TV & Showbiz

Rose Gold review: Manchester music, heart and camaraderie — captured like never before

A moving and musical watch that feels close to home.

The Manc The Manc - 9th February 2024

Rose Gold is an incredibly charming short film that beautifully encapsulates the essence of Manchester’s vibrant music scene, intertwined with themes of resilience, camaraderie and the human spirit.

Directed by Simon Powell (Girl Shaped Love Drug) and produced by Antony Crank (Coronation Street), it delivers a poignant narrative centred around Rose (Chloe Lea), a young girl grappling with the weight of responsibilities far beyond her years in the early 1990s Manchester.

At its core, the film is a testament to the power of music as a universal language that transcends barriers and brings people together. Rose’s journey sees her navigating the challenges of balancing school, a job and caring for her mother, who battles multiple sclerosis.

However, amidst the struggles, she finds solace and hope in the pulsating beats of 90’s house music.

rose gold short film
short film about 90s manchester music scene
Credit: 53 Degrees North

The character of Rose is portrayed with remarkable depth and authenticity, thanks to a compelling performance by lead actress Lea, who also stars in the upcoming Dune: Sisterhood TV series and won a BAFTA at the impressive age of 13.

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Rose’s journey starts from a place of despair to one of empowerment and belonging, which is both heart-wrenching and inspiring at the same time.

The relationship with her grandmother, simply referred to as Nan (Julie Glover), adds another layer of emotional depth, that’ll have you welling up to belly laughing in an instant – highlighting the complexities of familial bonds in the face of adversity.

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Central to Rose’s transformation is her connection with Ian (Jordan Akkaya), a charismatic club DJ, and his eclectic circle of kindred spirits. Rose finds herself immersed in a world of freedom and self-expression, far removed from the confines of her daily struggles.

films about manchester
rose gold film review

The togetherness depicted among the characters is palpable, serving as a poignant reminder of the community and solidarity the Manchester music scene created. 

One of the film’s standout features is its electrifying soundtrack, which serves as the heartbeat of Manchester’s music scene.

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Seamlessly woven into the narrative, the pulsating rhythms of 90’s house music elevate the viewing experience, transporting audiences back in time to the euphoric dance floors of iconic clubs like the Hacienda.

rose gold 53 degree north
simon powell films

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Overall, Rose Gold is a triumph of storytelling seamlessly blending themes of resilience, music, and companionship into a captivating cinematic experience — a true testament to the enduring power of the human spirit to find light amidst darkness, and a love letter to the infectious spirit of Manchester. 

While this is merely the short film rendition, Powell and Crank (who also plays Bernard) put across such a wave of relatable emotions even in the half-hour run-time, we’re beyond buzzing for what unfolds with this incredible story and characters that the cast and crew brought to life.

Bring on the feature film and keep your eyes peeled for when it drops. Oh, and yes sir, I can boogie! 

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

Featured Images — 53 Degrees North – Film (supplied)

TV & Showbiz

A Salford student has made history as BBC Radio 1’s newest presenter

Danny Jones Danny Jones Young University of Salford student becomes new BBC Radio 1 presenter

A University of Salford student has made history after becoming the latest radio presenter for mainstream national station BBC Radio 1.

And he’s only 20 years old.

Matt Hallsworth from Harleston in Norfolk has become the first ever Salford student to sign a contract with the station whilst still studying, and is now set to join fellow alumni such as Vicky Hawkesworth and Katie Thistleton in working for the BBC’s biggest radio station.

If that isn’t hitting the ground running in your career, then we don’t know what is.

Set to host the spin-off online stream ‘Radio 1 Anthems’ – available via BBC’s digital Sounds platform, which hosts live and pre-recorded broadcasts, podcasts, music playlists and more – Hallsworth will be taking charge of several shows in the coming weeks.

The BA Television and Radio Production student, who is currently Head of Radio at the University’s in-house station Shock Radio, has already won a number of awards in his fledgling broadcast career and is now set to present a total of 16 shows through next month, starting from 8am on Tuesday, 2 April.

Matt has already had a glimpse of life at the BBC, having joined in as one of their Christmas Presenters back in December; he won the coveted slot after being crowned winner of ‘Best Presenter’ at last year’s Student Radio Awards (SRAs) and was the youngest out of a total 27 guest hosts that got the chance.

In addition to that accolade, he also collected the Gold Award for ‘Best Chart Show’ at the 2024 SRAs, with his on-air partner and fellow student Issy Brand also joining him in earning the title of ‘Best On-Air Team’ for the second year in a row in the International Student Broadcasting Championship.

