Interview: Iwan Thomas MBE

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As an athlete, Iwan Thomas MBE has been there, done it, and got the medals to prove it, including a gold from the 1997 World Championships. When it comes to track and field, he knows his onions, which is why he’s landed a plum job as commentator for Channel 4’s coverage of the World Athletics Championships from Daegu in South Korea. Here, we take the opportunity to pick his brain regarding Britain’s best medal hopefuls, as well as Usain Bolt, Oscar Pistorius and much more.

The World Championships are almost upon us. Are you excited?
I am, actually. It’ll be a bit strange going to a World Championships and not being a competitor, being on the other side of the fence, but I’m really looking forward to the experience. I’m a bit worried about the food – you see people on Twitter [Iwan tweets as @Iwanrunner], showing pictures of people eating live octopus and things like that. It’ll be interesting. Maybe I’ll lose some weight over the two weeks. But I’m really looking forward to it.

Who do you see as Great Britain’s outstanding medal prospects this time around?
You’ve obviously got Jessica Ennis and Phillips Idowu – they’re both reigning World Champions and will be trying to defend their titles. Then you’ve got other athletes who have had a massive breakthrough in the last couple of years, like Dai Greene, and also Jenny Meadows in the 800m, she’s running really well this year. I’d never say anyone was a banker, because athletics is a pretty strange sport, but you’d be looking at those guys to get medals. You’ve also got people like Chris Tomlinson and Greg Rutherford, both in the long jump. At the recent Diamond League meeting at Crystal Palace, they came second and third, and Chris has got a British record this year, so he’s in tremendous form. I think in major championships it’s all about the underdogs coming through and doing well, so you never know. As a whole, the British team is in a pretty good place.

You’ve got athletes like Christine Ohuruogu, who’s always been a big event runner, but she’s not had a good year this year, has she?
No. She’s had a few injuries. I’d be very surprised if she became World Champion again. Don’t forget she’s a world champion and Olympic champion, though, so you can never count her out. She’s a performer. But if you look at current form, she’s had these injuries, and she’s struggling this year. It’d be fantastic to see her run well, and it would also be really good for the women’s 4×400 relay squad as well- they’re all doing well at the moment. You’ve got Christine, the likes of Jenny Meadows who can come down to 4×400, and you’ve got Perri Shakes-Drayton, who’s another emerging talent this year in the 400m hurdles. She’s someone to look out for, she’s an outside chance for a medal as well.

Talking of athletes who have really broken through in the last couple of years, Mo Farah must be up there as well.
Oh yeah, 100%. I don’t want to put the kiss of death on him, but Mo is in the best form of his life. He’s beautiful to watch, he’s not scared of the big athletes, he’s beaten everybody. It’ll be interesting to see whether he tries to do the double [run both 5000m and 10,000m] but without a doubt, Mo is someone I can’t wait to watch. Without putting the medal round his neck and putting pressure on him, I’d be very surprised if he didn’t become world champion.

What sort of shape do you think British athletics is in as a whole at the moment?
I think it’s pretty good. Three or four years ago it was going through a bit of a transitional phase – a lot of good athletes had retired, a lot of guaranteed medallists – the likes of Jonathan Edwards, Steve Backley, Colin Jackson, Denise Lewis and so on. Everybody retired, and it left a bit of a hole. But over the last two or three years, we’ve got the new stars coming through. It’s exciting times, it really is.

Away from team GB, who are you looking forward to watching?
Obviously any athlete in the 100m final. That’s the blue riband event, I can’t wait to watch that. It’s going to be interesting to see Usain Bolt, because although he’s not been beaten this year, he’s not running as convincingly as he has in the past. He’s going to be under a little bit of pressure. I think he’s going to win the 200m, but the 100m is by no means a foregone conclusion. If his countryman, Asafa Powell, can get himself together -he’s had a few injuries – who knows? I don’t think Usain Bolt will be in a position to celebrate ten metres before the line this time, he’ll be pushed all the way.

