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Archives for May 2010

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/sarah-cawood-reports-on-the-eurovision-semi-final.shtml" rel="bookmark">Sarah Cawood reports on the Eurovision Semi Final

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Post categories: %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/entertainment/" rel="tag" title="">Entertainment,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/eurovision-song-contest/" rel="tag" title="">Eurovision Song Contest

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 15:54 UK time, Friday, 28 May 2010

The %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00skygc">Eurovision semi-finals are now over and things are hotting up for the main event on Saturday. Fingers crossed for the %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/uk.shtml">UK entry Josh Dubovie.

scorecard

And if you're planning your very own %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/party/">Eurovision party there's everything you could need on the website from %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/party/scorecards.shtml">scorecards and %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/pdfs/party/eurovision_ispy.pdf">games to international %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/party/food.shtml">party food suggestions.

大象传媒 Three presenter Sarah Cawood has been keeping us up to date with all the action on the ground in Oslo. Here's the latest from Norway...

Well, there we are... Semi final #2 done and positively dusted.
And no %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/sweden.shtml">Sweden for Saturday's final! That's the shock story from Oslo. %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/sweden.shtml">Sweden have never not qualified for the final so last night a bus full of very dejected Swedes arrived back at the hotel and walked through the lobby, heads bowed, straight to their beds. At least it's not a very long trip home. Poor %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/sweden.shtml">Anna Bergendahl. Just goes to show that all the glowsticks in the world can't help if the rest of Europe ain't feeling it.

We had a fab show on 大象传媒 Three last night: I interviewed the lovely Greek, %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/greece.shtml">Giorgos Arkaios and his even lovelier dancers. UK representative %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/uk.shtml">Josh Dubovie was my handsome assistant again and %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/iceland.shtml">Hera Bjork from Iceland dropped by. I MAY have flirted a little...even with Hera. ;) That's the thing about Eurovision: every country in Europe sends their very best looking citizens. It makes for a lovely view from here in Oslo for La Cawood.
I'm currently sitting in a Norwegian radio station studio, about to listen to Paddy give it his best on Popmaster with %3Ca%20href="/radio2/shows/ken-bruce/">Ken Bruce. Little Aleksander Rybak (Norway's winner last year) is meant to be here too but hot off the press news: he's broken his hand and can't make it (boo!). However, we've been assured he will still be participating in Saturday's final. One wonders how he broke it? I like to think he was defending the honour of some helpless damsel in distress. That's my version anyway and I'm sticking with it.

So, onwards towards Saturday. We have our 20 finalists. I've fallen in love with so many of the acts, as I always do: they grow on me a bit like mould, but I REALLY am LOVING the %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/denmark.shtml">Danish entry. %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/romania.shtml">Romania is strong with a Megan Fox-a-like singing top Cs, and of course, our lovely %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/uk.shtml">Joshua. Get behind him people. He has done his country proud since he's been here. Polite, friendly, and a joy to be around. Eurovision winner or not, he's been a star to us.

So today Paddy and I are going to attempt to soak up a little Norwegian culture. There's some Edvard Munch art to take in. (I quite often feel JUST like that screaming face in his painting...) and possibly some Fjords to float around. Then we will be donning our finest spangles and getting ready for %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/">tomorrow's main event.
Mr Norton will be at the helm, steering us with grace through the lycra, glitter and lipgloss (and that's just the men!). He's on 大象传媒 One from 8pm and %3Ca%20href="/radio2/shows/ken-bruce/">Ken Bruce will be commentating on %3Ca%20href="/radio2/shows/ken-bruce/">Radio 2 at the same time.

Right, I'm off to consider which of my Saturday night outfits is the campest.

Spread the Eurolove lovely people. After all %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/">Eurovision comes but once a year.
Love and lipgloss, La Cawood.

Sarah Cawood presents Eurovision coverage for 大象传媒 Three.

You can watch the %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/">Eurovision final this Saturday at 8pm on 大象传媒 One.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/eurovision-song-contest/">Read Sarah's earlier blog posts from Oslo.
%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00skygc">Missed the semi-finals? Catch up here
%3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/uk.shtml">Watch UK entry Josh Dubovie perform
%3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/">Fine out about the contestants
%3Ca%20href="/eurovision/">More about Eurovision

Who will you be voting for? %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/sarah-cawood-reports-on-the-eurovision-semi-final.shtml">Add your comment.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/watch-pulse-online-now-and-tel.shtml" rel="bookmark">Watch Pulse online now and tell us what you think

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Post categories: %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/drama/" rel="tag" title="">Drama,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/drama-pilots/" rel="tag" title="">Drama Pilots,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/pulse/" rel="tag" title="">Pulse

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 11:00 UK time, Thursday, 27 May 2010

**Pulse is no longer available to watch online.**

We want to know what you think of our brand new drama %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse, so tell us by %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/watch-pulse-online-now-and-tel.shtml">adding your comments.

This is your chance to watch this supernatural, medical horror first, a whole week before it goes on telly.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse is a tense, unnerving story focusing on Hannah, who resumes her training at one of the country's top teaching hospitals a year after her mother's death. She is soon terrified by strange visions and the theatening behaviour of her ex-boyfriend and star surgeon Nick, and wonders if she's come back too soon. Beneath the hospital's reputation of medical excellence she discovers a secret network of dangerous experiments pushing back the boundaries of science....

So grab a cup of tea, sit back and press play. And don't forget to %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/watch-pulse-online-now-and-tel.shtml">let us know what you think.

Pulse has been removed as it is no longer available to watch online.

So what did you think? %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/watch-pulse-online-now-and-tel.shtml">Tell us now.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse will be on 大象传媒 Three on %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Thursday 3rd June at 9pm.

