Sunday, December 31, 2017
Phil Collins Wants You To See In The New Year With The Drum Solo From 'In The Air Tonight'
Phil Collins has suggested an alternative musical moment to Auld Lang Syne to usher in 2018.
For this New Year, the former Genesis drummer thinks you should try the drum break from his smash hit In The Air Tonight.
The 66-year-old told his Twitter followers earlier this month: “If you play In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins on December 31st at 11:56:40 the drum break will play as the clock strikes midnight.”
The song, released in 1981 and inspired by splitting with his first wife Andrea Bertorelli, enjoyed a return to prominence in 2007 after Cadbury’s deployed a drumming gorilla to bash out the famous rhythm.
After the Collins tweet, people made other suggestions ...
And not just music ...
Politics too ...
Some were more realistic ...
But with the southern hemisphere already in January 1, 2018, the early signs are that it might not have been such a great idea.
Horses Evacuated As Fire Tears Through Car Park Next To Liverpool Arena
A horse show has been cancelled as firefighters tackle a blaze at a multi-storey car park at the Echo Arena on Liverpool’s waterfront.
A total of 12 fire engines were at the building at King’s Dock in the city centre.
No-one is believed to have been hurt and it is not yet known how many cars have been damaged.
The area was evacuated, including around 80 horses taken to safety, as the Liverpool International Horse Show is currently on at the arena venue.
Crews were first called at 4.42pm and were on scene eight minutes later.
Six fire engines were initially in attendance and crews, wearing breathing apparatus, are tackling the blaze, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service said.
Merseyside Police said “a number” of vehicles are on fire and nearby apartments have been evacuated due to smoke billowing from the blaze.
Police advised members of the public to stay away from the area and traffic restrictions are currently in place.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said in a tweet: “Arena Car Park fire have been told everyone safe and no animals hurt seems a land rover went on fire on the 3rd level, horses on 1st the horses have been evacuated to Arena. Will give more news about tonight ASAP.”
An evening session of the horse show was cancelled.
A spokeswoman for the Echo Arena said: “We regret to announce that the Liverpool International Horse Show has been cancelled tonight due to a serious fire in the multi-storey car park on site.
“All people and horses are safe and secure.
’We are working alongside the emergency services to ensure the fire is brought under control and to make the site safe as quickly as possible.
“Please note that there is no access to the ACC Liverpool site. We will provide regular updates when we can.”
In a tweet, mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “Arena Car Park fire have been told everyone safe and no animals hurt seems a land rover went on fire on the 3rd level, horses on 1st the horses have been evacuated to Arena. Will give more news about tonight ASAP.”
He later tweeted: “Anyone whose car was in the arena car park should go to the Galeria in the Exhibition centre. Council and arena staff will help with getting home or emergency accommodation.
“Big praise for our fire service who are working really hard at the car park.”
Jeremy Corbyn Says Labour Is Staking Out 'The New Centre Ground' In British Politics
Jeremy Corbyn has declared Labour is “staking out the new centre ground” in British politics and he is leading a “government in waiting”.
In his new year’s message, the Labour leader said the prospect of a “new Britain” was “closer than ever before”.
After a dramatic 2017 which saw Labour defy predictions of a landslide defeat at a general election which instead resulted in Theresa May losing her Commons majority, Mr Corbyn vowed to use 2018 to help people “fulfil their hopes”.
“Ours is a fantastic country full of wonderful, caring and talented people with the hope of a great future ahead of us, where we all share in the wealth we create,” he said.
“But we are being held back by a self-serving elite who look after themselves and their friends, and a failed system which delivers staggering wealth at the top while more and more people struggle to simply make ends meet.”
The 2017 general election showed “the establishment’s secret is out: they’re not as strong as they appear” and have “no idea how to fix their broken system or upgrade our stagnant economy”.
In 2018 “Labour’s mission is to give our people support and security and use their talents, unleash their creativity and fulfil their hopes”.
Mr Corbyn, a veteran of Labour’s left wing, insisted that the party he leads now represents a new centre ground in British politics.
“The old political consensus is finished,” he said. “We are staking out the new centre ground in British politics, backing the things which most people want but are blocked by vested interests.
“We are a government in waiting, while the Conservatives are weak and divided and stuck in an outdated rut with no new ideas. The hope of a new Britain, run in the interests of the many, not the few, is closer than ever before. Together we can, and we will, deliver it.”
Meanwhile, Theresa May said in her new year message the next 12 months will allow Britons to feel “renewed confidence and pride” as the country makes progress on Brexit and creating a “stronger and fairer” society.
The Prime Minister said that although Brexit was “crucial”, it was “not the limit of our ambitions” – highlighting her Government’s approach to schools, the police and the National Health Service as signs that she was focused on issues affecting people’s daily lives.
After a difficult 12 months which saw her decision to call a snap election backfire spectacularly, three scandal-hit Cabinet ministers forced to resign and continued unrest within Tory ranks over Europe, May acknowledged that “any year brings its challenges”.
In her message,May said 2017 had been a “year of progress” for the UK and insisted that the divisions of the European Union referendum were in the past as “most people just want the Government to get on and deliver a good Brexit, and that’s exactly what we are doing”.
In an apparent reference to her own troubles, May said: “Of course any year brings its challenges – that is true for each of us personally, as much as for our country and the world.
“But the real test is not whether challenges come; it’s how you face them.
“Whether you allow a task to overcome you, or tackle it head on with purpose and resolve.”
Prince Philip ‘Asked If Bearded Man Was Terrorist While Joking With Crowds’
The Duke of Edinburgh pointed out a bearded man and asked “is that a terrorist?” as he greeted crowds at Sandringham, it has been claimed.
The 96-year-old was attending St Magdalene Church on New Year’s Eve accompanied by the Princess Royal, when it is reported he made the comment as he joked with onlookers.
Witnesses who claimed to have heard the comment said the man had a ginger beard, The Sun and the Mail Online reported.
The Duke traditionally marks the festive period with the Queen at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, attending a church service on Christmas morning and New Year’s Eve with the royal family.
Philip, who retired in August, is notorious for making controversial comments.
The royal once famously asked a group of Aboriginal Australians during a visit in 2002: “Do you still throw spears at each other?”
He also once asked a disabled 60-year-old man on a mobility scooter: “How many people have you knocked over this morning on that thing?”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
New Year, New Me?
