It was the dream job that everyone raced to stick an application in for last year, and now it’s back again for 2021.
After one of its most successful years to date in 2020, Canine Cottages has announced that applications are now open for its fourth annual ‘Canine Critics‘ competition, where dogs and their owners can battle for one of 10 coveted positions to act as the company’s “paws on the ground” that are responsible for reviewing cottage holidays, getting involved on social media, and sniffing out the very best adventures across the UK.
What is it that makes the role of a Canine Critic so popular then?
Well, the rewards for becoming a Canine Critic include a £1,000 voucher for a cottage holiday, and a doggy bag that’s full to the brim with treats.
Lucky winners will also be quite-rightly celebrated on the Canine Cottages website and will get to appear regularly across the company’s active social media channels.
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In its debut year, Canine Critics received just over 7,000 applications, followed by 50,000 in its second year, but in 2020, when the popularity of staycations were at an all-time high due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were more than 60,000 applicants.
The rewards for becoming a Canine Critic include a £1,000 voucher for a cottage holiday / Credit: Canine Cottages
“Canine Critics 2020 was just the light-hearted fun we all needed, and it’s been a pleasure to send so many beautiful pups on their holidays this year to explore what the UK has to offer,” said Shannon Kear, PR & Communications Manager at Canine Cottages.
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“Although the judging process is never easy, the last litter of critics have been wonderful, and we’ve all got to know and love each of them.
“So this year, we’re recruiting another 10 four-legged friends to join our pack and explore with their humans, giving their paw of approval to our canine-friendly properties.”
One of last year’s winners – Ronnie – had a fantastic time being a Canine Critic.
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Former Canine Critic Ronnie’s pup-parent commented: “We’ve loved being a part of the Canine Critics team. Such beautiful homes in beautiful places – the hardest part is picking one out of the amazing selection [but] we love visiting new places and exploring hidden gems so we can’t wait to share our experiences with other adventure-seeking dog owners.
“The team are so helpful and their customer service is second to none.
“Being a Canine Critic is a fantastic experience and will leave us with memories to cherish forever.”
How could you pass up on this perfect staycation opportunity?
It couldn’t be easier to stick an application in either, as all you’ll need to do is fill out a simple application form and provide a photo of you and your furry friend to be in with a chance of being picked.
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This year, Ali Taylor – Battersea’s Head of Canine Behaviour and star of ITV’s Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs – will be joining the panel to judge the rescue category.
You can apply via the Canine Cottages website here.
Featured Image – Canine Cottages
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‘Big John’ is bringing his ‘BOSH’ bingo to Manchester
Danny Jones
Attention, all you ‘Big John’ lovers, the man himself is coming to Manchester this year for his very own ‘BOSH Bingo’ show.
Excessively large takeaway order not included*
That’s right, ‘Big John’ Fisher has gone from being a viral sensation famous for eating shedloads of Chinese and saying that one catchphrase to hosting his very own live bingo tour.
Even by his standards, his announcement video was an eye-catching one, to say the least – and we expect the event itself to be equally hilarious.
— big john the boshfather (@Johnfis08605918) January 7, 2026
For anyone somehow unfamiliar with ‘The Boshfather’, there isn’t a single sentence that isn’t completely accurate, and that doesn’t sum up pretty much everything you need to know about the man, the myth, the legend.
Besides his son, Johnny Fisher Jr., being an aspiring boxer and fellow influencer on the side, as well as having appeared on Newsnight to talk about the UK’s multiculturalism being what makes this ‘Great Britain’ (legend), his legacy will very much be written online and on the back of a take-out menu.
Or will it?…
Riding the back of his growing popularity and being quite literally the physical representation of a British bulldog, he’s now preparing to do live shows all over the country.
Set up at the start of the New Year, the 51-year-old will be heading to Manchester city centre and more throughout 2026 for his debut BOSH Bingo tour.
Visiting 12 locations in total, he is promising “rave intervals, on stage competitions, ‘bosh’ prizes and, of course, a sprinkle of chicken balls for good measure.”
Put simply, not only the chaos of everyone’s favourite Bongo’s, “This is not your average bingo night, it’s BOSH BINGO!”
Sounds ridiculous… We’re SO there.
Coming to The Grosvenor on Oxford Road on 21 February, before heading to the likes of Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield, just to name a few, you can grab your tickets right HERE.
Let’s just say there’s some very silly but nevertheless fun and fantastic stuff happening in town this year.
Featured Images — Publicity picture (via Bosh Bingo Events)/The Manc Group
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Leigh Leopards share update regarding Tesi Niu allegations
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester rugby league side Leigh Leopards have now issued an update addressing the allegations levelled at one of their players, Tesi Niu.
With the statement coming directly from the club’s owner, Derek Beaumont, the club have shed light on their understanding of the situation.
Beaumont, who bought the team over a decade ago and rebranded it from ‘Centurions’ to the Leopards back in 2022 (and also owns a local decking company based in Worsley), appeared to speak on behalf of the club following the accusations made last week.
Sharing an official communication on social media on Wednesday afternoon, 8 January, they open by saying that “the club is aware of social media activity of concern from one of its players’ accounts, that of Tesi Niu.”
“The club can confirm that the player’s account was accessed externally and without his knowledge or consent”, they continue, “and [was] deleted a short period thereafter.”
“We were instantly aware of this as it happened”, says the Leigh Leopards owner. “As a club, we have policies and procedures and employ a Player Welfare Manager who is a qualified counsellor.
“Our first port of call in these circumstances is to ensure the welfare of our player and any external party that may be involved. This was immediately initiated.
“Having since personally spoken with Tesi and Kiana individually and at length, and then our Player Welfare Manager and Head Coach, I am completely satisfied that they are both being fully supported.
“I can also confirm that there is no official complaint to the club regarding the player, nor to any relevant authorities. To that end, the club will make no further statements about the matter and would welcome supporters’ trust in the club’s processes and findings.”
For context, you can read what 24-year-old Niu has been accused of in full down below.
While the organisation has now insisted that nothing formal has been raised within the club nor with the police at this time, many supporters are still insisting that there must be a full investigation into the troubling claims.
At present, however, the statement seems to suggest that they won’t be taking the matter any further internally – at least not for now/until a proper case is opened.
Nevertheless, many Leopards supporters, rugby fans and people online in general have understandably raised more concerns following the statement.
Neither Tesi Niu himself nor Kiana Smith – his partner of more than five years, currently said to be pregnant with their third child – has yet to share any further message(s) following the initial declaration of alleged abuse.
Emily Sergeant -
7th September 2021 
