Fan-favourite Mancunians Bez and Shaun Ryder are returning to our TV screens tomorrow evening for another celebrity special of Gogglebox.
Well, we say ‘fan-favourites’.
But let’s just say the Happy Mondays bandmates made quite the impression on the public the last time they featured on an episode of the hit Channel 4 reality show back in June this year.
The pair are once again forming part of the star-studded line up for this year’s hour-long Gogglebox: Celebrity Special for SU2C (Stand Up to Cancer UK) and will be joined by the likes of show newcomers The Who’s Roger Daltry, comedian John Bishop, fellow comics David Mitchell and his wife Victoria Coren Mitchell, and Line of Duty stars Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston, as well as many other returning famous faces to give their thoughts on the television from the previous week.
Shaun Ryder said filming the show with Bez was “really good fun”.
He continued: “It’s not like a job really, it’s just me and him. We’ve been like that for the best part of 40 years – we sat watching telly and films and commentating on everything when we were on the tour bus.”
Bez also revealed that he’s found watching some shows more difficult than others though, saying: “The most embarrassing one for us is Naked Attraction. That’s the most embarrassing one,” he said.
“Sat there looking at willies, it’s not my favourite thing.”
Channel 4 / Gogglebox
After their last appearance on Gogglebox – which is a show with a simple but interesting premise that sees different groups of friends and families offer their opinions on the TV shows from the previous week – they pair managed to rack up over 200 Ofcom complaints following an unsurprisingly brazen conversation which ruffled a few feathers among audience members.
They ended up discussing drug use on the programme after Ryder admitted he didn’t understand how far a metre was, but did “know how many grams are in an ounce”, before diving into comic detail about his dating efforts during the Hacienda heydays, stating: “My chat up line used to be, ‘Do you want a line?'”
An Ofcom spokesperson said of the situation at the time: “We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
Complaints were also received from members of the public regarding Bez and Shaun’s apparent lack of social distancing efforts amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as the pair do not share a household / social bubble, so we can only presume this will be paid closer attention to in tomorrow’s episode.
Sounds like we’re in for another good hour of telly.
Gogglebox: Celebrity Special for SU2C is airing on Channel 4 at 9pm on Friday 23rd October.
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My Chemical Romance fans are losing it as emo favourites appear to tease UK tour
Danny Jones
American alt-rock and emo favourites My Chemical Romance aren’t just back for one last Black Parade; it looks like they might be heading to the UK for more tour dates.
Not just a phase, never was.
My Chemical Romance (an entirely different kind of MCR) made yet another mighty return to the fore earlier this year, nearly two whole decades on from the release of the seminal album, which dropped in 2006 and has now been toured live again by the New Jersey band.
Playing the album IN FULL for the first time in years, they’ve been busy in North America delighting die-hard crowds, but now a recent teaser has got My Chem fans gearing up for UK and Ireland shows.
As you can see, MCR released the somewhat cryptic comedy sketch above, in which they seem to spoof a gameshow centred around a robot named ‘Quizzo’.
The host of this fictional programme goes on to explain that the result will determine “who will be the next lucky country to win the grand prize of one nuclear winter.”
It might only last for a few seconds, but the main takeaway is that the ‘who’ selected as the recipient of this upcoming prize is none other than the United Kingdom.
Combine that with a simple caption that reads, “Let’s show them what they’ve won”, it’d be hard not to jump to the conclusion that we Brits are about to pretend we’re ‘Teenagers’ again and chant ‘Na Na Na’ until our lungs give out.
In the time since the post went live, fans on this side of the pond have understandably started getting very excited…
My Chemical Romance are coming back to the UK… For the 1st time since 2022 when we all thought it would be the last hurrah…#MCRpic.twitter.com/vHWO5mK89j
At first, some were wondering whether this year’s revival might have also seen the resurrection of their much-mythologised but ultimately scrapped 2019 record, The Paper Kingdom, but it seems pretty much nailed on that their transatlantic followers are about to get some gigs.
It remains unclear whether these still TBC dates will be an extension of the current ‘Long Live The Black Parade‘ tour, which began on 11 July, or something new entirely.
Either way, with this current run of shows due to end in September and hints at a ‘nuclear winter’, it’s a fair assumption to guess that My Chemical Romance will be coming to the UK either later this year or early 2026 – and you bank on a big Manchester booking to be thrown in there too.
Featured Images — NBSTwo (via Flickr)/Reprise Records
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Alejandro Garnacho set for Premier League switch as Manchester United shuffle attacking lineup
Danny Jones
Young Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho looks set to make a switch to another Premier League team as he has reportedly already reached an agreement regarding personal terms with his next club: Chelsea.
The promising winger, who graduated from Man United’s academy setup and has quickly made an impact even in just a short time in the first team, is now believed to be London-bound very soon, with Chelsea now “close” to completing a deal for the 21-year-old.
While there are no doubts surrounding his talent and potential, it is said the rift between him and the United head coach comes down to personality, character and conduct, with the latter not shying away from sharing grievances publicly.
🚨 Chelsea have stepped up talks with Manchester United over deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho. Clubs in touch on topic for some time & now advancing amid Benjamin Sesko joining #MUFC. 21yo winger wants #CFC or nothing + expects move to happen @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/vdc1dtnA0p
According to The Athletic, it now looks as though after having agitated for a move, Garnacho has got his wish and is set for the capital, in a move which could see him become the 51st senior player to sign for the Blues under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
It is, quite frankly, a staggering number – especially given the fact that he only purchased the club back in May of 2022.
Most notably in Garnacho‘s case, too, it also raises questions around where in the Chelsea squad he will fit and how much regular first-team football (a guaranteed starting spot rumoured to be a flashpoint with Amorim) he will be able to enjoy should the deal go ahead.
For instance, besides the plethora of other attacking players at Enzo Maresca’s disposal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says that the west Londoners are also pursuing PSG’s Xavi Simons.
Nevertheless, the Italian journalist claims that “every detail of personal terms with Chelsea” has now been agreed, with the Argentine prospect now fully set on a move to Stamford Bridge.
You can see what other Manchester United transfer updates he gave in his latest video.
Romano goes on to state that the deal is effectively done as far as the player side of things is concerned, adding that Garnacho is now only interested in Chelsea since and has been since July.
Although negotiations are yet to begin with Man United, it looks likely that they will push to get a transfer approved quickly as they look to cover the costs of the other business, having already brought in a number of players.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd October 2020 
