The one-month partnership will see the bar become a canvas for the artist with his signature handstyle featuring across on-site installations, design elements and glassware.
To mark the collaboration, the Double Chicken Please team has created two cocktails, Sunrise and Sunset, with Faust.
“Inspired by George Bernard Shaw’s quote, that ‘whiskey is liquid sunshine’, the cocktails are a take on the Garibaldi and New York Sour with a gradient that evokes the colours of sunrise and sunset,” said Faust.
“The name also nods to one of my favourite murals, my Sunset piece that once adorned the façade of the nearby Sunshine Theatre, just a few blocks from Double Chicken Please.”
To accompany the collaboration, guests can purchase a limited-edition glassware set and exclusive t-shirts in-bar or online.
“We have always seen Double Chicken Please as more than a bar – it’s a design studio for storytelling, experimentation, and unexpected collaborations,” said Double Chicken Please co-founder GN Chan.
“Partnering with a renowned artist like Faust allows us to bring that vision to life through an entirely new medium.”
The Double Chicken Please x Faust collaboration opens on 19 September and will run for one month.
When Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham released Buckingham Nicks in 1973, they were just a couple of nobodies. Two hippie kids lost in L.A., doing an unfashionable folk-rock flower-child record. Nobody bought it. Nobody cared. Some might have heard it as a promising debut, others as a flop. But it’s safe to say that nobody heard it and said, “Not only are these two of the planet’s greatest songwriters, this is an album they’ll keep arguing about for the next 50 years!”
But in that way, as in every other way, the world underestimated how much drama these two had in them. Buckingham Nicks has taken its rightful place in history as their origin story for the ultimate rock & roll dysfunctional romance. The couple recorded it before joining Fleetwood Mac — before the fame, before the shawls, before the drugs, before anyone knew how much exquisite torture they’d keep dragging into all our lives forever. It’s just the Ballad of Stevie and Lindsey, back in the early days, when they didn’t even need three other lunatics in the band to make a cosmic emotional mess.
After the couple joined Fleetwood Mac for classics like Rumours, Buckingham Nicks became a footnote in their story. It’s been a rare collector’s item for decades, a lost gem never released on CD. Most of their fans never even heard it. But it’s finally back in this long-awaited reissue. No hits, no bonus tracks — just a charming little American beauty of a record. You can hear these two lovebirds learn their craft, alone in the tall grass, doing their stuff, with nobody to impress except each other.
For years, it seemed crazy to hope this Buckingham Nicks reissue would ever happen. They’ve spent years promising it, un-promising it, denying it, battling over it in public. But the exes’ long-running love/hate story finally exploded in 2019, when the band kicked out Lindsey. (What other band could manage to break up onstage in the middle of accepting a MusiCares award as humanitarians of the year? Only these guys.) It looked final, especially after the tragic death of Christine McVie.
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But it was a shock this summer to see matching social-media messages from Stevie and Lindsey, teasing this project. They posted lyrics from “Frozen Love” — the first move they’d made together in years. On one hand, we’re all grown-ups here, and we know rock vets don’t necessarily do their own social media, right? But on the other hand, we also know that nobody speaks for Stevie unless Stevie says so. Hell, she’d show up in public wearing sweatpants before she’d ever let any of her team go rogue about Lindsey, a.k.a. Mr. Rulers Make Bad Lovers. So it looks like these two have sucked us all right back into their music, their madness, their whole glorious saga — just as they always do.
That musical chemistry is loud and clear on Buckingham Nicks. “We write about each other, we have continually written about each other, and we’ll probably keep writing about each other until we’re dead,” Nicks told me in 2014. “That’s what we have always been to each other. Together, we have been through great success, great misunderstandings, a great musical connection.” Listening now, you can tell they already knew what they’re doing. Lindsey is one California guitar boy who learned his tricks from Brian Wilson — he’s into verse-chorus-verse tunecraft, not sloppy jams. Stevie flexes her cowgirl side — they dedicated the album to her wild-ass grandfather A.J. Nicks, who played her country records when she was a little girl.
They wrote the songs in L.A., after moving together from San Francisco — she worked nights as a waitress, while he sat on the couch, smoked hash, and played guitar. They met in 1965, at a teenage party where he sat in the corner strumming the Mamas and the Papas’ classic “California Dreamin’.” She walked over and sang along. “I just threw in my Michelle Phillips harmony,” she recalled. “He was so beautiful.” Considering all the sexual/chemical disasters in the Mamas and the Papas, this song might seem like an ominous way to meet — except Lindsey and Stevie went on to make Michelle and John Phillips look like total amateurs in the California-nightmare department.
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“Crystal” is the closest thing to a famous tune on Buckingham Nicks — they redid it on Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled 1975 album, slightly overshadowed by Nicks’ other two contributions. (Those would be “Rhiannon” and “Landslide.”) There’s the finger-picking instrumental valentine “Stephanie,” the jazz standard “Django,” and the seven-minute showstopper “Frozen Love,” one of the only official collaborations these tortured poets ever wrote together. Their friend Waddy Wachtel played guitar, alongside session pros like Jim Keltner and Jerry Scheff. Waddy’s big brother Jimmy did the artists a favor and took the cover photo, presenting them as a wide-eyed hippie couple in the Garden of Eden, before shirts were invented. (He later did classic covers like Bruce Springsteen’s The River.)
The result was a total commercial flop that nobody noticed — except for Mick Fleetwood, who recognized greatness when he heard it. In 1973, Fleetwood Mac was just another washed-up band of English blues hounds, scrounging for gigs, years past their Sixties heyday with their original guitar genius Peter Green. When Mick heard the album, from producer Keith Olsen, he figured maybe he could hire this Lindsey Buckingham guy to give the band a little taste of California sunshine.
