Our Manc of the Month series is back, and there could not be a more worthy or inspiring person chosen this time round.
We all know that Manchester is home to some special people, some born here and others drawn here, and after a bumpy two years that effectively amounted to one big lockdown, it’s these special people that have inspired and led us through the tough times – so we decided to start a series that shines a light on those who should be celebrated.
Following on from our ‘The Mancs of the Year’ feature towards the end of 2020, Manc of the Month officially kicked off in July 2021, with Marcus Rashford MBE, Manchester’s mural king Akse P-19, the local chef feeding the region’s vulnerable families Mary-Ellen McTague, and Manchester’s groundbreaking new Council leader Bev Craig among previous honourees.
But this month, it’s the turn of local boyband member Tom Parker, who’s beaten the odds to get back on top.
The past few months have been unlike any other for beloved British boyband, The Wanted.
ADVERTISEMENT
The five-piece pop group – which first formed all the way back in 2009, and is made up of members Max George, Jay McGuinness, Nathan Sykes, and Siva Kaneswaren alongside Parker himself – first found success in the UK, before going on to build up a global fan base in the 2010s thanks to a handful of smash-hit singles, including ‘All Time Low’, ‘Glad You Came’, and ‘Chasing The Sun’, as well as releasing three studio albums.
Not long after the release of their third studio album ‘Word Of Mouth’, The Wanted announced in January 2014 that they would be taking an extended hiatus to pursue individual solo projects – but, in 2021, the boys decided to get the band back together to release a compilation album titled ‘Most Wanted: Greatest Hits’, and to take to the stage one more time.
ADVERTISEMENT
And it’s all for a cause that’s extremely close to their hearts.
Tom Parker with his wife Kelsey, and their two children Aurelia and Bodhi / Credit: Channel 4
It’s fair to say that it’s been a long road back to the stage for The Wanted, but for Tom Parker, it’s been a bigger journey than most.
The Bolton-born 33-year-old was diagnosed with a terminal inoperable brain tumour, known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), back in October 2020.
ADVERTISEMENT
Announcing the devastating diagnosis in a social media statement at the time, Tom said: “There’s no easy way to say this but I’ve sadly been diagnosed with a brain tumour and I’m already undergoing treatment. We decided, after a lot of thought, that rather than hiding away and trying to keep it a secret, we would do one interview where we could lay out all the details and let everyone know the facts in our own way.
“We are all absolutely devastated but we are gonna fight this all the way.”
Following on from his diagnosis, Tom shared that he has been undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as receiving private treatment on top of NHS care, in best efforts to prolong his life.
In recent months, Tom has bravely shared his journey in a TV special for Stand Up To Cancer, and has also spoken out during an appearance on a new podcast saying that a “massive improvement” is needed in treatment for brain tumours, and that a lack of research funding is part of the issue.
Tom was diagnosed with a terminal inoperable brain tumour known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) back in October 2020 / Credit: Instagram (@tomparkerofficial)
He added that the NHS had been “great” – but he wants more to be done.
A chemotherapy drug called Temozolomide is the standard treatment offered by the NHS to GBM patients – which hasn’t altered for almost 20 years, according to leading charity Brain Tumour Research – and Tom said that it’s “shocking” that this hasn’t been changed in such a long time.
“I think [the NHS has] been great, but I think there’s a massive improvement needed in treatment for brain tumours,” he concluded.
The people of Greater Manchester have shown unwavering support of Tom over the past 12 months since his diagnosis, which is why he was so overjoyed to announce that his latest MRI scan had shown a “significant reduction” of the tumour back in January, and then share the miraculous news merely a few weeks ago that the tumour is now “under control”.
“We had the results from my latest scan, and I’m delighted to say it is stable,” Tom said in an emotional post on social media earlier this month.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Such a mix of emotions [and] we couldn’t ask for any more really at this point, a year or so into this journey.”
He also thanked everyone for all the “love and support over the last 12+ months.”
The Wanted reunited in 2021 to release a new greatest hits album, and take to the stage on more time / Credit: The Wanted
Tom was able to channel the positive energy from this news and take it back out on stage with him as The Wanted reunited for a special, one-off charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall a few weeks back to raise crucial funds for cancer charities Stand Up To Cancer and The Brain Appeal in his name.
‘Most Wanted: Greatest Hits’ was also released this month – which included all the fan-favourites, alongside two new songs – and entered straight into the UK charts.
The Bolton lad has been on a turbulent journey over the past 12 months, from battling brain cancer to being back performing in front of thousands – and he is no doubt an inspiration to us all.
ADVERTISEMENT
This is why Tom Parker is our Manc of the Month for November 2021.
Greater Manchester museum crowned the best FREE museum to visit in the UK
Emily Sergeant
A hidden gem museum in Greater Manchester has just been crowned one of the best free attractions in the UK.
