Wednesday 19 September 2012

Liberty Living bosses intervened in departure of halls boss

Former Liberty Quays manager Stephanie Triggs left after a series of failings at the student halls, it has emerged today.
In an exclusive story for the Medwire, a source at the university confirmed that management from Liberty Living, which owns the University of Kent halls in Gillingham, “could not risk” having Ms Triggs as a manager during the Welcome Weekend.
As new students settle in to the halls this week, we revealed last week that Liberty Quays was without a manager following Ms Triggs’ departure from site after just six months in the position, the second manager to leave in just a year.
The source confirmed that management had been to see Ms Triggs just weeks before the start of term, after a series of failings and mistakes made by the former manager.
“They couldn’t risk having her as a manager during welcome weekend,” the source, who does not wish to be named, confirmed.
The source went on to confirm that Ms Triggs had sent emails to various Liberty Living representatives, staff and even students, asking for advice and help.
This comes after a campaign by over 150 disgruntled students, parents and members of the public criticised the halls, complaining about the checking-out procedure, steep fines and rude, unfriendly staff.
The source said: “She used to ask people what to do in silly situations.”
“They needed a manager who could make decisions on their own”, the source added. “Not someone who kept hassling other people for help.”
“Liberty Living have officially said it was a joint decision she left,” the source said.
In exclusive emails obtained by the Medwire, Ms Triggs had asked one student to provide an appraisal for the company as a gesture of goodwill.
In an email sent to student trustee Maya Esslemont, who had previously launched a successful petition against Liberty Quays following bogus fines sent to students regarding fire extinguishers, Ms Triggs asked Maya to give her “an honest appraisal of the general check out experience at Liberty.”
Ms Triggs went on to reveal that the appraisal was needed after several students and parents had complained about the service provided by Liberty Quays.
“We have had a few unpleasant accusations”, Ms Triggs said in the email.
“I really would like to see if you have a perspective that would help me put things into context”, she added.
Commenting on the request, Maya said: “I couldn’t help but wonder if my involvement in the last Liberty Quays controversy crossed her mind when my heavily stained room was given the seal of approval.”
“Even if my intentions weren’t cynical, I could never support a company that continually rips off students, through high rent and scams in equal measure”, she added.
Liberty Living were unavailable for comment. Written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire

Why everyone should embrace Freshers at university

So the car is packed full of your belongings and one too many toilet rolls, you’ve tearfully waved goodbye to your friends and family and you’re ready to start your new life at university. We’ve all been there, and it’s weird to think that you’re waving goodbye to eighteen or so years of your life for pastures new.
Sounds a bit daunting really. But not to worry, you see universities across the country have this thing a week before studying commences where you basically get drunk, make new friends and experience the reality of uni life. It’s called Freshers’.
Freshers’ for me was one of the best weeks of my life. Standing outside my new flat with a hundred or so bags, I was apprehensive about my new life. Worried about making new friends, getting along with flat mates, doing well on the course etc. But it’s best to leave any worries you have in the car.
As soon as I entered my flat, I was welcomed by my seven flat mates. They turned out to be a fantastic bunch of guys to live with over the next year. You might start off having trouble understanding their accents or remembering their names, but it’s nothing a few beers wont sort out. In fact, having moved in on the Sunday afternoon, I was off out to my first flat party later that night where I made more friends and started a turbulent relationship with my new found love, alcohol.
Your first night in your new flat is a little bit daunting to say the least, but all it takes is a few hours kip and you’re ready for the week ahead. And what a week it will be.
I kicked off my Freshers’ with an introduction to my course, which was great. It meant I finally met my other course mates, who all turned out to be a perfect, colourful bunch. In fact they ended up (and still are) my drinking buddies during Freshers’. Nights spent at Coopers were brilliant with the fancy dress themes just adding to the excitement. The School Disco was my favourite, with all the cheesy tunes you could wish for.
The good thing about the Medway campus is that there are so many people from all different walks of life. It’s great to make friends from different cultures and countries, and having three universities sharing the same campus means you’re guaranteed to make lots of friends.
Apart from the nights out and barbeques on campus (you won’t need feeding during Freshers’, practically all the food is free), the Freshers’ fayre is a good chance to socialise and make new friends by joining up to various societies. And if that doesn’t take your fancy, then the various stalls offering discounts and free pens are pretty handy too. So you won’t need to bring any stationary with you to uni either!
My course also put on a special dinner for all the new first years, which can only be described as the last supper; the only decent meal you’re going to get for the next year.
The downside for me last year was the horrendous Freshers’ Ball, which I hope will be a lot better this year. When you hear that your friends at other uni’s have the likes of Florence & the Machine and Tinie Tempah headlining at their Freshers’ Ball, disappointed is just one of the many words I could have used to describe our ball.
The headlining act were ok, but the fact I can’t remember their name sums up how rubbish the ball was. Apart from a face painting stall and an over-priced food counter, entertainment was scarce. In fact, it seemed fitting that whilst sitting in the middle of the dance floor wondering why I‘d stumped up the cash for this rubbish evening, Sak Noel’s hit ‘Loca People’ would play in the background. What the fuck indeed! Fingers crossed it’s better this year.
So what did I learn by the end of Freshers’ week? Well there’s the fact my liver should be nominated for an Oscar for the performance it put in over that week. Or that I’ll go to great extents to get freebies, like swapping a pot of pee at the Chlamydia stand in return of a free keying (totally worth it). But most importantly, I realised that university was to be the start of a fantastic, fun-filled three years of my life, with new friends, new challenges and new opportunities. So don’t miss out on Freshers’, because once the week is over, you’ll be praying for it to happen all over again. Written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire

Friday 14 September 2012

Just six months in to the job, Liberty Quays manager departs

 

Stefanie Triggs, manager of the Medway halls, is "no longer with the company" after a tumultuous term (written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire)

Liberty Quays is on the lookout for a new manager, after losing yet another manager in the space of six months.
In an exclusive for the Medwire, a representative from Liberty Quays, run by Liberty Living, confirmed that Stephanie Triggs has now left the company after just six months as general manager of the halls in Gillingham.
Speaking to reporter Kieran Watkins this evening, receptionist Laura Forrest confirmed that Stephanie Triggs was no longer manager of Liberty Quays.
“She is no longer with the company”, Laura confirmed.
She went on to admit that there was no replacement as of yet, despite 600 University of Kent students moving in this weekend for the start of term, which commences on Monday, September 24.
The departure of Ms Triggs is the second manager to leave Liberty Quays in just a year. In February, former manager Doug Jarvis left Liberty after a series of allegations were made by students following bogus fines sent from management to students.
The fines, sent to a number of students at Liberty Quays, stated that fire extinguishers had been tampered with by students. Extinguishers were then taken from kitchens by management, with students facing charges of £60.00 to replace them.
However, following complaints and a successful petition created by Student Trustee Maya Esslemont, the fines were dropped. All extinguishers, which turned out to be un-tampered, were then placed back into kitchens.
Talking about the incident in July, Ms Triggs said Liberty Quays were “deeply sorry” for the incident, and that it put a “stain on our otherwise fantastic reputation.”
Although Liberty Quays declined to comment on the reason for Ms Triggs departure, the exit comes after 150 signatures were signed by disgruntled students, parents and members of the public, all angry with conditions and service provided by Liberty.
Extortionate check-out charges, mice infestations and rude, negligent staff were all mentioned in the comments, which can be seen on the online petiton.

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Halls provider Liberty Quays fails to sell out

 

The University of Kent's privately owned accommodation halls in Medways is left with several vacancies (written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire)

Student halls provider Liberty Living, which runs the University of Kent halls on the Medway campus, has announced a drop in student applications for rooms this year.
In an email sent by the University of Kent accommodation team to current students, Liberty Quays stated that “a number of rooms were still available”.
Liberty Quays, situated at Victory Pier in Gillingham, offers en-suite rooms for new and current students, with communal areas shared by up to nine people.
The drop in room occupancy comes after a series of revelations by The Medwire revealed staff negligence and questionable living conditions at Liberty Quays.
In a previous article, it was revealed that several communal areas had been infested with mice, with faeces being found in other areas.
The revelations came after a petition by former Liberty resident, Jem Collins, saw over 150 disgruntled students, parents and members of the public complain about the service and facilities on offer by Liberty Quays.
Complaints ranged from expensive maintenance costs to delays in deposits being handed back to students. A number of comments were also made about the management team at Liberty, with students branding staff “rude” and “unhelpful” on numerous occasions.
Students have also claimed the room prices have led them to seek accommodation away from the halls. Prices have increased by an extra £10 a week from last year to £127.
One student said that he could “barely afford to live” on the prices, which total just under £5,000 for one year.
“If I paid £5,000 to live at Liberty, I’d starve!” he said. “It’s ridiculously expensive, Liberty Quays is more expensive then London student accommodation.”
In a move to entice students, Liberty Quays has offered a 2% discount on accommodation prices if fees are paid in full by September 15.
Students who choose not to live in halls usually opt for a private landlord, where a fully-furnished bedroom in a house shared with four other people can start from as little as £90, bills included.
However, the down turn in student numbers could come at a cost for Liberty Living, who are currently extending their halls at Victory Pier. The new extension is scheduled to open next summer.

