But after first being teased all the way back in 2016, and then following a nationwide casting call for people looking to expose online love interests who may not be telling the full truth that was announced October 2020, the first ever UK spin-off of the smash hit reality MTV show Catfish is set to hit our screens next month.
A one-minute teaser clip for the new series has been shared with the show’s fans on social media last week, and it’s already got people talking.
The original US-made Catfish: The TV Show – which first aired back in 2012, after a documentary of the same name – sees documentary maker Nev Shulman meet individuals from across the country who have fallen in love online, only to grow suspicious when the target of their affections refuse to meet in real life.
The show has undeniably proved popular with viewers worldwide over its eight seasons on air, hence why a spin-off is on the way.
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But what can we actually expect from the UK version when the new series starts?
Here’s everything we know so far.
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What is Catfish UK: The TV Show?
Catfish UK: The TV Show is the UK spin-off of the US original documentary and MTV series of the same name, and it’s set to air on MTV UK next month, with a run of four, hour-long episodes being broadcast at first, before continuing with a further six episodes later this year.
Unfamiliar with what a ‘catfish’ is?
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A popular term on the internet, a ‘catfish’ is someone who creates fake personal profiles on social sites using someone else’s pictures and false biographical information to pretend to be someone else.
These ‘catfish’ usually intend to trick an unsuspecting person or more into falling in love with them.
The term is believed to have derived from the title of the previously-mentioned 2010 documentary, in which filmmaker Schulman discovers that the woman with whom he’d been carrying on an online relationship had not been honest in describing herself.
Who are the hosts?
MTV / Catfish UK: The TV Show
Although the US hosts, Nev Shulman and Kamie Crawford, have been a big part of the promotion and casting process of the show, they will not be making the trip overseas to front the UK spin-off and have instead handed the reins over to former Apple Music Beats 1 presenter, Julie Adenuga, and journalist / author and documentary filmmaker, Oobah Bulter.
“As someone who has spent the most part of my career in the bubble of music and entertainment, Catfish UK is my first chance to connect with people in a completely different way, which is really exciting for me.” Julie Adenuga explained.
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“The show is about vulnerability, empathy… and drama. Rule #1 – expect the un-expected”.
🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣 I’M HOSTING AN INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION SHOW…🤪… ONE. HUNDRED. AND. EIGHTY. COUNTRIES!
Oobah Bulter added: It’s wild to me that the person who learned about the internet and deception by watching Catfish with his five brothers and sisters gets to be a part of its latest chapter.
“We live in a moment where everybody’s lives have moved online.
“I can’t wait to travel around the country, meet people, and use the tools I’ve developed making documentaries, to help them and better understand what it is about society that drives people to feel so inadequate that they cannot be themselves.”
Will there be any Mancs on the new series?
Although the one-minute teaser trailer clip for the series appears to show the new hosts reacting to various relationship revelations – including “an affair” and a “criminal” dater – it is yet to be announced who will be featured on the new series and what their circumstances will be, but given the fact that a UK-wide casting call was opened last October, we can expect to hear stories from people all across the country.
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The casting call asked anyone over 18 years of age who suspects they’re “in love with, speaking to, or are just friends with someone who may be a Catfish” to get in touch.
Mancunians were urged by MTV to get involved, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
When will it air?
Aside from it being revealed that it is to air from next month, no exact start date for the show has been confirmed by MTV UK at this moment in time, with the latest teaser clip for the show simply announcing that it will be “coming soon”.
Fans are being encouraged to “watch this space”.
You can keep up to date with Catfish UK: The TV Show on Facebook and Twitter.
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‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th March 2021 
