Blogs

PROFESSOR Green has revealed the heartbreaking reason he had to pull out of a recent gig.

Earlier this week it was revealed that the rapper, 41, was set to headline Chester 7s Party at the Park concert but had to pull out at the last minute – and now it has been revealed why.

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Professor Green has explained why he had to pull out of a gig at the last minute[/caption]

instagram/@professorgreen

The rapper bravely shared this post[/caption]

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The star revealed he would ‘make it up’ to fans[/caption]

Professor Green – whose real name is Stephen Paul Manderson – cancelled his performance in Northwich on Saturday.

Instead, support act James Haskell performed a two-hour DJ set to keep fans entertained.

In a statement posted on social media at the time, Chester 7s wrote: “Due to unforeseen circumstances Professor Green is unable to perform at Chester 7s tonight.

“Whilst circumstances such as these are outside of our control, we apologise to all our amazing players, officials and guests and thank you for making Chester 7s 2025 an amazing experience for everyone.”

However, now Professor Green has bravely revealed why he was forced to pull out of the gig at the last minute.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, he posted a heartfelt message which read: “My sincerest apologises to @chester7s organisers and fans alike.

“Thank you @jameshaskell for him playing longer than planned.

“I’m reaching out to work out how I can make up for my no-show Saturday. Whatever it takes.

“This doesn’t rest with booker or organisers – I crumbled after three performances and two back to back 21hr days doing all the driving etc myself.

“My head became a very difficult place to be.

“I made it to Chester but not to the stage – I hope I get the chance to make this up to you, if you’ll let me. PG x”

Over the years the rapper has been very honest about his mental health and the importance of not overlooking it.

Speaking to the BBC last year, Pro Green said: “If you have a physical injury it’s your brain that gets you through it – you need mental strength.

“I don’t know why there is a division between physical and mental health, it should just be health – they are intrinsically linked.”

Continuing to open up, the star said: “You don’t realise as a kid things like attachment and abandonment can really affect you – way into your adult life.

“I had behaviours that were directly linked to things that I experienced as a kid, and I think that’s true of all of us.”

RYANAIR has cancelled 400 flights in a blow to Irish tourists ahead of planned strikes next week.

The budget airline has cancelled flights to and from Ireland today, July 4, as Air Traffic Control (ATC) strikes continue in France.

AP:Associated Press

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Flights has also impacted, with a total of 400 flights cancelled across both days.

The cancellations include flights across Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Air France services.

Yesterday, there were 20 flights cancelled to and from Dublin Airport.

It’s believed that the ongoing action will impact 70,000 passengers.

Not only are flights to and from France being cancelled, but also any flying over the country.

These could include flights heading to popular destinations including the UK, Greece and Spain.

Ryanair said: “In addition to flights to/from France being cancelled, this strike will also affect all French overflights.

“Most disrupted passengers are not even flying to/from France.”

Dublin Airport reported that 14 flights have been cancelled today.

Cancelled services include services to and from Nice, Paris and Helsinki.

STAY INFORMED

The airport said: “Further disruption to flight schedules is possible today (Friday) due to another day of air traffic control strikes in France and a ground staff strike in Finland.”

Passengers are being advised to stay up to date with the latest developments regarding their flight.

Dublin Airport added: “Passengers due to fly to or over mainland Europe today are advised to check directly with their airline for latest updates on the status of their flight.”

Aer Lingus said that across yesterday and today there would be “limited flight cancellations to and from Paris and Nice.”

The airline added that passengers impacted had been contacted and re-accommodated on alternative flights or were offered other options.

If your flight is one of the ones that has been cancelled, you should be contacted directly by the airline.

But if you have booked through third parties such as travel agents or other airlines, the updates may go to them instead.

Passengers should be entitled to the choice between a re-routing or a full refund under EU Regulation 261/2014.

According to UNSA-ICNA, the French ATC union, the two day strike is due to persistent understaffing, outdated equipment and a toxic management culture.

MAJOR DELAYS

Ryanair has said that in the first half of 2025, French ATC issues caused delays on over 26,000 of its services.

The budget airline called on EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, to take urgent action to reform European ATC services.

CEO Michael O’Leary said: “Once again European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike.

“It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.

“France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and the UK continue to delay thousands of Ryanair flights and millions of Ryanair passengers, putting them in stark contrast to other EU States, like Slovakia, Denmark, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands, who are delivering many many more on-time flights.

“If these five states can properly staff and manage their ATC service, then why can’t France, Spain, Germany, Portugal and the UK do likewise?”

PORTUGUESE Wimbledon star Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon in memory of Diogo Jota.

