He spent his years as an undergraduate hanging around Manchester’s cinemas wishing his work would one day be displayed on the big screen – now it’s all coming true.
Manchester director KC Locke is already well-known amongst music fans for his breathtaking music videos, created for high-profile music industry A-listers like Ed Sheeran and Stormzy.
He’s already in high demand amongst A&Rs, and regularly flies around the world to take on shoots in exotic locations.
But it’s an accolade for a Manchester music video that has seen him return to his old place of work to be awarded this latest gong (and to see his film on the big screen).
Last night, his music video for Moston rapper Aitch’s track Learning Curve was recognised with an award at the Manchester International Film Awards – leaving the young creative from Urmston and his team feeling completely overjoyed.
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Reflecting on the journey that has brought him to this point, KC Locke said of the award win: “I used to work at the Odeon cinema while at Uni wishing one day I’d have my work on the big screen.
“Last night I collected the award for best music video and the feeling was mad!
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“Very proud of the whole team who have worked extremely hard over the past 2 years grinding daily pushing the vision and crazy ideas I keep dreaming up.”
KC Locke once worked at the Odeon, now he’s receiving awards there. / Image: The Manc Group
After amassing more than eight million views on Youtube, his music video Learning Curve was featured at the Manchester Film Festival in an opening screening of northwest short films – taking home the award for ‘Best Music Video’.
The short film shows Aitch speeding around in high spec cars and, most notably, laying in bed in a designer robe surrounded by an array of curvy ladies lounging in their underwear.
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Ahead of its release, a teaser shared by the rapper – real name Harrison Armstrong – saw him attract criticism and go on to row with a number of body-shaming trolls, who he termed ‘idiots’ after some called for ‘slim girls’ in the comments.
However, many more praised the music video for its inclusivity and presentation of ‘real’ women as it shows a mixture of different races and body shapes.
Image: Youtube
Now, the music video has been validated once again for its diversity with this new award win.
At the time of the teaser’s release, Aitch told haters objecting to his inclusive casting: ‘All the man hating on the girls on my new post are iiiiidiots [sic].
‘First of all you could never even come near these girls, they don’t want you. They’re too leng for you.’
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He continued: ‘Also, chatting this s**t ain’t gonna help you get the “slim” girls. It’s just gonna make everyone hate you more lol.
‘Furthermore you couldn’t even handle these ladies with your little d**k hating a*s energy. They need the reeeeeeeal suttn [sic].’
You can watch the full video created by KC Locke for Aitch’s track Learning Curve here.
Beloved local comedian Justin Moorhouse pays touching tribute to son Barney
Daisy Jackson
Justin Moorhouse has shared a touching tribute to his son, after announcing over the weekend that Barney had passed away.
The much-loved Tameside comedian wrote that the family are ‘besides themselves with grief’, before later sharing some of his favourite memories of his son, who was in his 20s.
Justin Moorhouse, who starred in Phoenix Nights and just recently performed at the Manchester Opera House on his ‘The Greatest Performance of My Life’ tour, described his son as ‘the sweetest, kindest soul’.
He wrote that Barney ‘just went to sleep and didn’t wake up’.
Following the heartbreaking news, Justin shared three of his fondest memories with his son, including a Flaming Lips gig in Leeds, Bleachers at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, and a trip to the US.
He wrote: “Some of my favourite memories of Barney are music gigs. I am so lucky to have enjoyed loads of stuff he did and obviously hates loads too!
“Luckily, he didn’t think I was too awkward to hang out with at gigs… How lucky I’ve been to have him.”
On Saturday, Justin Moorhouse shared: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I have to tell you our beautiful boy Barney has passed away. Me, his mum and step mum, his sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and his gorgeous friends are besides ourselves with grief.
“I am consoling myself as much as I can knowing that he loved us all and knew we loved him.
“He was so happy, content and excited about the future. The sweetest, kindest soul.
“He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up.
“I can’t imagine how the next days and weeks will unfold but I know we are able to cope – love always helps.
“I am him and he is me. Sleep tight Barney. Dad x
“Appreciate your kindness and sensitivity towards the family at this time.”
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
Georgina Pellant -
21st March 2022 
