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.
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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
The inspiration behind this charitable endeavour is the courageous journey of Joe, the son of Andy Jane, a friend of Freight Island.
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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.
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“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.
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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!
The full 2026 MOBOs Fringe programme for the first-ever awards in Manchester has been revealed
Danny Jones
Now the BRITs have been and gone, it’s time to switch our focus to the next big awards show: the 2026 MOBOs, which is also coming to Manchester for the very first time, and they’re bringing the popular Fringe event along with it.
Get ready for more big showbiz hustle and bustle to hit the city centre before you know it; we, for one, are so ready.
Similar to the aforementioned BRIT Awards, the MOBOs also hold a regular ‘Fringe’ music, arts and cultural festival with each annual edition.
You can see the full range of this year’s largely free-to-attend MOBOs Fringe lineup and the extensive schedule in its entirety down below.
Manchester, it’s your time.
The full #MOBOFringe 2026 programme is here – nine days of music, culture, panels, parties and showcases across the city ahead of the #MOBOAwards on 26 March.
As you can see, there’s a lot on the cards this year, with different activities and activations happening all over central Manchester.
Featuring everything from exclusive live sets, sport and other entertainment, to various selectors and even a creative summit, it’s jam-packed with countless aspects beyond just that music that help make the industry as a whole tick.
Venues involved include The Whitworth Gallery, faithful Green Island Festival partners, the Niamos Centre, multi-purpose bars and events spaces like Side Street and Renae, as well as important music venues like The Deaf Institute and Aviva Studios – a.k.a. the home of Factory International.
Each hosting a variety of different dates over the course of its nearly week-long duration ahead of the MOBO Awards themselves, there’s something for everyone and anyone interested not just in Black music and entertainment but Black-British culture and more.
For instance, we already heard about the exclusive basketball match between Manchester and a fellow European competitor, and tickets are live as we speak. You can see the full Fringe programme in more detail online.
Running from Thursday 19 to Tuesday 24 March, the event week is shaping up to be a cracker.
As for the inaugural Manc MOBOs ceremony at Co-op Live, it gets underway just a couple of days later on the following Thursday (26 Mar).
serving as the perfect way to close the Fringe and this year’s edition as a whole.
Tickets for the MOBO Awards Manchester debut are live as we speak, with general admission prices starting from less than £30. You can grab yours HERE.
As for those expected to be in attendance, the likes of Olivia Dean and local rapper Aitch have already been confirmed for the live music lineup, and to see the full list of nominees, look no further…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via MOBO Awards)
What's On
The Christie cancer patients’ artwork to be displayed at Manchester’s new Banksy-inspired exhibition
Emily Sergeant
Cancer patients will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their artwork exhibited in Manchester this month.
The Christie Charity has partnered with the upcoming immersive exhibition, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind – which is opening down at Depot Mayfield this week, making its UK debut – meaning that patients currently being treated at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust will have a chance to prove just how powerful and transformative art can be.
The Christie has been invited to showcase a selection of artwork, all with the aim of highlighting the role art plays in supporting cancer patients.
The new exhibition – which is set to celebrate the powerful, visual storytelling associated with Banksy – will feature more than 200 Banksy-inspired works under one roof, and the Christie patients’ pieces will now accompany them.
At present, The Christie is the only hospital in the UK that offers a dedicated art service for patients.
Funded by The Christie Charity, the hospital provides a relaxed and welcoming space for patients between treatments.
The Christie cancer patients’ artwork to be displayed at Manchester’s new Banksy-inspired exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Led by artist in residence Pat Mountford and supported by volunteers, the art sessions are informal, accessible, and open to all – with no previous artistic experience required to join, and patients being given the option to drop-in as and when they choose.
The art room offers patients a place to unwind during what is often of the most challenging period of their lives, as through painting, drawing, and collaborative projects with one another, they’re encouraged to explore their creativity and take time away from the clinical environment.
“Art has an extraordinary ability to help people process what they’re going through,” commented Pat Mountford.
“For many patients, the art room becomes a place of calm, creativity and connection at a time when life can feel overwhelming. Seeing their work showcased in a public exhibition is incredibly empowering.”
Visitors to the exhibition will also have the opportunity to bid on the Christie patient artwork.
A QR code displayed alongside the artwork will allow members of the public to place bids, with all proceeds supporting fundraising efforts for the Total Body PET-CT Scanner. Additional pieces created by patients will be displayed throughout The Christie’s hospital corridors and will also be available to bid on as part of the auction.
The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind is set to open this Friday 13 March and will run through to 5 July 2026 at Depot Mayfield.
Tickets are now on sale, with standard adult tickets starting at £22, children under six going free, and a range of concession tickets also available for 7-16 year olds, seniors, and all NHS workers to benefit from.
Isabella Norrison -
25th January 2024 
