Cold Feet sparks Manchester vs Birmingham row over UK’s second city

Cold Feet returned after 13 years to rave reviews last week, but has now managed to alienate Birmingham on only its second run out.

And as Brummie viewers will tell you, that’s quite a big deal, given their status as the UK’s second city…

Angela makes the gaffe while talking to James and Eddie (ITV)

The Manchester-set comedy drama included a scene in last night’s episode where Adam’s (James Nesbitt) new wife Angela (Karen David) was talking to her father (Art Malik) about moving to the city from Singapore, and referred to it as the UK’s second city.

People from Birmingham were outraged.

Woman on Cold Feet just said Manchester was Britain's second city. Cue everyone from Birmingham shouting 'no it's not!' at the tv.

— Laura (@RebelOtter) September 12, 2016

That's everyone from Birmingham fuming then! #coldfeet #brumISsecondcity

— Andrea Calverley (@mamacalv1) September 12, 2016

Manchester isn't the second city, Birmingham is! #coldfeet #itv us brummies hate it when people say that âð»

— Bonnie Cookson (@TheBonsta) September 12, 2016

Of course, it then kicked off a Brummies vs Mancs online war.

Only people from Birmingham think that, it's nothing to do with size, all about the history and the people #ColdFeet https://t.co/0FmapkfHcp

— Sally (@_Sa11y_) September 12, 2016

Birmingham might be the 2nd city (for now, Northern Powerhouse imminent) but Manchester is the best! #ColdFeet

— MaisyMooCow (@MaisyMooCow) September 12, 2016

Birmingham did get a mention later when Art’s character Eddie Zubayr turned up with a takeaway at Karen’s (Hermione Norris) house, declaring Manchester as having the “best baltis this side of Birmingham” – but it was too little, too late for the Brummies.