He spent his years as an undergraduate hanging around Manchester’s cinemas wishing his work would one day be displayed on the big screen – now it’s all coming true.
Manchester director KC Locke is already well-known amongst music fans for his breathtaking music videos, created for high-profile music industry A-listers like Ed Sheeran and Stormzy.
He’s already in high demand amongst A&Rs, and regularly flies around the world to take on shoots in exotic locations.
But it’s an accolade for a Manchester music video that has seen him return to his old place of work to be awarded this latest gong (and to see his film on the big screen).
Last night, his music video for Moston rapper Aitch’s track Learning Curve was recognised with an award at the Manchester International Film Awards – leaving the young creative from Urmston and his team feeling completely overjoyed.
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Reflecting on the journey that has brought him to this point, KC Locke said of the award win: “I used to work at the Odeon cinema while at Uni wishing one day I’d have my work on the big screen.
“Last night I collected the award for best music video and the feeling was mad!
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“Very proud of the whole team who have worked extremely hard over the past 2 years grinding daily pushing the vision and crazy ideas I keep dreaming up.”
KC Locke once worked at the Odeon, now he’s receiving awards there. / Image: The Manc Group
After amassing more than eight million views on Youtube, his music video Learning Curve was featured at the Manchester Film Festival in an opening screening of northwest short films – taking home the award for ‘Best Music Video’.
The short film shows Aitch speeding around in high spec cars and, most notably, laying in bed in a designer robe surrounded by an array of curvy ladies lounging in their underwear.
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Ahead of its release, a teaser shared by the rapper – real name Harrison Armstrong – saw him attract criticism and go on to row with a number of body-shaming trolls, who he termed ‘idiots’ after some called for ‘slim girls’ in the comments.
However, many more praised the music video for its inclusivity and presentation of ‘real’ women as it shows a mixture of different races and body shapes.
Image: Youtube
Now, the music video has been validated once again for its diversity with this new award win.
At the time of the teaser’s release, Aitch told haters objecting to his inclusive casting: ‘All the man hating on the girls on my new post are iiiiidiots [sic].
‘First of all you could never even come near these girls, they don’t want you. They’re too leng for you.’
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He continued: ‘Also, chatting this s**t ain’t gonna help you get the “slim” girls. It’s just gonna make everyone hate you more lol.
‘Furthermore you couldn’t even handle these ladies with your little d**k hating a*s energy. They need the reeeeeeeal suttn [sic].’
You can watch the full video created by KC Locke for Aitch’s track Learning Curve here.
Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
#UPDATE | Officers are continuing to appeal for information following the fatal collision on Mancunian Way this morning.
We have referred ourselves to the IPOC after reports that the victim was possibly spotted on the carriageway earlier that morning.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) October 31, 2025
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Geograph
News
Stockport paedophile who abused teen girls in early 2000s handed five extra years in prison
Emily Sergeant
A prolific paedophile who ‘groomed, exploited, and coerced’ teenage girls in the early 2000s has had his sentenced extended.
It was reported on back in June that Christopher Oates, from Stockport, was brought to justice after he subjected vulnerable girls to what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) referred to as a ‘campaign’ of violence and sexual abuse 20 years ago.
Oates was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 years old, and two counts causing / inciting a child aged 13-17 years to prostitution.
He was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison for all his crimes.
But now, following a successful appeal by GMP, working with the survivors and the Crown Prosecution Service, to take the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence to the Court of Appeal, Oates has now been handed an extra five years in prison.
Paedophile who abused teenage girls twenty years ago has sentenced extended by five years after successful appeal
We’ve worked with the survivors and the CPS to take Christopher Oates’ unduly lenient sentence to the Court of Appeal. pic.twitter.com/4yfgjpWxCN
His sentencing increase comes after the 45-year-old groomed one of the survivors from when she was just 14 years old, by providing her with a false sense of security, paying her compliments, and pretending to be her boyfriend, all before he proceeded to ply her with drugs, gifts, and affection, and using the trust and control he gained to persuade her to start sex work on the streets of Manchester.
When the teenage victim began to doubt his intentions and asked to go home, Oates dragged her down an alleyway, violently attacked her, and threatened her with a gun, stating: ‘You do as I say, you’re mine now,’ commanding her to go to her ‘spot’.
It was this incident that prompted the teenager to confide in her mother and support services, and from here, found the strength to move forward with her life, while still courageously supporting the police investigation.
From this investigation, detectives were then able to identify a second teenage victim, a 17-year-old, who Oates also coerced into sex work.
Speaking on Oates’ sentencing increase, DI Eleanor Humphreys, who was a senior investigating officer for this case, said: “We join both victims in expressing our relief and delight that the Court of Appeal has reviewed Oates’ lenient sentence and increased it by five years.
“Oates will now rightly serve consecutive sentences for both victims, meaning that his time behind bars reflects the totality of his offending against both women – whose lives he has so badly impacted.
“We will not relent in ensuring child sex offenders are brought to justice and face the full consequences for their horrific crimes.”
Georgina Pellant -
21st March 2022 