The Liverpool forward, 28, sadly passed away in a car crash in the early hours of yesterday morning.

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Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon in tribute of Diogo Jota[/caption]

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Cabral said paying tribute made him ‘very happy’[/caption]

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Diogo Jota died in a car crash yesterday[/caption]

Cabral, who partners Austrian Lucas Miedler, took to the court today for his second-round doubles clash against Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.

He was seen wearing a commemorative black ribbon on the sleeve of his shirt to mark Jota’s death.

Cabral and Miedler saw off Jamie Murray and Rajeev Ram on the day of the footballer’s passing.

In an emotional post-match interview, Cabral said: “I didn’t know him personally. But I know a friend who knew him. A great guy.

“Obviously, very, very sad news. Not only in the sports world but in Portugal overall.

“He’s such an idol. Such an icon. Such a good person. I am very sad to hear what happened.

“I got the news when I was driving to Wimbledon. I wish all the best for his family.

“He had great people around him. I hope they can get through it.

Wimbledon 2025 LIVE – follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19

“He was really hard working, what he had come through, what he had conquered in his career and life. Very inspiring for me.

“He plays in the national team. One of the best teams in the world. I followed the games and when he scored, I was happy for him.

“In the back of my head while I was playing, I was sad as everyone is in Portugal. I had to play the game. I had to focus on my game. I’m sad, of course.”

Cabral added that he was hoping someone could arrange a “black strip” for him to wear today.

The Porto-born star said it would make him “very, very happy to do it”.

Wimbledon chiefs gave players permission to wear black armbands in tribute to the footballer.

That is despite the tournament’s strict all-white dress code.

Jota passed away alongside his brother Andre Silva, 25, when the tyre on their Lamborghini suddenly burst in northern Spain.

They were on their way to catch a ferry back to the UK as the Premier League winner could not fly due to recently undergoing lung surgery.

AFP

Cabral plays men’s doubles with Lucas Miedler[/caption]

LUCENA CITY — Anti-narcotics operatives confiscated more than P1 million worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) in separate buy-bust operations in Cavite province on Thursday and Friday (July 3 and 4), resulting in the arrest of three suspected drug traffickers. Agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)–Region 4A and local police apprehended two women,

MINISTER Dara Calleary has confirmed a double €280 Child Benefit payment for thousands will cost the State around €288million per year.

The Minister for Social Protection established the figure after he said his Department is “working on” a targeted new Child Benefit payment as part of efforts to tackle child poverty in Ireland.

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The Department of Social Protection is currently exploring the interaction a targeted Child Benefit payment would have with existing targeted supports and to reduce child poverty.

Calleary explained: “Existing supports include the working family payment and the child support payment.”

And when asked by Sinn Fein TD Louise O’Reilly the full-year cost of doubling Child Benefit for those on the One Family payment and the Working Family Payment, Calleary confirmed it would be €288million.

Child Benefit is a universal payment, meaning Irish parents can receive the €140 monthly cash regardless of their income and PRSI record up until a child is 16.

Currently, the payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their nineteenth birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability.

A double payment of Child Benefit for those on the One Family payment or Working Family Payment would mean a total of €280 per child landing into the bank accounts of eligible Irish parents.

Calleary explained: “My department currently has 83,241 children benefiting from One Parent Family Payment and 100,117 children benefiting from Working Family Parent.

“However, there are an estimated 11,500 children where the claimant is in receipt of both One Parent Family Payment and Working Family Payment.

“Consequently, the number of individual children supported by One Parent Family Payment or Working Family Payment is calculated at 171,858.

“Doubling the monthly Child Benefit payment for a year for each of these children would increase the overall expenditure on Child Benefit by approximately €288million per year.”

Calleary warned that these figures are subject to change, with the estimates based on figures from May 2025.

Child Benefit is currently paid at a rate of €140 per child monthly to over 650,000 families in respect of over 1.2 million children – but it has risen by less than €10 in the last 20 years.

The monthly payment for a first child was €131.60 in 2004 and stands at €140 now, just six per cent higher.

But Taoiseach Micheal Martin previously confirmed that the Government is considering a second-tier Child Benefit payment targeted at poorer families in a bid to combat child poverty.

€285 MONTHLY CASH

The “second-tier” allowance worth an average of €285 per month would allow lower-income families to top up the existing €140-a-month benefit.

And those who don’t qualify for the extra cash will still receive the basic €140 payment.

Martin said: “I have a unit within the Department that is focusing on this issue and I’ve already spoken to Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary on this.

“Nothing is off the table. There is a wide menu of options to choose from to target resources to meaningfully impact on the child poverty situation.”

