Olly Murs had the audience at the AO Arena Manchester sobbing last night after he paid tribute to his late friend, Caroline Flack.
The Heart Skips a Beat singer is best-known for his upbeat pop songs but took the time to honour his former friend with an emotional tribute.
He dedicated an acoustic version of Sweet Caroline to the presenter, who died in 2020.
Speaking to the crowd, Olly urged people to check in on anyone they thought might be struggling, saying: “Make the effort. Because you might be able to change what they decide to do.”
He described Caroline as ‘an amazing human’ and described her love for music and dancing.
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Olly also said: “The fact that she’s not here any more is horrible. I miss her every single day.”
The star then introduced his version of Sweet Caroline, saying ‘this one’s for you, Caz’.
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Fans who were there have reported sobbing their way through his speech and performance.
One person said: “Olly singing sweet Caroline had me sobbing. Cazza would be so proud of you @ollymurs!”
Another said: “Thank you so much for an amazing night! I cried and cried when you talked about Caroline, I lost my sister in April ’20 and I had tears streaming down my face when you talked about grief and loss. Thank you for a fab show! Good luck at your wedding.”
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As always, what a performance by @ollymurs 🤍 and what a tribute to Caroline Flack. 🌹 Sweet Carolineee Du Du Duuuu 🎶 it’s okay not to be okay, check in on those you know, you never know how someone is feeling on the inside. 😢💔 pic.twitter.com/cw25CTosKR
Someone else posted: “Olly Murs just did an acoustic cover of Sweet Caroline as a tribute to Caroline Flack and sobbed the whole way through it. Genuinely very lovely.”
Olly’s full speech about Caroline Flack said: “One of my good friends, in February 2020, took her own life. Miss Caroline Flack.
“It was a really difficult time for me. And it’s mad, because I was looking through some old Instagrams earlier, some old photos that we’ve got, and we used to spend so much time in Manchester because we used to do loads of filming for X Factor and loads of different things.
“So being here tonight is really really special.
“It was one of the lowest moments of my life. She was such an amazing human. We had our fights, we had our rows, we got on sometimes we didn’t, but she was always such a great person to be around, someone I loved very much.
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Olly Murs just did an acoustic cover of Sweet Caroline as a tribute to Caroline Flack and sobbed the whole way through it. Genuinely very lovely pic.twitter.com/vid6zRipqt
“So the fact that she’s not here any more is horrible. I miss her every single day.
“When you’re dealing with something like that it’s super super tough, and the only way that I could deal with it, with grief my way, is by music – by singing, and performing.
“That’s what she loved to do. You guys must have watched her on Strictly. She was incredible on Strictly, and not only that she was an incredible singer. So I wanted to do something on this tour to dedicate to her, a tribute to my lovely friend Caroline Flack who I miss every single day.
“So I’m going to sing this song for her. Before I sing it, if you know anyone who’s struggling real bad, or even if you don’t know it, if you think something’s not right, please speak to them, please give them a call, go round there and see them, make the effort. Because you might be able to change what they decide to do. Please please do it.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is my version of Sweet Caroline. This is for you, Caz.”
Ocean Colour Scene announce big Manchester show on special anniversary tour
Danny Jones
Veteran UK rock band Ocean Colour Scene (OCS) are hopping on the booming anniversary tour bandwagon and coming to Manchester for a big arena gig next year.
The key Britpop figures who also dipped their toes in everything from indie to shoegaze and the so-called ‘baggy pop’ era, are soon to celebrate 30 years since their seminal sophomore studio LP, Moseley Shoals, which dropped all the way back in April 1996.
As a key part of the 90s rock movement in this country, the record was not only an impressive follow-up that avoided the pitfalls of second-album syndrome, but features some of the group’s most beloved tracks, such as ‘The Riverboat Song’, ‘The Circle’, and most iconic of all: ‘The Day We Caught the Train’
For those of you who remember its release, it may seem hard to believe that it’s been that long, but if the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour has taught us anything, it’s that those formative tracks NEVER get old.
