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Tributes pour in for Il Divo star Carlos Marin, who has died from Covid in a Manchester hospital

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 20th December 2021

Tributes are pouring in for Il Divo star Carlos Marin after his tragic death this weekend.

The 53-year-old singer’s death was announced on Sunday December 19 by his bandmates.

The likes of Simon Cowell, Lorraine Kelly and Michael Ball have all paid tribute to the ‘hugely talented’ musician and ‘class act’.

It was reported that the Spanish singer was placed in an induced coma at the Manchester Royal Infirmary Hospital after reportedly falling ill with Covid.

Il Divo had posted an update on December 16 that they were ‘hoping and praying for a speedy recovery’.

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Il Divo. Credit: Publicity picture

But sadly, Carlos’s death was announced yesterday.

Il Divo wrote in a statement: “It is with heavy hearts that we are letting you know that our friend and partner, Carlos Marin, has passed away. He will be missed by his friends, family and fans. There wiIl never be another voice or spirit like Carlos.

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“For 17 years the four of us have been on this incredible journey of Il Divo together, and we will miss our dear friend. We hope and pray that his beautiful soul will rest in peace. With Love — David, Sebastien and Urs”

Simon Cowell, who created and promoted the hugely successful group, said: “I am finding this so difficult to put into words how I feel right now.

“I am devastated Carlos Marin has passed away.

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“He loved life. He loved performing and always had so much appreciation towards the fans who supported the group from day 1. Rest in peace Carlos. I will miss you.”

Michael Ball wrote: “Unbelievably sad to hear of the the passing of the lovely @carlosmarin_ a charismatic, charming and hugely talented man. A total one off.

Read more: Downing Street and ministers defend controversial photo allegedly showing PM in lockdown gathering

“Sending my love to all @ildivoofficial family and friends. #RIPCarlosMarin“

Presenter Lorraine Kelly has also posted a tribute, writing: “This is so sad. I had the joy of interviewing Carlos and @ildivoofficial many times over the years.

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“He was such a class act. Thoughts with everyone who loved him x”

Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli said he is ‘devastated’ by the news, writing: “We had the best time putting together the first @ildivoofficial performance 17 yeas ago great voice great man a true passionate Spirit with wicked sense of humor we will miss you so sad. B”

Featured image: Il Divo

News

Body found in search for missing Stockport postman Steven Caulfield

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A body has been found in the search for a 70-year-old former postman from Stockport who went missing a couple of months ago.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) issued a public appeal after to help find Steven Caulfield, who was last seen in the vicinity of the golf course next to Middlewood Way, in the Marple area of Stockport, at around 4pm Tuesday 1 October, after he failed to return home from a walk.

Steven was spotted on CCTV, with images being released to the public shortly after, but his whereabouts was still unknown.

Since Steven was reported missing, an extensive missing person investigation was launched by Stockport detectives, alongside a widespread search by specialist GMP officers, and a number of missing appeals were also published on social media and shared widely – not just in Greater Manchester, but all across the UK.

But sadly, at around 12pm yesterday (Wednesday 11 December 2024), a GMP officer has sadly located a body in a woodland area near to Middlewood Way in Stockport, and at this time, police believe this is likely to be the body of Steven Caulfield.

Steven’s next of kin have been made aware and are currently being supported by officers.

There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Steven’s death, according to GMP.

Speaking on the discovery of the body, Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Stockport District Commander and GMP lead for Disaster Victim Identification, said: “Our deepest condolences remain with Steven’s family and friends, who have been devastated by this traumatic news, we have officers supporting them through this difficult time.

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“It has been a challenging couple of months since the missing report came to us in GMP and our Tactical Aid Unit, Specialist Search, Canine and Underwater Units were all utilised to search for Steven in challenging conditions and locations around the Middlewood Way.

“We hope today’s discovery provides some answers for Steven’s loved ones.”

Featured Image – GMP

News

Plans submitted for new £250 million mixed residential neighbourhood in Stockport

Danny Jones Danny Jones New Stockport 8 neighbourhood planning permission

Plans have officially been submitted for a brand-new £250 million neighbourhood in the heart of Stockport town centre.

The new mixed residential mini-village simply dubbed, ‘Stockport 8’, has been put forward by the local LLP of the same name, set up as part of a partnership between Stockport Council and ECF (English Cities Fund – itself a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse).

Set to cost a quarter of a million, the proposed neighbourhood is just the latest step of the ever-growing Stockport Mayor Development Corporation (MDC) masterplan, a wider £500m scheme to transform the specific Stockport Town Centre West area into the most sustainable, liveable town centre in the UK.

With a planning application now submitted, we’ve also been given another look at what the new Stockport neighbourhood would look like if green-lit.

when is Stockport 8 due to be finished?

We first heard reports of the new Stockport 8 neighbourhood back in January after CGIs of what the developers envisioned were shared with the public, alongside how it fit into the West blueprints.

The overall goal of the development is to create a high-quality, green neighbourhood featuring a mix of housing tenures to suit existing and new homeowners and tenants.

Aiming to build a grand total of 1,300 high-quality, energy-efficient homes all told as part of a whipping £1bn investment in Stockport town centre, there will also be room for businesses and community spaces on the ground floor level to knit into the existing centre and its community.

There’s also an insistence from those behind the project to create different atmospheres, creating new environments for people to meet, socialise, relax and enjoy, such as residential courtyards and green roofs, as well as the usual modern amenities re: parking, vehicle charging, bike storage etc.

All told, the council and their development partners – which include chief designers, shedkm, and landscape architects, Planit – are hoping to contribute nearly a third of the homes in Stockport MDC masterplan, which is hoping to surpass 4,000 homes over a total of 130 acres.

stockport 8 neighbourhood
stockport town centre masterplan

As well as helping contribute to the busy and vital road network that is continuing to be redeveloped, the goal is to create a safe and sustainable travel environment too, with a pedestrian-only street running through the centre of the scheme.

With one big road (Cook Street) running throughout the neighbourhood, the new builds will also look to knit into Stockport’s existing structure, celebrating the area’s rich heritage and character by even reintroducing historic street patterns and street names.

If you’re interested in the skyline-changing new project, you can find out more HERE.

Planning permission applications in Manchester can sometimes take upwards of 13 weeks due to the various individual stages and processes, so we’re still a while of way from knowing if/when Stockport 8 will begin work but with a summer 2027 completion date, it could be a huge moment for the town.

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Featured Images — Supplied

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