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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.

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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.

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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.

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

Featured Image – ITV Player

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Breakaway competition R360 issues statement after rubgy unions warn players of sanctions

Danny Jones Danny Jones R360 league respond to joint statement from rugby unions opposing breakaway competition

Prospective breakaway competition R360 have issued a response to the joint statement from multiple countries’ rugby unions, which has warned players of sanctions should they choose to join the new league.

While the vast majority seemingly remain opposed to the new concept, backing from certain key figures has resulted in the likes of the UK and Irish rugby unions, along with other key nations, sharing their unified stance against the potential rival.

Put in the simplest terms, the R360 model is rugby’s equivalent of what the proposed European ‘Super League’ was for football just a few years ago, with similar questions being raised around how it could jeopardise existing contests, player wellbeing and more.

Now, though, the new format – which has been largely backed and developed by former World Cup winner with England, Mike Tindall – delivered its own reply on Wednesday, 8 October.

Shared publicly to the press, the alternative tournament wrote: “It’s not always easy to embrace new opportunities, but as we’ve seen throughout history, it’s essential for any sport to grow. So many players love what R360 can do for them and the game, and we can’t wait to kick off next year.

“Player welfare is one of the key reasons for creating our global series, which will greatly reduce player load and capture the attention of a new generation of fans globally. We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men’s and women’s teams and R360 will release all players for international matches, as written into their contracts. Our philosophy is clear – if players want to play for their country, they should have that opportunity. Why would the unions stand in their way?

“We look forward to submitting to the World Rugby Council for sanctioning next summer as planned.”

At present, R360 is due to hold its inagural season this time next year, with eight new male teams and four women’s sides expected to get underway from October 2026 onwards.

In addition to more lucrative contracts like those promised in the IPL (Indian Premier League) cricket, LIV Golf and the aforementioned albeit failed Super League, R360 is also set to offer a reduced playing schedule but one that would still tempt athletes away from their current teams to new franchises.

Although they have assured player care is an utmost priority, their health and fitness is one of my concerns put forward by the total eight rubgy unions who have urged current pros to stay away from the breakaway competition.

In case you haven’t seen the statement release by England, Ireland and Scotland, as well as France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, it begins by “urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition.”

Assuring that they welcome “investment and innovation in rugby”, they feel this particular idea won’t improve the sport but could instead “fragment or weaken it.”

Having assessed the proposals supposed value/addition to the “rugby’s global ecosystem”, it seems the fear is that the outcome will be a “net negative to the game”, with little to no detail as to how it can run alongside existing fixtures, assure proper management of player welfare and more.

As for Wales, despite opting not to put their name to the open letter itself, they have stated publicly: “The Welsh Rugby Union supports this statement, and we’re considering changes we may need to make to qualification rules in Wales as part of ongoing analysis following our recent consultation process.”

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The statement continues: “The R360 model, as outlined publicly, rather appears designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, potentially hollowing out the investment that national unions and existing leagues make in community rugby, player development, and participation pathways.”

It seems there is deep concern for how it could affect grassroots and the international rugby too, not just league and union, and have failed to full explain or help key organisations “better understand their business and operating model.”

Most notably, they sign off by adding: “Each of the national unions will therefore be advising men’s and women’s players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection.”

What do you make of the whole debate – do you like the current schedule/format as it is, or do you think there’s room for a new chapter in the rugby world?

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

Featured Images — Rawpixel.com/Public domain

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New CGIs released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Some new CGIs have given us a sneak peak inside Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel soon to open in Wigan town centre.

In case this is the first you’re hearing of the development, Wigan Council announced back in March 2024 in collaboration with its development partner Cityheart that it had signed a franchise agreement with world-renowned hotel brand, Hilton, for a stunning six-storey Hampton by Hilton hotel pop up right in the heart of Wigan town centre, just off Market Street.

The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment of the former Galleries Shopping Centre – which was approved in July 2023.

The hotel will be located directly-opposite the bus station entrance of New Market Street, and is within 500 yards of both town centre train stations.

It’s being called ‘one of the most important elements’ of the Galleries masterplan.

New CGIs have been released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre / Credit: Supplied

As well as the 144 bedrooms – with ‘accessible’ rooms to be built on each accommodation level – the new hotel will also house a gym overlooking the new square, a main reception area and dining space on the ground floor, meeting and conference rooms, and secure parking will be available for guests.

Dozens of staff are expected to be employed at the new hotel – which the Council says will provide a range of job opportunities for local residents.

Once complete, the hotel will form part of the exciting new town centre neighbourhood providing a new Market Hall and food court, more than 400 homes, bars, restaurants, and leisure uses, all designed to celebrate Wigan’s proud heritage and unique identity.

The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment / Credit: Supplied

“It’s great to see the progress of this exciting Hampton by Hilton development, which not only plays a role in Wigan’s regeneration, but continues to strengthen our footprint in the North West,” commented Paul Blackmore, who is the Vice President of Development at Hilton UK & Ireland, as the CGIs were released this week.

“The ambition shown by Wigan Council and Cityheart to create a dynamic new hub for retail, leisure, business and living truly resonated with us, and we look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens in late 2027.”

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Construction work will start on site in October 2025, with an expected opening of the new hotel in winter 2027.

Featured Image – Supplied

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