The family of a 16-year-old boy who died at Leeds Festival have paid a heartbreaking tribute to their 'beautiful, fiercely independent' teen.
David Celino was taken ill at the festival on Saturday evening but tragically passed away in hospital shortly afterwards.
An investigation into his death is ongoing, but one line of enquiry suggests he had taken a type of ecstasy (MDMA) in a black or grey oblong shape.
David was from Worsley in Greater Manchester and had just celebrated 'fabulous GCSE results', The Manc reports.
His 'broken' family said he considered Leeds Festival to be the highlight of his summer.
David Celino died after being taken ill at Leeds Festival. Credit: Official Reading and Leeds Festival
In a statement released through the police, they said: "Our David was a beautiful, fiercely independent and warm character who lived every day at 110% and who loved to spend time enjoying music with his friends.
"He had just received fabulous GCSE results, got into college, and had hoped to study computer science at a top university.
"Leeds Festival was the highlight of his summer; ultimately it was to take his life in the most unfair, cruel and horrible way, and we are broken."
His family, who have requested privacy, are being supported by the force and police enquiries are ongoing.
Officers were first called at about 10.16pm on Saturday 27 August to reports that a 16-year-old male had been taken to the medical tent.
Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the boy who has died, and we have officers supporting them at this very difficult time.
"While the exact cause of his death is yet to be established, one line of enquiry is that he had taken a particular type of ecstasy (MDMA) tablet, which was described as a grey or black oblong shape.
Credit: Official Reading and Leeds Festival
"At this moment in time this is believed to be an isolated incident as we have not received any similar reports.
"Users of any drug which is not professionally prescribed can never be sure of their contents and the risks involved with taking the substance.
"Anyone who does feel ill after taking any substance should seek urgent medical attention.
"We are continuing to conduct enquiries on site and are liaising closely with the event organisers."
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Daisy Jackson -
29th August 2022 