But Lindsey had to make things difficult — which turned out to be his specialty. He refused to join unless they also brought in his girlfriend, even though the band already had another female singer-songwriter. No matter how much trash people talk about Lindsey, you have to applaud this heroic gesture of loyalty — he was willing to throw away his entire career rather than sell out Stevie. Mick could have laughed in his face — who did this punk kid think he was, playing hardball with the rock stars? But he decided to give in and hire them both. It’s one of the only rational decisions Mick Fleetwood ever made.
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As everybody knows, the pair took the Mac to megastar level with classic songs about breaking up, making up, packing up, shacking up, and wreaking endless misery upon each other, along with the rest of us. Rumours just gets more famous all the time, as chronicled in Alan Light’s excellent new book Don’t Stop. Meanwhile, Buckingham Nicks got forgotten by history. In their iconic 2012 he-said-she-said interview with Rolling Stone’s Andy Greene, they totally contradicted each other about reissuing it. “Next year is the 40th anniversary of Buckingham Nicks,” Stevie said. “And we’re hoping next year to get the record out.” She suggested doing a live Buckingham Nicks tour, calling it “a sparkly, special, extra present.”
But for these two, sparkles only happen when the house is burning down, and they couldn’t get their heads together in time to make it happen for the 40th or even 50th anniversary. As Lindsey lamented, it “makes us the anti-Eagles, in terms of never, ever being on the same page.” Yet there’s something so beautifully poetic about finally reviving it for its 52nd birthday — a round number would be the pragmatic adult business move, and what fun would that be? Having these songs out there in the world again is a historic occasion to celebrate. If you listen to Buckingham Nicks in 2025, you can hear all their combustible chemistry, even in their young and innocent days. And you can hear why these two have spent the past five decades making the lives of music fans — not to mention their own — so much messier. No doubt we would all lead more peaceful, civilized, emotionally stable lives if this album never existed. But that’s all the more reason to be thankful that it does.
Series 16 of Waterloo Road sees Headteacher Stella forced to navigate a fresh set of challenges when her grandchildren land at the school.
Meanwhile, new teacher Darius isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers and Jack Rimmer makes his return to education.
Meet the cast
Jon Richardson (Darius Donovan)
New Media teacher Darius is all about putting on a good show and he’s a social chameleon. His charm knows no bounds as he sweet talks both teachers and pupils alike with a killer smile – the perfect disguise for our master manipulator in a tailored suit who uses his allure to achieve his goals.
Welcome to Waterloo Road! How excited are you to be in the series?
I’m very excited. Waterloo Road is an institution. I’m pleased to be here and making a heck of an entrance.
What was it like tricking your fellow comedians and fans into believing you were actually becoming a teacher?
It was awful, because they were all really kind. They all totally fell for it, including Romesh Ranganathan and Laura Smyth. I’ve never had a more successful social media post. What was devastating about it, as well, is that not one person, and I had thousands, but not one said “Don’t do it, stay in comedy, we need you”. They all said, “Good luck. Off you go, cheerio”.
Did you not warn anyone in advance?
It filmed quite close to home, so I was able to fit in a few panel shows and other things so I think everyone thought I was just carrying on as usual. The thing that made it was that at the last minute, somebody said, “Don’t do it on April Fool’s Day, because everyone will know it’s not real, so we did it the day before, and that is what sent it stratospheric. My phone went absolutely crazy.
What made you want to be part of the series? How did you feel on your first day back at school?
I was nervous because it was all filmed in an actual school. I had all the anxiety you’d get being back at school, the smell of the canteen, the sound of boots in the corridors, and all that. But also, the nerves of coming into a big job like that. I was very lucky to, in my first acting job, be given something like Waterloo Road. It was an absolute gift.
Tell us about your character Darius Donovan and what audiences can expect to see from him in the new series?
I mean, Darius is what made me apply for the job. He’s an absolute monster, but he believes himself to be a charming, charming man who acts only in self-defence and has everyone’s best interests at heart. He’s an exceptional character to play. I’m very lucky but I hope I haven’t become him, and I hope they didn’t cast me because they think I’m like him.
How do the teachers respond to Darius when he arrives at the school?
To quote the phrase, men want to be him, and the women want to be with him. He’s found to be an attractive and charming breath of fresh air for the school. There’s an incident in his first episode where the existing staff must decide whether to trust him over a teacher who has been there a while and has just been nominated for an award, and somehow, he manages to convince them, so he’s obviously got some charm.
What kind of teacher is Darius?
I tried to make sure he looks competent as a teacher. I think for all the other stuff to be believable, you have to first and foremost believe that he is a teacher. The six formers wouldn’t be calling him Mr. Donovan, he’d say, “Call me Double D” or something like that. I’d be one of those unbearable ones. He pulls a few favours, gets friends from the TV industry in to impress the kids. He’s very keen for the kids to speak highly of him, because he knows that will accelerate him up the ranks.
Did you draw from your own school days and any teachers that you had?
My school would have been closed down if there was anyone approaching Darius Donovan working there. As far as my days as a student go, I was terrified. My bag was so heavy because I used to carry every textbook with me in case, I got the timetable wrong. That meant that all a sixth former had to do was pull the back of my bag, and I would fall on my back like a little tortoise and get stranded on the floor.
What was it like working with the other cast members, and did you know any of them prior to filming?
