TV & Showbiz

Love Island’s Kai Fagan dishes on what former classmate Marcus Rashford was like at school

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th January 2023

Love Island contestant Kai Fagan has revealed he used to be in the same year as Marcus Rashford at school, and has dished on what the footballer was like back in the day.

In case you somehow hadn’t heard, just less than six months after Davide and Ekin-Su stole the nation’s hearts and clinched the win, smash-hit reality competition show Love Island returned to screens for its ninth series and it’s second Winter edition last night – with brand-new host Maya Jama taking over presenting duties.

A whole new lineup of hopeful singletons have made the trip to South Africa in the look for love, and one of those single lads is Kai Fagan from Manchester.

Before heading into the villa last night, fans of the show had already learned that the 24-year-old claims to have three different degrees from three different universities, and that he works as a PE and Science teacher, but also plays semi-professional rugby for Burnage RFC.

But now, we’ve also learned that Kai went to the same school and was in the same year as Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.

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Kai revealed to The Sun that Marcus was just as “quiet” in school as he is now.

Kai Fagan and the rest of the 2023 Love Island cast lineup / Credit: ITV

He said: “Marcus was in my class from 11 to 16 and we went to the same sixth form.

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“The school I went to was sponsored by Manchester United, [so] I had so many experiences because of that. Marcus was quiet, reserved and kept himself to himself, he’s always loved football, and he got a scholarship from [Manchester United] when he was like 11 years old, so he was always trying to be the next big thing.”

Kai added: “I often bump into people who work for [Rashford], like his PA, at the gym.”

The current Love Islander also added that his former classmate’s ongoing mission to end child food poverty and give children more access to free school meals across the UK has been “inspiring” to him as a teacher.

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“There are so many kids who are going to school that don’t have the right nutrition, that don’t have food, that don’t have anything,” Kai continued.

“There are kids going to school that don’t have uniforms, so what he’s been doing for the communities, it’s absolutely amazing.”

Before he entered the villa, Kai described himself as “chilled, caring, and very impulsive”.

“I’m single by choice,” Kai explained in his ITV Love Island cast announcement bio, “I’m looking for the right girl. I feel like I have quite high expectations. I don’t feel I should commit to someone unless I’m absolutely buzzing over them, because it’s not fair on them.”

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Love Island is back on ITV2 and ITVX on Monday 19 January at 9pm.

Featured Image – Manchester United & ITV

TV & Showbiz

Mancs willing to give rescue dogs a forever home needed for new Channel 4 series

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant The Dog House

Could you give a rescue dog a second chance in life? Now’s your opportunity.

In just the past couple of weeks alone, TV casting directors have been looking for open-minded single Mancs to take part in the next series of Love Is Blind UK, and Mancs keen to test their music knowledge with the chance to win a whopping £10,000 cash prize… but now, it’s time for dog-lovers to step forward.

The next series of hit Channel 4 show The Dog House is currently in the works, and producers are on the lookout for people willing to give rescue dogs a forever home.

Mancs are being encouraged to apply.

Channel 4 is looking for Mancs willing to give rescue dogs a forever home / Credit: Channel 4

Since first hitting our screens back in 2019, the award-winning series – which is currently in partnership with Woodgreen Pets Charity – has captured the hearts of viewers across the UK, sharing emotional stories of rescue dogs and the people hoping to give them a forever home.

Viewers get to watch incredible journeys of rescue dogs finding their perfect match.

But the show demonstrates that it’s not just the dogs who are being rescued, however, as many of their new owners also find their lives transformed in the process.

Casting for the next series of smash-hit TV series The Dog House is currently underway / Credit

“Once again, we’ll be following the expert team of dog-matchers, meeting this year’s rescue dogs, and of course, getting to the know the amazing people who are looking to offer them a lifelong home,” a casting call for the next series of The Dog House reads.

“We’d love to reach dog lovers in Manchester who may be considering welcoming a rescue dog into their lives.”

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Does this sound like you? Channel 4 is keen to hear the reasons why you may be looking for a new canine companion, so anyone who fancies applying for the show is asked to fill out an application form online.

You can find out more and apply here.

Featured Image – Channel 4

TV & Showbiz

Stephen Graham sheds light on the ‘possibility’ of a second season of Adolescence

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stephen Graham on Adolescence series 2

Pretty much everyone has been getting through the incredible yet harrowing experience of watching Adolescence on Netflix this month, and though it may have seemed unlikely at first, series star Stephen Graham recently discussed the possibility of a second season.

For those who aren’t aware, it was never expected that the four-part limited series surrounding a young boy accused of a violent crime would be the global phenomenon it has been, nor was it hoping to secure a deal for another season: the whole point of the show was to tell a powerful but self-contained story.

However, with it becoming the most-watched thing on the platform in just four days – not to mention notching all manner of streaming records – it’s no surprise that the suggestion of capitalising on its smash hit success has come up.

Many feel the kind of narrative it tells is so important that the idea should at least be explored.

Speaking in a recent interview with Variety, co-creator and lead Graham sat down with his wife Hannah Walters, who also helped write and produce the show, to discuss the reaction

When asked quite simply if any discussions have been had about an Adolescence season two, while it sounds like there’s nothing official yet, he didn’t dismiss the concept outright.

“Possibly, let’s see how the figures are, but yeah, there’s the possibility of developing another story”, says the 51-year-old from Kirkby.

It might not be much to go as yet; however, just knowing that there’s room to tell another chapter is good enough – especially given the “smirk” the 51-year-old is said to have responded with during his answer.

Many fans thought the chances of a second series had been dashed early doors after fellow co-creator Jack Thorne recently went on This Morning and dismissed the potential pretty much altogether.

In his words: “I don’t think we’re the right people to tell Katie’s story […] I think there are other makers out there that could tell beautiful dramas about Katie or girls like Katie [the victim in the show], and that those shows should be made.”

That being said, just because he doesn’t sound like he’d be involved will an Adolescence sequel, it doesn’t mean Graham might not be.

You can see his interview here.

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The impact of the show, especially here in the UK, cannot be overstated and not just because of the cross-generational viewing figures.

Fellow Adolescence actor Jo Hartley, who was born down the road in Oldham, joined countless celebrities in waxing lyrical over the importance of the show following what she called an “overwhelming” reaction in just the first few days.

In fact, the shockwaves it sent across Britain and beyond have been so strong that the writers have even been invited to Parliament to discuss the series’ themes and how to help tackle them better.

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

Featured Images — Netflix (screenshots)

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