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
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Family-friendly LGBTQ+ festival returns to Manchester Pride 2026
Danny Jones
Exactly what it says on the tin, Proud Fest returns to Manchester for 2026, promising plenty of fun for all ages away from the main hustle and bustle this summer.
Best part of all? It’s completely FREE.
Taking place in the heart of the city centre, it offers a viable alternative to many who want to avoid the major crowds that flock to Gay Village’s Pride party every year.
Just the second year that this LGBTQIA+ festival has been set up, making its colourful debut in 2025, there’ll be everything from live music, games and other interactive opportunities for all ages, arts and crafts, plus workshops and plenty more; there’s something for everyone here.
Championing “entertainment, family-friendly activities, music, creativity, and plenty of Pride spirit”, the 2026 edition of Proud Fest is set to be one of the biggest ever.
Based around Great Northern Warehouse just off Deansgate and Peter Street, it’s set to be hosted by drag queen ‘Aida H Dee’, as well as Sara Gosney-Hughes, best-known for her travel expertise and work as a broadcaster and producer at nearby station Hits Radio.
With both calling Manchester home, alongside lots of other organisers behind the free festivities, you can expect plenty of hometown passion and pride – pun very much intended.
Set up in partnership with Proud 2 b Parents (P2bP), mums, dads and more will also be able to enjoy the official Pride parade from a viewing area in the dedicated Community Hall, where they’ll get a perfect spot to watch the floats and performers go down the strip.
Canal Street is already gearing up for those sublime, sun-soaked evenings at the end of August.
Speaking ahead of the latest iteration of the annual festival, Founder and CEO of P2bP, Matt Taylor-Roberts, told us in a statement: “Proud Fest is about creating the spaces many of us wished existed when we first became parents.
“It’s a celebration of LGBTQ+ families in all their diversity and a reminder that every family deserves to feel seen, supported and celebrated.”
At its core, this is about creating a safe and friendly option for families to still feel connected to the queer community and play their part in the wider celebrations.
You can grab your completely complimentary tickets right HERE.
And if you’re looking for other great days out for the family in Manchester this summer, there’s another free event happening at Circle Square earlier in the month.
Emily Sergeant -
6th January 2021 
