Tributes having been pouring in after it was revealed that legendary Manchester DJ St Allan has sadly passed away.
The producer and dance DJ was a famous name and a fan-favourite on the 1990s rave scene in our city, and previously worked for Piccadilly Radio and Key 103 in Manchester throughout the 80s and 90s, as well as being ranked as the third-best DJ in the world by DJ Magazine in 1993.
Stu was diagnosed with cancer and had been battling the illness for almost a year before he died on Thursday (22 September).
Announcing his passing, a statement posted by Stu’s team to his Facebook page yesterday reads: “It is with much sadness that we write this message to let you know that Stu has passed away today. As you know, he has been ill for a while now, and has been battling cancer for almost a year, and while we’re so sad he is no longer with us, we are relieved he is finally at peace, after his illness.
“We will be holding a memorial event in Stu’s memory sometime soon, where we can all celebrate his amazing life.
“But for now Alison, Paul, Gary and Stu’s family need time to come to terms with their loss.”
The late DJ’s team also encouraged music lovers to leave their tributes in the comments, say how they knew Stu, and share what memories they have of him.
British DJ Carl Cox lead the thousands of tributes left on Thursday night.
He wrote: “I am so very sorry to hear this news today. His name is Stu Allan. We have lost one of my heroes and a shining light of the Rave scene he helped build. Never forget. My condolences goes out to his family and friends.”
Rowetta also shared a tribute on Instagram: “Loved my mixtapes in the 90s & more recently being on the same lineup at Bowlers. RIP Stu Allan.”
DJ and broadcaster Justin Robertson wrote on Twitter: “I’m shocked to hear of the death of Stu Allan. He introduced me to more amazing music than I can remember. His Bus Diss and His seamless House shows were my introduction to the sound of hip hop and house. Impeccable selector and inspiration. RIP Stu.”
I’m shocked to hear of the death of @stu_allan . He introduced me to more amazing music than I can remember. His Bus Diss and His seamless House shows were my introduction to the sound of hip hop and house. Impeccable selector and inspiration. RIP Stu 😔
Very sad. Stu Allan is the first radio DJ I heard play rap, house, r&b and rave music from the mid-1980s onwards. Those of us who listened to Piccadilly and Key 103 were privileged to hear such a pioneer. He had a great deep voice for radio. Some comedy catchphrases, too. https://t.co/CTp24JYi6C
Absolutely gutted about the passing of @stu_allan. He was my inspiration to be a DJ. I got fake ID when I was 15 to see him play & I listened to his Key 103 shows religiously. They say never meet you heroes but with Stu that wasn’t true. RIP Stu and thoughts with your family x pic.twitter.com/HLRo0bXjwT
Writer and journalist John Berwin said on Twitter: “Very sad. Stu Allan is the first radio DJ, I heard play rap, house, r&b and rave music from the mid-1980s onwards. Those of us who listened to Piccadilly and Key 103 were privileged to hear such a pioneer. He had a great deep voice for radio. Some comedy catchphrases, too.”
KISS FM radio DJ Anton Powers said: “Absolutely gutted about the passing of Stu Allan.
“He was my inspiration to be a DJ. I got fake ID when I was 15 to see him play & I listened to his Key 103 shows religiously. They say never meet you heroes but with Stu that wasn’t true. RIP Stu and thoughts with your family.”
DJ Anne Savage wrote: “So very sad to hear the news about Stu. Deepest condolensces to his family and friends. Such an inspiration to me as a young DJ and a role model throughout my life since. What a gent on and off the decks. Rest in peace Stu.”
DJ Mark Breeze also shared a tribute: “My thoughts go to Stu’s family and friends on hearing the very sad news today.”
Legendary Manchester DJ St Allan has sadly passed away following a year-long battle with cancer / Credit: Spencer Cameron Photography (via DJ Stu Allan – Facebook)
As well as famous names from the music scene, thousands of fans and people who appreciated Stu’s work over the years have taken to social media to share their heartfelt tributes and memories.
“Without Stu and his early house music hour in the 80’s I don’t think I would have become so passionate about this music or made a life from it. I owe him a lot, we became friends and I constantly let him know that. I am so very sad you are gone mate. Heartbroken,” Mark Egee wrote on Facebook.
Another fan wrote: “Absolutely gutted. Grew up taping his Key 103 shows and listening to them the next day on my Walkman at school.
“Defined the music I’ve always listened to until the present day on OSN radio.”
