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.

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

Festive Checklist

'It's the most wonderful time...of the year'! I ruddy love Xmas. And now I've just finished watching 'It's A Wonderful Life' for the 2nd time and 'Elf' is about to get its 3rd viewing, I am officially in full festive mode. It's been a busy couple of months at work...sooo much going on, but I didn't actually get in the mood until I did several of the following....so if you're not quite there yet try some of the below...here's whats been happening...

1) Xmas Light Switch Ons:

Loughborough...

West Bridgford...

2) Attend Festive Ball:

Angel Charity Ball:

3) Buy a Tree and SNOW SPRAY. (Not full length tree shot as embarrassingly small...)

4) Xmas Jumpers at any possible opportunity. Ideally combined with Ice Skating. And mulled wine.

Ice Skating-Natural History Museum, London

5) Sit by log fire.

6) Take picture of Reindeer. Living or not.

7) Receive crap secret santa....

8) Give crap secret santa....

9) Get massively irritated by one particular Xmas Song. Sorry Sir Paul.

10) Panto!

Merry Christmas.x

REDHEAD

You know the drill....you go through a break up...you want a new look...you dye your hair. It's the law. In a way. Soooo, my wonderful work colleagues, well namely my co-presenter Sam decided going Red would be my ideal new look. I hastily agreed, after pining for the red head look for some years now but never quite daring to. I get bored very easily with my hair...like my physical height, my hair follicles also seem to be vertically challenged. So growing long lustrous locks has always been far too tedious. It just seems to get to a point...and stop. Or go straggly. So in other ways of experimenting it's been bobbed, short, blue, black, mid way, pobbed, blonde, brunette (natural-rare), caramel, cropped and now....RED. The cropped look was a low point. At 23 I did NOT want to look like an 8 year old boy.

So off to the hairdressers I popped, all anxious and fearful, much like the dentists. This could be disastrous. Recently my hair was at it's longest, most natural and I was generally at peace with it...should I be mixing it up? This happened....

As you can see....disappointment all round. So, just before turning 29, I decided to take action. I LOVED being a bit red, but I'd had a taste and now wanted to really go for it. So I just picked up the brightest permanent red Boots had to offer, went home and applied. The first 5 minutes when it started tingling and a burning sensation crept across my scalp was a tad worrying...but stuck with it...and when washed off the result almost ended in tears. Which is actually a good thing as it was a shock....which means it made a difference! 

Anyhoo...I now LOVE it and can't imagine being brunette again...it just seems a bit...boring (no offence-its my natural) but being red feels a little naughtier, more adventurous and as soon as my scalp calms down...the only way is redder!!!

Before....

After...