Chester Zoo has shared an adorable video of its baby penguins taking their first swimming lessons, and it’s hands down the cutest thing we’ve seen all week.
But would you expect it to be anything less?
The footage shared by the UK’s biggest charity zoo across its social media platforms this week shows two Humboldt penguin chicks – who hatched a little earlier this year, and have already naturally shed their fuzzy grey baby feathers – embark on the brand-new adventure of swimming lessons with the zoo’s 45-strong adult colony.
Understandably a little nervous at first, the penguin chicks can be seen tentatively making a splash, before doing what comes naturally to them within minutes.
Keepers at Chester Zoo say they’re now “zooming through the waters at high speed”.
Oh and we forgot to mention the best bit – not only are the two chicks up there with the cutest things we’ve ever seen, they’re also called Ryan and Rob, and have been named after none other than Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
In a bid to “raise more awareness” of the iconic birds – which are native to the coasts of Chile and Peru, and are known for their charismatic personalities and unique black and white markings” – conservationists at the zoo have chosen to pay homage to one of their favourite local football teams, and have decided to name the Humboldt penguin duo after the Wrexham AFC’s owners.
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Brilliant.
Chester Zoo shares adorable video of baby penguins taking their first swimming lessons / Credit: Chester Zoo
“Each year, our team enjoys choosing a different naming theme for the chicks to help garner some much needed attention for the species,” explained Zoe Sweetman – who is the Team Manager of Penguins and Parrots at Chester Zoo.
“We’ve previously had brands of crisps, chocolate bars, and types of fruit, but this year, as one of our penguin keepers is huge fan of Wrexham AFC, we decided to do something a little different and name the two new male arrivals after Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan (Reynolds) and Rob (McElhenney).
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“They’re both so full of personality and charisma, so it seemed rather fitting.”
Ryan and Rob when they were just newly-hatched little babies / Credit: Chester Zoo
Zoe also revealed that there’s a more “serious message” behind the penguins’ fun names too.
“We hope we can help spread some much-needed awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation,” she added.
“We want to inspire more people to take small, daily steps in playing an active role in protecting the future of species like the Humboldt penguin.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Featured Image – Altitude
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Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
Emily Sergeant -
25th August 2023 
