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.
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
News
A literacy charity is making its way to Manchester bringing lots of FREE books
Thomas Melia
A charity dedicated to literacy is coming to Manchester in May providing families and individuals with plenty of free books.
Led by Bookbanks, this London-founded organisation was set up in line with food banks to provide people with access to free books and now they’re coming all the way to Manchester.
This charity started in 2022 all thanks to writer and journalist Emily Rhodes, who has read her fair share of books and wants to give this privilege to anyone who might not be able to get their hands on any.
The charity has seen widespread positive reception quickly expanding into Norfolk and is now partnering with various food banks in Manchester, marking the organisation’s first Northern venture.
Bookbanks gives out an average of 30 books per week, per site and has distributed over 5,000 books so far at food banks.
Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Titled Bookbanks after the fact that they work very closely with food banks to provide books far and wide to food banks across the UK, they also host a range of interactive events.
Alongside all the fantastic work the team do, there’s a handful of free workshops and author events on offer for all ages and backgrounds, to further build the connection between people and their books.
Currently, there are two famous figures backing this book-based charity, Elizabeth Day and Andrew O’Hagan, both of which are no stranger to a pen and paper.
Day is an award-winning author who has written nine fiction and non-fiction books to date, while O’Hagan is Booker Prize nominated and is London Review of Books’ Editor-at-Large.
Bookbanks relies on the general public to spread their message further and there’s even a section on their website detailing how you can get involved to continue distributing books within food banks.
One of Bookbank’s many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Whether you’re an avid runner or keen to try something new why not raise money for and be sponsored by Bookbanks, knowing you’ve done your bit to bring books to those who need them most.
If you don’t fancy lacing up those trainers and heading out for a run, why not donate any old books you’ve finished reading to this book-focused charity and allow others to discover a whole new world of reading.
Bookbanks first official Manchester site will launch on Friday 2 May at Manchester Central Food bank and a second site is already in talks at Greater Together Manchester’s Social Supermarket in Miles Platting.
To find out more ways to get involved as a company, publisher, member of public and more, you can find all information on their official site HERE.
Featured Image: Publicity Picture via Annabelle Williams
News
Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who was killed in a fatal collision last month, alongside his beloved dog, have paid tribute to him.
Andrew Old, 61, had been walking along Greenwood Road in Wythenshawe when he was struck by a vehicle that had been involved in a collision.
He had been waking his ‘lovely’ dog, Liddy, who also died at the scene.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Sunday 9 March but tragically both Andrew and his beloved pet passed away.
Paying tribute to him, Andrew’s family said: “Andrew was our happy go lucky brother and he is so sadly missed by us all.
“We miss his smiles, his laughter, his jokes and his hourly phone calls.
“Words cannot describe the shock and disbelief that we feel due to the loss of Andrew, we are absolutely devastated.
“Andrew tragically died only metres from his home, whilst walking his lovely dog Liddy.
“The only solace we have is that Andrew and Liddy were not alone at such a horrific time and that they were together. Andrew and Liddy will always be in our hearts.”
Daisy Jackson -
7th November 2022 
