TV & Showbiz

ITV to air documentary on Manchester Arena attack

The two-part programme will air five years after the attack took place.

The Manc The Manc - 18th May 2021

ITV has announced a two-part documentary on the Manchester Arena attack will air next spring.

The programme is set to broadcast five years on from the 2017 suicide bombing – in which 22 people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured at an Ariana Grande gig.

The documentary will explore the events leading up to, and the aftermath of, the devastating incident – using insights gleaned from the Manchester Arena Public Inquiry which has been ongoing since September 2020.

The programme will also feature testimonies of those who were there on the night.

Award-winning independent production company Label1 (Hospital; School) is putting the documentary together, with BAFTA nominee Marcus Plowright (Football, Prince William and Mental Health; The Murder of Jill Dando; In Cold Blood; Generation Gifted) directing.

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Tom Giles, Controller, Current Affairs at ITV, said: “As we approach the fifth anniversary of the devastating attack at the Manchester Arena, we’re pleased to be working with Label 1 on this series, which aims to provide fresh insight into what happened and ask what lessons can be learned.”

Creative Director, Label1, Simon Dickson, added: “The programmes will sensitively piece together the timeline leading up to the bombing and its aftermath, as well as exploring the evidence that has been presented to the Public Inquiry”.

Featured image: David Dixon / Geograph

TV & Showbiz

A charity auction is selling memorabilia from the ACTUAL Peaky Blinders set

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Peaky Blinders super-fans get ready, because there’s a charity auction is currently open and items worn by the stars of the iconic TV series are up for grabs.

This exclusive event gives bidders the chance to own a piece of modern-day TV history in the form of not just merchandise but authentic memorabilia.

Let’s be honest, we’ve all wanted to pull on a flat cap and pretend we were a gangster at one point in our lives, and what better way to do so and relive your Peaky Blinders fantasy than by doing so with one from the show? Especially since you know your money is going towards a good cause.

Whether you want to look as dapper as Tommy Shelby, or you just want to add a culture-soaked collector’s item to your, well, collection, you might want to check this one if you’re a big Peaky fan.

Maybe you could own something from this very picture at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.
Maybe you could own something from this very picture at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.
Walk away feeling dapper as ever with exclusive merchandise up for grabs at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.
Walk away feeling dapper as ever with exclusive merchandise up for grabs at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.
Credit: BBC

Anyone planning on going to the Peaky Blinders charity auction event can bid in person or even register to bid online now if you won’t be free during the proceedings.

As for what is on the table, you could raise your virtual paddle for everything from a full suit worn by Cillian Murphy himself to Sam Claflin’s homburg hat, a pair of Michael Gray (Finn Cole) shiny shoes and much more.

You can find a full list of the items available for auction online, as the bidding commenced this month and will officially close on 20 May with a special tie-in event.

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And where else to hold said event and than Manchester’s very own Peaky Blinders bar on Peter Street just off the main Deansgate strip, where the action will culminate in a flamboyant and free-to-all event.

Those attending in person will be greeted with a welcome drink before being encouraged to join in with the final day of the auction – guests are encouraged to turn up in ‘true Shelby style’ of course.

All the funds raised will go towards the much-loved NHS foundation and specialist hospital, The Christie, Europe’s largest cancer centre, right here in Manchester.

Peaky Blinders bar on Peter St in Manchester city centre.
Everyone knows the Peaky Blinders like a drink.

Tickets for this event cost nothing, but there is an option to add an additional donation if you wish, and bidding on items taken from the cult favourite TV show is open to everyone.

This isn’t the only claim to fame this Manchester-based centre has as just last month a breast cancer study at The Christie set up by Girls Aloud star and Stockport-born, Sarah Harding, helped save 80 women. Now that’s leaving a legacy.

Once again, the final day of the Peaky Blinders charity auction event is taking place on Tuesday, 20 May from 6-10pm, and tickets are completely free.

Sign up for yours below HERE.

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Featured Images — GoodFon/BBC

TV & Showbiz

You can get FREE tickets to watch The Voice UK in Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Fans of The Voice UK can apply to get free tickets to watch the filming of the upcoming series taking place right here in Manchester.

Anyone looking to get their late-night fix more up close and personal than just sitting on the sofa will be delighted to know that The Voice UK is returning, and you could see this show in the flesh.

The music competition show is returning to its usual filming spot right here in MediaCity UK in Salford and offers members of the public the chance to showcase their vocals in front of music icons.

The Voice is known for attracting some of the biggest musical stars, with judges of past seasons including Kylie Minogue, Jennifer Hudson, Meghan Trainor, Ricky Wilson and more.

Credit: The Voice UK (screenshot via YouTube)

Last year’s judges included American country-pop superstar LeAnn Rimes and the first-ever double-chair, which seated McFly members Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher.

It’s not just the judges who have star power; previous contestants have gone on to become fully-fledged superstars, including Becky Hill, who we saw dominate the AO Arena just last year.

Fortunately, these tickets aren’t to take part in the show, instead they’re to appear in the studio audience, although we all know Mancs love a good sing-along.

There are three various filming dates all taking place at MediaCity UK in Salford, meaning Mancs have a few opportunities to see the judges discover the next best thing in music.

Although the judging lineup for The Voice 2025 hasn’t been officially announced yet, there are two music mentors who have been on the show since it very first launched here in Britain.

Credit: The Voice UK (via YouTube)

Anyone considering attending is almost guaranteed to see the legendary Sir Tom Jones, as well as notable producer and recording artist Will.I.Am, as both music legends have been on the judges panel since it first aired back in 2012.

It is just us, or does it seem hard to believe it was that long ago?

The Voice UK starts filming at MediaCity UK in Manchester from Thursday, 5 June until the following Saturday (7 Jun), with tickets to all three dates still available HERE.

Read more:

Featured Image — Okras (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Voice UK (screenshot via YouTube)

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