TV & Showbiz

Channel 4 is looking for Manc couples to take part in a big ‘sex experiment’

The broadcaster's put out a nationwide casting call.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 2nd July 2024

Channel 4 is currently casting for one of its boldest TV shows, and needs some “adventurous couples” from Greater Manchester to take part.

If you cast your minds back to right at the beginning of this year, you may remember that Channel 4 grabbed headlines when it announced that it was looking for adult virgins who were willing to volunteer themselves for a brand-new reality series with the working title ‘The Intimacy Retreat’.

The nature of the new TV show might not have come as a mega shock to some, as the broadcaster is also behind other sex-based reality shows such as Naked Attraction and Sex Box too.

But now, Channel 4 has put out another nationwide casting call, and this one’s for the potential third series of what is probably one of its most daring shows yet, Open House: The Great Sex Experiment – with producers currently on the look-out for the UK’s most “adventurous couples”, including those from Greater Manchester, to take part.

Channel 4 is looking for Manc couples to take part in a big ‘sex experiment’ / Credit: Channel 4

Unfamiliar with the premise of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment? Well, in a nutshell, the series basically explores whether relationships can thrive without monogamy.

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In what is described as a “bold social experiment”, a group of monogamous couples are asked to consider, for the first time, if they would be happier in open relationships, while relationship coaches and sex therapists assist them in their journeys to challenging the notion that having sex with other people is at odds with being in a committed relationship.

However, it’s not all plain sailing, as the couples discover the difficulties involved with abandoning monogamy.

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The bold reality show’s producers are on the look out for “adventurous couples” / Credit: Channel 4

The casting call on the Channel 4 website reads: “Do you fancy taking part in a potential new series of ‘Open House: The Great Sex Experiment’? Do you question monogamy? Would you like the opportunity to explore opening up your relationship? In this bold concept, committed couples come to a luxury retreat to test whether opening up their relationships and having sex with other people will strengthen their bond.”

Reckon you’re up for it then? If you fancy taking part in the next series of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, then head on over to the Channel 4 website to find out more and apply.

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You can stick an application in here.

Featured Image – Channel 4

TV & Showbiz

Fawlty Towers – The Play is coming to Manchester Opera House next year

Danny Jones Danny Jones Fawlty Towers The Play Manchester tickets

John Cleese’s much-loved Fawlty Towers – The Play is landing at the Manchester Opera House next year and we cannot wait.

The critically acclaimed theatre adaptation of the iconic sitcom, still revered as one of the greatest UK comedies of all time, first came to fruition back in 2016 and is now set to land here in Manchester city centre for the first time ever.

We’ve been treated to Fawlty Towers The Dining Experience at The Lowry Theatre in Salford before, but this is the first time the smash-hit West End stage production has headed North and judging by the reviews, audiences are about to be belly-laughing all the way to Torquay.

Coming to Manc crowds this time next winter, you can expect this one to be a sell-out.

Still busy playing a fully booked-up run at London’s Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, the twice-extended West End show is packing up its stage for a massive tour across the UK and Ireland.

Announcing dozens of dates next year and well into the summer of 2026, including shows in Leeds, Liverpool, York, Stoke, Sunderland and many more, the show has earned four and five-star reviews from countless publications.

The Arts Desk have hailed it as a “comedy masterpiece [that] makes a seamless transition to the stage”, with actor Adam Jackson-Smith playing the lead role of Basil Fawlty and the entire cast said to leave viewers cackling with some of the best bits from iconic TV series recreated in the flesh.

Speaking on the stage adaptation, John Cleese said: “When we came up with the idea of bringing Fawlty Towers to the stage, I never thought it would get the reception that it has.

“On 23 December it will be 50 years to the day since we recorded the pilot at BBC Television Centre and I’m delighted the audiences we’ve had in the West End still think it’s as funny as ever. The announcement of the tour means many more people will now have the chance to laugh themselves helpless.”

John Cleese, now 85.

Set to hit the road 50 years on from the broadcast of the first episode on BBC Two back in September 1975, before going on to win countless awards including two BAFTAS and even being voted the best British programme of all time as part of a British Film Institute poll, it all feels very full circle.

Brought to life on stage by a creative team consisting of Cleese and fellow writer Connie Booth and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger – best known for her work on Blood Means Nothing (2019), My Week with Maisy (2024), Early Doors: Live (2021) and the Monty Python live show, there’s non-stop talent both on and off the stage.

One of the best part parts about a series that was stretched across just 12 half-hour episodes of TV is that you can just about manage to squeeze in the majority of the most memorable highlights into the approximately 1h50m run-time.

You can see the cast’s recent interview on This Morning HERE and for a short trailer for a better look at what to expect down below:

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Fawlty Towers – The Play comes to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 and will be there until Saturday, 8 November.

General admission is live as we speak, with ticket options starting from £20 and going all the way up to £147.50 for the best premium seats and experience in the house.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

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

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

TV & Showbiz

Gregg Wallace apologises after Downing Streets labels ‘middle-class women’ comments ‘misogynistic’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Gregg Wallace apologises for middle class women comments

Gregg Wallace has issued an official apology as he looks to be in increasing trouble not only over recent reports of his misconduct on set but his subsequent reaction to the allegations and now viral “middle-class women” comments.

The 60-year-old MasterChef presenter and well-known foodie face stepped down from the BBC cooking show last week after a total of 13 people came forward to complain about his ‘sexual’ behaviour over the course of a 17-year period.

Despite having denied an initial accusation from a former female colleague regarding an incident back in 2018, in which insists no comments or actions of a sexual nature were made, a dozen more individuals have now submitted historical complaints to the corporation and a full investigation is underway.

However, in an Instagram story shared on Sunday, Wallace was quick to dismiss the claims made by what he called “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” – a response which was quickly met with a severe backlash online.

Equally problematic was his suggestion that because he had worked with an estimated 2,000 people during his time on the show the words of “only 13” women were somehow less valid and/or believable.

Having also shared a video thanking all of those supporting him, as well as numerous other stories featuring personal messages from people both on and off the show defending him, he has continued to rebuke those who have put his conduct over the past two decades under a microscope.

That being said, it looks as though the now former TV personality and household name is doubling back after even Downing Street came out to condemn his comments, with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelling the response video “completely inappropriate and misogynistic.”

Having since deleted a number of his IG stories and now shared a follow-up video to his initial reply, telling his followers: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.”

He said that he was not in a “good head space” when he posted the response and has been dealing with a lot of stress since the story broke, adding, “I felt very alone.” You can see the clip down below.

As you see, the ex-green grocer and restaurant owner said he intends to step away from the story for now and let the in-house investigation move forward without interruption.

Both the BBC and production company, Banijay UK – who make MasterChef and the various spin-off series on which Gregg Wallace has served as a co-host – are currently conducting an internal review of those complaints made by former contestants and staff, including a BBC news anchor.

While none of the allegations are yet to be proved, one former male contestant reportedly told Sky News that the current allegations are just the “tip of the iceberg“, claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” and was so “horrified” he considered quitting the show on his first day.

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

Featured Images — BBC/Gregg Wallace (screenshots via Instagram/YouTube)

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