I knew Jason Manford, whose character, Steve Savage, was in prison by the time I joined the school, so we had a brief chat. Beyond that, I hadn’t met any of them, and that absolutely terrified me. I just assumed it would be a bit like stand-up comedy, there’d be a bit of wariness, and everyone would be trying to work each other out a little, but there was none of that. Everyone was instantly kind and generous, and helped me with anything I needed like the mechanics of filming. They never once made me feel like an outsider, despite the wealth of experience in the cast and some of the things they’d done.
James Baxter was a godsend. I’ve made some friends for life, I hope. They might disagree, but whatever, they’re really going to be called my friends, whether they reply to me or not.
Can you tell us about any funny moments on set?
The one thing I am is a SWOT. I would learn my script, turn up on time, and I wouldn’t muck about on set because I hadn’t earned the right, but I’ll just say that James and Adam have. They’re the worst kind of people for me to be around, because they can be doing silly voices and mucking around and being hilarious right up until the minute they yell action.
Then, because of their skill, they’re able to immediately deliver a better performance than I could ever give, because they just know the job inside out, whereas I would need a couple of minutes to sort of get ready before a scene. They can be cartwheeling, throwing biscuits at people, then burst into tears and give the most amazing dramatic performance you’ve ever seen. Those two were a definite bad influence on me.
In your defence, you would need almost a demon to occupy your body to play Darius. You really couldn’t go from having fun to being him, the evil in him is palpable…
Some of the hardest scenes were the staff room scenes, because they’d take all day. You have every cast member in, so you’d have to reset the cameras for each line. In the downtime you’re all together and it’s very rare you’d get to all be together, so you’re having a good time, but none of the other actors knew what Darius had been up to, and I did. When the cameras would start rolling for a staff room scene and I’m being this diligent new teacher, I actually knew some of the stuff I’d said about them, and it’s hard not to carry that off set. You’re sort of ashamed of yourself then in the green room, because you feel like you’ve lied to everyone.
If the other teaching cast didn’t know what Darius was up to during filming, what was it like to keep that secret from them?
I think they knew some of it, but I don’t think they knew the extent. I was talking to the producers about what was coming down the line, so I knew what was about to happen, and it’s hard to look people in the eye over your lunch when you know what you’re about.
Tell us about your school days. What were you like as a student? Did you have a favourite subject?
I did Spanish, French, and maths at A-level, which I think is quite an odd mix, but I really liked languages because I liked communicating, and I wanted to be able to go on holidays. I liked maths because it was the only subject where you’d ever get told if you’re right or wrong. I have to say, I hated school. I took it far too seriously and I wish I’d been naughtier.
Waterloo Road has always been known for broaching difficult topics on screen. How do you feel the new series has been able to continue this legacy?
This series is very intense. There’s addiction being dealt with, but also a death in this series. It doesn’t get more serious than the death of a person due to a certain degree of negligence. Whether I work in acting again or not, I don’t think I’ll ever film stuff as intense as what we filmed in episode four. Ruth, the director we had for those episodes, was phenomenal. She came from a live background and has done a lot of theatre, and made those scenes feel like theatre.
Tell us more about episode four?
It doesn’t feel like a Waterloo Road episode, it almost feels like a standalone drama.
There’s a scene where Stella comes back from the hospital and we’re waiting in the staff room, and because of filming logistics, we look like we are leaving, but we had to stay in the room and hide in the corner. So, Lindsey’s giving this performance, and we’re all just standing in the corner of the room. We were all in floods of tears, trying not to disrupt filming, because we could hear genuine grief. If you’re worried about acting, one of the things you’re most worried about is, “Will I be able to cry?”. Well, I didn’t need to worry about that because I had to stop myself from crying.
How does Waterloo Road compare to your previous TV experience?
It’s incomparable. Jason Manford said to me that there’s very little that you’ve learned from stand-up that will be applicable here, and it was really good advice. I remember those first days of falling in love with stand-up. I could have done five gigs a night, every night for a year, and I never got tired of it because I was just learning so much. Every day on set and every scene was slightly different. It was unlike anything I’ve ever done, and its completely addictive.
How do you think Waterloo Road reflects modern life in a school?
I hope Waterloo Road is nothing like the school my daughter will go to because there’s a lot going on…
I think TV series like Waterloo Road are a good way of dealing with real issues that affect people and drive conversations that we need to have. You do need to remember it is television, and it’s supposed to entertain, but you can’t underestimate how much work goes into scripting it carefully enough that it isn’t taken as real life. If there is a Darius Donovan working in a school in this country, he needs to be found and stopped immediately.
Jason Merrells (Jack Rimmer)
Welcome back to Waterloo Road. How has it been stepping back into school?
It’s been interesting and lovely. It felt very familiar and good to be back to play someone that I loved playing back then and turns out I still do!
What was it that made you want to return?
It was the story. Jack’s exit back in the day was sudden, in terms of where he went and what he did. It was nice to continue the story, which was coming from an interesting angle. I thought that was a great way of bringing him back to deal with what he’d been dealing with in those terms.
Last series you guest starred for two episodes, and it was revealed that Jack left education and was now a counsellor. How did you feel when you found that out?
I was curious, but I thought it sounded really good, because this is based on real life. I imagine headmasters often seek therapy, because there is so much burnout amongst teachers and head teachers. It made sense that he’d gone into that. It was nice that someone who was so macho and kind of physical, was doing something that was more receptive and calm, but I was interested that they were showing the flashes of the old Jack underneath that.
Is Jack different to when viewers last saw him?
Yes, in essence. He’s a good man, but he’s flawed. He’s older, wiser, and a bit calmer. He’s recently been in recovery, so that’s a big part of his new sense of self, but that’s why it’s quite risky for him to go back into an emotionally charged setting like a school, and he has to think twice about it.
