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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Find out more and apply here.

Featured Image – Channel 4

News

Government announces homebuying overhaul to fix country’s ‘broken’ housing system

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant New build houses

The Government has announced what it’s calling the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history. 

In a bid to ‘rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership for thousands nationwide, the Government has today (Monday 6 October) unveiled proposals that it says will speed up the long-drawn out and costly process of buying a home by four weeks.

The Housing Secretary says this will not only save people money, but unnecessary stress too.

The proposed new plans would see sellers and estate agents required to provide buyers with ‘vital’ information about a property upfront – including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and chains of people waiting to move.

It’s hoped this will help end any last-minute chain collapses and ultimately give greater confidence to first-time buyers when they’re making one of life’s most important decisions. 

Houses
The Government has announced plans to fix the country’s ‘broken’ housing system / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)

Binding contracts could also be introduced to stop people walking away from agreements after buyers painstakingly spend months in negotiations to hopefully halve the number of failed transactions.

The new reforms are also proposing that prospective buyers are provided with side-by-side information on estate agents and conveyancers, including their track record and expertise, alongside new mandatory qualifications and Code of Practice to drive up standards and work to rebuild trust in the industry.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to Twitter this morning to address the proposed new homebuying overhaul, commenting: “I promised that my Government would fix the broken housing system.

“Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives. That’s national renewal.”

Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, said buying a home should be ‘a dream, not a nightmare’.

He continued: “Our reforms will fix the broken system so hardworking people can focus on the next chapter of their lives. 

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“Through our Plan for Change, we are putting more money back into working people’s pockets and making a simple dream a simple reality.”

Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)

News

English rugby legend Lewis Moody reveals MND diagnosis

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lewis Moody diagnosed with MND

Much-loved English rugby legend Lewis Moody has revealed his heartbreaking MND (motor neuron disease) diagnosis.

The Leicester Tigers and Bath icon, who was captain of the Rugby World Cup-winning England squad back in 2003, unfortunately announced to the world that he is now suffering from MND, also known as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

Moody, 47, is just the latest well-known rugby player to have developed the progressive neurological disorder, with both former players and others being forced to retire due to the condition.

The Ascot-born rugby union veteran has admitted that the news has come as a ‘sudden shock’ to him and his family, but has been left moved by the overwhelming wave of positivity he has received since making the health update public.

Sharing a lengthy message online, Moody wrote: “I’m writing to share some tough news. I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND). This has been incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family.

“I feel fit and well in myself, and I’m focused on staying positive, living life and dealing with the changes / will experience as they come.

“I am being well supported by my family, friends and medical professionals, and I’m truly grateful to those who, in their time, helped progress research to support others, like me, living with this disease.”

Notable ex-pros who have sadly passed away from the disease in recent years include Doddie Weir and, of course, Rob Burrow MBE.

There is currently no known cure for MND at present, but as Burrow’s best mate and inspirational teammate, Kevin Sinfield has famously, the belief is that this is because it remains “underfunded” and a breakthrough could still be found.

Speaking to BBC Sport with his long-term partner on Monday, 6 October, ‘Mad Dog Moody’ gave a very open and honest interview about the last few weeks, going from noticing some weakness in his shoulder at the gym to having now been given the tragic diagnosis.

Lewis’ statement continues: “Since retiring from the sport I love, and alongside my wife Annie, I’ve been able to dedicate much of the past 12 years to fundraising for The Lewis Moody Foundation in support of those affected by brain tumours.

“My plan is to continue with this, but to also create an opportunity to support a charity closer to my current situation. I would be so grateful for your help with this and look forward to sharing more, once l am clear on what this looks like.

“For now, please know I feel your love and support; all l ask is that I am given some space to navigate this with my wife and sons, and those closest to us – but without doubt, I will continue to embrace life and grasp opportunities in the same way I always have.

Take Care, Lewis Moody.”

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Sharing a post of their own on social media this morning, the Red Roses wrote: “Everyone at England Rugby is saddened to learn that former captain Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

“All of our thoughts are with Lewis, his family and friends as they come to terms with this diagnosis. We will be offering both practical and emotional support, and know the entire rugby community will stand with them at this incredibly difficult time.

“We encourage people to show their support through the fundraising initiatives now being set up and available through GoFundMe.”

Sending our strength and support to Lewis Moody, as well as his family, friends and fans; you can donate to his fundraiser down below.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Lewis Moody (via Instagram)/Land Rover MENA (via Flickr)

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