Our kind of town
Made
FROM footballers to reality stars and musicians to comedians, Manchester is a popular destination for celebrities to visit - whether for a weekend away or to work.
But what about those who love the area so much, they’ve made it their home after shooting to fame?
Brian McFadden
Former Westlife star Brian McFadden has lived in Rochdale since 2017.
He met his fiancée, Danielle Parkinson, in Manchester through mutual friends and previously told the M.E.N. he considers Rochdale his ‘first home.’
The 41-year-old Irish singer and TV personality said: “It’s perfect for me because I’m a Manchester United supporter and I enjoy playing golf in Manchester.”
In May, the couple welcomed ‘miracle’ baby girl Ruby Jean McFadden.
McFadden and Parkinson, who teaches PE at a Rochdale school, revealed last year that they were expecting after suffering two miscarriages.
McFadden, who is one half of the singing duo Boyzlife with former Boyzone member Keith Duffy, also has two daughters, Molly, 20, and Lilly-Sue, 18, from his marriage to former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona.
Alexander O’Neal
R&B legend Alexander O’Neal, 67, moved to Manchester from America in 2017.
He made the move to the city centre from Minnesota with his wife, Cynthia, and has been spotted out cycling and enjoying walks while taking in the sights.
He previously told the M.E.N: “Coming to Manchester and being part of the city, my manager told me that I would love it.
“I’ve been here several times before but never lived here and guess what? I love it.
“I’m even loving the weather because we love that overcast weather and rain. People here are so friendly.”
O’Neal’s 1987 album Hearsay, including the classic hit singles
Criticize and Fake, was re-mastered and re-recorded with new vocals and a nine-piece band in Manchester, and released in late 2018.
Gorka Marquez
The stars who have
Professional dancer Gorka Marquez, 31, lives in Manchester with his fiancée Gemma Atkinson, 36, and daughter Mia.
Marquez, from Bilbao in Spain, joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. A year later he met former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale star Atkinson, from Bury, on the show.
Despite not being partnered together, the pair grew close. Months later, they confirmed rumours that they were dating.
The couple moved in together in Manchester a year after meeting on Strictly.
Gemma gave birth to their daughter Mia in July 2019.
And in 2020, the pair moved into their ‘dream’ Manchester home.
The beautiful modern family property is proving to be a stylish yet practical home for Mia and their pet dogs Norman and Ollie.
Atkinson recently shared a clip of the family home on Instagram, as part of ‘behind the scenes’ footage from a photoshoot for her latest book.
It shows her and Mia measuring ingredients into a blender in their chic kitchen, with two ovens, a built-in microwave and a built-in coffee machine in the background.
Lucy Spraggan
Last month, former X Factor star Lucy Spraggan announced her move to Manchester.
Alongside photos of her stylish new flat, she posted about starting a ‘brand new chapter’ of her life.
She said: “I am back in the city I adore knowing that this is the first place I’ve ever moved for *me.*”
Lucy lives in the city with her Boston Terrier, Steve.
The singer-songwriter, 30, has also been enjoying Manchester’s food scene - she posted a photo of herself with a huge slice of pizza at Escape to Freight Island.
“I moved to this city to eat giant pizza and I have not been let down,” she joked on Instagram.
Molly-Mae Hague
Love Island runner-up Molly-Mae
Hague, 22, moved into a flat in Ancoats with partner and fellow Love Island star Tommy Fury, 21, in 2015.
The reality star, originally from Hertfordshire, said: “[Manchester is] very much where all the fast fashion brands are based, the locations here for pictures are great and a lot of my friends live up here and I wanted to start afresh.
“I wanted an apartment where I was proud to bring friends home to and I think in London I couldn’t afford something that was a nice apartment. London is so expensive.
“In Manchester you can get a bit more for your money. I love it up here.”
Hague and boxing champion Fury eventually moved into a stunning Trafford flat.
However it was recently burgled while the pair were away.