In a surprising announcement from the world of television and boxing, legendary fighter and Manc sporting icon Ricky Hatton has been announced as the very first contestant on the next season of Dancing on Ice.
And yes, we’d wager we’re about as surprised as you are.
Ricky Hatton fully retired from boxing back in 2012 and has been busy coaching at his gym in Hyde ever since, but did return for an exhibition match in November last year and has clearly been keeping in shape — so much so that he fancied a crack at joining the Dancing on Ice cast of 2024
Appearing on This Morning on Tuesday, 26 September, the Stockport-born bruiser confirmed that he will be taking part in the upcoming series which starts in January.
If they don’t do a routine set to the tune of ‘Blue Moon’, it’ll be us who start throwing fists.
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Punching his way onto the ITV studio this morning, Hatton revealed himself as the first contestant of the hit ice-skating reality show next season, with presenter Holly Willoughby stating that she “can’t wait to get [him] in the rink” and Ricky joking, “I wish I shared your confidence”.
Explaining exactly why he said yes, the 44-year-old said, “I like setting new challenges and keeping myself busy”, acknowledging that he also struggled with retirement when he hung up his gloves.
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Stressing that part of his motivation is also mental health — for which he has become an avid campaigner — he insisted that “keeping active and doing things that are positive” isn’t just something he is striving for but believes that others should take note of.
Admitting that there aren’t many adventures quite as new as taking on Dancing on Ice in front of millions of viewers watching back home, ‘Hitman’ said, “If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink.”
As for how well he’ll fare swapping the ring for the rink, only time will tell but he was always known for his footwork just as much as he was for his power, so we’re backing him to be a bit of a dark horse.
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We can’t wait to see the Mancunian get skating, especially with him making such a concerted effort to raise awareness surrounding mental health and how keeping busy, exercising and setting yourself new challenges can have a big impact.
The Manc had the immense pleasure of chatting with Ricky a few months back ahead of the 2023 Manchester Remembers charity match, another cause he was proud to get behind. It was a joy.
Featured Image — Ricky Hatton (via Instagram/Twitter)
TV & Showbiz
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications 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. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Danny Jones -
26th September 2023 
