Have you heard that a brand-new series of Embarrassing Bodies is returning to our screens in 2022 after five years since it was last on air?
And this week, it’s bringing back its famous ‘Confessional Booth’ to film in Manchester.
Announcing its two-day stay in Manchester on 27 & 28 January in a post to Instagram, Embarrassing Bodies explains that the ‘Confessional Booth’ will disguise your face, so that you can ask the new GP team all the questions you’d be too embarrassed to ask your own GP.
“We are looking to offer discreet advice and answer your questions about practically any embarrassing issue,” the show said.
In case you don’t remember the programme, or you’re unfamiliar with the premise, the BAFTA award-winning medical reality television show first hit our screens all the way back in 2007, and has since gone on to air eight series, multiple spin-offs – featuring kids, teenagers, and more – and even a special hour-long live version in 2011.
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With one of TV’s most unique concepts, the series’ basic premise involves members of the public with a wide variety of medical conditions consulting the show’s doctors for advice, and up until then, those were conditions they had been too embarrassed to seek help for.
The show is bringing back its famous ‘Confessional Booth’ to film in Manchester / Credit: Channel 4
In many cases in the show’s long history, cosmetic or corrective surgery has been offered and undertaken to treat patients with more severe or noticeable ailments.
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The show was always highly-popular during its original run and was the topic of many a conversation, and now, Channel 4 has confirmed that it’s going to be back for a new and exciting series next year, one that producers Maverick TV say is aiming to “raise awareness on health issues and medical conditions that some people may find hard or embarrassing to talk about”.
“We hope in some instances we can potentially offer fast-tracked specialist help and treatment,” they added.
A casting call for the new series – which will be aired on E4 – has been published on the Channel 4 website, and it reads: “Is Dr Google your best friend? Are you worried about a health condition that you don’t want to see your GP about?
“It could be bad skin that makes you miserable, excess hair where you don’t want it, a funny odour that you aren’t sure is normal.
Embarrassing Bodies is back with a new series coming in 2022 / Credit: Channel 4
“Maybe there’s a condition that you’ve been struggling with for years but have never had the right treatment for.
“No concern or issue is too small.”
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Do you have a health concern that you’ve previously not had the confidence to seek advice for? Applications for the return of Embarrassing Bodies in 2022 are now open, so if you are interested in taking part in the series, head on over to the Channel 4 website.
Salford City FC have been bought out by a new consortium
Danny Jones
Another era beckons for Salford City as a buyout of the Greater Manchester football club by a new consortiumhas been announced.
Well, sort of.
Salford City FC were famously the subject of a joint takeover by Singaporean businessman Peter Lim and members of Manchester United’s Class of ’92 over a decade ago, and now 11 years on from that last milestone moment in their history, the local side has a new administration once again.
It is a fresh chapter for the club, but supporters will be glad to hear that there will also be some continuity and key throughline of consistency among some of those at the top.
Salford City announces that the Club has been acquired by a new ownership group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville, and includes US-based businessman Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies who will both serve as new Co-Chairs of the Club’s board.
Led by Man United legends Gary Neville and David Beckham, who have been involved with Salford since 2014, the new nine-member consortium consists of the Dream Sports Group – a leading sports technology company based in India – along with a number of other key figures.
One of those is Lord Mervyn Davies, a former Labour MP and Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Small Business, who still serves as a trade envoy between the UK and Sri Lanka.
Another is Irish-American entrepreneur Declan Kelly, who is Chairman and CEO of The Consello Group, a global advisory and investing firm.
While the previous co-owners and fellow Class of ’92 United graduates are no longer shareholders at Moor Lane, it is said they will still play important roles at the club.
As the official statement reads, “The acquisition includes a commitment by the new shareholders to invest significantly in the Club, the team and its facilities”, meaning there will funds will likely be sweet aside not only for some healthy transfer business but more updates to the Peninsula Stadium.
Commenting on the announcement, Neville said: “I’m passionate about Salford City. This is a unique partnership with a diverse range of minds and expertise, held together by a love of football.
“Football will come first, however, it’s critical that we drive the Club towards sustainability in the next 4-5 years. I can’t wait for the next part of this journey.”
Meanwhile, Beckham went on to add in the excitable Instagram post seen above: “Salford played such an important role in my life growing up… It’s where I trained with United alongside my best mates every day, it’s where I bought my first house and where me and Victoria lived.
“I’m so proud to be part of a new ownership group alongside my mate [Neville] as we begin the next chapter of Salford’s journey. Football is at the heart of this community and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Ammies.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United
Danny Jones
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Emily Sergeant -
27th January 2022 
