Happy Valley had a phenomenal night at the National Television Awards last night, scooping three awards – but it’s Sarah Lancashire’s accent that’s had the internet talking overnight.
The star, who is originally from Oldham, is perhaps best-known for her portrayal of Catherine Cawood in Happy Valley, as well as for her time as barmaid Raquel Wolstenhulme at the Rover’s Return on Coronation Street.
In Happy Valley, she sports a strong – and very authentic – Yorkshire accent, fitting with the setting around the Calder Valley.
So when Sarah Lancashire went to collect her various awards at the NTAs last night (Returning Drama, Drama Performance, and the Special Recognition Award), audiences were shocked to hear that her accent isn’t very northern at all.
In fact, fans have gone so far as to say she is ‘posh’, and that her real accent sounds ‘jarring’ compared to the Yorkshire tones we’ve all got used to in recent years.
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The 58-year-old took to the stage last night, wiping away tears, to tell the crowd (who were chanting her name): “You have no idea what it’s like to have so many lovely things said about you by so many people that you love and admire.”
Sarah added: “I have been so very fortunate to spend my working life doing a job that I love, made possible by brilliantly talented people – producers, directors, writers, actors – and I am exceptionally lucky to have enjoyed every moment of it.”
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Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley as fans are stunned by her ‘real accent’ at the NTAs. Credit: ITV
Many have been sad to hear that her years of theatre training seem to have dulled down her native Oldham accent, with most surprised that she doesn’t ‘sound Northern’.
Which makes her performance in Happy Valley, where she chats away about brews and stews and swear like a true Yorkshireman, all the more impressive.
One person said: “Sarah Lancashire is that good an actress that it’s a shock when she doesn’t speak in a Yorkshire accent.”
Someone else posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Sarah Lancashire speaking that posh just took me by surprise!! Her Yorkshire accent is spot on in happy valley!”
The National Television Awards 2023 (NTAs) winners in full
Special Recognition Award – Sarah Lancashire
Serial Drama – Eastenders
Talent Show – Strictly Come Dancing
New Drama – Wednesday
Reality Competition – The Traitors
Authored Documentary – Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now
Returning Drama – Happy Valley
TV Presenter – Ant & Dec
Factual – Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs
Drama Performance – Sarah Lancashire
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award – Gogglebox
TV Interview – The Graham Norton Show
Serial Drama Performance – Danielle Harold
Quiz Game Show – The 1% Club
Rising Star – Bobby Brazier
Daytime – The Repair Shop
Comedy – Young Sheldon
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TV & Showbiz
Greg Davies and Alex Horne to host Taskmaster live on stage in Manchester
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Think you’ve got what it takes to impress the Taskmaster?
Global comedy gameshow sensation, Taskmaster, is set to bring its multi award-winning chaos to Manchester next year, as its first (and only) UK performance ever. Aren’t we lucky?
Following the show‘s roaring success in the USA earlier this year, Taskmaster Live On Stage is set to return in 2027, for two shows only – one taking over our very-own AO Arena, and the other being held at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Audiences can expect a high-energy and hilarious show from the one and only Taskmaster, Greg Davies, and his trusty sidekick Alex Horne, joined by some very special celebrity guests as live contestants.
To give you a flavour of what’s to come, Taskmaster Live On Stage was previously joined by comedians such as Jason Manztoukas, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, and Lisa Gilroy, so we can expect a similar star-studded special guestlist next year.
Alongside three celebrities, the remaining live contestant places will be available to two lucky audience members, who will have a chance to impress the Taskmaster.
Don’t worry if you’re not selected though, as there’ll also be brand-new special stage tasks for the entire audience to get involved with, and the Taskmaster will then judge the efforts of these brave souls to crown one as the Mancunian Taskmaster Live On Stage Champion – quite the mouthful, we know.
“I am thrilled that my tiny assistant and I are to bring Taskmaster to such illustrious venues,” commented Taskmaster Greg Davies.
“Whilst on one hand it feels daunting, on the other it feels like destiny. Rest assured my judgements will remain even handed and every effort will be made for everyone to have a good time, except Alex.”
Taskmaster Live On Stage will be coming to Manchester’s AO Arena next May.
Pre-sale tickets will be exclusively offered to the Taskmaster mailing list on 14 October, while general sale tickets will be released on Friday 16 October, and you can sign up to the mailing list for pre-sale access HERE.
Featured Image – Supplied
TV & Showbiz
Celebrity chef James Martin closes Manchester restaurant after more than a decade
Daisy Jackson
James Martin Manchester has closed its doors, bringing an end to the chef’s decade-long restaurant partnership with casino Manchester235.
Metropolitan Gaming announced on 1 October that its partnership with James Martin and his team had concluded, with the restaurant operation at the city centre venue ending on the same day.
The partnership dates back to 2012, meaning James Martin Manchester had been part of the Manchester235 experience for more than 14 years.
During that time, the restaurant became an established part of the venue’s food and drink offering, with Metropolitan Gaming describing the collaboration as ‘successful and valued’.
The company also credited James Martin and his team with contributing to Manchester’s wider food and dining scene, as well as providing high-quality dining for Manchester235 guests.
Maxine Gibbons, Venue Director at Manchester235, thanked the chef and his team for their contribution to the venue.
She said: “Our partnership with James Martin and his team has been an important part of Manchester235’s story since 2012.
“We would like to thank James and everyone who has been part of the James Martin Manchester team over the years for their commitment, hard work and the memorable experiences they have created for our guests.”
Gibbons added that the team had made a ‘significant contribution’ to Manchester235’s food and beverage experience and wished James Martin and his colleagues ‘every success for the future’.
The closure will not result in affected employees losing their jobs, with Metropolitan Gaming confirming that any employees impacted by the restaurant’s closure have been retained within the business.
Customers with existing restaurant reservations will also be contacted directly by Manchester235 regarding cancellations.
Daisy Jackson -
6th September 2023 
