A local 17-year-old has been named one of the UK’s fastest growing YouTubers – and he’s achieved it all from his home in Oldham.
Self-taught magician Daniel Rhodes has been honing his craft for nearly 10 years.
Since discovering his talent for magic at aged eight, Daniel – from Shaw – has gone on to build up a huge online following, appearing on several TV talent shows and earning himself some worthy celebrity fans.
Dan has even been championed by one of the UK’s most famous magicians, Dynamo, who named him as an upcoming magician to keep an eye on.
Dynamo said: “There’s a young kid called Daniel Rhodes. Dan Dan the Magic Man. He’s from Manchester, he’s about 10-years-old, he sent me a YouTube clip of him doing some of his magic and I thought ‘that’s alright, that’s alright’ and he did this thing at the end [that] took everyone in my office by surprise.
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“It was amazing.”
Credit: YouTube (Dan Rhodes)
Daniel has lived up to the future superstar predictions by starring on one of the US’s most popular entertainment shows, Little Big Shots, when he was just 13, and by also competing on the 2019 series of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, where he was memorably seen ‘sawing’ judge Amanda Holden in half.
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The Oldham teen began performing when he got a magic kit for Christmas one year, and admits that magic has truly “changed my life”.
If all of those achievements weren’t impressive enough, Daniel’s greatest success is arguably his ever-growing online fanbase, where he has racked up a whopping 3.8 million subscribers and counting on YouTube, and 5.5 million followers on video sharing platform TikTok.
His channels have had more than three billion views over the past two months alone, and he is undeniably on his way to becoming one of the country’s most successful content creators.
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It’s no surprise that Daniel feels the future of his career is online.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPLJ3KRh4nE/
Speaking proudly about his achievements, Daniel’s mum Lisa told the MEN: “From an early age, Dan has had a passion for magic.
“I remember him being sat in front of YouTube at about 8 years old, just watching the likes of Dynamo over and over again with a pack of cards in his hand, mastering how the tricks where done, over and over again until he mastered it
“He hasn’t stopped since.
“His drive and ambition and love for the art is second to none and I am more than sure he will continue to succeed in everything he does.”
Britain has a new ‘favourite’ curry – and we’re absolutely ashamed of the nation…
Danny Jones
Chicken tikka masala is reportedly no longer Britain’s ‘favourite’ curry, and after finding out what has replaced it, we have decided you all need to be stopped.
Following a study carried out by Foodhub for National Curry Week (3–9 October), researchers found that one dish overtook tikka masala as the most ordered curry in the UK. It’s chicken korma, apparently.
We’re not mad, we’re just disappointed and deeply, deeply confused.
For years, chicken tikka masala has been not only Britain’s favourite curry but the UK’s national dish – it’s a classic created by Indian migrants to appeal to the nation’s palate and has done so successfully for decades. We defy anyone to turn their noses up at a chicken tikka.
Now, everyone is entitled to their opinion and we’re not necessarily saying korma is a fundamentally bad curry, but it’s hardly ahead of favourites like a jalfrezi, a rogan josh or Smithy’s beloved bhunas — or so we thought.
In fact, sod it, we side with Smithy’s take on korma:
Strong order, to be fair.
Emma Stockman, a spokesperson for the food delivery service, said, “It is clear that curry is a staple dish when it comes to the UK’s takeaway favourites”, and that their findings “did not disappoint”.
Which results are you reading, Emma?
As explained, the long-reigning number one, chicken tikka, has dropped to second behind korma and chicken madras rounds off the top three when it comes to Britain’s favourite curry.
Despite us Mancs boasting the world-famous ‘Curry Mile’, the stats also supposedly showed that Carlisle was the city that ordered the most curry anywhere in the UK, averaging out at 3.5 times a week.
Meanwhile, 0161 was given the nickname ‘Naanchester’ as we apparently order an average of two naan breads per curry compared to other regions, with plain naan being the favourite.
Just plain? Come on. If you’re ordering as vanilla as that, you’d better at least be going bottomless with the actual main event — cue Manc curry kings, Zouk:
If these numbers are to be trusted, this also begs the question as to what this means for the country’s national dish: having been chicken tikka for so long, is it now chicken korma?
Because, sorry, we’re just absolutely NOT having that…
Give it to the Sunday roast or fish and chips while you take a step back and look at what you’ve done.
Vigil to be held in Manchester for victims of Crumpsall synagogue attack
Danny Jones
A vigil is set to be held in solidarity with the local Jewish community and those affected by the horrific attack in Greater Manchester on Thursday.
Mancunians, Brits and people all over the world are continuing to pay tribute and offer words of kindness during another dark day for the city region, as the incident that took place at a synagogue in Crumpsall has now been confirmed as an act of terrorism.
Informing residents from around the ten boroughs of the vigil plans, those nearby, as well as those in and around central Manchester, are now being welcomed to pay their respects to the deceased and those who remain injured in hospital.
Greater Manchester stands together in solidarity with our Jewish community following the horrific incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
A vigil will be held today at 3pm (Friday 3 October) at the junction of Middleton Road and Crumpsall Lane (M8 5DS).
Writing on social media yesterday, Mayor Andy Burnham simply described the ordeal as a “vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day.”
He went on to state, “We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe.”
As for the person responsible, the suspect behind the attack has now been identified as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, who was a registered British citizen of Syrian descent.
Burnham signed off by adding: “We stand with GM’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them.”
Regarding the details of the vigil, the statement reads: “Greater Manchester stands together in solidarity with our Jewish community following the horrific incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue”. Flowers, wreaths, as well as messages of love and support are already being in the area.
It continues: “A vigil will be held today at 3pm (Friday, 3 October) at the junction of Middleton Road and Crumpsall Lane (M8 5DS).”
While the Greater Mancunian Jewish community is still hurting as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation, the city and beyond are already uniting as they always do in the face of adversity.
Members of the Manchester Jewish Museum, Crumpsall’s neighbouring MJCC, and the wider Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and the surrounding area are all expected to be in attendance, as well as notable political figures.
As reiterated by the Mayor’s office: “This is a space for reflection, support and unity. All are welcome to join as we honour those affected and show that hate has no place in our city region.”
For anyone considering going along to pay their respects and offer their support, please look out for each other, remain vigilant and stay safe.
Emily Sergeant -
21st June 2021 