Jack makes the decision to return to education as a school counsellor at the end of the last series. Can you tease how that’ll play out?
He’s convinced to do so by talking to Stella, who he has an immediate professional and personal connection with. They get each other, and although they’re different styles, they have a similar way of running a school. It’s quite hard for him, although he lands on his feet and does quite well with a couple of students and helps them through some things. There’s a flaw in the funding of the school that they don’t have anyone doing pastoral care before Jack’s arrival, but he takes up the space to do that and goes from there. The more he’s in the school, the more dysfunctional it becomes, especially when he comes across Darius.
What’s Jack’s relationship like with the other teachers?
It’s quite an arm’s length, apart from Stella. They may be aware that he was a teacher there before. 15 years is a long time in terms of the history and in the life of the school. I’m not sure that they know what to make of him, and his situation with Darius becomes more and more key as things develop.
What was it like working with Jon Richardson, Lindsey Coulson, did you know either of them prior to filming?
I knew both of their work, obviously, because they’ve both done so much great stuff in different ways. I was in a show with Lindsey back in the day, Clocking Off, but we didn’t actually work together. I was in the back of one scene that she was in, but we didn’t speak to each other. I’ve always thought she was ace as an actor. When I heard that she was the head, that was another reason to come back to Waterloo Road. Jon is a natural. Jon just hit the ground running and really played the stakes, he really worked hard.
Jack and Donte see each other again in the last episode of series 15. The last time you filmed with Adam, Donte was a student. What was that like to film? How was it working with the younger cast this time round?
I’ve worked with Adam in the meantime, on Emmerdale, and we’ve seen each other over the years in between. He’s lovely, and a brilliant actor, he always was. We all used to think that back in the day when he was a kid playing Donte. I had a great scene with Niamh Blackshaw (Agnes). I was really pleased with it, because it was well written, and she was wonderful to work with.
Do you think there are more challenges facing kids today than when Waterloo Road first aired?
Yes, social media is a thing that didn’t exist when Waterloo Road first aired. I think it can be toxic and addictive. In those terms, that’s brand new. I mean, life can always be difficult, and there were always things that were troublesome and dangerous for kids to get involved in. That’s not changed. It’s just that this thing in your pocket that is 24/7 that’s different, and that’s worrying.
Chris Jeffers (Mitch Swift)
With effortless charm and a winning smile, Mitch is a qualified teacher with years of experience under his belt, particularly with children with additional learning needs. Mitch is resolved to make sure no other kids slip through the net.
Welcome to Waterloo Road! How does it feel to be part of the Waterloo Road family?
Honestly? It’s surreal, I grew up watching Waterloo Road, so being part of the show now feels crazy. Filming back home in Manchester made it even more special – I’d finish a day’s work pretending to be a responsible adult, then get to pop round to my mum’s for tea or out in the Northern Quarter with friends.
Tell us about your character Mitch and what audiences can expect to see from him in the new series?
Mitch is the kind of teacher I wish I’d had at school – he’s fun, got heart, street-smart, and he cares deeply about the kids. He’s got a cool, confident exterior, but underneath it all there’s a lot of lived experience and a real vulnerability. He’s been through it himself – had a rough start in life, made some questionable decisions, and experienced a tragic loss – but he’s turned all of that into fuel for the way he teaches.
What kind of teacher is Mitch?
He’s the kind of teacher who lets you eat crisps in class if you promise to actually do the work. He has great rapport and relationships with the kids and really is on their side. Think part mentor, part big brother. He still thinks he’s cooler than he is… which is probably why the kids like him.
What do the other teachers think of Mitch?
The other teachers think “I wish I had his connection with the students.” He’s a bit of a wildcard in the faculty — but in the best way. Some teachers probably think he’s too relaxed, others really respect him because he genuinely gets the kids.
Mitch works closely with the deputy head, Joe. What is their relationship like? Can you tell us a bit about how that will unfold during the series?
Mitch and Joe are like the Batman and Robin of pastoral care. They’ve both got huge hearts and they’re both willing to put themselves on the line for the students. There’s a real bromance energy there – lots of banter, lots of chats about life, and this lovely mutual respect.
As the series goes on, I think Mitch starts to realise that maybe this friendship could be something more, but he’s really not in a position to do anything about it, so he has to grapple with some stuff.
What was it like working with the other cast on set? Any fun stories from between takes?
Filming with this cast was so much fun, I had to keep reminding myself I was at work. There was always laughter, always the tastiest snacks, and always Adam Thomas’s laughter bellowing through the building. One day James Baxter and I had to film a pretty serious scene with another actor… and of course, that’s when the giggles hit. You know those moments where the harder you try not to laugh, the worse it gets? We just kept setting each other off until it descended into complete giggle madness so… look out for the outtakes of that. There was this really lovely, Manc-pride energy on set.
What are your memories of your school days? Do you think Waterloo Road is representative of your own school experience?
I loved school, but I did miss a bit of it because I was off filming shows like Coronation Street, Grange Hill, and… fun fact… Waterloo Road! There’s actually a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot of me as a background pupil in the very first episode, stood behind Adam Thomas.
Waterloo Road has always been brilliant at reflecting the real issues young people face. It’s messy, emotional, very funny, heartbreaking… just like real school.
Fintan Buckard (Ben Drake)
Year 11 Ben gives off the air of a cool character, he seems laid back and makes out that he doesn’t really care about anything. Underneath his devil may care exterior he is actually quite a tortured teen, and his troubles will only get worse as the series goes on.
Welcome to Waterloo Road! How does it feel to be a part of the new series?
