It's officially September, and that means that the festive season is practically round the corner and we can start thinking about Christmas.
GREAT! movies christmas is the UK's biggest seasonal channel, and it's back "earlier than ever" this year, reports The Manc.
If you’re in need a little help getting into the festive spirit this year, then, by all accounts, it sounds like the return of the TV channel that charmed audiences in 2021 will do just that.
Image: Universal Pictures
But whether or not you feel it’s too early to be thinking about Christmas at this point, it’ll soon be too tricky to escape from – and especially not when there’s a free TV channel showing festive film favourites non-stop set to launch in the UK next week.
You heard that right – Christmas films, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
The 24-hour, feel-good and free-to-air channel will be bursting with non-stop Christmas spirit from Thursday 8 September 2022.
Image: Universal Pictures
They will be showing a heartwarming lineup of festive films – including some absolute fan-favourite classics that make it to screens every year without fail, alongside some cheesy Hallmark classics, new channel premieres, and so much more.
“Let’s face it – it’s never too early for Christmas,” the broadcaster claimed.
As well as a “sparkling lineup of Yuletide delights”, there’ll also be themed days too, such as ‘A Romantic Christmas’ and ‘Santa Sunday’.
Image: 20th Century Studios
GREAT! movies christmas will be temporarily replacing GREAT! movies classic, and will be free to watch on Freeview 52, Sky 319, Virgin 424, and Freesat 303.
It’ll be on air right through until Monday 2 January 2023 and we cannot wait to get into the festive spirit.
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? Well, this might just be your calling then.
The BBC is, once again, casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show draws in thousands of viewers each week, and now producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea for the next seried – and that includes Yorkshire residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic people from Yorkshire are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
Adventurous Mancs are needed to take part in the next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, ‘the physical journey is only half of the story’. That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the next series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 29 March 2026, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at TESTBED in February from from Thursday 12 to Sunday 22 specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
Clementine Hall -
1st September 2022 
