BHX ATC - Slightly weird

[Gonzo]

I think radar707 was asking whether the Manch controller had put you on a heading, or were you on own nav?

I believe I recall correctly, that on first contact with an inbound aircraft, an approach radar unit will give the type of approach (In my training it was either; "ABCxxx, vectoring ILS approach runway 26" or "ABCxxx, vectoring SRA approach runway 26"). This is not a new clearance. As has been said above, if I hadn't given you a heading to fly, then I'd expect you to enter the hold at the fix you were flying towards.

There was no reason to take up the hold

With all due respect, how would you know if that was the case?