We meet for the first time the residents of Harpurhey in Manchester, which 10 years ago was named the most deprived place in Britain. 18-year-old Amber Wakefield’s family run the local launderette. Amber’s just finished college and was facing the prospect of a summer stuck in the ‘Wishy Washy’. Instead, she’s booked a fun-filled holiday to Magaluf with eight of her mates including best-friend Codie, who spends so much time at Amber’s house she’s practically one of the family. For Amber, it’ll be her first holiday without her parents, and for Codie, her very first time abroad. Amber’s mum Karen is worried by all the things she’s heard about Magaluf, but the girls are more concerned with getting some drinking practice in with a pre-holiday night on the town. How will they fare on their Spanish sunfest? At the heart of the local area is Harpurhey Market, where we meet Jamie, 19, a discount DVD trader with a bit of a reputation as a ladies man. Two nights ago, Jamie unexpectedly proposed to his on/off girlfriend, Lucy. But Jamie’s mum is worried that her son doesn’t love really Lucy, and warns Jamie can’t be trusted to stay faithful. Can a leopard change its spots? A mile down the road from the Wishy Washy launderette is a local newsagent owned by 26-year-old David and his boyfriend, also called David. By day, David works behind the shop counter, but by night, David transforms into his drag queen alter ego, Diana Dior. Diana’s a regular on the gay scene in Central Manchester, but David’s never dared to introduce her to the local community. Now he’s decided it's time for Diana to stop hiding above the newsagent. What will the locals make of Diana when she stages a drag show in a local pub?
Three miles north of the city centre is a little-known Manchester suburb called Harpurhey. Ten years ago it was labelled the most deprived neighbourhood in England, but there's a lot more to life around here than government statistics. In this six-part documentary series, a vibrant mix of feisty, witty and headstrong young people show us what it's really like growing up the hard way. We catch up with 18-year-old Amber and the rest of the Wakefield family - mum Karen, stepdad Paul and sister Maddy - who own the Wishy Washy launderette, where customers have been causing mischief by using the bin as a toilet and stealing wall decorations. Amber receives an offer of a place at university to study acting, but is dreading the idea of moving away from her family - and having to do her own laundry. Will she follow her dream of going to drama school? We also meet Dale, 19, whose desperate search for fame and fortune has seen him try his hand at presenting his own internet radio show and club promotion by hosting a night in town. Now he has got his next amateur boxing fight coming up. Will he be able to go three rounds in the ring or will his 'man about town' lifestyle get in the way of boxing success? A couple of miles south of the launderette we meet 19-year-old single mum Nicola, who finds surviving on £82 benefits per week a struggle. Her turbulent relationship with her mum is at breaking point and she dreams of a better life for herself and her daughter. Could moving away be the answer? Finally, 21-year-old Ryan has just completed a four-week sentence at Strangeways Prison after breaking the terms of a restraining order taken out by his ex-girlfriend. He became a dad nearly a year ago, but due to his prison sentence he has only seen his daughter twice in the past month. Ryan is unemployed, but dreams of leaving the area and making it big as a rapper. As he prepares for a headline performance at an upcoming rap battle, can MCing be a ticket to a better lif
The Wakefield household becomes even noisier when the family's dogs have puppies.
Young mum Sherelle is determined to stay out of trouble for the sake of her son Kayrelle.
Jamie is convinced drag queen Belinda Scandal can him become a singer.
The Wakefields call in the ghost hunters to deal with their resident poltergeist.
Job hunter Sade always dresses to impress. Mo believes that his body is his temple. Becky and Louise are looking for love against the odds.
Pete attempts to make it in the world of pro wrestling. Sade decides that she wants a career in law. Kevin and Keri are attempting to build a new life together, but their baby is facing life-threatening surgery.
Josh is manning up to become a referee. Pete the wrestler is under pressure to impress. Elsewhere Sarah, who runs a community garden, is having trouble with the residents.
In this episode we meet Charlie from the chip shop. He wants to swap life in Chelmsley Wood for Hollywood. Elsewhere we meet Gareth who wants to make it as an actor however with a life-changing audition approaching he will have to battle with his weight to win first. We will also meet teenage mum Sophie who is reluctant to leave her Mum and Dad's home.
