TV & Showbiz

People are only just discovering this House of the Dragon star is from Oldham

Soft spoilers if you haven't watched the last two episodes by the way, people.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 5th October 2022

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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We especially enjoyed this person losing it at the fact she went to the same sixth form as her (Oldham Sixth Form College).

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.

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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.

Big up Olivia Cooke and big up Oldham.

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Featured Image — HBO

TV & Showbiz

Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’ not Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Paddy McGuinness has admitted that he believes “Bolton still falls under Lancashire” and not Greater Manchester.

The famous comedian and TV presenter – who was born and raised in Farnworth in 1973, back when it genuinely was still categorised as Lancashire – made the somewhat controversial declaration to his millions of followers on Instagram this week as he shared some pictures of himself that are currently featuring as part of a photography exhibition.

McGuinness is one of dozens of local famous faces forming part of the ‘Greater Mancunians’ project by The Manchester College.

150 students have participated in the landmark photography project – which is currently on display down at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall – and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.

Noel Gallagher, Johnny Marr, Ricky Hatton, Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, Maxine Peake, Jonathan Warburton, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE are among the 100 contributors featured in the project, alongside McGuinness.

The 50-year-old, who is most well-known for his acting and presenting roles in Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere, Take Me Out, and Top Gear, says it was “a real honour” to be featured in the exhibition.

McGuinness wrote on Instagram: “It was a real honour to take part in the Greater Mancunians project with the students at The Manchester College. The exhibition is full of people from music, comedy, politics, poetry, television, medicine and beyond.”

He then said it’s “well worth popping in if you’re in town”, before dropping the final Bolton-related bombshell: “PS, I’m still saying Bolton falls under Lancashire.”

In case you’re unfamiliar with the borough’s history, Bolton was considered to be a part of Lancashire until Greater Manchester was formally established all the way back on 1 April 1974 – but still to this day, the town is located within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire.

Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’, not Greater Manchester (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

After making the bold claim about Bolton’s geographical location, McGuinness has been met with praise and has received hundreds of comments from other Bolton and wider Greater Manchester residents agreeing with him and sharing their similar opinions under the post.

“I think they should redefine Lancashire back to its old borders, it would bring unity to the area and create a northern powerhouse,” one person commented.

Another fan wrote: “Bolton will always be in Lancashire for me”, while a third commented: “ALWAYS Lancashire. Can’t move land boundaries, they’re not pieces of paper,” a fourth shared a similar sentiment: “They can tell us we’re Greater Manchester, but I know Im a Lancashire lass,” and a fifth added: “Lancashire all the way lad.”

“BOLTON WILL ALWAYS BE LANCASHIRE,” another clearly strong-viewed comment reads.

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It’s always very ‘Stockport is Cheshire‘, isn’t it?

What’s your take then? Do you think Bolton is still in Lancashire, or is it part of Greater Manchester? What about the rest of the boroughs?

We know full well we may have opened a can of worms with this one but that’s all part of the fun.

Featured Images – BBC

TV & Showbiz

Zoe Ball announces death of her ‘dear mama’ just weeks after cancer diagnosis

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball with her beloved mum Julia Peckham. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball

Zoe Ball has said that she is ‘bereft’ after the death of her mum Julia Peckham, just weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host shared the sad news this morning, writing ‘sleep tight dear Mama’.

Zoe had shared just a matter of weeks ago that her beloved mother had been diagnosed with cancer, later moving to hospice care.

And now tragically, only six weeks after her diagnosis and an ‘incredibly brave’ battle with the disease’, Julia has passed away.

Zoe has been taking some time off air to spend time with family.

Today, sharing a photo of her mum in her younger years, Zoe Ball wrote: “Sleep tight dear Mama.

“Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has announced the death of her mum Julia Peckham. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has announced the death of her mum Julia Peckham. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball
Zoe Ball shared this photo of her mum Julia Peckham when she was diagnosed with cancer. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball
Zoe Ball shared this photo of her mum Julia Peckham when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball

“We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other. your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.”

She had previously written upon her mum’s diagnosis: “Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with Cancer. As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times. Mum is being incredibly brave.

“My brother Jamie & I are completely in awe of the brilliant Doctors, Nurses & support teams looking after Mum. Thank you. Gratitude to our families & our extended family & friends at home & at work for their support at this time.

“Sending out love to people reading this who are battling cancer, or awaiting diagnosis & also to the folk looking after their dear ones who are poorly.”

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Featured image: Instagram @zoetheball

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