What else are you looking forward to?
I always enjoy my old event, the 400m. It’s close to my heart. To be honest, I’m just a massive athletics fan, so all the events. I’m looking forward to watching Goldie Sayers in the javelin as well – she’s had a good year this year. I’m so excited about the whole thing. I think a lot of events will be really close. As a neutral, that has to make for a really exciting spectacle.

You mentioned the 400m. One of the stories of the championships is going to be Oscar Pistorius, isn’t it? What do you think about his presence there? [Pistorius is a double amputee who runs on special carbon fibre artificial limbs]
I think it’s great for the sport, and great for Paralympic sport. I know there’s a lot of controversy behind it. I’m probably a little bit biased, because I’m friends with Oscar and I’ve trained with him, but he’s worked very hard to get where he has done, and I think you’ve got to take your hat off to him. Long may it continue. The bottom line is he’s been cleared to run by the governing body, so let him run. It’ll put a few people’s noses out of joint, because he’s going to beat a lot of able-bodied athletes, but I think it’s fantastic for him and the sport.

How far do you think he can go in the competition?
A good lane draw is vital. If he’s drawn in lane 1 and it’s raining, it’s not good for him – he doesn’t like running in rain. But if he gets a good lane, then I think he could definitely make the semi-finals, and when you make the semis of a world championships, anything can happen on the day. He’ll have to run near his best to get through the heats, but I think he’ll do that.

Channel 4 is covering the event for the first time this year. What can we expect from their coverage?
I hope we do the sport justice. You’ll have a lot of people who are used to having watched it on the BBC for years, but I think we’ll do it slightly different. I think we could make it very modern, and appeal to the masses. There will be different audiences watching it – you’ve got your die-hard athletics fans who know everything, and also hopefully newcomers to the sport who won’t understand all the technicalities behind the events,. So it’s our job to try and portray that without being patronising. I think, hopefully, we’ll do a good job, and people will come away and enjoy the coverage.

Are you looking forward to working with Michael Johnson?
Definitely. I can’t wait to work with Michael. I had a long career against him, and I’ve got a lot of respect for him as an athlete. I also respect him as a pundit as well. I think he’s very good at his job, he tells it how it is, and I’m looking forward to sitting next to him on a sofa and hopefully forming a nice little double act together.

How have you taken to life in front of the camera? Are you enjoying it?
Yeah, I am actually. I think my career was cut short with bad injuries, and I never got back to running fast after the injuries, and don’t get me wrong, I’d rather be ten years younger and still competing, but if I can’t do that, the next best thing is trying to help others enjoy the sport that I love so much. I really enjoy TV work.

You’re still the British 400m record holder. Do you want to keep that, or would you like to see it broken, because that would mean the next great 400m runner was coming through?
If I’m honest, a bit of both. As a lover of the sport, I’m really surprised it’s still standing. You’d think with technology, and better understanding of nutrition and training, it would go. As a lover of the sport, I‘d definitely like to see my British record go. But it also indicates to me how good our generation was. In 1998 Roger Black came forth in our British trials, running 44.6. Someone running 44.6 would be number one in the world this year.

Was that one of the secrets of your success, that you, Roger, Jamie Baulch and so on were all pushing each other on?
Absolutely, 100 per cent. Domestic rivalry is crucial. If I hadn’t had to run 44.3 to be Britain’s best, perhaps I would have only run 44.8. I still would have trained as hard, but subconsciously I think you need to be pushed on. We’ve always had great 400m runners. Half of me is very proud to have the British record, but if I’m honest, I’d like to see it go.

Lastly, you alluded to this at the beginning, but how will you feel being out there trackside when the 400m final is going on?
I miss it every day. Whenever I’m out there and there’s a 400m race about to start, I get the jitters and want to start doing my stretches. I think to myself, “You know what? I could still do that.” But I can’t, I don’t train and I’m old. I miss the sport every day. You can guarantee, when the 400m is on, I’ll be on the edge of my seat, jumping around like a loon, because I’ll wish that I was still out there.

Athletics: IAAF World Championships 2011 starts Saturday 27 August. Iwan Thomas is part of Channel 4’s team of experts who will be bringing you extensive coverage from Deagu, with expert opinions, in depth interviews and live commentary of the entire Championships.

For the latest Athletics: IAAF World Championships 2011 News – http://athletics.channel4.com/index.html

By Benjie Goodhart

Thanks to Channel 4’s coverage of the IAAF World Championships 2011.

Drugs, Drink & Driving Set To Trigger Lethal Festival Cocktail

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Drug and drink driving, coupled with a lack of insurance were expected to cause a surge in the number of people arrested while attending the August Bank Holiday festivals last weekend.

With thousands of revellers hitting the roads for the hugely popular Creamfields, Reading and Leeds festivals, leading motoring solicitors were bracing themselves for a busy few days.

Matt Reynolds, a solicitor with Just Motor Law, said: “Festivals inevitably see a sharp rise in the use of illegal drugs and alcohol and we would expect to see a number of motoring arrests in relation to these.

“However, another growing area of concern is the amount of people being tempted to drive without insurance because they cannot afford the ever-increasing premiums.

“We would urge all people attending festivals being held this Bank Holiday Weekend to think through the consequences of being stopped for drink or drug driving or lack of insurance.”

Young men aged between 17 and 29 are believed to be the most likely to drive while on illegal drugs. Cannabis is known to distort a driver’s perception of time and distance, cocaine causes aggressive and risky driving, amphetamines such as speed impair coordination, while Ecstasy causes blurred vision and poor judgement. Looking for a drug rehab near me can help with overcoming the issue.

Police currently have no equivalent to an alcohol breathalyser to test for drugs and instead use a Field Impairment Test (FIT). Tests can include standing on one leg, touching your nose with the tip of your finger and closing your eyes and estimating when 30 seconds have elapsed.

Reynolds added: “People who are arrested on suspicion of any motoring offences while attending music festivals need to ensure they get the right support immediately. They have a right to be represented at a police station and, should it be required, to be defended in a court of law.”

Just Motor Law – www.justmotorlaw.co.uk – provides specialist legal advice on all motoring offences with a 24-hour hotline and online live chat facility. The company also specialises in providing clients with technical defences, challenging equipment used by police officers and highlighting any failure to conform with rules of evidence.

Bianca Jagger: “Why The Rainforest Is Critical For Our Survival”

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Bianca Jagger, founder and chair of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, spoke at the B&Q Forest Friendly forest at Start@Kew, an initiative by HRH The Prince of Wales to inspire the public to take simple steps towards achieving a more sustainable lifestyle. The campaigner highlighted the plight of the world’s forests and the crucial role they play in mitigating climate change.

The festival was open to visitors of The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew over the Bank Holiday weekend with lots of interactive exhibitions for families to learn about how to live a more sustainable way of life.

Bianca Jagger said: “We must realise that in order to prevent catastrophic climate change, we must protect our remaining forests and embrace a sustainable lifestyle.”

Beyonce Reveals Pregnancy At MTV Awards

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She has been a workaholic superstar, entertaining the world since her teens, but now Beyonce has entered another phase in her life –  becoming a mother. Beyonce and her husband, rapper Jay-Z, are to become parents for the first time.

Beyonce revealed she was pregnant at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles where the former Destiny’s Child singer flaunted her growing baby bump. Beyonce performed her song “Love On Top” at the awards, telling the audience to stand up and said: “I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside of me.”

When the song finished, she took off her jacket, smiled broadly and rubbed her tummy.

Jay-Z was congratulated by Kanye West who were both in the audience and he gave Beyoncé a big wave.

Doctor Who: 'Let's Kill Hitler' Review

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Doctor Who has never been more bonkers. And there are some who would argue that it’s never been better. After a storming opening run to series 6, I’m beginning to think that they may just have a point.

So, Let’s Kill Hitler. Rory and Amy, impatient at waiting for news of their daughter (the soon-to-be River Song) form a crop circle to bring the Doctor back into their lives. When it works, we’re off into another adventure into Steven Moffat’s, frankly potty, Scottish head. And what does he give us to delight us on a Saturday night? Numbskulls vs. Hitler.

Let me repeat that, just in case it hasn’t sunk in.  NUMBSKULLS vs. HITLER!! It shouldn’t work, it sounds awful, it should be cringe-worthy trash,… but it wasn’t. It was brilliant.

Of course, that was just a side show really. This episode was really about two people, Mel and River Song. Who were, in fact, the same person (keeping up? Not for long,..). Y’see, Amy and Rory have been living with their own daughter since they were children at primary school together. Indeed, their bessie-mate, Mel, was not only young Melody Pond all along, but was also the person who brought Rory and Amy together in the first place (still following? We’ll see about that…). And, of course, she wanted to kill the Doctor. Then Hitler shot her and she turned into Alex Kingston.

Let’s face facts. Even if you put Numbskulls vs. Hitler to one side (Numbskulls vs. Hitler!!), it’s still completely insane.

That it worked was testament to the ‘human’ story at the centre of it all – the rehabilitation of the psychotic River Song into the Doctor’s future missus, and the Doctor’s struggle with his own inner demons (“Is there anybody in the universe that I’ve not screwed up?”). Matt Smith and Alex Kingston put in truly superb performances in this episode, helped enormously by a cracking script that fizzed with energy.

Their intellectual jousting was a joy, with the Doctor disarming every weapon that River could pull on him, but failing to foresee a deadly kiss.

And what of Amy and Rory? Well, we have a lovely bit of backstory early on in the episode and Arthur Darvill gets to put more meat on his ‘action man’ persona after smacking the Fuhrer in the mouth and nicking a motorbike from a Nazi (very Indiana Jones). Apart from that, however, Mr. and Mrs. Pond stay on the sidelines for most of the story – inside robot Amy’s head (I know!).

But that’s the great thing about the rejuvenated Doctor Who, it’s the only show on television that has the balls to be quite this loopy. And I like loopy. In today’s world of dreary crime dramas and celebrity-obsessed talent shows, Doctor Who has become a beacon of light to those of us who don’t want to be talked down to by our Goggle Box. It’s insane, confusing, quick, fun, and it doesn’t make any concessions for people who can’t keep up.

It trusts that you will.

Which makes it the best thing on TV.

Little Mistress: Beautiful Clothes – Reasonable Price

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This month, I attended an event held by uber-cool clothing brand Little Mistress.

I looked at their clothes online beforehand and not only were they gorgeous, they don’t break the bank. So, I took myself off to 68 Great Portland Street, W1 and had some champagne while rummaging through the rails and checking out their jewellery. I walked away with a cool arm cuff and will be back to buy more.

Each season, Little Mistress adapts the latest catwalk trends and in-season colours to create covetable collections that are feminine, chic, pretty, affordable and wearable. With a rapidly growing reputation as a ‘must have’ label, it is difficult not to fall in love with the adorable, fun-loving Little Mistress brand. The styles have a strong, brand signature, with pieces for all social occasions and looks that can be worn day and night.

This season’s trends include bold colour and colour blocking, as well as romantic pieces with embroidery, lace, beadwork and a nod to vintage prints. The silhouettes feature structured shapes, body-con dresses as well as romantic feminine styles in a colour palette of neutral shades and jewel colours like jade, teal, red and purple.
The Little Mistress girl loves to dress up according to her mood and she likes to experiment with new styles – she will love the bold, printed maxi dresses, flattering playsuits and chiffon shirts for day and then chose a sexier, body-con dress for a night out partying.


All Little Mistress pieces are designed in-house, flatter the feminine figure and seduce the buyer with their exquisite embellished detailing, lush layered textures and unique prints.

Little Mistress has a growing customer fan base and is quickly becoming a favourite with celebrities, who are all eager to be seen in the latest Little Mistress looks.

