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.”
Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielderJoe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Very sad news, to battle cancer once is extremely brave but to battle it three times is not just brave but you need a strong mindset and obviously Joe had that to keep fighting. Thoughts with Joe’s family and friends.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
Local Olympian Keely Hodgkinson named as official starter of the 2025 Great Manchester Run
Danny Jones
One of our very own is getting ready to get thousands of racers underway as local Olympian, Keely Hodgkinson MBE, has been named as the official starter for the 2025 Great Manchester Run.
Atherton’s very own generational trackstar, who picked up gold at Paris 2024 and has earned several other medals, not to mention smashing multiple British records, will be leading the hordes of runners taking on the annual AJ Bell challenge through central Manchester next month.
We couldn’t think of anyone better suited to fly the flag for Greater Manchester.
HUGE NEWS incoming… 👀🔥
We’re super excited to announce that Olympic champion @keelyhodgkinson will be the official race starter for this year’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run! 🏃♀️💥👏🐝 pic.twitter.com/aHHxeaMQ9p
Hyping up the news on social media, the Great Run company went on to add: “A true hometown hero, an Olympic champion, and now, kicking off Manchester’s best running party of the year – the BIGGEST in a decade! We’re proper BUZZZZZING! Let’s have it, Manchester!”
Safe to say they’re pretty ecstatic with the news, and so are we, as Keely Hodgkinson becomes the latest Team GB member to bring their pedigree to the event, following in the very fast footsteps of Sir Mo Farah, Kelly Holmes, Amir Khan and many more.
Although the 800m specialist is yet to comment on the announcement directly, the magic of getting to put the hard yards in front of a home crowd won’t be lost on her, and it goes without saying that she’ll get an unreal reception from the Manc spectators – of which there are expected to be more than 100,000.
Better yet, over 35,000 participants are set to take on the Great Manchester Run this year, therefore teeing potentially record-breaking crowds for the event.
2025 marks the 22nd edition of the event, and the atmosphere throughout the city centre, as well as out into East Manchester and Trafford, is always spectacular. There are still places left if you’re tempted…
Undoubtedly one of the very best athletes to ever come out of the underdog borough that is Wigan, whether you argue the case for old Lancashire or not, surely we can all be proud to call her a Greater Mancunian this spring, just as we did back in the summer?
Once again, it isn’t long before the annual race day kicks off as the Great Manchester Run arrives on Sunday, 18 May, with Keely Hodgkinson beckoning everyone towards their own hero moments.
There are still places left for both the 10k and half marathon distances, and now we’ve seen the medal design for this year, we might just have to sign up again ourselves.
You can find out more and decide for yourself HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
21st June 2021 
