One of CBeebies’ best-loved shows of the mid-2000s has returned to our TV screens after nearly two decades off air.
Big Cook, Little Cook is back.
If you’re unfamiliar with the popular children’s cooking show, the original series first aired between 2004 and 2006 was famously is set in the kitchen of a cafe owned by the two main characters – Big Cook Ben and Little Cook Small, with the former a full-sized adult, and the latter only a few inches tall and known for flying around on a wooden spoon.
And it seems like the reboot is no different in that respect, as the new series of Big Cook, Little Cook had it’s premiere on CBeebies yesterday.
This time around though, the show’s comeback – which is filmed in MediaCityUK in Salford – features an all-new female cast, with Ibinabo Jack as Big Cook Jen and Courtney Bowman Little Cook Small, replacing original show hosts Steve Marsh and Dan Wright.
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There’s said to be at least 50 episodes in the new series, which will air on weekdays.
Much like the original, the cookery duo are tasked with creating various recipes for children and their parents to try at home, and during each episode of the reboot there’ll be an informative documentary section that teaches kids where their food comes from, and is shot in fields, herb gardens, factories and farms all around the UK.
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If all of that wasn’t nostalgic enough as it is, the reboot of the show even has the same theme song from the original series too.
Speaking ahead of the airing of the first episode of the reboot yesterday, Jo Killingley – Creator and Executive Producer – said: “We made the original iconic ‘Big Cook Little Cook’ nearly 20 years ago, it was the most fun series I’ve ever worked on.
“With brand new talent in 2022, it’s continuing to be a joy.
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“We’re celebrating British ingredients and food producers, plus a whole host of World recipes [and] we’re hoping this will be a delicious treat for kids and their grown up helpers and encourage everyone to pick up a wooden spoon and create some magic in the kitchen -and maybe a little mess.”
The original Big Cook, Little Cook series first aired on CBeebies between 2004 and 2006 / Credit: BBC iPlayer
Following the first episode airing last night, the reboot seems to have already proved a hit with parents on social media, with many enjoying the “nostalgic moment” by watching the show themselves.
“My son really liked this new episode and cast, he was very engaged,” one Twitter user said.
Another review read: “I’ve watched the original Big Cook Little Cook back when I was a child, so watching the modern revamp was such a nostalgic treat. Really enjoyed the episode. Felt so similar to the original, but had a nice modern take to it.”
Big Cook, Little Cook airs on weekdays on CBeebies at 4:45pm.
Featured Image – BBC
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Manchester has been crowned one of the best cities in the UK for student nightlife
Clementine Hall
We already knew Manchester was bursting at the seems with brilliant late-night venues for students, but now it’s officially been confirmed.
Our city is one of the best cities for student nightlife in the UK.
And it’s all down to accommodation provider Canvas, which analysed key nightlife factors such as drink prices, the number and ratings of venues, and local safety scores to reveal the best cities in the UK for a night out.
If you’ve got Manchester as your student city of choice, then you’re in for a brilliant three years, as we claimed second place on the top 10 list. Get in.
Manchester is home to the highest number of bars and clubs on the list overall – with 606 venues, 15 for every 10,000 people, strong average ratings of 4.37 stars, and a pint costing slightly less than Bath – which has claimed the top spot – at £5.50.
In third place was Newcastle, fifth place was York, and Sheffield was at seven, so it’s safe to say that the North dominated the top spots… and rightly so.
Top 10 best cities for student nightlife in the UK
Bath
Manchester
Newcastle
Leeds
York
Coventry
Sheffield
Glasgow
Edinburgh
Leicester
Elsewhere on the list, outside of the North, other major UK cities like Coventry, Leicester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh feature in the top 10.
AO Arena are hosting an ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton in memory of the legendary Manchester boxer
Danny Jones
Manchester is set to host a night of remembrance and celebration in honour of the late, great, local boxer, Ricky Hatton.
Coming this summer, the AO Arena – where Hatton enjoyed so many of his iconic moments – will be holding the first-ever ‘Evening4Ricky’ later this year.
Held at the legendary sports and live entertainment venue just in time for summer, we still know very little about what the actual event will entail.
Sharing the news on social media, AO Arena said: “Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as Manchester comes together for Evening4Ricky.
“This will be a spectacular, unique celebration of the life, spirit and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved icons – Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.”
With seats priced at £25, fans are being encouraged to join the early bird sign-up to secure access to discounted tickets.
They go on to add: “Hosted at the legendary AO Arena, home to so many of Ricky’s big fights, featuring a superstar cast of legends from the worlds of boxing, music, comedy and entertainment.”
So, we do at least know there’ll be some famous faces coming along to help make it a memorable Manc moment, just a few months on from the city and beyond uniting for his public funeral procession.
Ricky was beloved not only by the Greater Manchester community but was a popular figure and friend to many in the sporting and showbiz industries.
The homegrown ‘Pride of Hyde‘ tragically left us on 14 September 2025 at the age of just 46, but his passing has once again helped reassert the importance of having more conversations around wellbeing, suicide prevention, and most specifically, men’s mental health.
You can find more information and see how to grab tickets right HERE.
This isn’t the only charitable in memoriam event happening across the region in the coming weeks, either, as Mancs will be gathering to pay tribute to another fellow inspiring sportsman.