TV star leaves fans disappointed

TV star Stuart Manning didn't make it to his guest appearance at the Wheatsheaf Library

Fans of ‘I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!’ star Stuart Manning were left disappointed today (Saturday 19 December), when he didn’t make it to his meet and greet session in the Wheatsheaf Library.

The star, best known for playing Russ Owen in the Channel 4 teen soap Hollyoaks was due to appear in the library at 1.30pm to meet fans and sign autographs, however, due to illness he didn’t make it.

At 2.00pm Mr Manning still hadn’t arrived and restless shoppers began to leave the queue, library staff said that he had been delayed on his journey from Nottingham and the weather had slowed him down.

At 2.15pm the fans that had remained in the queue were told that the actor and model wouldn’t be coming because he had pulled over at a service station on the motorway due to illness.

Those who had waited in the queue were very disappointed that Mr Manning hadn’t turned up, one girl commented that she thought it was all "a con to make the library look good".

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council, said: "Unfortunately Stuart Manning had to cancel his appearance at the last minute due to ill health.

"We are sorry for the disappointment caused, however, we will be ensuring that fans who came to see him get a personalised signed photograph."