A play about the infamous muscle squeezer Akinwale Arobieke,aka Purple Aki, is coming to Salford next month.
Notorious across the North West for his bizarre requests, the story of Purple Aki is something of an urban legend.
For North West teens growing up in the 80s and 90s, stories of a man asking to feel their muscles were common and Aki wasn’t considered much more than the butt of a joke – but over the years things took a darker turn.
Often seen carrying his signature plastic bag in hand, in 2006 he was officially banned from asking strangers to perform squats for him or from touching, feeling, and measuring muscles after harassing a number of young people.
Facebook groups were even set up in Manchester dedicated to him, with one called Purple Aki Watch 0161 promising to ‘keep Manchester squat free’, and in 2016 the BBC even made a documentary about him entitled The Man Who Squeezes Muscles – Searching For Purple Aki.
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Although Purple Aki was never convicted of a sex offence, he was banned from loitering near schools, gyms, or sports clubs and from entering the towns of St Helens, Warrington, or Widnes without police permission.
In the years that followed, Purple Aki would unsuccessfully attempt to overturn his muscle-squeezing ban, apologise in court to victims for forcing them to perform ‘inverted piggybacks’, and refer to himself as “infamous, notorious, everything from a bogeyman to whatever.”
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Now, his story will be brought to life with a show taking place at The White Hotel in Salford this September.
A description for the play reads: “She’s got the time, the curiosity, the resources—and a thirst for true crime. Meet Aki Browne—online sleuth like no other…
“A one-act play, featuring the hunt for a real-life bogeyman / racist caricature, this is an absurd journey into the obsessive world of a digital detective.”
The Treatment author Michael Nash has called the play a “supercharged drama of love, pursuit and that idea which our culture has done its best to empty of meaning, namely, ‘identity’”, adding: “Collings restores meaning, fiercely, wisely, and above all, with heart.”
Comparing the work to an “ultra-concentrated Moby Dick”, he continues: “The rendering of voices is magnificent and right: this is how the real world sounds! Unlike most writers in this land, Austin Collings is not in breach of the Weeds Act (1959).”
Due to take place on Thursday 21 September at The White Hotel in Salford, tickets are priced from just £10.
Featured image – BBC
Boroughs
Greater Manchester hit with snow and ice weather warning to welcome in new year
Emily Sergeant
Weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued across much of the UK, including here in Greater Manchester.
As the country wakes up to the first working day of the new year, cold Arctic air now covers most of the UK, according to the Met Office – with temperatures being well below average, widespread frost and ice, and an increasing risk of snow showers.
Snow is expected to settle on the ground in some areas, particularly in northern and some central areas, while the risk of widespread ice could make travel ‘hazardous’.
While much of Greater Manchester falls under the yellow weather warning for snow and ice issued by the Met Office – which is now in force, and expected to end around midday today (2 January) – it will primarily be more southern and western parts of our region that are likely to see snowfall, if any.
Forecasters say an area of sleet and snow is expected to move southeastwards across parts of England and Wales, lasting approximately two or three hours in any one place, and where snow does fall, only one or two cm is likely for some and perhaps as much as five cm in a few spots, especially higher ground of north Wales, north west England, and perhaps the north west Midlands.
Some ice may form as a result of snow frozen surfaces, and icy patches will also develop quickly as sleet and snow clears.
Greater Manchester braces for snow as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning / Credit: Geograph | Pexels
Under the yellow weather warning, you should expect some roads and railways to be affected with longer journey times, some injuries may occur from slips and falls on icy surfaces, and there are likely some icy patches on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths.
“With Arctic air now covering most of the UK, very cold weather will continue through the weekend, with minus double figures overnight in places and daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 0°C for some,” explained Chief Met Office Forecaster, Neil Armstrong.
“It looks like this cold spell could last well into next week and wintry hazards will continue with more weather warnings likely. It is therefore important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings and plan ahead.”
You can keep up to date with weather warnings on the Met Office website here.
As for Clegg, the former Warrington Rylands and Macclesfield FC boss, Altrincham scout, and two-time Colls coach – who also has a long association with the well-established miners’ club – he is stepping away from football management altogether for the time being.
“Today, I’ve made the decision to step down from my role at Atherton Collieries”, he continues. “Coming back to the club over the last 14 months has meant a great deal to me.
“The aim was to help the club move away from relegation and then leave it in a secure mid-table position, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. I want to thank everyone at the club – players, staff, volunteers and supporters — for making me feel so welcome again.
“I’ve genuinely loved my time back at the Colls. The team is in very good hands with Danny and Tom [Bentham], and there’s a strong playing squad in place. I leave knowing the club is in a positive position.”
As mentioned, fellow coach Tom Bentham will remain in post supporting Lafferty during his transition into the top job, as well as provide some consistency in terms of leadership.
🚨HERE WE GO!🚨@JHulme1 & @Gazseddon kicked off our new season with the return of fan favourite…MICHAEL CLEGG!
👀 What really happened at Macclesfield. 😬 Working with Robbie Savage 💔 Play-Off heartbreak And more!
Meanwhile, Clegg signed off with the following: “Over the next few months, I want to reflect, watch football at different levels, and decide what I want next from the game.
“I’m hopeful that in 2026 I’ll be able to free up time and look to return from next summer. Thanks again for the support, and I wish the club every success moving forward.”
He also went on to congratulate his successor following confirmation of his replacement, commenting, “One of the best. Go and smash it, mate.”
As for his employers, they added: “We would like to thank Michael for his efforts and contributions, managing the Black & Whites for a total of 369 matches across his two spells, including last season’s historic ‘Great Escape’.”
‘Cleggy’ has long been considered a bit of a non-league cult hero, and we have every faith he’ll work wonders whatever he does next.
Georgina Pellant -
11th August 2023 
