The name Joe Lycett has been on everyone’s lips this weekend after the comedian went viral during an appearance on the BBC’s new politics show, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
Dead panning the role of a “right-wing” Tory supporter, Lycett left viewers in stitches as he joked that he thought Liz Truss gave “great clear answers” when asked for his “honest” opinion on the then Tory leadership hopeful.
Spoofing Kuenssberg on her very first show, the comedian described Truss as “the backwash of the available MP’s” after twelve years of Tory rule.
His comments have since been shared millions of times online, alongside screenshots of him wearing a brightly colored yellow overshirt.
Dressed in a grapefruit yellow fit from sustainable Manchester brand Usksees, he didn’t pull any punches as he told viewers: “I know there’s been criticism in the The Mail on Sunday today about leftie liberal wokie comedians on the BBC. I’m actually very right-wing and I loved it.
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Sharing screenshots of the interview and some of the furore Lycett’s comments caused online, local Manchester workwear brand Usksees quipped: “Our boy Joe Lycett is having a quiet day in the media today, wearing an equally quiet shirt”
Directing their followers to get the Lycett look, they added it’s “perfect for work, play and holding power to account.”
Lycett told Kuenssberg, who has just taken over the Sunday politics slot after 16 years of Andrew Marr: “I thought [Truss] was very clear, she gave great clear answers. I know exactly what she’s up to and I think she’s […] Most people watching at home are worried about their bills, they’re going to feel […] I’m not being sarcastic.
“She was very clear what she said, I think, you know exactly what’s going to happen. You’re reassured, I’m reassured. Are you reassured?”
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Image: Uskees
Image: Uskees
“I think you know that the haters will say that we’ve had 12 years of the Tories and that we’re sort of at the dregs of what they’ve got available and that Liz Truss is sort of like the backwash of the available MP’s.
“I wouldn’t say that because I’m incredibly right-wing, but some people might say that.”
“As Liz said there, she said it’d be wrong to predict the future even though loads of people have predicted that we’re going to have real issues with paying our energy bills but you know I think she’s right to just look basically say ‘well let’s not predict it and see what happens next week’, I think she did the right thing there.”
Lycett told his Twitter followers ahead of the show: “Really excited to be on this new version of Would I Lie To You.” Then, shortly after the episode ended, he quipped: “If you want to hear more of my right-wing opinions, I’m on tour.”
Happy to present @bbclaurak with a gift for her first show, something I knew she’d love – an original painting of Robert Peston in jail. pic.twitter.com/XKhfiLALT0
If you want to get the Lycett look yourself, you can check out the local unisex clothing store’s shop here.
Feature image – Usksees
News
Prestigious Edinburgh TV Festival to move to Manchester for first time in 50 years
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester will become the new host city for the TV Festival from 2027 onwards it was announced today.
For the first time in five decades, following an extensive consultation and competitive bidding process – which was launched in 2025 – the prestigious festival is set to move from its home in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh to our region from 2027 onwards, beating out other major northern cities like Newcastle in the process.
As part of a UK-wide strategic review into the event’s long-term future, the Festival’s board of directors say the review was undertaken in order to ‘examine how the TV Festival could continue to grow’ amid increasing challenges around accessibility, affordability, and sustainability across the television industry.
Greater Manchester‘s ‘successful and comprehensive’ bid included commitments around affordability, infrastructure, industry partnership, and long-term growth potential.
Plans include holding the Festival in locations in the newly developed St. John’s creative and cultural district.
“Greater Manchester presented a vision for the Festival that combined genuine creative ambition and future-facing energy with practical accessibility and affordability for delegates,” commented Campbell Glennie, who is the CEO of the TV Festival and The TV Foundation.
“This means we can radically reduce the costs associated with attending the Festival as well as the cost of passes.
“The city reflects the expanding ambition of the UK television industry, while still offering the scale, connectivity and unique cultural identity needed for an event of this significance – it gives us the strongest platform to grow the Festival’s reach and impact in the years ahead.”
Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, said being chosen as TV Festival hosts is ‘brilliant news’ for Greater Manchester, adding: “It speaks to the growth, success and strength of our screen sector in the city region and the strong partnerships and talent we have here.”
The final Edinburgh edition of the TV Festival will take place this August, and dates and further details for the TV Festival in 2027 will be shared later this year.
Featured Image – PickPik
News
Even more of the Gay Village will be turned into outdoor seating this summer
Daisy Jackson
The Gay Village is set to get even more outdoor seating this summer, with the council moving to partially close several key streets to traffic.
The news lands mid-heatwave when thousands of Mancs are clamouring for a seat in the nearest beer garden or cafe terrace – with a huge proportion of those flocking to Canal Street.
Now, plans have been revealed to bring ‘a touch of cafe culture’ to the Gay Village, with even more outdoor seating space created for businesses in the area.
Initially running as a trial this summer, it will mean new terraces for New York New York, The Goose and The Eagle on Bloom Street, plus more locations on Richmond Street.
Manchester City Council has said that similar schemes on Thomas Street and Stevenson Square have been hugely popular with both punters and businesses, especially during the summer months, and can give local operators a huge boost.
So now it’s time for this thriving corner of the city to get the same treatment, as part of the ongoing work through the Gay Village Action Plan identified the need for more outdoor seating areas.
The two locations which will have the changes will be Bloom Street, between Abingdon Street and Chorlton Street; and Richmond Street, between Sackville Street and Chorlton Street.
In order to put these protected spaces into effect, some changes to the existing road network will be made:
Bloom Street becomes one-way from Chorlton Street towards Princess Street
Richmond Street is closed to through traffic between Chorlton Street and Sackville Street.
The scheme will initially run on a trial basis from 10 July throughout the summer to evaluate if it could be a viable long-term solution.
During this, plans will also be in place to ensure that deliveries and loading can go about unhindered, as well as daily waste collection and access for residents.
Councillor Mandie Shilton Godwin, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport, said: “The Gay Village is one of our most precious communities. For decades the queer community has been able to call this neighbourhood its own, establishing a long and proud place in the history of the fight against bigotry and discrimination.
“Needless to say, it’s one of the most-visited places in Manchester and sees thousands of people tread its cobbled streets every year. Because of that we’re always looking at how we, as its custodians, can continue to support its legacy and ensure that it meets the needs of people who live and work there.
“We’re excited to be trialling additional outdoor seating for these streets, and we hope to bring the same success that we’ve seen in the Northern Quarter after putting similar schemes in place.
“But, above all this has to work for everyone, so I would urge people to take part in this consultation and help shape the future of the Gay Village.”
Georgina Pellant -
5th September 2022 
