Netflix’s latest smash-hit original series Bridgerton has captured the attentions of millions across the globe over the last two weeks.
The eight-part series set in the competitive world of Regency London high society’s ton during the season when debutantes are presented at court has no doubt become one of the most talked-about shows on TV, with an estimated 63 million households tuning in since its Christmas Day release date.
The new period drama has held the number one slot on the Top 10 list in a total of 76 countries and has made the fifth biggest original series debut on the streaming platform to date.
But now fans have uncovered a little-known fact about the show’s lead, and it’s blown our minds.
Phoebe Dynevor – who plays one of the main characters Daphne, the youngest sibling in the Bridgerton family – is actually the daughter of none other than Middleton-born Sally Dynevor, aka Sally Webster from Coronation Street.
Loving the fact that "Daphne" from #Bridgerton (aka Phoebe Dynevor) is the real life daughter of "Sally" from #CoronationStreet (Sally Dynevor)! Also, this makes me feel very, very, very old!
With a mother known for playing an iconic television character, and a screenwriter father, perhaps it was clear Phoebe was destined for acting success all along
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As the eldest daughter of Sally and Tim Dynevor, Phoebe was born in Trafford and attended the prestigious Cheadle Hulme School in Stockport before she decided to follow in her mum’s acting footsteps. She landed her first role in the popular BBC series Waterloo Road over 10 years ago, and has been earning herself a number of major acting gigs ever since.
Sally Dynevor has been playing cobbles-regular Sally Webster on the ITV soap since 1986, and just last week was awarded an MBE for her services to drama in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list.
From Sally’s Instagram, it’s clear to see she is a very proud mother of Phoebe’s role in Bridgerton, having been sharing lots of promotional clips from the Netflix show, and by looking at both Sally and Phoebe’s social media platforms, they also appear to have a very close relationship and often post pictures together.
And if that wasn’t enough to shock you as it is, fans have made yet another revelation.
The Bridgerton mum-related news just keeps on coming and has seen viewers also freaking out after realising that Phoebe’s on-screen mum – played by Ruth Gemmell – is actually Tracy Beaker’s mum from the 2004 movie spin-off Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me.
A now-viral tweet revealing the fact has blown the minds of over 50K people.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Emily Sergeant -
6th January 2021 
