TV & Showbiz

New dating show dubbed ‘middle-aged Love Island’ is looking for single parents to apply

The Romance Retreat will see "vibrant single parents" from across the UK meet under one roof.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 19th January 2023

ITV has finally confirmed its newest dating show, which has already been dubbed the ‘middle-aged Love Island’, is actually on the way.

It’s long been rumoured that ITV had a Love Island spin-off series more geared towards parents and those looking for love in the middle of their life in the works, with reports hotly-tipping it to hit screens soon first surfacing back in July of last year.

Sources teasing the potential of the spin-off series told the tabloids last year that contestants in the proposed new mature series may offer something that the main Love Island series hasn’t achieved – “intelligent conversation”

“They know their minds, will be capable of intelligent conversation, and are likely to be much more adventurous,” the source admitted.

“All ingredients regular Love Island sometimes lacks.”

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But now, after months of speculating whether or not it would ever become a reality, the broadcaster has announced that all the rumours are true – and single parents are now being encouraged to get their applications in.

New dating show dubbed ‘middle-aged Love Island’ is looking for single parents to apply / Credit: Tyler Nix (via Unsplash)

The brand-new dating show, which is titled The Romance Retreat, will see a group of “vibrant single parents” from across the UK all meet under one roof.

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Set to be the only dating show where single parents can search for love in a safe space, the group of contestants will be whisked off to spend some time in a luxury retreat.

All the parents competing in the new series will have been nominated by their grown-up children.

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ITV hasn’t really given too much away about what viewers can expect from the new series at this moment in time, but it has announced that applications are now open for parents over the age of 18 to shoot their shot and give love another try, and you have until 31 March 2023 to stick yours or your parent’s name down to be considered.

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Fancy it then? Find out more and apply here.

Featured Image – ITV

TV & Showbiz

Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bada Bing returns to Manchester new Northern Quarter shop

Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!

The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.

Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.

These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:

Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.

If you know, you know…

Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.

The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.

Seriously, they were insane:

@the.manc You need to try the #sandwiches at Bada Bing sandwich #deli in #Manchester 🥪🇮🇹 #learnontik #foryou #foryoupage ♬ Woke Up This Morning – Alabama 3

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Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.

From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.

Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.

bada bing manchester reopening
Credit: The Manc Group

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Featured Images — The Manc Eats

TV & Showbiz

Will Mellor’s new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims airs tonight

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A new BBC documentary about real-life victims from the Post Office scandal fronted by Will Mellor is hitting TV screens tonight.

As the country finally starts to wake up to the full scale of the Post Office scandal – which involved the British postal service pursuing thousands of innocent subpostmasters for apparent financial shortfalls caused by faults in an accounting software system between 1999 and 2015 – actor Will Mellor is on a mission to find out what happened to the real-life sub-postmasters in this new BBC documentary.

The Stockport-born actor famously played the part of Lee Castleton in the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, and says he feels a “real affinity” will the families he spoke to for the programme.

For the new documentary and accompanying five-part BBC Sounds podcast series – which is titled Surviving the Post Office – Will actually speaks to Mr Castleton himself, as well as four other affected people and their families whose lives have been “torn apart”.

Will Mellor has fronted a new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims / Credit: ITV

Surviving the Post Office ventures to all four corners of England, including East Yorkshire, County Durham, Lincolnshire, West Sussex, and Cornwall, as Will discovers that many of the sub-postmasters want to “take back control of their lives”.

According to the BBC, for some facing the past, that proves to be a “troubling experience”, while for others, it ends up being a “liberating” step forwards.

As well as exploring the financial losses for many, including the people featured in the documentary and podcast series, Will also gets to find out how they are coping with their emotions, trying to move on from the whole ordeal, and how the victims are finding support in unexpected ways.

“I feel a real affinity with these families, so it was a privilege to hear their stories for this documentary and podcast,” Will said ahead of the documentary airing on BBC One.

“What shocked me the most after meeting so many sub-postmasters is just how far the impact and trauma has spread – the effect it’s had on people’s health, their children, and their whole communities has been massive.”

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Surviving The Post Office is airing on BBC One tonight (Monday 22 July) at 8.30pm, and will be available to watch any time on BBC iPlayer.

Featured Image – BBC

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