I’m thrilled to be a part of such an iconic show. I didn’t get a chance to watch it the first time around – I was born five days before it originally aired – but I’m a big fan of the reboot. Actually, the recall for this job was the same day as my final exam for my A level, so it was a brilliant and terrifying day at the same time.
Tell us about your character Ben Drake and what type of person he is?
He’s a bright and charming lad and is in constant chase of a good time. He’s not bothered about academics or settling into the school, he’s already done that a million other times, so he’s not bothered about establishing friends s at Waterloo Road. He’s a good big brother, and is very resilient with lots of stubborn qualities, which I suppose makes him superficially funny, creating this joker façade but it’s just a defence mechanism because he’s had to be self-sufficient and look after his little sister.
What can audiences expect to see from him in the new series?
Establishing a relationship with his Nan (Stella Drake), that follows throughout the season as they both go through a life-changing event which ultimately affects Ben’s outlook on life. In fact, it compels him to settle down and establish relationships within the school and lets his mischief unfold, attracting his peers and others around him.
Ben is one of headteacher Stella’s grandchildren. What effect do you think that dynamic has on his arrival and experience at the school. How was it playing Lindsey Coulson’s grandson?
Of course, being the grandchild of the strict and formidable Stella Drake – I’m sure students would expect that he’d be like a goody two-shoes and be studious. Stella would assume that he’d respect her while she’s at work however, Ben’s life experience being passed around care and having to look after his little sister means that he’s put these barriers up, and so he’s going against what other people expect of him. He just suits himself.
Did Lindsey give you any advice or words on wisdom when filming?
The biggest advice that she gave me was to always ask questions. She’s always asking questions, the what’s and why’s, she’s very curious and has a vibrant outlook on life. She reiterated to ask questions – to understand motive, understand why your characters there but she meant it in life also – understand people around you and be considerate, be more knowledgeable. It’s a beautiful trait to have.
Ben also has a younger sister, Hope. What’s the dynamic like between the two siblings? How was filming with Savannah?
Ben is fiercely protective of his sister because he’s had to be the one stable figure in her life and so the dynamic was always a fun one to portray. He plays the standard sibling dynamic of being irritated by his overly enthusiastic little sister, yet proud of her still. Shortly after working with Savannah we started to build a bond naturally and she started feeling like a little sister which was brilliant. Then in relation to the bond that I already formed with Lindsey, it made a nice little family.
What was it like working with the other student cast members? Were there any standout, or funny moments on set that you can tell us about. Were there any pranksters?
We were shooting a scene where the Year 6’s had come for an induction day to see if they want to join Year 7 and Saira Choudhry (Nisha Chandra) was doing a science experiment with jelly. Myself another cast member started throwing jelly at each other, and I must have stood on a particularly large blob of jelly because the next thing I know, I’ve fallen and performed this brilliantly cartoonish fall, with both of my feet flying up into the air. I acted like nothing happened, full on swagger and everything. Actually, at the time, my character had been under the influence, he’d stolen some wine from the school, and so it built to him falling over and so it worked with the scene.
Is Waterloo Road similar to your own school experience?
I went to quite a strict Catholic High School, and so Ben wearing trainers, jeans and a denim jacket, would not fly. My school wouldn’t let you wear a coat any colour other than navy blue, you weren’t even allowed to wear black. But similar to Waterloo Road, my school always put on a good show.
How did it feel to be back in a school setting?
Oh, that was very peculiar, because I left after GCSE. I used to go to a college to do drama, and so I went from that very strict Catholic High School formal setting to then college, and you’re suddenly referred to by your first name, doing yoga. When I put my Waterloo Road uniform back on I was like, ‘Oh, hello. I know this. I know this feeling’. That was strange.
Savannah Kunyo (Hope Drake)
Driven and ambitious Hope is a spirited Year 9 student and granddaughter of headteacher, Stella Drake. Hope’s true desire is to become a famous singing star, and she has spent almost every moment of her life obsessively going for that goal. She’s so energised by her ambition that she often lacks tact. While some might find her slightly overbearing, many find her to be the sweet young girl that she is and can’t help but be drawn to her positivity and determination.
Welcome to Waterloo Road! How does it feel to be a part of the new series?
Oh my gosh, I actually can’t believe it. I’d never really watched the show before, but I’ve seen clips of it online which were great. When I auditioned for it and read the character description, I was really hoping I would get it, Hope was very much a character I could identify with. I was very excited when I got it! I’ve not told my family much about it, and I’m excited to surprise them.
Tell us about your character Hope and what type of person she is. What can audiences expect to see from her in the new series?
She’s very bubbly! Some people will like her, and some people will think she’s very annoying. She’s very outgoing and knows what she wants. She’s very chatty and loud at times and a very confident girl.
Hope is one of headteacher Stella’s grandchildren. What effect do you think that has on her arrival and experience at the school?
I think she’s given a bit of special treatment, but not too much to be singled out. I think that she knows how to get it on her own, she’s good at having other people and teachers do stuff for her. I think she’s got a bit of an attitude that Stella wants to put a stop to.
Hope also has an older brother, Ben. What’s the dynamic like between the two siblings? How was filming with Fintan?
It was a very good experience, and I think Hope and Ben have got a very strong connection. They don’t leave each other’s side, especially since Hope’s been through so much, and they’ve both been through a lot, with their mum being unwell, so they support each other. Ben’s very protective of Hope.
How was it playing Lindsey Coulson’s granddaughter? Did Lindsey give you any advice or words on wisdom when filming?
