My piece for Reveal Magazine. May 2013.

Should already famous acts be allowed to audition for The Voice?

We have had a Hollyoaks star, a MOBO nominee and a chart-topper audition already, but is it OK for people who've already had a taste of fame to try out for talent TV shows likeThe Voice? 

NO says Amy Voce, 30, Gem 106 breakfast presenter

Everyone, at some point, has wanted to be a pop star. I spent several painful years wearing platform trainers, thanks to my Spice Girl obsession, and asking friends to address me as 'Trixie Firecracker'. 

I know that you should never give up on your dream (thankfully, Trixie was just a temporary glitch for me) but it seems totally unfair that someone like Nate James, for instance, should get another go. 

He's already released an album, had two MOBO nominations and worked with stars like Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan. In terms of confidence, stage presence and experience, he's already way ahead of any contestant plucked from stacking shelves in the supermarket. 

Sean from 5ive is another prime example... I've paid to see him during one of their arena tours in the past, which just proves that he's already lived the pop star dream. He may be hankering for more, but he shouldn't be allowed to do it in place of new faces who might have missed out on a chance because of him. 

Seeing a guy whom I once had a poster of on my wall still desperately clutching at the trappings of fame seems a tad depressing. It spoils the glamour of pop stardom in my eyes.

The music industry is notoriously difficult to crack and over-saturated with so many similar acts, so I think The Voice should be a chance for brand new talent to have a shot.

 

YES says Naomi Kent, 29, Radio Aire breakfast presenter

I'm obsessed with Google-searching 'where are they now?'. I always want to know what people who've had a brush with fame are up to. And, looking at how popular ITV2's show The Big Reunion has been recently, I'm clearly not the only one.

Blue are back in the album chart and even PJ & Duncan smashed a No1 single with their old classic Let's Get Ready To Rhumble. It all just goes to show that we are loving a bit of nostalgia right now.

So I'm all for former stars appearing on shows like The Voice. Watching90s pop heart-throb Kavana ironically singing Crowded House's 'Don't Dream It's Over' in week one, then waiting as nobody swivelled their chair for him, was seriously cringeworthy… and compelling. 

The whole point of The Voice is that it's about singing ability and nothing else – not your looks, not your past – it's called The Voice for a reason. 

Yes, Nate James may have been nominated for a music award, yes, Alice Barlow may have been on Hollyoaks and yes, Cleo Higgins may have been 'comin' atcha' in her band Cleopatra. But I think it's fair game for anyone with a decent voice to have a go –that's the whole point of the show!

It might sound bad, but the best bit of The Voice is waiting to see if the mentors will turn around – especially Jessie J and that hovering hand of hers – so when the performer is already recognisable, we take even more of a sick pleasure in the will-they-won't-they element.

Coachella

I've always wanted to go to Coachella. Not just because the line up is always awesome, but I like heat. And the thought of not waking up in a tent, putting on wellies, thermals and rain mac and stepping out into three feet of mud is beyond appealing. A festival in the desert? SOLD. So when my mate text me saying 'Do you want to come to Coachella, a group of us are going, but we need to know tonight', the pressure and overwhelming fear of FOMO ('fear of missing out' if Mum is reading this) was too much so I instinctively said yes!

A couple of weeks later, I started to think about the camping. People started telling me stories of lying in a tent, sweating profusely due to the heat, having to wake at 7am to get out of it for fear of dehydrating to death. Plus I now had to get camping gear over to the states?! Thank god we weren't flying with Ryanair. Suddenly the mud seemed great fun. Initially I booked a hotel nearby, but with all my friends camping I felt a bit of a wimp. So I found a happy medium. And this was it.

Meet Tattoo...

I bloody loved her. My friend didn't quite share the enthusiasm as her description of it was 'like the steering wheel isn't attached to the wheels'. But she's so pretty!