As we head into the new year, resolutions to ‘lose weight’, ‘stop procrastinating’, and ‘get a boyfriend’ are abound. But what if, after years of failed attempts at goal setting, you decide that all you want out of the new year is to be happy? What if having a flat stomach and being more productive are just by-products of happiness? What if everything falls into place precisely because you’re not setting yourself boundaries for success and measuring your joy in terms of their achievement? This is how I’m approaching 2018. No more ambitious bullet point lists written in Moleskin journals with fancy Parker pens simply because they symbolise one getting one’s metaphorical shit together. No more sticking Instagram quotes about wellness to my bedroom wall, only for the Bluetac to lose its stickiness three weeks later and the card to fall down the back of the radiator. Finally, and most importantly, no more conflating happiness with achieving empty resolutions.
My one goal for 2018 is to be happy. From the outset this is a mammoth goal which requires a lifelong commitment – hence it’s the only new year’s resolution I will ever be setting again. Having suffered from depression for the past three years, being happy has always been a pipe dream. Something I’ve laid awake at night fantasising about. My mind filled with hopes of one day escaping the monotonous cycle of constant darkness. “Maybe one day I’ll get excited about something again,” I’d think to myself only to wake up the next day and do nothing about achieving this dream. Depression is one of the most prolific mental illnesses of the 21st Century not because it’s ‘fashionable’ to be depressed, but because it takes so much commitment to overcome. You don’t just wake up one morning cured and ready to begin a new life of sunshine and rainbows. Sleep just acts as a short break in a conscious awareness of misery. Depression and sleep are intrinsically entwined as sleep is one of the few breaks we can have from our own minds.
Happiness for me is being able to think freely. To have the freedom to let myself do the things I want to do without self-doubt and constant criticism. To go on walks and listen to music, not because it might ‘cure’ my depression but just because I want to get some fresh air. To exercise in the gym with the sole aim of improving my health and fitness instead of hoping to burn off the spoonful of granola I ate at 12am. To go on dates with guys who ask me out, rather than coming up with excuses of deadlines and pre-made plans while I tell myself that being tied down to someone at this age isn’t conducive to my five-year-plan.
I started my self-love and happiness journey (a cliché but a cliché for a reason) late this year because I realised that unless I started to love myself unconditionally nothing was ever going to change. I would carry on being the depressed, socially anxious, alcohol dependent and food-fearing person I had been for the past few years until I realised my own worth. Now I’m nowhere near the point of absolute self-love yet but I’m certainly much closer than I was when my day would start with a list of unachievable goals copied off a wellness influencer. I don’t meditate, I don’t do yoga and I rarely eat superfoods but what I do choose every day is to put myself first. Not selfishly I hasten to add, but I do what I want to do. If I want to go to the gym, I’ll pick out my favourite leggings and head out the door. If I fancy deep-cleaning my room, I’ll grab a duster and spend the next few hours blasting out Dexy’s Midnight Runners and banishing those cobwebs. If there’s anything I want to do and it’s within my power to do it, I will. Because for me, happiness isn’t about having a thigh gap or a posh boyfriend anymore. It’s about doing the things I enjoy simply because I can and waking up every day loving the person I am regardless of what other people may think.
In 2018 I don’t choose detox teas and snazzy bullet journals, I choose to be happy.
Most Of The People On The Queen's New Year Honours List Are Celebrating, But My British Empire Medal Is Bitter Sweet
Most of the people who got honoured in the Queens New Year honours list are celebrating. But my British Empire Medal is bitter sweet as I would swap it in a heart-beat to get my daughter Hester back.
Whilst I’m proud to accept the honour for the achievement of keeping young people safer, preventing harm and even death, it has made me pensive. When I reflect on the Angelus journey, and why I undertook it in the first place, I remember the passion and determination I had burning inside me to not let my daughter’s death be in vain.
My youngest daughter Hester was a 21-year-old medical student at Sussex University, which is the other side of the Downs from my house in Brighton. She was a student mentor as well as a very enthusiastic cheer leader. She sometimes called to say “Mummy, come and watch us practice tonight and by the way what are you making for dinner?”. She was a wonderful daughter who was much loved by all those whose lives she touched. Very sadly, she was given a legal high after an awards dinner by a ‘friend’ on 25th April 2009, and, coupled with the few drinks she had consumed during the evening, it shut down her respiratory system and she stopped breathing forever. Two policewomen appeared on my doorstep the following morning to relay the devastating news that broke my heart and the hearts of her family and close friends.
Probably because of my profile in the media as a wellness expert, author and broadcaster and the fact that Hester was such a star student and not a drug taker, the story became irresistible to the media. We got tipped off by the Telegraph that we were about to be ‘door stepped’ by the press and indeed they camped out on our doorstep for the following four days and nights whilst we were hidden in a hotel nearby.
I felt like I was living a nightmare, ripped out of real life and plummeted into a dark place filled with agony, pain and unfamiliar surroundings. I prayed I would wake up and real life would resume, but alas, that was not to be. Richard Edwards, the then Crime Correspondent from the Telegraph accompanied us to the hotel for those few days. It was during that time that we discovered that Hester had been given a substance called GBL, which I found out from Google was paint stripper. I also discovered that it had been banned for human consumption in many other countries around the world four years before and that several European countries had run awareness campaigns 18 months before, in conjunction with night clubs, charities and the police highlighting the fact that GBL + Alcohol = Death.
Jackie Smith, the Home Secretary in the UK at the time, had been urged by the European Committee on Drug Dependency Monitoring as well as the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to raise awareness about the dangers of GBL in a similar way to our European counterparts, but she chose to take no action. I felt angry and aggrieved when I discovered her inertia as I felt certain that Hester, who absolutely adored life and helping others, would still be alive if she and her friend had known about the dangers. It was my anger and devastating loss that fuelled my passion to campaign to raise awareness so that other families wouldn’t have to experience a similar life sentence.
So instead of curling up in a ball, really choosing to swap places with Hester, I made myself get out of bed each day with the determination I would somehow save lives in her memory as she would have done if she had lived to qualify as a doctor.
I was completely clueless about how I was going to achieve my objective, except to say that my first stop was to meet with the Home Secretary, and ask her to account for her lack of action. I also knew I needed to do more research and talk to medical experts to expand my understanding. I felt utterly shocked as a knowledgeable health care professional that I had no clue what legal highs were until Hester’s death. Even her father who is a medical doctor had no knowledge that chemicals and drugs were being used for recreational purposes purporting to be safe as they were ‘legal’.
During my lifetime, I often found myself challenged with many weird and wonderful tasks I hadn’t planned to do. I used to joke that I felt like I was in training for something. I came to realise that all of that had actually been the dress rehearsal for the next chapter in my life. I needed all the skills I could muster for this next journey; one that would truly save lives and preserve wellbeing.
With significant help and resources I managed to attract, I founded the Angelus Foundation with the goal of raising awareness about legal highs so that young people could come to understand that legal doesn’t mean safe and therefore make informed decisions, and their parents would be enabled to have wise conversations increasing the likelihood of keeping their teenagers safe.
The skill set that I needed to learn however, was to tune in and trust the Universe and to follow what I now knew was a calling. In exchange for losing Hester I seemed to be given an increased perception from helpers who were my ‘higher powers’, or spiritual guides; call them what you will. And the cherry on the cake was that I was certain that Hester was with me in spirit every step of the way. Call me ridiculous if you like, but how else could I have been followed around by multiple TV cameras since day one, managed to get massive coverage on TV and in the national newspapers, and keep the headlines going over six years, some days doing as many as eight TV interviews in one day? How could I have engineered laws to be changed when leading experts said it would never happen? Be introduced to Lady Valerie Corbett who called for helpers? Attract a member of The Royal Family, Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, as the Patron to the Foundation I eventually set up and four members of The House of Lords? Plus, a number of household name celebrities and more world class experts than would eventually completely fill a large Board Room at the Guildhall, given to us on a pro bono basis? I had personal communication with the Prime Minister as well as large numbers of other Ministers over the years and had the honour to become friends and working associates with Mitch, Jane and Janis Winehouse, parents of Amy, and the highly accomplished Vicky Unwin, due to the common losses and objectives to make a difference to the world in memory of our daughters.
Relationships and introductions played a key role in this success story. Whoever said it’s all about who you know was so right. I remember the day when I received a call informing me that Amazon were selling legal highs. We tried for months to communicate to their team, from the CEO down to their PR department, and received no reply. In desperation, we asked the Daily Mail to help and indeed on the day their cover story went to print Amazon not only stopped selling legal highs in the UK, but by tea-time that day, they also took legal highs off their websites world-wide.
Then there was the day I got a call from Norman Baker, the Drugs Minister, saying that Mrs May, the then Home Secretary, wouldn’t publish the report on the review that we had all worked so hard to engineer, calling for a new Bill. He asked for my help in desperation. I wrote a personal letter to the Prime Minister begging him to help, which was hand delivered that same day. The Telegraph published the letter on page three the next day and BBC radio stations across the country read out my letter as if I were speaking and typing at the same time. Within two days I had a response from David Cameron to say that the report would be published and indeed, the New Psychoactive Substance Bill was the first bill the Queen mentioned in her Speech in 2015 and became law in June 2016.
The new Act banned the supply of legal highs and new psychoactive substances, closing approximately 500 retail outlets, including 115 websites, and in the process, saving countless lives.
The new law has also stopped 332 shops across the UK from selling the substances according to figures from the Home Office.
The Crime Survey Figures for England and Wales (CSEW) released in July showed a 55% fall in use of NPS by 16-24 year olds, while statistics from The Public Health England reported that young people having problems with NPS fell by 45%.
I realise with hindsight that the Angelus journey was predestined and came about because, even on my darkest days, when I felt I lacked the courage or willingness to get out of bed, I learned to trust the Universe and believe that I wasn’t operating alone.
As a result of my arduous and emotional journey, sometimes working more than 70 hours per week, and the collective efforts of Team Angelus, young people will now survive rather than die, wellbeing will prevail instead of huge numbers of young people becoming mentally ill, and parents will be armed with sufficient knowledge to keep their young safe.
I am proud to share my story and hope that, instead of dwelling on the sadness of loss, light bulbs will go on in minds across the world when they realise that they too have the ability to bring about positive change.
I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that you are, like me, probably capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for. As the New Year begins you can paint your canvas in any way you so choose. Helping others and making a difference in the world is a great way to serve yourself a decent helping of joy. I highly recommend it.
Wishing you all an excellent 2018.
New Year, New You? Five Resolutions For 2018
Well well well, it’s that time of year again my friends. It feels like just yesterday I was writing last year’s New Year post, where I talked about resolutions and why I don’t like them. I still stand by what I said: that if you want to change something, you go ahead and change it. You don’t wait until Monday, or summer, or the New Year. You just get on with it.
That being said, I know a lot of you like to set yourself resolutions, so I wanted to suggest five really great things I think we would all benefit from doing in 2018. Little lifestyle changes which will make a huge difference to your world and the beautiful world that we live in. So let’s go.
1. COMPLAIN LESS
We all love a good moan, and I find myself complaining about stupid things just as much as the next person, but we need to wake up. This year, let’s all try and remember how blessed we are. Let’s try and be more grateful, see the positive. Realise that, if you’re reading this from your smartphone, tucked up in bed, with a roof over your head, food in your fridge, and a job to go to, you are one of the most well-off people in the world, and you have opportunities open to you that some people will only ever dream of. So, let’s quit complaining. Quit moaning. People in this world are suffering and starving every day, and we are being ungrateful.
2. BE KINDER TO OTHERS
I know it’s easy to get frustrated at other people. I know people are weird and irritating and they do things which annoy us but please, let’s try to take it easy on each other. We all make mistakes, we all do things now and then which don’t necessarily comply with our true character. We try to be good and do good things, but sometimes we mess up. All of us. It’s called being human.
So let’s stop being so quick to judge and to assume things about people. If we all just took a little more time, had a little more patience, a little more understanding, maybe life would be easier. Instead of jumping to conclusions and assuming everything about a person when they inconvenience you, why not just take a step back, give them a smile, and let it go? It will not affect you in a week’s time. It won’t even affect you tomorrow. So trust me when I say, it does not matter. Life is far too short to waste even a second of it being frustrated and angry about superficial things. Let’s all try to relax, and be a bit more forgiving.
3. BE KINDER TO YOURSELF
While you’re running around being kind to others, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Don’t be afraid to put yourself first more often. Not in a selfish way, but in a ‘I need to look after myself today’ kind of way. If you need some ‘you’ time, you take it. If that means cancelling plans and cuddling up on the sofa with your favourite book, do it. You don’t have to justify it, you don’t have to explain it. You just have to look after yourself.
Oh, and one more thing, stop being so negative about yourself. Stop looking in the mirror and criticising everything that you see. Stop reinforcing your negative thoughts with negative words, always talking yourself down. Start waking up and telling yourself that you are strong, you are beautiful, you are powerful and you are good. When you stand in the mirror and you wish your butt was a little bigger, or your shoulders were a little narrower, or your waist was a little smaller, I want you to think of this, I want you to stop, and I want you to remind yourself that you are utterly perfect just the way you are.
4. EDUCATE YOURSELF
You know what blows my mind? When people say they’re bored. So long as you’ve got access to the internet, or books, or PEOPLE, you have access to pretty much all of the information in the world. How can you ever be bored?! You could pick up your phone and learn about Greek mythology, about how mountain ranges are formed, how to speak a new language, how to play the guitar, whatever it is that takes your interest. All you have to do is read and research. And it’s totally free. Don’t you think that’s incredible?
Why not take advantage of that this year? Instead of spending your evenings watching TV and scrolling through Instagram, why not learn something? Why not educate yourself? Leaving school or getting a university degree does not mean that you are ‘done’ with learning. You will never be ‘done’ with learning. There is so much knowledge and history and LIFE out there, and you’ve got billions of years to catch up on, so get reading.
5. LOOK AFTER OUR WORLD
You might not see it in your own environment, but we are destroying our planet my friends. You may think that you’re just one tiny person who isn’t making much of an impact. But you are. So make that impact good. Recycle. Give your old clothes to charity shops. Stop using so much plastic. Reduce your meat intake. Reduce your dairy intake. Walk more. Drive less. Turn off your lights. Don’t waste water. Do your best to behave in a way that is thoughtful of a world bigger than yourself. And if you’re struggling to realise why this is so important, see number four.
Let’s make a difference this year. Together, we can do great things. Who’s with me?
Happy New Year,
B
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Thank you so much for reading my blogs – I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your support. Please feel free to explore my page and follow me on Instagram for daily tips on exercise, life and nutrition. B x
You Can See More: Anti-ageing for 2018: The FIVE trends you will be following next year to turn back time
The following article Anti-ageing for 2018: The FIVE trends you will be following next year to turn back time is courtesy of Daily Express :: Health Feed
ANTI-AGEING isn’t all about what cream you slather on your face. This is how you’ll be turning back time, both inside and out, in 2018.
ANTI-AGEING isn’t all about what cream you slather on your face. This is how you’ll be turning back time, both inside and out, in 2018.
Death At The Calais Border - Needless, Relentless And Entirely Preventable
We were consistently warned that refugees dying of the cold in Northern France was a “distinct possibility”. No one really took into account how refugees themselves had the same fear.
When the only hope to cling on to is the sheer desperate thought of getting out of Calais - refugees are taking more risks, putting their lives in danger. All in the last two weeks, three tragedies brought the humanitarian response in Calais to a standstill. A 15-year-old child died on the motorway trying to reach his family in the UK. He had been formally referred to the state child protection service as a vulnerable child and a potential candidate for family reunification, but no action was taken. A 22-year-old young man was almost fatally injured in similar circumstances. And a few nights ago another young man was killed inside a lorry which was involved in a crash.
The conditions in which people live are beyond bleak. The same story repeats itself each day and night. You’ve been forced out of your home, your town and your country. You survived the perilous sea while many other have died. You reach Europe and try to join your family in Britain. The old “Jungle” camp is gone.
You wake up in the forest on the frozen ground, underneath a tarp being ripped apart by the police. The night before, the Prefecture in Calais said it wasn’t cold enough to open the warehouse they use for emergency night accommodation. The police tell you to move on and before you have the chance, you’re sprayed with tear gas.
Your eyes sting, your skin feels like it’s burning and you struggle to breathe, you still walk two miles in broken shoes to a distribution point to get the only food available to you which is provided by volunteers. You stand in line waiting for a warmer jacket and maybe some shoes, but defeated volunteers tell you they don’t have enough donations to give you what you need. You try to connect to the WiFi provided by volunteers and ask for a top-up on a Facebook group, knowing it could take you a month before you have credit on your phone to call your family. When you do speak to your mum, you lie to her and tell her you’re somewhere warm and safe.
You walk another two miles to a day centre outside of town to lay down somewhere dry and charge your phone. You’re told if you want to stay in France you have to get yourself to Lille, as there is no asylum office in Calais. But you also know the police arrest all refugees at train stations, and you cannot face the detention centre again. The day centre closes in the afternoon, you walk out and it’s already dark again. You wait again for volunteers to come with food. When the night comes you walk back to your bit of forest and find that everything you left behind was taken or covered in mud.
You go up to the motorway, wait for any lorry to slow down as it passes you. You cannot afford the smugglers who take you to better locations, you tried but they’ve tricked and beaten you before and you’re too afraid to risk it. One lorry comes and slows down next to you. It stops in a traffic jam, you hurry to unlock the door. Normally you have no luck and return to the woods and try to settle somewhere to sleep, before it all repeats itself once more.
Tonight however, you climb in between the heavy pallets and you say goodbye to your friend who locks the door behind you. You sit in silence and hope you’ll finally never have to see Calais again. You’ll be able to speak to your mum back in Nangarhar and tell her you’re finally safe. No more hiding in forests, no more police taking away your only blanket, no more waiting.
Two deaths in the last week have happened like this. The 15-year-old boy was hit by a vehicle that didn’t stop and was found dead by the side of the road the next morning. Volunteers are now gathering the funds to repatriate his body. The 22-year-old is described as being “between life and death”. The young man who died last night, crushed inside a lorry has not yet been identified.
Macron declared in July that no refugees - man, woman or child - would face the winter on the streets or in the woods, and yet this is the reality faced by so many right now. The emergency accommodation in Calais has once again closed its doors tonight
In Northern France, volunteers are still feeding, clothing, informing and protecting refugees, the grassroots volunteer response is the only thing keeping them alive. But there is nothing we can do when refugees become so desperate, they risk their lives so much more, purely out of the fear of dying of the cold.
Help Refugees and our local French partners provide clothing, bedding, hygiene items and advocate for refugees’ rights. Refugee Community Kitchen are the only source of food for refugees in Northern France. Refugee Info Bus provide WiFi and asylum information.
French organisations such as L’Auberge des Migrants, Utopia 56 and Secours Catholique continue to provide invaluable local support.
Lord Adonis Calls On Transport Secretary Chris Grayling To Quit Over East Coast Rail Franchise 'Bailout'
Lord Adonis has called for Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to quit over his handling of the East Coast rail franchise as the fallout from the peer’s resignation as infrastructure tsar continued.
The Labour peer quit in protest at Theresa May’s handling of Brexit, but also lashed out at what he views as a taxpayer-funded bailout allowing Virgin Trains East Coast to walk away from its franchise three years early.
He has claimed the East Coast decision is evidence that Whitehall is too distracted by the impact of Brexit to focus on running the country.
Former transport secretary Lord Adonis resigned as chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission on Friday, claiming the Prime Minister had sided with Ukip and the “Tory hard right” over her Brexit plans to leave the EU’s single market and customs union.
But he also said he would have been compelled to quit over the East Coast row.
Virgin Trains East Coast, a partnership between Stagecoach and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin, had previously agreed to pay the Government £3.3 billion to run the service until 2023 but has been allowed to walk away three years early.
A new East Coast Partnership will take on responsibility for both intercity trains and track operations on the route in 2020.
“Handing a cheque worth hundreds of millions of pounds to Richard Branson and (Stagecoach chairman) Brian Souter would be indefensible at the best of times but we are now at the worst of times with a Brexit squeeze on the public finances and with rail fares going through the roof,” Lord Adonis told The Observer.
“The cost of this bailout is going to be a slashing of the national infrastructure programme and even bigger fare rises – and as that becomes apparent in Parliament and in the media I think Chris Grayling’s position is going to become untenable.
“It is of a piece with him being a radical Brexiter to whom everything is subordinate to hard-right ideology.”
In his resignation letter, Lord Adonis told Mrs May: “The only rationale I can discern for the bailout is as a cynical political manoeuvre by Chris Grayling, a hard right Brexiteer, to avoid following my 2009 precedent when National Express defaulted on its obligations to the state for the same East Coast franchise because it too had overbid for the contract.
“I set up a successful public operator to take over East Coast services and banned National Express from bidding for new contracts. The same should have been done in this case.”
Allies of the Prime Minister appeared unconcerned by Lord Adonis’s decision to quit, suggesting he had jumped before he was pushed.
Lord Adonis urged other senior figures to follow his lead in speaking out about the Government’s approach to Brexit.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I don’t believe the Brexit policy is sustainable and I believe that people like me who have a leadership position should be out there next year arguing passionately with the British people as to why staying in the EU is the right thing to do, alongside sorting out the deep social crisis which Britain is now in the midst of, which I think is a good part of the reason why Brexit started in the first place.”
Lord Adonis said the 17.4 million voters who backed Brexit in the referendum were “absolutely entitled to their view” but “I’m absolutely entitled, indeed I believe it’s my duty, to say why I think that was wrong”.
“Very few of the people who voted for Brexit voted, I believe, to make themselves poorer,” he said.
“Wrenching Britain out of our key trading and international alliances is likely to make us poorer.”
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “No-one is getting a bailout and Virgin Stagecoach will continue to meet its financial commitments made on the East Coast rail franchise to the taxpayer as it has done since 2015.
“Stagecoach has also – on average – paid 20% more back to the taxpayer than when the line was operated by Directly Operated Rail and we continue to receive hundreds of millions of pounds.
“The decision to bring in a partnership to run the service from 2020 is to ensure the train companies work more closely with those responsible for the infrastructure, like the track and signalling, to help improve the service for passengers.”
Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Vince Cable said Lord Adonis had delivered a “lethal criticism of the Transport Secretary’s mishandling of rail franchises”.
“It would appear that the Government is handing out millions of pounds in subsidy to Virgin Rail and Stagecoach for failing to meet their financial objectives,” he said.
“This makes a complete mockery of the entire principle of rail franchising, that companies compete and take a hit if they miscalculate the market and don’t get their sums right. It’s difficult to see how Mr Grayling can survive if Lord Adonis’ accusations are correct.”
2017: A Year In Crisis
In 2017 the world faced a series of demanding humanitarian emergencies, not least here in the UK. The Manchester bombing and London Bridge attack - closely followed by the Grenfell Tower fire - devastated families across the country and led to it being one of the most demanding years for the British Red Cross since WWII. From Manchester and Myanmar to Libya and London here we take a look back at 2017 – a year in crisis.
January: South Sudan - Conditions in the world’s newest country are leading to the fastest growing refugee crisis. Penina is blind. Neighbours used to take care of her by bringing food every day. When fighting broke out, people fled. “People who used to help me did not come back. I now try to pick cassava leaves and cook my own meals, but it is hard to manage.” Come February the UN declares famine in parts of South Sudan, the world’s first since 2011.
February: Libya - 74 people wash ashore on the Libyan coast in the first major drowning of 2017. It’s the latest tragedy at sea for people fleeing to Europe to escape war and poverty. The Libyan Red Crescent reports the bodies found on the coast of the city of Zawiya took six hours to recover.
March: East Africa food crisis – Drought and conflict left 22 million people across East Africa in urgent need of food. Very poor rainfall in the region (which includes Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Uganda) led to the driest period in 60 years for some areas, leading to crop failures and deaths of livestock.
April: Lake Chad, The Silent Emergency – Despite affecting 17 million people across four countries (Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria), this is the crisis that rarely makes the headlines. Falta’s seven- year-old son Modou was burned when armed men torched their home in a village on the border with Nigeria. Her two other sons died in the fire. She now lives in an IDP camp in the extreme North of Cameroon, where finding food is their biggest challenge.
May: Manchester terror attack - On Monday 22 May, 22 people were tragically killed and dozens more injured after a bomb exploded at the Manchester Arena. Many of them were children. Around 120 other people were injured in the blast at an Ariana Grande concert. Following the event, the We Love Manchester Appeal raises more than £16m to support people and their families affected by the tragedy.
June: Grenfell Tower fire - On 14 June the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block caught fire in West London. 71 people died and over 70 were injured. In the wake of the disaster people donated more than 40,000 boxes of clothes, blankets, toiletries and essential items for those affected - enough to fill three football pitches. In the same month eight people were killed and 48 injured in a terror attack at London Bridge.
July: UK Loneliness epidemic - Over nine million people in the UK (almost one fifth of the population) report they are always or often lonely. Loneliness and social isolation form a hidden epidemic that is negatively impacting on people’s health and wellbeing. The Jo Cox Commission on loneliness finds half of all disabled people in the UK feel isolated and lonely.
August: South Asia Floods - Heavy monsoon rains in August and September trigger severe flooding over huge areas in Nepal, India and Bangladesh. More than 41 million people are affected, with hundreds of thousands losing their homes, crops and livelihoods. Faced with one of the worst floods in recent years, families in low-lying areas have been finding new ways to get through tough times. Flooding has wreaked havoc, affecting more than 1.3 million people with homes, farms, roads and essential services destroyed.
September: Hurricane Irma batters the Caribbean - On the island of St. Maarten 70% of homes and buildings are damaged or destroyed. Critical infrastructure, including water supply is severely damaged. Hurricane Irma leaves many of the islands barely habitable and Hurricane Maria closely follows, ripping through already vulnerable islands and causing further devastation.
October: Myanmar - A surge of violence in Myanmar sees more than 600,000 people cross into Bangladesh in less than two months. In a makeshift camp, 25-year-old Shovika holds her new-born daughter. She gave birth in the hills while fleeing her Myanmar. Back home, the young couple had a house and four cows that provided a stable income. But their house was burned in the violence. And as they fled, their cows were shot. Now, they live in a camp for new arrivals to Bangladesh where Shona, 27, has found work as a day labourer for £2.70 a day.
November: Yemen - After two years of conflict, more than 14 million people in Yemen do not have enough food. Up to 70% of the population urgently need emergency aid as the country is also now in the grip of an unprecedented cholera epidemic.
Displaced children are waiting for their turn to collect a daily share of bread for their families from a Red Cross supported bakery.
December: Snow storms – In 2017 the British Red Cross supported more than 200,000 people through its Home from Hospital and mobility aids services. When MET office issues a ‘Danger to life’ weather warning for snow in parts of Wales in December , the British Red Cross are called in to transport hospital staff and crucial blood supplies as temperatures plummet to -5c overnight.
The British Red Cross helps millions of people in the UK and around the world to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, disasters and conflicts. Our volunteers and staff help people in crisis to live independently by providing support at home, mobility aids and transport. We also teach first aid skills. We are part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian network.
Bristol Murder Probe: Man Stabbed Multiple Times In Bristol Nightclub
Police are appealing for witnesses and mobile phone footage of a disturbance in a Bristol nightclub after a 37-year-old man died having been stabbed multiple times.
A murder investigation was launched when the man, who police named as Jamel Powell, died two hours after being attacked in the Blue Mountain Club in the Stokes Croft area of the city early on Saturday morning.
On Sunday, Avon and Somerset Police said a post-mortem examination found Mr Powell, who was taken to hospital following the incident at 3am, died from multiple stab wounds.
A 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the inquiry and a second man, aged 55, was arrested later.
Both men remain in police custody.
Detective Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said the force would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have filmed any part of it on their mobile phone.
“If you have footage of the disturbance, or have seen it posted on social media, please get in touch,” she said.
“Any information, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, could prove to be vital.”
Detective Superintendent Belafonte said the club remained closed while crime scene investigators continued to examine it for evidence.
She added: “A full investigation is being carried out into the circumstances of this tragic incident in which a man has lost his life.
“His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained liaison officers.
“Our thoughts are with them at what is undoubtedly a difficult time.”
She said the force was “aware this will have an impact on the wider community” and had increased patrols in the area to provide reassurance.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has footage of it is asked to call 101 quoting reference 5217295746 or to call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.
7 Important Stories Of 2017 That Slipped Under The Radar
We may live in an ever-more connected world, but some news still seems to pass us by.
And given this year’s wall-to-wall coverage of Brexit and Donald Trump’s constant Twitter proclamations, it’s unsurprising some important stories slipped under the radar.
Here are seven stories of 2017 you should know more about.
1. How a Saudi Crown Prince purged his royal family rivals and turned the Ritz-Carlton into a prison
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stunned Middle East observers with an unprecedented purge of his rivals in November.
The 32-year-old proclaimed the move to oust 320 prominent fellow royals and senior business figures as a stance against corruption. Critics say it was the final act of a sensational power grab, underway since his father King Salmon took power two years ago.
The Crown Prince believes that unless the country changes, especially regarding corruption, the economy will sink into a crisis that could lead to unrest. That could threaten the royal family and weaken the country in its regional rivalry with Iran, Reuters reported in a long-form piece in December.
The state, which is battling lower than expected revenues from its oil reserves and rocketing costs of a war with Yemen, hopes to earn as much as $100bn from the arrests.
The purge had another consequence: it turned the opulent Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh into a prison. A letter delivered to guests staying there blamed an “unforeseen booking by local authorities” for cutting short their stays. And according to the state’s attorney general, some 159 of those ousted were housed in the hotel.
One detainee, a Saudi prince known as the “Arabian Warren Buffet”, was told he must pay up to $7billion to be released.
2. The EU ‘suppressed 300-page report that found piracy doesn’t harm sales’
A report commissioned by the EU to determine the impact of internet piracy on the sales of music, books and films, was kept secret - in a move campaigners suggest was intended to bury its findings.
Julia Reda, who represents the Pirate Party of Germany, said the May 2015 paper was delivered to the European Commission but never published in full.
The €360,000 document was only released when the German MEP submitted a freedom of information request.
Reda wrote on her blog in September: “The study’s conclusion[?] With the exception of recently released blockbusters, there is no evidence to support the idea that online copyright infringement displaces sales.”
3. Why India planted 66 million trees in 12 hours
India broke its own world record this summer for the number of trees planted across a central state in 12 hours.
A whopping 66 million seedlings were bedded down by volunteers - trouncing the country’s previous record of 50 million in 2016.
Some 1.5 million people helped during the event in the state of Madhya Pradesh as part of an effort to re-introduce greenery lost over years of industrial development.
At the Paris climate change conference, India pledged to increase forest cover to 95 million hectares, or 235 million acres, by year 2030.
The initiative will also improve rainwater flows - helping to ease the effect of perilous flooding.
4. Scientists describe problems with Big Tobacco firm’s e-cigarette experiments
Scientists with knowledge of studies into the effects of using e-cigarettes designed and manufactured by a Big Tobacco firm have spoken out about “irregularities” with the research.
Philip Morris, one of the World’s biggest cigarette manufacturers, is currently attempting to persuade US regulators to approve a new e-cig device it claims could reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
By heating tobacco instead of burning it, Philip Morris says its device, known as iQOS, avoids subjecting smokers to the same levels of carcinogens and other toxic substances found in a regular cigarette.
According to Reuters, the company has spent more than $3 billion developing new smoking platforms like iQOS. As part of that initiative, Philip Morris has published extensive scientific findings, based in part on clinical studies.
The news agency found one researcher did not seek the correct permissions ahead of a medical trial, while another submitted urine samples which exceeded the amount a human being is capable of producing.
After reviewing Reuters’ findings, Philip Morris said in a statement that “all studies were conducted by suitably qualified and trained Principal Investigators”.
The company said it understands that “[US food and drug administration] inspectors have already audited some facilities” involved in the trials. Philip Morris also said it had taken steps to address “any reported irregularity in our studies”.
Read the full report here.
5. Spotify has killed the long song intro
The innovation of music streaming has brought myriad benefits to millions - and reduced the need to purchase every song outright.
But it’s also led to a change in how music producers make money. Spotify, one of the biggest music streaming services, only pays out when a song is played for more than 30 seconds.
That means artists must work harder in the first few seconds to keep listeners’ interested and playing past half a minute. The era of the long song intro may be over.
Classic songs with long intros include: She Looks Good On The Dancefloor by the Arctic Monkeys; Lose Yourself by Eminem; Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses; and Common People by Pulp.
6. Shell speaks out over North Sea oil rig plans
Oil giant Shell sparked controversy earlier this year when it suggested a plan to decommission former North Sea oil rigs would mean huge concrete platforms would be left to rot.
But the firm has now responded to the furore over the proposals to say it has “listened” to concerns, suggesting a new approach to removing the rigs will be taken.
The decommissioning of the Brent rigs in the North Sea comes as the vast area ends its life as an active oil field.
The rigs were constructed in the 1970s and lent their name to the trade of Brent Crude oil across the world.
But as their useful life ends, the government must now work with oil giants to determine what to do next. One plan touted by Shell would have seen the metal rigs disposed of, but their huge concrete plinths remain.
Environmentalists and fishing experts criticised the proposal.
The company has since told the BBC that it is has listened to the concerns raised and that “it is possible to have derogations” from the original plan.
7. Why Climate Change is making hurricane season worse
2017 seemed like the year of extreme weather events.
Hurricanes Irma and Harvey dominated discussion over the summer about our preparedness and ability to cope with increasingly tumultuous weather.
But they also spurred discussion over the cause of apparently worsened volatility - and whether it is related to climate change.
And as one climate scientist told Time magazine, there’s one fact that could prove crucial to understanding what is going on.
“A warmer ocean makes a warmer atmosphere, a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture,” said Gabriel Vecchi, a professor of geosciences at Princeton University who studies extreme weather events. “So, all other things equal, the same storm in a warmer planet would give you more rainfall.”
Read the full story here.
The World Is Welcoming 2018 In Style
Sydney has greeted 2018 in spectacular style with an epic fireworks display at the iconic Harbour Bridge.
Thousands of spectators lined the shores of Australia’s second city to witness the breathtaking event, an hour after Auckland, New Zealand, became the world’s first major city to welcome the new year.
Watch the video, above.
Auckland, New Zealand
Over 5 minutes of fireworks from the Sky Tower welcome in the new year during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland is one of the first major cities in the world to ring in the New Year
Sydney, Australia
Fireworks explode as Sydney welcomes
Australia's second city begins its iconic fireworks with a 9pm family show
Thousands line the Harbour in Sydney to gaze at the famous Bridge focal point
Sydney's Opera House is lit up as fireworks explode during an earlier display on Sunday
A spectator laughs as she waits for the annual new year fireworks as part of celebrations on Sydney Harbour
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GYM workouts could be made more effective if you add eggs to your diet, say scientists.
GYM workouts could be made more effective if you add eggs to your diet, say scientists.
You Can See More: New year diet? Forget weight loss, THIS is the unhealthy habit you should be giving up
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NEW YEAR’S resolutions are likely to involve weight loss through diet and exercise, but stopping checking your phone before bed could be a wiser idea.
NEW YEAR’S resolutions are likely to involve weight loss through diet and exercise, but stopping checking your phone before bed could be a wiser idea.
For Years, Grenfell Was Hiding In Plain Sight But Now The World Is Watching And We Are Listening
On June 13, 2017, families in Grenfell Tower went to bed just like every other night. But within hours a fire would rip through the 24-storey high-rise and change the lives of residents and the wider community forever.
As the world woke up the following morning to scenes of flames engulfing a residential tower in one of London’s wealthiest boroughs, a nation woke up to the inequalities that had been hiding in plain sight for years.
Walk 10 minutes from the Lancaster West Estate, and the streets are lined with BMWs, Audis and Jaguars, parked outside the multi-million pound properties, many of which are undergoing renovation works.
But just metres away in Grenfell Tower, scores of people were left to perish in a building described as being riddled with fire and safety problems.
The blaze exposed vast inequalities in the north Kensington borough.
The morning of the fire, everyone was asking the same question: how could this possibly happen in London? There was disbelief that the smouldering building dominating the west London skyline was in the UK. We are fortunate as a nation to believe that, when we go to bed at night, we will be safe in our own homes. Grenfell Tower fire exposed the chink in society’s armor and it became clear that no-one really knew what to do next.
No-one, that is, except the community.
Among the chaos, there was a sense of direction and purpose. Within minutes of speaking to local people and witnesses on the morning of June 14, I met volunteers who were coordinating donations and the relief effort at a nearby church.
Locals said they had to help themselves because there was no-one else who would.
Residents had become used to not being listened to and were taking matters into their own hands.
As a reporter, I had never before witnessed anything like the Grenfell fire. Foreign correspondents working in conflict zones might have a better idea of the kind of environment people were faced with.
And as the media tried to catch up with events on the ground and find out how a tragedy such as this had happened, volunteers were collecting donations and giving those affected a safe place to go.
As journalists, our job is to report on what happens and hold the powerful to account. Our job is to find out how real people are affect by government policy – at a national and local level. Grenfell showed us how we had failed.
I began my career as a local newspaper reporter and those were some of the most rewarding and satisfying years of my career. But since I left my local beat several years ago, many staff have been let go and resources have been slashed.
The dwindling numbers of local journalists creates an accountability vacuum. Sure, Kensington residents identified a number of areas of concern with the safety of Grenfell Tower, but when the local authorities failed to listen or act, there wasn’t a strong local paper for residents to turn to.
When the media were finally on residents’ doorsteps, there was a sense of being too late, with locals asking us where we were before the fire.
For too long the residents of Grenfell Tower and the surrounding estate have not been listened to. They took matters into their hands after the blaze because they had to, and ever since they have been supporting one another and providing services within the community.
Every month on the anniversary of the fire, a silent walk around Latimer Road takes place. On December 14, hundreds of people holding candles and the iconic green Grenfell heart marched silently in the bitter cold for the six-month anniversary.
Grenfell has become synonymous with such strength of character and unity. It is something to be admired and to champion, but it is sad that it was ever needed.
With the public inquiry and police investigation into the blaze both underway, survivors and those who lost loved ones still need answers.
The community deserves to know why and how the tragedy happened and the scores of survivors still awaiting permanent accommodation need to get new homes in order to allow them a chance to start rebuilding their lives.
I hope 2018 will bring with it some of the much-needed answers to survivors’ questions.
It took a tragedy for the nation to pay attention to Grenfell, but we are finally listening and the world is watching.
This blog is part of HuffPost UK’s 12 days of Christmas series. From 20 December we will bring you blogs and vlogs from individuals at the centre of some of 2017′s biggest news stories. They will reflect on the past 12 months and also look forward to new year. To find out more follow our hashtag #HuffPost12Days or visit our series page.
Ministers Considering 'Dad's Army-style' Border Patrols
Volunteers could guard some of the UK’s borders under plans being considered by the government.
The Home Office confirmed that proposals for “Border Force Special Volunteers” at small air and sea ports were being discussed.
They would be used to bolster Border Force staffing levels, in a similar vein to police community support officers.
However an MP whose constituency covers one of Britain’s largest ports warned against creating a “Dad’s Army-type set-up”, due to the complexities of border security.
The Border Force carries out immigration and customs controls for people and goods entering the UK, and reports in the past have raised concerns over “poor” coverage of dozens of minor harbours and landing places.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Border Force is currently considering the potential benefits of a Border Force Special Volunteer force, and is in discussions with other law enforcement agencies such as local police to understand how they use volunteers in addition to their existing workforce.”