Filming with Lindsey was so good, I loved filming with her so much, and she made the experience easier. I felt a lot more confident in doing stuff because she was there. Fintan and Lindsey are amazing actors, and I wanted to show them that I was a worthy scene partner.
Were there any standout, or funny moments on set that you can tell us about. Were there any pranksters?
When I was on set, there were a lot of blooper worthy moments which were very funny. In one of the scenes with Fintan where we were arguing about why our mum wasn’t around, we were just arguing ourselves as Savannah and Fintan about stupid things. It was really funny, but we got told to stop… It was because they started to hear us in a different room!
Is Waterloo Road similar to your own school experience?
I think me and Hope are very much alike. We’re both a bit cheeky, we get in trouble a little bit, and both have the same interests. I do school productions as well as Hope does, and I actually got to play a main character in one before! If Waterloo Road was a real school, I would definitely like to go there.
Watch Waterloo Road and add to your Watchlist on BBC iPlayer now
All the information about the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy, as well as interesting facts, entertainment areas and updates on tickets and merchandise, is now available on the newly revamped Milano Cortina 2026 website.
With dedicated homepages for both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, fans can find out all they need to know about both Games, which are united by the same vision of Milano Cortina 2026.. The website is in 12 languages (English, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Hindi, Arabic) and has been developed by Olympic Channel Services. It benefits from the experience of past Games-times websites which were also developed by OCS, including for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
News, Live Blog and Practical Information on Milano Cortina 2026
The Games Time website is the compass and diary of the Games. It is the place to find the latest news, live blog and practical information about competition schedules, venues, Olympic and Paralympic villages, ticketing release and transport options to the event from all over the world, and accomodation. It also offers an immersive experience into the world of winter sports featured at Milano Cortina 2026, allowing visitors to soak up the atmosphere of the Games, the spectacle of the Ceremonies, and the intensity of the competitions. It captures the determination and athletic excellence of the competitors, amplifies the voice of those at the heart of the event, and showcases the stories and identities of the host regions.
The Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay
This is where the story of the Olympic Torch Relay and the Paralympic Torch Relay comes to life, covering thousands of kilometres, connecting Italy and local communities along the way, as torchbearers carry the Essential Torch: a demonstration of how sport can shape a collective narrative, unite individuals, and become part of a lasting memory. The Olympic Torch will be accompanied by two exceptional partners: Coca-Cola, a Worldwide Partner of the International Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and Eni, a Premium Partner of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Allianz will support the Relay of the Paralympic Torch of Milano Cortina 2026 as Presenting Partner.
The Torches of Milano Cortina 2026 were created by Eni, a Premium Partner of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, in collaboration with Versalis (Eni), an Official Supporter of the Games. Eni and Versalis selected the Studio Carlo Ratti Associati for design development and Cavagna Group for the engineering and production of the Torch and its components.
Maps and Official Shops
The Games Time website features maps to guide spectators, the official shop, and a ‘Sport’ section designed to guide everyone to discover the sporting epicentre of Milano Cortina 2026. Above all, it is an invitation to feel part of a global event that goes beyond sporting news – it is an experience, a future, a shared legacy, a transformation.
In addition, a section dedicated to the host territories will offer a digital journey through the Games’ venues: the mountains and cities of Milano Cortina 2026, told through stories, images, and content that highlight local identity and traditions.
With its new website, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 opens the digital gateway to the Games, a space that is both a practical guide and a narrative hub: an essential tool to experience every moment, from the first to the last second. Take the first step and enter the world of this great sporting event.
Modern lifestyles and dietary changes have significantly increased the consumption of high-fat foods, contributing to a steep rise in the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, a high-fat diet (HFD) is linked to cognitive impairments and neurodegeneration and has been shown to worsen the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease-a progressive neurodegenerative condition-in mouse models. Yet, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive.
Autophagy, a crucial cellular recycling process, helps maintain neuronal health. Recent studies have shown that impaired autophagy contributes to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. But is autophagy linked to HFD-induced cognitive deficits?
To address this question, researchers from Chiba University, Japan, examined the effects of the HFD on autophagy and memory formation using Drosophila, the humble fruit fly, as a model system. Rodent studies have focused mainly on specific regions of the brain, leaving the broader impact of HFDs on the nervous system unexplored. To bridge this gap, the researchers used Drosophila, given its ease of genetic manipulation, short lifespan, conserved metabolic and neural pathways with mammals, and well-validated memory assessments.
Associate Professor Ayako Tonoki and her team, including doctoral students Tong Yue, Minrui Jiang, and Kotomi Onuki from the Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, along with Professor Motoyuki Itoh from the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Japan, recently published their findings in Volume 21, Issue 8 of the journal PLOS Genetics on August 18, 2025. “Our findings suggest that diet-induced cognitive decline is not irreversible and may be improved by lifestyle interventions that promote autophagy, such as exercise or intermittent fasting. This research may raise public awareness about the cognitive risks of HFD and provide new insights into potential preventive strategies against metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders,” explains Dr. Tonoki.
The researchers maintained the flies on a normal diet or an HFD for seven days and examined their lipid-triacylglycerol (TAG) and circulating glucose levels. Notably, HFD-fed flies had significantly higher levels of TAG and glucose as well as higher intestinal lipid accumulation, suggesting that HFD altered glucose and lipid metabolism.
Next, the researchers examined the effects of HFD on memory formation by conditioning the flies to various odors and assessing their short-term (3 minutes following exposure), intermediate-term (3 hours following exposure), and long-term (24 hours following exposure) memory (STM, ITM, and LTM, respectively). Specific odor tubes were paired with an electric shock apparatus for behavioral reinforcement. Notably, HFD-fed flies exhibited impaired ITM and LTM, while STM remained unaffected.
