We recently caught wind of a pretty intriguing and world-leading medical facility that’s just opened up in the UK and, yes, it’s a sperm bank that just so happens to be right here in Manchester.
Come on, we were hardly going to ignore this one.
Cryos International, the world’s largest sperm and egg bank based in Denmark but with locations all over the world, has just opened up outside of the city centre and we recently got an insight into what it’s like working there from a local staff member.
28-year-old Clinical Andrologist, Hannah Staples from Warrington, has just started work at the cutting-edge clinic in Rutherford House on the Manchester Science Park and has lifted the lid on the quirk of her fairly hands-on job (pardon the pun).
Meet Hannah (Credit: Cryos International)
Hannah gets involved in everything from the nitty-gritty of freezing sperm itself, welcoming nervous first-time donors and even setting up VR goggles for, you know, the naughty stuff.
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We’d call it NSFW but, technically, this is her work.
But it’s not all just tittering and innuendos; as a clinical andrologist, Hannah is an expert in men’s reproductive health, dealing with issues like fertility, hormone levels, and sexual function, as well as just making clients comfortable coming through the door — damn it, we’ve done it again…
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No, but seriously, Hannah and the Cryos team are on a mission to change Britain’s stuffy perceptions of sperm donation, whilst making things accessible and discreet in their sterile medical environments balanced with gentle lighting and cosy soft furnishings.
Credit: Cryos Manchester
Opening up on her experience at the facility, Hannah says, “Discussing my work was actually how I started my first date with my now-partner.
“Can you imagine telling someone you’ve just met, you work in a sperm bank or a fertility clinic? He was like, ‘I’m sorry, what was that?’
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“Most people are shocked when I tell them what I do, a lot of people even ask me to repeat myself before asking a load of questions like ‘What does sperm look like?'”
She also explained how her days involve greeting donors upon entry, ensuring the centrifuges are set correctly and the actual process of freezing and thawing samples accordingly, as well as logging into porn platforms before setting up the VR headset for the day.
According to the latest stats from the fertility world, VR porn can improve the quality and increase total sperm count by up to 50%, with Cryos offering a premium PornHub subscription.
“People think it’s seedy, 100%, expecting to be ushered into a dark room”, Hannah added, “but, that’s not the case at all. We’re committed to helping people achieve their dreams of starting their own family.
“Whether you’ve donated before or are shaking with nerves before your first appointment, we’re here to put everyone at ease and provide all the support and information you could require.”
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Moreover, the centre is committed to diversity in its visitors, welcoming applications from men of all ethnic backgrounds between the ages of 18 and 45, especially with donations at an all-time low. On the other hand, births from sperm donation have tripled since the turn of the millennium and more people are seeing it as a viable option for welcoming children into the world.
Founded back in 1987, Cryos is continuing to help people start families in more than 100 countries across the globe, boasting the highest number of registered pregnancies in the world. You can find out more about their Manchester sperm and egg bank HERE.
The Sopranos stars finally visit much-loved Manchester sandwich inspired by the show
Danny Jones
In what feels like an inevitable story in the making for a long time now, members of The Sopranos cast have finally visited the popular Manchester sandwich spot inspired by the show, Bada Bing.
We know were biased, but we believe there’s an argument to be made that the beloved Manc butty shop has perhaps an even more fervent cult following than die-hard viewers of the hit American TV drama.
In case you somehow still don’t know the connection, Bada Bing is named after the strip club where several of the main characters work and spend a lot of their time.
Having returned to Manchester city centre back in 2024 after a successful first stint, they’ve been busier than ever, and that famous local name seems to have spread further than ever, including all the way over to the States, where actors from the original show caught wind and have now made the pilgrimage.
You might wonder why they didn’t name it after the butchers and deli, Satriale’s, or maybe even Artie Bucco’s oft-featured restaurant, Vesuvio. Both seem pretty ideal, right?
But let’s be honest, Bada Bing just has a better ring to it; there’s no denying that.
Either way, when series stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa came over to Manchester last week for a live edition of their podcast (which has just wrapped a limited UK tour) at the O2 Apollo.
But whilst they were here, they also made sure to visit a lunchtime joint that we’re sure Tony, Paulie, Christoper, Silvio and all of The Sopranos regulars would approve of.
While they didn’t quite perch out on the stoop with an espresso and a cigar, they did pose with co-owner Sam Gormally for a quick photo op outside the door.
Oh, and we don’t even need to confirm whether or not they liked the heroes – we just know they did.
‘Chris’ Moltisanti himself, Imperioli, also hopped on social media to share another key moment from his visit to the region:
Writing on their TikTok post, the Babd Bing boys dubbed it a “full circle moment” and reiterated that they still “can’t believe this just happened.
To be honest, we’ve barely got over it ourselves, and we’re just very big fans of the place.
We simply cannot imagine how surreal that day must have been for the whole team and everyone involved, and we hope we get a fun new special toasting the pair’s appearance sometime soon.
Featured Images — Bada Bing/Michael Imperioli (via Instagram)
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Grammy-winning hardcore band Turnstile perform ‘exceptional’ cover of a Stone Roses classic
Danny Jones
In a cover version we never knew we needed, multiple Grammy award-winning hardcore band Turnstile have taken social media timelines by storm with a cover of a true British rock classic by The Stone Roses.
Described as everything from “pretty damn brilliant” and “exceptional” by CLASH Magazine to “one of the best triplej covers ever”, it’s fair to say they smashed it with this one.
This one was always likely to go down well with us Mancs, but you never know how possessive people are going to be with iconic tunes treasured not just by regions but entire eras like this.
Without further ado, please enjoy Turnstile’s cover of ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ by The Stone Roses:
Lost track of how many times we’ve watched this now.
Truly excellent.
Not only did they manage to capture the ambient atmosphere of that legendary intro, but they managed to tow the thin paint-splattered line between simply trying to imitate the original and making it their own.
There’s something about frontman Brendan Yates’ vocals that suits this particular cover so very well right from the off.
We’re, of course, not saying that he sounds like Ian Brown in any way, but his range and top notes, in particular, seemed to fit almost perfectly.
Pair that with a contemporary rock band helping rejuvenate their particular guitar-driven genre, and those raw, driving D-beat-centric drums, and you’ve got a winning combo.
As you can see, the majority of the internet seems to agree with us…
.@TURNSTILEHC step into the @triplej studio to recover their take on The Stone Roses' debut album opener 'I Wanna Be Adored'.
The bulk of social media didn’t just hail the reimagining as one that did Brown, John Squire, Reni and the late, great Mani justice, but perhaps one of the greatest that the popular Australian radio station, YouTube channel and Spotify playlisters have seen in a long time.
In fact, in Audio North‘s humble opinion, we’d go so far as to say this is the best we’ve heard in the platform since their native Royel Otis’ delightful duo of The Cranberries and Sophie Ellis-Bextor covers.
Safe to say it’s been an incredible year for Turnstile, who mopped up all manner of accolades in 2025 and were even nominated for International Group at the BRITs here in Manchester this past weekend. They might not have won that one, but they get all the plaudits from us for their song selection alone.
What did you make of it? Better still, do you have a favourite triplej ‘Like a Version’? Actually, no – scrap that: is there a better cover of a Manc artist‘s track that you can think of?
Danny Jones -
28th May 2024 
