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TV & Showbiz

First look images released of new BBC comedy series Small Prophets filmed in Urmston

It'll be airing in early 2026.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 25th September 2025

The first images of a new BBC comedy series created by Mackenzie Crook filmed over in Urmston have been released.

Ahead of airing in early 2026, new on-set images of the six-part series called Small Prophets gives viewers a glimpse behind the scenes of the much-anticipated BBC comedy that was created, written, and directed by BAFTA-winning Mackenzie Crook – best known for his roles in The Office UK and Detectorists.

The series will feature a host of comedy stars including Mackenzie Crook himself, alongside the legend Sir Michael Palin, and other famous names like Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing, and Paul Kaye.

The new images are said to reveal the ‘weird and wonderful’ new world Crook has conjured up.

The first look images of new BBC comedy series Small Prophets have been released / Credit: BBC

Small Prophets was both filmed and set in and around Greater Manchester – particularly in Urmston – and will be incorporating animation elements throughout as a story of ‘the magical and the mundane’ unfolds in a suburban cul-de-sac.

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But what actually is the show about? Well, a synopsis on the BBC website explains: “We meet eccentric Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) whose darling partner Clea disappeared seven years ago. Since then, Sleep has lived a very ordinary life.

“He eats Shreddies, works in a DIY store, visits his dad Brian (Michael Palin), and hopes for Clea to return.

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“One day Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure, and more than a little alchemy.

The show was filmed in and around/ Credit: BBC

“With recipe in hand, Sleep sets out (albeit with some scepticism) to create Homunculi – magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future.

“Sleep gets help from young work mate Kacey (Lauren Patel), an unlikely friendship that blossoms partly, but not wholly, through their mutual dislike of store manager Gordon (Mackenzie Crook).

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“Their friendship adds to the frustration and intrigue of his nosy neighbours (Sophie Willan and Jon Pointing) who are obsessed with trying to find out what the hell is going on in the garden shed.”

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Small Prophets will be released on iPlayer and BBC Two in early 2026, but an official air date is yet to be confirmed, so keep your eyes peeled.

Featured Image – BBC

TV & Showbiz

Lyme Park to celebrate 30 years since BBC’s Pride and Prejudice was filmed there

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s time to venture into the world of Jane Austen, as National Trust Lyme will be celebrating 30 years since Pride and Prejudice was filmed there.

Lyme is reprising its role as ‘Pemberley’ three decades on from the BBC adaptation series.

The National Trust, which cares for Lyme Park, is inviting visitors to step into the pages of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with a series of events to commemorate the occasion.

Made famous as the backdrop to the iconic scene where Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy emerges from a lake in the 1995 BBC adaptation, Lyme will be celebrating all things Jane Austen for the next couple of weeks, as prompted by quotes from the book and series, visitors can recreate some of the famous moments between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy as they explore the stunning house and garden.

Lyme Park is celebrating 30 years since BBC’s Pride and Prejudice was filmed there / Credit: BBC iPlayer

Just some of the activities visitors can get involved with, both inside the house and outside in the grounds, include needlework classes, themed spaces, and a quiet place in the library where you can relax with a classic novel – Pride and Prejudice itself, perhaps.

You can even take things one step further by visiting the Regency dressing room inside the house and then explore the autumnal garden dressed up as an Austen-era character.

Oh and don’t forget to look out for the original portrait of Colin Firth as Darcy from the series, on display in the State Bedroom. 

The festivities continue with an after-hours concert in Lyme’s historic Saloon on Thursday 25 September, as surrounded by flickering candlelight, themed compositions performed by Artaria Quartet will resonate through the centuries-old walls. 

Not only is it 30 years since the BBC series, but 2025 also marks the 250th birthday of Jane Austen herself.

To celebrate this, Lyme will host Serenity Booksellers for a day of all things Regency on Sunday 28 September, and literature enthusiasts can expect author talks, traditional dance performances, and Austen-themed quizzes.

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Fancy it then? Lyme will celebrate 30 years of BBC’s Pride and Prejudice right through until Wednesday 22 October, and entry to the park is free for National Trust members, while admission fees apply for non-members.

Some events, however, will be ticketed.

Tickets to the candlelit concert and the Serenity Booksellers event can be bought in advance by visiting nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme.

Featured Image – Supplied

TV & Showbiz

Jordan North and William Hanson are bringing their hit podcast to a massive Manchester venue

Danny Jones Danny Jones Help I Sexted My Boss live Manchester tickets

British podcasting pair Jordan North and William Hanson are bringing their beloved comedy podcast, Help I Sexted My Boss, to one of the biggest venues in Manchester.

That’s right, the unlikely but undeniably funny duo are bringing their smash hit pod and YouTube show on the road once again in 2026, after a slate of successful shows last year at the likes of the legendary London Palladium.

Burnley-born North and near-Bristol native Hanson have emerged as a somewhat surprising, albeit almost perfect, double act over the last few years, becoming one of the most popular podcasts in the UK and regularly breaking into the top 100 on the comedy charts.

After plenty of demand for more live shows following the 2024 shows, Help I Sexted My Boss is going on tour once again this coming March.

Confirming just a small handful of UK dates, these are nevertheless their biggest gigs yet, with the team booking some of the biggest arenas in Britain.

In addition to the legendary AO Arena here in Manchester, they’ll also be heading to Wembley, Glasgow and Cardiff – but you already know we Mancs will bring the best crowd.

Announcing details online, the official Sexted My Boss account wrote: “Oh yes, we’re going on tour. Join William Hanson and Jordan North as they bring their hit comedy podcast to arenas across the UK…

“Experience what happens when William and Jordan’s wildly different worlds collide, as they take on the hilarious challenges of modern life live on stage. Expect laugh-out-loud stories, brutally honest moments and lots of surprises.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve listened from day one, you’re new to the podcast, or you’re being dragged along, everyone’s welcome!”

Now, if you’ve never heard this modern take on the classic ‘agony aunt’ fan correspondence format, we don’t think there’s a single clip that sums up this nonsense better than this one…

Be warned, this is a very NSFW listen.

Commenting underneath the post, long-time collaborator and fellow radio hosting peer Siân Welby said, “Seriously, one of the best nights out you can have! Podcast meets panto meets Bongo’s Bingo!”

Pre-sale tickets for Help I Sexted By Boss in Manchester will arrive first for official Three Mobile customers on Wednesday, 24 September, the AO Arena’s own early access window opening the following Thursday – both of which will go live from 10am.

General admission will then be available from the same time on Friday, 26 September. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

There are plenty of laughs coming to the AO over the next 12 months.

Stand-up sensation Mo Gilligan has announced a massive arena gig in Manchester

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Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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