The essential guide to food and gyms in Medway

 

Kieran Watkin's dishes the dirt of the best places to eat both on and off campus, as well as where to burn it all off! (written by Kieran Watkins for The Medwire)

Not all university students have to live off tins of baked beans and pot noodles. Some may attempt to cook, some may wish to order a takeaway, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you could always sample the local cuisine of Medway. Here to help you with a few picks of the best fine-dining establishments is the Medwire’s very own guide to eating in Medway:

On campus:
The university campus has various cafes and restaurants for students. On the Kent campus, the newly refurbished No.1 Bistro in the Rochester building offers everything from maple pancakes at breakfast to lasagne in the afternoon.
On the Greenwich campus, there is Costa Coffee and a range of hot food in the Pembroke building, with food available in the Canterbury Christ Church buildings.
The Pilkington building offers the best choice for hungry students with a varied menu each day. The campus bar, Coopers, also offer pub grub. Watch out for their special curry nights too! The Drill Hall Library and the campus shop, Essentials, offer various snacks and drinks too.

Chatham:
Just a five-minute walk from campus is Chatham Dockside, where a host of fast food outlets and restaurants are all conveniently located next to the waterfront. For a quick snack, Burger King or Subway should do the trick. For cheap meals, Dean’s Diner and Pizza Hut will leave you and your wallet looking healthy. Student favourites The Real China (all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet) and Nandos are both available here. Fancy something a bit upmarket? Dine on Italian cuisine at Zippers or be treated to a bit of Mexican spice at Chimichanga.
Dockside is also great for coffee too, from the fantastic range of Panini’s at Caffe Fratelli to the Australian-inspired flat white at Boomers café. You can also grab a bite to eat and wash it down with a nice cold pint at the Ship and Trades pub, just off Dockside towards St Mary’s Island.

Gillingham:
When you come to Medway, you will realise that takeaways are aplenty. And I mean aplenty! You just have to walk through Gillingham High Street to see for yourself. There’s everything from kebabs to southern fried chicken, Thai to Indian; there is something for everyone.
Our favourites however? For oodles of noodles, head to Tai Won Mein where for just a fiver for head, you’ll be full for days. Dixy’s Chicken in Gillingham will almost certainly cure a hangover after a heavy night at Bliss, just off the High Street. And if you love American food, head to the Hollywood Bowl opposite Medway Park for one of Gillingham’s best-kept secrets.

Rochester:
In the cathedral town of Rochester, hundreds of café’s and tearooms with freshly made sandwiches are surely enough to tickle your taste buds. Pubs are aplenty here too, so it’s the perfect place for a Sunday lunch.
Our pick? Head to the yummy Serendipity cupcake bar for Rochester’s finest cup cakes.

And after you’ve eaten to your hearts content? Well ensure you don’t have a heart attack by signing up to Medway’s finest selection of gyms and recreational facilities
- Medway Park, Gillingham (Tel: 01634 336655)
- Roko health club, Gillingham (Tel: 01634 382333)
- Waterfront health and leisure club, Gillingham (Tel: 01634 280033)
- Virgin Active, Rochester (Tel: 01634 292900)

9/11: Lest not forget the facts

It’s scary and still as emotional as it was 11 years ago today to think that one of the nastiest, most shocking incidents of the century (and certainly in US history) rocked the world happened so long ago. On the September 11, four coordinated suicide attacks in the New York City and Washington DC areas saw nearly 3,000 people killed.

I remember the day vividly. I can remember by teacher, Mr Millard, looking upset and panicked when he told our class that his brother, who lived in Manhattan, had just witnessed one of the worst incidents known to man.

