ITV has finally confirmed their incoming replacement for long-serving presenter Lucy Meacock, who left Granada Reports earlier this year.
An instantly recognisable face across the North West, Meacock helped cover current affairs and local events across the region on their flagship news programme for 36 long years – more than half of the entire time the show has been on the air.
‘Bowing out quietly’ back in August – four years on from the tragic passing of her long-time presenting partner, Tony Morris – Granada has been without a permanent co-anchor to serve alongside Gamal Fahnbulleh ever since, but now the hosting team looks set to be restored back to full strength very soon.
Confirming the news on Friday morning, 29 November, ITV has named rival news presenter Katie Walderman as Meacock’s successor, with her first show set to air next week.
Having been part of BBC’s equivalent North West Tonight (NWT) programme for more than a decade, Walderman is virtually a perfect fit for the role.
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For those unfamiliar, despite being best known for her long and successful spell with the news corporation, she also went viral in May last year after accidentally mistaking a Eurovision fan for Finland’s 2023 entrant, Käärijä.
Lovable gaffes aside, Walderman has been one of the BBC’s most celebrated journalists in recent years, having worked in roles on BBC Breakfast and North West Today before joining NWT. She started on local radio in her hometown of Liverpool before joining Real Radio and Smooth FM in MediaCityUK.
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In fact, it was only last week that she picked up the Journalist of the Year at the 2024 Royal Television Society North West Awards – a perfect parting gift.
Announcing her own departure earlier this month, Meacock shared numerous images as she looked back on her favourite memories on the job.
And of course, our amazing viewers. Thanks for everything, it’s been an absolute blast. Can’t say what’s next yet… but have a few weeks off in between 🥳 pic.twitter.com/0ssN6gOIOm
Speaking on joining ITV, Walderman said: “It’s an absolute dream come true to join Granada Reports. I grew up watching the programme, but never in a million years did I think I’d actually get the chance to present it.
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“I was born and raised in Liverpool and I’m now bringing up three of my own little Scousers. I can’t wait to continue flying the flag for our fantastic region and all the amazing communities here.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Granada family – both the team in Salford [Quays] and all those watching at home.”
Katie Walderman and Gamal Fahnbulleh will host their first evening show together on Monday, 2 December at 6pm.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is returning to Greater Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is coming back to Manchester once again, and they’re bringing yet another phenomenal lineup with them.
National radio station and overall upcoming music connoisseurs, BBC Radio 6, are back with their music festival, and just like years previous, it’s taking place across Manchester.
Over the years, the festival has brought some of music’s biggest names to lots of local venues, putting on an array of brilliant live performances.
Last spring saw the arrival of rock band Gossip and Irish singer CMAT, both taking up residency in O2 Victoria Warehouse, Lily Fontaine of English Teacher at Band On The Wall, while DJ Seinfeld went B2B with Salute in Depot Mayfield.
Leading this glowing roster of performers is Ezra Collective, a Mercury award -winning band known for their brilliant jazz productions, and then from one Mercury-winning band to another, Lily Fontaine won’t be riding solo this year, instead she’s bringing all the crew with her, as English Teacher are set to perform at this huge festival.
Fat Dog, whose debut album is titled ‘Woof’, are joining in on the fun with Scottish band Mogwai also making a feature too.
There’s even a chance for an exclusive first listen too, as Kae Tempest will be debuting new material right here in Manchester.
Ezra Collective are performing at BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.English Teacher make a return to Manchester for this special event.Fat Dog are also playing the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.
All performances will be taking place at a multitude of venues, like the previously mentioned O2 Victoria Warehouse, Depot Mayfield, and Band On The Wall, as well as loads of other events at entertainment bar, Yes.
Every highlight, alongside live and recorded live performances, will be taking place at MediaCityUK in Salford, in order to keep everything Manchester central.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is happening from 26 – 29 March 2025, with tickets going on sale from 6 February at 10am here.
MediaCity’s new £2.5m indoor activity park confirms opening date just in time for half term
Emily Sergeant
A brand new indoor activity park is set to open its doors in Greater Manchester, and the launch date has now been revealed.
In case you missed it, it was announced towards the end of last year that Salford had been chosen by Oxygen Activeplay as the location for its next venture, and will be descending on Quayside MediaCity this month with state-of-the-art equipment and activities to help local families stay active whilst having fun at the same time.
Oxygen will sit above bustling food hall Kargo MKT, taking over the former site of I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge.
Following a £2.5 million investment, the new park will feature more than 30 trampolines, a mega-air bag, a high ropes course, a ‘Rollglider’ aerial ride which flies over the facility, and Oxygen’s signature illuminated sensory experience ‘Excite Tunnel’, along with even more “epic” activities.
A series of optional games and dance parties will also be on offer during each play session, and the new Manchester park will also host ‘Peaceful Play’ sessions designed for neurodivergent guests, who prefer a calmer and quieter playing environment, as well as there being a ‘Toddler Venture Zone’.
A cafe serving drinks, snacks, and meals is also set to overlook the park.
But, up until recently, the date when the exciting new venture would be welcoming in the public for the first time remained under lock and key.
A new £2.5m ‘state-of-the-art’ indoor activity park will be opening at MediaCity / Credit: Jamie McPhilimey
It’s been a long time coming, but after 6,000 hours of hard work from the construction team, it has now been confirmed that Oxygen at MediaCity will open on Monday 17 February , just in time for half term.
Doors will open at 9am, and pre-booking is advised.
“With Oxygen at MediaCity being our tenth park, we knew we had to do something really special, so we have some really big and exciting plans,” teased Oxygen Activeplay CEO, Stephen Wilson, ahead of the new park opening in a couple of weeks time.
Danny Jones -
29th November 2024 
