Trending

Mancs Max George and Ryan Thomas among celebs to compete in new ITV show The Games

The famous faces are currently preparing to lace up their trainers, pull on their swimsuits, and get on their bikes for the new live series.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 24th March 2022

Singer Max George and actor Ryan Thomas will be representing Greater Manchester by competing in a new ITV sports-themed game show.

Swinton-born Max George is usually more comfortable entertaining thousands of screaming fans on stage as one fifth of boyband, The Wanted, while actor Ryan Thomas was known for portraying the role of Jason Grimshaw on the long-running Manchester-set ITV soap Coronation Street from 2000 to 2016 – but now, they’ve both bagged themselves a new challenge.

The pair will join 10 other celebrities to compete in new ITV competition show, The Games.

Unveiling the lineup earlier this week, ITV says that the celebrities are currently preparing to lace up their trainers, pull on their swimsuits, and get on their bikes for the new live series.

The six male and six female competitors will battle it out in the athletics arena, the swimming pool, gymnasium, and velodrome, and according to ITV, will each “put their sporting prowess to the test” in events such as the 100-meter sprint, and diving off high platforms in order to rack up points on the medals table.

ADVERTISEMENT

As the leaderboard takes shape with each night, ITV says the series will culminate in an “exhilarating final showdown”, in which one male champion and one female champion will be crowned the winner.

Coronation Street actor Colson Smith will also be competing on the show / Credit: Colson Smith (via Instagram)

The celebrities will be challenged to step outside of their comfort zones to be coached, trained, and then compete each of the sports.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more: The BBC announces four of its ‘biggest’ TV dramas will return for a second series

Alongside George and Thomas will TV presenter Olivia Attwood, influencer and model Phoenix Brown, ex-Strictly pro and leading man Kevin Clifton, songwriter Chelcee Grimes, Harry Potter actor Josh Herdman, author, model and autism ambassador Christine McGuinness, Coronation Street actor Colson Smith, newsreader Lucrezia Millarini, musician and TV star Wes Nelson, Emmerdale actor Rebecca Sarker, all going head-to-head in a range of sporting challenges for the new series.

The Games will be hosted live by Holly Willoughby and Freddie Flintoff, and will also see former professional footballers and presenters Alex Scott and Chris Kamara as the trackside reporters and commentators.

ADVERTISEMENT

The show is set to begin airing this spring, so keep your eyes peeled.

Featured Image – ITV Player

Trending

Marcus Rashford reportedly sheds light on his future

Danny Jones Danny Jones Marcus Rashford Manchester United future transfer updates

Manchester United star and current Aston Villa loanee Marcus Rashford has reportedly shed some light on his future, i.e. whether or not it remains at Old Trafford.

Wythenshawe’s world-famous winger and England international has spent the last few months on loan at Villa after being sidelined by Man United head coach Ruben Amorim.

Since arriving in Birmingham, he’s managed to discover some of the form that made him one of the Premier League‘s most talented players and still one of the most sought-after in Europe, registering four goals and 5 assists in 16 games under new manager Unai Emery.

Having already labelled him ‘one of the world’s dangerous attackers’ before his arrival at Villa Park was confirmed, going on to insist that he is steadily “regaining confidence”, it’s clear that his new gaffer would happily keep and it seems like Rashford now feels a permanent move elsewhere might suit him.

While BBC Sport’s Simon Stone reported that Rashford is “not in any hurry” to decide where he goes next, the football writer and reliable transfer source did note that the 27-year-old at least “feels it is unlikely he will play for Manchester United again under Ruben Amorim.”

It is thought that the Portuguese ex-midfielder and former Sporting CP boss had taken issue with Rashford over his effort levels in training and application in games, the suggestion being that the lifelong Red Devil wasn’t quite buying into his ideas.

As a result, Stone goes on to add that “while his United contract is due to run until 2028, and it is not completely out of the question Rashford might return, sources close to the player do not see an obvious way back into the Old Trafford fold.”

Not unlike the situation between Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho, with the fellow forward being ousted from the squad following a fall-out, leadership might prove a similar obstacle in this case as well.

That being said, and given the fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are looking to build around their new manager as opposed to starting from square one yet again, a reconciliation between Amorim and Rashford would be required. Given how much he’s enjoying his football at Villa, it seems doubtful.

