Fans are heaping praise on Sarah Lancashire after last night’s episode of Happy Valley, and some are even calling her “the best actress in the world”.
The latest episode in the third series of the smash-hit BBC drama Happy Valley hit our screens last night, and once again, Sarah Lancashire has seen thousands of adoring fans taking to social media to shower her with praise and commend her performance as the show’s lead character, Sergeant Catherine Cawood.
The Oldham-born actress has consistently received critical acclaim for her portrayal of the strong-willed police Sergeant in the crime drama – but this latest series of the award-winning show has arguably seen her win over more fans than ever before.
The 58-year-old has impressed throughout her career by starring in long-running Manchester-based soap Coronation Street as Raquel Wolstenhulme, as well as appearing in Where The Heart Is, Clocking Off, Lark Rise to Candleford, and Last Tango in Halifax, and countless theatre productions.
But the Happy Valley role has earned Lancashire a BAFTA, a National Television Award (NTA), and two TV Choice Awards over the years, so you know she must be good in it.
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Fans are calling Sarah Lancashire the ‘best actress in the world’ after last night’s Happy Valley episode / Credit: BBC
In case you aren’t caught up on this series, and missed last night’s episode, (here’s your spoiler alert warning…) Lancashire’s character Catherine confronted her sister Clare – who is played by Siobhan Finneran – for taking her grandson Rhys to visit his evil dad Tommy Lee Royce in prison without her consent.
Fans were gripped with tension and left in utter shock after the episode’s dramatic cliffhanger – in which Catherine saw a vision of her late daughter Becky, before silently sobbing as she left the cafe where she’d had the row with Clare in.
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After the episode was over, both viewers and famous names took to social media in their thousands to praise Lancashire and her co-star Finneran for producing some of “the best TV ever”.
Many are also calling for Lancashire to take home this year’s best actress BAFTA nod.
One fan said: “The cafe scene was as good as seen in any movie. The tension was unbearable.”
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Another fan on Twitter added: Just when you think Sarah Lancashire can’t get any better she goes up another gear. Brilliant performance”, while a third added: “Good God, Sarah Lancashire is absolutely phenomenal in this, it’s like a superpower.”
“Sarah Lancashire is the absolute GOAT,” another fan added on Twitter.
“The magnitude of command and power and emotion that she distills into every moment, whilst maintaining absolute truth and subtly is something to behold.”
Another impressed fan said on Twitter: “I know everyone has been saying it all week but I’ve caught up with Happy Valley and I’m drained.
“Just give Sarah Lancashire the BAFTA now, it’s done.”
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“Sarah Lancashire is the best actress in the world and I’m not being hyperbolic. We need her to have an Olivia Colman Hollywood ascension,” yet another enthusiastic fan claimed.
Beloved Greater Manchester-born presenter Judith Chalmers has died at 90
Danny Jones
Well-known Greater Manchester native and beloved British TV presenter Judith Chalmers has sadly died at 90 years old.
The former Wish You Were Here…? host was known not only for the once smash-hit travel programme, which ran for the best part of three decades, but she also enjoyed a spot on BBC Radio 2, along with the Strictly forerunner, Come Dancing, among many other guest appearances over the decades.
Judith Rosemary Locke Chalmers OBE, to use her full title, was born in Stockport back in 1935 and is said to have passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening, 21 May.
The tributes to the broadcasting legend are continuing to pour in online.
A familiar Northern face, Chalmers presented the primetime show from its inception in 1974 until 2003, and was made an OBE for her services to broadcasting in 1994.
The proud Gatley girl enjoyed a long and successful stint on screen before having to step away from her various duties in her later years due to declining health.
She leaves behind her husband, Neil Durden-Smith – himself a former sports commentator – along with two children, including Mark Durden-Smith, who has also gone on to a career in presenting
Unfortunately, Chalmers was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years ago, meaning she gradually withdrew from the public eye even further; those around her have done plenty of important fundraising for the cause ever since.
Stopfordians have also been honouring the local lass’ legacy and much-admired reputation.
I met legendary broadcaster Judith Chalmers, who has died aged 90, when as a boy I won a competition to be VIP guest at a celebrity cricket match played at @StockportCounty Judith, who hosted the event, was happy to be home as she was raised in Gatley #SCFC#StockportCountypic.twitter.com/58pcm39y3V
In a statement issued to ITV (once her long-time employers), her family said: “After living an extraordinary life that involved over 60 years in broadcasting and countless adventures all over the globe, Judy sadly passed away last night, surrounded by the family she loved so much after suffering with Alzheimer’s for some years.
“We will miss her greatly, but she leaves behind a giant suitcase of the happiest of memories.”
Our thoughts are with her family, friends and long-established fan base up and down the country at this difficult time.
Rest in peace.
Featured Images — Thames TV/ITV (archive images)
TV & Showbiz
A special UK exclusive screening of the new Star Wars movie is taking place here in Manchester
Danny Jones
Calling all die-hard Star Wars fans across the galaxy (or at least here in Britain, anyway), a special screening of the franchise’s newest film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is coming exclusively to a Manchester cinema.
Even better still, it’s the only place in the UK that will be showing it. So damn cool.
The new spin-off set to land in theatres this month is the latest addition to the Star Wars cinematic universe and expands the hit Mandalorian TV series.
Most exciting regarding its domestic release here in the likes of Manchester, the VUE cinema in the Printworks is the only place putting on the IMAX version of the new movie.
Made specifically for IMAX, this is the first Star Wars film shot for and using fully IMAX-certified digital cameras and designed specifically for the experience.
The Mandalorian and Grogu – which is set to drop later this week – features 53 minutes presented in Printworks Manchester’s towering IMAX 1.43:1 aspect ratio.
Aimed to maximise screen size, deliver the most high-end visuals as possible, and further help with overall immersion, there really is nothing quite like it.
If you’ve ever seen a film in IMAX, you’ll know just how much extra enjoyment it brings.
With the Printworks branch selected as the UK’s exclusive destination for the film’s expanded 1.43:1 IMAX presentation, Greater Manchester are in for an absolute treat.
You can see the most recent trailer down below.
Let’s just say it’s received ‘mixed’ reviews, so far…
To celebrate launch day even further, VUE Printworks will also be hosting a limited one-off early morning screening at 6am, giving the most dedicated fans a chance to be among the first audiences in the country to see Din Djarin and Grogu make their big screen debut.
If anything, the seemingly divisive early reactions to the full feature film expansion of the ‘Mando’ lore have kind of made us want to watch it even more.
As always with these things, we’d encourage you to go along and make your own mind up, but we’ll be honest: our heavy Star Wars obsession will most likely make us biased to love this almost unconditionally. Tickets are live now right HERE.
Will you be going to see it?
Just over 2 hours, The Mandalorian and Grogu film hits streaming later this year. (Credit: The Manc)
Emily Sergeant -
16th January 2023 
