Aitch took home his first-ever BRIT Award this past weekend, and he’s dedicated it to the city of Manchester in a heartfelt message.
The chart-topping rapper – real name Harrison Armstrong, who proudly hails from Moston in North Manchester – found himself on the national stage on Saturday night as he clinched the win for Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act at the 2023 BRIT Awards.
The 23-year-old was the first act to be presented with an award on the night of ceremony, which took place at The O2 Arena in London, and was up against some tough competition with the likes of fellow superstars Stormzy, Dave, and more in the same category.
But the local lad beat the lot to be one with the trophy in his hands on the night.
Although he hoped he would’ve been able to have “a couple more drinks” before stepping up on stage to accept the award to calm his nerves, the rapper was able to deliver a heartfelt speech and express gratitude for his journey and how far he’s come.
“I’m not gonna lie, I never get a bit scared, but I’m sh****ng myself,” Aitch said as he began his speech, “I thought I’d have time to have a couple more drinks before I came on here, but obviously not.”
He then thanked his record label, everyone on his team, and sent love to friends, family, and fans
After thanking those who helped him get to where he is today, Aitch then took some time in his speech to reflect on where he came from: “Not to get all cliché, but I just want to say, not many people where I’m from – especially my side of Manchester – get the opportunity to stand up here and receive such an amazing gift or award.”
He then discussed his motivations, as the speech turned heartfelt.
“I think that’s the main reason I do it for – to set examples and let people know that it’s possible, no matter where you’re from.
“Just because five million people haven’t done it before, you can [still] do it.”
He closed out his speech by encouraging everyone in the audience to be proud of themselves and their journeys as well: “I think everyone should be proud of themselves in the room just for being here and sometimes we need to kick back and reflect on how well everyone’s doing, because I don’t do that personally enough.
“Big up everyone, respect. 0161 in the building. All love, thank you.”
The rapper then took to his Instagram the day after the ceremony to dedicate his first-ever BRIT Award to the city of Manchester: “This one’s for Manchester. The next one’s all for me.”
Aside from Aitch’s win, Manchester and the North West were also well represented in the form of several other local winners.
Wilmslow originated, now and Manchester-based, indie pop rock band The 1975 took home the award for Best Rock/Alternative Act, and then there was, of course, serial winner Harry Styles – with the Holmes Chapel singing superstar scooping four awards for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop/R&B Act.
Styles also opened the show with a performance of his smash-hit single As It Was.
Other big winners on the night included Isle of Wight indie rock band Wet Leg, who also took home three awards and, like Styles, too won big at this year’s GRAMMYs last weekend.
Beyoncé won two awards in the international categories, while Irish rockers Fontaines D.C. won Best International Group, and Becky Hill won Best Dance Act.
Featured Image – ITV
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A sneak peek at the first pour: Greater Manchester celebrates the return of Boddingtons
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester has every reason to drink and jubilate this Friday and toast the perfect excuse for an early dart as the first fresh pours in a new chapter for Boddingtons beer have been sunk.
And by’eck if ain’t still bloody gorgeous.
That’s right, in case you didn’t hear the latest news about ‘Cream of Manchester’, we can now officially and ever-so gladly confirm that Boddingtons Bitter is properly back on draught in the region.
With the iconic cask ale making a glorious return decades on from its glory days in the 1990s, the new and improved Boddies beer is flowing from the taps – just in time for the weekend, no less.
Yes, with local brewery and pub chain J.W. Lees taking over the manufacturing and distribution, leaving the Budweiser Group to take over the licensing, the updated recipe Boddingtons – which clocks in at a 4.0% ABV – is about to be rolled out across the 10 boroughs.
Better yet, with five native pubs having already reinstalled honey yellow and black pumps, and with Lees looking to deliver it to the ale-loving masses across the North West, this could be the biggest Manc comeback since, well, those two lads from Burnage…
Speaking of: we were invited along to Founder’s Hall on Albert Square (formerly Duttons and now home to every one of the brand’s beers, not to mention serving as a tribute to John Lees himself), for a special ceremony to celebrate the inaugural public pints of Boddies being poured.
Let’s just say we were honoured to be part of the grand resurrection.
Obviously, there have been some holdouts hanging onto the classic Mancunian brew, and we certainly had fun trying to track them down over the past couple of years, but we’re just glad we don’t have to do as much work to find one now.
Managing Director of JW Lees, William Lees-Jones, said on the relaunch: “When I joined JW Lees in 1994, Boddingtons was ‘The Cream of Manchester’ and we were in awe of their position in leading the cask beer revolution.
“We’re proud to bring it back home, starting with Founder’s Hall, and we’re planning to restore Boddington’s as one of the UK’s leading premium cask beers, particularly here in the North West.” Well said, sir.
Available from Founder’s Hall, The Black Friar in Salford, Stables Tavern; Sams Chop House, The Circus Tavern, Oxford Road Tap, Piccadilly Tap and Victoria Tap from today, as well as Corbières and Stockport pubs like The Crown and The White Lion, we can’t wait to see Boddingtons take over the nation.
In the meantime, why not look back at the storied history behind one of our finest exports?
Subway launches make-your-own jacket potato concept ‘Spudway’ across UK
Emily Sergeant
Subway is finally launching its viral make-your-own jacket potato concept ‘Spudway’ at all its restaurants in the UK.
That’s right – you can now walk into any Greater Manchester Subway and order a jacket potato instead of a sandwich, and you get to choose exactly what goes on top of it.
Britain has always been a nation of ‘jacket fanatics’, with almost half of Brits claiming the spud to be a British cultural icon, but according to new research by Subway, it’s been found that nearly a quarter (23%) of us have argued with family and friends over how to prepare or serve one.
So it’s fair to say that, yes, us Brits do love ourselves a jacket potato, and this is why ‘Spudway’ is launching nationwide.
The UK-wide rollout of Spudway comes after it was trailed in select sites earlier this year, and then proved so popular that the trail was extended to include more locations.
Now, those fluffy jacket potatoes are available everywhere.
You can choose topping options like the simple Cheese & Beans or Tuna Mayo, or you can opt for Subway specialities like Meatball Marinara, and Chicken Tikka, but the beauty of Spudaway is it’s all fully customisable.
This means you can pick, quite simply, from whatever you fancy at the protein and salad counters, and finish it with your choice of Subway’s wide selection of signature sauces.
“The nation’s love of Jacket Potatoes is unparalleled,” commented Cathy Goodwin, who is the Interim Director of Culinary & Innovation Subway EMEA.
Subway has finally launched its make-your-own jacket potato concept ‘Spudway’ all across the UK / Credit: Subway
“The enthusiasm we’ve seen on social media and the strong demand from our guests throughout the trial made it clear that Spudway deserved a permanent place on our menu.
“Made with British potatoes, Irish salted butter, a double portion of cheese, and fully customisable with any of our many toppings, Spudway is the perfect freshly-made, high-quality lunch choice.”
Spudway jacket potatoes are freshly baked in-store daily and can be enjoyed on their own, or as part of a meal deal – which includes a spud, drink, plus crisps or a cookie.
Emily Sergeant -
13th February 2023 