Since then, he’s already enjoyed experience as a freelance presenter for nearby Hits Radio, working and is now the lead host officer for The Student Radio Association’s annual conference over in Salford.

You can listen HERE. (Credit: BBC)

Speaking on the unbelievable opportunity, the rising radio star said: “I am so excited to be joining the BBC Radio 1 Anthems family across April! Since the stream’s launch in October, it’s been evident the BBC is using it as a platform to nurture new presenters, and I feel thrilled to be able to join that.

“I was working on some university assignment work in January when I got the text and call from Aled [Hayden Jones, Head of Station at BBC Radio 1], with feedback from my Christmas show and offering the opportunity.

“The shows have the best playlists, full of songs that I grew up with, forgot about, and play anyway. I can’t wait for people to hear them.”

As for UoS‘s Programme Leader for BA TV and Radio Production, Louise Ready-Syrat, she says: “I’m hugely proud and pleased for Matt, he is such a lovely person and a huge talent that will be amazing in every capacity.

“Watching his development over his time with us on the BA Television and Radio Production course has been a privilege and a real inspiration to his fellow students.

“Always quick to help out on our Open Days, award shows and as Head of Shock Radio, he has proven himself to be a true professional and a genuinely great guy! Super pleased for him, he will smash this!”

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Lyndon Saunders, Senior Lecturer and Subject Group Head for Broadcast Media, went on to add: “As soon as we heard Matt take to the student airwaves at Salford, we knew he would be snapped up by somebody big before too long. It’s just amazing to discover that he’s going national on BBC Radio 1.

“He’s so hard working, so determined, but so humble about his on air talent. I’ve worked with Matt in a producer capacity as well and he has an incredible work ethic – a gift for the journalism and storytelling side of radio too. In short, radio is in his veins, and we’re thrilled he’s making his dream a reality.”

You’ve done your department, Salford and Greater Manchester as a whole proud, Matt – we look forward to hearing you on the airwaves for years to come!

As far as universities go, UoS continues to be a brilliant proving ground for up-and-coming media talent.

MediaCity launches brand new state-of-the-art creative content space
We can’t guarantee every Salford student will go on to be a BBC Radio 1 presenter, but they’ll certainly stand you in good stead.

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

Featured Images — University of Salford (Supplied)

TV & Showbiz

ITV’s Dancing on Ice is being taken off the air after nearly two decades

Danny Jones Danny Jones Dancing on Ice taken off air by ITV

A UK TV staple looks to have come to an end after nearly 20 years as ITV appears to have axed, or at the very least shelved, their long-standing annual show, Dancing on Ice.

The celebrity ice-skating competition and reality programme started all the way back in 2006 and was a British favourite for a long time, especially during the heyday of X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, I’m A Celeb and the like.

However, following a slump over recent years, ITV has announced that Dancing on Ice will not be returning next year and could be seemingly be sidelined indefinitely.

Confirmed on Thursday, 27 March, just over a fortnight after Coronation Street star Sam Aston (Chesney Brown) won the 2025 final, it looks like you won’t be seeing celebs skating on ice again for some time.

Speaking to the Metro, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said in an official statement: “Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series.”

dancing on ice finished ITV
The 2025 Dancing on Ice lineup (Credit: ITVX)

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice.”

An average of just under three million viewers tuned into ITV1 live for the launch of the most recent show back in January, while approximately 3.6 million tuned in to watch the first episode last year.

Presented by familiar famous faces, Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, judged by ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as dancing duo Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse – with previous hosts including Christine Lampard and Phillip Schofield – it’s been a mainstay for 19 years.

ITV has actually halted Dancing on Ice once before just over a decade ago, when the show was rested after its ninth season; the ‘first’ run ended with an all-star series, only for it to ultimately return to our screens just four years later in 2018.

Having now been cut short just 12 months short of its 20th anniversary, fans as well as former cast and crew members alike have been bidding it bittersweet goodbye:

Radio and TV enthusiast Ryan Glendenning went on to add: “Also take a moment to acknowledge the hard work that went into Dancing on Ice from the pros, behind the scenes people, choreographers, judges and the celebs.

“Back in the Ray Quinn/Hayley Tamadon days, the show thrived – sadly, that’s not the case anymore. ITV killed this show!”

Dancing on Ice isn’t the only ITV product struggling with viewing figures of late, as even Corrie had to pause filming back in February following news of more cutbacks.

Were you a fan since day one? Are you gutted to see it go, or are you expecting it to make another comeback somewhere down the line?

Let us know in the comments.

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

Featured Images — ITV (screenshot/press image)

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