The first thing about Coachella when you arrive is your surroundings. The backdrop of the mountains is pretty breathtaking. And that's before entering the festival. As it's an arts and music festival, everything is visually stunning. The most notorious of course being the giant ferris wheel. In one tent one morning I made a hand painted necklace. I mean, yes, it does look like something my 5 year old niece would make but the thought was there.

An American festival is very different to the UK. I'm not sure whether it's down to the heat, or because we're rather keen on a (binge) drink or two in the UK, but everyone seemed pretty chilled out. Which is lovely because you get no annoying louts or people throwing up outside your tent. But I have to admit...I missed the binge drinking Brits! Especially during Blur. Whilst I was momentarily fourteen again, going nuts, jumping around like some yoof, moshing, singing badly, everyone else just stood quietly and observed. I felt a little sorry for the boys. It was just a little too civilised. I suppose they never would have quite got the whole Britpop excitement...and possibly the nostalgia I felt watching them but nevertheless I still wanted to shout WAKE UP AND ENJOY YOURSELVES.

This area however, was a little different. When it's 30 plus degrees heat and you're dancing in the middle of a desert, what's the one thing you want? A GIANT JET WASH PLEASE. Awesome DJ's and relentless fun all.day.long. here.

The music was brilliant, favourite being local boy Jake Bugg. There's something very exciting about seeing someone from your region on the other side of the world. You feel like you know them. Sadly I don't. 

But I did make friends with this guy and his snazzy umbrella.

General fun...

 

Umm am I on acid or is that a giant snail?!
*at no point was I on acid*

Oh that's just me driving a giant bug.

So pretty by night...

After several magical days we moved onto our next destination. We were extremely excited by the prospect of fresh sheets, a proper shower but more importantly to see VIIIIVA LAS VEGAS! From the moment I arrived I loved it. We stayed at the Hard Rock hotel. This was my view. Decent. Spent hours walking round the biggest hotel I've ever seen with all it's Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain, Beatles memorabilia to name but a few. At one point, in the wee hours I got obscenely lost and was banging on a hotel room which wasn't mine. Better leave that story there...what goes in Vegas...

Vegas was everything I expected...and I loved it for that.

Everything in the states makes me feel like I'm permanently in a film. But the highlight of my trip was jumping into a convertible with a few mates and taking the 3 hour drive to the Grand Canyon. Partly because of the road trip. Incredible. Yes, we got lost and felt a small fear of death when our sat nav led us down this dusty road....

Nice wheels Grandpa!

Luckily we didn't perish and after a rather tense-4 hours longer than it should have been journey-we arrived at our destination, and it's fair to say it was well worth it...

I AM NOT POSING AT THE GRAND CANYON

If you have a list of places to travel to then I'd make sure this is firmly added! And if that didn't quite wet your appetite here's a little vid of our trip. Apologies for shoddy filming. And singing.

Fasting Isn't Fast Enough

I tweeted today about how I'm fasting and a lot of people asked why I was doing it so thought I'd share my food deprived day and the reasons behind doing something which I anticipated being something I would never achieve.

Now I'm always a big fan of a good British winter. I'm not sure you'll find me in a happier state than sat with a dripping hot Camembert, dipping bread, drinking red wine-to warm me up of course. Or equally on a Sunday afternoon, snuggled up in front of a fire whilst drinking gallons of tea, washed down with a generous serving of chocolate. And of course you have the added bonus that if you do add a few winter pounds, you need to wear twelve layers, hat, scarf and gloves so it can go unnoticed. 

I'm also a big fan of winter thawing out in March. At this point the winter stodge should be naturally transforming to lighter options. Fish, veg, salad, fruit seem tastier. The chocolate cravings lessen, the weather is more 'running friendly' and naturally I'll lighten up a bit. Not this year. Yes. I am officially blaming the climate for weight gain. 

