Tributes having been pouring in after it was revealed that legendary Manchester DJ St Allan has sadly passed away.
The producer and dance DJ was a famous name and a fan-favourite on the 1990s rave scene in our city, and previously worked for Piccadilly Radio and Key 103 in Manchester throughout the 80s and 90s, as well as being ranked as the third-best DJ in the world by DJ Magazine in 1993.
Stu was diagnosed with cancer and had been battling the illness for almost a year before he died on Thursday (22 September).
Announcing his passing, a statement posted by Stu’s team to his Facebook page yesterday reads: “It is with much sadness that we write this message to let you know that Stu has passed away today. As you know, he has been ill for a while now, and has been battling cancer for almost a year, and while we’re so sad he is no longer with us, we are relieved he is finally at peace, after his illness.
“We will be holding a memorial event in Stu’s memory sometime soon, where we can all celebrate his amazing life.
ADVERTISEMENT
“But for now Alison, Paul, Gary and Stu’s family need time to come to terms with their loss.”
The late DJ’s team also encouraged music lovers to leave their tributes in the comments, say how they knew Stu, and share what memories they have of him.
ADVERTISEMENT
British DJ Carl Cox lead the thousands of tributes left on Thursday night.
He wrote: “I am so very sorry to hear this news today. His name is Stu Allan. We have lost one of my heroes and a shining light of the Rave scene he helped build. Never forget. My condolences goes out to his family and friends.”
Rowetta also shared a tribute on Instagram: “Loved my mixtapes in the 90s & more recently being on the same lineup at Bowlers. RIP Stu Allan.”
ADVERTISEMENT
DJ and broadcaster Justin Robertson wrote on Twitter: “I’m shocked to hear of the death of Stu Allan. He introduced me to more amazing music than I can remember. His Bus Diss and His seamless House shows were my introduction to the sound of hip hop and house. Impeccable selector and inspiration. RIP Stu.”
I’m shocked to hear of the death of @stu_allan . He introduced me to more amazing music than I can remember. His Bus Diss and His seamless House shows were my introduction to the sound of hip hop and house. Impeccable selector and inspiration. RIP Stu 😔
Very sad. Stu Allan is the first radio DJ I heard play rap, house, r&b and rave music from the mid-1980s onwards. Those of us who listened to Piccadilly and Key 103 were privileged to hear such a pioneer. He had a great deep voice for radio. Some comedy catchphrases, too. https://t.co/CTp24JYi6C
Absolutely gutted about the passing of @stu_allan. He was my inspiration to be a DJ. I got fake ID when I was 15 to see him play & I listened to his Key 103 shows religiously. They say never meet you heroes but with Stu that wasn’t true. RIP Stu and thoughts with your family x pic.twitter.com/HLRo0bXjwT
Writer and journalist John Berwin said on Twitter: “Very sad. Stu Allan is the first radio DJ, I heard play rap, house, r&b and rave music from the mid-1980s onwards. Those of us who listened to Piccadilly and Key 103 were privileged to hear such a pioneer. He had a great deep voice for radio. Some comedy catchphrases, too.”
KISS FM radio DJ Anton Powers said: “Absolutely gutted about the passing of Stu Allan.
“He was my inspiration to be a DJ. I got fake ID when I was 15 to see him play & I listened to his Key 103 shows religiously. They say never meet you heroes but with Stu that wasn’t true. RIP Stu and thoughts with your family.”
DJ Anne Savage wrote: “So very sad to hear the news about Stu. Deepest condolensces to his family and friends. Such an inspiration to me as a young DJ and a role model throughout my life since. What a gent on and off the decks. Rest in peace Stu.”
ADVERTISEMENT
DJ Mark Breeze also shared a tribute: “My thoughts go to Stu’s family and friends on hearing the very sad news today.”
Legendary Manchester DJ St Allan has sadly passed away following a year-long battle with cancer / Credit: Spencer Cameron Photography (via DJ Stu Allan – Facebook)
As well as famous names from the music scene, thousands of fans and people who appreciated Stu’s work over the years have taken to social media to share their heartfelt tributes and memories.
“Without Stu and his early house music hour in the 80’s I don’t think I would have become so passionate about this music or made a life from it. I owe him a lot, we became friends and I constantly let him know that. I am so very sad you are gone mate. Heartbroken,” Mark Egee wrote on Facebook.
Another fan wrote: “Absolutely gutted. Grew up taping his Key 103 shows and listening to them the next day on my Walkman at school.
“Defined the music I’ve always listened to until the present day on OSN radio.”
Another fan shared on Twitter: “So sad to hear about the passing of an absolute HERO of mine and many others, Stu Allan. Such an inspiration in so many ways, DJ Producer and Radio DJ championing happy hardcore right from the birth.
“And not to mention genuinely one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.”
“RIP Stu Allan – You were one of the very best, so much so that I don’t know any DJ that didn’t look up to you or didn’t listen to you on Key 103 growing up, you were such an inspiration to us all,” another devestated fan wrote on Twitter.
Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live – tickets, times and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
American girl group Pussycat Dolls have reunited for a UK tour, stopping off at Co-op Live in Manchester with their powerhouse pop anthems.
Releasing their first LP in 2005, this pop girl group have a variety of radio hits to their name like ‘Don’t Cha’, ‘When I Grow Up’ and ‘Buttons’.
Over the years, the Pussycat Dolls lineup has gone through significant changes with this latest reunion comprised of Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberley Wyatt and Ashley Roberts.
The trio even released some brand-new material to coincide with the announcement of their UK and EU tour titled ‘Club Song’.
Now the girls are about to put their Doll Domination to the test as they bring their PCD Forever Tour in arenas across the nation.
Gig guide – Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live, Manchester
Doors for Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live open from 6pm with a start time listed of 7pm with Lil’ Kim and rising girl group Deja Vu kicking things off.
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning you can get home and loosen your ‘Buttons’, hopefully before the clock strikes twelve.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
RSPCA appeals after French bulldog found dead in Oldham canal
Daisy Jackson
The RSPCA has launched an appeal for information after finding a French Bulldog dead in a canal in Oldham.
The dog was discovered by a dog walker earlier this week, floating in the middle of a canal in Chadderton.
The French Bulldog was wearing a pink-red lead and matching collar, which were wrapped around his head and front leg.
He did not have a microchip, but the charity is hoping his lead might help him to be identified.
The dog was found at around 12.20pm on Monday 5 October on a section of the canal near Middleton Road.
The harness and lead the French bulldog was found wearing in the canal. Credit: RSPCA
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Beth Fazackerley said: “This was an incredibly upsetting incident for the member of the public who made this distressing discovery, and it is heartbreaking that this poor dog was found in such circumstances.
“We are keen to establish what happened, and would urge anyone who was in the area around Middleton Road at midday, on October 5, and may have information about what happened, to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01919098.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd September 2022 
