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ITV News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
How Morley's became an 'icon' of London high streets as first sign goes on display at London Museum
For many Londonners Morley's is a staple - whether it's after school or the end of the night - the cult friend chicken brand has a loyal fanbase. This year it's celebrating its 40th anniversary and the sign of its first restaurant is going on display at the London Museum to celebrate. Back in 1985 the first Morley's chicken shop in Sydenham, south London was opened by Kannalingam "Indran" Selvendran - who moved to London from Sri Lanka in 1970. For 35 years, Morley's stayed south of the River Thames and now it is run by Indran's son Shan. 'Staying rooted in south London allowed Morley's to refine its offering, build a cult following, and create something authentic before expanding more widely,' says Morley's CEO Shan Selvendran, ahead of the opening of the display at the London Museum. 'South London is where the heart is, it's home. Our head office is still based here, the family still lives in the area, and it remains the heart of our business, with the largest cluster of Morley's stores.' Since then its spread across the capital, with 100 branches and an extremely loyal fanbase including some famous faces - earning it cult status. Artists such as Stormzy remain devoted to the brand, with a Morley's store serving as a music video backdrop for Stormzy's 2017 hit single Big For Your Boots, Plus South London's Krept & Konan using it for as the inspiration behind Krept's 2019 track Morley's Freestyle. The shop has also featured as a repeat location for Amelia Dimoldenberg's popular 'Chicken Shop Date' series, playing host to celebrity interviews including Burna Boy, Rosalía, RAYE and 'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo. Most recently, the brand reached a global audience when it was featured in an episode of Netflix's acclaimed 'Black Mirror' series. The sign will be exhibited as part of the museum's Hanging Out installation which celebrates the social spaces that bring London's communities together - something its founders had always hoped it would be. Shan Selvendran, said: 'Ever since our beginnings as a small family-run shop, it was always my father's dream to make Morley's a household name. "Although his unexpected passing meant he wasn't here to see just how far we've grown, Dad's vision lives on - and it means the world to see our story being recognised by London Museum. "Morley's means so much to so many people – as part of their own lives and heritage – so this moment is also for everyone who has been a part of that journey.' Dhikshana Turakhia Pering, Head of Creative Programmes at London Museum, said: 'Morley's is an icon of London's high streets – a name that instantly evokes memories of after school hangouts and late-night stories for generations of Londoners. "It's part of the DNA and culture of London and tells a story about community spirit and entrepreneurialism that's at the heart of this city. "Acquiring the original sign has been on our wish list since the early inception of Hanging Out. We're thrilled it'll join the museum's collection as part of London's story.' Morley's isn't the only sign the museum is hoping to display, when it opens in 2026 - it is calling on businesses from music venues and sports clubs to corner shops, nail salons and cafes to donate signs.
Metro
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Maya Jama's full dating timeline from Stormzy to Ruben Dias
Maya Jama's full dating timeline explained as she confirms her new relationship with Ruben Dias. The TV presenter, 30, is best known as he current Love Island host and judge on The Masked Singer and has had a variety of high-profile presenting roles on TV and radio. Throughout her varied career over the past decade, the star has also had a high-profile on-and-off relationship with the rapper and singer Stormzy. The couple started dating in 2014, but after ending things in 2019, Maya has been attached to a variety of other famous faces. She's even been reported to be dating the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Drake. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. So, what is Maya's dating history? Here's everything you need to know. The Hide and Seek hitmaker, 30, and Maya first met in October 2014 at the Red Bull Culture Clash and began dating the following January. The famous couple went their separate ways in 2020, four years after becoming an item in 2016. Maya and Stormzy – real name Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. – had tongues wagging after they reunited in November 2022 but at the time, Maya's team confirmed the claims they had reunited were unfounded and they weren't in a relationship. In an interview with Louis Theroux on October 22, 2022, the Big For Your Boots rapper described the break-up as his 'biggest mistake.' He explained: 'My break-up, that was probably the biggest catalyst for growth as a man. It was like, OK, you made a mistake and you lose someone you loved, someone you cared for, someone who is special to you. 'That's probably the biggest loss a man can have, isn't it? Away from someone passing away, that's the biggest loss you can have.' Speaking about the early days of their romance in January 7, 2023, Maya shared: 'We were so young when we met, just beginning our careers. I was starting at MTV. He'd not even released a single at that point. We were just little babies. She continued to The Sunday Times: 'I'm not naive to the fact that when you are a woman in the industry, most of the things that people want to talk about are your relationships. It's different for men. I'd seen that happen to other people. I don't think either of us knew it was going to be such a big thing. 'We were just: we're young and in love and we're going to go for it and work really hard. We're just together. We never really did red carpets. We didn't do any of that stuff.' Maya and Ben Simmons enjoyed a whirlwind romance kicking off in the summer of 2021 – and were believed to have got engaged over Christmas a few months later. The couple chose not to publicly speak out about their relationship or engagement, but Maya didn't deny the proposal when grilled about it by comedian Mo Gilligan when they hosted the Brit Awards in February. Maya moved over to America, where the NBA player is based, but returned to the UK full-time when they split in August 2022. An insider had earlier claimed: 'Maya called off the engagement after things came to a head last month. 