By the time he was in secondary school he was sniffing aerosols, smoking weed and doing harder drugs. He also started struggling with bulimia, a battle he would endure for 20 years. Shinny has a number of high profile fans. Tina Malone from Shameless and Happy Mondays star Bez feature in the video for the Christmas single – and he’s been on BBC Radio Manchester too. The film follows his life from a youngster on the streets of Manchester to playing for Leeds Rhinos, becoming the undercard for Joe Calzaghe as a professional boxer, and being the lead singer of Salford band Hanky Park before struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. My mum used to live in fear of getting THAT phone call,” said Davenport, who played rugby league for Leeds Rhinos and Salford Reds, as well as fighting on the same bill as Joe Calzaghe at the MEN Arena.

Since then, THe SHINNy SHOw LIVe has grown into The RECOVERy Channel, with hosts including fitness and mental health advocates, such as Manuel Benages, founder of mental health charity Get Fit 4 Mental Wellness and inspirational speaker. Salford Star Live Editor, Ian Leslie, applauds SHINNy's 'heart-on-the-sleeve openness when discussing his demons', as he acclaims the 'actor, mentor, musician andformer sportsman' a worthy winner of this Star Award. This year’s Official Christmas Number 1 race begins Friday 16 December with the cut-off point for sales and streams to be counted toward the chart being midnight on December 22. Now three years sober, James has turned to meditation and spirituality to help his recovery. As well as supporting several weekly Alcohol Anonymous groups, he is also writing a book, set to be published next summer, in which he will open up about the true story behind his recovery. It was whilst he was in rehab that he began writing songs and last year took on the charts with a song called Christmas Number 1.The former boxer eventually sought help for his issues and turned his life around in 2017. He now supports others with a recovery show online. I say it as it is,” he continued. “But many men especially feel like they can’t talk about their feelings and this needs to change.” He told us how he has battled addiction, turning to drugs and alcohol following a successful boxing career. The Salford Star closes tonight after 15 years of giving the community a voice, holding power to account and bigging up all the great things that have happened in the city. I’ve got a four-year plan,” he said. “This keeps me on the right path and I’m only getting better and better in training.

Whether they enjoy intense workouts, long afternoon walks or even just enjoying the comfort of their own home, it really doesn’t matter.Salford lad James Davenport – also known as Shinny – is a local star who speaks his mind. And not just because it’s World Mental Health Day, either. The film is being written and directed by award-winning director Chris Green, who has been in the business for more than 18 years since coming runner-up in the prestigious Northern Soul new writers competition. The 37-year-old father-of-two named his band after the Hanky Park area of Pendleton, which is now known as Salford Precinct. James Davenport had his life ruled by addiction for 35 years, ranging from food to drugs to sex. The problems started when the former boxer was just a child and spiralled as he grew older.