After what has been some of the most turbulent months in recent memory, full of unexpected twists and turns, this has somehow shocked us even more, but in the best way possible, because we’ve just found out that Danny Andrews – more commonly known as the “fish and a rice cake” guy, who shot to fame at 17 when he starred in a 2007 BBC Three documentary about young bodybuilders – has appeared on the latest series of First Dates, which returned to screens earlier this week.
But in case you’re still stuck in 2007 and hadn’t clocked on to who he was, he doesn’t quite look like how you probably remember him from his viral internet stardom.
While Danny may have made his name after explaining his complex daily diet of eight portions of fish and/or a rice cake in preparation for a bodybuilding competition that was just a fortnight away, the fitness fanatic and Manchester United fan – who grew up in Cumbria – now runs his own successful barber shop in Preston, where he lives quite a successful life.
And it appears that he’s looking for a partner in crime to live that successful life with after hitting up Britain’s most popular dating show, First Dates, for some help now that it’s relocated its Fred Sirieix-fronted restaurant to Manchester – The Refinery in Spinningfields, to be exact – to show more “commitment to the UK regions”.
As we’re a big fans of Danny’s iconic video here at The Manc (how could we not be?), after finding out about his appearances on not one, but two episodes of the show – the first episode of which is now streaming on All 4 ahead of its TV air next Tuesday – we just knew we couldn’t let this slip under the radar.
So we thought we’d have a quick chat with him to find out how it all went down, and see what we can expect from appearance number two.
Channel 4 / All 4
First off, you should know he hates fish.
“Funny thing is… I don’t even like fish. I hate it”, Danny is sure to insist directly to the First Dates’ cameras with a smile etched across his face.
A smile he says he has to force when somebody brings up his viral fame.
He didn’t actually apply for the show himself.
“A girl who works for me applied for me whilst we were at work,” Danny explains.
“She took a video off my Instagram and didn’t even really try, just answered [the application] questions willy nilly and thought it was funny.
“I only answered my phone [to the producers] because we were in lockdown, and that’s what sold it to me… what happened was, we got a COVID test and we had to self-isolate in the hotel, and then we could go to the restaurant and have drinks and stuff,
“And that was how it was sold, so I thought that was brilliant.”
He even revealed, comically, that the chance to escape the mundane lockdown lifestyle for some fine dining with company was “the only reason why I went”.
And he didn’t quite take it seriously the first time, either.
“The first time I went as well, I didn’t take it seriously,” he admitted.
“I had a lockdown haircut [and] I just wore a t-shirt and jeans, and when I got there, people were in suits and cravats and stuff like that, so the second time when I went back, I know what I’m prepared for, I’m less nervous, I’m more myself,
“And I dress appropriately as well, so I feel better”.
If you’re wondering, he never wants to mention his viral fame, ever – especially not to his date.
“No, I never ever ever bring up that I’m the ‘fish and a rice cake’ guy, ever,” he says insistently, before explaining that some classic reality TV editing, that we’ve all come to know well, is to thank for how his internet stardom was revealed on the show.
“It didn’t show, but it was edited well.
“The waiter kept coming over saying ‘I recognise you from YouTube or something’, and I was like ‘no you don’t’ because I don’t look anything like [that nowadays]. So I said ‘I know why you keep saying that’, and when she asked ‘why?’, I then say [about the video].
“But obviously, due to clever editing, it comes across like I just brought it up”.
He teased that on the next date, “it’s even funnier how it’s brought up”, so we’ll just have to keep glued to our screens to discover what he’s on about.
He didn’t think many people watched First Dates – but now he’s getting recognised in the supermarket.
“And to think that this [first episode] hasn’t even been aired yet until Tuesday, I honestly didn’t think many people would even watch First Dates, but I think I’m wrong.
“I went to Sainsbury’s yesterday, and even in lockdown, I could feel people looking at me, and I was thinking ‘oh no, it’s embarrassing'”.
Despite the funny looks though, he still thinks “it was a good experience” to appear on the show.
So, what can we expect from his second appearance then?
“From [my next appearance], I was more myself, less nervous, didn’t drink as much, and… I look a lot better.” he laughs.
“I look more myself, yeah, I’ll just say that, I look more myself”.
And by “myself”, we can only presume, from his well-known hobbies and current profession, that he means more in shape and with freshly-trimmed hair cut.
He concluded: “We’d just come out of lockdown as well, so I could go to the gym,
“I’d been to the gym for about two weeks”.
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First Dates continues on Channel 4 on Tuesday 26th January at 10pm.
The Canal Street star that we’re backing to be the next queen of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
Danny Jones
Amid all the buzz of Manchester Pride 2025, the latest series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK also returns this August bank holiday, and fittingly a Canal Street has joined the lineup for series seven.
The parade and Gay Village Party aside, we genuinely can’t wait for the cult favourite TV show to be back on our screens.
Already a classic among the queer community following many years on the air over in America, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is set to debut its seventh season, and part of the fun is always meeting the cast.
While there’s often a Northern name or two, including multiple Mancunians in the past, we believe this year’s contestant has a good shot at winning the whole thing. Manchester, meet Bonnie Ann Clyde.
Who is Manchester’s adopted 2025 Drag Race star, Bonnie Ann Clyde?
Now, aside from having a fabulous and very classic drag name, the other twist when it comes to this Drag Race debutant is that she’s not technically a Manc.