The proposed Child Benefit shake-up would lift some 55,000 children out of income poverty and 25,000 from consistent poverty, according to a recent report from the Economic and Social Research Institute.

It estimates that spending just under €800m a year on the scheme could halve the number of children experiencing consistent poverty.

But Calleary said it is a “complex issue” and an “unintended consequence” of a new system of child income supports could result in a lower payment for some parents.

He explained: “The work of the Department is to help those who are struggling.

“One of the considerations in the ESRI proposal was to amalgamate the working family payment with the child support payment but that would result in people losing out on what they are getting at the moment.

“If we are to do this, people cannot lose out. We have to look at expanding the working family payment and the child support payment as part of targeted measures.

“Anything we do in this space needs to be targeted and focused on those on low incomes, particularly workers.

“We have to ensure that people do not get a lower payment under a new system than they are currently getting.

“That could be an unintended consequence of some of the work we have seen today.”

A policy paper is currently being worked on to set out the options ahead of the budget.

Other areas being examined to reduce child poverty levels are payments for children of primary-school age, lone parents, working families on low incomes and children with disabilities.

Calleary vowed that any changes made to the social welfare system will be targeted and “focused on those most at risk” of poverty and those in consistent poverty.

BRITISH No.3 Sonay Kartal is lighting up Wimbledon 2025, having also reached round three last year.

Here we take a look at her life and get to know her bodybuilder ‘boyfriend’ Luke Ogbourn.

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Sonay Kartal has been in a relationship with bodybuilder Luke Ogbourn[/caption]

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Luke brought Sonay flowers at Wimbledon in 2024[/caption]

Instagram @luke_ogbourn

She seemed very happy with the gallant gesture[/caption]

Sonay Kartal beat former French Open champ Jelena Ostapenko in round one of Wimbledon 2025.

She then stormed into round three for the second year running after a dominant and devastating victory over Viktoriya Tomova on Court No 3.

Next up, Sonay is taking on French qualifier Diane Parry on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Sonay has £152,000 in her back pocket but if she wins two sets, she will add an extra £68,000 to her bank balance.

The British No.3 said: “Obviously tennis is super expensive.

“When I was growing up, I kind of did quite a lot of tournaments on my own because I couldn’t afford to pay a coach week-in, week-out.

“It helped me develop as a teenager, grow up super fast, made me much more mature. I held myself accountable to a lot of things.

“The LTA helped me massively. It came at exactly the right time. It was when I started to come on the scene and was putting together a few good wins consistently.

“They really helped to give me all the equipment and access to everything I needed to develop as well.

“I’ve shot up the rankings. My game style really rocketed.

“My coaches back in the day, they would charge me I guess the lowest fee and would try to help me out as much as possible.

“I was out quite a lot of years injured as a teenager.

“I didn’t pick up a racquet for a couple years. I was kind of a bit inconsistent as I was going through my teenage years.”

Sonay was born in London, but grew up in Brighton with her family.

We don’t gym together at all

Sonay Kartalthe Express

She is of Turkish descent and her dad owned a “kebab takeaway” and “sit down restaurant”, serving Turkish food.

Off the court, Sonay has been in a relationship with bodybuilder Luke Ogbourn.

He even brought his beau a bouquet of flowers after she qualified for the first round of Wimbledon in 2024.

Who is Luke Ogbourn?

Luke Ogbourn is a British bodybuilder and strongman.

He is best known for being in a relationship with tennis ace Sonay Kartal.

Luke has been a visible and vocal supporter of Sonay, particularly during her impressive Wimbledon run last year and her first WTA singles title win at the Jasmin Open, also in 2024.

Per his Instagram bio, Luke took home the silver medal at the United Kingdom’s Strongest Man U23 competition in 2024, before going one better and securing gold at Iron Beasts 2024.

Instagram @luke_ogbourn

Luke Ogbourn won Iron Beasts 2024[/caption]

His profile regularly featured gym routines, rugby matches and highlights from his strongman competitions — but as of July 4, 2025, it seems to have been removed.

The relationship between Sonay and Luke has been public since at least November 2023, when their first photo together appeared on Ogbourn’s Instagram.

Their relationship drew more attention during Wimbledon 2024 — Luke supported Sonay online and in person, sharing affectionate messages and congratulating her after matches.

Despite both being athletes, Sonay said that they do not train together, telling the Express in 2024 that they “don’t gym together at all”.

She added: “I don’t lift cars and pull cars and things like that.

“Tennis is very specific training whereas he is just lifting as much weight as possibly as physically you can.”

However, it is unclear whether they remain an item — Luke hasn’t been spotted at Wimbledon this year.

