Issue 1196

14 Aug 2017
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About this issue: Overview

As modern day renaissance man Peter Serafinowicz suits up for superhero comedy The Tick, Dan Whitehead talks to the Liverpool actor and comedian about a career that’s also included voiceovers, directing music videos – and trying to get a sitcom commissioned for 10 years

A regeneration battle is brewing in Rochdale over plans to demolish some of the town’s estates, including the famous Seven Sister. Alex Turner hears from both sides of the divide.

If you want to break the record for the world’s oldest skydiver you now have to be more than 100 years old. Sophie Haydock meets record holder Verdun Hayes, 101 not out.

Broadcaster Richard Attenborough made an annual pilgrimage to France to collect Picasso’s ceramics, which he then encouraged visitors to use as ashtrays. Now some of them are on display in York – minus the ash.

Columnist Ali Schofield made national headlines when she complained about an ad for private cancer healthcare sent to her with an NHS chemotherapy appointment letter. In her latest column she details the massive response she’s had – from politicians, doctors, nurses and more.

On our news pages you can hear from Manchester author Peter Morgan, a youth support worker whose debut novel about users of the drug spice is as revealing as any academic research.

Elsewhere, singer-songwriter Randy Newman writes a letter to his younger self, there’s our crossword and Sudoku, and the chance to win great Big Issue North merchandise – and much more.