TV & Showbiz

Married at First Sight UK is looking for single Mancs to take part in the next series

Brave singletons, this one's for you.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th November 2024

Would you like to marry a complete stranger?

If you (somehow) answered yes to that question, then you’ll probably be keen to hear that hit Channel 4 reality show, Married at First Sight UK, is currently on the lookout for brave contestants to take part in the next series.

And you’ll probably be even keener to hear that casting directors are urging single Mancs to stick an application in… if they fancy it.

If you haven’t seen Married at First Sight yet, well then firstly, where have you been? And secondly, it’s a dating show like no other that sees singletons marry complete strangers in a social experiment – and it’s undoubtedly binge-worthy and extremely entertaining.

Married at First Sight UK has opened its casting for the next series / Credit: Channel 4

Contestants – who will not have met or had contact with each other until the wedding day – are matched up with their supposed ‘perfect match’, determined by a group of experts who use “scientific matchmaking methods”.

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Once the contestants are married off, the camera follows them for five weeks to see whether the new relationship is a success or not.

Calling on singletons to put their faith in the matchmaking service, Channel 4 wrote in the casting announcement on the ‘Take Part’ section of its website: “If you are ready to swipe left to the dating apps and say ‘I do’ at the altar, then our experts are here to help you find the one.”

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Married at First Sight UK
Channel 4 wants singletons to put their faith in the matchmaking service / Credit: Channel 4

Casting directors say singles of all ages, backgrounds, gender identities, and sexualities are “welcome to apply” for the new series.

Fancy it then?

Applications are currently open for the next series, and to apply to the show, you just need to be over 18 years of age, live in the UK, and feel ready for marriage.

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Find out more and apply here.

Featured Image – Channel 4

TV & Showbiz

Chicago the Musical razzles (and dazzles) at the Palace Theatre in Manchester

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A story of murder, greed and corruption was performed with style, ease and flair; Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, and it’s easy to see why now that it’s arrived in Manchester.

The jazz-fuelled fiasco is filled with catchy songs that you can’t help but click along to, funny one-liners, and likeable characters such as Miss Roxy Hart herself.

Best-known for appearing as Kate Connor in Coronation Street, the opening night in Manchester on Chicago‘s UK tour may have been a daunting prospect, but it’s one Faye Brookes pulled off seamlessly.

Here’s our full review…

Image: Press Images (Supplied)

Brookes is fantastically expressive and brings new energy to a classic, complemented throughout by a sultry cast dressed in buckles and mesh that really bring the ‘Razzle Dazzle’ to the stage.

Her co-star, Strictly Come Dancing‘s Kevin Clifton, struts through the show transformed into Billy Flynn – a flamboyant 1920s American lawyer who has the desperate inmates in the palm of his hand.

The opening number, ‘All That Jazz’, is spearheaded by Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly and she does it brilliantly.

Image: Supplied

The cast slink their way across the stage with Scott at the forefront, who undoubtedly delivers a faultless performance and complements Brookes as Roxie Hart perfectly.

A highlight of course included the hilarious ‘Cell Block Tango’, the audience were laughing along as the women sang the stories of their murderous deeds whilst performing sharp and sultry choreography.

Not even a toe out of place.

Image: Supplied

The set is minimalist, dark and simple, but is simply brought to life by the wonderful expression and lively musical numbers performed on stage by the live band.

The live band sits on a staircase centre stage and their playful use of instruments throughout is truly impressive.

Neil MacDonald, the show’s musical director, even got involved with a few on-stage conversations which was a fabulous touch that made the show feel bespoke to us.

Images: Supplied

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Other notable performances included Brenda Edwards as Mamma Morton, whose powerhouse voice left the audience in absolute awe, and Joshua Lloyd as ‘Mister Cellophane’ caused a couple of pitiful “awws” from the auditorium.

Overall, this was a fantastic production of the Broadway classic – the standing ovation at the end proves I wasn’t the only one who thought that too.

Chicago the Musical is playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday, 9 November and you can grab your last-minute tickets HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press images (Supplied)

TV & Showbiz

Pet Shop Boys named amongst latest wave of unreal acts set to play MTV EMAs at Co-op Live

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pet Shop Boys to play 2024 MTV EMAs lineup Manchester

Synth-pop legends Pet Shop Boys are among the latest names to have been added to the artists set to play the MTV EMAs in Manchester next month.

The 2024 MTV EMAs ceremony is coming to the state-of-the-art Co-op Live arena, the biggest indoor entertainment venue of its kind in Europe, for its Manchester debut on 10 November and the lineup of performers and presenters has already pricked up our ears.

Raye, Shawn Mendes and Teddy Swims are just a few of those previously announced, so we were pretty happy to begin with, but now the English duo and 1980s are in the mix we’re starting to get very excited.

Make way, Mancs, because the Pet Shop Boys and their ‘West End Girls’ are coming our way – they’re not the only ones either…

Confirming the news on Wednesday afternoon, MTV revealed that not only will Pet Shop Boys be performing on the highly-anticipated night, but they will also be joined by the likes of K-pop girl group, Le Sserafim and Mexican musician, Peso Pluma.

Perhaps most excitingly, these new additions will also be joined by South African pop and R’n’B star: the new ‘Queen of Popiana’ herself, Tyla.

The 22-year-old amapiano singer – best known for her breakthrough single ‘Water’, which was an instant hit on the radio, and online and even spawned a viral TikTok dance craze – hasn’t performed in Manchester before given her career is still in its early days

Make no mistake either way, she’s one of the fastest-rising acts on the planet right now and it’s a really big get for the 30th year of the annual award ceremony.

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Once again, the 2024 MTV EMAs in Manchester take place on Sunday, 10 November, where huge stars like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Beyoncé and more are all nominated, not to mention names like Pet Shops, Boys, Tyla and Raye will all be performing.

In the build-up to the big day, the city is also set to be treated to a massive week-long takeover of local music venues to help celebrate the occasion.

Audio North is even hosting an exclusive competition for win tickets, a hotel stay and more ahead of the event, but entry runs out this Thursday, 30 October, you best enter quickly!

If you’ve still not made it to Manchester’s game-changing new live music venue, believe us, you’re about to be blown away…

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Eva Rinaldi/Anirudh Koul/VOGUE Taiwan (via Wiki Commons)/The Manc Group

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