9:30am UPDATE: WhatsApp has rushed-out a new update to its iPhone app.

The new software update lists a number of new features, most of which were included in an update released earlier this month.

Twitter users have speculated that the chat app update could be linked to the recent worldwide outage.

This has not been confirmed by WhatsApp.

6.45am UPDATE: Although many users appear to be back to normal there's still hundreds of WhatsApp fans who still can't access the app.

Down Detector is showing hundreds of outages this morning with problems continuing across the UK.

11.30 UPDATE: WhatsApp users are continuing to face connection issues tonight, with the popular app still not working for many people.

There is currently no ETA on when WhatsApp will be back online in the UK, however, the support team have provided a short update on the situation.

"WhatsApp is aware of the issue and working to fix it as soon as possible," a spokesperson told Engadget.

While information is still scarce, WhatsApp users around the globe are reporting that the popular messaging app does appear to be coming back online, although it's unclear just how long it will take for all servers to do the same.