News

Married at First Sight UK is casting for its next series and wants Mancs to take part

Channel 4 is calling on those brave enough to put their faith in the unique matchmaking service.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 16th October 2023

Would you marry a stranger?

If you (somehow) answered yes to that question, then you’ll probably be keen to hear that hit Channel 4 reality show, Married at First Sight UK, has opened its casting, and is now on the lookout for brave contestants to take part in the upcoming series that’ll hitting screens next year.

And you’ll probably be even keener to hear that casting directors are urging single Mancs to stick an application in… if they fancy it.

Currently the talk of social media with the most-recent series on air, if you haven’t seen Married at First Sight yet, well then firstly, where have you been? And secondly, well it’s a dating show like no other that’s based on a Dutch series and sees singletons marry complete strangers in a social experiment – and it’s undoubtedly binge-worthy and extremely entertaining.

Contestants are matched up with their supposedly ‘perfect match’ – which is a match determined by a group of experts, including a spiritualist, a relationship coach, and a sociologist.

Married at First Sight UK has opened its casting for the next series / Credit: Channel 4

They use “scientific matchmaking methods to determine each couple, who will not have met or had contact with each other until the wedding day”, and once the contestants are married off, the camera follows them for five weeks to see whether the new relationship is a success or not.

You get to see the highs and lows of the honeymoon, followed by the couples moving in together, and trust us when we say, it’s a real rollercoaster of emotions.

Calling on singletons to put their faith in the matchmaking service, Channel 4 wrote in the casting announcement on the ‘Take Part’ section of its website: “Are you unlucky in love? Are you ready to be brave and meet your partner for the very first time on your wedding day? Channel 4’s hit show Married at First Sight UK is a bold social experiment where single people, matched by experts, marry total strangers.

“Weddings aren’t legally binding, but we are looking for committed singles ready to find the one.”

Married at First Sight UK
Channel 4 is calling on brave Manc singles to put their faith in the unique matchmaking service / Credit: Channel 4

Casting directors say singles of all ages, backgrounds, gender identities, and sexualities are “welcome to apply” for the new series.

Fancy it then?

Applications are currently open for the next series, and to apply to the show, you just need to be over 18 years of age, live in the UK, and feel ready for marriage.

Read more:

Find out more and apply here.

Featured Image – Channel 4

News

Boxing great Ricky Hatton found dead at home, aged 46

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Boxing great Ricky Hatton found dead at home, aged 46

Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Tameside at the age of 46.

The Stockport-born boxing legend, often known as The Hitman, had just recently announced he was returning to the ring.

Ricky Hatton was set to come out of retirement for his first competitive fight in 13 long years this December.

A police cordon is around his home on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde.

Greater Manchester Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.

A GMP spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Ricky Hatton was one of the sport’s best-loved boxers and one of the greatest sportspeople to come out of Greater Manchester.

Hatton, who held an MBE, had been working as a promoter and trainer since retiring from the sport.

His illustrious boxing career spanned from 1997 to 2012, during which time he held multiple world championships.

Tributes are pouring in, with boxing magazine Boxing News writing: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing royalty Ricky Hatton.

“A relentless pressure fighter and spiteful body puncher in the ring, Hatton was adored for his charisma and down-to-earth character outside of it.

“He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. Rest in peace, Ricky.”

Amir Khan posted: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.

“As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.

“Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding.

“Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”

Sacha Lord shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton. A gentle giant and absolute legend.”

Fellow pro boxer Anthony Fowler wrote: “Feel sick. RIP RICKY HATTON.”

And podcaster James English shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton.

“A true champion inside and outside the ring, Ricky’s grit, passion and courage will never be forgotten.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who admired him during this heartbreaking time. Rest in peace, Ricky. Thank you for the memories.”

Read more: Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, Aeropixels Photography

News

Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kalvin Phillips could be brought back into the Man City squad

Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.

The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.

Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.

As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?

According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.

Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.

The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.

Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.

Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.

It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.

CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and  Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.

Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.

What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?

Manchester City said no to a pretty significant player swap with Liverpool last year
We often wonder what players’ futures would have looked like if they ended up picking different moves…

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Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)/pantkiewicz (via Flickr)

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