Tributes have been pouring in this weekend for DJ legend Janice Long, who has died aged 66.
The radio DJ and Top of the Pops presenter was the first female to have her own daily show on Radio 1.
Some of music’s biggest names have paid tribute to Janice, who died at home on Christmas Day after a short illness.
She was the sister of Keith Chegwin, who passed away in 2017.
Many have paid thanks to Janice, for her ‘enthusiasm and passion’ for music and support for those just starting out in the industry.
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The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess said: “Janice Long was a supporter and mentor for so many bands.
Janice Long. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“To hear our records on her show was always the biggest thrill – her enthusiasm and love shone through. One of a kind. Safe travels, we’ll miss ya x x.”
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Clint Boon posted: “Devastated to hear the news about Janice Long passing away.
“She was by far one of the warmest, most beautiful people in the industry. Her enthusiasm & passion for music was infectious.
“Being in her company was always an absolute privilege & honour. I love her & I’ll miss her.”
Clint later added a fond memory of Janice, writing: “In 1995, Janice Long invited me to be a presenter on a new radio station she was launching, Crash FM.
“It was based in a primary school near Penny Lane, Liverpool during the summer holidays. My first ever radio presenting job. I’ve worked in radio ever since. Thank you Janice xxx”
The Pet Shop Boys posted on Twitter: “We are both very sad to hear of the death of radio DJ Janice Long who was always so enthusiastic about new music and such fun to be around.
“She was very supportive to us in the early days of PSB. Heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. Neil and Chris xx”
Janice Long’s husband and partner of more than 30 years Paul Berry said: “I’ve lost the love of my life and I’m going to spend the rest of it half a person. She had my back from the day we met, you couldn’t possibly ask for more love and loyalty from a wife.”
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Badly Drawn Boy wrote: “Those of us lucky enough to meet Janice Long will know she was exactly the person you’d seen on the telly or heard on the radio. Like meeting an old friend for the first time.
“The outpouring of Love for Janice is real. She was always herself which is why we loved her.”
Peter Hook wrote: “Such sad news about Janice Long. She was always a great friend and a great supporter of our music. She was a lovely lady and a pleasure to be around. RIP.”
Elbow’s Guy Garvey posted: “From her blowing a needle across a @midgeure1 record trying to remove some fluff and then laughing for ages when I was 10 I loved her.
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“Then a really early supporter of @Elbow. She’d sway with her eyes shut during a session. Mad about her family. We really loved her #janicelong.”
Featured image: BBC
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Northern’s ‘Flash Sale’ is back for 2026 with millions of train tickets on sale for £2
Emily Sergeant
Millions of train tickets are currently on sale for just £2 each, as Northern has brought its popular ‘Flash Sale’ back for 2026.
A whopping FOUR MILLION of them, to be exact.
For the last couple of years, the rail operator has made life a little easier for train travellers by giving them the chance to grab one of several million tickets for much cheaper than normal – and now, with the cost of living crisis sadly continuing to make its impact felt, Northern has decided to kick off the autumn season by slashing prices once again.
It means that millions of people will have the opportunity to make a cut-price journey across the north of England before the end of October is out.
With the company’s regular ‘Flash Sales’ having gone onto become a, somewhat, legendary event at this point, it probably comes as no shock that you’ll need to act fast if you want to be in with a chance of get your hands tickets.
Tickets went live today and the sale runs for three days, closing on Friday 4 September – with tickets valid for travel between 9 September and 23 October 2026.
The top local destinations with the most tickets available in the sale are Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport, Manchester Victoria, and Manchester Oxford Road, as well as Wigan and several other neighbouring towns.
A list of routes where tickets will be available can also be found using the ‘cheap fare finder’ tool on the Northern website here.
Northern’s ‘Flash Sale’ is back for 2026 with millions of train tickets on sale from £2 / Credit: Northern | Wikimedia Commons
“With four million tickets up for grabs, this is one of our biggest Flash Sales yet, and there’s something for everyone,” commented Alex Hornby, who is the Commercial and Customer Director at Northern.
“With millions of tickets available for just £2 each, our Flash Sale will make the railway even more appealing, and we believe it will inspire everyone to explore everything our fantastic region has to offer, from bustling cities to countryside and stunning coastlines.
“Customers will need to book early to avoid disappointment, as once they’re gone, they’re gone.”
Tickets are available to buy on Northern’s app, online, at ticket offices, and on ticket machines at stations managed by Northern.
Featured Image – Northern
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Four people named and charged in relation to wildfires near Dovestone Reservoir
Emily Sergeant
Four people have been charged in relation to the devastating wildfires near Dovestone Reservoir over the summer.
They have also been publicly named by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as Tyler Warburton, Toby Wilde, Jake Eyre, and Lyreec Bryan-Gavin, all aged between 18 and 22-years-old.
The four men have each been charged with arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, while Wilde and Eyre have also been charged possession of class B (cannabis) on top of that.
They have all been bailed ahead of a scheduled court appearance on 25 February 2027 at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court.
These follow the arrest and subsequent charging of 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
Care-Slede had been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and was remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 14 July.
The charges relate to the blaze that broke out on the evening of Saturday 11 July at the popular beauty spot in Oldham – prompting a major multi-agency response, with fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies were also been deployed as operations continued across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
Officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry, and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved by appealing to the public.
Can you help? Anyone with footage or information that may assist the investigation can submit it via the Dovestone Fire Evidence Submission Portal here.
Daisy Jackson -
27th December 2021 
