News

Fatman Scoop has died at 53 after collapsing on stage

'The undisputed voice of the club'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 31st August 2024

Fatman Scoop has died at just 53 years old after a medical emergency on stage in the States.

The rapper, real name Isaac Freeman III, was rushed to hospital but has tragically passed away, his family and agent have confirmed.

Fatman Scoop was one of the biggest names and most common voices on dance floors across the world in the mid-noughties.

He was best known for his work with Missy Elliott on Lose Control, and Mariah Carey on It’s Like That, as well as his 1999 hit Be Faithful.

His tragic death has been confirmed by a statement released by his family this afternoon.

ADVERTISEMENT

They wrote: “It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop.

“Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.

ADVERTISEMENT

“FatManScoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and a friend.

“He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage.

“FatMan Scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club. His music made us dance and embrace life with positivity.

ADVERTISEMENT

“His joy was infectious and the generosity he extended to all will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

“As we mourn the loss of FatManScoop, we also celebrate his remarkable life and the countless lives he touched.

“FatMan Scoop’s legacy is of love and brightness, it will reside in our hearts and memories forever.”

Read more

Featured image: Publicity picture

News

Gregg Wallace now faces claims of ‘groping’ and ‘touching’ as misconduct investigation continues

Danny Jones Danny Jones

The allegations against Gregg Wallace continue to mount as the former MasterChef host is now facing fresh claims of ‘groping’ and inappropriate ‘touching’.

Wallace stepped down from the show last week after pressure from an initial accusation ultimately resulted in a total of 13 individuals coming forward to lodge formal, historical complaints.

Spanning across a 17-year period, with the 60-year-old having worked on MasterChef and other TV projects for nearly two whole decades, these latest allegations were put to his representatives on Tuesday but Wallace still strongly denies engaging in anything of a “sexualised nature”.

According to the latest in the BBC News investigation, he is now accused of numerous instances of both sexually-charged comments and behaviour. Actor, comedian, writer and fellow TV personality Emma Kennedy also says she believes he “does not understand” when he’s being inappropriate.

Speaking to the corporation, one woman referred to only as ‘Lisa’ says that while filming for the Eat Well For Less show at a supermarket back in 2015, Wallace “brushed past me at the checkout, and touched my bum with his waist and penis and laughed and said ‘oooh you liked that didn’t you’.”

Despite insisting she felt like she just had to get on with her job at the time, she says: “I wasn’t ok about it. When I finished the shoot, I felt it was slimy, disgusting. He just didn’t need to touch my body, it made me uncomfortable.” She also says she raised the issues with a senior colleague but nothing happened.

In a separate incident, Wallace is also accused of touching another woman inappropriately after he asked her to walk him to the car park after an event. “As we walked down, he started putting his arm around me, saying ‘Go on, hold my hand, don’t you want to stand next to me?’ It was totally out of the blue, and totally unwanted”, she said.

The anonymous woman said she was later pulled into a group hug in an elevator, during which she claims the long-serving MasterChef co-presenter and household name “put his hand on my bottom and groped me”, adding, “It made me feel gross, it was horrible.”

She went on to say that although she still struggles to see his face on TV and feels “sad that so many people are coming forward”, she’s also relieved that so many have spoken out about their experiences.

Read more:

MasterChef production company, Banijay UK – who are working in full cooperation with the BBC as part of their own internal investigation – state they have no record of these issues being raised at the time of the incidents, reiterating that this is the case for all 13 women who have now filed complaints.

Banijay and BBC have agreed to pull the two already recorded 2024 MasterChef Christmas special episodes that were scheduled to air on BBC One this month.

Meanwhile, while Wallace is still yet to respond to these most recent allegations, he still categorically denies the claims already put forward.

The former greengrocer and restaurant owner did, however, apologise for a recent response video he made during which he received additional backlash for citing those who complained as “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” – a comment which a No.10 official branded “misogynistic”.

Gregg Wallace apologises after Downing Streets labels ‘middle-class women’ comments ‘misogynistic’
Gregg Wallace suggested those accusing him of ‘groping’ and inappropriate conduct are a small minority of a certain demographic.

Featured Images — BBC (screenshot via MasterChef YouTube)

News

A local employment charity is looking to raise £25,000 for Greater Manchester women this Christmas

Danny Jones Danny Jones Womens employment charity Greater Manchester

The regional arm of a nationwide employment charity that specialises in helping women into the workplace is aiming to raise a minimum of £25,000 for Greater Manchester locals this Christmas.

Smarts Works, an organisation that does crucial work to combat unemployment all over the UK, is ramping up its year-round efforts this festive period – a time that can prove difficult for many – to help women secure jobs and support those that land them in their new roles.

Teaming up with, The Big Give (the leading match-funding programme in the country), the charity hopes to potentially double its target amount to reach what could be a life-changing sum or hundreds if not thousands across the region.

Not only will this crucial funding help support Smart Works in its mission to empower unemployed women, equipping them with the confidence, skills and tools they need to secure employment, but it will also help spread awareness and access surrounding the organisation’s vital services.

Credit: Smart Works (supplied)


Starting from the week commencing on Tuesday, 3 December and running until 10 December, any financial donation Smart Works receives for their Christmas fundraiser will be matched by The Big Give.

This means that should they surpass their £25k target, they could potentially unlock over £50k for their centres here in Manchester and Stockport, with other facilities providing much-needed help all over the North West.

How much they manage to raise by the end of the week, the money will go towards funding tailored coaching sessions, interview preparation new starter support and even supplying applicants with work-
appropriate clothing for women who need it most around the region.

Better than just helping people enter or get back into the working world, Smart Works also supports unemployed women right throughout the process, from making sure they dress for the job they want, receiving coaching to nail the interview and continuing to provide help once they’ve started.

Over two-thirds of women who use the Smart Works service find employment within a month of their
appointment. Last year in Greater Manchester alone, Smart Works helped more than 833 women; nationally into work and the charity aims to support 10,000 women nationwide this year.

Read more:

The fundraising page opens from 12pm today (3 December) and will remain open until the same time a week from now, giving us Mancs plenty of chance to make a difference.

Another key area of Smart Works’ most important areas of work is outreach: i.e. actively engaging with townships and villages, referral partners and job fairs to encourage as many referrals as possible, which goes a long way to building stronger community connections.

During the challenging holiday season and with a cost of living crisis still looming large over all of us, the value of initiatives like this in Manchester and the work done by the important employment charity cannot be overstated.

You can do your bit by donating HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Smarts Works Greater Manchester (supplied)

More News

Gregg Wallace apologises for middle class women comments

Food & Drink

Gregg Wallace apologises after Downing Streets labels ‘middle-class women’ comments ‘misogynistic’

Manchester vape company could save Typhoo from administration

Business

Manchester company set to rescue beloved tea brand Typhoo from administration

Katie Walderman replacing Lucy Meacock on Granada Reports ITV

News

ITV confirm Granada Reports replacement after presenter Lucy Meacock’s departure

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches