Kieran Watkins at Digital Spy

I was lucky enough to spend two weeks at Digital Spy during April and early May on a work placement.

The entertainment news website, based in London, offers exclusive content and news on sections including film, television, music and gaming, along with videos and pictures.

I was very lucky to gain a two week placement with their team, and over the course of ten days wrote up more than 70 articles.

One of my articles, on two Nasa Rovers which 'accidentally' drew a penis on Mars, was shared nearly 2,000 times on social networks including Twitter and Facebook, with Digital Spy's story featured on the US satirical show, The Colbert Report.

You can find a link to all my articles here.

Special thanks to Ben Lee from the Digital Spy team for organising my placement. I hope to return to the website next year.

Medway students to meet man behind new theme park plans

Students on the Medway Campus will get to meet the man behind Kent’s answer to Disneyland in March.

Project leader Tony Sefton will be talking about the £2 billion project which could create up to 27,000 jobs in the local area.

Under plans unveiled last October, London Resort Company Holdings wish to build a “Disneyland rival” on the Swanscombe Peninsular, near Dartford in Kent.

The company were successfully granted a license from Paramount Pictures to use their name for the entertainment resort, which would include Europe’s largest indoor water park, live music venues and hotels.

The park, which if built would be the fourth biggest resort in the world, would be right next to Ebbsfleet Station, which is on the London St Pancras line from Gillingham.

Mr Sefton will be talking about the impact the park will have in the local community, as well as the difficulty in developing and planning a resort.

Kent Business School, who have organised the event, said on their Facebook page: “This event would also be a great chance to network with the project leader regarding the 27,000 jobs this development is estimated to create, to help get your foot in the door early.”

The talk by Tony Sefton is from 4pm to 5.30pm on Monday, March 4 2013 at Kent Business School on the Medway Campus (Room M3-04), and is open to all students. To attend, email kbsm@kent.ac.uk or attend through the Facebook event.

(Written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire)

Hello 2013 - message from the jourknow

Happy New Year everyone. I hope you all had a lovely New Year, partying hard and downing vodka like it's 2012. I certainly was, dressed up as Where's Wally in a bar in Devon, looking after my drunk friend and watching the fireworks. Sounds like fun right!?

It's hard to believe that 2012 has been and gone, it really was a fantastic year. Sporting success, London in the spotlight, a surge in popularity for the Queen, Britain out of the recession etc...everything looked promising for once.

Let's hope the good luck will continue for 2013. I wish you all the best of luck with work, school, uni, college, future travel plans etc. Good luck!

As for the jourknow, I will be continuing on into the new year with more blog posts. Last term was a busy one for me at University, so I hope to spend more time this year with creating and uploading fresh blog posts. Keep on checking the site for updates :)

Thanks for your support, I really appreciate it.

Kieran Watkins

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

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.

Post-Olympic blues

Alas, it’s one week now since the Olympics graced our screens for the last time (or at least, in London for the foreseeable future.) It was a day that saw Britain win a few more medals to round off a fantastic haul in London, and culminated in a fantastic party featuring the likes of George Michael and Kate Moss.

And I, like many other people it seems, just can’t get one act out of my head. Yes, this last week I’ve been reliving my inner-Baby Spice (I was always the Baby one) and singing ‘Spice up your life’ at any given opportunity.

It doesn’t help that the girls have been teasing the media, with suggestions from Mel C that she’d “do it all again” and “never say never”. Oh Spice Girls, won’t you reform once more?

Thank the lord for the new Spice Girls musical, Viva forever!, which looks set to hit the West End later this year.

In the meantime, you can dig out the leopard print and that oh-so-short union jack dress and reminsce over last Sunday night’s fantastic performance from arguably the world’s best ever girl band here.

And don’t forget, the Paralympics are just around the corner. Tickets are selling quickly, so keep on checking the website for availability. No doubt Britain will lay down the foundations for another great games. You can find out more about the Paralympics here.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

The Spain Diaries: No.1 - the BA experience

Recently, the jourknow went on his second holiday this year to the sunny Costa Del Sol region of Spain, and following my previous diary format from my New Zealand adventures, I’ll be giving you a weekly insight into just a few of the sights and smells from my holiday in the sun.

Now it’s always been said that as soon as you set foot in the airport awaiting your departure, your holiday begins. The duty free, the flying, the screaming baby sitting next to you - these are all experiences which kick off the start of your summers break, and my journey to Spain was no different.

Well, it was a little different. You see, it was actually quite nice for a change. Always being one to sniff out a bargain, I was lucky to book a flight out with British Airways from London Gatwick to Malaga for only £50. Having never flown with the national airline, I was quite looking forward to the experience, and was surprised that when I tweeted BA, they were kind enough to tweet me back, telling me they were looking forward to me travelling with them.

On arrival at the airport, the BA check-in was a dream. All you had to do was key in a few details into one of the self-service check-in desks, print off your boarding pass and hand over your luggage. With BA, you’re allowed 23kg of luggage (3kg more than most other airlines), along with a piece of hand luggage and an option laptop bag. Pretty good if you’re planning on taking a lot with you on holiday.

Thinking that I was going to spending ages in the queue, I was pleasantly surprised to find I had enough time to truly experience the joys of duty free. A lovely meal in Café Rouge followed by a quick spray of all the perfumes quickly passed the time, and before long I was sat comfortably my window seat, waiting for the plane to take off.

The BA experience on board was fantastic. The free drinks and light meal all come included with the ticket, so it was great to save some money rather then spend it on highly inflated prices you usually pay for on your low-budget airlines. The service was great too, with cabin crew very friendly, ensuring the flight was comfortable for all passengers on board.

It was refreshing to relax, unwind and enjoy the start of my holiday before my holiday really began, and I was really happy with the service provided by British Airways. Many people might think they’re expensive as a chartered airline, but surprisingly, their service was far cheaper then any no-frills airline.

And it certainly kicked off a holiday that was full of sun, swimming and lots of San Miguel!

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

My Games Maker experience

For the past few weeks, the jourknow has been contributing to what can only be described as the greatest Sporting event in the world. The Olympic Games in London have thrilled the nation since they began, with Team GB arguably putting in the best performance we’re unlikely to see at an Olympic Games again. We’ve embraced the drama, the excitement and at times, the frustration of all the Olympics brings to the host nation, and what a ride it has been since the Opening Ceremony marked the beginning of the sporting action.

But for all the fans and spectators playing their part in the Olympics, there was one group of people who went the extra mile to ensuring the Games ran smoothly, efficiently and more importantly, memorably. The thousands of Games Makers, made up of volunteers of all ages, have in some cases been more talked about then the athletes themselves. Their determination, skill and smiley faces have welcomed millions of spectators into all the sporting venues, and have been the foundations for the success of London 2012.

I was one of the many Games Makers who helped shape these Games, and what a memorable experience it was. Up at the crack of dawn for eight shifts in total, I hopped on the train to Earls Court to assist the security team at the venue, which was home to the Volleyball. My role was simple but important; ensure spectators are ready for security by following strict security controls put in place by LOCOG, thus enabling the security procedures to run coherently.

It might sound simple, but it’s a daunting task when you’re serving 300 spectators per security lane per hour. With spectators arriving from all four corners of the globe, the language barrier was often a problem, but despite a few grumpy spectators, (the American’s and Korean’s were the grumpiest), it went off without a hitch. I was delighted at how fantastic the atmosphere was. The crowds were really cheerful, despite the odd shower or queue. I was overcome with emotion when thanked by many of the home crowd, and it was certainly refreshing to see so many people come together and get on. In fact, you could have almost forgotten about the animosity between countries, because here, everyone was happy.

And it wasn’t just the crowd that I enjoyed working with, the security team were great too. The other volunteers I worked with were fantastic, all really friendly and kind. I made so many friends from my time at Earls Court and felt sad to be leaving my team after my last shift. It was great to work with people that shared the same passion as you - to make the Games memorable for everyone - but who had all come from different paths of life.

The army were fantastic to work with too. Saving the day at the last minute from the dreadful G4S drama, the army ensured that security was tight from start to finish. I respect these guys so much, living in squalid conditions, waking up at the crack of dawn with many working through what was their holiday time, yet still managing to smile and guard the venues. They were funny, and the laughs kept on coming. The nicest guys I’ve ever worked with and I really hope the reputation of the Armed Forces in this country improves because of their role in the Olympics.

My Games Maker experience ended before it had barely begun. Every session I worked at was special. The smiley spectators, the friendly staff, the warm (but generally bland) meals, the volleyball games we managed to sneak in to, the great gifts we were given as a token of thanks; all of it contributed to a fantastic few weeks of magic and excitement. For me, it’s an experience I won’t forget, and I can’t wait to relive it with my grandchildren some day.

Review of the Week: Soho

This weeks Review for the Week is asking you to get out of the house and experience culture, fine food and the bright lights of London town. In particular, the jazzy, tourist London landmark of Soho.

Having never ventured to London’s ‘red-light district’, I was bursting at the seams to go and experience what all the fuss was about. I’d heard many a wild rumour regarding a night out at Soho, so meeting with friends for a meal and a few drinks sounded like the perfect way to tickle my taste buds with the sights and sounds of what Soho has to offer.

The best way to start your evening in Soho is to get there early for a meal in one of the many restaurants. From London’s very own Chinatown to gorgeous bistro’s and American themed diners, the area offers a variety to wet the appetite for any tourist. I met friends at the cheap but cheerful Bistro 1, which had a nice cosy feel about it. The food, £10.99 for two courses, was a fantastic price for Soho, but be warned, the quality matches the price.

After drinks, book into a showing at one of the various theatre’s in the district. Current shows include Singing in the Rain at the Palace Theatre or Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre. If you’ve never experienced a West End show, then what better way to kick off a fantastic evening then catch one of these award-winning performances.

After the show, you’ll find Soho teaming with people as the atmosphere intensifies as you near midnight. This is the perfect opportunity to socialise with your friends, work colleagues or indeed the locals at one of the many bars or pubs lining Soho. Grab a cocktail, pint or glass of wine and sit and admire the world go by. I’d recommend the Pornstar cocktail, available from various bars, which comes with its own shot of Champagne. Look for the places with the cheaper prices, although you’ll find many of the bars offering deals on selected drinks.

To round off the night, you have to visit one of the swanky clubs Soho has to offer. From jazz and blues at Ronnie Scott’s to cheesy pop at G.A.Y, the atmosphere is intense as revellers flock to the dance floor. Here you’ll also find the odd celebrity performing, and there’s often many ticket promoters outside offering discounts to get in. Get there early if you wish to avoid the queues.

Of course, Soho like much of the city never sleeps and during the day you’ll find plenty of café’s, record shops and the odd sex shop catering for your individual needs. Just make sure you bring plenty of money to really enjoy the day.

Even if you go in the day, Soho still has lots to offer. From it’s religious backgrounds to it’s mark as the ‘Gay centre’ for Londoners, it’s certainly the place to go for a day or night out in the capital city.

5/5 stars

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Viva Forever! The Spice Girls are back

Girl power promises to be relived and reborn this year after the official Spice Girls musical, Viva Forever!, was unveiled at a glitzy ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel in St Pancras.

Attended by all five members of the Spice Girls - Victoria Beckham (Posh), Emma Bunton (Baby), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty), Melanie Brown (Scary) and Geri Hallowell (Ginger) - the Spice Girls were reformed for the first time publicly since their world tour in 2008, set against the backdrop for what was the location for their first hit single ‘Wannabe’.

The unvieling of the show, a musical featuring the songs of the Spice Girls, had the reporters in a flutter as writer Jennifer Saunders - the comedienne and actress - and producer Judy Cramer - who was producer for West End hit Mamma Mia! - revealed the details for the show, which is scheduled to open this December, with previews in November at the Piccadilly Theatre in London.

All five members took questions from the public along with Cramer and Saunders, as well as pictures together. Despite the rumours of backstage bitching, all five looked glamorous and happy as they posed, although Victoria, her usual gloomy self, failed to smile throughout the session.

She did however reveal that the musical would introduced “a whole new generation to girl power.”

The producers revealed that the story would evolve around a "beautiful, talented girl and her best friends who get swept up in the obsession of today's TV celebrity culture."
With the story promising to appeal to all generations, the musical will no doubt go well with theatregoers and fans of the Spice Girls. It’s even rumoured that the Spice Girls maybe tempted to reform for the Closing ceremony of the Olympic Games - so watch this space!

I for one cannot wait for the musical to open in the West End, and will not deny the fact that I’m 100% Spice mad for Viva Forever!

You can watch a clip from the unveiling here.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Risky game for British Airways

I love a good commercial, and with viewers flocking to their screens for events such as the Euros and the Olympics this summer, it's gonna be a bumper year for advertising agencies. Companies are putting big amounts of money on the table to get a slice of the precious minutes of screen time available for advertisers.

Which is why I was a little confused at the new British Airways advert released this week, which urges the British public to stay at home this summer and enjoy what's on in their local area and in London.

The one minute long ad sees a British Airways plane 'drive' around London, passing all the iconic sites, before reaching a halt outside the Olympic stadium.

Ultimately, the motive behind the campaign must lie behind the sponsorship deal British Airways has for the Olympics. It's an Official Partner for the London 2012 Games, and will heavily benefit from the games, one presumes.

Maybe then, one could presume that British Airways are benefiting from new advertising campaign, maybe from the government? They would have paid millions of pounds into the London 2012 Olympic Games, so why would they risk losing more money by promoting families to stay at home and not use their planes? I'm not suggesting what they're doing is wrong, in fact I think it's right of them to promote the UK during this special year. But British Airways is a business, and business doesn't play nice - which makes me think they're getting something in return for this deal.

Who knows, all I know is that the advert and the intense advertising campaign surrounding it (British Airways is using both Facebook and Twitter to promote their new campaign) must have cost them a lot of money to pull off. Time will tell when they release their end-of-year revenue figures early next year.

You can watch the advertising campaign here. You can also check out their Facebook page and Twitter too.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Design plans unveiled for Thames Estuary Airport

Designs for the estimated £50Billion airport in the Thames Estuary have been unveiled.

The plans for what has been dubbed the ‘world’s biggest airport’ show how the project, which plans to serve over 150million passengers a year, will be built on waste land on the Isle of Grain in Kent.

Lord Norman Foster, the architect who created the new Wembley Stadium, is behind the plans for the new airport, which includes four runways, terminal buildings and high-speed rail connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Talking of the benefits of the plans, Lord Foster said that it would “lay the foundations for the future prosperity of Britain.”

Architectural critic Edwin Heathcoate said that the plans would be a “complete re-imagining of the UK’s transport infrastructure.”

“It’s a vision of the kind of integration in transport and utilities that has not been considered since the great age of canals and then of railways.”

The plans for a new airport, first unveiled two years ago by the Thames Estuary Airport Feasibility Review, will serve to overcome the current problems surrounding London’s Aviation industry.

Experts estimate that by 2030, Heathrow – currently the UK’s biggest and busiest airport – will reach maximum capacity, and with other London airports restricted on growth, a sustainable resolution to the problems is needed.

However, critics of the plans, including Medway council and environmental charities including the RSPB – who say the plans will threaten thousands of bird species – are against the plans.

Leader of Medway Council, Rodney Chambers, said the plan were “quite possibly the daftest in a long list of pie-in-the-sky schemes that have been put forward for an airport.”

An RSPB spokesperson said: “We oppose this airport proposal because the massive environmental impact is unjustified.”

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia


*a piece from my University of Kent portfolio

Review of the Week: Glee live!

After the end of Season 2 and what with all my exams to contend with, I was definitely missing the Glee club, along with Sue and all the others. So what better way to ‘reaffirm’ my love with the hottest American export than see the cast dancing and singing live at the UK’s biggest venue, the 02, London.

An overview for anyone who feels they’re not ‘cool’ enough to watch the show; it's about a group of ‘misfits’ perform songs, a mix of covers and original music, in order to win the coveted ‘Nationals’ trophy. There teacher, Mr Schuster (Matthew Morrison), guides them through each week - despite the best efforts by his arch nemesis, the comedy genius, Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch). It’s a show that brings people of all ages together, and has proved a hit across the globe. With numerous singles making their way to the Singles Chart, the actors making a name for themselves and with a film and a new series recently released, the only way really is up for the show. Therefore, it seemed fitting that the cast decided to honour their fans by performing at selected venues across Europe. And what a performance it was!

However, I had my apprehensions. Firstly, I had never been to the 02 before, and was worried none the less that our seats, which were not cheap, might leave me with a strained neck when trying to catch a glimpse of the stars belting out popular tunes. But alas, once we walked through an organised security barrier, we quickly found our seats, glanced through the programme and enjoyed the buzz as the pews surrounding us quickly filled up with more fellow ‘Gleeks’ than I thought possible. If you’re looking to go to the 02 in the evening, a quick tip would be to come a few hours early and have a meal in one of the many restaurants - but leave plenty of time for this, the queue’s were long but worth the wait!

With the atmosphere now hotting up, the support act; a dance troupe who mixed mainstream pop with contemporary dance, helped set the tone for a night to remember. Enter New Directions! The first song, arguably their most famous cover to date, ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, was met with wild cheers and clapping from the gleeful audience, most of whom sang along with the stars (including myself!) A fantastic opening, which went from strength to strength with other cover hits such as ‘Bad Romance’, ‘Lucky’ and ‘Valerie’, sung by true musicians (those critics who thought it was all made up in the recording studio were certainly a long way from the truth). All the stars performed, danced and acted as if their life depended on it.

To pick out just a few superstars, Amber Riley (Mercedes) sung her heart out with a rendition of ‘Ain’t No Way’ by Aretha Franklin, which was the only moment throughout the entire show that the audience remained quiet, as her powerful and unpredictable personality and voice touched the hearts of all the fans. In contrast, Chris Colfer (Kurt) provided humour and screams of delight as he performed to Beyonce’s Single Ladies, a routine that undoubtedly Beyonce would find hard to live up to herself! In fact, most of the performances were better than I had anticipated, although a few performers could have performed better. Artie’s voice was particularly weak, despite the actor once being the lead in a rock band. As the many duets, solos and group sing-offs came to an end, my numbing hands and dry throat were an insignificant compromise to the 90 minutes of excitement endured.


Overall, it was a night to remember, and a performance that once ended, I wished could be repeated again and again. The effect of watching and seeing it live was much more than I could ever have imagined. The songs, the dancing, the acting, the audience, even the venue despite the cost, all contributed to a great, unforgettable night that I would recommend to anyone who has the chance to either see the cast again live in concert, or someone else at the O2!

4/5 Stars (reviewed last year)

Paddington Bear: A worthy winner of Britain's best animated character?

His blue duffle coat, accompanied by a pair of shiny red wellingtons, topped off with a black hat, has been an iconic look for over 50 years. He helped to make marmalade sandwiches popular, and it could be argued he put Peru on the map. He is of course, Paddington Bear, and he was this week crowned Britain's best animated character of all time.

Paddington Bear has long been one of my favourite bear's. Sitting alongside Winnie the Pooh, Knut and the Hair Bear Bunch, he is perhaps one of the more wiser bears in the entertainment world. Never failing to regenerate himself after - he was first brought to our screens way back in 1958 - he remains an iconic figure for Britain.

So you would expect public opinion to be in support of his latest accolade, which he won at the 9th British Animation Awards in London this week. He's featured in books, TV shows and has had many teddy bears, toys and collectibles made, yet I was shocked to find outcry from some members of the public who criticised the win.

But why? Most arguments seem to centre around the fact that although Paddington Bear is iconic, he perhaps does not have the glamour of some of the other competitors. Characters such as Super Ted, Bagpuss, The Clangers, Mr Benn, Dangermouse and Postman Pat were all nominated alongside the lovable bear. All were hits in their day, with Postman Pat still clinging on to children's TV. All popular candidates for the award, but none so worthy as the great bear himself.

The likeable thing about Paddington was that he was, well, ordinary. Apart from being a kooky character with a love of marmalade and battered suitcases, the stories were easy to follow and promoted family values. They touched on issues such as adoption and class conflict with subtlety, with the first series using stop-motion animation to keep the audiences focus on the narration. Humour was of paramount importance, and the storylines always varied, keeping the audience's interest.

The best thing about Paddington, when compared to many of the animations we have today, is that he was not commercialised into an advertising machine. Yes, you could buy your very own Paddington Bear, but you did not see his face or logo printed on nappies to bananas like you do with more modern characters. Peppa Pig may have popular appeal, but if she was not advertised everywhere, would you know her?

The British public of today want a shiny star. Over the last few decades, it has been apparent that to succeed in children's TV, you need money and you need publicity. Similar to the celebrities of the real world, the concept is the same. Which is why so many of the characters of yesterday have left our screens, headed for the history books.

Yet Paddington remains. Like a cult rock artist, he is highly regarded by our nation. Maybe it is his outfit, his name or personality that keeps him familiar with people young or old? Who knows, but whatever he has, many of the other animators are keen to find it. As the old English proverb goes, 'mighty oaks from little acorns grow', and maybe Paddington is an example of this. He will never tire, certainly not in my eyes.

Pictures Courtesy of Wikipedia/ The Jourknow

Sian Williams leaves BBC Breakfast

It was a sad day for early morning viewers this morning, as BBC Breakfast presenter Sian Williams, after over a decade on the famous red sofa, hung up her microphone and waved goodbye to breakfast television. A competent and professional presenter, Sian has been a delight to viewers waking up in the morning, with her co-host Bill Turnball. Today, she gave her final summary in a tear-jerking show that saw her reduced to tears as she looked back on her favourite moments on the programme.

The programme, the most watched breakfast show in the UK, is relocating to Salford this year in Manchester, with a new studio and new producers. Despite criticism from the Media and the public at the move, the BBC have gone ahead with the plans, meaning Sian's fate was inevitable. Preferring to stay with her family down South, Sian decided to resign from the early morning starts.

Sian will not be disappearing altogether however. Soon to be presenting on Radio 4, along with her commitments to the Olympics and BBC News summaries, the presenter is dedicated to the BBC, telling the Daily Mail "the BBC is in my blood."

As an aspiring journalist, it is my dream, one day, to get the chance to present a news programme, and Sian's legacy has really inspired me. Her warm-hearted touch, together with her co-presenter Bill Turnball, has delighted over 2 million viewers in the country. She will be missed.

Here are her highlights: Sian Williams leaves BBC Breakfast

Picture Courtesy of Wikipedia

Book Review: A Perfect Spy by John Le Carre

For a title that connotates action, adventure and drama of an exquisite level you would anticipate blood, sex and danger. But what is actually brought to the reader is a tale so perplexing, and at times boring, that deeming it ‘perfect’ would seem false and obscure from the reality that is churned out from chapter to chapter.

Yes, there is a spy. And an interesting tangle of spy networks across the globe. Set in various European cities, thrown in with a British backdrop and the odd gun or mystery, it does have the elements for a proper crime tale. No doubt, the author has experience too, with over 70 years of writing to his name and the usual acclaims and accolades you would expect from a writer. Moreover, he is from Eton (Eton being the establishment of a younger James Bond - Carre knows his stuff!)
The main character, Magnus Pym, is a mysterious lone - ranger; caught up with many a heroine as his past unravels. His family and colleagues also provide substance and emotion; of love, of passion, of betrayal and death. Instead of car chases, suicide and gang culture beckoning from the print, we read into a book that is all about Pym’s childhood - letter’s to his son, before he commits suicide. Great, a ‘book within a book’. 701 pages of the past, with more secrets then the government expenses scandal! So what I imagined as a chase across the globe turns into a frightfully dull experience of ‘Who do you think you are?’ where the only action occurs at the end when Magnus decides enough is enough. Not a surprise to imagine I was thinking the same thing after this tiresome paperback!
So as I rushed through the chapters and repetitive back and forth into this spy’s story, all that revealed was a never ending flashback - a certain variation from the promising blurb at the back of the book, ‘revealing a life made up of secrets.’ The only secret I could make out was the fact I was getting two books for the price of one; the ‘This is your life’ family history added with a poor sense of crime and drama. Yes, there were parts of interest; the character of Jack Brotherhood carried most of the‘traditionalist’ spy virtues - many women, no sleep, a taking to Vodka. If the story were based on him, who at parts is seemingly easy to believe, it would have made the tale a pleasant and exciting journey from start to finish. But alas, this was not to be.
Perhaps John Le Carre tried to hard on focusing on a new type of spy - a more modern take on crime, although one would deem this hypocritical seeing as most of it was based on memoirs from the past! In future, I will stick to that certain familiar, if not stereotypical, portrayal of a ‘James Bond-esque’ spy drama that captivates the reader from cover to cover. A stereotype that for me, never fails to deliver. Thus bringing an essence of a truly‘perfect spy’ - which this book failed to deliver.

2/5 Stars

Picture Courtesy of Wikipedia

Other book review posts:

Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd

Olympics 2012 - over before it has even reached the finish line?

It was on the 6 July 2005, at approximately 12.46pm UK time, that the President of the International Olmpic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, said in front of the General Assembly in Singapore - and indeed millions of others across the world - that London would be the host of the olympic games in 2012. In fact, if you want the full quote, he said: "The Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012 are awarded to the city of...London."

I remember being at school when the games were announced. A naive 13 year old boy with ambitious dreams to be a journalist, but with little understanding of what the Olympic Games meant. Yes, I had watched previous games, and could remember vividly cheering Kelly Holmes to victory not once, but twice in the 2004 games in Athens. But apart from that, it was merely a sports contest, which I likened to a music concert or a World Cup match. It did not seem to really affect me, and I had no idea about the legacy, the power and the change to the lives of Briton's across the country.

I look back on that moment now and reflect. I remember the cheers and jubilation of the public. The crowds in London going wild, my friends all around me going crazy; I even remember Denise Lewis jumping across her desk at the committee in Singapore, as if she was competing in the final of the 200m hurdles. A flurry of Union Jack flags, streamers and bunting collate to form a pretty important moment in our history.

And by and large, the excitement of the games has not changed over the last seven years. In fact, this year it has really hit home at just how huge this event will be for London, and indeed the country. Excitement has reached fever pitch and already, mums are busy preparing scones, lemonade and sausage rolls for the many street parties that are bound to take place.

But in seems this feeling of joy is being shadowed by a somber feeling of anger and regret as many of the public, from politicians to the media, start waking up to the reality of what the Olympics really means.

Over the last seven years, I have followed the Olympic games with a keen interest. Since the end of Beijing 2008, it is fair to say the attention has turned on London. And in the last few months in particular, it seems that, rather than supporting London 2012, there is a move to condemn and scrutinise it.

Let's start with the Olympic Park. It has regenerated an area that was badly in need of repair. In fact, I would say it has put Stratford and East London back on the map - not for gang crime and poverty, as the usual stories report - but for a location of fantastic sporting facilities, new infrastructure and a cleaner, greener landscape. It is foolish to conceit that the games have not improved the area. But at what cost? A recent Sky News investigation revealed that the true cost of staging the games had reached £12 billion, five times more than the original estimates made by the former Labour government way back when London bid for the games in 2005. Yet even more worrying was the fact, when associated costs are added, the bill could cost ten times the original estimate of £2.37 billion.

Yet it is worth it, right. Or is it? Because recent figures from Visit Britain suggest that tourism figures will only match those of last year, which fell just short of 31 million. Tourism, apart from the sporting legacy of the Olympic Games, has been the main factor in promoting the Olympics. Yet, 7 years ago when the bid was made, tourism experts claimed the Games would do nothing to help increase tourism in the UK. A recent article by The I Paper claimed that the European Tour Operators Association (ETOS) said there was little evidence from previous games to suggest tourism is boosted by the Olympics. They cited reasons such as traffic, congestion, pollution and over-crowding to be the main reasons for people being put off into travelling to London.

Transport chaos is bound to happen. Forget the worry of a security risk, a fault on the underground line is well worth a bet on. Transport for London (TFL) have ploughed £6.5 billion into transport upgrades, extensions to the lines and improvements to the service, to accommodate for the 9 million people who are estimated to be in London for the games. But with ongoing concern over rail bonuses, in which Bob Crow - RMT Union General Secretary - rejected the TFL's latest plans to give a £500 bonus to tube drivers, there are fears that the transport will not be ready in time for the summer, or indeed function. Transport bosses have warned that 3/10 journeys will be affected by traffic, with key areas like London Bridge and Canary Wharf. Even Boris Johnson, current London Major, has even urged travellers to avoid congestion spots, despite backing a recent campaign called "Get Ahead" to promote the use of public transport in London.

And then there is the cost. Travelling around London can be expensive enough, and what with forking out on tickets and numerous ice creams and cool drinks (if the sun does manage to shine), there is the costly experience of trying to book a hotel room. Complaints have been made across the country of extortionate fees for rooms in the many hotels in London. By just comparing rooms at a no-frills hotel branch for example, you will find that a double bedroom in London is 500% more per night than if you were to stay in Kent.

Even the hotel owners are unhappy. Last month, LOCOG - London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Parlaympic Games - put 25% of hotel rooms in London back on sale after over-estimating how many they would need for foreign dignitaries. The travel industry now estimates that the cost of these empty rooms - about 1 million beds in total - will cause a £3.5 billion loss to the tourism industry.

Then there was the ticketing fiasco. Only a quarter of all those who applied for tickets - in their millions, according to official statistics - got tickets for the games. I was one of the unlucky ones, who despite applying for four different events, got nothing. Meanwhile, a recent Daily Mail article pointed out that one man managed to get over £200,000 worth of tickets for various events. Although the LOCOG officials claimed the system was fair, there are many disgruntled fans of the Olympics who will have to watch their favourite athletes compete from their living rooms this summer.

