Affiliate

The official Take That musical Greatest Days is heading to Manchester, starring Kym Marsh

It's heading to the Palace Theatre.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 28th February 2023

The official Take That musical is heading to Manchester this spring, and will star both Kym Marsh and her daughter Emilie Cunliffe.

Greatest Days will visit the Palace Theatre as part of a major UK and Ireland tour, coinciding with the release of a film based on the hit musical, which will star Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams.

The theatre show has been created with the music of boyband Take That, featuring more than 15 of their record-breaking songs.

This heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter has been written by the award-winning Tim Firth, who was also behind Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots.

Greatest Days follows a group of five best friends who reunite after 20 years to see their favourite 90s boy band one last time.

Kym Marsh shot to fame on reality TV show Popstars way back in 2000 when she ended up in the band Hear’Say – she’s since pursued a successful acting career (we all know her from Coronation Street) and has starred on the West End.

Emilie-Cunliffe
Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh

Her daughter Emilie Cunliffe has been singing and performing for almost her entire life, appearing on BBC One’s The Voice and ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, with a debut album on the way.

Their roles as Rachel and Young Rachel in Greatest Days were announced this week by producer Adam Kenwright.

Speaking on the role and working with her daughter, Kym said: “I’m delighted to be returning to theatre and joining the cast of Greatest Days.

“I was in my early twenties when Take That were at the height of their fame and, of course, I was a huge Take That fan – who wasn’t? Their music takes me back to so many special times in my life as it will for so many other people.

Read more

“I’m thrilled to be working with my daughter, Emilie, too. She’s a real talent and I can’t wait to share the stage with her.

“Greatest Days is a wonderful, uplifting show with iconic music, a great storyline and I know people will love it.”

Emilie added: “I’m really excited to be joining the cast of Greatest Days. I grew up listening to Take That with mum, so what an honour it is to be part of this brilliant musical celebrating their music.

“I’m really close to my mum and getting to work with her is a dream come true.”

Greatest Days was originally produced as The Band, and opened at the Manchester Opera House back in 2017.

It will be at the Palace Theatre between 16 and 27 May 2023. Tickets are available here.

Featured image: Take That

Affiliate

A huge Hot Wheels monster truck event is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Hot Wheels Monster Trucks live show Manchester

A massive Hot Wheels-themed monster truck event is coming to Manchester city centre as part of a brand new UK tour.

You can file this under one for the kids and for the big kids.

Following the success of the brand’s award-winning ‘Glow-N-Fire’ event earlier this year, Hot Wheels is hitting the road once again and bringing the explosive show to yet more domestic audiences.

Whether you’re a monster truck enthusiast, part of the wider motorhead masses, or simply looking for something fun to do with the little ones, you should be all over this.

hot wheels events manchester
hot wheels ao arena
Credit: Pres shots (supplied)

What is Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire?

Produced by Family Entertainment Live, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ sees versions of the genuine collectable toys brought to life on the biggest scale possible.

Remember that old miniature car you had that looked like a shark? Yep, they’ve even got that.

But there’s much more than just colossally large vehicles; as well as the debut of an all-new truck called the ‘Rhinomite’ – the dynamite Rhino-themed truck which charges horn-first into challenges and looks to destroy the competition – the new and improved experience will feature never-before-seen stunts.

Performed not only by the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks drivers, but also by a talented roster of FMX (freestyle motocross), you can expect the likes of no-handed front flips and much more by these impressive professionals.

Returning not only to the capital but now Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds too, more and more Brits are going to be able to see the action for themselves.

hot wheels monster trucks manchester tickets
Credit: Supplied

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live – UK tour dates

  • Saturday to Sunday, 3-4 January 2026: AO Arena, Manchester
  • Sat-Sun, 10-11 January: The O2 Arena, London
  • Sat-Sun, 28-29 March: First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds
  • Sat-Sun, 4-5 April: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
  • Sat-Sun, 11-12 April: Utilita Arena, Birmingham 

With special children’s pricing, VIP packages and even the chance to participate in the official pre-show party, held two and a half hours prior to every performance, there really is so much value-for-money to be soaked up from this high-octane piece of live entertainment at the AO Arena.

The pre-show party, specifically, gives fans a unique opportunity to access the arena floor where they can get up close and personal with the outrageous Hot Wheels designs and the truly epic size of a minster struck, as well as grab autographs and selfies with their favourites.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks – Manchester tickets

Glow-N-Fire won the most recent Pollstar ‘Family Show of the Year’ award and has sold thousands of tickets this year alone, so it goes without saying that you have every reason to give this one a go.

Tickets for next year’s Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live show at the AO Arena in Manchester go on sale this Friday, 5 September at 10am.

You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)

Affiliate

Rick Astley to play Co-op Live on major UK arena tour – with big-name supporting act

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Rick Astley

Rick Astley has announced a major UK and Ireland arena tour, and of course he’ll be playing a huge gig here in Manchester.

The Newton-le-Willows native started his remarkable career all the way back in 1987 when he became an unlikely global phenomenon after his era-defining smash ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ established him as an international chart-topping, BRIT Award winning global star, following by a debut album that sold a whopping 15.2 million copies worldwide.

But then he stepped away from the spotlight, and seemingly left that chapter of his life behind – that was until he returned to the charts in 2016 and has stayed at the top of his game ever since.

He has collaborated with everyone from Foo Fighters to Blossoms along the way, and even did a double-bill of festival sets at Glastonbury in 2023, before releasing his latest album titled ‘Are We There Yet?’.

Throughout his career, Rick has released eight studio albums, sold more than 40 million records worldwide, and has played and toured around the world multiple times.

And now he’s heading back out on the road, and will be taking to the Co-op Live stage here in Manchester next April.

He’ll be playing Co-op Live on Friday 17 April 2026, and support for the tour comes from none other than the legendary Gabrielle herself.

Other major cities Rick’ll be stopping off at along the way include the capitals London, Cardiff, Belfast, and Dublin, as well as Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, and more.

Rick Astley – The Reflection Tour 2026

With special guest Gabrielle

  • Friday 10 April – Glasgow OVO Hydro
  • Saturday 11 April – Newcastle Utilita Arena
  • Monday 13 April – Belfast SSE
  • Tuesday 14 April – Dublin 3Arena 
  • Thursday 16 April – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena      
  • Friday 17 April – Manchester Co-op Live
  • Saturday 18 April – Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
  • Monday 20 April – Bournemouth International Centre
  • Tuesday 21 April – Cardiff Utilita Arena
  • Wednesday 22 April – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
  • Friday 24 April – Birmingham bp pulse LIVE
  • Saturday 25 April – London The O2

After taking a break in 2025, Rick says he’s excited to head out on his UK and Ireland arena tour next year, and is looking forward to performing live again.

Rick Astley begins The Reflection Tour on 10 April 2026, before he arrives in Manchester on 17 April, and tickets go on sale this week – with presales for Co-op Live members starting at 9:30am this Wednesday (3 September), before general sale begins this Friday 5 September, again at 9:30am.

Read more:

You can get tickets when they go on sale here.

Feeling a little fancier? You can treat yourself to some VIP tickets to Rick’s Co-op Live show via SeatUnique, with a range of different packages available here.

Featured Image – Supplied

More Affiliate

New live showcase Stockport music festival

Affiliate

A new music showcase is taking place at a beautiful and historic Stockport venue

Affiliate

ENHYPEN at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Bare knuckle boxing Manchester AO Arena 2025 BKFC 81

Affiliate

A night of bare-knuckle boxing is coming to Manchester’s AO Arena

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches