|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:01:28 GMT -8
2014  Audley Harrison Age: 42 Twitter: @audley_Harrison Home town: London In 1997, Audley became the British superheavyweight champion and retained the title in 1998. He then went on to win gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Audley doubled his gold winnings as an amateur when he defeated Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov and became the first British boxer to win Olympic gold in the superheavyweight division. After his Olympic gold medal win, Audley was awarded an MBE in 2001 Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for his services to sport. The British professional boxer, who fought in the heavy weight division, turned professional in 2001 after signing a £1million contract with BBC Sport for his first 10 professional fights. In May 2001, he began his professional career with a first round victory, closely followed by several other convincing wins. 6ft 6 inch Audley continued his winning streak when he made his US debut in 2003. This led to him permanently relocating to the USA where he was unbeaten in 11 fights; eight of which were knockout victories. In December 2005, Audley returned to the UK to face fellow Briton Danny Williams for the Commonwealth title; he stepped in after Williams' opponent pulled out five weeks before the fight, and lost on a split decision in the match. After being knocked out by Michael Sprott for the European title in 2007, Audley made his comeback when he defeated him in 2010 and won the European heavyweight title, but his only chance to be crowned the world title, in 2010, was against David Haye for the WBA belt; he was knocked out in the third round. In a brutal first-round knockout in 2012, Audley was put in hospital with a suspected broken nose and mild concussion, which subsequently led him into early retirement. Despite Audley being encouraged to retire, he extended his career again at the age of 41, winning the Heavyweight Prizefighter event for a second time. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:02:40 GMT -8
 Claire King Age: 52 Twitter: @claireking101 Home town: Harrogate Claire King is an actress and is best known for playing villainous Kim Tate in Emmerdale and tough governor Karen Betts in Bad Girls. Claire's acting debut was in a music videos for 80s band Zodiac Mindwarp. Before entering the acting profession, Claire changed her name from Claire Seed to Claire King, due to another actress using the same name. The change to King was influenced by her love of horse racing (the sport of kings), and her favourite singer, Elvis Presley (the King of Rock n Roll). In the past, Claire has been nominated for Villain of the Year and Sexiest Female for her role of Kim Tate in Emmerdale. She also won the award for Best Exit for the same role. In 2002 and 2003, Claire received the TV Quick Award for Best Actress for her role as Karen Betts. When compared to her sex-siren roles, Claire explains that "pretty much all the roles I've ever played, or at least the ones that have made my name, have been hard-bitten man-eaters. I'm the polar opposite of the women I've portrayed and incredibly conventional when it comes to love, romance... and marriage. I'm really a very down-to-earth, country girl at heart." |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:03:31 GMT -8
 David McIntosh Age: 28 Twitter: @devildawg85 Home town: Wigan David is a British TV personality, ex-Gladiator, actor, model, fitness expert and, more recently, has become well known for being Kelly Brook's fiancé. When he turned 16, David was able to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a Royal Marines Commando, which is known to be the hardest and longest military training in the world. He served in many conflict zones from the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and Northern Ireland. Upon leaving the Royal Marines, the real life action hero landed the role of Gladiator Tornado on the hit show Gladiators. He is currently engaged to Kelly Brook after proposing to her after their 12 week whirlwind romance back in March 2014. He made headlines in March when he crashed a van carrying a load of dead badgers after falling asleep at the wheel while on a controversial animal cull. David had managed to get the job as a driver despite having his licence for that class of vehicle suspended for running a red light in 2005. Last year, he joined forces with NYC photographer Maya Guez to expand his 'brand' by creating his own line of unique merchandise – online fitness programmes and his 2014 calendar featuring himself which have been launched on his official website. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:04:15 GMT -8
 Dee Kelly Age: 43 Twitter: @therealdeekelly Home town: Birmingham Deirdre Kelly, better known as White Dee, came to public prominence in the documentary Benefits Street. Critics have vilified her as the "patron saint of drug addicts and dropouts", whereas fans see her as a working-class hero. Dee is a single mother to a son and a daughter. Until five years ago, Deirdre worked as an administrator for Birmingham City Council. Since then, Dee received benefits from the government after claiming she could not work due to her suffering from depression. Since the success of Benefits Street, Dee has received offers from all over the world for appearances in modelling, newspaper columns, cooking, holidays, as well as other reality TV shows. Dee recently travelled to Magaluf. This resulted in David Cameron personally ordering a probe into her finances after she was photographed enjoying a boozy holiday, despite being "too depressed" to work. Dee no longer claims benefits. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:04:57 GMT -8
 Edele Lynch Age: 35 Twitter: @edelelynch Home town: Dublin Edele Lynch is an Irish singer-songwriter, best known as one quarter of Irish girl group B*Witched, of which her twin sister Keavy is also a member. She is also the younger sister of Boyzone's Shane Lynch. B*Witched were initially active between 1998 and 2002, before reforming in 2013 for the TV show The Big Reunion, which saw former bands reunite and perform their old material at a number of concerts. The band achieved success in both Europe and the US with eight Top 20 singles and four number ones during their four-year period of stardom. They toured America performing alongside N Sync and Britney Spears. Being an all-girl band without shared lead vocals caused tension within the group, which also played a part in the breaking of the band. The falling out between Edele and Sinead, who had been best friends for 10 years, caused both Keavy and Edele to cut ties with their former band mate and split from the band. After the original split from the band, Edele joined up with the songwriting/production team Xenomania. She co-wrote Some Kind of Miracle for Girls Aloud's debut album, and Buster, Situation's Heavy and Twisted for Sugababes' third album. Edele met husband Michael Barrett in 2005 after being setup on a blind date and got married a year later. They have three children together. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:05:51 GMT -8
 George Gilbey Age: 30 Twitter: @georgegilbey Home town: Clacton-on-Sea George Gilbey is known for his role on Channel 4's Gogglebox – the show that watches people watching TV. The first time George and his family appeared on Gogglebox, he was introduced as not having had a girlfriend for a year which made George think he would not ever get one again. He is still single. George is an electrician and is nicknamed Squeaky due to his high pitched voice. He originally moved back in with his mum and step-dad after his long-term relationship ended. Gogglebox won the BAFTA for best reality and constructed factual programme this year. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:06:36 GMT -8
 James Jordan Age: 36 Twitter: @the_jamesjordan Home town: West Malling James is best known for his role as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. James began dance lessons at the age of 10. When he turned 15, he started competing in dance competitions and, by the time he was 18, was becoming very successful. By the time he was 21, James was a major finalist in all Open International Competitions and was ranked one of the best in the world. James met his dancing partner and wife, Ola, at a dancing competition and was mesmerised by the way she danced. Eventually they became dancing partners after travelling to Poland to try out together. The pair danced together for a year before they started dating; four years later in 2003, the couple got married. In 2006, James joined Strictly Come Dancing for its fourth series with his wife Ola. However, it didn't take long for James to spark a feud with judge Craig Revel Horwood, which ended with James allegedly storming out of the studios on one occasion when Craig gave him a low score. In the past, James has been partnered with actresses Georgina Bouzova, Cherie Lunghi, Zöe Lucker and Denise Van Outen, presenters Gabby Logan and Alex Jones, Vanessa Feltz and psychologist Pamela Stephenson. James is notorious for his strops and conflicts when faced with negative criticism on camera. In 2012, it was reported that James and his dance partner wife were dropped from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, allegedly due to his behaviour behind the scenes. In June 2014, it was reported that James was fired from the show after eight series. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:07:32 GMT -8
 Kellie Maloney Age: 61 Twitter: Unknown Home town: Maidstone Kellie Maloney was formerly known as boxing promoter Frank Maloney. Frank was extremely successful, managing Lennox Lewis and helping him become World Heavyweight Champion in 1993. In October 2013, Kellie, then known as Frank, made the decision to retire from boxing, having ‘fallen out of love’ with the sport. However, Kellie now cites her transition as the real reason. Kellie explained how she has felt trapped in the wrong body since she was a child. She is now a year into the transition period and is learning to live life as a woman - a life she kept a secret due to the macho world she lived in as a boxing promoter. Kellie, in the past two years, has secretly undergone hormone therapy, hundreds of hours of hair removal electrolysis, voice coaching and specialist counselling. Twice-married and parent of three daughters, she wanted the transition to be private to protect her family and to build up the confidence to reveal her new identity. She planned to reveal her new life in a book once she had fully transitioned, however, she was exposed by a journalist and made the decision to go public with her transition. Kellie had anticipated a tough response from the world of sport, but the reaction was almost universally supportive. The relief has now led to Kellie wanting to work with the transgender community after their incredible support for her. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:08:29 GMT -8
 Lauren Goodger Age: 27 Twitter: @laurengoodger Home town: Loughton Lauren Goodger is famous for starring in BAFTA-winning reality show The Only Way is Essex from 2010 until 2012, debuting in the first series before departing in series 6. Throughout the first two series of Towie, Lauren's stormy off and on relationship with her then boyfriend/fiancé, Mark Wright, took the spotlight. Their relationship finally came to an end in the series two finale in 2011, when Lauren dumped Mark. In January 2013, Lauren took part in series eight of ITV Dancing On Ice and finished 11th after being eliminated in week two. Lauren published an autobiography in 2013 called Secrets of an Essex Girl. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:09:10 GMT -8
 Ricci Guarnaccio Age: 27 Twitter: @ricciguarnaccio Home town: Durham Ricci Guarnaccio is a reality star from Newcastle-based reality show Geordie Shore. Upon entering the show, he described himself as someone who has "got the looks, got the charm; it just works". Before appearing on the show, Ricci used to live in Durham and work as a hairdresser. During his time on the show, Ricci was notorious for his rocky and tumultuous relationship with fellow cast member Vicky Pattinson. After arguing and constantly fighting in every episode, their relationship came to an end shortly after his marriage proposal, which involved a plane flying by with a message reading "Vicky, will you marry me?" Ricci, who describes himself as a ladies' man and ridiculously good-looking, got banned from the Geordie Shore house a few times after several alcohol-fuelled arguments turned sour. When asked about his decision to leave the reality show, he responded through a tweet, "Getting knighted for being so goodlukin, so cudn't make it". Since leaving Geordie Shore, Ricci has travelled to Australia to judge and crown the winner of MTV Australia's Worldie of the Year, a competition where lots of Australian bikini-clad girls from around the country try to win the title of World Class Beauty. Ricci also appeared on MTV reality show Ex on the Beach, which saw eight single guys and girls head to paradise where they are greeted by their exes. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:10:07 GMT -8
 Stephanie Pratt Age: 28 Twitter: @stephaniepratt Home town: Los Angeles Stephanie was born and raised in Los Angeles. She is best known for a role on reality TV series The Hills, which documented the personal and professional lives of four girls in Beverly Hills. In 2006, Stephanie was arrested for shoplifting $1,300 worth of merchandise from a store in Honolulu Stephanie has admitted in numerous interviews, and on The Hills, that she has struggled with substance abuse in the past as well as bulimia. In April 2010, Stephanie posed nude for PETA's Be Nice to Bunnies campaign Since The Hills finished, Stephanie has made several appearances on hit reality show Made in Chelsea. She first joined the cast in 2013 for series six and had a romance with Spencer Matthews. The couple dated for a few months before splitting on her departure back home after he allegedly cheated on her. Stephanie made her return in series 7 of Made in Chelsea and wasn't that nice about Spencer... |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:15:26 GMT -8
 Leslie Jordan Age: 59 Twitter: @thelesliejordan Home town: Chattanooga Leslie Jordan, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is best known for his role as Beverley Leslie on hit US series Will and Grace, for which he won an Emmy for Outstanding Actor. Over the years, Leslie has worked with Hollywood stars such as George Clooney, Faye Dunaway, Robert Downy Jr and Billy Bob Thornton. He was most recently in the last series of American Horror Story: Coven alongside Jessica Lange, Angella Bassett and Kathy Bates. Growing up in a highly conservative, deeply religious atmosphere in Tennessee, Leslie learned to use humour as a shield to defend him from bullies. He once thought of becoming a jockey. However, because of his love of writing, Leslie decided to become a journalist and studied at the University of Tennessee. In 1982, uncertain about his direction in life, Leslie decided to try his luck in Hollywood. Within eight months he had eight national TV commercials. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:16:11 GMT -8
 Gary Busey Age: 70 Twitter: @thegarybusey Home town: Goose Creek Gary Busey is an American actor best known for his roles in Point Break and The Buddy Holly Story - and his reputation for bizarre behaviour. Growing up in Oklahoma he attended Kansas State University on a football scholarship, but his dreams of pursuing a career in professional sports were shattered after injuring his knee. He then moved to Hollywood to pursue a music career, but acting beckoned. After securing several small roles in both film and television during the 1970s, he made his film debut in Angels Hard As They Come in 1971. Following this, he starred as the lead in The Buddy Holly Story, which led to him winning an Academy Award nomination. Later in Gary's acting career, he took on more sinister roles in the action thrillers Lethal Weapon (1987), Predator 2 (1990) and, of course, Point Break (1991) with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. He also played a cameo role as himself in the comedy Entourage. Gary had a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 1989 after he rode without a helmet. This resulted in the enactment of stricter helmet laws in the State of California. The accident split his skull open and he was taken to hospital for immediate surgery. Gary claims that his brain got altered - it was a wake-up call to get his life in order and to appreciate it. He also recovered two and a half months earlier than predicted and says his faith was the reason. Gary has three children - son Jake with his first wife Judy, daughter Alectra with Tracy Hutchinson and son Luke with his wife Steffanie Sampson. He has black belts in all of the following martial arts: budo-jujitsu, capoeira, hapkido, and kendo. |
|
|
|
Post by doncey on Aug 18, 2014 14:19:43 GMT -8
 Frenchy Age: 38 Twitter: @vh1frenchy Home town: Malibu Angelique Morgan, nicknamed Frenchy, was raised in Paris. In 2004, she moved to Las Vegas and became an exotic dancer which led to her being spotted by Playboy TV and consequently offered a job. This resulted in appearances on the Howard Stern Show which kick started her showbiz career. VH1 discovered Frenchy in 2007 and invited her to the casting call for a reality show. This led to the biggest break in her career; appearances on Rock of Love, Charm School and I Love Money. Frenchy made her acting debut in Reality Horror Night, a film that saw reality stars from America compete for a million dollar prize. Frenchy has a Health Coaching License and doesn't believe in traditional medicines. Frenchy is a massive supporter of charities that fight against animal cruelty. She constantly tweets about it to gain support and awareness from her followers. Despite her party-animal behaviour and crazy personality, Frenchy does not like alcohol or smoking. The animal lover has been a vegetarian for the past 20 years. |
|
