It looks like we’re set for a soggy few days, as weather forecasters are predicting that some parts of the UK could see a month’s worth of rainfall just this weekend alone.
While several places in mainland Europe are in the middle of a heatwave right now, and are currently battling with record-breaking temperatures, which also happened to be the case for us this same time last year, the UK can’t quite say the same this time around.
Here in Greater Manchester, we’ve had grey overcast skies, thunderstorms, blustery wind, heavy rain showers, and in fact, we would even go as far as to saying July has been pretty cold.
Put simply, it hasn’t been very summery at all – and this weekend looks absolutely no different.
According to weather forecasters at the Met Office, some parts of the UK – including higher ground in Northern England – could see up to a whopping 80mm of rain fall across Saturday and Sunday and into Monday, which is nearly the equivalent of a typical month’s rainfall in just a couple of days.
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🌧️ It's looking like a wet start to the weekend as low pressure brings rain to much of the UK on Saturday
🚗 This could cause some travel disruption, so make sure to plan your journey and keep up to date with the latest advice from @TheRAC_UKpic.twitter.com/YMeugi23F1
A typical month’s rainfall in July in the UK is 88mm, the Met Office says.
While Friday may see a few brighter spells developing into the afternoon, as we head into the weekend, the Met Office is predicting that things will turn “widely unsettled” across Northern England, with outbreaks of rain accompanied by strong winds to be expected.
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We should prepare for “heavy and possibly thundery showers”.
Some parts of the UK could see a month’s worth of rainfall this weekend / Credit: Instagram (@the.manc via @emmabeaumont10)
Weather experts also say the next few days will “feel slightly cool for the time of year”, with maximum temperatures reaching around 18°C.
It will then start to become “more humid” as Monday arrives.
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But why is all this rain hitting us now? And why is it so drastically different to what other European countries are experiencing right now?
Well, it’s all because the UK is on the other side of the jet stream that’s causing the current heatwave, which is what’s bringing those areas of low pressure and unsettled weather.
Want to know how the weather is looking near you this weekend? Here's Aidan with the forecast 👇 pic.twitter.com/XPrLmbWDnO
It doesn’t look like this turbulent weather time will be changing any time soon either, as forecasters say that while the jet stream remains “stuck” in its current pattern, neither the heatwave nor the unsettled UK weather are likely to change in the short-term, Sky News reports.
Peaky Blinders confirm title and release date of upcoming film
Danny Jones
After what feels like an age since it was first announced, Peaky Blinders and Netflix have finally confirmed the title and release date of the upcoming feature-length film.
It was revealed that the global streaming giant secured exclusive rights to the movie last year, and it has now been revealed that it will also be released in selected theatres before it hits the platform.
With production on the long-talked-about project getting underway in September 2024, we’ve heard little else from creator Steven Knight, who has also been booked to deliver the Oasis reunion documentary chronicling their Live ’25 world tour.
However, we now know not only the official title of the film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, and that it will be dropping early next year. They’ve even shared the first poster.
Clearly referring to the series’ most famous lead character, Thomas Shelby – played by now fully-fledged Hollywood A-lister Cillian Murphy since 2013 – the teaser shows him sat astride a horse, not to mention covered in a fair amount of dirt and/or blood.
Alongside the suit and the trademark newsboy cap with blades inserted in the brim (the calling card of both the fictional and the real ‘Peaky Blinders’), it’s quite a classic look of Tommy’s.
Scheduled to release in limited cinemas on 6 March before arriving on Netflix on 20/3/2026, this will not only be the first film in the wider franchise but the first to air separately from the BBC.
While its parent network is still involved as collaborators on the flick, this is the first instalment in the IP to be distributed directly by Netflix after they bought the rights to release the show in the US.
Another look at a seemingly older Tommy Shelby (Credit: Publicity picture via Netflix)
As for The Immortal Man, both new and returning members of the cast include:
Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer, 28 Days Later)
Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, Silo)
Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, The Hateful Eight)
Sophie Rundle (After the Flood, Gentleman Jack)
Ned Dennehy (Culprits, The Peripheral)
Packy Lee (Blue Lights)
Ian Peck (His Dark Materials, Robin Hood)
Jay Lycurgo (Steve, Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself)
Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin)
Stephen Graham (Adolescence, A Thousand Blows)
Speaking in a full press release, Murphy said: “It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me. It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.”
Returning four years after the end of the mainline series, but catching up with Tommy at the outset of WWII in terms of the actual timelines, Netflix say that the Shelby patriarch “is driven back from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet.”
Safe to say we cannot wait to be back in the world.
In the meantime, you can find out more about the next season(s) of Peaky Blinders coming to the BBC very soon down below.
Paul Scholes blasts Ruben Amorim for ‘bull****’ response to Kobbie Mainoo question
Danny Jones
Club legend Paul Scholes has called out Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim for what he dubbed a “bull****” reaction to a question from a journalist regarding Kobbie Mainoo on Thursday.
The Portuguese coach saw his Premier League win rate clock in at just under 44% (the lowest of any Man United manager for, let’s just say, some time) after the 1-1 home draw against West Ham.
Conceding a late goal against the Irons, who are currently sat in the relegation zone, the Red Devils ultimately dropped another two points against a side that they should be beating, both based on present form and if they have any hopes of competing for the top spots.
Unsurprisingly, Amorim was pressed on why he didn’t make a more offensive substitution to try and claw back the victory, to which he then asked what looked to be a somewhat loaded question and gave this reaction after the response:
The laughter, in particular, hasn’t gone down well with everyone, especially the Class of ’92 graduate and retired midfielder.
Jumping on social media after the quotes from the Amorim press conference were out, Scholes posted on his Instagram story: Bull****. This kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football.”
He went on to add: “Hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it’s probably best for him now – enough is enough.”
First off, Reds – do you agree?
It isn’t the first time Scholes has levelled criticism at Amorim, his tactics, management and overall coaching style, having said this of their previous appointment at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes on Ruben Amorim's tactics against 10-man Everton which frustrated him 😬 pic.twitter.com/AgsESuH83h
Safe to say he isn’t his biggest supporter at the moment.
Fellow former teammate and England international turned pundit, Gary Neville, was also left not just confused but frustrated by the performance, telling Sky Sports in his post-match interview that he noted the camera picking up “real dejection” on the faces of the fans after the full-time whistle.
With an away trip against Wolves, a home match against Bournemouth, as well as travelling to face high-flying European place competitors, Aston Villa, before hosting Newcastle on Boxing Day, it’s anyone’s guess as to how the results will pan out.
You can see the highlights from Man United vs West Ham down below.
How many points do you see them picking up over the next four fixtures?
Emily Sergeant -
20th July 2023 
