Professor Brian Cox was turned away from a hotel last night because the hotel believed he was already checked-in – except it was the other very famous Brian Cox.
The Oldham-born physicist and the Succession actor were both booked into the same hotel ahead of an appearance on BBC Breakfast.
But when they went to check in, the staff on the check-in desk were completely flummoxed by the matching names.
And now I’m trying to work out how to differentiate the two moving forward. We’ll call them Prof Brian and Actor Brian.
The two Brians appeared on BBC Breakfast together today to share the details of the check-in catastrophe with presenter Charlie Stayt.
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Prof Brian said he tried to whip out his phone after he was denied entry to show that there were indeed two celebrity guests with identical names – but was told by the staff member ‘I know neither of you, I don’t watch television’.
Chaos as both Brians stay in the same hotel. Credit: BBC Breakfast
Actor Brian said: “Last night was very confusing because Brian arrived at the hotel and said that ‘there are two Brian Coxes, so you’ve got two rooms’.
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“And he said ‘No no, there’s only one. I think there might be another Brian Cox’ and the hotel said to Brian ‘We can’t have two Brian Coxes’.”
Prof Brian added, much to Charlie Stayt’s delight: “They wouldn’t check me in!
“I had to change my name! They couldn’t do it on the computer system. They didn’t believe me.
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“And I got a picture out on my phone and said this Brian Cox, he’ll be coming later, and there’s this one, and he said ‘I know neither of you, I don’t watch television’.”
BBC Breakfast booked both Brian Coxes into the same hotel, causing utter confusion. Absolutely amazing. pic.twitter.com/8U1XT5zBp0
TV critic Scott Bryan (oh god, another Bryan) shared the clip on Twitter, writing: “BBC Breakfast booked both Brian Coxes into the same hotel, causing utter confusion. Absolutely amazing” – a clip that’s now been viewed more than 200,000 times.
In the replies, one person wrote: “So now we know the official definition of computer says no. When two people with the same name but into a hotel at the same time…”
Another tweeted: “Fun fact of the day: The collective noun for a group of Brian Cox’s is called a Succession of Brian Cox’s. I’ll see my self out…”
And then came this idea, which sounds ace: “TV SERIES IDEA. ‘The Trip’ but with these two.
“Brian Cox: Hello Brian, would you join me in exploring the enigma of time – a phenomenon we take for granted, but which is one of the biggest mysteries in the universe?
“Brian Cox: F**K OFF!!”
Featured image: BBC Breakfast
TV & Showbiz
Yard Act announce handful of new headline shows ahead of 6Music gig in Manchester
Clementine Hall
Yard Act are back as they announce first round of UK headline dates since 2024, including a show right here in Manchester – but not before their BBC 6Music Festival gig later this week.
We are so, SO back.
It’s been a few years, but Yard Act have just announced a limited run of domestic shows for later in the year including their homecoming gig at the O2 Academy in Leeds on Friday, 6 November.
But after playing over in Yorkshire, the lads will be performing shows at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on the following Friday (13 Nov).
Yard Act completed the touring for their critically acclaimed second album, Where’s My Utopia?, with a victory lap back home at the 5000 capacity Millennium Square in Leeds in August ’24.
It was a record that brought a stark change of pace to the acerbic, post-punk of their debut, embracing something altogether more playful and bringing a different energy.
It shifted the dynamic on stage too, with the addition of dancing backing singers and additional musicians and openly challenged listeners to reconsider who they thought Yard Act were.
Since then, the band have been keeping busy writing and recording their third studio LP, as well as heading out across the UK and Europe with The Hives – oh, and that intimate one-off show at Blackpool Tower last May.
Following a lengthy stint in the studio, the band now look to this coming autumn for three big UK dates and we cannot wait. We spoke to them a little while back and know how much big stuff they’ve got further pipeline; you can see the interview HERE.
Booking just three headline slots, the handful of tour dates are as follows:
06 Nov – Leeds
13 Nov – Manchester
26 Nov – London
Tickets go on artist presale from 10am on Wednesday, 25 March before hitting general sale at 10am on Friday, 27 March. Sign up to grab yours right HERE.
As for those wanting to find out more about this year’s 6Music Fest, you find the full lineup and more down below.
Gladiators Live Tour to make ‘triumphant’ return to Manchester on UK arena tour
Emily Sergeant
The Gladiators Live Tour will make a triumphant return in 2026.
Following its explosive debut in 2025 and overwhelming fan demand, the Gladiators Live Tour is set to head out on a UK tour later this year, bringing the iconic phenomenon back to arenas nationwide for an electrifying new run of shows, and making a stop off in Manchester, of course.
Audiences will, once again, have the chance to experience the action-packed spectacle featuring the stars of the hit BBC reboot series on an epic scale.
The 2025 live tour thrilled audiences nationwide, selling over 200,000 tickets and proving the arena spectacular is ‘bigger, bolder, and more electrifying’ than ever, and that energy is only set to continue this year when the show returns to Manchester’s popular AO Arena.
GLADIATORS, READY!
Following its epic debut in 2025 the triumphant live show brings the energy to Manchester on 14 & 15 Nov!
This adrenaline-fuelled event sees the legendary Gladiators storm back into the arena to face fearless contenders in a heart-pounding live adaptation of the smash-hit television phenomenon.
Expect iconic fan-favourite events, breathtaking stunts, epic head-to-head battles and the unforgettable Eliminator finale.
Featuring stars from the hit BBC series, audiences are being told to expect a truly immersive, high-octane experience, as arenas are transformed into modern gladiatorial battlegrounds complete with purpose-built sets, spectacular lighting, and cinematic staging.
The Gladiators Live Tour 2026 kicks off in Aberdeen on 10 October, before heading to other major cities like Glasgow, London, and Birmingham, as well as northern locations like Leeds and Newcastle, and of course, Manchester’s AO Arena for two nights on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.
Tickets officially go on sale this Friday 27 March, with two shows per day available, and you can grab them when they go live here.
Daisy Jackson -
18th November 2022 
