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Olivia Rodrigo says ‘very inspiring’ Manchester is one of her favourite places in the UK

Well yes.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th June 2026

Olivia Rodrigo has named some of her favourite places in the UK… and it’s good news for Manchester.

If you weren’t aware, the global pop superstar has a bit of an affinity for the UK, having spent a lot of time over here in recent years – particularly in London – and developing a love for some of our nation’s finest delicacies in the process, like M&S fan-favourite sweet treats Percy Pigs and Colin the Caterpillar, as well as Jaffa Cakes, Cadbury, sausage rolls, and plenty more.

And it’s fair to say that she’s once again proven herself to be a somewhat of an honorary Brit during the recent promotional tour for her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love – which released to the world last Friday (12 June).

In a recent interview with Hits Radio UK, Olivia was asked where some of her favourite places in the UK are, other than London… and it was good news for our city.

I mean, not that ‘good’… she’s still not chosen to bring her upcoming ‘The Unraveled Tour’ over to us this next time around in 2027, opting to just stay in London for more than a dozen nights instead, but it seems she’s keen to show Manchester some love regardless.

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When asked if she has a favourite area of the UK, Olivia said: “I spent some time in Manchester which was really nice. Very inspiring, so many great bands from there. I spent some time in Wales too, which was fun. I’ve been around but I need to go and see more things.”

She then went on to add: “I really want to go to Leeds this year. I think that’ll be fun. Just like as a spectator, I think that’ll be cool.”

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It’s not the first time Olivia has publicly spoken about Manchester either, as in another recent interview with Dazed Magazine, she claimed she’s the ‘best version of [herself]’ in the UK.

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“Maybe it’s because it rains so much that all you want to do is be inside with the guitar and write. I spent some time in Manchester a few years ago and it was so rainy I was like, ‘No wonder so many great bands come out of Manchester’,” she concluded.

Featured Image – Hits Radio UK

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Manchester United agree record streaming deal for new Amazon documentary TV series

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man United Amazon All Or Nothing documentary TV show series

Manchester United have officially agreed a record sporting TV deal for a brand-new documentary TV series on the Amazon Prime Video streaming service.

That’s right, Man United are getting the All Or Nothing treatment.

With the Red Devils finishing the 2025/26 season much stronger than they started it, they’re now set to invite a film crew into the dressing room and the newly refurbished Carrington training complex for the upcoming campaign.

Although there have been many United documentaries over the years, everything from big budget and smaller indie projects to fan-made, this new show looks set to give a more exclusive present day peak behind the curtain of the club’s modern-day set-up than ever before.

While it remains unclear whether or not this past term’s exploits – be it the drama of the Ruben Amorim era, or the upturn under Michael Carrick – are set to be included, as the official announcement teases, the Amazon series will provide behind-the-scenes MUFC throughout the 26/27 term.

There was an opportunity to accept this kind of coverage shortly after INEOS invested in the business, but Amorim put a rather public kibosh on the offer to preserve the backroom’s privacy and prevent any unnecessary intrusion.

Understandably, a lot of people agree with the decision, especially given the team was not just in another state of flux but at a crucial turning point under their then-new boss.

Taking a more old-school manager approach, it may have been seen as a sensible step, but it wouldn’t have mattered either way, as the Portuguese head coach (who now looks set to join AC Milan) was eventually sacked after just over a year in charge.

Nevertheless, many supporters are still reticent about the prospect of lifting the lid on an organisation that has famously seen plenty of turbulence. The fan base will just be hoping for a season to remember for the right reasons while the cameras are running for a reportedly record

The two most recent Premier League champions, Arsenal and Man City, have both seen seasons of Amazon’s now well-known docuseries before going on to win landmark titles, so perhaps it could be a good omen; who knows?

Conversely, Sunderland – who were infamously selected as one of the first subjects of this all-access kind of series – arguably ended up putting more unnecessary spotlight on their struggles.

As for those under the All Or Nothing umbrella, Spurs, Juventus and even the German international have also served as examples of how the big payout may not always be worth the bad press, with all three having gone through plenty of trials and tribulations in and around the respective versions airing.

Let’s just say that, reportedly ‘record’ sums or not, this could still go one way or the other…

While it’s still unclear as to the actual figure Manchester United will be taking home as part of the package with Amazon, this is yet another example of the steady Americanisation of association football, starting with the NFL and ice hockey before now drawing even wider audiences to the beautiful game.

2026 World Cup fans in North America are being mocked already – and this could be just the beginning
What do you make of the growing trend?

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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SIR Kevin Sinfield among list of local names officially recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026

Danny Jones Danny Jones Sir Kevin Sinfield full King's Bday honours list 2026

While many individuals were already public knowledge, we’re made up to hear that SIR Kevin Sinfield has now finally received his long-overdue knighthood, and he’s not the only recognisable local and/or beloved famous face to have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list for 2026.

There are so many worthy names on the list, but it goes without saying that the ‘Sir Kev’ campaign is one that countless have been flying the flag for rather high over the past few years.

Sinfield, 45, is not only a rugby league and England legend, but he has warmed hearts across the country and beyond through his superhuman ‘7 in 7’ ultramarathon efforts on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in recent times, all in memory of his old teammate and best friend: the late, great Rob Burrow.

Following his 2014 MBE, OBE in 2021, and CBE in ’23, we struggle to think of anyone more deserving of the accolade than the Oldham native, to be honest; here he is talking about the great privilege earlier this month:

Hero, legend, inspiration – these words don’t even begin to cut it.

That being said, he’s not the only ex-sportsman with a crucial Greater Manchester connection to have been honoured this year, as former Scotland international and Manchester United player Lou Macari (who still has a chippy in his name right near the ground) has also been made an MBE.

While Sinfield was recognised for services to sport and charity, 77-year-old Macari has been awarded the accolade for his work helping the homeless across not just the North West but all over the country.

Setting up the Macari Foundation back in 2016 and creating vital shelters, fundraising and support schemes – not to mention being involved in various other adjacent charitable initiatives such as the now annual Old Trafford Stadium Sleepout – it’s a cause he’s backed for more than a decade now.

Put quite simply, he’s helped change people’s lives for the better and save them full-stop.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Monday, 15 June, the Stoke-on-Trent-based, legendary Celtic centre-forward and retired Red was visibly humbled by what could arguably now be his most treasured medal.

As for other names this year, several Lionesses were also featured as part of the list for 2026, including Euros winners Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo, both of whom also previously played for Manchester City and Man United, respectively.

Fellow WSL stars Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton and Lauren James also joined the duo, along with a quintet of other national team players who were given MBEs as part of King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours List, with the prior official ceremony taking place last month.

One of those names, most notably for Mancs, was Tyldesley’s very own Ella Toone, another MUWFC star who has also shone under England Women’s manager Sarina Wiegman.

You can find the full Birthday Honours List right HERE.

Manchester United and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE
‘Tooney’ is just the latest in a long line of lionised Lionesses.

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Featured Images — Gerard Barrau (Wikimedia Commons)/Raph_PH (via Flickr)/BBC Breakfast (screenshot)

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