UK News

Tribute paid to child who died just one day before starting school

This is heartbreaking.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 11th September 2023

The parents of Rose O’Leary have issued a heartbreaking tribute to their child, who tragically died just hours before her first day of school.

The four-year-old had just undergone her third open heart surgery to help treat a heart condition, which she was diagnosed with at her 20-week scan.

The surgery took place last month but Rose contracted an infection and died several weeks later, The Hoot reports.

Rose, who was from Pool-in-Wharfedale near Leeds, passed away just one day before she was supposed to start school.

Her heartbroken parents, Katie and Sue O’Leary-Hall, have released a moving tribute to the four-year-old, describing her as ‘feisty’ and ‘gorgeous’.

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Issuing a tribute through a GoFundMe set up by a friend, they wrote: “Sue O’Leary-Hall and I are devastated to inform everyone that our beautiful baby girl, Rose, has lost her fight to CHD.

“She had her third open heart surgery on the 15th of August and despite battling ferociously for her life died yesterday after contracting an infection. We are spending the next few days at Martin House Hospice.

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“I have no words to describe the depth of the pain we feel on the day she should have started school.

“Rose was so full of love and life. Our lives will forever be shaped by knowing and loving her and they will certainly never be the same without her.

“Her feisty, strong willed and gorgeous nature will last forever in our hearts. Sleep well, beautiful girl.”

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Read more: The reason why Manchester United couldn’t sell Rasmus Højlund shirts is pretty silly

The GoFundMe has been set up to help with funeral costs for Rose and her family. It’s already raised almost £8,000 at the time of writing – double its target.

It reads: “I’m sorry we’re all connecting due to the tragic circumstances of Rose’s death. I’m sure we’re all grieving the devastating loss of such a beautiful, feisty little girl.

“Unfortunately with such tragic grief also comes the heartache and financial burden of arranging a funeral.

“I’m sure we all feel completely useless in this situation and would love to do anything to support Katie and Sue. Therefore, Amy, Laura and I have spoken to Katie about us arranging some donations from friends in order to support them with the financial costs of the funeral.

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“We completely understand that everyone’s situations are different and there’s absolutely no pressure to donate and there’s absolutely no set amount – just anything you feel you’re able to contribute.”

Featured image: GoFundMe

UK News

Ruben Amorim insists he ‘cannot’ quit as Manchester United manager

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ruben Amorim says he won't quit as Man United manager

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has reiterated that he won’t quit his job at the club and that his departure will only come through being sacked.

The struggling head coach has notched the lowest tally of any permanent manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, and despite a much-needed win against Sunderland this past weekend – not to mention a much more positive performance overall – there are still growing calls of ‘Amorim Out’.

Amorim has registered just 34 points from the 33 Premier League games he’s been in charge of so far,

Nevertheless, as per quotes from The Guardian over the weekend, the Portuguese head coach assured that he will not be stepping away from the role and would have to be sacked for him to leave Man United.

amorim won't quit as man united mananger
Credit: Agencia LUSA (screenshot via YouTube)

Speaking to the outlet after the 2-0 home win this past Saturday, Amorim said: “No, that is a decision of the board – I cannot do that. Sometimes I have that feeling, and losing is hard, not to create the momentum.

“It’s so frustrating when you create the momentum, go to the next game, [and] something happens. That feeling sometimes hurts me a lot. Also, the players and especially the staff here. But that is not my decision, and I think it would be really hard to leave if I don’t do everything to follow my career here.”

The 40-year-old still has the support of many supporters, but it’s fair to say that many neutrals and even die-hards who would like to believe they have put their faith in this rebuild and the INEOS project up to now are growingly increasingly impatient and doubtful, with plenty of vocal detractors already.

Amorim continued, “It’s a dream to be here and I want to continue here, and I want to fight for this; but the problem is now what makes me suffer is to lose games, not to lose my job.”

He also added the caveat that, unlike those who were unfortunately laid off during the two rounds of redundancies over the past 12 months alone, “you fear [losing] your job when you have to pay the bills, and I don’t have that feeling.”

It’s also worth noting that this is by no means the first time he’s fielded questions of the matter of resignation, having previously worried fans with divisive comments about sometimes ‘hating’ his players and flitting between wanting to either quit or echo Fergie and stay at Old Trafford for decades.

Despite the United administration assuring that he has their backing, every game feels like it could be make or break for Amorim at the moment.

Although he does have the respite of the October international break coming up, the first game back is against the reigning champions Liverpool away at Anfield – a team he is yet to beat.

In fact, you could also argue that this may only serve as disruption to any kind of momentum they may have generated with the victory over the Black Cats; only time will tell.

You can see his most recent post-match press conference in full down below.

Ok, Man United fans: Amorim won’t quit, but do you think he should be sacked, or does he deserve more time?

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Featured Images — MUTV (screenshot via YouTube)

UK News

Manc music legends James announce MASSIVE hometown show

Danny Jones Danny Jones James Manchester Co-op Live gig tickets

Greater Manchester music legends James have just revealed a massive hometown show here in the city centre as part of a landmark domestic arena tour.

Daisy bucket hats at the ready.

James is arguably the epitome of what it is to be the understated, underdog British band; they’ve gone about the business of making quality music somewhat quietly for several decades now, but they’ve had a fresh wave of interest over the past year or so

Having opened up for the likes of Catfish and the Bottlemen’s comeback shows, not to mention playing multiple big festival slots in recent months alone, they’ve now announced a huge run of UK arena shows – and nowhere does a James crowd quite like us Mancs.

Announced as part of the celebrations around their Nothing But Love ‘best of’ LP, which pulls tracks from James’ whopping 18 studio albums, the new run of UK arena shows in 2026 follows on from numerous noteworthy shows this calendar year.

In addition to the aforementioned outdoor gigs, like their stunning sold-out night at The Piece Hall in Halifax – not too far from frontman Tim Booth’s hometown in Yorkshire – the indie veterans also celebrated a huge landmark in 2025.

Surpassing the milestone of 40 years as a band, with a lineup that’s remained largely intact and only really grown in terms of live session players and touring bandmates.

The new “definitive” greatest hits record also includes two brand-new songs in ‘Wake Up Superman’ and ‘Hallelujah Anyhow’, both of which are produced by Leo Abrahams, who worked with the band on their long-awaited number one album Yummy in 2024 – a feat loooong overdue if you ask us.

As evidenced by the sheer amount of new material they continue to put out and the almost non-stop touring, they remain one of the most prolific artists in the country. FACT.

You can see the rest of James’ upcoming tour dates, including a healthy number of Northern stops in the likes of Liverpool, Leeds and more.

James UK arena tour dates 2026

  • Fri 2                   Birmingham Utilita Arena
  • Sat 4                  Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
  • Tues 7               Aberdeen P&J Live
  • Wed 8                Glasgow OVO Hydro
  • Fri 10                  Newcastle Utilita Arena
  • Sat 11                Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
  • Mon 13              Cardiff Utilita Arena
  • Tues 14            Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
  • Fri 17                  London The O2
  • Sat 18               Manchester Co-op Live

With James returning to Manchester for their Co-op Live arena debut next April, along with a sensational support slot from fellow local legends, Doves (I know, how lucky are you lot?!), you can bank on this one selling out quickly.

General admission goes on sale this Friday, 10 October at 9:30am, so you’d better be ready to grab yours in a flash.

You can find the ticket link HERE, and we’ll see you in the crowd for a good ol’ singalong.

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Featured Images — Ehud Lazin/Press shots (supplied)

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