Last modified on Tue 13 Jul 2021 02.10 EDT
In the early 90s, Manchesterâs cultural revolution was in full swing. âEverything was thriving,â remembers actor, writer and comedian John Thomson who grew up in Preston before studying drama at Manchester Polytechnic. Beyond the Haçienda, a comedy scene was growing in the cityâs pub rooms where Thomson made friends with Wythenshawe local Caroline Aherne. âIn Manchester at that time, there were a lot of funny people,â Thomson says. âCaroline was naturally funny.â
Aherneâs comic creation Mrs Merton, the elderly talk-show host treading the line between innocence and insult, had begun making appearances in the late 80s alongside Frank Sidebottom. Aherne was also performing as the Mitzi Goldberg Experience. âShe used to wear this awful acrylic, curly wig, and she put on a southern drawl. It was Dolly Parton of sorts,â Thomson recalls. âI think she had a guitar, but she couldnâ
One Foot in the Grave slapped with content warning over mild language
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Sheridan Smith shows off sexy new blonde look after splitting from fiance
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âWe didnât even really know the rules we were rebelling against,â says Ash Atalla, the showâs producer, who has since brought to life a raft of brilliant post-Office sitcoms, from People Just Do Nothing (a mockumentary about a crew of deeply misguided performers) to Stath Lets Flats (a lo-fi cringe-comedy revolving around a needy, socially inept man at work). âI was very inexperienced, Stephen and Ricky had never written anything before, so at the centre of the show were three people who, in terms of track record, had no right to be there.â
It was a good starting point from which to upend conventions, the first one being who was allowed to make sitcoms in the first place. âRicky being someone that wasnât trained and having this more punk attitude, that was an inspiration for us,â says Allan Mustafa, who plays MC Grindah in People Just Do Nothing. âWe thought: âOh, we could do something like this.ââ
Sheridan Smith Splits From Fiancé Jamie Horn After Three Years Together
The news comes one year after the couple welcomed a baby boy together.
Sheridan Smith has announced that she has split from her fiancé Jamie Horn after three years together.
The Bafta-winning star confirmed the news in a joint statement with the former insurance broker to The Sun on Sunday.
“It is with great sadness that we have decided to have some time apart,” the statement reads.
“We both remain completely committed to raising our beautiful boy Billy together. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time. Thank you.”