Lioness and former Manchester City star Jill Scott has already won the hearts of the nation on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! after just one episode.
The footballer, who owns a coffee shop in Wythenshawe, has already been labelled as this year’s winner with viewers demanding she’s handed the crown immediately.
Twitter erupted into a Jill Scott fan club last night during the opening episode of the ITV reality show, with people praising her bravery in the trial and her support of her fellow campmates.
Last night’s trial saw Jill and Charlene White have to walk a plank that was suspended from the top of a skyscraper – and then let go of their handles to dangle in mid-air.
Just watching it on screen was terrifying, but throughout the whole ordeal Jill was shouting words of encouragement back at Charlene.
— I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (@imacelebrity) November 6, 2022
Illustrator Graeme Bandeira tweeted: “Jill Scott – class. Walked so fast on that plank I was expecting her to step off in New Zealand. She’s hardcore.”
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Someone else said: “We all need Jill Scott telling us she is proud of us in our lives.”
Columnist Rafael Behr wrote: “Not at all surprisingly, Jill Scott turns out to be hard as nails.”
Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert, also praised the 35-year-old sporting hero, saying: “I wonder if it’s years of sports psychology or just deep inner strength (or a combination) that made Jill Scott so rock in that task.”
Of course, many people were quick to pull out Jill’s most viral moment – the clip of her during the Women’s Euros shouting ‘F*** off you f***ing p***k’ on the pitch.
A glorious piece of history.
“My names Jill Scott and I’m best known for kicking a ball for the lionesses” no Jill, sorry this is what you’re best known for #ImACelebritypic.twitter.com/CZM7MRcH87
Another moment from last night’s episode that delighted viewers was Jill getting in a right tangle with her hammock and tipping herself out onto the ground.
As she fell, she said: “I think I just fell out the hammock” – which, reader, she definitely did.
She then joked that she was ‘going to have to sleep on the floor’.
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Seeing as Sir Mo Farah also toppled out of the I’m A Celeb hammocks when he was a contestant, it seems to be something athletes struggle to get to grips with.
Many fans were disheartened to see that Matt Hancock, this year’s most controversial celebrity contestant, wasn’t there for the first show.
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The Tory MP and former Health Secretary is expected to enter the jungle tonight, where fans are already threatening to vote him in for every possible bushtucker trial.
Other contestants on I’m A Celebrity 2022 include Chris Moyles, Sue Cleaver and Boy George.
Featured image: ITV
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Chester Zoo announces new spring date for its popular running event to help UK wildlife
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has announced that its popular Run For Nature is back again this year, and this time, there’s a new spring edition.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo seen success with this event in the past few years, with thousands of runners signing up for one of the North West’s most unique athletic experiences and all funds raised going towards efforts to protect highly-endangered giraffes in Africa.
This year though, the much-loved event’s focus brings conservation ‘a little closer to home’ and will protect some of the UK’s most threatened species instead – with all funds helping to safeguard hedgehogs, kingfishers, otters, harvest mice, and more.
It comes as the UK is currently considered one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.
Participants will first get to wind through the zoo and enjoy glimpses of elephants, lemurs, and other incredible species along the way, before heading out into the picturesque Cheshire countryside.
Adults can choose from a 10K or 5K route, while younger runners are invited to take part in a one-mile ‘Zoom’ race, open to children aged four-15, which takes place entirely within the zoo’s incredible 130-acre grounds.
All runners will receive free entry to the zoo for the rest of the day as part of their registration, along with a 25% discount for friends and family who come along to show support.
Chester Zoo’s popular 10K charity run is returns with a new spring date / Credit: Chester Zoo
Lorraine Jubb, who is the Fundraising Lead at Chester Zoo, called the Run For Nature a ‘really special event’.
“In previous years, runners have already supported conservation efforts for Asian elephants, Eastern black rhinos and Northern giraffe,” she explained. This springtime though, we’re turning our attention much closer to home in the UK, and to the wildlife we share our gardens, parks and countryside with.
“With one in six species now at risk of extinction in the UK, every runner will be playing a vital role in helping us protect animals and supporting our growing nature recovery work across right across Cheshire.
Run For Nature will take place on the new springtime date of Sunday 29 March 2026, and there’s 3,000 places to sign up for.
You can find out more and register on the Chester Zoo website here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Transport Secretary commits to ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The Transport Secretary has signed a ‘transformational’ rail deal for Greater Manchester.
The Government has formally agreed to work with Greater Manchester and Mayor Andy Burnham on plans for a new railway connecting Liverpool and Manchester, via Warrington, as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
The new Liverpool-Manchester line is said to underpin the Northern Growth Corridor – which is a bold strategy to drive growth from the Mersey to the Pennines, stretching into Yorkshire, Lancashire, North Wales, and beyond – with a key connection at Manchester Airport.
Local analysis has suggested that the new line could generate around £90 billion in additional revenue by 2040.
Also, as part of the major investment of up to £45 billion – which was announced a couple of weeks back, and is tipped to transform rail travel across the North – the Government has also said it will work with Greater Manchester partners to explore an underground option at Manchester Piccadilly station, recognising its potential as a ‘catalyst for growth’.
Local leaders say they are keen to demonstrate how an underground station could turn Piccadilly into a ‘Kings Cross of the North’.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met with Mayor Andy Burnham last week to sign the formal agreement.
The agreement recognises the potential for an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly, while also acknowledging the need for further ‘testing’ to make sure it will deliver value for money, and additionally sets out how the Government will work with Greater Manchester on the wider NPR scheme – which will be delivered in three stages, with the Liverpool-Manchester line to be built in the second phase.
The Transport Secretary has committed to a ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester / Credit: TfGM (Supplied)
A formal review of the underground option at Manchester Piccadilly is to be lead by local leaders and senior civil servants.
“I’ve strengthened this Government’s clear and unwavering commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail by signing an agreement with Mayor Burnham on the next steps for transforming connectivity in Greater Manchester,” explained Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“With a new line between Manchester and Liverpool at the heart of our plans, alongside new stations at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, we will unlock new opportunities, more jobs and more housing for thousands of people.
“By providing early clarity on scope and phasing, we are giving Greater Manchester the certainty it needs to plan ahead and unlock the full economic and social benefits for its people.”
Daisy Jackson -
7th November 2022 
