The people of Manchester have spoken and they’ve crowned legendary Bolton-born stand up comic and actor Peter Kay as their favourite ever UK comedian.
Taking the top spot in Manchester’s heart but undoubtedly loved by millions right across the country thanks to his classic observational humour, quick-wit, quotable one-liners, and uncanny character representation in some of the most beloved TV shows and films of the last two decades, Peter Kay is treasure worth celebrating and a seriously worthy winner.
Do you agree with this? Who would be your top pick?
Peter Kay’s new title as Mancunian’s favourite comedian was unveiled as part of a survey commissioned to celebrate the iconic Comic Relief Red Nose Day, which takes place this year on Friday 19th March and is aiming to bring “joy and humour to homes”, all whilst raising money to help people who are “struggling now more than ever”.
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The survey also found that Mancs apparently get “a buzz off our hometown’s sense of humour” as 24% of us stated that jokes relating to Greater Manchester made us laugh the most.
When it comes to other types of comedy, almost a third (29%) of Mancunians enjoy one-liner humour the most, whilst a fifth (20%) revealed that they enjoyed observational humour the most – both of which are well-known features of Peter Kay’s stand-up routines.
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Channel 4 / BBC
And if there’s one thing that seems to unite the entire country, it’s sarcasm.
Perhaps it isn’t the lowest form of wit after all, as over a quarter (26%) of Brits said it was the type of humour they enjoyed the most.
That’s not all either, as the survey also unveiled the regions of the UK where Brits think the funniest people are most likely to come from.
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Unsurprisingly to us, of course, the North West has taken the top spot – was there ever any doubt?
Perhaps not the greatest outcome for Mancunians to hear as a follow-up to that brilliant regional achievement though is that Liverpool – the birthplace of John Bishop, Ken Dodd and Kenny Everett – came out as city with the best sense of humour and ‘the comedy capital of the country’, thanks to the poll of 2,000 adults.
With just over two weeks to go, Comic Relief is calling on Mancunians to support Red Nose Day, as the annual fundraiser will this year help to tackle issues including homelessness, hunger, domestic abuse, and mental health problems, all of which have been exacerbated by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in the UK and around the world.
Speaking ahead of the big day, Sir Lenny Henry – co-founder of Comic Relief – said: “This year, Red Nose Day will be a bit different.
“We all need cheering up, and of course we want to raise as much money as possible for people who really need it in the UK and around the world, but we also want to make you smile and bring you some laughter over the coming weeks”.
You can get involved with this year’s Red Nose Day via the Comic Relief website here.
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Morrissey: Johnny Marr now has ‘100%’ of The Smiths rights to tour without him – and one potential replacement is trending
Danny Jones
Morrissey has come out to claim that former bandmate Johnny Marr now holds all the rights to The Smiths and their music, even stating that he can now go on and tour without him – and there’s already a very big name being floating around for his replacement.
Yes, as per Mr ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ himself, the co-songwriter and lead guitarist recently acquired “100% trademark rights/intellectual property” despite Morrisey himself having coined the “musical unit name ‘The Smiths’ in May 1982.”
It is said that this application was secured without any consultation from the former frontman or any chance to object on the 65-year-old’s part.
Although the fellow Manc music legend himself is yet to come out and comment on the reports made on the official Morrissey Central website, fans are already speculating whether Marr is gearing up to head out on tour, the internet was quick to drum up what many are calling the ideal stand-in for a singer.
If there is any justice in the world, Marr will immediately tour with Rick Astley as the new Smiths’ front man and I for one will be at the front of the queue for tickets. https://t.co/Pg8LPe35TV
Though it might have seemed a slightly mad suggestion a few years ago, there are literally tonnes of accounts and music fans from all over calling for Rick Astley to be called in as a replacement frontman should Marr actually end up taking The Smiths back out on tour.
The ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ singer and Lancashire-born 80s pop star has been enjoying what we’ve affectionately referred to as the ‘Rick-naissance’ over the past few years, playing main stage slots at the likes of Glastonbury, Kendal Calling, Bestival and continuing to release new music.
Going on to not only become friends with the group but reiterate what an incredible singer he is – covering classics such as ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’, ‘This Charming Man’ and even the likes of ACDC to tens of thousands on the Pyramid Stage – he’s quietly become one the UK’s favourite all-round performers once again.
That being said, it’s safe to say some people have other thoughts on the suggestion; many believe Marr wouldn’t be interested in doing it, others were aghast at the suggestion or some offered a much easier alternative that’s already proven to be a more than viable option…
People suggesting Johnny Marr should tour as The Smiths with Rick Astley as vocalist. Fuck off. FUCK OFF.
Nevertheless, there seem to be many more people in the pro-Astley camp than there are in the anti, with one user writing, “Johnny Marr, Rick Astley is waiting by the phone!”, and another in America adding: “If Marr tours Smiths songs with Rick Astley in the US, I’m going to every date in the south.”
As explained in the full post entitled, ‘The Plot Thickens’, Morrissey and his representation said that not only can Marr “now tour as The Smiths using the vocalist of his choice” but doing so will also “also prohibit Morrissey from using the name whilst also denying [him] considerable financial livelihood.”
The plot thickens indeed but, for now, there’s nothing concrete to any of this talk beyond what Morrissey has claimed regarding trademark rights and what a lot of fans would clearly love to see: some kind of The Smiths’ comeback tour featuring Marr and the mighty Rick Astley.
Hey, who knows? We’ve finally got an Oasis reunion and much stranger things have happened – and we’re talking just this week alone…
No backing, no label, all @TheReytons — with a little bit of @GNev2 now too, apparently… 👀
BBC to revive beloved children’s TV show Balamory for ‘a whole new generation’
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved children’s TV shows of the noughties is set to be revived for “a whole new generation”.
What’s the story in Balamory? It’s set to return to our TV screens, that’s the story.
That’s right, in what is a proper piece of nostalgic news for the children who grew up with the pastel-hued fictional town being a part of their lives, the BBC has announced today that Balamory is set to be revived for “a whole new generation” and will be returning for two new series on CBeebies in 2026 onwards.
The original show was produced between 2002 until 2005, but now it’s about to be revamped more than two decades later.
🎶 What’s the story in Balamory?
The pastel-hued, fictional town is returning for two new series on CBeebies! Filmed in Scotland, families will be able to enjoy the home-grown storytelling from 2026
Producers are hoping the reboot nostalgic – which is set to be inspired by the original family favourite show – will be a hit with both parents who grew up watching the show themselves, as well as with their little ones.
Exact details of the show’s revival are expected to be announced very soon, but the BBC has revealed that it will, once again, be set in the picturesque village of Balamory with stories centred around a nursery school and their teacher, and there’s likely to be some of the original characters included in the series, alongside a host of new faces to get to know.
The reboot will be filmed up in Scotland just like the original, either in the famous location of Tobermory, or in another equally-colourful Scottish location such as Rothesay.
The BBC is reviving beloved children’s show Balamory for ‘a whole new generation’ / Credit: Richard Szwejkowski (via Flickr)
“A whole new generation will discover and enjoy Balamory,” commented Kate Morton, who is the Head of Commissioning for BBC Children’s and Education.
“It will be a real treat for parents who grew up with the show to now introduce their little ones to the brightly-coloured world, getting to know a host of old and new characters together.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th March 2021 