I'm always concerned with healthy eating and living but I'm not interested in dieting at all. I'm not aiming to look like Victoria Beckham, thank god. Beyonce would be nice though. I don't own a pair of scales, never have. I entirely judge my weight by how my clothes fit and look and how I feel. So when I pulled on a pair of jeans that actually ripped in February, ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY RIPPED, I decided to take action. Throw into that the fact that I booked a holiday which has creeped up on me, in two weeks in fact, where I will be bikini bound! Gulp. So, I joined a gym, started going regularly, even enlisted the help of a personal trainer to get me kick started. That's all good but then I feel I need to get out of the cold weather stodge temptation. As I find once you get into healthier eating you're less inclined towards the stodge. Then I heard about this fasting diet. 

Now, I'm not endorsing this, but have decided to give it a go to get me started. You are basically supposed to fast for one day a week (or limit of 500 calories). The guy who originally told me about this really sold it when he said 'it gives your organs a rest'. I liked the idea of that. They've been ever so busy the last 30 years and they've NEVER had a day off!

So today I began. Because I was at work this morning, where I actually have to be pretty chirpy and focused (no, seriously) and my day starts at 4.30am I allowed myself a small bowl of bran flakes at 6am. Then just lemon and ginger tea. I also ate a banana at 11am. It's now 8.30pm and I've just devoured 3 delicious, enticing celery sticks for dinner. Apparently you actually burn more calories physically eating them?! Ideal! And to my surprise, I actually feel fine and not as sapped as I thought.

From just one day of doing this I have noticed a lot! Firstly, that I definitely don't need to eat as much as I do, but that I mainly eat for enjoyment. Eating good food is without question my favourite pastime. Not in a binge, sit on the sofa eating pizzas & chocolate all day gorge type of way. I just look forward to it SO much. So much so that this evening when I didn't have an evening meal to look forward to and prepare I felt a bit...lost. It feels like such a waste! A good meal is often the highlight of my day.

Also, the difficult thing about fasting is not being able to escape it AT ALL. Everyone eating at work made me gutted with jealousy. I deliberately picked today because I didn't have much on. But even the petrol stations enormous display of confectionery, turning on the TV I ended up watching Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals...so turned onto Friends where they were then sat around snacking. Even Jennifer Aniston!! Every single advert seems to be food. Granted it's bound to be all I'm focused on today, but I did realise how our lives entirely revolve around food.

Part of today as well was to exercise my willpower which is notoriously USELESS. Partly because I'll always apply the 'live every last day like your last' theory and feel concerned that if it was my last day I would have had a really rubbish celery filled day of boredom. But so far so good. And I'm amazed I've not caved. There was a moment of potential weakness in the kitchen where I had a stand off with a half eaten Easter egg. To the point where my hand delved in but I resisted at the last minute. THAT FELT GOOD. 

I suppose if this was my last day on earth, it may have been dull food wise but at least my brain will have achieved something? Oh and my stomach already feels flatter. Who's up for it next week?? We'll make celery soup!

God I miss you, you delicious cheesy hunk....

And you. You sugary nightmare. 

The Olympics Effect

With the end of the Olympics and Paralympics, it's obvious that it has done nothing but good for the nation. Even your hardened whinger 'oooh it cost us billions' can't deny the fact it's made a, hopefully lasting impression. And if they don't think that, they're either being stubborn or I'm not interested in talking to them anyway as they sound like a right fun sponge.

I'll be honest, I, like many, wasn't that excited about the Olympics. Until I saw the opening ceremony. And then, of course, I was hooked. I was even watching table tennis...and actually caring. I won't need to reiterate how amazing the whole experience was as...well, we all saw it. I mean, I am, of course putting aside George Michaels choice of song and dance moves. But I would like to highlight the importance and actual relief I felt that we had this new breed of grounded, talented, dedicated, passionate, driven role models.

Doing my job, I have to follow celebrity culture. I'm also lucky to meet celebrities sometimes. The term 'celebrity' is a bit murky these days isn't it? I mean, reality stars, WAGS etc. It's nothing personal against them. Some of them are probably lovely. Yet few are actually entertaining or inspiring. Rare example however-Francis Boulle-Made In Chelsea-I LOVE YOU. Anywaaaay...an actual celebrity in my eyes is someone who is exceptionally talented in their field. Someone you can look to and aspire to be like. Like, when you watch Adele singing, De Niro acting or Kate Moss...umm, walking/looking fit.