To elucidate the role of autophagy in HFD-induced memory impairment, the researchers quantified the levels of autophagy-related proteins. They found that the levels of Ref(2)p-a protein normally degraded by autophagy-were significantly increased in HFD-fed flies. At the same time, the Atg8a-II/I ratio, a marker of autophagosome (recycling vesicles) formation, was markedly lower, indicating autophagic dysfunction. Further, temporary suppression of the autophagy protein Atg1 in adult neurons selectively reduced ITM without affecting STM, consistent with the effects observed under HFD feeding, suggesting that a temporary reduction in neuronal autophagic activity during adulthood is sufficient to cause memory decline. Conversely, boosting autophagy by overexpressing Atg1, suppressing the autophagy inhibitor Rubicon, or treating with the autophagy inducer rapamycin ameliorated memory deficits in HFD-fed flies. These findings suggest that HFD-induced memory deficits can be reversed by enhancing autophagic activity.
To better understand how HFD disrupts autophagy, the researchers examined the final stage of autophagy-the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes into autolysosomes, where cellular contents are degraded and recycled. Notably, HFD-fed flies showed abundant autophagosomes and lysosomes, but no change in autolysosome numbers, indicating that the HFD-induced impairment in autophagy was likely due to the defective fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. Interestingly, gene expression analysis revealed that lysosome signaling-related genes were significantly downregulated in HFD-fed flies. Finally, inhibition of lysosomal function markedly reduced ITM.
Overall, these findings provide novel insights into how HFD induces memory deficits through autophagic and lysosomal impairment. Addressing the cognitive risks associated with HFD can aid in the early prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Tonoki concludes by saying, “This research advances our understanding of how dietary habits influence brain health. Our findings may also accelerate the identification of autophagy-enhancing interventions-including specific nutrients and therapeutic agents-to combat diet-induced cognitive decline and preserve cognition in the aging population.”
Source:
Journal reference:
Yue, T., et al. (2025). High-fat diet impairs intermediate-term memory by autophagic-lysosomal dysfunction in Drosophila. PLoS Genetics. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011818
Has the most notorious cybercrime gang of the moment really hung up its keyboards? In this episode of Security Intelligence, host Matt Kosinski along with panelists Dave Bales, Michelle Alvarez and Sridhar Muppidi discuss Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters’ retirement announcement, the ethics of ransomware research, software supply chain security lessons from the npm hack, the state of OT security, and hiring fraud.
Plus: Dave takes on CVSS scores.
All this and more, on Security Intelligence.
00:00 – Intro
02:12 – Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters retire
8:05 – AI ransomware is here
15:43 – npm hijacking
24:51 – X-Force on OT threats
35:27 – AI hiring fraud
41:36 – A hacker and Huntress EDR
The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.
Apple has a hit on its hands with this year’s iPhones, and recent research published by Amdocs may help explain why – in brief, people are ready to upgrade and many are more willing than ever to switch. While the latter cuts both ways, this bodes well too for next year’s iPhone Fold.
You see, the data – distributed and therefore masked by last week’s actual iPhone launch event -suggests almost two thirds of US consumers are ready to upgrade. They want new devices. Morgan Stanley tells us this morning that demand for the iPhone 17 seems stronger than it was for iPhone 16 at this point in the cycle last year. He notes that sales seem strong across all Apple’s key markets.
There may also be a strong chance for Apple to convince more Android users than before to switch, as 33% of consumers are open to switching. That data, of course, cuts both ways, so it really depends on the extent to which Apple’s new phones resonate with shoppers across the coming year. Meanwhile, of course, there’s the question if last year’s anticipated huge iPhone upgrade is about to turn up one year later.
What are you looking for?
Among the top upgrade drivers, battery life and device performance lead across all age groups. For top wants from service providers, broader 5G/6G coverage leads (46%). Notably, 62% say satellite-based features would influence—or potentially influence—their provider choice. This marks a turning point: satellite is no longer niche—it’s emerging as a viable secondary network that enables always-on mobility and new monetization opportunities.
What Amdocs said
“It’s 2025, and users still care more about battery life than AI—and that says everything about how integral smartphones have become to every aspect of our lives,” said Gil Rosen, Chief Marketing Officer, Amdocs.
“Our data shows battery longevity (42%) is the top upgrade driver, ahead of Apple Intelligence. That’s a wake-up call. At the same time, we’re entering a new connectivity era where users can rely on two networks—cellular and satellite—unlocking global, always-on coverage. It’s not just for consumers; satellite will open the door to new products and services in verticals like logistics, emergency services, and mobility. It’s a transformative layer that redefines how CSPs approach coverage, customer experience, and monetization.”
So, to the data:
Generational Divide
79% of 18–24 year olds report owning an iPhone, compared to just 43% of those 65+.
61% of consumers are likely to upgrade their smartphone within 12 months, with intent strongest among 25–44 year olds—nearly half saying they’re “very likely” to upgrade.
Innovation and Cost
Trade-in offers (30%) remain a key motivator, especially for cost-conscious users.
Enhanced camera capabilities (33%) and Apple Intelligence (31%) rank highest among new iOS feature interests.
31% of 35–44 year olds view Apple Intelligence as a “major innovation,” versus just 3% of those 65+. 59% of older consumers are unfamiliar with the feature.
Trust, Reliability & Churn
33% of consumers have switched providers in the past three years—rising to 44% among 25–34 year olds, compared to just 15% of those 65+.
80% are satisfied with current network coverage, with satisfaction peaking among older adults—50% of those 65+ are “very satisfied.”
