Manchester City Council has confirmed that the Christmas lights in the city centre are to finally be switched on by NHS keyworkers tomorrow.
As England’s second national lockdown comes to an end this week and the country returns to the regional tiered system, Manchester is still set to welcome the festive season with a little help from NHS and social care heroes across the region.
The annual Christmas Light Switch-on event is usually one of the biggest parties of the year, attracting thousands of people into the city to start the season with a bang.
But of course, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has meant the usual celebrations had to be cancelled this year, so three NHS heroes will have the honour of pushing the button on this year’s lights instead.
They will also be joined by some of Manchester’s frontline health and social care workers.
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The small and socially-distanced event will take place at Manchester Cathedral on Wednesday 2nd December at 6.45pm, and will be live on BBC Radio Manchester, BBC North West Tonight and live streamed on social media for people to enjoy safely from home.
Interviews with the NHS staff chosen to switch on this year’s lights will also appear on BBC Breakfast and on social media.
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Geograph / David DixonManchester City Council
Manchester’s 12-metre high, selfie-loving Santa – which returned for the second year to St Peter’s Square this week – will be joined once again by a trail of large-scale light sculptures across the city in Piccadilly Gardens, St Peter’s Square, and New Cathedral Street.
There will also be the traditional crib in St Ann’s Square, and a Christmas tree by the Cathedral.
Speaking on this year’s special, socially-distanced switch-on, Cllr Pat Karney – Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council – said: “Christmas will finally arrive in Manchester this week after a slightly longer wait than usual.
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“Although the festive season will feel a bit different this year, we still can’t wait to push the button on our Christmas lights with the help of our NHS and social care heroes.
“The Christmas Lights switch-on has always marked the start of Christmas in Manchester and this year will be more important than ever. Christmas is a really important time for the city’s businesses and we will be doing everything we can to ensure people can visit the city centre safely and give businesses the support they need.”
You can find more information via the Manchester City Council website here.
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A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LIVE TOUR
The hit TV show announces its first-ever live arena tour! Hosted by Jamie Redknapp!
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
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John Stones is leaving Manchester City after a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he will be leaving after nearly a full decade in sky blue at the end of the season.
The England and Man City defender has lifted pretty much everything there is to win at club level, being part of the ‘Centurions’, Treble-winning and four-in-a-row sides.
John Stones signed for City back in August of 2016 and has gone on to be part of their greatest-ever period of success under Pep Guardiola, not to mention becoming a mainstay in the national team during that time.
Sharing a moving video on social media, announced the decision that will see him depart after the best part of 10 years this summer.
Having made nearly 300 appearances for the Cityzens, he will leave the Etihad as one of their most decorated players, with a tally of 19 major trophies, the same number of goals and nine assists during his time with the club.
That being said, depending on how the remainder of this 2025/26 campaign goes, all of those stats could improve even further.
Writing in an official statement of their own, Man City went on to say: “Armed with wonderful technique, a sublime passing range allied to a superb work rate and astute reading of the game, Stones was in many ways the very embodiment of Pep Guardiola’s City.
“Such was his natural talent and tactical flexibility that Stones’ City career later saw him often deployed in a hybrid role, which saw him move into the middle of the City engine room to great effect, not least in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final…”
He is now set to leave as a free agent this June.
John Stones will leave Manchester City in the summer, bringing an end to a memorable and hugely successful ten-year stay.
They sign off by adding that “the Club and all of our supporters will take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a superb servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
Following rumours of his departure in recent weeks and months, a number of clubs across Europe are already thought to have expressed interest in a transfer for the 31-year-old.
Some of the names floating around the Yorkshire-born centre-back’s signature include AC Milan and Bayern Munich; there have even been some hints at Everton attempting to re-sign him.
Where does he rank among your favourite City stars of all-time, Blues?
Emily Sergeant -
1st December 2020 
