A documentary following Marcus Rashford’sjourney to raise national awareness of the effects of child food poverty in the UK will hit TV screens next week.
Having spoken publicly about his experiences of going without food as a child and the sacrifices his family had to make, cameras will accompany Marcus on his journey to better understand the true effects of child food poverty on millions of children across the UK today.
It will also take a look at how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has contributed to the issue.
The BBC announced the exclusive 60-minute access all areas documentary – titled Marcus Rashford: Feeding Britain’s Children – last month, and it’s now due to air on BBC One next Monday at 7pm.
The Wythenshawe-born Manchester United striker said the documentary has provided the chance to “shine a light on the true scale of the problem”.
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The BBC has confirmed it was offered “exclusive insight” into the decision-making, thought process and motivations of the England International footballer to capture his approach to navigating obstacles he has come up against along the way on his drive to eradicate child food poverty in the UK once and for all.
And viewers will also get to see how this drive contributed to the announcement of relief measures from the UK Government to stabilise the households of over 1.7 million children.
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December 21st 7pm BBC1 👇🏾 Time to shine light on the true scale of the problem. https://t.co/qonQqITVn4
Speaking ahead of the release of the documentary, Clare Sillery – Head of Commissioning for documentaries at the BBC – said: “Everyone will be familiar with the Marcus Rashford we see on the pitch but this documentary will offer a deeper insight into the man himself.
“Through our access, we hope viewers will get to see just how passionate and determined he is about tackling child food poverty in Britain today.”
Rashford – who was awarded an MBE earlier this year – will also be honoured with a special award at the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony on Sunday 20th December.
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It comes after the judging panel unanimously agreed his work off the pitch should be commended.
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Barbara Slater – Director of BBC Sport – said: “Marcus’s endeavour to give a voice to those who find themselves in a situation that he too is familiar with has been greatly admired and the panel wanted to ensure he was recognised for that.
“In a year that has been challenging for everyone, but particularly vulnerable families, he has gone above and beyond to transcend his sport and make a real difference.
“This award is a tribute to a remarkable young man.”
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Marcus Rashford: Feeding Britain’s Children airs on BBC One on Monday 21st December at 7pm.
Secret Genius is a new competition series that sees adults from all walks of life go on an ‘incredible journey of self-discovery’ by competing in a set of immersive intelligence games, and the show‘s producers are currently in the process of casting a group of clever individuals who have what it takes to go all the way.
According to Mensa UK, hundreds of thousands of people may be going about their daily lives unaware of just how intelligent they actually are.
This may be someone who’s always found puzzles, following complex instructions or directions easier than those around them but never understood why, or someone who feels that their natural abilities were misunderstood or overlooked at school or in their working life.
Channel 4 is looking for ‘secret genius’ Mancs to take part in a new competition show / Credit: NCI (via Unsplash) | Freepik
It may be someone who feels their input is dismissed by people when it shouldn’t be, or maybe just someone who’s curious to find out more about their potential brain power.
If this sounds like you, applications for Secret Genius are now open and you could come face to face with the show’s famous presenter duo, Alan Carr and Susie Dent, as the put you and your fellow contestants to the test.
The selected participants will take part in a series of heats, and have the chance to progress to the finals where one lucky person will lift the Secret Genius trophy.
A casting call on the Channel 4 website reads: “Do you suspect that you have a brilliant mind but feel that your intelligence has been underestimated or misunderstood at home, at school or at work? Pass the word on. Maybe you have a friend, family member or colleague whose brainpower constantly amazes you – then give them a nudge to apply.”
Fancy it then? If you’d consider yourself to be a brainbox, then you can find the T&Cs and apply to take part in Secret Genius on the Channel 4 website here.
Featured Image – Melanie Deziel (via Unsplash)
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Starmer: Burnham ‘free to stand’ after his term as Mayor as 50 MPs object to by-election block
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Sir Keir Starmer has said that Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham is more than welcome to run for Parliament after his present term as Mayor.
This comes after Burnham was reportedly ‘blocked’ from running for the currently vacant local seat in Gorton and Denton.
However, the Prime Minister insists the block was simply an attempt to protect the party, arguing that it would have diverted focus and resources away from other issues, whilst insisting that what Burnham does after his run as the region’s mayor is “a matter for Andy”.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE
This is the letter Labour activists in Gorton and Denton are sending to Sir Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood
They are demanding the NEC reverses its decision to block Andy Burnham from standing in the by-election in their seat
As per The Telegraph, Starmer went on to add that he believes his former colleague (the PM worked under Burnham back in 2015) is doing “a first-class job” in local government.
The 56-year-old was first elected Mayor for Greater Manchester back in 2017 before winning re-election back in both 2021 and May of 2024.
His current tenure is set to end around the same time in 2028, but with many touting for the ‘King of the North’ as a potential leadership replacement ahead of the next general election – which must take place no later than 15 August 2029 – a prospective return to Parliament could be next on the cards.
Those who signed the letter going against Keir stated that he had “no legitimate reason” to prevent such a move against Burnham and said that Labour’s governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), should reassess and ultimately reconsider.
It remains to be seen whether the outcome will change either way.
The internal saga has sparked quite the debate
As for the Aintree-born politician, after already admitting that he was “disappointed” by the decision, he also rubbished suggestions that he knew about the move to block him prior to the event, calling the reports “completely untrue” and simply made no sense.
Following up in another post on social media, he shared the latest update from Downing Street itself, which reads: “No one in Number 10 told Andy Burnham not to apply to the NEC for permission to stand or gave any indication to him which sought to prejudge the NEC officers’ deliberation or decision.”
Once again, only time will tell whether or not the letter objecting to Burnham’s return to standing for a constituency or any other Parliamentary role will see any watershed.
Emily Sergeant -
14th December 2020 