All traces of their relationship seem to have totally disappeared from social media.

FRANCE has always been a holiday favourite for Brits and continues to be one – but there is a new strict rule to look out for.

And its already been rolled out across the country and could see you fined £116 on the beach this summer.

Pascal Pochard-Casabianca/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource

France has always been a holiday favourite for Brits and continues to be one – but there is a new strict rule to look out for[/caption]

The new French rules

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Smoking cigarettes is banned in all outdoor areas where children might frequent[/caption]

France has banned smoking in all outdoor areas frequented by children from the 1st of July.

This includes parks, beaches, public gardens, bus stops, school entrances, and sports venues.

And if you break the rule – even as a tourist – you will face a fine of 90 euros if you pay within 15 days, going up to 135 euros (around £116) after that.

The new measure is part of President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to create “the first tobacco-free generation” by 2032.

“France is positioning itself as one of Europe’s most proactive countries in terms of tobacco control,” Raquel Venâncio, senior policy officer at Smoke Free Partnership, a coalition of European tobacco control advocacy groups, told CNN.

Not everyone in France is happy about the new rule

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Not everyone in France is happy about the new rule[/caption]

“The more time goes by, the more the government wants to take away our basic freedoms,” Elise Levaux, a 25-year-old student in Paris, told CNN.

“If you’re being respectful — not throwing away cigarette butts in a park or beach, not disturbing others — I don’t see the problem.

“Why should smoking suddenly be treated like a crime?”

Another said: “I’ve been smoking since I was 14.

“Most of my friends started just as young. Fine or no fine, we’re going to continue smoking.

“It’s part of the French identity — we fight for what we want. We’re not robots.”

France has almost 23,000 licensed tabacs — tobacco shops that occupy the corners of many urban streets.

CNN approached a dozen of them in Paris seeking their view on the new law, but none wanted to speak.

But in a statement shared with CNN, Minister of Health Catherine Vautrin said that “protecting youth and denormalizing smoking” is an “absolute priority” for the government.

“At 17, you should be building your future, not your addiction, Where there are children, tobacco must disappear.

“Tobacco is poison. It kills, it costs, it pollutes. I refuse to give up the fight. Every day without tobacco is a life gained.

“Our goal is clear: a tobacco-free generation — and we have the means to achieve it.”

The new rule does not ban e-cigarettes

Unlike Belgium and the United Kingdom, which recently prohibited the sale of disposable vapes, France’s new rules do not ban e-cigarettes reports Accuweather.

The new regulations do, however, include a reduction in authorized nicotine levels in vaping products, as well as strict limits on flavours like cotton candy, which critics say are designed to appeal to young people.

“These products serve as gateways to addiction and will be regulated, starting in 2026,” Vautrin said.

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable health risk in the European Union, causing nearly 700,000 premature deaths each year, according to EU figures.

In France alone, it accounts for 75,000 deaths each year — equivalent to 200 deaths per day, according to the country’s health ministry.

Beyond the direct toll on smokers and those around them, tobacco products also pose an environmental hazard.

An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 tons of cigarette butts are discarded across France each year, according to the Ministry of Health.

OISIN MURPHY is jetting out of Britain a day after his £70,000 drink-drive ban and grovelling apology for a late night car crash.

The four-time champion jockey was given the massive fine and 20-month disqualification at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday following his guilty plea.

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Oisin Murphy has been fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months but is free to continue riding – and he has a huge ride a day after his guilty plea[/caption]

Murphy drove his Mercedes into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, and left a female passenger with ‘serious injuries’ just after midnight on April 27.

The BHA have confirmed the 29-year-old Irishman is free to continue riding.

And he has the chance to get back almost half of his fine in one go thanks to a money-spinning ride in the US on Friday night.

Murphy heads to New York for the leg up on Qatar Racing-owned New Century in the Belmont Derby at Saratoga, where victory in the 10.45pm BST contest is worth £330,000.

Should Murphy oblige on the well-backed 7-4 favourite he can expect roughly ten per cent of the winnings – around £30,000.

He won’t spend long in the US though.

Murphy is right back into the thick of things at Sandown on Saturday for their brilliant Coral-Eclipse card.

He’ll fly overnight from the States and land in time for the ride on Royal Ascot winner Adrestia in the 1.50 at the Surrey track.

That’s the first of seven rides on the day, the highlight being 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in the Eclipse itself.

Murphy released a statement on X on Thursday evening after his guilty plea.

He said: “I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions.

“I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did.

“I have let a lot of people down.

“I particularly want to apologise to my passenger and her family.

