A mum has been left “fuming” after her elderly cat mistook the snowy Elf On The Shelf scene she created for her kids for a litter tray.
As many parents up and down the country will know, unique and exciting ‘Elf on the Shelf’ ideas can be quite hard to come by, but mum-of-two Katie Wright hatched the brilliant plan to create a snow angel scene by simply spreading sugar across the kitchen worktops and placing the mischievous elf in the middle to surprise her children.
But they ended up with a little more of a surprise than they were expecting.
It turns out the Elf On The Shelf wasn’t quite as mischievous as the family cat Tilly though, who mistook the sugar for her litter tray and left a poo on the worktop, leaving Katie and the kids to come downstairs to an “overpowering smell” in the morning.
Katie might not have quite seen the funny side of it all, explaining that she was “fuming” her Elf on the Shelf plans didn’t work out, but thousands of people on social media certainly got a laugh out of it.
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After taking to Facebook to share some rather grim photographic evidence of the ‘surprise’ left by the cat, Katie’s post has since gone on to amass well over 25K interactions, and thousands of shares and comments by people all across the globe who were entertained and disgusted by the incident both at the same time.
Speaking to The Sun about the unfortunate event, 34-year-old Katie – who is mum to Oscar, four and Kiera, two – said: “It’s only my first year doing the elf as my eldest is only just four,”
“Oscar has really enjoyed it though and we’ve taken it easy knowing we probably have a decade of elf placements ahead of us. So when I saw online someone do the snow angel elf, I thought that would be nice and easy.
“It only took five minutes so I took a picture and headed off to bed.
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“In the morning Oscar came running into my room asking to find the elf and raced downstairs, but the minute we walked through the dining room, the smell was over powering. My first thought wasn’t that is was anything to do with the elf – I picked Oscar up, worried we were about to step in something.”
Katie explained she finally found the source of the smell and burst into hysterical laughter.
“The smell got stronger and I saw it… a giant poo with the elf,” she said.
“I screamed but my son luckily just laughed and shouted ‘poo on the kitchen.’ I was a bit frantic [and] I knew Kiera was on her way in and there was a giant poo to keep them away from, so I was flapping a bit and all of a sudden the cat jumped back up and started shuffling the sugar and I thought ‘oh god she’s going to wee too’, so I chased her out the cat flap and suddenly burst into hysterical laughter.
“Oscar thought I was crying and started saying ‘it’s ok mum’.”
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Katie Wright / Caters News Agency
Not expecting the post to go viral social media, Katie said: “I posted online and it went mad. I suppose it is funny – it looks as though my Elf on the Shelf for the day was a giant poo.
“Not exactly mother of the year as I had to swear Oscar to secrecy when he went to school later that day.
“Tilly, our cat is a diva – she’s really not liking of human company.
“She was ok and would accept the odd cuddle pre-children, but she’s really never forgiven us for having the children. It didn’t help that we’ve been renovating this big house and have just moved in so she’s had a litter tray for a month.
“She was probably just desperate and really, she’s just an old lady that wants to be left alone.”
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The best deals, offers and freebies you can get for Father’s Day 2026 in Manchester
Danny Jones
Father’s Day has come back around for 2026, and with dads set to be celebrated this Sunday, 21 June, we’re sure NO ONE in Greater Manchester has forgotten, right?…
In all seriousness, we all know these dates can creep up on you and slip your mind from time to time, so for anyone who may or may not yet have sorted something for their pops, we’ve got you.
Whether your dad likes the annual bit of fuss or is quite happy sitting with a pint and watching the footy, there’s something to suit all parents on the list.
Let’s not waste any more time: here’s a round-up of some of the best Father’s Day deals, offers and even flat-out freebies in and around Manchester city centre.
20 of the best Father’s Day deals and offers in central Manchester
1. Yard and Coop – Northern Quarter
What is it:NQ favourite chicken shop co-founded by Manc dad Carl Morris, doing great offers all-year-round, including free meals for kids, affordable lunch bites and more – always good portions, too.
The offer: They’re bringing back the ‘Father’s Day Feast’ for £25, as well as their cult-favourite take on a Sunday roast. You can book HERE.