It was a day that changed the lives of many Americans, and many others too. Nineteen terrorists, al-Qaeda terrorists, hijacked four planes, the first two of which crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Centre, New York City. The third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, whilst the fourth - bound for the United States Capitol Building in Washington - crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to take control of the plane.

Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, claimed the attacks were in retaliation of US support for Israel, the deployment of US troops in Afghanistan and sanctions against Iraq. Condemnation of Al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden led to a full scale overthrow of Taliban forces in Afghanistan, and ultimately Osama bin Laden’s death in May 2011 (undertaken by the US).

Terrorism had hit home, it became real for many of us. Al-Qaeda was not just capable of killing their own people, but they were capable of attacking arguably the most important nation in the world. For America it will never be forgotten, and long will the tragedy of 9/11 stay in our minds. It reminded us of the terror of terrorism, the need for peace, not war. It saw a nation, in a state of national emergency, come together and support those who really needed our love.

But a lot has happened since then. The invasion of Iraq, 7/7, the Mumbai bombings and of course, the death of bin Laden himself. 9/11 was a catalyst for full-scale terrorism, terrorism that today, despite the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, is still being felt across the globe. In the Middle East, the story is altogether less rosy, and the effects of 9/11 are just as bloody and damaging as they were eleven years ago.

So how come, when I opened Twitter this morning, did I find myself reading tweets from angry people condemning schools in the UK for not holding a minute’s silence to mark the fall of the twin towers? With the 9/11 bandwagon accelerating throughout the day, it seemed appalling to many that school children were not being made to sit in silence.

You mean to say that they should sit in silence for a day that none of them will know about, or indeed understand the significance of? A Secondary school boy in Year 11 would have been 5 when 9/11 happened, is he really expected to remember that event or indeed sympathise with those that died? I mean come on, the majority of Primary school children weren’t even born then!

The minute silence might be symbolic to some people, but for school children it’s a chance to close your eyes and dream about being away from school, not to think about the consequences of a plane crashing into a building that happened over a decade ago. There’s nothing dignified about it, these are young, naive children. And away from school, people are busy at work or in the home, going about their daily lives. So why the condemnation?

If we think it’s important for children to know and empathise with what happened in America, maybe we should give them the full picture. That thousands, indeed millions of innocent people had been killed before and after the event by US, and indeed UK forces in the Middle East. Or that the involvement of UK forces in Iraq in 2003, which came about from the post-9/11 terror scare, is a possible reason for the deaths of 52 Britons on July 7, 2005. 7/7 is another event that many children are unlikely to know the significance of.

Before I’m subject to abuse and condemnation myself, let me point out the Americans felt similarly with our own suicide attack. During a memorial tribute played in the Olympic Opening Ceremony, American broadcaster NBC decided to skip the memorial paying tribute to those who died in 7/7, and instead skip to an interview with Michael Phelps. Some called this “disrespectful and insensitive”, but why? NBC executives claimed that they skipped the tribute because it didn’t “tailor to American audiences”, and in a way they’re right. 7/7 affected London, it is much more symbolic to us here in the UK then to an American. And it’s the same with 9/11. Why should UK school children and many others be told to sit in silence for an event which, yes left the world stunned, but mainly affected American people.

I’m sure there are many of us that can’t remember the true facts, or indeed remember to take a minute out of our lunch break to sit back and reflect. The horror of the event lives on and it won’t be forgotten, but why thrust it on other people? Is that the way we should remember the lives of those lost; by turning it into a media circus, condemning people for not remembering just because they aren’t taking a minute’s silence, or indeed because they weren’t there.

The BBC and many others media platforms today chose not to mention the anniversary of 9/11 in their bulletins, yet the memories and shock live on. The innocent victims of those involved will not be forgotten, and may they rest in peace - but don’t judge people for forgetting to take a time out to rest and reflect.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Pictures from the Athletes Parade

 
Here are just a few of my pictures taken from the London 2012 Athletes Parade. You can find more photos through my twitter account: @kieranwatkins
 
 
Mo Farah, doing the MOBOT of course!

