TV & Showbiz

Hear stories from Coronation Street legends in all-new live shows

Jelly shouldn't run it should wobble!

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 10th March 2025

Members of Coronation Street are spilling all the secrets of the cobbles to live audiences with a brand new series of Q&A sessions across the country, including right here in its hometown of Manchester, of course.

Although Weatherfield may only be up the road (hypothetically), it’s not every day you’re face to face with TV soap royalty, but this newly announced live show makes the impossible, possible.

Soap lovers will be able to find out all the tales, trials and tribulations cast members have had on set and swap the comfort of their own homes for a front-row seat at the theatre.

This night is perfect for Corrie lovers, whether you’ve been following the show since its humble beginnings in 1960 or tagged on later when it became a face of British TV culture, everyone is welcome.

The event is titled, simply, ‘An Audience with Coronation Street‘ and will feature five cast members as well as one surprise ‘Corrie legend’ who will all vary depending on each show.

So far eight names have been released and this includes some of the soap’s many famous faces, Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt), Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) and Samia Longchambon (Maria Connor).

There’s room for fresher talent too as Jodie Prenger is attending after only joining the cobbles in 2022 as Glenda Shuttleworth.

Be it the long-standing favourites or the new faces you want to know more about, there’s something for everyone in what is a first for ITV’s long-standing and multi-award-winning continuing drama.

Jack P. Shepherd who plays David Platt will be one of the guests for 'An Audience with Coronation Street'
Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt)
Simon Gregson who plays Steve McDonald will be one of the guests for 'An Audience with Coronation Street'
Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald)
Samia Longchambon who plays Maria Connor will be one of the guests for 'An Audience with Coronation Street'
Samia Longchambon (Maria Connor)
Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

Other stars you might also get to see at your show are Patti Clare (Mary Taylor), Jimmi Harkishin (Dev Alahan), Andrew Whyment (Kirk Sutherland) and Rob Mallard (Daniel Osbourne).

It was only last year that saw the stars of this Northern show popping up and surprising visitors who were wandering around the set on one of its many guided tours – now you can see them on a stage chatting all things Corrie.

The all-new Coronation Street shows, interview and Q&A series are kicking off in London with shows set for Sheffield, Glasgow and obviously here in 0161.

Of course, keeping these Coronation Street stars in check will be no easy feat and that’s why these shows will be hosted by the self-proclaimed ‘Soap Queen of This Morning‘, Sharon Marshall.

Patti Clare who plays Mary Taylor will be one of the guests for 'An Audience with Coronation Street'
Patti Clare (Mary Taylor)
Jimmi Harkishin who plays Dev Alahan will be one of the guests for 'An Audience with Coronation Street'
Jimmi Harkishin (Dev Alahan)
Andrew Whyment who plays Kirk Sutherland will be one of the guests for 'An Audience with Coronation Street'
Andrew Whyment (Kirk Sutherland)
Credit: Supplied

Whatever happens on the night, you can expect lots of laughs, nostalgia and stories that you won’t hear anywhere else.

‘An Audience with Coronation Street‘ is coming to The Lowry’s Lyric Theatre in Salford Quays on Saturday, 20 September.

Tickets will be available from 10am on 14 March and you get ready to grab yours HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

TV & Showbiz

Five free places to watch Wimbledon on the big screen in Manchester this summer

Danny Jones Danny Jones free places to watch Wimbledon 2025 in Manchester city centre

It’s grass court season, folks, and as a truly music and tournament-filled summer kicks into fifth gear, we’re making a civilised foray into the all sporting action with Wimbledon, which got underway at the end of June – and we’ve got the perfect places to watch every second here in Manchester.

Us Mancs love sports of pretty much any discipline, it practically makes up the fabric of our city, and in this case, that just so happens to be breathable white cotton or perhaps poly-blend suitable for running around and swinging a racket in.

On a serious note, everyone loves watching tennis for at least this one fortnight during this time of year, and with a record number of British players competing in the tournament right now, there’s all the more reason for you to tune in.

So, all that being said, here a five free, largely family-friendly places to watch Wimbledon 2025 on the big screen here in Manchester city centre.

Where to watch Wimbledon 2025 in Manchester for free

1. Tony Wilson Place – First Street

First up, rather fittingly, we’re returning to one of our go-tos whenever Wimbledon rolls around these days: the big temporary lawn laid out over on the big square at Tony Wilson Place. A sun-trap with deck chairs and plenty of places for food and drink around you – what more could you ask for?

The ever-thriving First Street complex has been paving the way for free social listening/watch parties here in Manchester, especially when it comes to utilising public open-air spaces, and it’s sure to be backed once again for this year’s Women’s Euros too. Trendsetters, they are.