What is it: Castlfield’s iconic canalside country-style and family-friendly pub, featuring a large outdoor terrace, multiple cosy rooms across two floors, and even an outdoor cocktail hut.
The offer: Complimentary pint of Budvar for dad with Father’s Day bookings. Simple as.
What is it: A beloved Manc boozer recently reborn under the Greene King umbrella a few years back, now complete with multiple floors, a rooftop terrace, live music, as well as great food and drink.
The offer: Book a table for at least two over Father’s Day weekend to enter into a prize draw worth £500 of Glenfiddich whisky.
Credit: The Manc Group
4. Founder’s Hall – Albert Square
What is it: The old Duttons site, now operating as an ancestral home and taphouse for J. W. Lees, serving real ale like the revived ‘Cream of Manchester’, Boddingtons, as well as a solid food menu.
The offer: Grab an entire beer flight for FREE, with up to 12 different kinds of ale for dads to choose from. To claim the mini beer tasting of three thirds, quote ‘BEER4DAD’ in the Special Requests box when booking HERE.
5. Dirty O’Sullivans – Albert Square
What is: One of the city centre’s latest Irish bars, specialising in great Guinness, traditional breakfasts, live music and more.
The offer: Dads eat completely free when booking a table of four or more, and they get a pint on the house, too. Reserve your table now.
What is it: A quaint tea room located on Sackville Street just on the edge of the Gay Village; a great option for a gift voucher/surprise for a special occasion, too.
The offer: Turn the usual Boston Tea Party afternoon/cream tea package into a day of dad bites, with sausage/bacon sarnies, brews, cheese scones with smoky jam and/or Marmite. You do have to book ahead, and a deposit may be required to secure your seat.
What is it: A beautiful city centre hotel with luxury hospitality and dining services, too, operated by Marriott International’s Autograph Collection.
The offer: Free glass of Macallan whisky and Sunday roasts reservations at their stylish and award-winning in-house restaurant, tender.
Credit: Stock Exchange Hotel (supplied)
8. Manchester Gin – Online
What is it: Homegrown distillery and spirit brand, famous not only for their gin but also for rum, with a stunning brick-and-mortar Spirit of Manchester space in town over on Watson Street.
What is it: Similar to the above, these local booze-makers founded over in Salford still have their on-site taproom and flagship Ancoats venue, but they still sell plenty online and on shelves across the country.
The offer: 10% discounts on 7 Bros brewery tours, as well as their usual Father’s Day bundle of 24 beers for half price; you can order one from £49.95, or just grab a gift card if he’d rather pick for himself.
10. Sexy Fish – Spinningfields
What is it: Dad’s eat free as part of their extensive sushi and more brunch offering, as well as the return of the ‘Roll The Dice’ game, where even more prizes can be won.
The offer: Dad’s eat totally free as part of their extensive sushi and more brunch offering, as well as the return of the ‘Roll The Dice’ game, where even more prizes can be won. You can book HERE.
What is it: One of Manchester city centre’s most historic buildings, which now serves as the stunning red-brick Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Refuge, serving up banging breakfasts and stunning contemporary dishes and drinks from noon until night.
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The offer: Exclusive guided whiskey tasting sessions from the dining room, with premium gifts and Sunday roasts also on offer. Tickets are priced at £33.25 – secure his spot while you can.
What is it: One of the best pubs turned bistros you’ll find anywhere on the outskirts of town, certainly in Salford, known for the pies, top range of pints, Sunday roasts, and so much more.
The offer: Free refills of Boddingtons when your dad buys a pint of our famous ‘Boddies’ to go with his meal. Simple as that – reserve online whilst using code “FATHER’S DAY”
What is it: Manchester’s famous Bavarian beer hall and party venue that never disappoints – just remember to dance on the benches and NOT the tables…
The offer: A stein of Krombacher on the house for dad – you can even press the ‘push for papa’ button for table service, because he deserves the proper posh treatment at least once a year. You can even treat him to some stripy socks. Book HERE.