 
Greg Rutherford

 
Jonnie Peacock

 
Nicola Adams and Anthony Joshua

 
Sir Chris Hoy

 
Sarah Storey

 
Tom Daley

 
Lee Pearson and Sophie Wells

 
Katherine Grainger, Anna Watkins and others

 
Peter Wilson

 
Ellie Simmonds

 
Louis Smith

 
Heather Stanning, Helen Glover and others

 
Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee

 
Tom Daley...again ;)

Tuesday 11 September 2012

A fantastic finale to an incredible year for London


Yesterday I had the privilege of joining thousands of other London 2012 Games Makers, some fresh from their role at the Paralympics, at a packed-out Mall in London’s West End yesterday for the Athletes Parade. The lucky thousand or so who received special tickets to see the Team GB athletes, who have made the Olympics and Paralympics so special, were lined up right across the Pall Mall along with thousands of members of the public, servicemen and dignitaries.

 

Cheering, signing, clapping and indeed screaming at times, the atmosphere was incredible as everyone waved to the heroes of the Games. London, the nation and indeed the world has been touched at the incredible success of London 2012; from the gallant effort of the athletes to the brilliant organising of LOCOG and the London mayor. I felt very proud to be praised by so many people too for my role as a Games Maker, a role which I will never ever forget.

 


As the float procession came through the Mall, I was busy taken hundreds of photos of the athletes, who were all smiling and waving, proudly displaying their medals and soaking up the atmosphere.



Mo Farah, Sir Chris Hoy, Jonnie Peacock, Tom Daley, Ellie Simmonds, Sarah Storey, Katherine Grainger, Louis Smith…just some of the famous faces I saw, every single one of them a hero in their own discipline, and whom the nation will remember forever.


(Eddie Izzard)

With music, entertainment and even an appearance from Ezzie Izzard, who dressed in the bright purple and red uniform I had grown accustomed to, the afternoon was fantastic, a proper send-off to London 2012. Now the legacy lives on, and as the red arrows flashed through the sky rounding off the celebrations, it’s time for the UK to take advantage of sport and all benefit from the legacy.
 


Thank you Games Makers, thank you athletes, thank you Britain! The Games have changed my life and it has been a real honour to be a part of it. The Olympics and Paralympics have given us so much hope, so much joy and so much to look forward to. I just hope it comes back in my life time…
 

You can see my photos from the parade, including photos of our athletes, here.

P.s/ Any suggestions as to which sport I should take up? Fencing appeals to me! What do you think I should take up, thoughts and suggestions would be grateful.


Strictly Come Dancing - my predictions for pairings

So tonight is the night! Currently at Television Centre, a new batch of celebrities are filming the moment they find out who their professional partner will be for Strictly Come Dancing. Who will have the gorgeous Artem on their arm, or lock up their daughters when they’re faced with Vincent leading them round the dance floor?!

Time will tell, and the official unveiling this Saturday will solve any unanswered questions about the new series. We’ll also be treated to a dance by new judge Darcey Bussell (who’s doing a Rumba with Ian Waite), and the new celebrities will be doing their first dance as a group. Queue the start of a great series.

So here’s my tips for pairings:

James Jordan and Victoria Pendleton
(He has a fiery personality, she has the determination to win - a winning combo surely. Producers will want to keep him on the show as long as possible after his tantrums with the judges last year, and she’s certainly got potential)

Anton du Beke and Fern Britton


Pasha Kovalev and Kimberley Walsh
(Pasha is likely to get a good celeb again this year after last year’s success, and Kimberley is just as cheeky as him)

Vincent Simone and Dani Harmer
(both are quite small, plus he deserves a good star after going out in the first show last year)

Robin Windsor and Lisa Riley
(I love Robin, but he always gets the actresses. But his bubbly personality would be a good match with Lisa)

Brendan Cole and Denise van Outen
(reckon there could be some fireworks between these two, both strong personalities)

Artem Chigvintsev and Jerry Hall
(he’s previously had two fantastic dancers, so deserves someone who won’t win. But Jerry could be a dark horse. At least she has the glamour!)

Karen Hauer (new dancer) and Nicky Byrne
(the new girl always gets a good one to start with, and Nicky has a good chance)

Erin Boag and Michael Vaughan
(she usually gets a sports star. He might have potential)

Ola Jordan and Sid Owen
(both have cheeky personalities, they’d make a good pairing)

Flavia Cacace and Colin Salmon
(she usually has the ones with interesting personalities, could be a surprise hit here)

Natalie Lowe and Louis Smith
(not sure who could get Louis, but Natalie deserves a good call after the disappointment of Dan Lobb last year)

Kristina Rihanoff and Richard Arnold
(Kristina showed she could do humour with Jason last year, I’m sure she could keep us all laughing again with Richard)

Aliona Vilani and Johnny Ball
(she deserves an oldie after appearing in the final twice!)

