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!
Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Cllr Craig said that the return of Council-organised firework displays is ‘building up for a spectacular 2026.’
More information on their return is set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)
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Peter Kay announces final Manchester show on historic run – with all profits going to cancer charities
Daisy Jackson
Peter Kay has announced some final arena shows, including one in Manchester, and he’s donating all profits to cancer charities.
The Bolton-born comedy legend will be playing one more night at the AO Arena as well as extra dates at The O2 in London, The First Direct Arena in Leeds, and plenty more.
What sets these arena shows apart from his record-breaking run, which has seen him sell out arenas for four years now, is that all the profits will be going straight to charity.
Peter Kay has pledged that ‘every single penny’ from his final dates will be going to 12 leading cancer charities.
These will include Children With Cancer UK, the Teenage Cancer Trust, plus charities dedicated to 10 different types of adult cancer.
Peter Kay holds the record as the only artist in the world to have performed a monthly residency at the O2, and has performed more than 100 shows on this tour in his hometown, at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The star made the announcement on BBC’s The One Show this evening.
Speaking of the announcement, he said: “It’s been the greatest privilege of my life to perform for audiences up and down the country.
“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support over the years, and it feels right to give something back. Every single penny of profit from these final shows will go to help fight cancer and support those affected.
Peter Kay announces final Manchester show on historic run – with all profits going to cancer charities
“Unfortunately, just about everyone knows someone who’s been affected by one of the cancers on that list.
“I really hope people can get behind this – come out, have a great night, share a few laughs, and do something good for charity at the same time. It’s a win–win.
“You don’t even have to like me – raising money for these twelve charities goes far beyond that. Together, we really can make a difference.”
Peter Kay will perform one more night at the AO Arena Manchester on Saturday 8 August 2026.
Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Sunday 30 November HERE.
The cancer charities Peter Kay will donate his final profits to are:
Isabella Norrison -
25th January 2024 
