Local DJ and producer Luke Leadbelly has died after a short illness, with tributes pouring in.
The young DJ was a familiar face behind the decks at clubs, festivals and events right across Manchester.
Luke had been diagnosed with AML cancer, a type of blood cancer, and ‘fought many rough months’ before passing away on Sunday 25 August.
A GoFundMe has now been set up to help his family and to give him ‘the send off he deserved’.
Several event organisers and clubs around Manchester are now paying moving tributes to Luke.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hit and Run, a local club night, shared: “Just wanted to take a moment to big up our dear departed friend @lukeleadbelly – who recently left this world after a brief illness
“He was a key figure – especially in the first decade of the night. He played several of the @hitandrunuk takeovers and boat parties at @outlookfestival, as well as our first 2 room takeovers at @fabriclondonofficial – plus countless HIT & RUN’s, especially the Grime takeovers, whether we were doing a joint event with his crew @p13_mcr or not.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He was a wicked DJ, dedicated producer for nearly 20 years, and one of the sweetest spirits you could ever hope to meet.
Tributes pour in for much-loved Manchester DJ Luke Leadbelly after his death. Credit: Instagram, @hitandrunuk
“We are truly shocked by the news, and send love to his family and loved ones at this most difficult of times.
“He will always be remembered with the utmost affection by all of us here at @hitandrunuk”
ADVERTISEMENT
The GoFundMe page said: “Sadly on the Sunday 25 August 2024 Luke lost his fight to AML cancer. After his diagnosis, Luke fought through many rough months till his body gave in and he finally passed away.
“Luke truly was one of a kind and we’re hoping to raise some funds towards the funeral; to help the family and give him the send off he deserved. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.”
DJ Rich Reason shared: “Really gutted to hear that our friend @lukeleadbelly has just died – all happened so quickly, it’s difficult to get your head around it at all.
“Such a sweet and kind soul, with the cheekiest and widest smile; had mad love for the guy, and his fashion sense too! Always so happy to see him when out & about.
“He was a key presence in so many milestone moments for @hitandrunuk and will never be forgotten; also for his tunes with @tumarnigresham & @skittlesuk, his residency at @p13_mcr, countless sets with @mcrchunky & @strategyyeah
ADVERTISEMENT
“So sorry that so many people I know & love will be hurting a lot right now. Seems so cruel when he was really on the up and was obviously so happy in life and in love. This one hurts. Big Love Luke, Rest easy.”
DJ Katie Cooper wrote: “LJ, Luke, Beeb. I could write a million words to describe our lives growing up together over the last 17 years, but there isn’t any words to describe how proud I am to have been your friend.
“@lukeleadbelly my heart is truly broken and its hurting to imagine a world without you in it. thank you for being a brother, a best friend and for the most incredibly ridiculous memories anyone could ask for. I love you so so so much, forever and eve”
And fellow DJ and sound engineer Jonny Opo wrote: “This one hurts bad. Gonna miss you our Luke. You were there through all the early rave days, your energy and mischievous grin were infectious. I’ll never forget the b2bs in dirty warehouses and fields – you lived for it with me and the rest of the crew.
“I’ll never forget the outfits – there were always belters. You pioneered some crazy pants and animal prints!
ADVERTISEMENT
“Until we meet again at the big rave in the sky love you always and rest easy”
Man who stabbed beloved gran to death sentenced to hospital order
Daisy Jackson
The man who stabbed Michelle Hodgkinson to death in broad daylight in Tameside has been sentenced to a hospital order.
Paul Hughes, 30, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today after his arrest on 3 June 2023 on suspicion of murder.
He was deemed too mentally unwell to stand trial – at the time of Michelle’s murder he was suffering from a schizophrenic attack at the time of the incident and still is suffering from Schizophrenia.
On 2 June 2023, Hughes brought a four-pack of kitchen knives, boarded a tram to Droylsden and headed to a canal path, where he appeared to be ‘lying in wait’ for someone to walk past him.
Tragically, that person was Michelle Hodgkinson, who walked past on her way to meet her mother.
She was followed, attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times.
The attack was captured on dashcam footage and several witnesses came forward to police with statements.
The court heart this week that despite being unwell, Hughes carefully planned the attack.
Hughes bought a pack of kitchen knives and waited down a canal path before he stabbed a stranger, a 51-year-old woman, on 2 June 2023.
Michelle died at the scene on Edge Lane despite the best efforts of passers-by who tried to give her first aid, and the emergency services.
Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.
“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.
“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.
In a previous tribute to Michelle Hodgkinson, her family have said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.
“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.
“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.
“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.
“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!
Manchester set for its busiest weekend of the year with pop-up Park and Rides to open
Emily Sergeant
Pop-up Park and Ride facilities are set to open as Manchester prepares for what’s expected to be its busiest weekend of the year.
The festive season in the run up to Christmas always sees more people flock to the city centre than usual, but this weekend will likely be even busier than expected, as not only are Manchester Christmas Markets still in full swing, but there are also a number of gigs, live festive shows, and major sporting events coinciding with this.
So in a weekend that sees legends gigging and the Manchester Derby take place, as you would expect, thousands are predicted to flock to Manchester city centre and Etihad Campus.
Manchester Christmas Markets are in full swing and Paul McCartney will be at Co-op Live this weekend / Credit: The Manc Group | Wikimedia Commons
Because of this, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is taking action and encouraging people to dodge the likely congestion and use public transport instead where possible – with pop-up Park and Rides set to be introduced for weekend shoppers and fun-seekers who do want or need to drive.
On Saturday and Sunday, Booth Street West Car Park D (M15 6PD) – which will have 965 parking spaces available – will be free for customers travelling to the city centre by bus, and then again on Sunday, the same car park will be free for those attending Paul McCartney at Co-op Live.
Your ticket to the gig must be shown on entry, before a dedicated shuttle bus then takes you from the car park to the Etihad Campus.
Disney On Ice will be hosting four shows at AO Arena this weekend / Credit: Supplied
Shuttle buses – which are only available on the Sunday – will depart from Higher Cambridge Street and run to Co-op Live and back every 15 mins from 4pm until midnight.
Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground (Talbot Road, Stretford, M16 0PX) will also have 500 parking spaces available for Metrolink customers on Sunday, but you must show a valid pre-booked tram ticket to park there.
On Sunday [15 Dec], we’re offering free parking at Emirates Old Trafford to help relieve congestion in the city.
The Park and Ride is available to customers with a valid tram ticket purchased on the app, at a ticket machine or via contactless.
Anyone else planning to drive across the weekend may also want to consider using one of the permanent Park and Ride sites and complete their journey on foot or by public transport, and you can find more information and the locations of these sites on the Bee Network website here.
Tram capacity has been increased for the festive season, with every available tram running until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The V1 and 36 bus services now also run 24 hours a day.
Other late-running buses on the Bee Network from Manchester include the 43 service to Manchester Airport, the 86 to Sale, and the 142 to East Didsbury.
Daisy Jackson -
30th August 2024 