Wholesale price range – £12.00 – £18.00

Frost Editor, Catherine Balavage, at the Little Mistress event. Far Right

Parade – Theatre Review

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I have wanted to see the musical ‘Parade’ for a long time. Sitting across the road from the Southwark Playhouse before the show, I overheard a man say to a woman: “Cheer up, you’re about to see the saddest musical every written!” And so I waited eagerly in anticipation.

Set in the 1910s in Georgia, we follow the tragic story of a Jewish factory owner, Leo Frank, as he is accused of abusing and murdering Mary Phagan (Jessica Bastick-Vines), a young girl who worked for him.

A drunken reporter, played by David Haydn, sobers up to return as a master of spin. He and Hugh Dorsey (Mark Inscoe), prosecution lawyer, rally up public support, and convince members of the community to bend the truth, and more often than not, to lie about their experiences of Mr Frank.

His only hope of rescue from a public hanging is his loving wife, Lucille (Laura Pitt-Pilford), who tugs at the heart strings of Governor Slaton (also David Haydn). He agrees to stand up for Leo, a man that he believes is an innocent outcast. Are these efforts enough to save him from the fury of the masses who need to see justice done, quickly?

Suffice to say, each and every singing voice was capable of setting the heart racing. The discordant harmonies of the chorus were touching, unsettling and emotive, and though I am not a trained singer, it was rare to hear an unsupported, pushed note from this experienced and talented cast.

Before we fully meet the protagonists, a distraught and dazed Frankie Epps (Samuel J Weir) recalls how young Mary’s ‘smile was like a glass of lemonade’. The song was delivered with a beautiful subtlety. The lyrics are so highly personal, that the performer needs a deep internal understanding of the character and his position in order to deliver them with complete truthfulness, which Weir was on the verge of.

Alastair Brookshaw (as Leo Frank) gave an equally strong vocal performance. I was touched on several occasions by the honesty of his performance, in particular when he sang to his wife, finding the confidence to simply say (possibly for the first time after years of marriage), ‘I love you’. However, the honesty was not consistent. The choice to listen intently to what the text tells us about his character’s nervous mannerisms was commendable. However, in times of extreme hardship, even the most agitated of people might break from their habitual mannerisms, look people in the eye, and show some humanity.

Both Laura Pitt-Pulford as Lucille Frank, and Terry Doe, in various roles, stood out as giving full commitment to the finer details of their performances. When Lucille begged for the Governor’s help, and when Riley (Doe) hit the deck, when singing about the injustice of a juridical system that prioritises murder of white victims in the courts, there was no rest from the illusion that they had created.

I have not commented on every performance, but that is no negative reflection on the others. A strong cast, fantastic set, and sharp direction by Thom Southerland and co. left us with something to think about. I wanted to be moved more, but I blame it on that man I overheard before the show, preparing me for floods of tears.

A Lesson In Style With Alexis Knox

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As Style Mentor on T4’s Style the Nation’ alongside Giles Deacon and Nick Grimshaw, Alexis Knox knows a thing or two about personal style. Not only is she the Fashion Director at Notion magazine and host of the surrealist club night ‘Circus’ with the infamous Jodie Harsh, but now the fashion fabulous Ms Knox has teamed up with Schuh for the launch of Converse’s first ever Bags & Accessories collection.

One fashion savvy girl or guy can win a day of one-on-one fashion tips and personal styling with Alexis at London’s Oxford Circus. Meeting at Schuh’s Oxford Street store, the trend-hungry winner will select the Converse accessories of their choice before going for lunch and an afternoon’s styling and fashion advice, where Alexis will pass on her finest trade secrets including how to wear your new accessories.

The prize includes a Converse bags & accessories shopping spree at Schuh’s flagship store on Oxford Street, lunch with Alexis and an afternoon of styling tips with the T4 ‘Style the Nation’ Fashion Mentor, with spending money.

Entry is free via Schuh’s Competitions page, here http://www.schuh.co.uk/competitions.aspx?CompID=127 and you can follow Alexis’s Styling adventures on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/alexisknox/. Competition closes on 10th September.