News
GMB forced to apologise after journalist calls Matt Hancock ‘a complete d***head’
The UK public still reeling from the news that former health secretary Matt Hancock is actually going on this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and, to be honest, so are we.
That being said, most people have already made their feelings towards his inclusion crystal clear: they can’t wait to watch the heavily criticised Covid cabinet minister scoff a whole bunch of witchetty grubs for as long as possible.
Some more than others, it would seem, as on Wednesday’s episode of Good Morning Britain, journalist Andrew Pierce had one message for him: “you’re a d***head”.
As you can see before the clip cuts off, the divisive Daily Mail columnist asks “can I say that?”, to which Susanna Reid quickly replies: “No, no! No, you can’t say that. Apologies, everyone”.
However, as proved by the reaction on social media, the majority of those watching at home didn’t seem to mind; one person wrote, “The use of the word d***head on daytime tv is totally acceptable when referring to Matt Hancock.”
The right-wing writer clearly had no regrets about his outburst either, as shortly after the show issued its apology he simply doubled down and added, “let’s hope he endures some humiliating challenges before he’s voted off”.
Hancock had the Tory party whip removed after agreeing to go into the jungle and was suspended as an MP almost immediately.
The 44-year-old said he made the decision to try and “prove that politicians are humans” and also raise awareness for a dyslexia charity campaign. However, as Pierce noted in his now-viral GMB appearance, it’s likely any attempt at a compassionate appeal will fall on deaf ears
We imagine quite a few of you are looking forward to watching this year.
You can see the full list of 2022 I’m A Celeb cast members here:
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Featured Image — Good Morning Britain
News
Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
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Featured image: The Manc Group
News
Manchester man jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of woman on train
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of a woman on board a train to Manchester.
Following an extensive British Transport Police (BTP) investigation, Nisan Fernando Kurukulasuriya, of Troutbeck Road in Altrincham, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court last month.
At the trail last month, the court heard how, on Monday 20 April 2026, 39-year-old Kurukulasuriya was on a train from Stoke to Manchester and sat next to a woman he didn’t know, who was on the phone.
He then sexually assaulted her repeatedly, doing so again even after being pushed away by the woman.
The woman then noticed that Kurukulasuriya had exposed himself and was masturbating in front of her. She shouted at him, and in response, he stood up and ran away to leave the train – but the woman immediately got up to report the incident to staff.
When the train arrived at Manchester Piccadilly, the woman alerted a member of staff while Kurukulasuriya was stood only a few meters away, and BTP were subsequently called straight away.
Police quickly attended and arrested Kurukulasuriya.
When police interviewed him, Kurukulasuriya showed no remorse for his actions and refused to answer any questions put to him.
After pleading guilty to Sexual Assault and Outraging Public Decency at a previous court hearing, Kurukulasuriya was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, and was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which will bar him from sitting next to any woman he doesn’t know on public transport, as well as being put on thensex offenders register for 10 years.
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BTP Detective Sergeant, Mark Haviland, called Kurukulasuriya a ‘despicable man’ who targeted a woman travelling alone ‘for his own sick sexual gratification’.
Featured Image – BTP
Danny Jones -
2nd November 2022 
