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Richard Richard - 10th August 2022

Hilary Duff announces massive Manchester gig on first world tour in nearly 20 years

Danny Jones Danny Jones Hilary Duff Manchester arena live show tickets

Noughties throwback, Hilary Duff, is continuing her contemporary comeback trail by announcing a brand-new world tour, including a massive arena gig right here in Manchester.

That’s right, Lizzie McGuire herself is returning to the UK with new music.

In all seriousness, child star Hilary Duff has gone on to have quite the career, but it feels like it’s been forever since we’ve had fresh music from her, which is why her next album and huge run of tour dates around the globe feels like such a big deal.

Ahead of her sixth studio release, lucky… or something, dropping this month, the American popstar has now confirmed nearly 50 upcoming dates in support of the record; she also still managed to give us a very Disney Channel reveal video.

Yes, heading out on the road across North America, Europe, the UK and Ireland, as well as Australia and New Zealand, Hilary Duff has announced a total of 47 gigs so far.

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With no other live shows confirmed in mainland Europe yet, Great British and Irish fans can be glad of the five shows locked in for the UK leg.

Having said that, with the 38-year-old enjoying a real renaissance of late, we wouldn’t be surprised to see more added to the newly confirmed ‘lucky me’ tour.

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As mentioned, with her latest LP scheduled to launch on 20 February, we got her most recent track just a few short weeks ago.

Following the lead single from the project, ‘Mature’ – also released this past November 2 – you can see the music video for her ‘Roommates’ down below.

The song is also produced by her husband, Matthew Koma.

This newest outing is the first Hilary Duff album in over a decade, following 2015’s Breathe In. Breathe Out; it’ll also be nearly two of them since her last world tour, having last played Manchester all the way back in 2007.

As for her shows, following a number of performances in late 2025 and this year already, she’ll be playing throughout the calendar and well into early 2027.

You can see the rest of the European tour dates thus far down below.

Hilary Duff UK and IE tour dates – September ’26

  • 6 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
  • 8 – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena Cardiff
  • 10 – London, UK – The O2
  • Thursday, 12 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
  • 13 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro

For tickets to see her here in Manchester at the end of this summer, early access can be enjoyed by Three mobile members from 10am on Tuesday, 17 February, or via the venue’s own presale window from the same time next Thursday, 19 Feb.

As for general admission, tickets will then go live at 10 the following Friday (20 Feb), and you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

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

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via AO Arena)

Jim Ratcliffe apologises for ‘choice of language’ after backlash over immigration comments

Danny Jones Danny Jones Sir Jim Ratcliffe comments on immigrants controversy

Football’s leading anti-discrimination organisation here in the UK, Kick It Out – among many others – have issued an official statement condemning some of the recent comments made by Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration, for which he has since issued an apology.

Safe to say that the remarks made by the minority stakeholder haven’t gone down well among the majority either, be that United fans, other football supporters, or members of the public in general.

In case you haven’t seen Ratcliffe’s controversial interview with Sky News, the headline is that he believes “the UK has been colonised by immigrants”.

You can see the video in question, which he has now at least partly apologised for, down below.

Unsurprisingly, the contentious talking head sparked major backlash far beyond just the fan base, with everyone from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, pundits such as Carl Anka and political commentator Piers Morgan issuing their own responses to the clip on social media.

Burnham summed up Ratcliffe’s opinions by stating that “portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force […] is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.”

Meanwhile, Anka is one of many to flag accusations of hypocrisy behind the British billionaire’s stance, given that he has registered his formal residence in the principality of Monaco, meaning that not only does he not currently reside in his home nation, but he doesn’t pay UK income tax either.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also came out to criticise the 73-year-old INEOS chairman and CEO, writing simply that what he said was “offensive and wrong”, noting that “Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country.”

Ratcliffe was born in Failsworth (part of the metropolitan borough of Oldham) but most notably lived in Hampshire, before also relocating his petrochemical company’s headquarters to Switzerland back in 2010 and, as previously mentioned, moving to Monaco himself at the outset of the pandemic.

As for Kick It Out, the anti-hate group shared a short but emphatic statement on social media expressing their disappointment and distress following the outburst.

The statement goes on to recognise that Man United‘s home city is one “whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants”, adding, “This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same.”

Despite having roots in the region, many online are now expressing that they feel the expat deeply misunderstands not only the multiculturalism that makes the club a global brand and worldwide sporting community, but also the region he was born in, and the country he belongs to, what it is today.

Plenty more on social media are also raising concerns after journalist Ed Conway pointed out that Ratcliffe recently engaged with right-wing Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Following the uproar, Ratcliffe has shared an update directly via Sky after pressure from numerous directions to apologise, including from Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The statement reads: “I’m sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it’s important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.

“My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.

He concludes by insisting: “My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone. It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”

You can watch Jim Ratcliffe’s sit-down with the news broadcaster in full right HERE.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Sky News (screenshot via YouTube)

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