Middleton pub The Gate Inn to temporarily change its name to The Clara Amfo Arms, in dedication to DJ Clara Amfo
The Gate Inn in Middleton has announced to the nation that it is to have a change of name, in honour of a Radio 1 DJ.
Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ Greg James gave pub managers Ray and Angie Hindley a phone call live on air today saying that their son Jack had offered their hostelry up to be renamed as The Clara Amfo Arms.
Clara is a Radio 1 DJ probably best known for competing last year on Strictly Come Dancing.
Unbeknownst to his parents, Jack, who lives in the pub and works in insurance, had heard that Clara would like a pub named after her, so thought his parents' pub, at which they are tenants, would be perfect.
Angie, Jack's mum said: "Clara Amfo has said she was disappointed that a pub in Bulgaria she was named after was fictitious and that she'd love to have one named after herself.
"Jack texted Radio 1 and suggested The Gate. He said we wouldn't mind. Maybe she (Clara Amfo) will turn up here and have her Peggy Mitchell moment saying 'get outta my pub'."
Landlord Ray, said he was bemused by all the attention. He said: "I turned the radio on and there was Jack on Radio 1. We will be changing the name just for a week."
Angie said: "It's just a little bit of fun. Radio1 are arranging a sign to send. It's just a sleepy little pub, and as Ray is known as the grumpy landlord Jack and his mates are finding this hysterical. They are saying it will put Middleton on the map."