According to recent research on Britain’s bedtime habits, Mancunians are apparently the most sleep deprived anywhere in the country this month.
Carried out by botanical experts Cannabotech, who used YouGov survey results and search data on the nations sleeping patterns and nighttime habits from the last five years, they found that not only is January the hardest time of year to get a good night’s rest, but Mancs are seemingly the worst suffering.
Pulling data for Google Keywords Explorer and Google Trends, researchers found that Greater Manchester reported the highest influx of sleep-related search terms per capita at the start of the year.
“Absolutely knackered” is a pretty standard response whenever you ask how your co-workers are doing on Monday morning but, come to think of it, feeling almost permanently tired does feel very ‘January’.
As mentioned, it’s not just this January either, (I mean, we’re only a fortnight into 2023): half a decade’s worth of sleep-deprived search data and adjacent survey results show that at leasttwo in five Mancunians don’t get enough sleepinthe first month of the year.
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When it comes to troubleshooting why you’re struggling to nod off, our lot rank among the highestfor searching things like ‘insomnia’, ‘sleep music’ and ‘sleeping pills’ — all of which are at their highest at the start of the year.
The NHS recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, but according to the data, just over half (56%) of the population manage to enjoy that amount in January.
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This leaves two-fifths (44%) of people in the region not getting enough rest at the start of the year, which the NHS says can lead to various short and long-term health problems, including increased stress, memory issues and a weak immune system.
What about the rest of the UK’s sleep stats?
Post-Christmas fatigue no doubt plays a part in the sleep struggles but as for why us Mancs are the worst affected, who knows? For now, let’s just chalk it up to solid graft.
As for the rest of Britain, Lancaster and East Kilbride are some of the better sleepers, reporting the lowest search volume of search terms relating to sleeping issues per-capita. Conversely, here are the top 10 most sleep deprived places across the nation:
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Manchester
Bristol
Reading
Liverpool
Birmingham
Preston
Newcastle upon Tyne
Nottingham
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Approximately 1% of the UK’s adult population (roughly 528,889 people) get just one hour of sleep per night in January. Now that’s a grim thought.
Google’s data shows that lots of Brits aren’t happy with their sleep throughout the year; wider search queries include ‘insomnia’, ‘why can’t I sleep’, ‘sleep music’, ‘sleep remedies’ and ‘sleeping pills’ — all of which peak in January.
How to beat the January blues and sleep better
So how can people try and get more shut-eye? Well, while you may know a lot of this already, Cannobotech recommends the following:
Support your immune system
In winter as colds circulate, it’s important to strengthen your immune system in order to limit sleep disruption. Stay hydrated, eat plenty of Vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies, and although it’s tempting to stay inside when it’s cold, physical exercise is important — you can always get a workout in at home.
Maintain a set schedule
Those drawn-out dark evenings can make it hard to switch off. Regardless, try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time all year, as this will make it easier for your body to recognise when it’s time for bed. You can also invest in natural light bulbs and other forms of light therapy to make the transition easier.
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Keep stress levels low
Keeping stress levels low before bed will improve your sleep quality massively. Ways to do this include avoiding screens and winding down at least an hour before your planned bedtime, as well as setting time aside to journal or get any worries or concerns you have off your chest so they don’t keep you up.
Sleep deprivation isn’t just a pain in the arse, it can turn into a genuine health risk and lead to further problems down the line, so let’s make 2023 a better year for sleep.
If you’re struggling to get your head down, be sure to take these tips on board and we hope you get some proper kip soon.
ITV’s Dancing on Ice is being taken off the air after nearly two decades
Danny Jones
A UK TV staple looks to have come to an end after nearly 20 years as ITV appears to have axed, or at the very least shelved, their long-standing annual show, Dancing on Ice.
The celebrity ice-skating competition and reality programme started all the way back in 2006 and was a British favourite for a long time, especially during the heyday of X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, I’m A Celeb and the like.
However, following a slump over recent years, ITV has announced that Dancing on Ice will not be returning next year and could be seemingly be sidelined indefinitely.