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia
 

The Spain Diaries: No.2 - sun, swimming and…more sun and swimming!

It’s safe to say that when you go on holiday, you expect to relax. In fact, when you go to Spain, it should be pretty much guaranteed. With the gorgeous sunshine, sizzling temperatures and stunning scenery, there’s no better way to watch the world go by then sunbathing in the Costa Del Sol.

And that’s exactly what I did do when I arrived in Spain on a recent holiday. After completing my first year at university, I wanted nothing more but to get away and forget about my impending results. Staying with family in the Spanish countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the UK, and the Internet, I was able to relax and unwind.

Despite coming over to Spain several times in the past to see my Grandparents, who live in a very traditional, quaint Spanish village called Tapia in the heart of the Costa Del Sol, the area never fails to amaze me. Mountains in the distance, covered in olive groves in between which are tiny casa’s and villages, all majestically dazzling in the sunshine. Paradise right!?

Paradise indeed. As we sat, drinking ice cold cervezas from the pool, we couldn’t help but laugh at the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere the locals seem to embrace. The Spain we see on the news might be rocked by riots and financial ruin, but it’s not apparent when you’re over here. Despite the hardship, all the people are friendly and welcoming, smiling and nodding “ buenos tardes” and what not throughout the day.

But with temperatures this high - high 40’s most days - who has time for small talk? The only way to enjoy this weather is a dip in the pool, looking out at the glorious views and enjoying the company of your family. As my pictures show, I did just that!
 
Previous Spain Diary entries:

Saturday 8 September 2012

Strictly Come Dancing: Meet the 14 celebrities

Here's the CONFIRMED Strictly line-up, with one change to the line-up - Actor and James Bond star Colin Salmon replaces five-time Olympic Gold Medalist Sir Steve Redgrave - read more here:

With rumours flying left, right and centre these last few days, fans of Strictly Come Dancing have been ferociously searching the papers and trends on Twitter for clues as to who the fourteen celebrities are for Series 10 of the hit BBC Show.

 

And, with a thorough search I can now confirm the (official)* line-up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing (in alphabetical order): 


Colin Salmon
 
Actor, best known for starring in three James Bond films


Dani Harmer

Actress, best known for starring as Tracy Beaker on the hit CBBC show



Denise van Outen

Actress and TV personality, best known for her appearances on stage in Chicago etc



Fern Britton

TV presenter, best known for co-presenting This Morning



Jerry Hall

Former supermodel and actress, best known for her marriage to Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger



Johnny Ball

Broadcaster, best known for presenting numerous BBC Children’s programmes



Kimberley Walsh

Singer, TV personality and West End star, best known as 1/5 of girl band Girls Aloud



Lisa Riley

Actress and TV presenter, best known for starring in Emmerdale as Mandy Dingle



Louis Smith

Olympic medal-winning gymnast, best known for winning a silver & bronze medal at London 2012



Michael Vaughan OBE

Former England cricketer and radio pundit, best known for captaining England to victory in the Ashes



Nicky Byrne

Singer and broadcaster, best known as 1/4 of boy band Westlife



Richard Arnold

TV presenter and showbiz correspondent, best known for presenting on ITV’s Daybreak & GMTV



Sid Owen

Actor, best known for starring in EastEnders as Ricky Butcher



Victoria Pendleton MBE

Olympic medal-winning cyclist, best known for winning a gold & silver medal at London 2012



Wow, it certainly looks set to be a stellar line-up for the BBC, and enough to make Simon Cowell choke on his sour lemons. In fact, I think it’s probably the best line-up EVER for a series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Not sure who my favourite’s are so far, but I reckon Richard and Lisa will provide the laughs; Johnny or Fern will leave early and that the women are by far the strongest. Louis, Victoria, Kimberley and Nicky all stand good chances of winning, but Denise, Dani and Michael might be the dark horses of the competition. Who knows what will happen!?

All we know is this series promises to be bigger and better, with skimpier costumes, a new judge and dancer and a return to Wembley. Rumour has it that this will be Brucie’s last too, so we should all watch!

So roll on the *(OFFICIAL) line-up reveal on Monday (on The One Show at 7pm) and next week’s show, where we’ll find out which professional will be dancing with which celebrity. Ooo it’s exciting!!!

KEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPP DANNNNNCINNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!

Pictures courtesy from Wikipedia