The BBC has announced that Salford will be the new home for both Children in Need and Comic Relief events.
These special fundraising telethon events – which are broadcast live on BBC One every year – are two of the biggest nights in the TV calendar, presenting jam-packed evenings of entertainment with line-ups of famous faces coming together to raise money for charities.
BBC Children in Need exists to change the lives of children and young people across the UK and Comic Relief has a vision of a world that’s free from poverty.
From 2021, both shows will be filmed and broadcasted live from MediaCityUK.
We have a new home! 🏠🥳
From this year the BBC Children in Need appeal show will be broadcast live from @dock10 studios at @MediaCityUK.
Our 41st show will be on @BBCOne, Friday 19th November. We already can't wait!
Children in Need, which is now in its 41st year, will shoot in November – with the live show hosted at the biggest multi-camera purpose-built TV studio in the UK, dock10.
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Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day will also be beamed from Salford – which is where the Sport Relief show has been broadcast from for several years.
The BBC says the move of these major shows to Salford will enhance its “commitment to the nations and regions” after the broadcaster revealed that it would favour the North over London in “ambitious plans” for its biggest transformation in decades, with more “power and decision-making” brought to the region.
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dock10 is the biggest multi-camera purpose built TV studio in the UK / Credit: BBC / MediaCityUK
“We are hugely excited to be bringing the BBC Children in Need Appeal show to Pudsey HQ in Media City,” said Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive BBC Children in Need.
“The past year has left lasting effects on the lives of children and young people facing disadvantage and the 2021 appeal show will be a chance for us to come together as a nation and demonstrate that we will always be here for the children and young people across the UK that need us most.”
Samir Patel – Chief Executive of Comic Relief – added: “We can’t wait to film from Salford next March [as] the support we get from the public all around the country, but particularly in the North, is simply outstanding.
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“To get back in a studio with a full crew and studio audience at our new ‘home’ will be a treat.”
Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day appeal show will also be broadcast from Salford from 2022 onwards / Credit: BBC One / Comic Relief
Salford is already home to some of the BBC’s best-known programmes including A Question of Sport, Dragons’ Den, Match of the Day, Blue Peter, University Challenge, BBC Breakfast and North West Tonight.
Children in Need and Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day are the latest to make the city their new permanent production base and broadcast location.
BBC Children in Need will air on 19 November 2021, and the next Comic Relief Red Nose Day will take place on 18 March 2022.
Featured Image – BBC One
TV & Showbiz
Taylor Swift and The 1975 frontman Matty Healy are reportedly ‘no longer romantically involved’
Emily Sergeant
Taylor Swift and Matty Healy are apparently “no longer romantically involved” with each other, according to reports.
Although, as fans will tell you, it was debatable if they ever even were to begin with.
The American global pop megastar and The 1975 frontman have each been in a number of high-profile relationships throughout their musical careers, but no relationship seems to have attracted the pair more media attention than when they were romantically linked with each other.
Swift and Healy have been pictured together multiple times in recent months, sending their millions of fans into frenzy.
But reports have emerged today in US outlet People, as well as in TMZ and from a number of other prominent sources, that they are “no longer romantically involved” with each other, and that the relationship was only ever “casual” anyway.
“She had fun with him, but it was always casual. They are no longer romantically involved,” the source told People.
Taylor Swift and Matty Healy are reportedly ‘no longer romantically involved’ / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | The 1975 (via Instagram)
Social media had been awash with fans speculating a relationship between the pair after Swift called it quits with long-term boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, back in April.
The 33-year-old multi GRAMMY and BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter is currently performing in major cites right across the US as part of her sold-out ‘Eras Tour’, while the hugely-successful Manchester band have just finished their own massive UK tour, and are now doing the rounds on the summer festival circuit.
The two first became publicly connected this year when The 1975 brought Swift out as the special guest at one of their O2 Arena gigs in London back in January.
As well as the pair being seen and pictured on several occasions leaving venues together, and supposedly – and pretty cryptically – sending messages to each other on stage via songs, Healy also gave a surprise performance at Swift’s show in Nashville last month, where he appeared on stage alongside musician and mutual friend Phoebe Bridgers, who was supporting Swift.
Although, as we’ve obviously established, no relationship was ever confirmed between the pair.
Swift is to continue on with the sold-out US leg of her ‘Eras Tour’ – which broke the record for most concert tickets ever sold in a single day – until 9 August, before heading down for several shows in Mexico and South America.
She has also just announced that the next re-recording in her ‘Taylor’s Version’ catalogue will be her 2010 album, Speak Now – which is set for release on 7 July.
The 1975, on the other hand, are set to make a highly-anticipated homecoming return as headliners of Manchester’s Parklife Festival this weekend.
Featured Image – CBC | Variety
TV & Showbiz
Superstar Pink throws birthday party in Trafford Park ahead of huge stadium shows
Daisy Jackson
When you spot celebrities around Greater Manchester, they’re normally living it up in venues like The Ivy or Mnky Hse – so it was quite a surprise when Pink popped up in Trafford this week.
Singer Pink, real name Alecia Moore, threw a birthday party for her daughter Willow earlier this week.
The star took over Total Ninja in Trafford Park for an action-packed 12th birthday celebration.
In a video shared on her Instagram, Pink was seen taking on the range of obstacles – including a few tumbles – while her daughter Willow and son Jameson showed off on challenges like monkey bars and rope swings.
The party was decked out with helium balloons and a Wednesday Addams birthday cake.
Pink wrote that she was ‘so in love’ with Manchester and said she was ‘so happy’ to be back out on tour.
Pink at Total Ninja in Trafford Park. Credit: InstagramPink at Total Ninja in Trafford Park. Credit: InstagramPink at Total Ninja in Trafford Park. Credit: Instagram
The singer is about to kick off her summer UK tour with two huge stadium shows in Greater Manchester, at the University Of Bolton Stadium (soon to be known as the Toughsheet Community Stadium… teehee).
Pink (often stylised as P!nk) is behind hits like Raise Your Glass, So What, and Just Like A Pill.
Sharing the video on social media, she wrote: “So happy to be back on tour with my babies, the ones I birthed but also the rest of these clowns.
“If I had to choose another profession- it would be so many things. One of those would be party planner. We party.
“Manchester- I am so inlove with you. Willow- you are my soul child. Happy 12th. Hard to believe you’re only 12. You rock. Love, your favorite Mama.”
Total Ninja also shared the video, writing: “We were delighted to welcome P!nk and her daughter, Willow, to Total Ninja Manchester to celebrate Willow’s birthday!
“A very happy birthday from everyone at Total Ninja Manchester! The course is always ready for anyone who thinks they can be the next Total Ninja!”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd July 2021 
