Have you heard that a brand-new series of Embarrassing Bodies is returning to our screens in 2022 after five years since it was last on air?
And this week, it’s bringing back its famous ‘Confessional Booth’ to film in Manchester.
Announcing its two-day stay in Manchester on 27 & 28 January in a post to Instagram, Embarrassing Bodies explains that the ‘Confessional Booth’ will disguise your face, so that you can ask the new GP team all the questions you’d be too embarrassed to ask your own GP.
“We are looking to offer discreet advice and answer your questions about practically any embarrassing issue,” the show said.
In case you don’t remember the programme, or you’re unfamiliar with the premise, the BAFTA award-winning medical reality television show first hit our screens all the way back in 2007, and has since gone on to air eight series, multiple spin-offs – featuring kids, teenagers, and more – and even a special hour-long live version in 2011.
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With one of TV’s most unique concepts, the series’ basic premise involves members of the public with a wide variety of medical conditions consulting the show’s doctors for advice, and up until then, those were conditions they had been too embarrassed to seek help for.
The show is bringing back its famous ‘Confessional Booth’ to film in Manchester / Credit: Channel 4
In many cases in the show’s long history, cosmetic or corrective surgery has been offered and undertaken to treat patients with more severe or noticeable ailments.
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The show was always highly-popular during its original run and was the topic of many a conversation, and now, Channel 4 has confirmed that it’s going to be back for a new and exciting series next year, one that producers Maverick TV say is aiming to “raise awareness on health issues and medical conditions that some people may find hard or embarrassing to talk about”.
“We hope in some instances we can potentially offer fast-tracked specialist help and treatment,” they added.
A casting call for the new series – which will be aired on E4 – has been published on the Channel 4 website, and it reads: “Is Dr Google your best friend? Are you worried about a health condition that you don’t want to see your GP about?
“It could be bad skin that makes you miserable, excess hair where you don’t want it, a funny odour that you aren’t sure is normal.
Embarrassing Bodies is back with a new series coming in 2022 / Credit: Channel 4
“Maybe there’s a condition that you’ve been struggling with for years but have never had the right treatment for.
“No concern or issue is too small.”
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Do you have a health concern that you’ve previously not had the confidence to seek advice for? Applications for the return of Embarrassing Bodies in 2022 are now open, so if you are interested in taking part in the series, head on over to the Channel 4 website.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United
Danny Jones
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Co-op Live has been named the number one arena in Europe following its debut year
Danny Jones
Despite a rocky opening month or so, Manchester’s Co-op Live made the ultimate instant recovery and has now been named the number one arena not just in the UK but all of Europe.
Manc music venues being best in class? Sounds about right.
Yes, even despite some obstacles, delays and early hiccups, Co-op Live‘s debut year as a live music and indoor entertainment venue has seen it beat out the likes of the long-established and iconic O2 in London to take the top spot.
The inaugural 12 months of the arena have not only seen it welcome all manner of music legends, as well as live sporting events such as the UFC and WWE, but the arena welcomed more visitors than any other venue across the continent during that time.
Names to have graced the industry-leading stage so far include Liam Gallagher, Stevie Nicks and Take That; Peter Kay, Elbow, Sabrina Carpenter, Paul McCartney, and so many more.
Commenting on the successful start, Tim Leiweke (CEO and chairman of the Oak View Groupbehind the venue) said: “Our ambition was to bring the world’s best music arena to one of the world’s greatest music cities and we are thrilled with the reaction from fans and artists alike over this past year.
“Co-op Live’s revolutionary acoustics investment has already attracted some of the world’s biggest artists and events to Manchester, with many more to come. And our sustainability commitment will ensure we remain responsible contributors to Manchester and the planet for years to come.
“We believe that amazing venues can transform cities for the better, and Co-op Live has done just that.”
It’s fair to say we’ve had some truly unforgettable nights in there already – and that’s just in the last month alone. Case and point:
With a continued commitment to achieving ‘Net Zero’ status too, the venue’s carbon reduction technologies, solar panels, heat pumps and rainwater harvesting, not to mention the recently refreshed CityLink walking in partnership with the Climate Pledge, are all things we can be proud of.
Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, went on to add: “We are delighted with the success of Co-op Live’s first year, and to see it taking the top spot off London.
“It shows Manchester is the home of live music in the UK, with Co-op Live bringing so many exclusives from artists like Bruce Springsteen to the city and Oasis playing massive hometown shows this summer – 2025 is going to be one of the biggest ever for our city’s music scene.”
Meanwhile, things are feeling less fortunate at the grassroots end of the spectrum, as the Music Venue Trust is imploring people to get behind a vulnerable Manc music institution.
Emily Sergeant -
27th January 2022 
