The MTV EMAs will touch down in Manchester this week, bringing a mass of famous faces and celebrities to our city for a night celebrating the music industry.
The star-studded event will be taking place at the Co-op Live on Sunday 10 November, and also streamed and broadcast live.
Now in its 30th year, the MTV EMAs celebrates the biggest and best of the music industry across genres, with categories honouring the best music videos, collaborations, live shows and even fanbases.
This is the first time the global music celebration has ever been held in our city and it’s expected to attract some of the hottest names in the industry.
There’s a big chance, based off the nominees and already-announced performers, that we’ll have some of the world’s biggest A-listers staying in Manchester, booking up luxury hotel rooms and restaurants.
ADVERTISEMENT
Host venue Co-op Live has sent the rumour mill into overdrive this week by sharing photos of famous faces who have previously attended the EMAs.
It posted photos of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, all of whom have graced the MTV EMAs stage either as performer or to receive an award over the years.
Not since last year’s surreal Chanel Metiers D’Art show, where the Northern Quarter was turned into a catwalk and Hugh Grant and Kristen Stewart popped up in town, have we been so excited about a potential event guest list.
We do know quite a few celebrities who will definitely be attending the MTV EMAs, including those who are performing, presenting or hosting at the glittering ceremony.
British R&B queen Raye, the iconic Pet Shop Boys, and backflipping crooner Benson Boone are all among those performing at the MTV EMAs in Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
Also on the bill will be Shawn Mendes, Teddy Swims, Tyla, The Warning, Le Sserafim, and Peso Pluma.
Busta Rhymes is also set to receive the 2024 EMA Global Icon Award.
Taylor Swift could be among the celebrities at the MTV EMAs in ManchesterCredit: Instagram, @beyonce
Then there are the presenters, including the main awards host Rita Ora, plus awards presenters already announced like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lucien Laviscount.
But then there are all the big names on the nominees list, who may appear in person or may just opt to send pre-recorded messages of acceptance.
Taylor Swift herself is leading the nominations for the MTV EMAs for a second year running, with seven nods, with other top contenders including Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX and Ariana Grande.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s a huge deal for Manchester to be the host city, especially with our very own Liam Gallagher going up agains rock icons like Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Green Day, Kings of Leon, Lenny Kravitz and The Killers in the Best Rock category.
Beyonce herself is nominated for a few, as is this summer’s music darling Chappell Roan, plus nods for Post Malone and Lady Gaga.
You can see the full list of nominees for the MTV EMAs – and thus the potential celebrities you could spot – HERE.
A full series of The Celebrity Apprentice is coming to UK screens for the first time ever
Danny Jones
Britain’s much-loved version of The Apprentice is getting its first-ever full celebrity season next year as the series is set to copy the spin-off format seen in the US.
The popular reality TV show competition, where game-show meets the world of business, has been running here in the UK since 2005.
Now coming up 20 seasons and already well over 200 episodes, including specials, the producers have just as much of a challenge coming up with fresh ideas as the contestants do.
With that in mind, the BBC has now ordered the first dedicated The Celebrity Apprentice series, separate from the mainline show and set to run longer than previous iterations.
The I'm a celebrity of the business world. Can't wait. Didn't watch the apprentice earlier this year for obvious reasons but really excited about this. Hope LS isn't soft on them because its charity. https://t.co/o7PK5e2N0w
As confirmed by multiple sources – including one of renowned businessman and host Alan Sugar’s own advisors, Andrew Bloch – the first proper Celebrity Apprentice season will air in 2026.
Bloch explains that it’ll come in the form of a six-episode series that “will see a new line-up of famous faces take on weekly business challenges set by Lord Sugar, competing to avoid the words ‘You’re fired’ and ultimately be crowned The Celebrity Apprentice winner.”
While previous instalments in the celebrity version have either been attached to Christmas specials or the likes of Comic Relief/Red Nose Day in March, this inaugural fully-fledged chapter is set to take place sometime early next year, though an official release date is yet to be announced.
Speaking of seasonal episodes, any viewers who’ve never seen the show or at least not with recognisable household names starring in it, the 2025 festive special will be airing across two parts later this month.
Speaking on the commission, BBC’s Head of Entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, added: “The Apprentice is a much-loved part of the BBC’s entertainment offering, and we can’t wait to see how the celebrity candidates rise to the challenge when the series launches later in 2026.”
The lineup of special guests for next year’s series is yet to be confirmed, but the lineup for the upcoming Xmas episodes is as follows: AJ Odudu, Angela Scanlon, Charlie Hedges, Eddie Kadi, Jake Wood, JB Gill, Kadeena Cox, Matt Morsia, Rob Rinder, Sarah Hadland, Shazia Mirza and Tom Skinner.
Skinner actually took part in the regular show back in 2009, helping launch his public persona, before going on to get involved in social media, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and even politics.
Have you seen the celeb version of The Apprentice before, and/or will you be watching this one?
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (via BBC Media Centre)
TV & Showbiz
BBC is back looking for more Mancs to test their music knowledge and win £10,000
Emily Sergeant
Consider yourself a music fan? Spend your days with tunes on in the background? Would you be able to identify a song within the first couple of seconds?
Well, this might be your chance to win £10,000 then.
Once again, the BBC is back casting for the next series of its smash-hit competition show The Hit List, where contestants get their music knowledge put to the ultimate test, and the broadcaster is now looking for people from across Greater Manchester to apply and be in with the chance of winning a massive pot of cash.
The Hit List, presented by popstar couple Marvin and Rochelle Humes, sees three pairs of music-lovers go up against each other.
Across three rounds, the contestants attempt to identify huge hits from across the years, and the three teams must prove their ability to recognise songs from across all genres of music, both artist and song title, if they want to take home the win.
A casting call for the next series of The Hit List on the BBC website reads: “Could your love of music win you a £10,000 cash prize? We are looking for lively pairs of contestants to take part.”
Any one can apply to take part in the show, but producers and casting directors say they would particularly love to hear from couples, grandparent and grandchild, siblings, best mates, and parent and offspring.
“Anything goes, as long as you love your music and know your hits,” the casting call concludes.
Anyone who applies to the show must be a legal UK resident, and be available for potential filming dates in early March 2026 up in Glasgow.
Daisy Jackson -
7th November 2024 