What they want
42% of consumers cite battery longevity as their top consideration for switching devices, ahead of features like Apple Intelligence (31%).
46% want broader 5G/6G coverage.
62% say satellite-based features would influence their choice of provider when upgrading.
The research also reveals that younger generations are the most likely to switch carriers; 44% of those aged 25 – 34 have switched providers in the past year. By contrast, only 15% of those 65 and older have made a change.
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The producers of Netflix’s German hit How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast) are adapting romcom Love & Anarchy for the streamer. The original version of the romcom was out of Sweden, and also for Netflix. Cameras are about to roll on the new German adaptation, which will shoot in Hamburg.
FLX produced the Swedish show, which follows a consultant and married mother who starts playing a flirtatious game with a young I.T. expert. They challenge each other to perform daring tasks. That show has run to two seasons.
How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast) and King Of Stonks producer Bilduntonfabrik is making the German Love & Anarchy. The news was revealed during a session moderated by Deadline at the Seriesly confab with the indie label’s co-founders, Philipp Käßbohrer and Matthias Murman, and Lisa Kreimeyer, Director of Series for Netflix in the DACH region.
The panelists broke down how they worked together on How To Sell Drugs, the tale of a geeky teenager who sets up a drug-dealing enterprise on the dark net. The show ran to four seasons and was BTF’s first scripted show and one of Netflix’s first German originals.
Käßbohrer was named Deadline’s 2025 German TV Disruptor for earlier this year, and with Murman, has built BTF into a label that makes everything from docs to talk shows to drama and videogames.
Asked about other projects that BTF and Netflix are working up, Kreimeyer gave the lowdown on the romcom remake and said other shows are in the works.
“There’s one that’s very concrete, because we start shooting it in two weeks, and that’s an adaptation of the Swedish series Love & Anarchy. We don’t have a German title yet, but that’s happening very soon and BTF is producing. Then there’s another series that we have already greenlit that will shoot next year and also a couple more things.”
Formula 1 heads to Baku this weekend for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix – but what kind of weather conditions can the drivers expect to encounter?
In 2024, a dry and warm race at the high-speed street track ended with Oscar Piastri taking victory for McLaren via an exciting battle against Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc.
As things stand, a largely dry weekend is in store for the drivers and teams. There are some showers predicted, but Friday afternoon is likely to be the only time wet weather might occur when the track is open for business.
Scroll down for a more detailed look at the forecast for the weekend.
2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend weather forecast
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 – FP1 AND FP2 Conditions: Partly cloudy with large sunny spells at first becoming cloudier in the late afternoon. Slight chance of one shower in the afternoon becoming moderate from the late afternoon and the following night. Light southeasterly wind veering northerly and becoming moderate in the evening. FP1: 24°C // FP2: 23°C Maximum temperature expected: 25 Celsius Minimum temperature expected: 19 Celsius Chance of rain: 40%
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – FP3 AND QUALIFYING Conditions: Mostly cloudy in the morning with a slight to moderate chance of showers from midnight until noon. Likely dry afternoon under a partly to mostly cloudy sky. Moderate to strong northwesterly wind with gusts up to 60 kph in the morning, decreasing a bit after that. FP3: 20°C // Q: 21°C Maximum temperature expected: 21 Celsius Minimum temperature expected: 18 Celsius Chance of rain: 40%
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 – RACE Conditions: Mostly cloudy to overcast all day long. Improvement expected for the race. Slight chance of one light shower in the morning. At this range, likely dry race but chance of one shower is not excluded. Moderate northwesterly wind with gusts up to 50 kph in the morning and up to 40 kph during the race. Race start: 21°C Maximum temperature expected: 21 Celsius Minimum temperature expected: 17 Celsius Chance of rain: 20%
Kuxiu already made my favorite 3-in-1 Qi2 charger, and now it’s back with an even smaller yet more powerful version. The MagSafe-compatible Qi2.2 charger folds up super compact for travel and unfurls into a “Z” to simultaneously charge an Apple Watch, AirPods, or other Qi-enabled earbuds, and a Qi2 25W phone like the new Pixel 10 Pro XL and iPhone 17 series — all from a single USB-C cable.
The $79.99 / €68.95 X40 Turbo charging stand supports the new Qi2.2 standard (aka, Qi2 25W), so it can wirelessly charge compatible devices at a maximum of 25W, up from 15W on last year’s $79.99 model. That price also gets you a 45W USB-C PD charger, carrying case, and cable in the box.
When I say it’s small, I mean it. The X40 Turbo is 25 percent smaller than its diminutive predecessor, measuring just 64 x 64 x 18mm (2.52 x 2.52 x 0.71 inches) when folded up.
These 3-in-1 Z-shaped stands are dime-a-dozen on Amazon and Temu, but Kuxiu is a brand I’ve used for a few years and trust. Like the company’s other products I’ve tested, it feels like quality due to the use of aluminum instead of plastic. I don’t have a Qi2.2 phone to test it with, but I have no reason to doubt its support for 25W wireless charging.
My iPhone 15 Pro only supports Qi2 (15W), which is what I saw it pulling from a power bank as the 16 N52 magnets held the phone tightly to the stand’s soft-touch surface. The spec sheet says it’ll charge a phone at 5W/7.5W/10W/15W/25W, earbuds at up to 5W, and an Apple Watch at up to 5W.
If you’re looking to jump on the wireless Qi2.2 train, own a bunch of Apple gear, and like to travel light, then Kuxiu’s X40 Turbo charging stand should be on your short list. Even if you can’t take advantage of that 25W max charge, you can still benefit from its extreme portability with a little future-proofing baked in.