The simple point I'm trying to (quite badly make) is just how refreshing it's been see a nation excited, talking about and inspired by role models who aren't driven by having at table at Mahiki, or keeps their 'celebrity' bubbling by an endless amount of rows/break ups/pointless headlines. Chantelle Houghton-you seem like a sweet girl. But you have a child now, stop it. It's relentless.

Footballers-Please try and take heed so we can be proud of you when you represent the country. Instead of feeling sheer embarrassment. And not that you've all arrived in matching white Range Rovers, fresh from a communal holiday of culture in Dubai, but because you have about as much drive and moral standing as a night out with John Terry, Ashley Cole and Tiger Woods discussing the importance of a moral, family life. In Vegas. With strippers. And Charlie Sheen.

X Factor-I have nothing against the programme idea (apart from the weekend long commitment it demands and Geri Halliwells unbalanced excitement).  It is what it is. It's just the publicity spin around it. Yawn.
I just found it so uplifting that the nation was supporting something that wasn't created by Simon Cowell.

Which leads me onto two very exciting moments recently....meeting and interviewing two of our local Olympic heroes! We had gymnast Sam Oldham, local lad and Olympic bronze medallist and Mansfield's very own swimming champ, Gold and Bronze medallist, Rebecca Adlington in on the show. To meet and chat to them was not only an honour (plus I got to hold the medals!) but each of their takes on their experience as part of the Olympics was fascinating. It felt like meeting actual celebrities. Mainly because I was so in awe of what they'd achieved and what they'd been a part of. They'd been hanging in the Olympic village bumping into Mo Farrah. Had inspiring team talks (or not so in Adlington's case) from Gold medallist James Cracknall. And managed to order over 200 chicken nuggets from the Olympic village just because they were free. (Good effort Sam. You'd do the same at 19)

Recently we had an 8 year old girl playing our game 'Small Talk'. When we asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied 'Jessica Ennis'. This was so much more refreshing than 'Katie Price'. Which actually happened. Cripes.

Gymnast Sam Oldham

Doing the Mo, with Rebecca Adlington

Embarrassing when the Olympic torch is almost longer than you...

Best Year Yet-The Bake Off

Best Year Yet: Month Two-The Great East Midlands Bake Off!

So after a successful and very fulfilling first month of 'Best Year Yet', trying odd dance classes, bruising myself beyond belief Snowboarding and learning how to arrange flowers, it was time for a different challenge. So the focus of March and trying something new was all about BAKING. Not just because I LOVE CAKE. It was a nice excuse but I wanted to push myself to try and hone my culinary skills...and also see what you could do and find the Great East Midlands Best Baker!

I am ok with a bit of cooking-I find it very therapeutic and always keen to cook everything from fresh, but let's just say my skills are...limited. So my first port of call was to have some lessons from the gorgeous Olive Grove Cookery School...and I took three lovely listeners to help out...

So after crafting the perfect pastry, it was time to take on a big old pie challenge against Sam. I made apple, walnut and fudge pie. Clearly the world isn't ready for it yet...

The finished results....

If you can't be bothered to watch the videos....here are my apple pie bombs! Sadly they didn't win between Sam and I but for a first attempt, I was pretty proud of my little bombs!

So that was my attempt. Yours, however, were far more impressive. Try looking at these without salivating...

By Sarah Stanton Longdon

By Diane Nicola Blything

By Serena Robinson

By Amy Louise Ludlow

We had loads of incredible entries and it was clear the Great East Midlands Bake Off was gonna be tough to call. Who was the best baker in the East Midlands?! Who would rise to the challenge...(sorry I had to!) The winner would win a cookery class at The Olive Grove Cookery School and.....a GEM 106 APRON. Wow.

Here's who we crowned champion....but well done to everyone who got involved, took the time to bake and tried something new in March! 

