There wasn’t a dry-eye left in the house when Musharaf Asghar took centre stage to read aloud at his leaver’s assembly on Educating Yorkshire back in 2013.
If the name Musharaf, known to most as ‘Mushy’, doesn’t ring a bell to you, then the heartwarming moment mentioned above is sure to jog your memory. When it comes to the most memorable television moments of the last decade, there’s no doubt this makes the cut.
It was the perfect example of ‘lump-in-your-throat’ TV viewing and a scene that Brits will never forget.
Educating Yorkshire was the second instalment of the award-winning hit fly-on-the-wall Channel 4 ‘Educating’ series and is arguably one of the most well-loved, having outperformed every other instalment by averaging 3.46 million viewers each episode.
Set in Thornhill Community Academy in West Yorkshire, the series had its fair share of moments, interactions and pupils that will be remembered for years to come, but no other pupil captured the love of the nation quite like Mushy did. A kind but shy pupil with an acute stammer and a goal of achieving a C in his English GCSE, Musharaf found a mentor in his teacher Mr Burton.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HZcInWozAk
Mr Burton worked with Mushy to help overcome his stammer and build confidence in speaking by using an unusual, yet extremely effective way of reading a poem aloud whilst listening to music through headphones – a technique he says he discovered from watching the 2010 film The King’s Speech. To Mr Burton’s surprise, Mushy executes the reading of the poem in a way he was unable to manage before.
Later in the episode, during the Year 11 leaver’s assembly, Mushy is invited to speak in front of his peers and goes on to deliver a triumphant speech to an understandably emotional audience.
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He also achieved his C in GCSE English too and a place in the nation’s hearts.
Now, seven years on from this life changing moment, Musharaf Asghar is an accomplished motivational speaker and travels across the UK to talk about his experiences and the obstacles he has overcome.
Truly honoured and humbled for all the lovely messages I’m receiving. It’s been a surreal journey. I am so proud to say I am now a motivational speaker. If you’re interested in booking myself in for a keynote, feel free to get into contact. Thank you ♥️ #EducatingYorkshirepic.twitter.com/yOnu928vDZ
He also regularly posts videos discussing a range of topics to his YouTube channel with over 7,000 subscribers and engages with fans on social media too.
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His willingness to share and speak about important issues has seen thousands come out to support him online.
So delighted for your success Musharaf. Loved Educating Yorkshire more than all the others and that was because of you and Mr.Burton. 👏👏👏👏👏
You know what Musharaf? You are the reason I teach! You had me in floods of tears and shouting at the tv and willing you with all my might to do that speech!!! 🙏🏻What an outstanding, exceptional young man you are – and a reminder that we can do anything we put our minds to!!! 😉
I can remember so vividly watching you on EY and crying floods of tears, how fantastic that you have made a career out of speaking, what an inspiration you are. Wishing you every success for the future.
You are amazing. By sharing your struggles as a teenager which is a difficult time on its own & relatable you have helped so many others. Many people watched this & hopefully had more compassion & patience with others. You continue to show you can achieve your dreams. 👏
If you needed a reason to feel inspired today, then surely this will do it, right?
Mushy, you are a hero.
Want to keep up to date with Mushy’s journey? You can follow him on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGFitAk2w-o&t=37s
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An exclusive pop-up vintage clothing and charity market is coming to Manchester Arndale
Danny Jones
Love shopping locally, independently and sustainably and from the likes of traders and regional markets? Well, this one is tailor-made for you (pun intended), because a Greater Manchester favourite is coming to the city centre.
Better still, you can do your bit for charity whilst you’re at it.
That’s right: Salford’s former but ever superb CharitySuper.Mkt is making its way from Media City to central Manchester for the very first time.
Popping up at the Arndale for its city centre debut, Exchange Court will be taken over by a sea of indies and vintage clobber for three whole days.
Credit: Press shot (supplied via Charity Super.Mkt)
Boasting not only some native but even national history, the UK’s first multi-charity pre-loved fashion store boasts countless curated charity finds.
From second-hand gems and desirable denim, to retro and cult favourite football shirts and more, there’ll be plenty to get your hands on – all whilst supporting charities from nearby and all over the country.
Co-founded by Northern designer Wayne Hemingway MBE – whose Red or Dead footwear brand and fashion label began inAfflecks Palace and over on King Street – the Manc roots behind this run deep.
Notably, this upcoming and limited-time-only event marks a significant milestone for the initiative, too, as this will be their biggest activation since their highly successful two-month stint at the Quayside shopping complex.
The popular residency was only relatively short-lived, but it’s safe to say that it was much-loved and well-received by plenty more than justSalfordians.
Getting underway this month, the pop-up will kick off from 9am on Friday, 10 July, running across the entire weekend.
Participating charities include The British Heart Foundation and the RSPCA, who have already seen support through more than 10,000 vintage items being resold in an effort to raise important funds from theMedia City pop-up alone.
This also meant that more than three tonnes of textile waste were diverted from landfill, and over 25 tonnes of CO₂ emissions were offset, not to mention upwards of 4,500 cubic metres of water were saved in the process. Brilliant stuff.
