Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts has been praised for appearing on the front cover of Women’s Health UK magazine with a visible stoma bag.
The Southport-born presenter – who has worked for a number of Northern radio stations throughout her career, including Rock FM, Galaxy, and Hits Radio Manchester, before moving to national radio and becoming a regular presenter of Radio 1’s Weekend Breakfast Show since January 2021 – revealed back in October that she had been diagnosed with and was undergoing treatment for bowel cancer.
The 43-year-old, who first found fame in Channel 4’s Big Brother in 2002, and apperead on ITV reality competition series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2019, confirmed that she had a tumour removed through surgery.
Following the surgery, she now uses a stoma bag, and has also been undergoing chemotherapy.
With the stoma bag – which attaches to the abdomen and collects faeces – now a critical part of her everyday life, Adele has been praised this week for raising awareness after choosing to appear on the cover of Women’s Health UK magazine with the bag visible in the photos.
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“I feel like I love my body more than ever,” she said.
During the candid interview with the magazine, Adele reflects on her cancer diagnosis and how her recent operation has changed her life, explaining: “Being diagnosed with cancer has meant I’ve learned to appreciate my body, be grateful that it works, be grateful they found the tumour in time to remove it and be grateful (that modern medicine means I can) have a stoma.
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“One in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives and I think the more we can actually talk about it, the less negatively affected people will be mentally, if and when that happens.
“That’s why it means so much – as someone undergoing cancer treatment and with a visible stoma – to be on the cover of Women’s Health.”
Reflecting on the significance on her appearance on the cover of Women’s Health magazine, which she said will have a huge impact for “diversity and inclusivity”, Adele took to social media to share her thoughts in a touching statement, which reads: “I actually couldn’t believe it. THIS IS WHAT WOMEN’S HEALTH looks like. Health is more than just the physical. It’s mental and spiritual and that day I felt ON TOP OF THE WORLD. I’ve never seen a woman on magazine cover with a stoma and on chemotherapy before. What an honour.
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“I wasn’t really aware of stomas before I got one, I also didn’t really know about bowel cancer. I got told I was ‘probably too young’ to have it.”
She also thanked the editor and the team at Women’s Health UK magazine for “using your platform to raise awareness, represent others, reflect us and truly help to make the world a better place,” and added that “it’s so important”.
“Thank you for celebrating the stoma community and for giving a huge boost to those who might be going through cancer themselves, and their friends and family.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United
Danny Jones
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Co-op Live has been named the number one arena in Europe following its debut year
Danny Jones
Despite a rocky opening month or so, Manchester’s Co-op Live made the ultimate instant recovery and has now been named the number one arena not just in the UK but all of Europe.
Manc music venues being best in class? Sounds about right.
Yes, even despite some obstacles, delays and early hiccups, Co-op Live‘s debut year as a live music and indoor entertainment venue has seen it beat out the likes of the long-established and iconic O2 in London to take the top spot.
The inaugural 12 months of the arena have not only seen it welcome all manner of music legends, as well as live sporting events such as the UFC and WWE, but the arena welcomed more visitors than any other venue across the continent during that time.
Names to have graced the industry-leading stage so far include Liam Gallagher, Stevie Nicks and Take That; Peter Kay, Elbow, Sabrina Carpenter, Paul McCartney, and so many more.
Commenting on the successful start, Tim Leiweke (CEO and chairman of the Oak View Groupbehind the venue) said: “Our ambition was to bring the world’s best music arena to one of the world’s greatest music cities and we are thrilled with the reaction from fans and artists alike over this past year.
“Co-op Live’s revolutionary acoustics investment has already attracted some of the world’s biggest artists and events to Manchester, with many more to come. And our sustainability commitment will ensure we remain responsible contributors to Manchester and the planet for years to come.
“We believe that amazing venues can transform cities for the better, and Co-op Live has done just that.”
It’s fair to say we’ve had some truly unforgettable nights in there already – and that’s just in the last month alone. Case and point:
With a continued commitment to achieving ‘Net Zero’ status too, the venue’s carbon reduction technologies, solar panels, heat pumps and rainwater harvesting, not to mention the recently refreshed CityLink walking in partnership with the Climate Pledge, are all things we can be proud of.
Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, went on to add: “We are delighted with the success of Co-op Live’s first year, and to see it taking the top spot off London.
“It shows Manchester is the home of live music in the UK, with Co-op Live bringing so many exclusives from artists like Bruce Springsteen to the city and Oasis playing massive hometown shows this summer – 2025 is going to be one of the biggest ever for our city’s music scene.”
Meanwhile, things are feeling less fortunate at the grassroots end of the spectrum, as the Music Venue Trust is imploring people to get behind a vulnerable Manc music institution.
Emily Sergeant -
24th May 2022 
