Strictly Come Dancing has announced it is to have its first all-male partnership this year.
The beloved BBC reality competition show has been on our screens in its current format since 2004, but this the first time in the show’s 17-year history that an all-male partnership will compete.
Former Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite has been unveiled as cast member this morning.
The 2012 Bake Off winner – who was born in Chorley, and studied Law at The University of Manchester – will follow in the footsteps of boxer Nicola Adams, who was the first to have a same-sex partner when she competed with professional dancer Katya Jones last year.
He has described his partnership as “a great step forward in representation and inclusion”.
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From rum baba to the Rumba, all rise for star baker and now future #Strictly star John Whaite! 🕺
“I’m so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family,” John Whaite said following the unveiling of his casting.
“I’ve been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can’t wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth [but] what’s more exciting for me, is that I’m going to be one half of the first all-male partnership, which is a great step forward in representation and inclusion.
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“Whoever it is I’m paired with, I hope they are up for a challenge as I want our routines to include lots of spectacular lifts.”
He also told Matt Lucas on BBC Radio 2 this morning that it was “an honour” to take part.
“When they asked me if I’d be interested, I just bit their hand off because I thought, to do that and represent the LGBTQ+ community is one thing, but also just to see two men or two women dancing together, it’s not necessarily about sexuality, it’s just about intimacy and respect,” he said.
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This the first time in the show’s 17-year history that an all-male partnership will compete / Credit: BBC Strictly
John added: “I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet and I don’t think it will until I find out who I’m actually dancing with.”
Since winning the baking competition show, John has gone on to present various TV shows and currently has a weekly cooking segment on Steph’s Packed Lunch. He has also written for a variety of newspaper and magazine publications on the topics of food and mental health, and has published five cookery books.
John joins Tom Fletcher, Robert Webb and AJ Odudu in the Strictly 2021 line-up.
Eurovision 2024 final to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest is to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester next month.
Following the success of the first-ever live streams of Europe’s biggest party onto the big screen when it was held on British soil in Liverpool last year, cinemas up and down the UK are set to come together once again to celebrate 2024’s edition of the major night in the music calendar by hosting the ultimate viewing events.
The epic Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 11 May will be broadcast live on BBC One, and streamed into more than 100 cinemas nationwide – including several in Greater Manchester.
Hosted by CinemaLive, the live stream events will allow Eurovision fans to gather under one roof and be “united by music” to share in the unbeatable experience of celebrating the brightest and boldest music party of the year on the big screen.
Eurovision 2024 final to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester / Credit: Cinema Live | Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
You may remember that Sweden is hosting Eurovision this year, following the Scandinavian country’s well-deserved victory at the 2023 contest with the song ‘Tattoo’ performed by Loreen.
But thanks to these live stream events, you won’t need to make the trip to Malmö to get in on the action, as you’ll just need to nip down to your nearest participating cinema instead.
Not only will the long-awaited final of the show be streamed live onto the big screen in 5.1 surround sound, but fans are invited to bring their Eurovision parties from the front room to the cinema instead, as organisers say fancy dress is “heavily encouraged” as are enthusiastic sing-alongs too.
The Eurovision Grand Final will be in Cinemas on May 11, 2024! Get your tickets now! https://t.co/4KBeOZ6DT7
Speaking ahead of the event next month, John Travers from distributors CinemaLive, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring Eurovision’s grand final live into cinemas across the UK for the second year in a row.
“We want audiences to enjoy themselves, so come along in groups, get your fancy dress on, and join together to enjoy this incredible occasion on the big screen”.
Tickets are now live and available to book at your local cinema here.
Some of the participating Greater Manchester cinemas include Vue Manchester Printworks, Everymans in Manchester city centre and Altrincham, The Light in Stockport, and Cineworld in Didsbury, among others.
Featured Image – Nick Robinson (via BBC)
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The BBC is looking for Manc entrepreneurs for a new series of The Apprentice
Emily Sergeant
Reckon you’ve got what it takes to be Lord Sugar’s next business partner?
The current 2024 season of The Apprentice might be coming to a close, but the show is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
In fact, there’s already a chance to apply for the next season of the hit TV show.
Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur with a business-savvy mind, someone who’s always just fancied themselves for doing well in the field, or you have a business idea that you think could be the next big thing, everyone is encouraged to apply for the new series – and the BBC is particularly calling on people from Greater Manchester.
Basically, as long as “you think you’ve got the talent and confidence to impress Britain’s toughest backer”, then the show’s producers are keen to hear from you.
A casting call on the BBC website reads: “Could you be his next investment? If you think you’ve got the talent and confidence to impress Britain’s toughest backer, the process starts here. The winning candidate will receive an investment and go into a 50:50 business with Lord Sugar. Fighting it out for his investment candidates will take part in twelve tough tasks to win one life-changing opportunity.”
There’s a few simple questions to answer as part of the initial process, but the two major ones where you’ll have your chance to set yourself apart from the rest are:
Why should you be Lord Sugar’s business partner?
What’s the most impressive thing you’ve ever done in business?
The BBC is looking for Manc entrepreneurs for a new season of The Apprentice / Credit: BBC
Applications are now open and close on 1 December 2024 at 23:59, with successful candidates set to be contacted for interviews in the new year.
Initial interviews will be taking place across the UK, and at least two dates have been pencilled for Manchester, Leeds, and/or Birmingham, with additional interviews to decide on the final candidates then set to follow in early 2025, and filming for the series due to takes place for 10 to 12 weeks from 7 April – 22 June 2025.
Emily Sergeant -
5th August 2021 