An inspection by the department published earlier this year of 62 ports, wharves, marinas and jetties on the east coast that were normally unmanned found Border Force officers had not been to 27 of the sites during the 15 months from April 2015 to June 2016.
The assessment said one of the risks of long periods of non-attendance by Border Force at some locations is “there is no visible deterrent to anyone prepared to risk using these spots to land illegal migrants or contraband”.
In a separate report, former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation David Anderson QC also flagged up coverage of smaller south and east coast ports, marinas and landing places, saying it is “conceivable” they might be an option for returning foreign fighters or other terrorists.
The Home Office said it uses a mix of expert officers, technology, data and intelligence to keep UK borders secure and has stopped tens of thousands of illegal attempts to enter the country, the Press Association reported.
A spokesman said volunteers would not be used by Immigration Enforcement, but added: “We’re committed to ensuring that Border Force has the resources it needs to keep the UK safe and we will never compromise the security of our borders.”
Dover MP Charlie Elphicke told the Mail on Sunday: “Border security is a skilled job, which takes many years of training. I would urge great caution before seeking to adopt a model like that used by the police, with special constables. We can’t have a Dad’s Army-type of set-up.”
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, which represents Border Force staff, warned that the Government was “risking this country’s security on the cheap” with the “ridiculous” plan.
He said: “In the last year the Home Office have increased the use of agency staff, spending a staggering £25 million last year to agency firms, a £5 million increase on the previous year.
“Border Force are already using poorly trained seasonal workers at most ports and airports, not just at peak periods but throughout the year because of permanent staff cuts. The plans to use volunteer Border Force specials is a further move towards casualisation of the workforce.
“Government rhetoric has claimed that they are ‘strong and stable’. That is not the effect of their policies on this country. They are making our borders weaker with the use of casual labour and they are risking this country’s security on the cheap. PCS repeats our call for the Government to properly resource security at UK borders with permanent professional staff and stop these ridiculous plans to use volunteers to protect our borders.”
When Does 'Dancing On Ice' 2018 Start? Date, Judges, Hosts And Contestants Plus Other Details On The New Series
After four years off air, ‘Dancing On Ice’ is sliding its way back onto our screens in 2018.
ITV’s celebrity-pro skating competition was axed after nine series in 2014 amid falling ratings, but bosses are having a second stab at it with a new revamped version, which promises to try and recapture the show’s glory days.
Here’s all we can tell you about the ‘DOI’ reboot...
When does it start?
The 10th series of ‘Dancing On Ice’ begins on Sunday 7 January at 6pm on ITV.
Who is hosting?
‘This Morning’ duo Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are returning to the helm of the skating show after hosting the first six series together from 2006 to 2011.
Christine Lampard (neé Bleakley) will not be coming back despite presenting the final three series alongside Phillip.
He insisted Christine was not offended at not being offered her old job back, saying at the show’s press launch: “Christine is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Nobody in television is more thoughtful than Christine, which is why when it was announced that Holly was coming back to do the show, the first person that got in touch was Christine.
“She texted saying, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so exciting, please tell me I can come and watch?’
“I love Christine. We’re all mates, me, her and Holly, we all go out together.”
Who are the judges?
The acid-tongued Jason Gardiner is the only returning judge from the original series, with Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean swapping their roles as coaches to the contestants to become fully-fledged judges.
The trio will be joined on the panel by ‘DOI’ newcomer and Diversity dance troupe leader Ashley Banjo, who previously served as a judge on Sky One’s ‘Got To Dance’, after winning ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ in 2009.
Jason has also promised to be as mean as ever to the new contestants, saying: “What I am there to do is say how they can be better. People may have exception with the way I do that but there is a method to my meanness. I am a pussycat compared to half the people who trained me!
“Tough love does drive you to be better. It makes or breaks you. Some of them can take the criticism and improve whilst others get freaked out and crushed by it. Therefore it is goodbye to them.”
What is the line-up?
There are 12 brave stars taking to the ice this year. ’Coronation Street’ actors Anthony Cotton and Brooke Vincent lead the way, alongside ‘Hollyoaks’ star Stephanie Waring, Good Morning Britain’s weather presenter Alex Beresford, Love Islander Kem Cetinay, former ‘Great British Bake Off’ champ Candice Brown, singer Lemar, rugby player Max Evans, former ‘X Factor’ contestant Jake Quickenden, Olympian Perri Shakes-Drayton, presenter Donna Air and Bucks Fizz member Cheryl Baker.
Cricketer Monty Panesar was originally due to take part, but had to pull out after breaking his ankle during training. He was replaced by Lemar.
Who are the professionals?
Dan Whiston, Brianna Delcourt, Matt Evers and Sylvain Longchambon are the only four returning pros from the last series, with Matt and Dan having appeared since the very first series.
They will be joined by newcomers Mark Hanretty, Alex Murphy, Brandee Malto, Ale Izquierdo, Melody Le Moal, Vanessa Bauer, Hamish Gaman and Matej Silecky.
Mark and Alex were last minute additions to the line-up as skaters Meg Marschall and Lloyd Jones left the show after beginning training with Kem Cetinay and Donna Air respectively.
The pair were a former couple and reports suggested they had been locked in furious rows behind the scenes, with an ITV spokesperson stating they had “left the show for personal reasons”.
What are the pairings?
- Donna Air and Mark Hanretty
- Cheryl Baker and Dan Whiston
- Alex Beresford and Brianne Delcourt
- Candice Brown and Matt Evers
- Kem Cetinay and Alex Murphy
- Antony Cotton and Brandee Malto
- Max Evans and Ale Izquierdo
- Lemar and Melody Le Moal
- Jake Quickenden and Vanessa Bauer
- Perri Shakes-Drayton and Hamish Gaman
- Brooke Vincent and Matej Silecky
- Stephanie Waring and Sylvain Longchambon
How have they been getting on in training?
As you can see from the video below, it has been a mixed bag so far, with a lot of trips and falls, which should make for interesting viewing when the series starts.
Is there a spin-off show?
There is no ITV2 spin-off series, but Jordan Banjo (aka Ashley’s little brother and ‘I’m A Celebrity’ 2016 campmate) will be going behind-the-scenes as DOI’s digital presenter, with content posted on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube accounts.
How can I vote?
As well as the usual telephone vote, for the first time in ‘Dancing On Ice’ history, free voting will be introduced via the official app, with users having five free votes to use each week.
Is there a trailer?
You’ve probably seen it already given ITV has been promoting DOI’s comeback for months now, but just in case you haven’t, here’s this year’s advert, which features two adorable dancing polar bears.
