Check out the most read Express & Star stories online in 2022
From surprise superstar visits to a soap star's teddy bear hunt, and from Commonwealth Games excitement to an earth-trembling moment, we take a look back at our most read online stories of 2022.
See what stories you remember from the year that was.
1. Manilow magic as superstar visits local pub for meal
American superstar Barry Manilow shocked staff at a country pub by turning up with his entourage.
The Could It Be Magic singer visited The Swallows Nest, Romsley, in June, after a sold out show in Birmingham, ordered cod and chips costing £13.95, and posed for pictures with staff.
2. House built without planning permission torn down
The owner of a house in Walsall built without planning permission was forced to tear down the unauthorised home after a five-year nightmare for neighbours.
A council leader said the demolition of the house should act as a warning to people who "think they can build what they want".
3. Ready teddy aaaah - Star's baby son reunited with teddy bear
Ex-EastEnders star Michael Greco's baby son was reunited with his much-loved teddy bear after it went missing while his dad helped turn on Wolverhampton's Christmas lights.
The Wolverhampton community came to the rescue for the actor, who is appearing in Wolverhampton Grand's panto, Aladdin, and tracked down the cuddly toy.
4. £39,000 'bargain' house - if you're prepared to put a lot of work in
Our most read property story of the year wasn't about a millionaire's mansion but a doer-upper, three-bedroom semi on the market in Wolverhampton for £39,000. As the article pointed out, it was an amazingly low price but the property's new owners would need to put in a heck of a lot of work.
5. Molineux blaze lights up Wolverhampton skyline
A hospitality suite at Molineux was left with major damage after a fire broke out at the stadium in the early hours of January 23.
Around 20 firefighters were sent to the Wolves ground when the blaze started in the Sir Jack Hayward Suite in the Billy Wright Stand.
6. Blow as Black Country furniture factory folds
There was sadness as it was announced that 150 people had lost their jobs after the sudden closure of a Black Country furniture factory.
The Sven Christiansen factory, at First Avenue, on the Pensnett Estate in Kingswinford, had been trading for 47 years, with the majority of its staff based in the Black Country.
7. Did the earth move for you?
In February an earthquake struck parts of the Black Country, measuring a magnitude of 2.8 and lasting around 60 seconds.
Reports of a "thud" and "rumbling" noises came in from residents in Walsall, West Bromwich and Tipton as well as in the Birmingham. And it was even felt across Wolverhampton, with residents in Bilston reporting their house had shaken.
8. Cum on feel the reunion speculation
Fans of Black Country rockers Slade got excited at the thought of a possible reunion when a photo emerged of Noddy Holder and Dave Hill having lunch together in February.
Noddy's wife, Suzan Holder, shared the picture on Twitter, leading to much speculation about a reunion of the band which formed in Wolverhampton back in 1966. Sadly it was not to be.
9. Below par business deals a blow to golf club
Golfers were hanging up their clubs - or at least looking to play elsewhere - after it was announced the Staffordshire Golf Club, off Bridgnorth Road, Wombourne, was closing.
The course had endured a difficult two years with Covid-19 restrictions causing revenues to drop with the on/off closures of the clubhouse and wedding venue.
10. End of the line for decades-old toy shop
A Black Country toy shop that had served generations of youngsters closed in March, after almost a century.
It's understood that The Arcade Toy Shop, in Dudley's Fountain Arcade, had been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown.
11. Double take as Rio Ferdinand calls in for chips
It wasn't just Barry Manilow making waves by calling in at a pub - footballing legend Rio Ferdinand was spotted at a Black Country chip shop in January.
The former Manchester United, Leeds and England defender was spotted at Tasty Plaice, on High Street, Sedgley - and people couldn't believe their eyes.
"I thought I was losing the plot but there he was," said Leanne Hickman.
12. Wolves approach Nuno about a Molineux return
In October we reported that Wolves had opened talks with Nuno Espirito Santo's representatives over an incredible return to Molineux.
The 48-year-old, who had been sacked by Wolves just 17 months earlier, was said to be on the club's shortlist to succeed Bruno Lage.
An Express & Star poll at the time saw 85 per cent vote in favour of Nuno making a comeback. In the end Julen Lopetegui got the job.
