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Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher is voicing announcements on Manchester’s tram network this week. 

The Mancunian star will provide transport information to Metrolink passengers while the city hosts the Beyond The Music festival.

More than 100 artists will be performing at 17 venues across the city from Wednesday to Saturday – including a day of free concerts culminating in a secret gig.

A tram passes by The intu Trafford Centre in Manchester, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Manchester, Britain, June 8, 2020. REUTERS/Molly Darlington
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A tram passes by The intu Trafford Centre in Manchester in 2020

Gallagher’s announcements also mark the launch of the Bee Network – the first locally controlled bus service in nearly 40 years.

A spokesman for the musician said: “Liam’s doing his bit to get behind the festival and encourage people to get into the city and support new up-and-coming talent.

“When the request was first made by Bee Network champion Andy Burnham, Liam loved the idea of surprising tram users by doing the announcements, and he was given the chance to choose his favourite line. You’ll have to get onto a tram into the city to find out which it is.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “We are supporting it all the way and are confident that it will become a fixture in the city’s calendar.

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“True to Manchester’s traditions, Beyond The Music is a co-operative endeavour which aims to give all players in the music industry an equal voice and equal say on the change it needs.

“By doing that, our aim is to strengthen one of Manchester’s, and Britain’s, most important exports.

“There surely can’t be any better way of marking the launch of the Bee Network and the first Beyond The Music than getting one of Manchester’s most famous voices announcing the stops on his favourite Metrolink line.”

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Mr Burnham added: “It means a lot to us that Liam has agreed to do this and show his support for his home city.

“Supporting our music venues and giving people cheaper and better public transport to and from our gigs is what we’re all about.

“I am sure that Liam’s dulcet tones will wake up a few early-morning commuters, brighten up many a journey, and produce a lot of smiles along the way.”

The festival aims to highlight new music and grassroots venues and develop talent and infrastructure support.

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Woman arrested on suspicion of murder after death of two children in Stafford

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Woman arrested on suspicion of murder after death of two children in Stafford

A 43-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of two children in Stafford.

Police were called to a home on Corporation Street at around 7.30am on Sunday by West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Two children were pronounced dead at the scene, Staffordshire Police said.

Detective Inspector Kirsty Oldfield said: “We are working hard to understand more about what happened leading up to these two children tragically losing their lives.

“We ask that people do not speculate at this stage as it is distressing for family and friends and could hinder our inquiries.

“We understand that this incident may cause concern in the local community. We don’t believe there is wider threat to the public at this time.”

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The 43-year-old woman, who is from the Stafford area, remains in custody.

The force has not confirmed the ages of the two children. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers, police said.

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Man charged with stalking after allegedly targeting Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and his family

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Man charged with stalking after allegedly targeting Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and his family

A man has been charged with stalking and possession of a flick knife after allegedly targeting Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and his family.

Inigo Rowland, 58, of Surbiton, south London, was arrested last Monday, but it was only made public on Sunday.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody, the Met Police said.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between June and October.

Sir Ed, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton, lives in southwest London with his wife, Emily, their 17-year-old son John, and his younger sister Ellie.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “Inigo Rowland, 58, of Surbiton has been charged with stalking and possession of a flick knife.

“He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 7 October and was remanded into custody. He will next appear at the same court on Tuesday, 14 October.

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“He was arrested on Monday, 6 October in relation to the offences, which are alleged to have taken place between June and October.”

A Lib Dem spokesperson said: “We cannot provide any details at this time, Ed’s number one priority is the safety of his family.”

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Paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins dies after attack in prison

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Paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins dies after attack in prison

Paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has died after being attacked in prison.

Watkins, 48, was serving a 29-year jail term for multiple sexual offences, including serious crimes against young children and babies at HMP Wakefield, in West Yorkshire.

He was attacked with a knife by another inmate on Saturday morning, sources have confirmed.

West Yorkshire Police said two men, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A police van outside Wakefield prison. Pic: YappApp
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A police van outside Wakefield prison. Pic: YappApp

Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene after prison staff reported the assault to police.

The prison went into lockdown in the immediate aftermath of the incident, sources added.

A Prison Service spokesperson said they could not comment while the police investigate.

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Watkins was previously stabbed in an incident at the same prison in 2023, suffering non life-threatening injuries after he was reportedly taken hostage by three other inmates before being freed by prison officers six hours later.

He was sentenced in December 2013 to 29 years in prison, with a further six years on licence, after admitting 13 sex offences, including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby.

Watkins performing in 2004. Pic: PA
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Watkins performing in 2004. Pic: PA

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He also encouraged a second fan to abuse her child during a webcam chat and secretly stashed child sexual abuse videos, some of which he had made himself.

At the time, police described him as a “committed, organised paedophile”.

Having found fame in Welsh rock band Lostprophets, Watkins was arrested after his Pontypridd home was searched on orders of a drug warrant in September 2012.

A large number of computers, mobile phones and storage devices were seized during the search.

When sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court, the singer was told he was being given an extended sentence – and a judge said his crimes “plumbed new depths of depravity”.

After being caught with a mobile phone behind bars in 2019, he told a court that he was locked up with “murderers, mass murderers, rapists, paedophiles, serial killers – the worst of the worst”.

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