You’ve seen the front pages. They’re loud. They’re bold. Usually, they’re talking about the weather, the Queen (or now King Charles), or some revolutionary new health study involving statins. The Daily and Sunday Express have this weird, magnetic pull on the British psyche that people outside the UK—and even some inside it—don't always get. It isn't just a newspaper. It is a specific kind of cultural heartbeat.
Honestly, the "Crusading" brand of the Express has been around since 1900. Sir Arthur Pearson started it. He wanted something that wasn't as stuffy as The Times but had more teeth than the early tabloids. It worked. By the mid-20th century, under Lord Beaverbrook, it was basically the most influential paper in the world. People forget that. They see the red-top-adjacent style today and forget that this was once the undisputed king of Fleet Street.
The Evolution of the Daily and Sunday Express
The history of the Daily and Sunday Express is a wild ride of ownership changes and shifting identities. You had the Beaverbrook era, which was all about power and empire. Then came the United Newspapers years. Then Richard Desmond bought it in 2000 for about £125 million, which changed everything. Desmond brought a "lean and mean" approach. It was controversial. Some people loved the scrappiness; others felt it lost its soul.
Then 2018 happened. Reach plc—the giant that owns The Mirror—bought the Express titles. This was a massive deal. Why? Because The Mirror is famously left-leaning and the Express is famously right-leaning. Critics thought it would be a disaster. How do you run two polar opposite newsrooms under one roof?
Well, they did it by sharing back-office costs but keeping the editorial voices distinct. It’s a business masterclass in "ideological neutrality" at the corporate level. The Express stayed the Express. It kept its focus on Brexit, the monarchy, and Middle England’s concerns.
What Makes an Express Story?
If you spend a week reading the Daily and Sunday Express, you start to notice the patterns. It’s not accidental.
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- The Weather: Nobody does weather like the Express. If there is a "snow bomb" or a "African plume" coming, they will find it. It’s become a bit of a meme, but it drives massive engagement. People care if they need a coat.
- Health Breakthroughs: They have a specific obsession with Alzheimer’s research and heart health. This reflects their core demographic—older, settled, and concerned about the future.
- The Monarchy: They are staunchly pro-Royal. If you want to know what's happening with Prince William or the Princess of Wales, the Express treats it with a level of gravity you won't find in the more cynical tabloids.
The Digital Pivot and Google Discover
Let’s talk about why you probably saw this article or why you see Express links everywhere lately. They are geniuses at Google Discover.
The digital version of the Daily and Sunday Express is a different beast than the print paper. Online, they are fast. Very fast. They use punchy headlines that trigger curiosity without being (usually) total clickbait. They’ve mastered the art of the "live" story. Whether it’s a TV show like Emmerdale or a breaking news event in Westminster, they update their articles every few minutes.
This frequency tells Google's algorithms: "Hey, we are the most fresh source on this."
It’s a volume game. They publish hundreds of pieces of content daily. It isn't just about politics; it's about Strictly Come Dancing results and "hidden" tax rules you didn't know about. They’ve tapped into the "utility" of news.
The Sunday Express: A Different Beast?
The Sunday Express has always felt slightly more "magazine" like than its daily sibling. It was founded in 1918. It has a long history of being a bit more reflective, though still very much in line with the "Crusader" spirit.
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Historically, the Sunday edition was where the big serialized stories lived. Today, it’s a mix of heavy-hitting political interviews and lifestyle content. It’s the paper you read with a Sunday roast. It’s less about the "rush" of the daily news cycle and more about setting the agenda for the week ahead in Parliament.
Dealing with the "Tabloid" Label
Is it a tabloid? Technically, yes, in terms of size (it’s a compact). But the Daily and Sunday Express hates being lumped in with the "gutter press." They view themselves as a "middle-market" paper, sitting between the high-brow broadsheets and the red-tops like The Sun.
They take a lot of heat. Campaign groups like Stop Funding Hate have targeted them in the past, particularly over their stance on migration and Brexit. But here’s the thing: their readers are incredibly loyal. You don't survive for 120+ years by not knowing who you're talking to. The Express knows its audience better than almost any other brand in the UK.
Why the Express Still Matters in 2026
You might think print is dead. It’s not. Not for the Daily and Sunday Express.
While print numbers are down across the board, the Express brand has successfully migrated its influence online. They have millions of unique monthly visitors. When the Express takes a stand on something—like the "Pensioner's Manifesto" or specific tax cuts—ministers in Downing Street listen. They know the Express represents a huge voting bloc.
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It’s about "Middle England." That elusive group of people who own their homes, care about their pensions, and feel a strong sense of national identity. The Express is their megaphone.
Common Misconceptions
People think the Express is just "angry." That’s a lazy take.
If you actually sit down and read the Daily and Sunday Express, you’ll find a lot of campaigning journalism that helps people. They’ve run successful campaigns on everything from social care funding to protecting the BBC license fee for over-75s. They do "campaigning" in the old-school sense of the word. They pick a fight and stay with it for years.
Actionable Insights for Readers
If you’re looking to engage with the Daily and Sunday Express, or if you're a student of media trying to understand their impact, here’s how to navigate their ecosystem:
- Check the "Crusades" Section: If you want to see what the paper actually values, look at their active campaigns. This is where their real power lies. It shows you the issues they are currently lobbying the government on.
- Use the Search Function for Health: Their archive of health reporting is surprisingly deep. While you should always consult a doctor, the Express often simplifies complex medical papers into readable "takeaways."
- Watch the Puzzles: Believe it or not, the Express has one of the most dedicated puzzle communities in the UK. Their crosswords and Sudokus are a huge part of the daily habit for thousands of people.
- Differentiate Between Opinion and News: Like all UK papers, the Express has a clear editorial bias. Learn to separate the factual reporting of a bill passing in Parliament from the "Comment" pieces explaining why that bill is either a triumph or a disaster.
The media landscape is messy. It’s fragmented. But the Daily and Sunday Express remains a cornerstone of British life because it refuses to be quiet. Whether you agree with their politics or not, their ability to survive the digital revolution while keeping their "Crusader" identity intact is nothing short of remarkable.
To get the most out of their coverage, follow their "Politics" live blog during major events like the Budget or a General Election. It’s often where you’ll find the quickest updates on how specific policies will affect your wallet and your home life. Keep an eye on their "Finance" section as well; they are particularly sharp on ISAs, pensions, and inheritance tax—the stuff that actually keeps people up at night.