What is it: Another great Irish pub in the heart of the city centre, located on a main Manc thoroughfare and a handy distance from our main train station and Piccadilly Gardens.
The offer: Win a year’s worth of free Guinness by entering the competition on their social media; dads can also have their face printed on the pints with their special selfie machine.
What is it: Italian bar and restaurant operated by the Individual Restaurants group, known for its great al fresco terrace on the edge of Exchange Square.
The offer: ‘Festa Del Papa’ package, featuring two courses for £22.95 and Italian Sunday roasts on offer, not to mention a free shot of limoncello to all those dining on the day.
Credit: Riva Blu (supplied)
16. Black Cat Club – Central
What is it: Activity bar and hangout near the classy King Street area, offering high-tech shuffleboard, darts, DJ sets, plenty of live sport on the box, as well as great sharing food by the same team behind El Gato Negro tapas.
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The offer: Free pizza and a pint when you make a booking for a game of shuffleboard or darts; you do so right HERE.
Credit: The Manc
17. Electric Shuffle
What is it: A shuffleboard bar along the main Deansgate strip, also offering a great bottomless brunch package, as well as great pizzas, cocktails and more.
The offer: Free bottle of Madri beer for Dad this Sunday, 21 June only. Nice and easy.
18. Hello Oriental
What is it: An underground pan-Asian food paradise, serving everything from authentic Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese to Japanese and Malaysian, just to name a few.
The offer: The brand-new all-you-can-eat Sunday buffet, which is starting this Father’s Day. Priced at £26 per adult and £14 for U16S; kids under four eat free, and so does dad on Sunday, 21 June 2026
What is it:Malmaison‘s newest and most luxurious hotel branch, located not far from Albert and St. Peter’s Square, as well as Deansgate down the road. Also features two restaurants, including its stunning rooftop space, Sora.
The offer: Free pint of Cruzcampo when ordering their Father’s Day special called ‘The Stack’, which costs just £15. Burger and a beer, no fear.
Credit: The Manc
20. Gameface – Printworks
What is it: One of the newest interactive gaming and activity bars in Manchester city centre, bringing old-school house party vibes to life with both co-op and competitive games.
The offer: Dads go free with the code ‘FATHER26’, just make sure you don’t let them win – you don’t want this special day to go all the way to their heads, after all. You can book HERE.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Publicity pictures (supplied)
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Take That to livestream sold-out Manchester stadium show this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Take That are arriving in Manchester this week for four huge shows at the Etihad Stadium.
But if you didn’t get tickets to be there for yourself, then don’t worry… as it’s now been announced that Saturday’s sold-out show will be livestreamed across the globe via Amazon Music, so no matter where you are in the world, you can still visit The Circus.
Gary, Mark, and Howard are bringing The Circus Live back to stadiums across the UK, recreating their record-breaking 2009 tour more than 17 years later, with all the over-the-top, circus-themed madness you could ever want.
Expect a hot air balloon, a huge mechanical elephant, clown face paint, acrobats, unicycles, fireworks, sparkly costumes, and loads more.
Take That are livestreaming their sold-out Manchester stadium show this weekend / Credit: Take That (Supplied)
Originally staged in 2009, The Circus Live broke UK records as the fastest-selling tour in history, with over 600,000 tickets sold in under four hours, and over one million fans attending the sell-out shows across the UK and Ireland.
And now it’s back, and Take That are set to deliver a masterclass in showmanship.
Fans will be wowed for just over two hours of incredible live production, so gather your friends and family, and sit down to watch the show from the comfort of your own home this weekend, as Amazon Music’s livestream will be available to watch on various platforms.
You can either tune in from 8:30pm this Saturday (20 June) to watch on Prime Video, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, or the Amazon Music app – which is also available on Fire TV.
If you aren’t able to watch the show live, then luckily the livestream will be available to rewatch for a further 24 hours on Prime Video.
Alongside the livestream, Amazon Music is also releasing some exclusive merchandise, including city-specific ‘The Circus Live 2026’ t-shirts for each tour date that you can get your hands on here.
Lucky enough to be going to the Etihad yourself? Everything you need to know is here.