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

Sarah Harding breast cancer study has helped save over 80 women

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A life-saving study set in memory of Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding has seen her lasting legacy extend far beyond music, as now women across the country are getting cancer tests more frequently thanks to the research.

Funded by The Christie, The Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal began its first phase of the BCAN-RAY (Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Younger Women) back in May 2023.

Led by Dr Sacha Howell, who was Harding’s consultant, the work explores risk factors and creates personalised early screening options for women as young as 30.

This is extremely important as currently women are only invited for routine breast screenings every three years from 50 onwards. Awareness and being proactive are just as important as research.

Sarah Harding has a mural dedicated to in her memory situated in her hometown of Stockport.
Sarah Harding, who passed away in 2021, has a dedicated mural in her hometown of Stockport.
Credit: The Manc Group

The studies set up in Sarah‘s legacy are vital now more than ever as breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women aged 35-50 years in the UK.

These more frequent and routine checks from a younger age will be vital, especially since an estimated 10,000 women a year are diagnosed under 50. 

The BCAN-RAY study has recruited 500 women aged between 30 and 39 years old, who have had their risk assessment appointments.

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Out of this number – 404 patients have been given their risks – 316 as ‘average risk’ and 88 were found as ‘increased risk’.

88 were found as ‘increased risk’ with 58 of these receiving telephone calls to discuss further implications and discuss strategies to reduce this such as diet, exercise and medication.

So far 18 women have had their first mammogram, with no recalls or cancer identified. Following this, each woman is offered regular screening every year until their NHS breast screening starts at age 50. 

Dr Sacha Howell commented, “We’re really confident that we have a system that is working, from the results so far, which is great news, these findings mean that we may be able to offer personalised ways to predict and prevent breast cancer more widely in the population in future”.

Just last year, Girls Aloud embarked on their first tour together in a decade and each night of the show featured a glorious tribute to the Stockport-born star.

Girls Aloud featured a glorious tribute to Sarah Harding each night of the show.
Girls Aloud featured a glorious tribute to Sarah Harding each night of the show.
Girls Aloud featured a glorious tribute to Sarah Harding each night of the show.
The lovely Sarah Harding singing to Manchester one last time.
Credit: Audio North

In 2022, The Christie art and relaxation room received a wonderful makeover from proceeds raised at the Primrose Ball organised by Girls Aloud.

Within this room, visitors can find a lovely framed picture of Sarah Harding with the quote, “The darkest nights produce the brightest stars” and with all the work accomplished so far, we couldn’t agree more.

If you would like to show your support and help fund this life-changing research set up in Sarah’s legacy, you can donate HERE.

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Featured Images – The Christie (supplied)

TV & Showbiz

‘Open-minded’ single Mancs wanted for new series of hit reality show Love Is Blind UK

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Love Is Blind UK

The next series of hit reality dating show Love Is Blind UK is currently in the works, and Mancs are being encouraged to apply.

‘Open-minded’ and single Mancs that is, of course.

There’s no denying that Love Is Blind has become a smash-hit since the US version first aired on Netflix in the early days of lockdown in 2020, with four additional seasons airing afterwards, and the UK remake hosted by Matt and Emma Willis first hitting our screens last August.

If you’ve never had the chance to watch it before, the show promotes itself as a social experiment where single men and women look for love and get engaged, all before meeting in person.

The cast members are initially paired up in a speed-dating format, but later can choose to have longer dates, and the daters may extend a marriage proposal whenever they feel ready, but a couple only meets face-to-face for the first time after a marriage proposal is accepted.

The series has gained a cult following over the years, receiving mostly positive reviews by critics too.

Following the success of the first UK series, producers have now put a casting call live and are on the look out for people brave enough to fall in love without seeing their partner in person to apply – including Greater Manchester residents.

A casting call on the Love Is Blind UK website reads: “Love is Blind UK is currently on the lookout for single, open-minded individuals from across the UK and Ireland, who are ready to take the plunge into finding true love.

‘Open-minded’ single Mancs are wanted for the next series of hit reality show Love Is Blind UK / Credit: Netflix

The show is all about discovering whether love really is blind, with participants growing deep connections with potential partners without the initial distractions of physical appearance. 

“It’s an exciting and unique approach to finding love, and one that has proven successful in the past… so, if you’re ready for an adventure and want to explore the possibility of finding love in a new and exciting way, then why not consider applying for Love is Blind UK?

“It could be the start of an incredible journey towards finding the one.”

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Fancy it then? Applications for the second series of Love Is Blind UK are now live, and you must be 18 years of age or over to apply, and have the right to reside in the UK or Ireland.

Find out more and apply here.

Featured Image – Netflix

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