13. Champagne celebrations as Walsall hotel named in UK top 25
A family-run hotel in Walsall was celebrating when it became one of just six outside London to be included in a national TripAdvisor award.
Fairlawns Hotel and Spa made the top 25 hotels in the review site's TripAdvisor's 20th annual Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards.
14. Colour and noise for Commonwealth Games cycling time trial
People were out in force when world class cyclists descended on the Black Country for the Commonwealth Games time trial.
Fans descended on Wolverhampton, Sedgley, Dudley Gornal and Himley to cheer the competitors on.
15. West Brom fans bid to stop quick sale of The Hawthorns
In July we reported that worried Baggies fans wanted The Hawthorns listed as a community asset of value to prevent the ground being sold through the back door.
Recent loans taken out by the owner against the club left fans determined to safeguard the 125-year-old stadium against any quick sale to a third party.
16. End of the road for former pub and ‘all you can eat’ Chinese restaurant
It was announced in September that a much loved former pub and Chinese restaurant in Great Barr was to be torn down after falling into poor condition.
Walsall Council planners gave the green light for Buffet Island to be demolished and the area cordoned off. The ‘all you can eat’ Chinese restaurant had sat empty for more than two years.
17. Residents call for action as young yobs run riot
Residents of a Walsall estate claimed yobs as young as 10 were running riot and terrorising the community by committing acts including tearing a live pigeon apart, racial abuse and assault.
Tormented residents and shopkeepers in Blakenall demanded action by the authorities.
18. Lottery celebrations turn flat for 'dumped' partner
The partner of a Wolverhampton lottery winner complained he had been dumped and snubbed a year after she won £10,000 a month for 30 years.
Laura Hoyle won the prize in 2021 but after initially moving in with Kirk Stevens at his home in Hucknall, near Nottingham, he said: "She pulled the plug and took everything."
19. Queues as petrol station keeps its prices down
A petrol station in Wolverhampton made the headlines and gained plaudits for keeping prices as low as possible as the cost of motoring soared.
TotalEnergies Blakenhall Service Station on Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, enjoyed months of drivers queuing to fill up at bargain prices.
"We are passing all the savings we are getting on to the customers," said operations manager Sanjeev Lal.
20. 'Aliens on the beach' a strange find for walker
A walker from Staffordshire was astonished to find 'alien-like' sea creatures on a Welsh beach.
Dave McGirr was out walking his dog, Meg, along Criccieth beach near Porthmadog when he made the unusual discovery.
They turned out to be gooseneck barnacles, which attach themselves to all sorts of objects in the sea, and can fetch around £80-£90 per kilo as a delicacy.
21. Billy Wright's daughter gets engaged to comedian Bobby Davro
The daughter of Wolves legend Billy Wright was left "overwhelmed" with messages of support after she got engaged to comedian Bobby Davro.
Vicky Wright – and her soon-to-be husband – shared the news on social media and revealed they had been inundated with around 3,000 or so messages.
22. Heard the one about the beaver that walked into a pub?
Customers in a Staffordshire pub were given a surprise after an unusual visitor walked in. The Yew Tree Pub in Norton Canes became an unexpected nature reserve when a beaver wandered in.
A member of Linjoy Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue - Midlands was called to the pub to come to the rescue.
23. Fashion fans celebrate arrival of top brands at designer outlet
Fashionistas were keen to read about the arrival of three top brands at Cannock's McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in January.
Skateboarder favourites Vans, American casual outfitters Carhartt WIP and sportswear brand Castore join more than 40 top labels with outlets at the £160 million village which opened in April 2021.
24. Ruptured water main causes sinkhole in city road
A road near Molineux in Wolverhampton was closed off due to a burst water main in September.
It led to the road surface caving in at Waterloo Road, between Asda and the junction with Oxley Street, with emergency crews called to the scene.
25. Adama Traore races young Wolves fans in a Sainsbury's car park
Adama Traore made two young Wolves fans' year after accepting their challenge of a race in Wombourne Sainsbury's car park.
Traore, who is regarded as one of the fastest footballers in the world, shocked the boys by agreeing to race to 'the blue car' at the end of the car park - and they had the video to prove it!
