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Keely Hodgkinson and Sarah Lancashire among famous Greater Manchester names on 2025’s New Year Honours list

Flying the flag for our region.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 2nd January 2025

Keely Hodgkinson and Sarah Lancashire are among famous Greater Manchester names on 2025’s New Year Honours list.

A new year is here, and that means 2025’s New Year Honours list is out.

This year’s coveted list of names – which is published annually ahead of New Year’s Day, and is used to recognise a person’s merit in terms of achievement and service – has everything from community champions and impressive young people, to sporting stars, acting greats, and major public figures being a part of it.

More than 1,200 recipients are receiving honours this year across all sectors, and two of those famous recipients are two of Greater Manchester‘s most impressive talents from 2024 – Olympian Keely Hodginkson and actor Sarah Lancashire.

Hodgkinson appears for the first time on an Honours list this year, being awarded an MBE for services to Athletics.

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The Atherton-born middle-distance runner was already an Olympic medallist prior to heading into Paris 2024, having taken home a silver in the 800m in Tokyo back in 2020, but it was last year’s competition that saw her become an Olympic champion – bagging the gold in that same event.

The MBE honour comes merely weeks after she was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

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While 2023 may have been the year that Sarah Lancashire was at the forefront of the public’s praise, most-notably during the final season of ITV’s Happy Valley which got the whole nation talking, it’s hard to deny that she deserves an Honour this year.

Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood in ITV’s Happy Valley / Credit: ITV

Lancashire – who was born in Urmston, before spending the majority of her upbringing in Oldham – has been named an CBE in 2025.

In releasing this year’s recipients, the Government in a statement: “The Government is committed to ensuring that honours are awarded to outstanding people from across the whole of the UK and the system reflects the best of society.

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“The list ensures that people from underrepresented communities and a wide variety of types of work are rewarded, to celebrate the fantastic contribution of people throughout the country.”

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer added: “[Those honoured] represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this Government does.”

Featured Image – British Athletics (via Twitter) / Keely Hodgkinson (via Instagram)

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Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Peter Kay announces final Manchester show on historic run - with all profits going to cancer charities

Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.

Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.

Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.

The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.

But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.

Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates

  • Thursday 9 July (Evening) 
  • Friday 10 July (Evening) 
  • Saturday 11 July (Matinee)  
  • Saturday 11 July (Evening)

Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Patient in a hospital bed

A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.

After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.

The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.

Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.

Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel

When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.

16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.

The results from the new YouGov survey come after a ‘pioneering’ new system of league tables revealing the best and worst performing NHS Trusts was published for the first time ever last September.

This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.

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Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.

Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)

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