The years may have passed…But their fandom still thrives.Credit: Dave Briggs (via Flickr)/Brian Sweeney (supplied)
Coming to the legendary AO Arena (not for the first time), Ocean Colour Scene will no doubt be tapping into that same old ‘Madchester‘ scene that helped fill their crowds in these parts back in the day.
Speaking on the upcoming tour, frontman Simon Fowler said, “It’s hard to believe that Moseley Shoals turns 30 in 2026. We owe so much to that album, so it’s exciting to be able to look forward to this very special anniversary and celebrate with our amazing fans at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues.”
There are a few Northern dates for us to make the most of here in England, too, including not just Manchester but Bradford and Newcastle as well.
You can see the full list of domestic dates for the Ocean Colour Scene Moseley Shoals 30th Anniversary Tour down below:
As you can see, perhaps one of the things we’re most excited about with this one is the support act, as fellow cult favourites The Enemy will also be joining as special guests on the road.
General admission tickets for OCS’s tour go live at 9am on 17 October, but those keen on presale can secure early access through the venue the day prior, and Three+ members can do so from as early as next Wednesday (15 Oct); get ready to grab yours HERE.
They’re not the only long-standing favourites of the decade who are toasting a big milestone with even bigger venues next year, either.
The Streets have just announced a massive outdoor gig in Manchester
Danny Jones
UK hip-hop, garage and grime icons The Streets have become the latest act confirmed for the Sounds of the City musical festival 2026, announcing a huge outdoor gig in Manchester as part of their shows next summer.
One of the most influential bands in the space, having inspired countless others in adjacent genres over the past couple of decades, The Streets are up there with some of the biggest names to ever book Castlefield Bowl.
Revealing a brand new UK tour in line with a special album anniversary, which features just a handful of domestic live dates, we’re counting ourselves very lucky to be on the list.
Big news! The Streets @mikeskinnerltd will perform 'A Grand Don’t Come For Free' in full for the first time at Manchester Castlefield Bowl & @Yourallypally Park in July 2026 🔥
Set to play the fan favourite amphitheatre for the second time, the 46-year-old frontman and legendary British producer is bringing vocalist Kevin Mark Trail, guitarist Rob Harvey, and a number of other regular session players along for the ride.
Other cities being treated to the experience include the likes of London, Bristol and our mates over in Leeds, too.
The tour itself is to mark 20 years since the release of their seminal second album, A Grand Don’t Come For Free, which remains arguably their most important work.
Skinner and his mates join the likes of The K’s in being the first to join the lineup for Sounds of the City 2026; safe to say it’s already off to a good start.
An incredibly well-received follow-up to their already impressive debut, Original Pirate Material, the much-loved 2004 LP is set to be played in full for the first time EVER.
Speaking on the milestone, Skinner said:“A Grand Don’t Come For Free was a moment in time — for me, and for everyone who grew up with it. I wrote it as a story from beginning to end, even studying screenwriting to shape it and without the faintest idea how people would react.
“We’ve been looking for something bold to do with the live show, and we landed here: some tracks have never been played live, others haven’t surfaced in years.
“It’s a new challenge to bring the whole journey to life on stage, but I have an incredible band, and we always give everything every night. So I’m certain we’ll make finding out what happened to that thousand quid a party every night.”
You can see the full list of shows down below.
The Streets live UK tour dates 2026
Friday, June 26, 2026 – Dreamland – Margate
Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Bristol Sounds – Bristol
Saturday, July 18, 2026 – Alexandra Palace Park – London
Thursday, July 23, 2026 – Ludlow Castle – Ludlow
Friday, July 24, 2026 – Kirkstall Abbey – Leeds
Friday, August 7, 2026 – Audley End Estate – Essex
Friday, August 21, 2026 – Rock n Roll Circus – Norwich
You can get ready to grab your tickets for The Streets live for Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl by signing up for exclusive artist pre-sale access, or you can just go for general admission when they go live next Friday, 17 October HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
6th May 2023 