Making its maiden appearance in Manchester city centre, this summer’s Charity Super.Mkt atManchester Arndale is a must-not-miss; you can find the opening times for each of the days down below:
The best Northern music artists of the month | June 2026
Danny Jones
It’s that time again: we’re back with more fantastic musical artists from across the country’s incredibly creative and talented Northern reaches.
Yes, in case you missed the switch-up in our last edition, with our Audio North team’s work only ramping up by the minute, we’re no longer just sticking to Manchester acts.
After last month’s edition, which saw us gather five different recommendations from all over the North, we’ve got five more bands and artists for you.
Whether it’s an up-and-coming act or one you’ve just forgotten about – maybe they’ve got some notable new material for the first time in a fair while – so long as they’re from up this direction, we’re trying to give props wherever we can. Let’s get stuck in, shall we?
Names from the North we’ve been listening to lately
1. Aaron Dinning
First up, of course, we most certainly will be starting with our official Audio North Artist of the Month for June: Aaron Dinning – a wonderful singer-songwriter who straddles roots in the North East, Yorkshire and now Greater Manchester.
A fast-growing LGBTQIA+ figure, this Durham-born solo artist reflects plenty on what it was like growing up gay on Wearside, as well as how he’s begun to carve a career path of his own thus far, studying and finding his feet in Leeds before moving to 0161.
There’s simply so much both we and, more importantly, HE has to say about his work: which is why you can read our full write-up about this talented young artist right HERE.
In at number two is a name who’s been steadily growing in popularity and who also has her foot in more than one camp; the Glasgow-born adopted scouser that is Brooke Combe is someone we think is only one or two big moments away from blowing up, so enjoy her as ‘your new thing’ while you can.
From seeing her live at the since-closed Canvas (now Ambers) in Manchester city centre as part of Neighbourhood Festival years ago, to catching her playing one of the bigger slots at 2026’s Weekender version in Warrington, the momentum is building.
So much so, we even saw her opening up for showbiz star Jeff Goldblum earlier this year – she even got him to drink IRN BRU. ‘Are You With Me? is the first song we ever heard, and we’ve been hooked ever since, be it ‘How Can I Tell You? (To Love Me More)’ or her new single ‘Tears Won’t Lie’.
Just by chance, a few years ago, we came across a unique gig series by INNSide North UK and Meliá Hotels, where budding artists were being invited to play intimate stripped-back sets from a bedroom: it was here that we first stumbled upon the Geordie charmer, Andrew Cushin.
We think this lad has the voice, lyricism, style and kind of soon-to-bloom following to go to the next level, especially with the right support shows and festival stages; having his song feature on the BBC’s World Cup 2026 coverage certainly hasn’t hurt.
Recommendation-wise, ‘Where’s My Family Gone’ never gets old and we enjoy the upbeat, summery rock energy of his latest track, ‘Goodbye’, and we love the passion locals show for the cult favourite ‘Wor Flags’ in honour of beloved Newcastle United and the dedicated supporters group of the same name.
4. Keyside
Another Liverpudlian entry, rising quartet Keyside have a fervent and super-engaged fan base that’s developing much faster than most recently formed four-pieces you’ll find within this already oversaturated genre; having only been around since 2022, they’re already doing bits.
Whether it be the somewhat high-pitched and perfect level of nasally vocals, the often folky-sounding style of guitar, or at least three out of four haircuts reminding us of The Kooks, there’s something very attractive about their particular jangly brand of indie revival.
I promise that my own personal passion for anything citrus-related isn’t the only reason I enjoy ‘Lemon And Lime’, and as for other standouts, we’d recommend trying out ‘Angeline’ and ‘Runaway’ from their upcoming self-titled debut album in just a few weeks’ time.
See us live on our UK Instore tour
06 Aug – Bury – 5pm sold out – 9pm show just added ‼️ 07 Aug – Leeds – low tickets ‼️ 08 Aug – Liverpool – selling fast ‼️ 09 Aug – London 10 Aug – Nottingham 13 Aug – Glasgow 14 Aug – Edinburgh – low tickets ‼️
Last but not least, we want to heap some long overdue praise on West Yorkshire‘s very own Embrace, a.k.a. the eternal underdogs of domestic alternative rock but one for which our soft spot will never go away. Call it post-Britpop, ‘dad rock’ – call it whatever you want, all we know is we still love these lot.
Perhaps a slight victim of breaking through right after one of the golden eras of guitar-driven music this country has ever seen, it feels like five-piece has never quite been given the plaudits they deserve for consistently putting out beyond solid studio material for the best part of three decades.
We’ve found that they sometimes fall into the category of band where you know their tracks even if you don’t know it’s the – think ‘Gravity’ and ‘Ashes’ – but we’re still eagerly awaiting the day we get to hear the likes of ‘Road to Nowhere’ and our new obsessession, ‘Funny’, in the, at times, genuinely anthemic stadium rock setting they deserve. Just watch them celebrate another top 10 album this month.
There’s something very charming and old-school about this music video.
Sadly, that’s all she wrote – at least until next month anyway.
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As always, we sincerely hope you enjoy our picks, and please do drop in any suggestions of what we should listen to next ahead of July’s round-up.
We’re already totting up a few names, and truth be told, we’re still listening to plenty from May’s list, too.
Emily Sergeant -
29th June 2020 