Confirmed on Thursday, 27 March, just over a fortnight after Coronation Street star Sam Aston (Chesney Brown) won the 2025 final, it looks like you won’t be seeing celebs skating on ice again for some time.
Speaking to the Metro, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said in an official statement: “Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series.”
The 2025 Dancing on Ice lineup (Credit: ITVX)
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice.”
An average of just under three million viewers tuned into ITV1 live for the launch of the most recent show back in January, while approximately 3.6 million tuned in to watch the first episode last year.
Presented by familiar famous faces, Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, judged by ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as dancing duo Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse – with previous hosts including Christine Lampard and Phillip Schofield – it’s been a mainstay for 19 years.
ITV has actually halted Dancing on Ice once before just over a decade ago, when the show was rested after its ninth season; the ‘first’ run ended with an all-star series, only for it to ultimately return to our screens just four years later in 2018.
Having now been cut short just 12 months short of its 20th anniversary, fans as well as former cast and crew members alike have been bidding it bittersweet goodbye:
So #DancingOnIce has been shelved for the 2nd time. Sadly I saw this coming right from the moment I knew Jane & Chris were performing for the last time. The format had become tired and the ratings were atrocious. The correct decision. pic.twitter.com/bo7FZXozAP
— All Things Dancing On Ice (@AllThingsDOI) March 26, 2025
Radio and TV enthusiast Ryan Glendenning went on to add: “Also take a moment to acknowledge the hard work that went into Dancing on Ice from the pros, behind the scenes people, choreographers, judges and the celebs.
“Back in the Ray Quinn/Hayley Tamadon days, the show thrived – sadly, that’s not the case anymore. ITV killed this show!”
Lady Gaga announces MASSIVE gig at Co-op Live this year
Thomas Melia
American pop icon Lady Gaga is returning to the UK and is making a special stop in Manchester to celebrate her latest album, MAYHEM.
‘Mother Monster’ is returning to our lovely city for one night only ahead of her ‘The MAYHEM Ball Tour’, which is reaching the UK in October.
Gaga last visited Manchester over a decade ago when she brought ‘artRAVE: The Artpop Ball’ to AO Arena back in 2014.
The past few months have been mega for the 14-time Grammy-winning artist who has seen her Bruno Mars link-up ‘Die With A Smile’ catapult her career to new audiences and even further heights.
This single alone holds the record for the longest-running daily #1 hit on Spotify’s global chart, dethroning ‘Dance Monkey’ by Tones and I, which spent 121 days atop the chart.
Whether you’re showing up and showing out for classics such as ‘Poker Face’ and ‘Bad Romance’, or rocking up to hear new favourites like ‘Rain On Me’ and ‘Garden Of Eden’, this night will be a spectacle, that’s for sure.
This unmatched performer has chosen none other than Co-op Live as the destination for her newest tour, and we’re sure the arena will be packed with 23,500 of Gaga’s devoted ‘Little Monsters’.
Lady Gaga’s newest album, MAYHEM, is an ode to her discography and legacy as an artist with tracks like drawing from almost 20 year career: ‘Disease’, ‘Perfect Celebrity’, ‘Don’t Call Tonight’ and more.
Her latest single, ‘Abracadabra’, is already becoming a modern-day pop phenomenon too, as she evokes her familiar but ever-enigmatic pop star persona – we just wish we could magic ourselves some of those precious tickets.
The US performer took to social media to express her excitement, stating: “This show is designed to be the kind of theatrical and electrifying experience that brings MAYHEM to life exactly how I envision it.”
Gaga’s UK tour run is limited with a three-show residency at The O2 in London confirmed and this one-off Manchester gig announced so far.
With Gaga’s last visit being over 10 years ago, anyone looking to get their hands on any tickets will have to act fast.
She sure knows how to raise a roof, and when you have a single titled ‘Applause’ all about her adoration of playing to live crowds, we have no doubt this will be a night the die-hard fans will never forget.
Lady Gaga is bringing her ‘MAYHEM Ball Tour’ to Co-op Live on 7 October, with pre-sale tickets available from Monday 31 March onwards with general admission tickets going up from Thursday, 3 April at 12pm.
Danny Jones -
13th January 2023 
