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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
UK News
Tailgaters and middle lane hoggers warned to change their ‘dangerous’ driving style
Emily Sergeant
A warning has been issued to tailgaters and motorway middle lane hoggers urging them to change their ‘dangerous’ driving style.
Do you find yourself guilty of two of the biggest driving sins from time to time?
Well, according to the latest figures released by National Highways, one in three motorists have admitted to middle lane hogging in their lives, while one in four have committed acts of tailgating on some of the UK’s fastest roads.
These shocking survey findings – which were released back in early March as the Government-owned road management company launched a new campaign – showed that lane hogging was among the behaviours that are most likely to cause motorists and passengers to feel ‘frustrated’, and tailgating was most likely to cause feelings of unease, stress, and anxiety.
Nearly a third (32%) of drivers admitted to lane hogging ‘at least occasionally’ while driving on England’s motorways and major A roads, according to the survey – which polled 2,500 adults between the ages of 16-75.
On top of this, almost seven in ten adults in England (67%) said close following or tailgating is a ‘serious problem’ on these types of roads, but nearly a quarter (23%) admitted to doing it from time to time.
Tut-tut.
Tailgaters and middle lane hoggers have been warned to change their ‘dangerous’ driving style (Credit: IPTC/Ronald Hudson)
It’s these very statistics which have led National Highways to issue an urgent warning that calls on these motorists to “carefully consider” their driving habits, as “little changes can change everything”.
Lane hogging and tailgating both fall under the offence of ‘careless driving’ in England, with the country’s police forces having the power to hand out on-the-spot fines of £100 and three penalty points to those who commit such offences.
“Middle lane hogging and tailgating are far more than mere annoyances for drivers,” warned RAC road safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis, adding that these actions “put everyone on the roads at risk.”
If you’re too close to the vehicle in front, you’re tailgating. This is very dangerous and could lead to a collision. Always leave at least a two-second gap and make sure you follow the advice from The Highway Code.
He continued in his reaction to the release of the latest National Highways figures: “Closely following another motorist could easily result in a serious collision should the driver ahead need to brake sharply for any reason, so the fact nearly one in four drivers admitted to doing so on some of England’s fastest and busiest roads is frightening”.
Mr Dennis said he understands that offenders “might find these habits hard to kick”, but that’s why the urgent calls for motorists to make changes are “so important”.
“By understanding that how we choose to drive affects others, we can each make a real difference to the safety of our roads,” he concluded.
Emily Sergeant -
21st June 2021 
