As bizarre as it sounds, a “satirical” musical about the life and times of Prince Andrew is set to air our on TV screens later this year.
We may not have asked for it, and we definitely didn’t see it coming, but as part of what is being called “an impressive roster” of shows commissioned to celebrate 40 years of Channel 4 – which has prided itself on “diverse, experimental, and challenging programming” since 1982 – a musical comedy about Prince Andrew has actually become a reality.
The simply-named, Prince Andrew: The Musical, is written by and starring Kieran Hodgson as Prince Andrew himself, with original music co-written by Freddie Tapner.
According to an overview of the one-hour comedy special, a cast of upcoming comics will perform a “satirical send-up of the life and times of Prince Andrew” set to a musical score – with a story centring on the key events, relationships, and controversies of his life.
Crucially, as many will be expecting, the musical is to include a reimagining of the former-HRH’s bombshell interview with Emily Maitlis.
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The comedy special is promising to make “the man behind the headlines face the music”.
The musical will include a reimagining of the former-HRH’s bombshell interview with Emily Maitlis / Credit: BBC
Announcing its 40th anniversary lineup of programming, Channel 4 said: “It has forever been our a mission to make mischief and noise that dares to tell the truth about modern Britain and how we live [so] to mark this important milestone, an impressive roster of programming has been commissioned that speaks to our radical, irreverent, and iconoclastic roots.
“Each of these new shows are set to do what Channel 4 was created for – to give voice to the unheard, say the unsayable and show the unseen.
“Each connect with the Channel’s 4 core values, and vividly reflect its purpose in 2022.”
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Channel 4 was born different. It has pioneered diverse, experimental and challenging programming since 1982, 40 years of pushing boundaries in every genre.
A provocative exploration of cancel culture in art, a revival of Friday Night Live, a revealing documentary on the role of Britain in shaping much about our modern world during the 80s, and a documentary following the experiences of the hidden minority of men who have extra-large penises, are also to air on Channel 4 to mark its 40 years on air.
Channel 4’s programme boss, Ian Katz, said the new commissions were “a collection of irreverent, thought-provoking and hugely entertaining shows that no other broadcaster would air”.
“If we must age, we plan to do it disgracefully,” he concluded.
Featured Image – BBC
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd August 2022 