2. Screen on the Square – New Jackson

Heading over towards Castlefield direction and the emerging area known as New Jackson, next on the list of free places to watch Wimbledon in central Manchester is Deansgate Square, where property developers Renaker have set up a special dedicated section for a jam-packed summer of sport.

Simply called ‘Screen on the Square’, the viewing zone not only sits in the shade of the city’s now skyline-defining towers but also catches plenty of rays throughout certain periods of the day. This space will also be doubling up (if you’ll pardon the pun) as a free outdoor cinema throughout the season.

A free open-air cinema is opening in the heart of Manchester’s skyscraper district
Entertainment of all forms over at The Residences.

3. Courts Club – St John’s

From the outskirts of Deansgate to the area’s newest addition, the thriving St John’s district has the perfect home for all things court-based, with a free outdoor screen whilst the sun is out and another big project inside the venue, where you’ll also find plenty of food and drink options.

Courts Club has genuinely started realising its potential as a genuinely popular social hangout as well as being a bar, pub quiz destination, food spot and places to enjoy a rally or shoot a few hoops. Not unlike First St, the faux beach and lawn layout is ideal for a laid-back Wimbledon watchalong.

4. MediaCityUK – Salford Quays

Heading out of the city centre for a spell – though only a tram ride away – the waterside viewing zone at the similarly titled ‘Screen on the Docks’ over at Media City is back for summer 2025 with a wide range of live sport, including cricket, F1 and, yes, Wimbledon.

Situated on the steps right next to the old harbour area, turned home of Greater Manchester mainstay, Box on the Docks, there are all kinds of entertainment to catch for free. Make sure you check their socials for the regular schedule even after the tournament is over.

screen on the docks media city salford quays

5. The Lawn Club

Finally, the last one on this list isn’t necessarily a free viewing area; however, we’ll confess to having wandered in here and taken in the big screen without getting so much as a water before. Also part of the Shiko Group, like Courts, The Lawn Club is exactly as on brand as it sounds.

Located in Spinningfields just a short walk from St John’s around the corner, the bottomless brunch favourite once again has a big screen out on the artificial garden terrace out back. That being said, you might as well give them your custom and grab a Pimm’s while you’re at it.

Best of luck to all our UK stars taking part in Wimbledon this year, and we hope these Manchester venues and their big screens serve as an ace place to watch the games with Hawk-Eyes…

Ok, we’ll stop now.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

TV & Showbiz

Jason Manford has final word on ‘naughty’ rule that sparked unexpected Village Hotel experience

Danny Jones Danny Jones Jason Manford Village Hotel shared room rule

Local comedian Jason Manford has shared “the last I’ll say on the matter between The People vs The Village Hotel”, after expressing his disappointment over a rule that saw him have a somewhat unexpected experience at one of their locations.

The Salford-born and Stockport-based stand-up was forced to share his room with another individual at The Village in Bournemouth after being told the hotel was fully booked.

Manford‘s room had essentially been resold, which led him to stay in a double with his friend and colleague; however, as explained in multiple videos, not everyone was fortunate enough to secure a last-minute solution.

Still, on the upside, at least they didn’t have to share a bed…

As detailed in the first of three posts seen above, Manford and co. arrived at the hotel late (as is typically the case with any touring comedian, especially a headliner) following his gig at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on Sunday, 29 June.

The 44-year-old is currently on his ‘A Manford All Seasons’ tour, which saw a flurry of new dates added back in November, and got underway back in February.

Although he assured that the staff did their job and were “lovely” through the whole ordeal, he reiterated that he found the little-known rule “very naughty” and “not on”.

He also mentioned that a doctor who arrived shortly after them at the hotel reception, sadly, had to be turned away from the Bournemouth branch.

Manford went on to add that the hotel manager did apologise for the situation, but as he notes in the clips, the worry is that it could cause even bigger dilemmas if it were a wedding, someone with kids, “or a million different situations that you could have been in which are much more serious than [his].”

Essentially, the duo were just lucky they turned up when they did and said as much.

Despite noting that he’d heard of airlines opting for similar policies in the past, he confessed he’d never come across such a rule in more than “25 years of touring” as a comic.

Echoing his frustration, surprise and concern, musician Georgina Jackson said in the comments: “That is so bad! As a touring lone female musician who uses hotels a lot, what are we expected to do? But the fact is… they don’t really care…

“Thanks for highlighting it, as they might actually start caring when the bookings drop off!
And, I imagine the hotel/town was busy with your audience!! How blinking ironic!!”

The hotel group has since asked the Salfordian funny man to take the very public complaints down, but Manford has refused despite them requesting quite “politely”, insisting that he believes more people need to know about obscure and largely unknown rules like these.

You can see the most recent and final statement on the whole Jason Manford-Village Hotel situation in full down below.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — University of Salford (via Flickr)/Jason Manford (screenshot via Facebook)

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