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A Princess Diana musical is heading to the UK… and Denise Welch is playing the Queen

We can't believe the headline's real either.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th June 2023

There’s a musical about Princess Diana set to hit the stage in London later this year, and the cast is rather unexpected.

As exclusively revealed by What’s On Stage yesterday, the cult-favourite DIANA will officially be making its way over to the UK for the first time ever this December after becoming a smash-hit on Broadway when it premiered back in autumn of 2021, and also going on to become a viral legend when it landed on Netflix that same year.

In case it’s the first you’re hearing of it, DIANA is the work of renowned American playwrite Joe DiPietro and Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan – who have previously collaborated on Memphis.

Although the People’s Princess may seem like a bizarre choice of stage show subject, with satirical musicals and productions about Prince Andrew, Tony Blair, and even the ‘Wagatha Chrisie’ trial all having already having come to fruition in recent months, perhaps Lady Di being the star of the show isn’t as bizarre as it initially seems.

The cast, however, is still best described as unexpected – or one particular cast member is, shall we say.

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A Princess Diana musical is heading to the UK later this year / Credit: DIANA

We’re not referring to the two musical theatre heavyweight actresses who have been announced to take on the coveted role of Princess Diana at two different stages of her life, Kerry Ellis – who has previously had starring roles in Wicked and Anything Goes – and Greater Manchester‘s very-own Maiya Quansah-Breed, who was born in Eccles and was an original cast member of Six.

Of course, when we say ‘unexpected’, we’re referring to the fact that TV actress and Loose Women panellist Denise Welch has also been announced to guest star in the show.

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And in the role of the late Queen Elizabeth II, no less.

After the cast for the London version of the musical was announced yesterday, the name Denise Welch started trending on Twitter pretty much straight away as fans were so shocked by it all and just couldn’t believe what they were reading.

Essentially, DIANA charts the rise of Diana Spencer as she becomes the princess of the people.

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The show is a tale split into two parts – with an older Diana both narrating and reflecting back on her life and that of her 19-year old self.

Described as being “a new concert version” of the hit original musical production, some of the show’s most well-known musical numbers that audience members can look forward to include ‘Secrets and Lies’, ‘Here Comes James Hewitt’, and ‘She Moves In the Most Modern Ways’.

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DIANA will hit the stage at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith for one night only on 4 December 2023 at 7:30pm, and tickets are on sale now.

Grab them here, if you fancy.

Featured Image – ITV

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Tommy Fury vs Darren Till press conference descends into foul-mouthed chaos

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tommy vs Darren Till press conference scrap chaos

The first press conference ahead of Tommy Fury vs Darren Till was held on Tuesday evening and it didn’t take long for the whole thing to descend into absolute bedlam.

Having only been confirmed on Sunday, Fury vs Till will be a homecoming bout for the Wythenshawe-born fighter who is set to headline the first-ever boxing match at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena.

With the date set for 18 January, the pre-fight build-up and media frenzy are growing fast and things have already come to ahead in just the first meeting between the two fighters in London this week.

Clearly sharing plenty of bad blood already, while Tommy and Till were engaging in the usual fighting talk, the family patriarch, John Fury, decided to interject and it was at this point that things boiled over.

As you can see, amidst the various insults being thrown around regarding intelligence, boxing ability, Tommy’s older brother Tyson being “battered by [Oleksandr] Usyk”, ‘Big John’ then launches a bottle of water across the table at Till, sparking a hot-tempered on-stage skirmish.

The lengthy exchange features as many expletives as you could imagine, with 31-year-old Darren Till also threatening that he will “bladder” both Tommy and his more established heavyweight sibling Tyson, labelling the entire Fury family “shithouses” as they walk out of the London press conference.

A mixed martial artist by trade who has competed at both welterweight and middleweight in the UFC, Till assured that even if the boxing match isn’t going his way on the night, he will kick [him] square in [the] face”, adding that he’s a “proper fighter” and that Tommy, on the other hand, has no power.

YouTube turned musician and occasional boxer, KSI – the founder of the Misfits promotion who is putting on the event and who Fury beat back in October last year – can also be heard whooping from centre stage and shouting, “Get your tickets!”

Even after the mini-brawl is separated, the foul-mouthed back and forth continues for some time. You can see another angle here:

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This isn’t the first time things have boiled over at a Fury press conference; in fact, it’s not even the first time John Fury, 59, has found himself in the very eye of the storm.

It was only back in May of this year, before his elder son’s title fight against Usyk, that he drew blood after headbutting a member of the Ukrainian’s entourage in another volatile presser.

Meanwhile, the youngest Fury son is preparing first his first fight in over a year, having nearly joined this year’s I’m a Celeb lineup instead.

Tickets for the now highly-anticipated boxing match at Co-op Live, just the second combat sports event to have been held at the arena, are on sale now – you can grab yours HERE. It’s going to be a feisty one.

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

Featured Images — DAZN (via Screenshot)

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Festive Grinch-themed cafes to pop up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Festive Grinch-themed cafes are popping up inside two of Primark’s biggest Greater Manchester stores in the run-up to Christmas.

As the temperatures turn colder by the day, the nights draw in, and the most wonderful time of the year nears closer and closer, it won’t be long before it’s time to snuggle up in our comfies and pop on the first Christmas film of the year – and for some of us, there’s a good chance that first film of choice will be The Grinch.

Whether you prefer the 2000 fantasy comedy starring Jim Carey, or the 2018 animated reboot with Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s undoubtedly a real family favourite.

To celebrate everyone’s favourite grumpy green grouch, Primark has teamed up with Dr. Seuss once again on a Grinch-tastic collaboration.

Festive Grinch-themed cafes have popped up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores / Credit: Supplied

Shoppers can now head to their nearest Primark store to find the largest-ever Grinch collection, with something for the whole family, as well as great gifting options said to be “ideal for getting into the anti-Christmas spirit”.

There’s Grinch pyjamas and slippers for both adults and kids, a Grinch ‘Onesie’ that’s sure to make people green with envy, Grinch drinks cups and mugs, a selection of loungewear and Christmas jumpers for festive dressing, and so much more, as well as whole host of Grinch-inspired outfits and toys for your four-legged friends too.

As part of Primark’s aim to offer affordable choices for everyone, prices for the Grinch collection start at just £1 for accessories, and go up to £24 for adult clothing.

If the return of the Grinch collection wasn’t exciting enough as it is, the all-new Grinch cafes – which are popping up in Primark on Market Street in Manchester city centre, as well as Primark in Trafford Palazzo – are bound to be hit with fans of the furry character.

There’s everything from green waffles and themed milkshakes, to festive toasties, hot drinks, and more on the menu.

With Greater Manchester Grinch cafes set to be open until the end of December, Sarah Jackson – who is the Director of Licensing at Primark, said: “We’re so excited to roll out our amazing cafe experience across a number of our UK locations, bringing a sprinkle of mischief to our customers this festive season.

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“Whether you’re stopping in for a sweet treat or stocking up on pyjamas and gifts for the whole family, we have everything you need to make it a truly unforgettable Grinch-mas.”

Featured Image – Supplied

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