TV & Showbiz

Corrie legend Julie Hesmondhalgh has been volunteering at a local vaccine centre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 27th December 2021

Corrie star Julie Hesmondhalgh has given up her time over Christmas to volunteer at a local Covid vaccine site, saying she wants to ‘kick this pandemic up the backside’.

The soapstar has been volunteering as a vaccine runner at the former British Gas site in Hattersley, Tameside.

In a video posted to Tameside Council’s Twitter page, Julie said she’s donated a ‘pathetic’ seven hours of her time.

She praised the NHS workers who are out working ‘in all weathers, all the time’.

Julie was part of the Coronation Street cast for almost two decades, playing Hayley Cropper.

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Julie Hesmondhalgh as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street. Credit: ITV

She made history by playing the first transgender character in a British soap opera, and won a National Television Awards before leaving the cobbles in 2014.

In her video from the temporary vaccine hub in Tameside, she said: “It’s been an absolutely brilliant day.

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“I mean obviously there are people here, NHS workers, who are here in all weathers, all the time.

Read more: A north west mum with extremely rare cancer is fundraising after ‘devastating’ news

“Pouring rain, freezing cold, and here I am just like getting all the glory for doing my pathetic seven hours.

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“I really wanted just to add my support and just to help out a little bit and feel like I’m doing something in these really really challenging times.

“Let’s try and kick this pandemic up the backside so that we can all have a safer, happier 2022.”

That particular vaccine centre reopens for first and second doses of the coronavirus vaccine, plus booster jabs and flu jabs, on December 29.

There are dozens of other walk-in centres across Greater Manchester.

You can find one near you at nhs.uk.

Featured image: Twitter @juliehes

TV & Showbiz

Mancs willing to give rescue dogs a forever home needed for new Channel 4 series

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant The Dog House

Could you give a rescue dog a second chance in life? Now’s your opportunity.

In just the past couple of weeks alone, TV casting directors have been looking for open-minded single Mancs to take part in the next series of Love Is Blind UK, and Mancs keen to test their music knowledge with the chance to win a whopping £10,000 cash prize… but now, it’s time for dog-lovers to step forward.

The next series of hit Channel 4 show The Dog House is currently in the works, and producers are on the lookout for people willing to give rescue dogs a forever home.

Mancs are being encouraged to apply.

Channel 4 is looking for Mancs willing to give rescue dogs a forever home / Credit: Channel 4

Since first hitting our screens back in 2019, the award-winning series – which is currently in partnership with Woodgreen Pets Charity – has captured the hearts of viewers across the UK, sharing emotional stories of rescue dogs and the people hoping to give them a forever home.

Viewers get to watch incredible journeys of rescue dogs finding their perfect match.

But the show demonstrates that it’s not just the dogs who are being rescued, however, as many of their new owners also find their lives transformed in the process.

Casting for the next series of smash-hit TV series The Dog House is currently underway / Credit

“Once again, we’ll be following the expert team of dog-matchers, meeting this year’s rescue dogs, and of course, getting to the know the amazing people who are looking to offer them a lifelong home,” a casting call for the next series of The Dog House reads.

“We’d love to reach dog lovers in Manchester who may be considering welcoming a rescue dog into their lives.”

Read more:

Does this sound like you? Channel 4 is keen to hear the reasons why you may be looking for a new canine companion, so anyone who fancies applying for the show is asked to fill out an application form online.

You can find out more and apply here.

Featured Image – Channel 4

TV & Showbiz

Stephen Graham sheds light on the ‘possibility’ of a second season of Adolescence

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stephen Graham on Adolescence series 2

Pretty much everyone has been getting through the incredible yet harrowing experience of watching Adolescence on Netflix this month, and though it may have seemed unlikely at first, series star Stephen Graham recently discussed the possibility of a second season.

For those who aren’t aware, it was never expected that the four-part limited series surrounding a young boy accused of a violent crime would be the global phenomenon it has been, nor was it hoping to secure a deal for another season: the whole point of the show was to tell a powerful but self-contained story.

However, with it becoming the most-watched thing on the platform in just four days – not to mention notching all manner of streaming records – it’s no surprise that the suggestion of capitalising on its smash hit success has come up.

Many feel the kind of narrative it tells is so important that the idea should at least be explored.

Speaking in a recent interview with Variety, co-creator and lead Graham sat down with his wife Hannah Walters, who also helped write and produce the show, to discuss the reaction

When asked quite simply if any discussions have been had about an Adolescence season two, while it sounds like there’s nothing official yet, he didn’t dismiss the concept outright.

“Possibly, let’s see how the figures are, but yeah, there’s the possibility of developing another story”, says the 51-year-old from Kirkby.

It might not be much to go as yet; however, just knowing that there’s room to tell another chapter is good enough – especially given the “smirk” the 51-year-old is said to have responded with during his answer.

Many fans thought the chances of a second series had been dashed early doors after fellow co-creator Jack Thorne recently went on This Morning and dismissed the potential pretty much altogether.

In his words: “I don’t think we’re the right people to tell Katie’s story […] I think there are other makers out there that could tell beautiful dramas about Katie or girls like Katie [the victim in the show], and that those shows should be made.”

That being said, just because he doesn’t sound like he’d be involved will an Adolescence sequel, it doesn’t mean Graham might not be.

You can see his interview here.

Read more:

The impact of the show, especially here in the UK, cannot be overstated and not just because of the cross-generational viewing figures.

Fellow Adolescence actor Jo Hartley, who was born down the road in Oldham, joined countless celebrities in waxing lyrical over the importance of the show following what she called an “overwhelming” reaction in just the first few days.

In fact, the shockwaves it sent across Britain and beyond have been so strong that the writers have even been invited to Parliament to discuss the series’ themes and how to help tackle them better.

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

Featured Images — Netflix (screenshots)

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