s funk. “That’s more like it,” he says, with a grin on his face. “A bit of energy.” This was once grime’s artery, its chaotic central hub, even its muse – a street Wiley once told me was “the nurturer” of local talents like him and Dizzee Rascal. And it was here, in the 2000s, that Wheatley would create a vivid and intimate document of grime in its frenzied flush of youth, and of working-class neighbourhoods like this before they became considerably more sedate. Fourteen years after the release of Don’t Call Me Urban, Wheatley’s long-sold-out photo-book from that era – once described by Vice as “grime’s Old Testament” – it ...

Culture

6 h. ago UK high street chaos as Brits cut back on food and clothes as 'cracks' begin to show

New data from the Office for National Statistics makes for grim reading for many involved with the UK's high street, as two specific areas of retail have seen a huge fall in sales

Events

8 h. ago Supermarkets suffer 'dismal' May as Brits cut spending on food and booze amid economic gloom with retail sales diving by biggest rate in a year

The Office for National Statistics said the total volume of retail sales fell by 2.7 per cent in May.

Economics

15 h. ago DWP free bus passes in England and full list of everyone eligible

Amid controversial plans to cut disability benefits, many Brits are worried they'll lose their free bus pass. However, reports suggest millions may still be entitled to the perk

Politics

2 d. ago 'Devil' behind the most horrific reality TV experiment ever: Producer locked a young comedian in a tiny apartment without food and clothes

The Japanese reality TV that made aspiring comedian Tamaoki Hamatsu - better known as a Nasubi - a household name was the 'devill's work, he has alleged.

Society

5 d. ago M&S shopper tells everyone to 'check till receipt' after spotting error

Marks and Spencer was originally founded in 1884 and is known and loved for its high quality clothing, homeware, accessories and food. Recently, the retailer has been dealing with a cyber attack

Politics

7 d. ago M&S update over when Sparks Birthday Treats will relaunch as online orders resume

Loyal customers can get a item of clothing, homeware or food and drink as part of the special offer

Politics

8 d. ago This Morning legend Phil Vickery 'cut off' ex Fern Britton in brutal way after split

Former This Morning host Fern Britton has claimed her ex-husband Phil Vickery hasn't spoken to her in six years, ending contact in a difficult moment

Politics

9 d. ago Riot police descend on Salford as '60 youths' spark chaos on street

A car has been torched and another smashed to pieces in the mayhem.

Events

9 d. ago Fern Britton says Phil Vickery cut contact with her after her mum's death

Former ITV This Morning presenter Fern Britton split from the celebrity chef in 2020 after 20 years of marriage, and she has now revealed he hasn't spoken to her in six years.

Events

9 d. ago Massive power cut hits British holiday hotspot with 'entire Spanish island left without electricity'

Spain's national grid has confirmed that power had been fully restored to the Canary Islands hotspot within three hours, after the blackout affected some 82,000 people.

Events

9 d. ago Fern Britton reveals the brutal way her ex husband Phil Vickery cut contact with her after their 20

Fern Britton has revealed the brutal way that her ex husband Phil Vickery cut contact with her after their 20-year marriage ended. 

Politics

1 week ago What happened to Britain's fattest teenager: Incredible transformation of woman who weighed 63st and had to be cut out of her home

Georgia Davis was Britain's fattest teenager, weighing an incredible 63st in her late teens.

Politics

1 week ago What happened to Britain's fattest teenager: Georgia Davis, who weighed 63st and had to be cut out of her home twice, has undergone an incredible transformation

Georgia Davis was Britain's fattest teenager, weighing an incredible 63st in her late teens.

Politics

1 week ago Good Morning Britain presenter pulled off air as Ranvir Singh forced to stop sweary broadcast

Good Morning Britain was forced to cut off a live stream this morning, after explicit language was heard in the background of a report from North America reporter Noel Phillips

Politics

1 week ago UK retail sales growth slowed in May, casting doubt on consumer resilience

Shoppers traded down to cheaper items, especially in non-food areas such as clothing

Politics

1 week ago The lessons Britain can learn from Denmark's migrant crackdown: How nation has cut asylum claims by 90% with its 'zero refugee' policy

Head to Denmark and you'll find their fellow-wingers aren't just outspoken about the need to tackle the issue - they've put their words into action, to dramatic effect.

Events

2 w. ago Coronation Street stars reveal duo almost didn't happen as they admit 'chaos' to come

The two actresses are best known to viewers for playing troublesome teens Lauren Bolton and Betsy Swain in the ITV soap

Events

2 w. ago Coronation Street's Lauren and Betsy talk close bond, unplanned twist and 'chaos' ahead

Coronation Street stars Cait Fitton and Sydney Martin have revealed all on their growing friendship on and off screen, while their characters weren't initially meant to be paired

Events

2 w. ago Reeves warned on budget rules as OECD urges UK to boost tax revenues

Growth forecast for 2026 cut to 1% from 1.2% as Britain ‘faces substantial downside risks to growth’

Events