What gave it away? Was it the accent?…
Born in Dublin and dubbing herself “Ireland’s best export”, the 30-year-old Bonnie Ann Clyde has been here for the past 12 months, and it’s her time around Canal Street – The Goose and Cruz 101, specifically – that has seen her grow in reputation.
Speaking to the show’s British broadcasters, she told fans old and hopefully soon to be: “You could say that I’ve been around the block a few times, but I prefer to say that I’m an international queen!
“Bonnie Ann Clyde was created in Dublin, [during] the mid-2010s, when drag was starting to get popular again. I performed in Dublin for six years, then I did a Summer in San Francisco, and after that I moved to Gran Canaria, where I performed for two and a half years.”
Quite the CV, we’re sure you’ll agree, but it’s only since she started gaining a following here in 0161 that she got the call to be the next series of Drag Race UK. After all, we do know a thing or two about the scene in these parts.
— KaMorian (Sparkling Alien 💫) (@ka_morian0121) August 22, 2025
Why we think she should and will win
Aside from being the resident Greater Manchester representative (be it as an ex-pat or not), it’s this kind of globetrotting experience of LGBTQIA+ entertainment culture, pulling knowledge from all manner of drag queen circuits, that we think she’s odds on to push for the crown this year.
Detailing why she thinks she deserves to be named champion in 2025, whilst doing an impression of Holly Jervis from X Factor, she said: “‘This is MY moment’.
“I’ve worked for years doing jobs I didn’t want to do, and I’ve worked so hard. I deserve this crown, I deserve that sceptre, I deserve that £25k, and you know what? I’m going to get it because I’m fabulous, I’m fantastic, I’m Bonnie Ann Clyde, and I’m going to win!”
You’ve got to love that self-confidence, and while there are some other Northern faces among the lineup this year – including the Yorkshire favourite and the first ever contestant from Leeds, Silllexa Diction – there’s no question about who we want to win.
Once again, series seven of RuPaul Drag Race UK gets underway at 9pm this Sunday, 24 August, on BBC Three, as well as iPlayer in case you’re busy partying at Manchester Pride 2025.
A new coffee shop by a familiar Manc influencer with an ‘Oasis-inspired’ name is opening in town
Danny Jones
We’re never short of cafés here in Manchester, especially in the city centre, and there are a fair few great ones in the Northern Quarter alone, but this new coffee shop from a famous local influencer is one to keep an eye on – especially as it’s a bit of an Oasis pun.
‘What’s the story?’, we hear you ask: Morning Glory, that’s what.
That’s right, NQ’s latest coffee spot is not only a fun little nod to the Britpop classic but a little bit of innuendo by an equally cheeky chappy and familiar content creator, Zack Hipps.
With the Oasis puns and double-entendre boxes ticked off, it already ticks a couple of boxes, but there are still plenty more reasons to think this will be a success.
Morning Glory is opening in the Northern Quarter at the end of the month. (Credit: Morning Glory)
To start with, the jokes don’t stop as sandwich lovers will be glad to hear that there will be ‘Glory Holes’ on the menu…
Calm down, it’s not that kind of gaff. These are bagels that are sliced, stuffed with whipped cream, brushed with garlic butter, before being rebaked to golden perfection and finished with a drizzle of honey thyme. That admittedly does sound rather naughty.
Bagels are the main foodstuff on the menu, with a lineup of stacked fillings such as grilled peach with goat’s cheese and chilli jam; roast chicken thigh with smoked garlic mayo, iceberg lettuce and red onion and a ‘next-level’ ham and cheese stack.
Oh yeah, and it’s not only a coffee shop but promises to be a great and affordable spot for grab-and-go joe, specifically, too.
Morning Glory will be helping kickstart Manc mornings in the best way: with a banging coffee and bagel brekkie deal for just £5, making it perfect for those early risers and rushes to the commuter trams – OR, indeed, the ideal hangover cure after a night out in the city.
Apart from the obvious Manchester music reference, the coffee bar is a fitting honey-yellow.The bagels are looking big and beautiful.The diagonal floor stripes are a nod to The Hacienda nightclub. (Credit: Supplied)
Now, with the space itself spanning just 50sqm and featuring just 12 seats, not to mention fast, value-for-money food and drink, everyone can admit this isn’t necessarily the spot to sit for hours chatting with your mates over a brew.
Although Zack describes the room as “casual, cosy and full of personality” and “proper good vibes”, assuring quality at all times, they also state it is about “no faff” and the menu is made for being on the move, which is absolutely fine with us.
For instance, indie suppliers Kyoto Matcha will be chipping in with drinks and local bakery Vainllis over in Ancoats will be delivering a fresh twist on the Manchester tart, both of which are easy to order takeout and enjoy on the go.
Best of all, to mark the launch, the first 100 people through the doors on from 8am on opening Saturday, 30 August. August will not only bag a free drink, but three lucky customers will be randomly chosen to win a golden ticket, entitling them to free coffee every single day for A WHOLE YEAR.
Speaking on the impending opening just weeks after Oasis left the city, Hipps says, “Morning Glory Coffee is my love letter to Manchester. We’ve grafted for months building the space, and it’s mad to think we’re finally opening the doors.
“It’s a warm, welcoming spot with proper Manc charm, and I’m buzzing to be working alongside some of my favourite local makers. Manchester’s got one of the best food scenes in the country, and we can’t wait to shine a light on all the incredible talent out there, whilst fuelling up Manc’s one brew at a time.”
See you in the queue on Oldham Street come launch day for great coffee, Oasis in the headphones and hopefully some rare but glorious Manchester morning sun.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd January 2021 