'She is not going back to New York now. It's heartbreaking for both of them, especially as they were so committed to each other.' Hold your horses, the Passionfruit hitmaker and Maya were not in a relationship, but he did mention her name in a track. The rapper, 36, teamed up with Headie One on the track, and left fans stunned by his casual name drop of the MTV presenter. 'Chubbs might jam this yute for a chain,' he spits when freestyling the first line, before quickly adding: 'And gave it to a sweet one, called that Maya Jama.' Although fans couldn't help but question what this meant for the duo, the star simply shrugged off the shout-out. We're sure she was flattered though! Maya was spotted rekindling the flame with her ex Stormzy, 31 in 2023. Rumours swirled after the star was seen milling around London's All Points East festival on the day of her former beau's headlining set. After onlookers whispered about their private backstage chats, the pair of exes teased followers with cryptic holiday snaps that hinted they were vacationing as a couple. Finally appearing to confirm they were well and truly back together, Stormzy gripped Maya's hand as the stars enjoyed a stroll in Greece. Pictured stepping out hand in hand in Greece, the former lovers appeared happier then ever to have found each other again. Unfortunately, despite being seen at various events together over the next year by July, the golden couple announced their split in a joint statement. Explaining their relationship 'didn't work,' they wrote: 'We still think the absolute world of each other, we still care and respect each other, we are still grateful for the time we've had together, and we are still friends and will always be friends.' Ruben Dias is Maya Jama's current beau. The Love Island presenter, 30, has been linked with the Manchester City defender, 27, for some time now, and it has been reported that they met at the European Music Awards (EMAs) in November. The couple has been growing closer, and at the weekend, Maya was snapped supporting the footballer during his game at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. She was first spotted with Portuguese international player Ruben on New Year's Eve, and Maya even flew to Portugal to watch Ruben play a game in March. The couple seemed to confirm their romance on April 28 as footage captured by The Sun showed the couple kissing at hugging while attendingYouTube personality KSI's Baller League football event at Copper Box Arena on Monday night. More Trending Speaking about what she wants in a relationship these days, Maya revealed in an interview with the Standard in November 2024 that she's on the hunt for true love. 'I am so happy right now but the next person I meet I want to marry and have kids with, so obviously I'm feeling fussy. I've created such a nice life for myself alone and I don't want anyone who's not going to add to that'. She continued: 'I'm in this lovely bubble and I don't want you unless you make me happy. If you're not, I kind of don't need you. 'One thing I've learned: some people are like, 'I'm lonely, I need someone.' But the mission in life is to make yourself happy, then find someone who brings something that matches that to the table.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Pete Wicks quietly dating 'absolutely gorgeous' reality star after Maura Higgins split MORE: Sam Thompson's famous new 'love interest' revealed after Zara McDermott split MORE: Most complained about TV moment of 2025 revealed – and it's not Celebrity Big Brother
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Morley's chicken shop sign to be displayed in London Museum
The sign from the original Morley's chicken shop is to go on display in the London Museum's new sign will be part of the museum's new Hanging Out display, which celebrates the social spaces where London's communities come in 1985 by Sri Lankan-born Kannalingam "Indran" Selvendran, who moved to the UK in the 1970s, Morley's began as a single shop in Sydenham, south-east London, and has become a common sight across many of the capital's high Selvendran, Indran's son and Morley's chief executive, said having the firm included as part of London's history was the "most amazing thing that's happened to this business... and to a community that built us". Asked what his late father would make of the museum display, Mr Selvendran said: "I think he'd be stunned. You live for this kind of moment where everything you've worked for and effectively what he gave his life for is being celebrated in such a prestigious heritage driven place. "For us as a family, but also just as a community, it is quite honestly unreal." The sign was officially handed over to the London Museum by members of the Morley's team, alongside south London musicians and entrepreneurs Krept and Konan.A Morley's store served as a backdrop for both Stormzy's 2017 song Big For Your Boots, and Krept's 2019 track Morley's at the handover was Kannalingam Mahendran, Indran Selvendran's brother, who ran the firm's first Sydenham told BBC London he was "very proud" of the firm's history and how it had expanded across the capital and beyond. Mr Mahendran added that "everyone knows Morley's" and said he had become known by many people in the Sydenham area through working at the chicken shop over four decades. The sign will be on on display from 2026 as part of Our Time, a social space at the heart of the London Museum's new Smithfield site. Dhikshana Turakhia Pering, head of creative programmes at London Museum, called Morley's an "icon of London's high streets" and "part of the DNA and culture of London".She said acquiring the original sign had been high on the museum's wish list since the early inception of the Hanging Out display."[Morley's] evokes memories of after school hangouts and late-night stories for generations of Londoners," she added.
