Jodie Comer has told of her heartbreak while preparing for her role in the much-anticipated Channel 4 film Help.
The 28-year-old Liverpool-born BAFTA and Emmy-winning actress – who is best known for her roles in Killing Eve, Doctor Foster, and My Mad Fat Diary – plays a care worker in the Channel 4 film that’s set to hit screens this week.
Jodie plays the role of Sarah – a carer who forms a bond with a man suffering from young-onset Alzheimer’s, played by Stephen Graham, 48.
To prepare for the impactful role, Jodie got the opportunity to hear first-hand about how COVID-19 had devastated a care home in Greater Manchester by spending hours talking to real-life carer Rachel Smith.
She heard about the battle to save lives at EachStep home in Blackley, and admitted she was deeply moved by the stories told.
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Jodie plays the role of Sarah – a carer who forms a bond with a man suffering from young-onset Alzheimer’s / Credit: Channel 4
Rachel, 30, told the Mirror: “I told Jodie how we started losing one patient after another and felt completely helpless as there was no rhyme nor reason to who was getting sick – and we had little idea what would happen next.
“Jodie was mortified. She was really upset about some of the stories we told her.
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“I don’t think she realised how difficult that time was and she got upset through the whole conversation.
“It wasn’t just one thing, she was tearful the whole time.”
Rachel’s experiences and the experiences of other carers were said to have provided much of the detail for the Channel 4 one-off drama, particularly noting that Comer’s character wears bin liners as makeshift PPE, just like real-life carers had to during the pandemic.
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Jodie – who is currently starring alongside Ryan Reynolds and Taika Waititi in the new comedy film Free Guy – said about her role in Help: “We started shooting literally as we went into the third lockdown and it was so surreal because the story starts before the pandemic and then the pandemic hits, so it was really strange playing out events that were so recent.”
Jodie got the opportunity to hear first-hand about how COVID-19 had devastated a care home in Greater Manchester / Credit: Channel 4
“I’m so proud of that film,” she continued.
“Stephen does these roles all the time, but I felt it was the first I’ve done where it felt bigger than all of us.”
Help will air on Channel 4 at 9pm on Thursday 16 September, and after on All4.
Featured Image – Channel 4
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Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
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All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
Emily Sergeant -
13th September 2021 