Moving on from the financial concerns of the Olympics, morally, the games have been condemned. International criticism has hit LOCOG after Dow Jones, the chemical giant who has sponsored the IOC since 2010, was handed the contract to build the hi-tech fibre wrap which will surround the Olympic stadium. The chemical group bought Union Carbide in 2001, whose factory in 1984 leaked toxic chemicals in Bhopal, killing up to 15,000 people and seriously injuring thousands of others. The £7 million project has ignited wide-spread anger, and has even resulted in India threatening to withdraw its team from the games. Meredith Alexander, an official for the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012, recently stepped down from her post in anger over the deal.

It seems that just as London gears up for the greatest sporting event in the world, the reality of the games behind the sporting action and celebrations hides the worrying truths of just how make-or-break the Olympics is to the economy, to tourism, to national security and to us as a nation.

But no matter how serious the consequences of the above may have on the Olympics, there is no doubt that it will change our lives. Whether it be the health benefits, the sense of community or the landscape, everyone should feel part of the event.

I am honoured to be representing the games as a Games Maker, one of the lucky few who makes up over 200,000 volunteers and staff for the Olympics. Not only am I incredibly proud and eager to help towards staging this phenomenal event, I truly believe that it will do more good then bad. If you speak to people in the streets, they will tell you that they feel the same, that this year is the year for Britain. A sense of pride, cohesion and jubilation all coming together. And in this day and age, that is something money really cannot buy.

You can read more of my work, including interviews with Bob Crow and former Olympic gold medal winner Ben Hunt-Davis, on my blog: http://thejourknow.blogspot.com/

Pictures Courtesy of Wikipedia

Friend for Friday: Bob Crow

He's always got a say on something. He's hated by commuters, but loved by the unions. Yes, Bob Crow - one of the biggest voices in the UK's fierce trade union movement. I met him last year for a surprisingly smooth interview with the tough personality. He is this weeks Friend for Friday.

Since his appointment as General Secretary of the Rail and Maritime Union (RMT) in 2002, Bob Crow has seen his union’s numbers increase by a third to more than 80,000 members currently. From organising strikes on the Underground, to his beliefs in Communism and Socialism - we chatted to him about his role as secretary and how he felt as a panellist on the recent edition of Any Questions?

It is not your first time on Any Questions is it Bob?
No, it is not. I’ve actually appeared as a panellist three times before my fourth appearance tonight. I’ve also appeared on Question Time three times too.

And do you enjoy your appearances?
Oh yes! Thoroughly, I love the interaction between the audience and the panel. A good old-fashioned debate is brilliant on this programme, and tonight was no exception. The audience were fantastic - lots of people make it brilliant, and you love the cheers, and boos. I think tonight was one of my favourites!

You are certainly a man of staunch views, and you made that clear tonight. Do you agree?
Well, I’m honest. You have to be in this game. I’m happy to be a minority. Sometimes my views do not agree with the audience, but as tonight they did meet with cheers and applause (we can confirm that he was the biggest crowd pleaser). All I will say is that I respect any view, so long as it is not a racist view.

The media describe you as a communist/ socialist. Is this correct?
Yes, it is. I believe in Socialism, I believe in decent life for all and opportunities for all. We should respect other people, whatever our economic or social background - something our society is currently not doing.

Since your appointment as General Secretary for the Rail and Maritime Union in 2002, union members have increased from 57,000 to over 80,000. What would you suggest has pleased the public the most about your appointment?
I guess it is my beliefs and aims for the union.

Which are?
Well, the main aim is job security. All members of the union should have security in their jobs, and that is my number one aim. Decent pay and the security of a pension are also key to my beliefs.

With the ongoing National Union of Students Crisis, and what with the past furore surrounding the RMT Underground strikes this year, would you argue that these strikes seem to be doing more harm than good?
No, not at all. The reason we have these strikes is because of the injustices of the workers. The big bosses take all the profit whilst the worker does all the work. It has happened for decades, if not centuries. By enforcing strike action, the union represents all its workers, which in turn makes their life better. The only way is forward - whether that means strike action or not!

Interviewed by Kieran Watkins 
Picture Courtesy of http://postrecession.wordpress.com/