The British Basketball League (BBL) has confirmed the return of its popular All-Star Game later this year and you can vote for who you want to take part in it, including our very own Manchester Giants.
Just like in the famous NBA format that inspired it, which is taking place for the 73rd time on 18 February, the UK’s equivalent is happening just a month later and will also see the first-ever All-Star Women’s Game in the exhibition’s 25-year on-and-off history.
The All-Star event as we know it today — which features a North vs South face-off between players from the male and female leagues, as well as a skills competition, three-point shootout and the famous Slam Dunk Contest — has been around for a decade now and is truly bigger than ever.
Scheduled for Sunday, 17 March 2024, voting for the British Basketball League All-Star Game is now open and fans can now vote for their favourite players and who they want to play each other this year. Naturally, we expect plenty of Manchester Giants to be on that list.
To vote, all you need to do is pick out five players from the North and five from the South on the combined rosters for both the men’s and women’s divisions. You can do so HERE.
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When it comes to the Giants players up for selection this year, they include the likes of SF Evan Walshe, young Canadian point guard Mason Bourcier who is making his debut campaign; the club’s all-time leading scorer Callum Jones and forward Jamell Anderson, just to name a few.
While the men’s team might be currently second from bottom, they have still had some star players flying the flag for Greater Manchester this year and, better still, the women’s side sits in a very competitive mid-table position with plenty of the season left to play.
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That being said, it’ll be nice to so how the top talents and firm fan favourites from our local side fair playing alongside the BBL’s very best players, and it goes without saying that the inaugural All-Star Women’s Game will be a historic occasion not only for British basketball but women’s sport in general.
Voting is now open and you must make all of your selections (a centre, two forwards and two guards for each dream team) before the deadline at 7pm on 15 February.
You’ll also be pleased to know that there is no limit on picking players from the same time, so you could theoretically stack your two northern squads with nothing but Giants colours if you like. We often fall foul to that local bias in Fantasy Premier League but it’s all part of the fun at the end of the day.
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The British Basketball League’s 2023/24 All-Star Game takes place at the Copper Box Arena at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London from 12:30. You can grab your tickets HERE if you fancy travelling down but you best believe All Stars North are going home with the trophy.
And speaking of FPL, did you know we also brought back our own league this year? There’s still plenty of the season left to get involved and potentially win some prizes.
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release
Emily Sergeant
Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?
England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.
Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.
Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.
But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.
Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.
Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.
Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.
Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.
Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.
It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.
So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.
Danny Jones -
10th January 2024 
