BRADFORD'S UK City of Culture 2025 bid has been given heavyweight backing by a district-born wrestling star.

Luke Menzies, better known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar Ridge Holland, is backing the city's quest for the title.

Bradford is one of eight longlisted places from around the UK who submitted a final bid to the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) last month. This application included what events Bradford plans to hold throughout the year if it is chosen.

 

Menzies, who was born in Liversedge, has not only backed the bid but added about his love of where he grew up, which he says has shaped him into the person he is today.

He is currently one of the rising stars of the WWE, appearing on their weekly Friday Night Smackdown TV show, where he is teaming up with fellow superstar Sheamus.

Menzies, a former rugby league star with clubs including Batley Bulldogs, is fully behind Bradford's bid and says he enjoys flying the flag for the city and Yorkshire in his global role as a wrestler.

He said: "Of course I would support Bradford being the City of Culture. I will sign my name to it. I hope they get it.

It's a melting pot of cultures. Why not Bradford?

"There are tons of cultures mingling together. That's what makes Bradford, Bradford, right?

"It has lots going for it. I will sign my name to it.

"Send me over a City of Culture T-shirt and I will rock it."

Bradford is waiting to see if it will get chosen as the location for the City of Culture 2025 accolade.

The other longlisted locations are: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon; Cornwall; County Durham; Derby; Southampton; Stirling and Wrexham County Borough.

An independent panel of judges is reviewing the bid submissions and up to four places will be shortlisted this month.

Judges will then visit the shortlisted cities next month and in May before announcing the winner at the end of May.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Menzies also gave his memories of playing rugby league in Birkenshaw and for the Bradford Bulls academy and going to Odsal Stadium.

He added: "It was always rugby league for me. As a kid I was a Bradford Bulls fan and I played for their academy.

"My grandparents were from Bradford, spending Sunday dinners there. They lived in Birkenshaw.

"It has shaped who I am really. I miss the people, the sense of humour and things like that."