The Natural History Museum’s world-famous Dippy the dinosaur is starring in his very own TV documentary that’s hitting screens across the UK this evening.
And his extended stay at Rochdale is set to take centre stage.
The Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure first opened in Rochdale at Number One Riverside and Touchstones as the only North West stop on its national tour back in February of 2020, with almost 115,000 visitors coming to see the dinosaur cast before the first national lockdown was put in place.
His arrival in Rochdale made waves and proved to be a smash hit for the region – especially after it reopened for a short time later in the year with safety measures in place – but the exhibition sadly had to be suspended on a number of occasions due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and so instead, Rochdale Borough Council launched an online offering in its place.
8,000 school children visited with their classes and hundreds joined in with special zoom sessions organised by the council’s children’s services team to enable children to engage with Dippy during lockdown.
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It’s expected that this unprecedented rollercoaster experience for the exhibition will be touched upon in the documentary.
The six-part documentary series – Natural History Museum: World of Wonder – focuses on the famous London museum and its many special artefacts, with film crews getting special behind the scenes access to the institution’s treasures, and in episode two – which airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 5 – the team will feature Dippy’s visit last year to Rochdale as part of the national tour.
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Our friend @DippyOnTour might have left Rochdale, but he's still making waves! The famous dino's visit to our borough features in a new primetime @channel5_tv show, Natural History Museum: World Of Wonder, which airs this Thursday (14) at 8pm @NHM_London@JEMsoc@Touchstonespic.twitter.com/35a4SiSDph
Film crews captured the 21-metre long dinosaur cast alongside local visitors, and had a chat with Rochdale Councillor Janet Emsley and Lorraine Cornish from the Natural History Museum as part of their episode about dinosaurs and other prehistoric treasures.
This isn’t the first time Dippy’s stay in Rochdale has made it to the silver screen either.
Late last year, Dippy made and appearance from Rochdale on the iconic children’s programme Blue Peter, where viewers tuned in to see young dinosaur fan, Warwick Carter, join presenter Ritchie Driss to place Dippy’s head on at the end of the build.
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Speaking of Dippy’s star turn on television screens this evening, Councillor Janet Emsley said: “I’m not surprised that Dippy’s legacy is continuing, even now that he’s left our borough and I’m looking forward to catching up with my favourite dinosaur once more, albeit through my television,”
“Last year was a very difficult year, but Dippy was unquestionably a rare highlight, and it will be wonderful to be reminded of this wonderful exhibit and what a special time it was for our borough.”
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Natural History Museum: World of Wonder continues on Channel 5 at 8pm this evening.
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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.
“This is for all the Patricias out there, see you at Sunset Cocktails to celebrate. Thank you.”
Featured Image – The Television Academy (via YouTube)
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M&S launches new Too Good To Go partnership – with NINE Greater Manchester stores signed up
Emily Sergeant
M&S has finally decided to partner with food waste charity, Too Good To Go.
As of yesterday, a total of 350 M&S stores across the UK – including nine major sites in Greater Manchester – now offer new Too Good To Go ‘Surprise Bags’ that are made up of surplus bakery goodies, giving customers the chance to collect quality food at a reduced price at the end of the day directly from in-store bakeries.
The launch follows a trial in a select number of UK stores, and the Surprise Bags will include bakery treats such as pastries, cookies, and fresh bread.
The partnership with Too Good To Go is the latest move in M&S Food’s work to reduce surplus food and ensure good food doesn’t go to waste.
Greater Manchester stores that will be taking part in the new Too Good To Go partnership include Manchester Market Street, Trafford Centre, Stockport, Spinningfields, Prestwich, Wigan Robin, Bolton Middlebrook, Bury The Rock, and Ashton Moss.
Each of the Surprise Bags will include three to four bakery products to a minimum retail price of £10.20 for just £3.80.
Available Monday to Saturday, customers can order their Surprise Bags through the Too Good To Go app, and collect them one hour before their local store closes.
“It’s great to be involved in this new launch with Too Good To Go to help reduce food waste,” commented Chris Parker, who is the Store Manager at M&S Bolton Middlebrook.
“Our in-store bakeries are incredibly popular with customers, and at the end of the day, customers will now be able to order and collect surprise bags offering fantastic surplus bakery products at great value.
“By finding new ways to re-purpose surplus products, we’re helping ensure more food is enjoyed rather than wasted. This partnership is another positive step towards reaching our goal of halving food waste by 2030.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th January 2021 
