With TV fans overjoyed to be back in the world of Game of Thrones thanks to its equally bloody prequel House of the Dragon, millions are now getting to know more about those who make up the cast of this fantasy epic.
That being said, many UK and Manc viewers, in particular, have been surprised to learn that one of the central characters was born and raised right here in 0161: none other than the Lady Alicent Hightower.
Now the second wife and Queen to King Viserys I Targaryen, who has been portrayed by two actors after the show has jumped forward 10 years, she is now played by none other than local lass Olivia Cooke.
Not only has the 28-year-old actor been a familiar face on both the silver and small screen for many years now, but she also happens to be from Oldham.
Credit: HBO
From ‘Owdham Roughyed’ to Hollywood movie star and now Westerosi Queen. Not bad going.
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The Hollywood actor has starred in everything from One Direction music videos and Amazon shows like Modern Love to Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, the hit US TV adaptation of Bates Motel and many more.
With that in mind, people who have been watching her in House of the Dragon or in her various projects over the years are now quietly having their minds blown upon discovering she’s only from down the road.
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Olivia Cooke is from Oldham??? Went to OSFC??? Alicent Hightower??? Omg you go girl https://t.co/XEz0SGHAEQ
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester back in 2018 following her lead role in the ITV drama Vanity Fair, Cooke said that if it wasn’t for going to America and being cast by Spielberg, she often wonders if she’d just be stuck playing “one of the maids” ahead of other already known British female actors.
She started out her career appearing on British TV dramas like Blackout and The Secret of Crickley Hall, before landing jobs on Bates Motel, the horror film Ouija and films like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and Thoroughbreds – both of which were hits as the Sundance Film Festival.
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If you’ve been watching HotD, you’ll know she’s been smashing it on there too after only two episodes.
BBC to air long-lost Morecambe and Wise episode this month to celebrate star’s 100th birthday
Emily Sergeant
A long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show is set to air on the BBC this month, after being ‘missing’ for decades.
In what is already gearing up to be a memorable moment, the episode – which was first broadcast on the BBC on 16 September 1968, and was thought to have been lost forever before being recovered – will be shown on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer in a couple of weeks time to coincide with when Eric Morecambe would have turned 100 years old.
The episode was discovered by Film Is Fabulous! – which is a charitable trust run by film collectors and television enthusiasts.
It was found in the estate of a former television industry professional, before being returned to the BBC.
Audiences tuning in to the episode can expect to see sketches written by Sid Green and Dick Hills – with Ann Hamilton appearing as Pauline in a sketch set in a nudist colony, while Jenny Lee-Wright plays Eric’s niece, a balloon dancer.
📢 ‘Missing’ episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show is coming to the BBC!
A long-lost episode first broadcast in 1968 will be shown on BBC Four and @BBCiPlayer on Thursday 14 May, to coincide with when Eric Morecambe would have turned 100
It also includes a musical performance from The Paper Dolls, who enjoyed hits in the 1960s.
This ‘lost’ programme is the third episode from Morecambe and Wise’s first series after returning to the BBC, following a period working with commercial television.
Eric Morecambe’s daughter, Gail, has described the recovery of the episode as ‘a lovely surprise’, adding: “I’m really looking forward to seeing it on a screen once again after so many years.”
Gary Morecambe, Eric’s son, added: “I honestly didn’t think there was anything out there left to find, and when something like this comes out of nowhere, it’s really quite wonderful. Hats off to Professor Justin Smith and his team, whose dedication and hard work brought this gem back to us. I’m very excited about seeing it for the first time since I was 12.”
Noreen Adams, who is the Director of BBC Archives, concluded: “We’re delighted to share this comedy gold that we thought was lost forever with viewers across the UK.”
This long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show will be broadcast on BBC Four at 8pm on on Thursday 14 May, and available to watch whenever you like on BBC iPlayer from then.
Featured Image – BBC | Film is Fabulous!
TV & Showbiz
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs to play world’s biggest game of hide and seek
Emily Sergeant
‘Cunning’ Mancs are wanted to take part in the world’s biggest game of hide and seek, as a popular reality competition show returns.
The Hunt: Prey vs Predator is coming back to Channel 4, and producers have now put out a nationwide casting call for contestants to take part.
People from Greater Manchester are being urged to put an application in.
Described as being an ‘exciting’ reality series, The Hunt: Prey vs Predator is a psychological competitive adventure show where players are tasked with tracking down and hunting their rivals in the ultimate game of cat and mouse in the wild.
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs to play world’s biggest game of hide and seek / Credit: Channel 4
Produced by CPL Productions Ltd – the BAFTA award-winning production company behind Married At First Sight UK and Love is Blind UK – the show’s creators are now calling on ‘cunning’ people with the charm and skill to compete to get in touch and apply for the upcoming series.
A casting call on the Channel 4 website simply reads: “Do you want to play the world’s biggest, most exciting game of hide and seek?
“If you have the cunning, charm, and skill to compete, we want to hear from you.”
Think you’ve got what it takes? Applications for the next series of The Hunt: Prey vs Predator are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed.
Danny Jones -
5th October 2022 
