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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Opening date finally confirmed for new Uniqlo store at the Trafford Centre
Emily Sergeant
Uniqlo is preparing to open its second store in Greater Manchester, and the official launch date has finally been confirmed.
The popular Japanese high street fashion retailer currently operates 24 stores in the UK, with its first British store having opened its doors all the way back in 2001, and its first European flagship store opening on Oxford Street in London in 2007 – but it was revealed earlier this year in April that Manchester was set to get a second helping.
Uniqlo announced that it would be opening its second Greater Manchester inside the Trafford Centre this autumn, following the huge success of its city centre store opening on Market Street in 2019.
The Trafford Centre store is set to make Manchester the first location outside of London to have two Uniqlo stores.
When news broke that the hoardings had officially gone up inside the shopping centre, elated shoppers raced to the comments to say things like: “No way! I’ve been waiting years for this.”
Uniqlo is preparing to open second its Manchester store inside the Trafford Centre next month / Credit: | The Manc Group
“Uniqlo in Trafford Centre would be a dream come true,” another person said on Instagram, while a third added: “I will never have to step foot on Market Street again,” and plenty others chimed in with comments like ‘finally’ and ‘can’t wait’.
And now, we officially have an opening date to share with you.
Uniqlo will open in the Trafford Centre for the first time on Thursday 15 October, with plenty of events happening across its extended opening weekend.
Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming performances will be happening throughout the day on Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 October, while the first 300 customers to spend over £69.90 in store on the Thursday (15 October) will get a special Uniqlo Manchester goody bag.
Uniqlo’s arrival at the Trafford Centre follows the opening of several other high-profile stores in recent months, like Urban Outfitters, White Company, Stradivarius, and many more.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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‘Do not let Britain’s independent businesses disappear on your watch’ – Manchester bakery makes heartbreaking plea to Andy Burnham
Clementine Hall
A beloved Manchester bakery has issued an open letter to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget begging him for help.
Barbakan Deli in Chorlton is basically an institution at this point.
The legendary bakery and delicatessen has been serving the community for 62 years, famed for its freshly-baked loaves of bread, its handmade sandwiches, and its pastries and cakes inspired by bakes from across Europe.
Posting on Instagram last night on Thursday 18 September, Frankie Dyer the director of Barbakan, issued an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Images: The Manc Group
It read: “Dear Mr Burnham, As an independent business owner in the hospitality sector, I am begging you to please read this.
“Really read it. And seriously consider what businesses like mine are telling you before the upcoming Budget.”
It continued: “In just the last two years, we have self-funded new bakery machinery, new catering kitchens, essential repairs and renovations and opened a second retail site, creating another six local jobs. We have won more than ten national awards for the quality of what we do.
“We have invested. We have grown. We have employed more people. We have worked harder than ever. In short, Prime Minister, we are doing everything you keep asking British businesses to do.
“And our bank balance is finished. That is the reality.”
The letter finished by Dyer inviting Andy Burnham to come visit the bakery and pleading for a ‘fighting chance’ to save the business: “We need action. We need meaningful reductions in the tax burden placed on employers.
“We need Employer National Insurance looked at urgently. We need a business-rates system which allows independent high-street businesses to survive. We need VAT reform for hospitality. We need Corporation Tax to reward businesses which reinvest, employ and grow.
“And we need proper grants and incentives that help established independent businesses invest and expand — not schemes with endless criteria which most ordinary businesses can never access. We need you to do something.
“And we need more than one token gesture in the Budget. A band-aid for a bullet wound. So I am asking you, Prime Minister, to come back to Manchester and see it for yourself. Pop an apron on and stand behind our counter.
Images: The Manc Group
“Come into our bakery in the middle of the night and meet the people making Manchester’s bread while most of the city is asleep. Look at our payroll, our energy bills, our rates, our supplier increases.
“Look at what leaves our bank account every single week simply for the privilege of keeping 50 people employed and our doors open. You said you wanted a government that understood the regions. You now have an opportunity to prove it.
“Independent businesses across this country are not asking for a handout. We are asking for a fighting chance. I sincerely hope your next Budget gives us one”.
Daisy Jackson -
7th November 2022 
