Bongo’s Bingo is kick-starting the new year by hosting its very own talent show that you can stream right to your living room this weekend.
As the reality of the new national lockdown is starting to sink in, it’s fair to say that 2021 is, so far, a continuation of 2020, and with precious few highlights to cherish in what has truly been an incredibly challenging 10 months for everyone, being cooped up again across the UK is a sobering thought.
But fear not, as Jonny Bongo and the Bongo’s Bingo team are launching a brand new and completely-free show this Saturday 9th January at 8pm on Twitch, which is set to be brimming with chaos, magic and mayhem for some already much-needed escapism.
Get ready for Bongo’s Got Talent.
You many remember it was Bongo’s Bingo’s initial run of live shows on Twitch in April and May, which saw millions of people tuning in as the wildly-successful and experiential concept reached out to the nation and beamed straight to the comfort of their own homes.
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And now the search is on for the UK’s most talented dancers, singers, magicians, stand-ups, gymnasts, onion eaters, egg headers, or something completely unique.
The viewers will help pick their favourite talent alongside Jonny, Rich Furness and a special guest judge, and the lucky winner will bag themselves a feast Bongo’s Bingo prizes, including everything from a Henry Hoover, a giant pink fluffy unicorn and a Disney princess set, to tickets to a Bongo’s Bingo summer show of your choice and even a whopping £500 cash.
This is completely free to enter and watch on Twitch, and each Saturday during the lockdown, there will be a Bongo’s Bingo show on Twitch to get the nation entertained.
Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Bongo’s Bingo continuously sold out shows in over 40 UK locations and more around the world, often seeing dates fully booked-up in advance and coming close to selling two million tickets – and it will be back.
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But for now, sit back and strap in for Bongo’s Got Talent.
Bongo’s Bingo
To enter yourself into this year’s Bongo’s Got Talent, all you have to do is:
Record a video in landscape mode.
Tell them your name and a little bit about yourself.
Reveal what talent you’ll be performing and take it away.
Then email your entry to [email protected] by 11am on Saturday 9th January.
You can tune in this Saturday at 8pm via the Bongo’s Bingo Twitch platform here.
What's On
Manchester favourites hosting a heartwarming festive social for those alone this Christmas
Danny Jones
Beloved Manchester bar and cafe, Haunt, have announced that they will be hosting a special social to spread some much-needed seasonal cheer to those who are spending Christmas apart from their families and/or friends this year.
Wholesome stuff from a wholesome bunch.
That’s right, friendly neighbourhood ghosts Haunt will be putting on a little free shindig for the 2025 festive period in an effort not only to share the typical kindness with locals based in and around the city centre but to help create “a sense of community, no matter what your situation”.
Announcing the completely open-to-the-public Christmas Eve party over the weekend, the team are looking to provide those who might otherwise be lonely or struggle during the holidays with a warm, arms-wide welcome, plus plenty more.
Writing on their social media account this past Sunday, bar manager JJ said: “People, it’s time to connect this Christmas! We will be providing free coffee and sweet treats from 12-5pm on Christmas Eve, as well as some games and workshops.
“We’ve put a lot of work into this, so it would be amazing to see as many of you there as possible! Also need this to reach the people that need an event like this most, so please share and repost.
“As always, look out for your people, I wouldn’t be anywhere without mine – JJ xoxo”
Come on, who doesn’t love seeing heartwarming stuff like this on their feed, especially when it comes to a time of year where so many suffer quietly amid the majority having a good time?
This isn’t the first time they’ve held a pop-up that’s caught our attention in 2025, either; it was only last month that we were surprised to stumble on a mini padel court in the middle of the room.
Once again, there’ll be brews and fresh bakes, as well as plenty of other activities to keep people entertained on the night.
As described in their post, Christmas can be tough for a lot of people, and if they can make even just one person looking for some kindness and companionship feel better for a few hours this year, then they’ll have done above and beyond their job.
It goes without saying that we love seeing local businesses taking the social and community side of their work like this to heart and putting in serious effort to make a difference.
Well done to JJ, the Chosen Family support group, and everyone at Haunt for setting this up; if you know anyone who might be interested in coming along, please do pass on the information.
You can grab your free tickets via Eventbrite right HERE, and maybe we’ll see some of you there.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Haunt (via Instagram)
What's On
The full lineup for the Strictly Live tour has been revealed
Danny Jones
Yes, ballroom lovers, it’s here: the full lineup of dancers for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing Live’ tour has finally and officially been revealed.
It feels like fans have been waiting ages to find out the entire roster for the Strictly Live tour next year, with only limited waves having been released thus far.
However, the patience has paid off, and we now know who’ll be starring both on the stage and on down on the floors of some of Britain’s most beloved venues, including our very own AO Arena.
You can see the latest raft of additions down below.
As you can see, the final four couples who complete the next Strictly Live tour lineup for 2026 are social media personality George Clarke, Emmerdale face Lewis Cope, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and another actor in Layton Williams.
This quality quartet will be paired up with Alexis Warr, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley and Nikita Kuzmin, respectively; it has already been confirmed that much-loved trio Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will be returning as judges, with Janette Manrara remaining as host.
Strictly‘s still ongoing season – the 23rd in the show’s history – is due to conclude this weekend, following the final on Saturday night (20 December), and it remains to be seen which of the current cast will be crowned champion, with several of those above and below now signed up for the live tour.
The rest of the Strictly Live dancers for 2026 here:
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka ‘Nitro’
Alex Kingston
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Balvinder Sopal
George Clarke
La Voix
Chris Robshaw
Ellie Goldstein
Thomas Skinner
Vicky Pattison
Stefan Dennis
Ross King
Karen Carney
Lewis Cope
Amber Davies
It isn’t guaranteed that each of these contestants will be taking part in EVERY single one of the tour dates, but either way, you’ve still got ‘The Professionals’ to come next spring, too.
The annual Strictly Come Dancing UK tour has become a firm fan favourite, not only among die-hard viewers of the BBC show but lovers of live entertainment in general.
Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and others confirmed the dates for their live shows earlier this year, with the AO set to host the two days’ worth of moves across Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February.
Hosting both normal evening shows as well as matinee slots, it’s simply up to you at what time of day you fancy panto-booing Craig…
If you’re interested in securing tickets for the typically fabulous festivals, you can grab yours HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
6th January 2021 
