Hundreds of people gathered in Manchester city centre for a vigil for Ukraine last night.
The Central Library was lit up in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag, as a sign of solidarity with the nation.
Joining the crowds at St Peter’s Square was Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has also spoken about the situation in his home country to his 1.5 million followers on Instagram.
Ukraine has been invaded by Russia this week, with reports of Russian troops now entering its capital city Kyiv.
Oleksandr Zinchenko in attendance at the vigil in St Peter's Square tonight, protesting against the Russian invasion of Ukraine outside the town hall in Manchester city centre.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has also seen its troops seize control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
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At last night’s Manchester vigil, around 400 attendees sang the Ukranian national anthem and listened to speeches, the Manchester Evening News reports.
The paper said that there were at least two Russians in the crowd last night protesting the actions of President Vladimir Putin.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko attended a vigil for Ukraine in Manchester last night. Credit: Instagram @yuliecler
Manchester City Council lit up one of the city’s landmarks in the colours of the Ukranian flag overnight.
Zinchenko said on Instagram: “The whole civilized world is worried about the situation in my country. I can’t stay away and try to convey my opinion.
“In the photo – my country. The country where I was born and raised. A country whose colors I defend in the international sports arena. A country that we try to glorify and develop. A country whose borders must remain inviolable.
“My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it.
“We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine.”
This morning, Ukraine’s Defence Force tweeted to call for civilians to join the resistance, writing: “The statement, attributed to the Commander of Troops, Yuri Galushkin, reads:
First Dates’ Merlin Griffiths has been given the ‘all clear’ from bowel cancer
Danny Jones
Merlin Griffiths has been given the ‘all clear’ from bowel cancer following his first-year scan. Things you absolutely LOVE to hear.
The beloved First Datesbartender was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer back in 2021 and had undergone multiple surgeries since then, including a first robotic operation to remove a 4.5cm-wide tumour in April last year.
Now, after going along for multiple CT scans following his first full year of treatment, Merlin received the final results from his doctor who confirmed that he has been given the all-clear, sharing the email on his Instagram account.
As the email reads, his doctor informed him that “all looks good” and that “there are no signs of any reoccurrence” at this time.
Writing in the caption, the 48-year-old added: “Final Year 1 scan results are in, and it’s ALL CLEAR for now. Nice. Thank you #NHS #bowelcancerawareness.”
Merlin told his followers that he was “clear” of the disease last month following his initial scans, having continued to film First Dates and make other TV appearances throughout his 18-month cancer battle, but was only made certain after these final results. What a legend.
We’re so happy for you, Merlin, and we hope to see you back behind the bar and slinging drinks again soon.
Featured Image — Merlin Griffiths (via Instagram)/Channel 4
UK News
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear diagnosed with dementia
Danny Jones
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, who famously played the iconic character Bet Lynch for over 25 years, has sadly been diagnosed with dementia.
Issuing a statement via ITV, her husband Scott Brand confirmed that they had been given the “heartbreaking diagnosis” this week.
Goodyear, 81, played the legendary Rovers Return pub landlord for over two decades across two different spells on the show, starting in 1966 before leaving the show for good in 1995.
Brand told the outlet on Wednesday: “Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance, but we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation – and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.”
Coronation Street's Julie Goodyear is suffering with dementia, her husband has revealed.https://t.co/4CZwt5KbGJ
— ITV Granada Reports (@GranadaReports) June 7, 2023
Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 81.
He went on to say that he and Goodyear “have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out”, noting that she inevitably gets recognised “and fans love to meet her – and she them – but she can get confused particularly if she is tired” and adding they “hope people will understand.”
The Manc soap star and household name is from Heywood in Rochdale and retired from acting in 2003 after making her final special appearance on the Coronation Street spin-off, After Hours.
Daisy Jackson -
25th February 2022 