With half term upon us and the Easter holidays not far off either, plenty of parents, carers, and guardians across Greater Manchester will likely be looking for a ways to keep the kids entertained and educated while schools are out, and without having to break the bank too – especially the classic rainy Manchester weather shows itself.
But luckily enough, one of Greater Manchester‘s popular museums has taken the top spot in a list of the best free museums and galleries to visit in the whole of the UK.
Not only that, but six other attractions in the region have also featured on the long list.
The list, which has been compiled by GoldCo, features some the UK’s ‘best-kept secrets for unforgettable family adventures’ – with all of the attractions described as being a ‘lifesaver’ during half term, thanks to their immersive learning experiences.
Bolton Museum has been crowned the best free museum to visit in the UK / Credit: Bolton Council
Whether you’re interested in history, science, or art, these top-rated venues promise an engaging experience for all ages, and all without having to pay a penny.
Surprisingly, it’s Bolton Museum – which is found on the Grade II-listed Le Mans Crescent in the town centre, dates back to 1852, and has been a part of the leisure and education of Boltonians for over 120 years – which takes the number one spot on the list, with 93% of visitors giving the attraction a five-star rating and review.
The Council-owned public attraction is also home to an art gallery, library, and aquarium too, as well as the museum.
Some of the popular exhibitions inside the town centre-based facility include the Egyptology, Archaeology & World Cultures section, which is actually one of the largest regional collections in the UK, made up of over 10,000 archaeological objects, and a wide range of Zoology, Geology, and Palaeontology sections.
The museum is in the heart of the town’s centre, along with art the library, art gallery, and aquarium / Credit: Google Maps
There’s also an extensive local history section, with 38,000 objects from the 17th to 20th century relating to Bolton.
In total, Greater Manchester has seven free museums and art galleries that rank in the top 100 list, including Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives at 13, the People’s History Museum in the 78th spot, and The Manchester Museum taking 89th place.
The North West as a whole is the region with the second most free cultural attractions in the UK, with 28 free places to visit across the wider region.
Featured Image – Bolton Council
Bolton
Toxic Town – new star-studded Netflix drama series filmed in Greater Manchester airs next week
Emily Sergeant
A trailer and first look images for a gripping new Netflix drama series filmed in Greater Manchester have been released.
Viewers are being given a teaser of what to expect before it airs next week.
Produced by Charlie Brooker and Annabelle Jones, and based on one of the UK’s biggest environmental scandals, Toxic Town tells the story of the people at the heart of the 2009 Corby poisonings, that started decades ago in the 1980s, and focuses on a group of mothers who took on a David and Goliath-style battle for justice.
The four-part series written by acclaimed screenwriter, Jack Thorne, traces the years of the mothers’ fight and watches as a terrible truth comes to the surface.
Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood and Claudia Jessie star in TOXIC TOWN. Premiering 27 February.
Based on the true story of one of the UK’s biggest environmental scandals, the limited series follows a group of mothers fighting to bring a terrible truth to surface and justice for… pic.twitter.com/HgRoUKBIod
The cast of the new drama is seriously star-studded, with local Northern actors Jodie Whittaker – best known for Doctor Who and Broadchurch – and Stockport-born Aimee Lou Wood – who is best known for the Netflix series Sex Education, as well as the BBC sitcom Daddy Issues, and is currently starring in the third series of HBO’s The White Lotus – taking on the lead roles.
Robert Carlyle, Brendan Coyle, and Rory Kinnear are some of the other famous names playing pivotal roles in the show, alongside Bridgerton’s Claudia Jessie, Game of Thrones’ and Skins’ Joe Dempsey, and This is England’s Michael Socha.
New star-studded drama series Toxic Town airs on Netflix next week/ Credit: Netflix UK & Ireland
Show creator Jack Thorne called it the “cast of dreams”.
“I couldn’t believe that we were able to get these people, and that they were prepared to be part of this story,” he commented. “And boy, did they all deliver.”
“Each of them just brought something new that I’d never seen them do before,” Thorne teased ahead of the show’s air. “And when you’re with a cast that’s doing that consistently, it’s so exciting to watch and it’s so beautiful.”
Despite the story being set in the Northamptonshire town of Corby, the majority of this new series was actually filmed here in Greater Manchester – primarily in Bolton.
Over the last decade or so, Bolton has developed a ‘Hollywood of the North’ nickname as the town’s centre and wider borough’s historic buildings and architecture, and striking rural landscapes, have become a favourite for production crews looking to replicate other well-known worldwide locations such as London, New York, and even Moscow.
Camera crews for popular TV shows such as Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, It’s A Sin, Brassic, The Stranger, Fool Me Once, and A Gentleman in Moscow have all rolled into the town in recent times.
Emily Sergeant -
30th November 2021 