Well done Sarah-the Greatest Baker in the East Midlands! 

So onto April and the next challenge for Your Best Year Yet....it's all on the facebook page here....

https://www.facebook.com/mybestyearyet

Best Year Yet: Boarding, Boxing, Bikram.

So the first month of 'Your Best Year Yet' is well underway, with the first challenge being simple-try a new class. I want to hear from you and what you've been up to but to kick start I've been trying as many new things as I can to give you some ideas. So far, week 1 turned out to be pretty butch...grrr.

WEEK 1

Kickboxing

Big thanks to Midlands Kickboxing who invited me down for a scrap. Well...more of a work out, but I LOVED it! I didn't at all pretend I was Daniel Larusso...(yes-I did do the crane)

It was not only a brilliant work out, but a great stress reliever. Just imagine your boss/ex/annoying friend/taxman on the punch bag and you'll be amazed at the results!

http://www.midlandskickboxing.com/

Snowboarding

Being a skiier, I would defend it was the far superior form of snow activity...however I was secretly envious of boarders looking just that little bit cooler...sometimes. Plus, I was getting bored of skiing. How hard could it be to make the switch?! Quite hard actually...but after a 3 hour intensive session, a few bruises and swollen knee it finally clicked! Best.feeling.ever!! Well worth the pain. This'll be me in a few weeks...maybe. 

Get yourself here... http://www.snowdome.co.uk/

WEEK 2

Bikram Yoga

Why wouldn't you want to sit in 35 degrees + heat and do an hour and a halfs yoga session?! Sounds hideous...and for your first time it is PUNISHING. However, once you've got through that first session, not only do you feel very much cleansed, but really rather proud of yourself for making it through the entire session without leaving the room or passing out. That is the main aim of your first class! I felt amazing afterwards and the other girls in the class, who are so friendly, all raved about the long term benefits. Already signed up to 30 days for £30-bargain! Looking forward to the next sweat out...just make sure you drink plenty of water....

http://www.bikramyogaleicester.co.uk//beginners-introduction.html

Floristry

After doing plenty of physical activities I thought it was time I tried a different kind of skill. Lovely Amanda from Mills Florist, Sawley offered to teach me the art of Floristry, something I've always wanted to do! Florists always seem such calm, tranquil places to work! Here's how it went...

Have you tried a new class yet? Let me know and I'll add it to the blog!

Well done to everyone who has tried new thing so far...

Angela Kirk-Pole Dancing and Fit Jazz
Megan Heyer-Flyball
Adele Clarke-Tap Dancing
Glenise Elisabeth Davies-Notts Fitbody Bootcamp
Diane Blything-Back to Netball
Christa De Klerk-Zumba and Hula Hoop
Gemma Keen-Salsa
Kelly Cawkwell-Boot Camp
Beth Anne Fletcher-Burlesque

My Best Year Yet...

It's Monday. It's drizzly. It's cold. Your New Year Resolutions are no doubt a distant disappointment...time to buck up. I have an idea!


New Year is always such a great time to set resolutions...make positive changes in your life etc...but there is a common problem. The excitement of new changes often means we set about it with a great deal of enthusiasm, setting goals maybe a little too unrealistic...go to the gym 5 times a week in your new neon lycra...then after 2 weeks have run out of steam and inevitably fail.


January is a bit over whelming in that respect. 'SO WHAT DO WE DO??' I hear you desperately cry! Well you can join me in my little idea...it's very simple and if you can't manage it then you're a berk (only joking, I'm sure you're lovely).


Every month I’m gonna set a small, achievable challenge. You can go as big or small with it as you like. You can do it as often or as little as you like. But there are 2 simple rules.


1) YOU MUST TRY SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER TRIED BEFORE
2) YOU TELL ME ABOUT IT


With your help we’ll set a challenge/new goal each month-then share our experience with each other through pictures, storys/blogs/info so we can share tips and ideas!


Join up here...first challenge revealed February the 1st...

My Best Year Yet