Two of Coronation Street‘s most famous faces have been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for the Platinum Jubilee.
Helen Worth and Antony Cotton have both been made MBEs.
71-year-old actress Helen Worth has been recognised for her services to drama after having played the legendary Corrie character of Gail Platt since 1974, while 46-year-old Antony Cotton – who is best known for playing the character of Sean Tully on the long-running, Manchester-based soap – has been recognised for his services to the British Army, personnel and veterans.
Helen told ITV Granada that it is “truly wonderful” to have been honoured with an MBE, adding that it was “a huge surprise” to learn that she had even been nominated.
She continued: “To be honoured for doing something I have enjoyed so much for so many years is truly wonderful, and I am particularly delighted to receive this award in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.”
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Helen has been a fan favourite on the ITV soap since she first appeared on screens nearly 50 years ago, and her character has been the centre of countless gripping storylines ever since.
Outside of acting, Helen is a patron for the international wildlife charity, Born Free Foundation, and has played an active part in campaigning and working to stop animal suffering and abuse for the past two decades.
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She is also an ambassador for the charity ActionAid.
Helen Worth and Antony Cotton have both been made MBEs / Credit: ITV
Antony Cotton may have a racked up stellar list of acting credits to his name over his career, having also notably played Alexander Perry in the popular series, Queer As Folk, made appearances on Absolutely Fabulous, and being known as a comedian and talkshow host too – but its his charitable efforts working with “our amazing Armed Forces” that have seen him be honoured this year.
The Bury-born actor has been involved with the military community since 2008.
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Since then, he has become a celebrity ambassador for military charity the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), is a patron of Help For Heroes, and has worked alongside the British Army on its mental health and resilience training programme, OPSMART.
Antony says he is “completely overwhelmed” at being made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year.
I am completely overwhelmed by the MBE, given to me in the Queen’s platinum jubilee Birthday Honours. Working with our amazing Armed Forces, in particular the @BritishArmy, has truly been the greatest honour of my life. I share this with all our service personnel and veterans
He told ITV Granada: “Working with our amazing armed forces, in particular the Army, has truly been the greatest honour of my life [and] to have a soldier, of any age or rank, come to me and entrust me with their stories, their experiences and especially their worries, has been life changing.
“When I am asked why I spend my spare time helping with the welfare of our soldiers and veterans, the answer is a simple one – I feel it is my duty, and it has genuinely become my life’s work.”
He continued: “I share this award with every single person who has ever fought for our country – I am incredibly humbled and honoured to be in your company.”
John Whiston, Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, said that everyone on Coronation Street is “so pleased” that two of its brightest stars have been honoured this year, and that it is “richly deserved” for both of them.
Featured Image – ITV
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Pair jailed after filming themselves driving over 130mph before killing man in fatal Manchester collision
Emily Sergeant
Two men who filmed themselves driving at speeds of over 130mph before a fatal collision earlier this year have now been jailed.
20-year-old Uways Hussain, of Marley Road in Manchester, has been sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison, while 23-year-old Usmon Mahmood, of Buller Road in Manchester, has been sentenced to 12 years and nine months.
Their sentences follow a night of what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) called ‘dangerous driving’ around the South Manchester area, which started at around 11pm on the evening before the collision.
The vehicle – a Volkswagon Golf – belonged to Mahmood, but he allowed Hussain to drive the vehicle at high-speed throughout the night.
On the evening prior to the collision, beginning at around 11pm, Hussain and Mahmood were driving recklessly around the South Manchester area.
According to police, the pair filmed themselves consistently travelling at speeds of over 100mph on 30mph roads, and in several cases, theyvreached over 130mph and seconds before impact, were recorded at 139mph.
Recorded footage also showed them running red lights and weaving through traffic with no regard for the safety of other road users or pedestrians.
At one stage during the night, the pair stopped at a petrol station, where footage shows Mahmood inhaling from a balloon in the passenger seat, while later o Hussain can be seen doing over 100mph and also appearing to be inhaling from a balloon while driving.
The fatal collision happened at around 4:36am on Monday 9 March 2026 at the junction of Green End Road and Kingsway, where the victim – Sylvester Abayomi, 50 – was on his way to work and entered the junction on a green light, believing it was safe to proceed, but was then struck by the car being driven by Hussain, which had travelled through a red light at extremely high speed.
Sylvester Abayomi / Credit: GMP
Immediately following the collision, GMP received several emergency calls and an automatic alert from Hussain’s Apple Watch saying he had been involved in a collision.
During this alert, both men could be heard discussing plans to flee the scene and attempting to decide what evidence they needed to remove from the vehicle. They were also heard discussing reporting the vehicle as stolen, and shortly afterwards, they booked an Uber to escape.
Emergency services attended the scene, but sadly, despite their best efforts, Sylvester sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead.
GMP says it received its first report of the incident at 4:37am,, and within 12 minutes the pair had been located, caught, and arrested by officers.
DC Thomas Johnson, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, described the incident as ‘one of the most extreme cases of dangerous driving we have encountered’.
It’s also believed that this is one of the first times in the country where a passenger has been convicted for aid and abetting causing death by dangerous driving.
Featured Image – GMP
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Stockport band Blossoms set for BIG return to Leeds Festival this year
Thomas Melia
Blossoms have just announced their big return to Leeds Festival, as the four-day music event continues to impress with its stacked lineup.
They might have a ‘Joke About Divorce’ from time to time, but when it comes to entertaining a Leeds Festival crowd, Blossoms take it very seriously, having played at Bramham Park three times in the past decade already.
The Stockport band have captivated audiences since the rise of standout track ‘Charlemagne’ and more recently with the addition of their fifth studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot fiberglass gorilla.
Known for always putting on a stellar performance, Tom, Joe, Charlie, Myles, and Josh are bringing a brand-new set to Leeds when they visit this August bank holiday weekend.
As well as releasing new music, Blossoms are making a big return to Leeds Festival 2026 / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and more topping the bill.
The Stockport five-piece are featured alongside three other insane artists as ‘Special Guests’, appearing next to Skepta, Sombr and Role Model.
Also listed on the lineup are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K’s and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, this upcoming Leeds Festival set from Blossoms will contain high energy and obviously all their biggest and best bangers from across their four chart topping albums as well as new music.
Whether you’re there for ‘Your Girlfriend’ or ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry’, one thing’s for sure, you’re guaranteed to have an absolutely spectacular night.
Blossoms are making their big return to Leeds Festival 2026 which is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd June 2022 
