The India v England test match is in full swing at Headingley today, as the two teams lock horns at Leeds' home ground for their third test match after more than a week-long wait.
There's been some food-related excitement, too, as Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli was spotted popping into Leeds' street food favourite Bundobust for a late lunch and 'piping hot selfie' with their chef, Rosul, yesterday afternoon.
Clocked dining with Indian actress and Hindi filmmaker extraordinare Anushka Sharma, the pair got stuck into the venue's street food menu - which is known for its popular Indian street food treats like vada pavs (a fried potato burger popular on the streets of Mumbai), okra fries and paneer tikka kebabs.
The vada pavs at Bundno Bust are legendary / Image: Bundobust
Having posed for a selfie with the chef in their masks, the image was then shared to Bundobust's Instagram page last night with the caption:
"Big day at Leeds Bundo. It’s not every day that India Cricket Captain @virat.kohli and Actor and Film Producer supremo @anushkasharma bob into Bundobust for a late lunch. Luckily our chef Rosul was on hand to serve up a piping hot selfie.
The Indian cricket captain was cocked dining with Indian actress and Hindi filmmaker extraordinare Anushka Sharma / Image: Bundobust
"Best of luck to Virat tomorrow in the India v England test match at Headingley tomorrow."
Naturally, there was a lot of excitement in the comments with fans piling in to give their two cents on the visit.
One joked, "Too late to request you lock the door & keep him there for the next 5 days?" whilst another said, "Thanks you lot, he’ll be supercharged by okra fries now!"
The couple has also been spotted at Leeds Michelin-recommended Indian restaurant Theravadu, with Anushka Sharma reportedly wearing at dress worth £10,000 for their dinner.
The Bundobust post has already racked up over a thousand likes on the page, with fans now on the hunt to see where they might dine next in the city.
Hollywood Vampires are heading back out on tour, with a huge Yorkshire gig announced for this year.
The supergroup, which consists of one of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as one of rock’n’roll’s most iconic names, are set to perform at the AO Arena as part of a run of shows.
Hollywood Vampires is made up of A-lister Johnny Depp, as well as rock royalty including Alice Cooper, and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, plus Tommy Henriksen.
They last performed with an arena tour back in 2023, making these their first gigs in almost three years.
Hollywood Vampires have now announced a return to the stage, with a show at the iconic Piece Hall in Halifax on 22 August.
They’ll be supported by The Jesus and Mary Chain, who marked their 40th anniversary in 2024 with a new album, Glasgow Eyes.
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires announce Manchester gig. Credit: Aaron Perry
Hollywood Vampires formed in 2012, named after Cooper’s celebrity drinking club of the same name where the aim was reportedly to ‘drink until no one could stand up’.
Over the years, the supergroup has worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Zak Starkey (formerly the drummer for Oasis).
A Three Presale for tickets will take place from 10am on Wednesday 21 January, followed by a venue presale on Thursday 22 January, then general sale from 10am on Friday 23 January.
Leeds City Council begin search for new Christmas Market operator for 2026
Clementine Hall
A hunt for a new operator of the Leeds Christmas Market on City Square has begun.
Cast your mind back to 2023 and the welcome return of Leeds' Christmas Markets on City Square.
The operators at that point were awarded a three-year contract to produce the market until 2025.
Now that that's been and gone, if you can believe, a search for a new operator to take on the next three-year period has begun.
The market on City Square which is most famous for its food offerings and unique gifts is a completely different entity to the council-run 'Ice Cube at Christmas' attraction on Millennium Square and Cookridge Street.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A council report said: “The Christmas Market is an important footfall driver for the city centre at a key time of year for retail and hospitality businesses. The additional footfall and associated spend supports the city centre economy.
“The continuation of the Leeds Christmas Market will allow the Council to build on the previous three years, where the market has been re-established in the city centre.
"This is an opportunity to build on the overall quality of the Christmas Market and continue to promote Leeds as an attractive visitor destination at Christmas time, encouraging day trips as well as driving overnight stays.”
The new contract period would run until 2029 with the option to extend for one year beyond that.
We'll keep you updated as and when we know more, and we do profusely apologise for mentioning the C word in January.
Georgina Pellant -
25th August 2021 