“Due to the police investigation, I have so far been able to share only minimal details of my offence with the British Horseracing Authority.

“I will now be fully co-operative with their enquiries.

“It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded.”

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Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

Soap legend’s heartbreaking exit storyline revealed as she leaves show after 33 years

Home and Away was first shown in 1988 and has been a hit with viewers ever since.

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Lynne McGranger is preparing to say goodbye to Home and Away for the last time[/caption]

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After her debut in 1993, she’s the longest-serving female cast member on the show[/caption]

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The character will embark on a tragic storyline[/caption]

In the UK, fans of the show can watch episodes on Channel 5 after Vanessa Feltz takes to the airwaves for her eponymous lunchtime show.

Back in February, it was announced that Lynne McGranger, 72, who plays Irene Roberts in the hit Aussie soap, will be leaving the show. 

She made her initial debut on the Australian drama back in January 1993 and is longest-serving female actor on the show.

Now the actress is preparing to say goodbye to the show as she is set to embark on her tragic farewell storyline.

Viewers who have tuned into the soap in recent weeks would have seen the character experience significant lapses in her memory.

This includes one concerning incident where she nearly left baby Archie at home when she forgot her babysitting duties.

Taking support from her friend John Palmer (Shane Withington), she seeks help from Dr Bree Cameron (Juliet Godwin).

When she goes for the medical consultation, she is forced to face the gut-wrenching reason behind her behaviour.

The Bay will have to rally round the beloved resident as she faces her biggest challenge.

This will reportedly build towards an episode which some say will ‘go down in Australian television history.’

At the time of her initial announcement, the 72-year-old explained: “After almost 33 years in my dream role and working everyday with people who I love, respect and whom I now consider family, it’s bittersweet to be closing the chapter on what has been the best and longest gig of my life. 

“I am forever grateful to the best production crew in the world and to our genius writers – whose doors are always open – for everything they have done for Irene over the past 33-odd years.

“And I am so proud of the storyline which will see Irene out of the Bay.

“Above all, a massive, heartfelt thank you to the fans for your continued love and support.”

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In recent weeks, viewers have seen Irene Roberts experience concerning lapses in her memory[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

Lynne McGranger has been a part of the show for 33 years[/caption]

You can watch Home and Away on 5.

ARYNA Sabalenka will be hoping to crush the British public’s dreams of having another Wimbledon champion on Friday, July 4, 2025.

She faces Emma Raducanu in round three at the All England Club. Here’s everything we know about her boyfriend Georgios Frangulis.

Instagram @georgiosfrangulis

Aryna Sabalenka is in a relationship with Georgios Frangulis[/caption]

Instagram @arynasabalenka

Georgios is a Greek-Brazilian entrepreneur[/caption]

Belarusian tennis ace and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka’s previous boyfriend, hockey star Konstantin Koltsov, tragically passed away in March 2024.

The two-time Olympian fell from his balcony in what the Miami-Dade Police Department described as “apparent suicide”.

The 42-year-old, who shared three children with his ex-wife Julija Mikhailova, had already split from Sabalenka before his passing.

In a statement on Instagram, Aryna wrote: “Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken.

“Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”

Four months later she went Instagram official with her current boyfriend Georgios Frangulis.

Who is Georgios Frangulis?

Georgios Frangulis was born in São Paulo on September 9, 1988.

He is best known as the founder and CEO of Oakberry — a global açaí-based superfood brand.

Açaí is the small, round, dark fruit of the açaí palm tree, native to the Amazon rainforest.

The fruit is about the size of a grape, but with a much larger seed that makes up between 60 and 80 per cent of its weight.

Georgios’ family is originally from Thessaloniki, Greece.

Despite growing up in South America, Georgios maintains a strong connection to his Greek roots.

Georgios told the Greek Herald: “I can say we were always a Greek family, in how we see the world, our values, and the way I was raised. I feel 100 per cent Greek.”

He studied law at Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado in São Paulo, but chose not to pursue a legal career, explaining that he always aspired to be an entrepreneur rather than a lawyer.

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Aryna and Georgios enjoying a smooch at the 2024 Wuhan Open[/caption]

Georgios said: “I went to law school, but I’m an entrepreneur at heart. I always knew I would build a business and create something that would bring joy and good things to people.”

After graduating in 2014, he moved to the US, living in Miami and Venice Beach, where he began to shape his vision for his superfood company.

In 2016, Georgios launched Oakberry, which has since grown rapidly, boasting over 700 stores in more than 40 countries by 2025.

Oakberry specialises in healthy, fast-food options centred around açaí bowls.

The brand’s global expansion has made Georgios a multimillionaire.