A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
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Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
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Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
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It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Ofcom reveals top 10 most complained-about moments on TV in 2025 after ‘busy’ year
Emily Sergeant
It’s that time of year once again… Ofcom has revealed what the top 10 most complained-about moments were on TV last year.
In what has become an annual tradition we all wait for with baited breath, the UK’s official communications regulator – which receives and deals with tens of thousands of complaints all throughout the year – has taken a look back at the previous year and pulled together a top 10 list of what the most complained-about TV moments were.
This year, it’s no surprise to see the usual offenders like Love Island, Good Morning Britain, and Big Brother make the cut – but which claimed the top spot for 2025?
Ofcom admitted 2025 was a ‘busy year’ for its team, received almost 50,000 complaints about more than 8,000 TV, radio, and on-demand programmes.
The regulator says this is a ‘clear sign’ that audiences care deeply about what they watch and listen to.
“Every single complaint matters,” Ofcom said in a statement as the top 10 list was revealed. “We carefully review each and every one, ensuring that all broadcasters are held to the same high standards that UK viewers and listeners expect.”
In what is a landslide, but unfortunate, victory for Love Island, the hugely popular ITV reality show actually claimed the top three places on this year’s most-complained about list, racking up a whopping 8,058 complaints in total and the majority of those relating to alleged bullying behaviour towards contestant Shakira.
The top five was rounded out by Channel 5’s Vanessa show, which related to a discussion on breastfeeding and its benefits, and GB News’ Headliners section, which objected to a presenter’s comment which they believed linked the LGBTQ+ community to paedophiles.
Top 10 most complained-about TV moments of 2025
Love Island – ITV2, 24 July 2025 – 3,547 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 22 July 2025 – 2,509 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 23 July 2025 – 2,002 complaints
Vanessa – Channel 5, 10 June 2025 – 1,866 complaints
Headliners – GB News, 22 January 2025 – 1,391 complaints
Today with Samantha Washington – Sky News, 7 June 2025 – 1,302 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 25 July 2025 – 1,296 complaints
Love Island: All Stars – ITV2, 12 February 2025 – 1,240 complaints
Celebrity Big Brother – ITV2, 9 April 2025 – 1,008 complaints
The BRIT Awards 2025 – ITV1, 1 March 2025 – 938 complaints
Love Island, and it’s accompanying Love Island: All Stars series – which actually begins airing its third series next Monday (12 January 2026) – claimed another three spots in the top 10, again all relating to alleged bullying behaviour.
Celebrity Big Brother also features, with complaints relating to comments made by Mickey Rourke to JoJo Siwa.
Finally, The BRIT Awards 2025 closes out the top 10, with complaints relating to a number of issues – including Sabrina Carpenter’s opening dance routine, and to Charli XCX’s outfit.
It is always worth noting, however, that this top 10 list figures don’t include complaints about programmes on the BBC, as under the BBC Charter, these are handled by the BBC in the first instance as part of the ‘BBC first process’.
Featured Image – Piotr Cichosz (via Unsplash)
TV & Showbiz
The Traitors set to air its ‘most explosive’ episode of all time after secret traitor reveal
Emily Sergeant
The Traitors is reportedly set to air its ‘most explosive’ episode of all time this evening.
After last night’s episode (7 January) saw the ‘secret traitor’ revealed to the public, in what was a major twist for this series, fans of the massively popular BBC reality competition show will be able to tune tonight to see fireworks between contestants as tensions boil over, the Daily Star has revealed in a exclusive report.
Close sources to the show have apparently warned that the scenes set to air tonight are ‘shocking’ and ‘unlike anything seen before’ on the show.
The Daily Star’s insider has called the episode ‘very dramatic indeed’.
“It all kicks off,” the source added. “The game is in full flow and the pressure is getting to everyone. During filming, producers were quite shocked by it all.
Fiona was revealed as the ‘secret traitor’ on last night’s (7 January) episode / Credit: BBC
“Many fans will remember the explosive breakfast in the show’s first series. Well, this episode makes that look like child’s play.”
Previously, the show hit record viewing figures at the start of this year, with an average of 6.4 million people tuning in to the first episode on New Year’s Day, but overall, it’s hard to deny that The Traitors has cemented itself as one of the biggest shows on air at the moment.
Producers are reportedly hoping, however, that tonight’s (8 January) episode will cement the show’s status as one of the best reality shows in TV history.
Thomas Melia -
21st January 2025 
