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A massive Alan Partridge charity quiz night is happening in Manchester

And it's written by Alpha Papa writer Neil Gibbons...

Isabella Norrison Isabella Norrison - 25th January 2024

Want to test your Alan Partridge knowledge? Now’s your time to shine, with a massive quiz night dedicated to the parody comedy character.

Coming to Manchester on 2 February, the event has been put on for a very good cause, raising money for Young Lives vs Cancer.

The charity fundraiser will be written by Neil Gibbons, the co-writer of the iconic Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.

Freight Island is set to transform into a hub full of laughter and giggles as it proudly presents the Alan Partridge Charity Quiz.

The event promises not only an entertaining night but also the chance to win a selection of prizes, including Alan memorabilia, so if you’re a hardcore fan this is definitely not something you want to miss.

Better still, all the donations raised from tickets and a raffle will support such an amazing cause, which will make a difference for children battling cancer.

An Alan Partridge quiz night is coming to Manchester. Credit: Publicity picture
An Alan Partridge quiz night is coming to Manchester. Credit: Publicity picture

The inspiration behind this charitable endeavour is the courageous journey of Joe, the son of Andy Jane, a friend of Freight Island.

Andy has shared the heart-wrenching story of Joe’s battle with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and shed light on the impact that charities like Young Lives vs Cancer have for people like Joe.

He said: “Our son Joseph was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2020, aged four years old. Sadly, after two and a half years of treatment whilst in remission, he relapsed.

“Our lives were left shattered. It’s hard even to find words to express the mental anguish our family faced through this time and its lasting effect.

“We waited months to see if Joe could find an eligible donor, as his only chance of recovery was a bone marrow transplant. Thankfully one was found, and with another six months in an isolation ward, we have got him home again.

“The worry and hospital visits never go away, but charities like this support families and help kids understand that it isn’t their fault and that it’s ok to be scared.”

This event aims to raise awareness about the challenges families face when a child is diagnosed with cancer. 

The Alan Partridge Charity Quiz will be written by the legendary Neil Gibbons – one half of the Gibbons brothers, the duo best known for working on several Alan Partridge projects as well as Veep and The Witchfinder.

Every ticket purchased and every donation given ensures that Young Lives vs Cancer can continue its vital mission to stand alongside families, offering support and facing the challenges of childhood cancer together. 

It will take place at Freight Island from 7.30pm on Friday 2 February, and is 18+ only. Grab your tickets here.

So come along, grab a drink and get your Partridge heads on. Aha!

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Featured image: BBC

What's On

Rochdale will be hosting its FIRST EVER comedy festival later this year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s a comedy festival making its way to Rochdale for the first time ever, and it’s taking place over 10 days this autumn.

Rochdale is preparing for barrels of laughter, as the borough is about to host a comedy festival as part of its events programme for being crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025-26.

The line-up features some well-renowned names in the comedy world, many of whom have received awards and recognition along the way.

You can expect appearances from Lou Conran, who features as a regular support act for Sarah Millican, Tez Ilyas, from ‘Man Like Mobeen’, and TV comedy legend Mick Miller. There’s even some Britain’s Got Talent alumni in the form of last year’s finalist Alex Mitchell and 2017 semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.

Tez Ilyaz and Lou Conran are just two of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
Tez Ilyaz and Lou Conran are just two of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
Tez Ilyaz, Lou Conran and Brennan Reece are just some of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied

Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Monahan will be performing along with English comedian of the year Rob Mullholland, Aaron Wood – named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the 12 rising comedy stars to see at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, and comedy musician Alex Camp. 

The lineup also includes Robin Ince, co-host and creator of Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage, and a whole host of other stand-up acts who are all gearing up ready to make Rochdale giggle.

“Us northerners are famous for our sense of humour and there’s a big appetite for comedy,” commented Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.

Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Mick Miller / Credit: Supplied
Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Daisy Earl / Credit: Supplied

“I’m happy to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

“It will bring together communities and give new comedians a chance to shine.” 

So whether you’re in need of a cheer up, or you’re a comedy aficionado, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to crack a smile at Rochdale Comedy Festival, as it’s happening across 10 days from 26 September to 5 October in various venues across the Greater Manchester borough. 

Book tickets and view the full-line up HERE. 

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Featured Images – Supplied (via Publicity Pictures)

What's On

Salford Red Devils supporters group outline plans for the next major protest march

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Salford Red Devils supporters trust, The 1873, have outlined details of their next major march in protest over the club’s well-publicised ownership troubles and financial crisis.

The fan group, which has mobilised on multiple occasions already this year, is set to hit the streets once again this month and in larger numbers than ever, confirming another big demonstration before their next home game this weekend.

Sharing the update with fellow Red Devils on social media, 1837 leaders are demanding “truth and accountability from the top” ahead of the peaceful protest through Salford.

They have dubbed the event ‘The Last Rally’, but we can only assume there’ll be more fan action as the weeks and possibly months of uncertainty continue.

As you can see, The 1837 are calling for like-minded supporters to rally outside another nearby amateur rugby league football team, Salford City Roosters, before marching on to a second meeting point and, ultimately, the Salford Community Stadium.

Starting in Eccles, with a stop at Barley Farm, before arriving at their club’s home ground in Barton-upon-Irwell, the plan is to gather as much awareness, support and local attention as possible.

Writing in the caption of the above post, they added: “We’ve dominated headlines. We’ve exposed bad ownership. We’ve stood together.

“A history worth fighting for. A future worth protecting. Our last chance to be heard. Don’t stay silent. Make it count.”

Following a recent meeting of the RFL and the two Greater Manchester Mayors, Andy Burnham and Paul Dennett, Salford Red Devils were given somewhat of an even further stay of execution, as it was confirmed that their ‘winding up’/administration deadline has now been adjourned until October.

Nevertheless, the majority of fans are still being kept in the dark about the exact and up-to-date nature of their rugby league club’s situation at present.

Back in June, it looked like new investors could very well still be injecting vital funds to keep key players and staff on the books, but jump to now, and it looks like they don’t know if even things like the big screen even belong to them much longer.

Once again, the march and peaceful protest will take place this Friday, 19 September, prior to the next fixture against Wakefield Trinity.

Getting points on the board will no doubt be a big plus for all, but the game looks like it will very much serve as the backdrop to the wider ongoing saga.

Are you a Red Devils fan, and if so, will you be attending the demonstration? Better still, even if not, what do you make of the circumstances surrounding your side at the moment?

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Featured Images — Ben Whitehurst (supplied via X)

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