What little we do know regarding Rashford‘s future is that he looks to have ruled out a move to London and would prefer to settle at a team playing Champions League football, with Aston Villa in with a strong chance of finishing in the European places once again.

Villa are said to have an option buy clause worth around £40 million; other continental clubs said to still be interested in his signature include Barcelona and PSG.

Meanwhile, Rashford staying or going could also play into how aggressively United pursue a potential deal for Matheus Cunha, who incidentally also wears the number 10.

You can watch the highlights from Rashford’s last game against familiar rivals Manchester City, in which he grabbed yet another goal for Villa, down below. He could have had two, were it not for the post…

Do you think Rashford should try and make a Villa move permanent, return home or look elsewhere?

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Loco Steve (via Flickr)/Aston Villa (screenshot via YouTube)

Trending

Manchester United reportedly leading the race for Matheus Cunha after multiple ‘hints’

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester United may have come crashing back down to reality after their 1-0 loss at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but they may have left with a consolation prize as multiple so-called ‘hints’ and the latest transfer rumours have it that Matheus Cunha is in their sights.

Cunha has been one of the best players in a struggling Wolves side over the past couple of seasons and was one of the most effective on the pitch once again as the visitors did the double over Man United for the first time since 1979/80.

It may have been an impressive free kick from Pablo Sarabia that got Vitor Pereira’s squad over the line after the home team missed a number of chances in front of goal, but many fans felt it was somewhat of a second audition for Cunha, who scored and assisted for both goals in the reverse fixture.

Notwithstanding his latest performance, if you’re inclined to believe the latest transfer rumblings from reliable sources such as Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic, it sounds like United are pushing hard for Matheus Cunha already and that the signs are looking promising.

Even prior to Stockport-born United journalist Laurie Whitwell’s report on Tuesday morning, numerous outlets were quick to hop on what is becoming an increasingly intriguing saga.

Transfer expert Romano had already claimed that there were “good feelings” following early contact between the two clubs, noting that discussions around personal terms are underway with United fully aware that Cunha will have plenty of suitors given his relatively reasonable release clause in this climate.

Speaking on his YouTube Channel, the Italian reporter went on to insist that the club are now leading the race and pushing hard to get a deal done early, adding that a source has told him there “great connection” between all interested parties.

Cunha, 25, was also at the centre of a mini media storm of his own making earlier this month too, after sharing an Instagram post which read: “Time to be happy. I will follow my dreams and yours… So stay cool.” It was deleted shortly after.

Romano also went on to state that “the feeling between Matheus Cunha and Ruben Amorim is excellent”, with supporters from both clubs spotting that the fellow Portuguese speaker was quick to put his arm around the Wolves number 10 once again after the full-time whistle.

Whether or not the Man United head coach was putting in his own additional effort to try and tap up Cunha or at least bend his ear on the situation, only time will tell, but it seems with the microscope fully on the Brazilian attacking midfielder, virtually everything he does is being closely scrutinised.

For instance, other eagle-eyed fans noticed that the former Red Bull Leipzig star and Olympic gold medallist did something rather intriguing when walking out onto the pitch at Old Trafford before kick-off this past weekend.

Make of that what you will…

The fact that he was spotted not just waving and acknowledging supporters both before and after the game, but even stopping to take pictures outside Old Trafford, has also added fuel to the fire.

Read more:

All evidence appears to point towards transfer and player contract talks already progressing, even if they are still in their early stages, and there seems to be a belief that Cunha himself would be keen on the move, especially with Wolves lingering just above the drop zone.

More crucially, however, how the INEOS leadership group will finance a potential move given Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent revelations about the club’s financial state is another obstacle entirely.

At the very least, it’s clear that there will need to be outgoings in order for Man United to undergo any real activity in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The question is, would you like to see Cunha swap ‘old gold’ for red?

You can watch the highlights from the defeat at Old Trafford down here.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)/Bex Walton (via Flickr)

More Trending

Kevin De Bruyne not offered new contract by Man City

Business

Kevin De Bruyne reveals he wasn’t offered a new contract by Manchester City

Walking theatre XR experience Trafford Palazzo

Art & Culture

A brand-new immersive ‘walking theatre’ and XR experience has landed in Greater Manchester

Food & Drink

5 Easter foods that are toxic to dogs and what to do if they eat them

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches