A police dog who’s been working hard to keep the people of Greater Manchester safe for over half a decade has now hung up his lead.
After seven years of service, springer spaniel Hugo has recently retired from the all-important role of sniffer dog with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and the force has now paid a worthy homage to their loyal four-legged former team member.
Born into the GMP family back in 2015 and following in the footsteps of his dad Max, the eight-year-old was an integral part of numerous seizures of drugs, cash, and firearms during his time with GMP, and had some “huge finds” in cars, buildings, on the Metrolink, and even at Manchester Airport too.
Hugo was nicknamed ‘Huge’ by his handler when they first became a team seven years ago, and the two bonded straight away.
#NEWS | “He served me and has been my best mate for seven years. It’s my job to look after him in retirement.”
A homage to recently retired police dog Hugo, who served Greater Manchester Police for seven years
The pair began their journey in 2016 searching for tennis balls, before moving onto train stations and buildings with different surfaces to get the little pup ready for his initial eight-week police dog training course, which is what set him up for everything he’s done throughout his stellar career.
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But as the years went on, Hugo’s handler started to pick up on some signs that it might be time for him to call it a day.
“To be honest, he told me,” Hugo’s handler admitted.
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“I started to notice him slowing down on searches, not as eager, not as desperate to jump in the car to go to work, and it was just that bond that you have, and you sort of notice – but thankfully, we read the signs.
“We all decided he’s done us proud, he’s done his time, and it’s time to let him enjoy retirement.”
Now-retired police dog Hugo with his handler / Credit: GMP
After his impressive career, Hugo was rewarded what GMP calls the “traditional way” by celebrating his years of services at the pub, and he now enjoys a life of leisure living as pet dog with his handler.
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While taking on a former police dog can make the handler’s role harder, Hugo’s handler says he wouldn’t have it any other way, as it’s something he loves and enjoys, adding that he’s “thankful” he’s even been given the opportunity to offer the pup a loving home.
“He served me and has been my best mate for seven years,” Hugo’s handler said, “so it’s my job to look after him in retirement.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Stockport actress Aimee Lou Wood set to star in new BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre
Emily Sergeant
Stockport-born actress Aimee Lou Wood is set to lead a new BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre, it has been reported.
It was announced earlier this year that Working Title are producing a new TV adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, Jane Eyre – which will be led by The White Lotus and Sex Education star in the titular role – and Deadline has now exclusively revealed that the BBC has joined the production as the broadcaster.
The new TV adaptation has been penned for the screen by Miriam Battye – an award-winning writer best known for her work on HBO’s Succession.
Published all the way back in 1847 and set across a number of fictional Northern England settings, the classic novel explores the moral and emotional development of orphan Jane Eyre as she searches for love, independence, and social equality in the 19th century.
EXCLUSIVE: Deadline hears that 'The White Lotus' and 'Sex Education' star Aimee Lou Wood is attached to star in a new TV adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel Jane Eyre.
Emmy nominee Wood will play the indomitable heroine in the buzzy adaptation which we understand is… pic.twitter.com/ETBRaPJanN
Throughout the novel, Jane overcomes a harsh and unloving childhood and goes on to find work as a governess at Thornfield Hall, before falling in love with her moody master, Mr Rochester, and discovering a dark secret in his attic.
The novel is widely considered to be ahead of its time due to how it approaches topics of class, sexuality, religion, and feminism.
Jane Eyre has been the subject of a number of adaptations of the years – most notably the last major TV version being in 2006, also for the BBC, and a 2011 film starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender – but there hasn’t been any in 15 years now, and 2027 marks the 180th anniversary for the iconic story.
Aimee Lou Wood is also riding high at the moment after her Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe nominations for Season 3 of The White Lotus, and after having also been cast as George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd, in Sam Mendes’ four Beatles biopic movies, all set to be released in 2028.
As of yet, further information on when and where the new adaptation will be being filmed is yet to be released, and there is no indication of air dates either.
The BBC is expected to reveal more details in due course, so stay tuned.
Featured Image – HBO
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Greggs renames one of its bestselling bakes after Andy Burnham says it’s his favourite
Emily Sergeant
Greggs has decided to rename one of its bestselling bakes in honour of Andy Burnham.
In case you didn’t know, the new Number 10 North offices in Manchester’s Heron House share a building with lots of other businesses, some independent, some chains – and one of those businesses is the ever-popular high street bakery Greggs.
And we wouldn’t put it past Andy Burnham, being the northerner he is, to have chosen those offices specifically for that reason.
Okay, we’re obviously kidding, but considering the Prime Minister really doesn’t have to venture that far for a Greggs when he’s at work in Manchester now, he’s been asked in a recent interview this week what his go-to order is from the bakery chain.
When asked to name his favourite Greggs bake, Andy replied: “That sausage, bean, and cheese thing,” which, of course, refers to the popular Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melt.
Greggs has renamed one of its bestselling bakes after Andy Burnham said it’s his favourite / Credit: Supplied | gov.uk
According to Greggs, sales of that bake have doubled following the interview, particularly at the Heron House store, as curious Mancs and Number 10 North staff queued to sample the PM’s preferred pasty – so naturally, Greggs has decided to rename the item the ‘Sausage, Bean and Cheese Thing’ in his honour.
Workers at the Heron House shop were photographed changing the signage of the bake yesterday morning, and digital screens in the shop were also updated following the interview.
Andy himself has approved the change, taking to Instagram to say: “Has a nice ring to it tbf. Thanks [Greggs], that’s my order baked in for life now.”
Warren McCarrick, shop manager at the Greggs outside Number 10 North, said: “Our shop has been buzzing with Mancs getting their hands on Burnham’s favourite bake. Sales have gone through the roof this morning – cheers, Andy.
“We thought we’d repay the favour and rename it to what the Prime Minister seems to fondly know it as, that Sausage, Bean and Cheese Thing.
Emily Sergeant -
9th October 2023 
