TV & Showbiz

Gary Neville labelled ‘brilliant’ as he ‘owns the chair’ on new season of Dragon’s Den

Viewers have had their first look at Neville in the den and an early review suggests he smashed it.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 17th October 2023

Former footballer turned pundit and entrepreneur Gary Neville has been hailed as “brilliant” following his appearance on the next season of Dragon’s Den.

The Man United legend and ex-international has been steadily building up his Manchester-based business portfolio over the past decade or so since he retired and has been involved in property development since the age of 21.

With that in mind, when it was announced the new series of Dragon’s Den would be filming in Manchester, the BBC didn’t waste any time in getting Neville on board as the very first guest of the upcoming 21st season.

Revealing the first look at the Class of 92 businessman in the den on Tuesday, 14 October, with the initial stills shot against not only the familiar backdrop of the iconic Dragon’s set but a glimpse of the Manchester skyline, Neville has been given a firm seal of approval from one the show’s regulars.

His guest appearance went down a storm with long-serving panel member and industry veteran Deborah Meaden, who is set to take part in her 19th consecutive season on the show.

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Meaden began her career by running a multi-million pound UK family holiday company and went on to join the BBC cult favourite’s third series back in 2006.

Speaking on Neville’s time on the show, the 64-year-old said the Bury-born businessman was “brilliant”, adding that he “owned that chair”.

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Go on, Gaz — so much for ‘sticking to football’.

Meaden was big fan of Gary Neville’s Dragon Den debut.

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Responding to his one-time co-star’s compliment on social media, Neville replied: “Thank you Deborah. I loved it and can’t thank you and all the dragons enough for welcoming me”.

Filming is still ongoing and the new series of Dragon’s Den is due to air on BBC One and iPlayer in 2024. We’d be lying if we said we weren’t curious to see what Neville looks like in the chair.

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Fellow entrepreneur and former Social Chain co-founder Stephen Bartlett will once again be joining the cast, whose Diary of a CEO podcast Neville appeared on back in August 2022.

Meanwhile, Gary has been plenty busy overseeing his huge new development in Manchester city centre.

Gary Neville’s £400m St Michael’s development reveals details and images of luxury hotel operator

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

Featured Images — BBC

TV & Showbiz

Ian Wright raves about Chorlton takeaway Jerk Junction

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Ian Wright raves about Chorlton takeaway Jerk Junction

Ian Wright has publicly raved about a Greater Manchester takeaway, saying it’s the ‘only reason’ he comes to the city.

The TV personality and football great took to Instagram yesterday to share his short but sweet review of Jerk Junction.

It’s a beloved takeaway and restaurant that has a few sites across Greater Manchester and tonnes of loyal followers – including more than a few famous faces.

And now Ian Wright has joined the legions of fans celebrating Jerk Junction, a Caribbean spot famed for its jerk chicken and curried meats.

On his Instagram page yesterday, Wrighty shared a video of himself tucking into a huge helping of curry and rice, with fried dumplings on the side.

In it, he gives the camera a big thumbs up before saying: “It’s the only reason I come to Manchester really.”

Jerk Junction has also shared a photo of them delivering the food to Ian, writing: “Special delivery to everyones favourite Uncle, The Legend himself Mr @wrightyofficial.”

Ian Wright raving about Jerk Junction on Instagram. Credit: Instagram, @wrightyofficial
Ian Wright raving about Jerk Junction on Instagram. Credit: Instagram, @wrightyofficial
Ian Wright with Jerk Junction. Credit: Instagram, @jerkjunction
Ian Wright with Jerk Junction. Credit: Instagram, @jerkjunction

Ian Wright has then replied: “Too much food! But it was amazing!! Thank you so much.”

The takeaway’s menu is filled with dishes like Jerk chicken, curried goat, and vegetarian options like Ital stew, all served with rice and peas, and prepared with traditional spices and ingredients.

They have sites in Chorlton, MediaCity, and Wilmslow, with another spot soon to open at the Trafford Centre.

Fans were devastated last year when a fire tore through Jerk Junction’s original Chorlton site.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

TV & Showbiz

The UK’s much-loved ‘day rave’ with Vicky and Jon McClure returns to Manchester for New Year’s Eve

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

One of the UK’s most popular new club events and pioneering ‘day rave’ is returning to Manchester this New Year’s, featuring founders Jon and Vicky McClure, as well as some very special guests.

The Line of Duty star and Reverend and the Makers frontman started the parent-friendly event back in January of this year as an alternative day out for those looking to have a party and still manage an early bedtime. Since then it’s gone on to become a real phenomenon and is only getting bigger.

With Vicky swapping UK dramas and crime thrillers for the discotheque and ‘Big Jon’ switching lanes from his usual rock, indie and alternative roots to favour timeless dance tracks to still get people up on their feet, Day Fever has gone down a storm all over the country.

With their first year coming towards a close, they now look set for arguably their biggest day rave to date as Day Fever will be hosting a special New Year’s Eve for their final hurrah of 2024 right here in Manchester city centre – and no, you don’t need to be able to stay up until midnight.

The two McClures – unrelated, by the way, they just share a name and a fantastic taste in music – and the rest of their crew will be partying between 3-8pm for a much more tame and friendlier night (day) out, commanding the decks alongside some other special guests.

Not only does this alternative way to party promise a more responsible curfew, meaning clubbers don’t have to worry about missing the last train home but it’s also geared towards over 30s whilst still being super inclusive.

This day-time clubbing event is designed to reminisce on the old days and all those dance-filled memories of evenings spent out on the tiles, just minus the late-night finish – and hopefully the hangover but that’s down to you really, isn’t it?

In their words: ‘There’s no dress code, no egos—just pure positivity’; there’s nothing we love to hear more than the sweet relief of not having to get dolled up for a big night when we just can’t be bothered.

With New Century Hall hosting the Day Fever once again for their first-ever NYE party here in Manchester, along with two other events being held simultaneously in Edinburgh and Birmingham, you can get all your partying done way with plenty of time to get cosy in bed before the calendar turns over.

Just in time to watch Jools Holland’s famous Annual Hootenanny, as they put it.

Jon McClure and Vicky’s co-star, Martin Compston
Vicky McClure leading the dance routines

This is guaranteed to be an evening to remember for everyone in attendance, especially when you’re joined by stars of stage and screen who will be powering you through with some proper dance bangers as they have done all year long.

The New Year’s Eve party isn’t just the last dance of the year either, it’s also effectively the prequel to next year’s raft of shows as Day Fever has already announced more than a dozen big dates in January and February.

This batch of 2025 dates sees the gang taking on lots of other cities, including North West neighbours Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds and Hull over in Yorkshire, two Newcastle shows and plenty more.

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So, if you’re feeling those clubbing blues, that pesky seasonal affective disorder or just still not booked up for NYE 2024, why not make the most of this day-time opportunity?

Tickets for both the New Year’s Eve and the rest of their 2025 events are available on the official Day Fever website HERE.

Oh yeah, and help get Rev to Christmas number one – it’s for a good cause and they deserve it!

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

Featured Images — Publicity Picture via Supplied

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