Another fan shared on Twitter: “So sad to hear about the passing of an absolute HERO of mine and many others, Stu Allan. Such an inspiration in so many ways, DJ Producer and Radio DJ championing happy hardcore right from the birth.
“And not to mention genuinely one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.”
“RIP Stu Allan – You were one of the very best, so much so that I don’t know any DJ that didn’t look up to you or didn’t listen to you on Key 103 growing up, you were such an inspiration to us all,” another devestated fan wrote on Twitter.
New free app launches to help people find the best nature spots in and around Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A new free app has launched to help people find, discover, and visit nature on their doorstep.
Wildling is aiming to be a simple one-step solution to the growing mental health crisis and the urgent need to care for the natural world.
By helping people visit nature more easily, and giving them tools to truly connect with it at this same time, Wildling is well on its way to supporting personal wellbeing and the joy of easily discovering nature across the UK, all while nurturing a sense of care and action for the planet.
Supported by partners including the RSPB, Marine Conservation Society ,and Forestry England, and backed by advisors and environmentalists like Ben Goldsmith, Eden Project founder Tim Smit, and Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden, the new app brings the UK’s wild spaces and hidden green spots together in one place.
A new free app has launched to help people find the best nature spots in Manchester / Credit: Kitera Dent | Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)
Featuring more than 1,500 locations across the country, from coastlines and woodlands, to nature reserves, the app also includes a wide range of tips to help you make your time in nature easier, more enjoyable, and more meaningful.
The app has been created with the input of research carried out by the University of Derby, based on responses from more than 68,000 adults across England over two years.
The study found that people who spend time in nature every day report up to 22% greater life satisfaction, 17% higher happiness, and an average uplift of around 19% in overall wellbeing, compared to those who rarely go out.
Regular time in nature was also found to have a ‘striking’ effect on pro-environmental behaviour too, according to the survey.
Wildling was created by impact entrepreneur Ant Rawlins who wanted to make accessing nature ‘easier’ for everyone.
“We wanted to give people the tools to engage with nature by making it genuinely easy to visit, by showing them nearby nature places and giving them everything they need to make it happen,” says Ant Rawlins commented.
Wildling connects Mancs to the outside world and all it has to offer / Credit: Sol Stock (Supplied)
Ant said the study shows that spending more time in nature just a nice idea, it makes you happier, increases your satisfaction with life, lifts your overall wellbeing, and encourages you to look after the world around you.
“That’s exactly why Wildling was created,” he concluded.
The Wildling app is available now to download for free through the App Store and Google Play, and you can find out more here.
Featured Image – Shironosov (Supplied)
News
Chester Zoo’s viral new snow leopard cub ventures outside for the first time
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo’s adorable baby snow leopard who went viral last week could very well be about to go viral again.
That’s because new footage of it venturing outside for the first time have been released.
After arriving to first-time parents Nubra and Yashin, who are both three-years-old, last month (10 June 2025), keepers at Chester Zoo said mum and cub had mostly spent their time quietly tucked away in a cosy den, away from the eyes of the onlooking public – but now, it’s time for the little one to see what the outside world is all about.
Now, at seven-weeks old, the cub has gained in strength and confidence, and experts expected that it could venture outside at ‘any moment’.
Zookeepers are still yet to confirm the sex of the cub, and will be able to do soon once it has undergone its first health check-up with the vets.
We can also expect to hear one the little one’s name is very soon too.
If you’re unfamiliar with snow leopards, they are classed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and it’s believed there are as few as 4,000 now remaining in the wild.
Nicknamed the ‘ghosts of the mountains’, these elusive – but adorable – big cats are found in the rugged, remote regions of Central Asia and the Himalayas – but sadly, despite being known for living in desolate, harsh environments, they continue to face threats from habitat loss, climate change, poaching, and retaliatory killings by farmers.
Chester Zoo’s viral new snow leopard cub ventures outside for the first time / Credit: Chester Zoo
The cub’s birth follows the opening of Chester Zoo’s Himalayan habitat in May 2024, which is a vast, rocky environment that authentically recreates the mountainous terrain of Central Asia.
“This is the first snow leopard cub to be born at Chester Zoo,” commented Dave Hall, who is the Team Manager of carnivores at Chester Zoo, last week when the adorable hidden den cam footage was first released to the public.
“It’s a truly historic moment and a real cause for celebration – not just for our teams here, but also for the future of this magnificent species globally.”
Although it’s still early days, carnivore experts at the zoo say Nubra is showing ‘excellent maternal instincts’ by nursing her new arrival every few hours and always keeping close by.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd September 2022 
