Arlene Phillips and Danny Miller will represent Greater Manchester as contestants in this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The official lineup for the 2021 series has been released.
Last year, the hit ITV show relocated from its usual location of the Australian jungle to the Welsh countryside as a result of the travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and will do so again for the 2021 edition.
The celebrities will start to arrive at Gwrych Castle campsite soon ahead of the confirmed launch date on 21 November.
Leading the charge of 10 celebrities on the confirmed lineup is pop star Frankie Bridge, who is best known for her time in The Saturdays, regular Good Morning Britain co-host Richard Madeley – who already revealed the news live on-air a couple of weeks ago – and former BBC Breakfast news presenter Louise Minchin.
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Following in the footsteps of Ian Wright, French former footballer David Ginola has also been grabbing headlines this morning after he was confirmed to be taking part.
Gold medal-winning athletes Kadeena Cox and Matty Lee have also been confirmed to appear on the daredevil competition show, alongside music producer Naughty Boy, and Radio 1 Xtra DJ Snoochie Shy.
— I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (@imacelebrity) November 15, 2021
But when it comes to the representatives for the Greater Manchester region, Stockport-born Danny Miller – who is best known for playing the role of Aaron Dingle in the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale – has been confirmed to be heading to the Welsh countryside for the show.
He will be joined by Prestwich-born Arlene Phillips.
Former dancer, choreographer, theatre director, and talent scout Arlene Phillips DBE will be best-known to TV audiences as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing between 2004-2008.
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The official lineup for the 2021 series has been released / Credit: ITV
When lineup rumours first began emerging last week, Coronation Street actor Simon Gregson – who plays the beloved and long-standing character of Steve McDonald – was one of the names being banded around, however sadly, he does not appear to be on the official lineup that was released by ITV yesterday.
As the show is known to do each year though, a handful of other celebrities will likely enter the camp to compete for the title at a later date during the series, so perhaps Gregson could still make an appearance down the line.
Jimmy Bradbury, Reuben Haycocks, Aoife Anson O’Connell, and Paddy Murphy – better known together as Westside Cowboy – formed back in 2023 when they were students at the Royal Northern College of Music, so while they may not all be from Manchester, they definitely have the spirit of our city at the heart of everything they do.
After playing in different bands across the city throughout their student years, the four-piece joined forces to create Westside Cowboy – an indie rock collective credited with self-coining the genre of ‘Britainicana’.
Put simply, Britainicana is a cultural concept that mixes the hazy, mythic feel of American country and folk, with the sound of raw British punk, indie rock, and small-town life.
Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On / Credit: Clementine Schniedermann (Press Shots – Supplied)
If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll be pleased to know that Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On, to the world today (21 August).
And the reception from critics, arguably, couldn’t be better.
Prior to the release of their debut album, the band had released two EPs, including So Much Country ‘Till We Get There in January earlier this year, and had started to make a name for themselves with their popular debut single ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)’ in 2024.
They went onto make even further waves when they supported equally-rising American rock band Geese on their UK and Irish tour back in March – with many fans calling it one of the best support and main act combinations in some time.
Three singles from their debut album were shared with the world ahead of its release – ‘Kick Stones (The Boys)’ came first, followed by ‘Pin Up Boys’ and ‘Dobro’.
So, it’s fair to say the anticipation for album was high… and if the reviews are anything to go by (which we think they are), it looks like the band has very much delivered what they set out to achieve.
Westside Cowboy’s debut album It Goes On is now available to stream, or you can purchase a physical copy in a range of formats from their website here.
Take a listen👇
Featured Image – Press Shot (Supplied)
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BBC Introducing LIVE is back with events across the North for grassroots music artists
Emily Sergeant
BBC Introducing’s flagship live event will return with a huge lineup of activities for aspiring musicians and music creators this autumn.
To celebrate and champion undiscovered talent across the country, BBC Introducing LIVE will include an array of live performances, immersive workshops, educational panels, and networking opportunities for grassroots artists, DJs, and music creators, all at the start of their careers.
Introducing LIVE will head across the UK, including hosting four special gigs in Leeds and a songwriting camp in Manchester.
The BBC Introducing Songwriting Camp is an invite-only event offering an ‘unparalleled’ experience for artists and creatives to develop skills and collaborate with industry professionals in a real music studio.
Then, on Saturday 28 November, BBC Introducing will host four showcases across Leeds, celebrating some of the best new music from across the UK – with independent music venues The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall, and Oporto all taking part.
While up in Sunderland, following the success of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend there earlier this year, a special takeover event will take place at The Fire Station – with a day of panels, workshops, open mics, and an industry feedback centre planned, all designed to support and inspire the next generation of musicians and music industry professionals.
Other northern cities hosting events during this year’s programme are Gateshead, and major music city Liverpool.
Many successful artists, including the North’s very-own Sam Fender, as well as big names like Ed Sheeran, Raye, Olivia Dean, and Loyle Carner, all began their careers with support from BBC Introducing.
“Championing and nurturing artists and creatives is at heart of everything BBC Introducing does, and so I’m excited that Introducing LIVE will be returning in November for our biggest year yet,” commented Kelly Betts, who is the Editor of BBC Introducing.
“BBC Introducing will be at events, panels, and gigs across the UK giving emerging talent the opportunity to learn from industry experts, make music and connect with fellow artists.
“Music has the power to unite, inspire, and shape our culture and BBC Introducing’s flagship event will help some of the UK’s rising stars on their journey to achieve this.”
Emily Sergeant -
16th November 2021 
