A terminally-ill Northern girl has achieved one of the dreams on her bucket list this week by getting to present a BBC Weather forecast.
22-year-old Laura Nuttall, from Barrowford in Lancashire, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme – an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer – following a routine eye test back in 2018, and was told she only had around 12 months to live after she was found to have eight tumours.
Since her diagnosis, Laura has bravely endured a craniotomy to remove the largest tumour, been through a gruelling programme of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and has regularly travelled to Germany for innovative new immunotherapy treatment.
Laura’s shock diagnosis initially led to her leaving university in London to concentrate on treatment and ticking items off her bucket list.
After responding so well to the immunotherapy treatment, Laura was able to restart her studies, this time a little closer to home at The University of Manchester, and grabbed headlines last week as she graduated with a 2:1 degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and was able to celebrate with her mum Nicola, dad Mark, and sister Grace proudly watching on.
ADVERTISEMENT
But despite all these achievements, she wasn’t done with her bucket list just yet.
Meeting former First Lady Michelle Obama, commanding a Royal Navy ship, and taking legendary Bolton Peter Kay to the pub for drinks are some of the things Laura has been able to tick off her bucket list over the last few years, but she still had her sights set on her weather presenter dreams.
ADVERTISEMENT
This week, those dreams came true, as she was invited to the BBC studios in Salford to present a weather forecast on BBC North West Tonight alongside resident weatherman, Owain Wyn Evans.
In 2018, Laura was told she may only have a year to live but she's been defying the odds and ticking off her bucket list. She wanted to present the weather so @owainwynevans welcomed her to BBC North West Tonight. Click the video to see what happened: https://t.co/u30OvZTCYYpic.twitter.com/weH034yQCT
In a clip shared by the broadcaster to Twitter, which has since been racking up thousands of views, Owain spoke to Laura backstage as she was having her makeup done in preparation for the broadcast, asking her: “How are you feeling about doing your first weather forecast?”
Laura replied that she “can’t wait” and was “looking forward to it”.
Owain then revealed that he had a surprise for Laura, and told her that they would be sharing the weather-presenting slot and would swap places so that she could speak about the pressure chart and what the public can expect on Wednesday.
Laura’s name also appeared on the monitor set to air on TV underneath ‘BBC Weather’.
While she looked a little nervous in one of her first takes, Laura then calmly-read off the teleprompter while rehearsing for the final go – and went on to deliver her live report like a true professional.
Laura, you’re amazing ❤️ So wonderful to have Laura on @BBCNWT yesterday doing our weather! ☀️ Currently most watched on the BBC News website, which is just fabulous xhttps://t.co/oFCXftfvAP
She then signed off with a huge smile on her face, telling viewers: “That’s the weather from me.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Owain later praised Laura’s performance, and took to Twitter to say: “Laura, you’re amazing. So wonderful to have Laura on BBCNWT yesterday doing our weather [and it’s] currently most watched on the BBC News website, which is just fabulous.”
How brilliant is this?
As well as making her way down her bucket list, Laura is also working as an ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity, continues to help out in her community, raise awareness of brain conditions and the work being done at the University of Manchester.
She has also recently joined the board of OurBrainBank – a charity that’s working to make glioblastoma change from being terminal to treatable.
Featured Image – BBC North West Tonight
Trending
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’
Emily Sergeant
Call yourself a clever clogs? The BBC is currently looking for contestants to take part in what is widely considered the hardest quiz show on TV.
That’s right – Only Connect is back for another series on BBC Two.
Presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell and first broadcast all the way back in 2008, Only Connect takes TV quizzing to the next level, as it sees two teams compete against each other by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues.
In this quiz show – which viewers have dubbed one of the most challenging there is – knowledge only takes you so far, as the ability to think laterally is also deemed ‘vitally important’.
A casting call for the upcoming 2027 series has been shared on the BBC website, with people from Greater Manchester encouraged to apply.
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’ / Credit: BBC
The casting call reads: “The popular BBC Two quiz show presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell returns for a new series in 2027.
“Only Connect is seeking teams of three players OR single applicants or teams of two looking for like-minded teammates to pool their combined wits to solve fiendish conundrums and vexing puzzles.
“This is the quiz series where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far: patience and lateral thinking are also vital. It’s all about making connections between things which may appear, at first glance, not to be connected at all.”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Applications are now open, and all applicants must be aged 18 or over and a resident in the UK or Channel Islands.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands
Emily Sergeant
Students can get themselves up to 50% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre next month.
With thousands of new and returning students starting to arrive for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only next month – and there’ll be loads of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.
Taking over the Trafford Centre in early October, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Beans, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.
Just some of the big brands offering big discounts include 25% off at Levi’s and Boux Avenue, 20% off at Gymshark, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch, and 15% off at KIKO, Rituals, and Sephora.
It’s not just retail brands you’ll be able to save some pennies on either, as many of the Trafford Centre’s restaurants and cafes will also be offering discounts and freebies on the night too.
Alongside the offers, students can expect plenty of live entertainment and in-store experiences throughout the evening, including a DJ set and drinks at Calvin Klein, in-store fitness challenges and at Gymshark, an exclusive piercing event at Lovisa, and a Beauty Hub takeover at Sephora.
There’ll also be ‘spin-to-win’ opportunities at places like schuh, River Island, and YO! Sushi.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands / Credit: Supplied
“Student Night is one of the highlights of our autumn calendar, and we’re excited to welcome students for an evening of brilliant offers and feel-good experiences,” explained Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre.
“Whether they are updating their wardrobe, stocking up on beauty favourites, grabbing a bite to eat or enjoying the atmosphere with friends, there is plenty to discover across the centre.
“With simple transport links from Manchester city centre and across the region, Trafford Centre is the perfect place for a student night out.”
The Trafford Centre’s Student Night is happening on Thursday 1 October from 6-10pm, and students can now reserve themselves a spot by registering online HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
27th July 2022 