Check out what the writer told us about the %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/pulse-writer-paul-cornell-brings-medical-horro-to-bbc-three.shtml"> inspiration for the drama .

Pulse is just one of the %3Ca%20href="/bbcthree/pages/dramapilots">drama pilots that we are making available to you online a week before they are screened on TV. Next Thursday 3rd June you will be able to watch two fresh new dramas, %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f9">Stanley Park and %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f5">Dappers, so don't forget to come back for a look.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">More about the charaters in Pulse
%3Ca%20href="/bbcthree/pages/dramapilots">Find out more about the drama pilots
%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f5">Dappers
%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f9">Stanley Park
%3Ca%20href="/blogs/writersroom/2010/06/bbc3_drama_pilot_scripts.shtml">大象传媒 Three drama pilots scripts on the 大象传媒 Writers Room Website

Dana Stevens is content producer for 大象传媒 Three online.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/sarah-cawood-looks-forward-to-the-second-eurovision-semi-final.shtml" rel="bookmark">Sarah Cawood looks forward to the second Eurovision Semi Final

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Post categories: %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/entertainment/" rel="tag" title="">Entertainment,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/eurovision-song-contest/" rel="tag" title="">Eurovision Song Contest

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 09:30 UK time, Thursday, 27 May 2010

After the excitement of the %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00skygc">first semi-final, get ready for more %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/">Eurovision fun tonight as %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00skyhk">part two of the semi-final goes out live on 大象传媒 Three at 8pm. Don't forget you can vote on who you think should make it through to %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00slt57">Saturday's grand final.

Reporting exclusively for 大象传媒 Three on all the gossip and behind the scenes action, presenter Sarah Cawood brings us the latest from Oslo...

So, we're fully in the %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/">Eurovision zone now and I feel better to have show #1 out of the way. We had a fab show and despite my unfounded worrying that the background noise would prevent me from hearing my guests, it went really well. I'm now a little bit in love with %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/lithuania.shtml">Lithuania's InCulto boys and %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/cyprus.shtml">Cyprus's Jon Lilygreen. If you don't know the back story to the %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/cyprus.shtml">Cypriot entry, it's well worth searching online. It's a heart-warming tale and, if they won it, would make the best movie EVER!! Suffice to say that Jon is about as Cypriot as HP sauce but has the whole country behind him.

We also had %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/netherlands.shtml">Sieneke from The Netherlands and %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/ireland.shtml">Niamh from lreland on the show, both fab. %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/ireland.shtml">Niamh came up to the commentary booth to say hi to Paddy and I earlier in the day and I developed a girl crush within minutes of making her acquaintance. Great song, great performance, great woman!
You can see all my guests from Tuesday's show on the %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00skyhk">2nd Semi Final tonight on 大象传媒 Three at 8pm.

Btw, did anyone spot my rubbish streaker in Tuesday's show? Some joker jumped into our balcony of glee and ran passed the camera waving frantically like an eeijit but was FULLY clothed. Someone needs to have a word in his shell like and tell him the rules. ; )

So, potential guests for tonight include %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/iceland.shtml">Iceland's Hera Bjork, and the amazing %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/greece.shtml">Greek entry (the dancers are coming on too hopefully guys and girls: huzzah!!). I'll confirm the others when WE can confirm them too. My favourites so far from tonight's line up are %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/denmark.shtml">Denmark, %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/romania.shtml">Romania, %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/iceland.shtml">Iceland and the %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/2010/netherlands.shtml">Netherlands. There can only be 10 of the 17 though, mores the pity. I must dash now sending Eurovision love to each and every one of you lovely people.

Sarah Cawood presents the %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00skyhk">Eurovision Semi Final 2 tonight at 8pm on 大象传媒 Three.

You can read Sarah's first blog entry from Eurovision %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/sarah-cawood-goes-to-eurovision.shtml">here. The %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00slt57">Final is on Saturday at 8pm on 大象传媒 One.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00skygc">Watch the first Semi Final online now
%3Ca%20href="/eurovision">Visit the Eurovision website
%3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/">Find out about the contestants
%3Ca%20href="/eurovision/party/">Host your own Eurovision party

Who will you be voting for? %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/sarah-cawood-looks-forward-to-the-second-eurovision-semi-final.shtml">Add your comment.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/pulse-writer-paul-cornell-brings-medical-horro-to-bbc-three.shtml" rel="bookmark">Pulse writer Paul Cornell brings medical horror to 大象传媒 Three

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%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 10:09 UK time, Wednesday, 26 May 2010

*You can now %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/watch-pulse-online-now-and-tel.shtml">watch Pulse online on the blog* Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day here on the 大象传媒 Three blog. We're going to be bringing you our first ever online premiere which means you get to see our brand new drama pilots a whole week before they're on telly.
Launching our online premieres is hospital horror, %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse, which features some great acting and will definitely have you on the edge of your seat. And there's blood. Lots of blood.

If you haven't seen it already, here's a sneak preview from the show...

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So that you can get as excited as I am, here's the lead writer, Paul Cornell to tell you about the inspiration for the show....

I think there's something obvious about %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse. It's the show that asks 'going into hospital... what's the worst that could happen?' And then it shows you. There's never really been a medical horror show on British television... and there really should be. We are the nation, after all, that's really proud of its NHS, but at the same time looks at those stern official buildings and shivers a little. So... what if there's more to it than understandable fears about what might happen to our bodies when there are scalpels and syringes and sutures about? What if someone, hidden inside that fine institution, has decided that the good of the many, the advancement of medical science, is more important than the suffering of one or two? %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse is also, incidentally, another show that's been missing for a while: young intern doctors having relationships and messing up. Only this time their relative innocence and hope is set against deep, unseen evil.

I've been lead writer on the series for the last couple of years of its development process (it was originally the idea of the very talented Ben Teasdale and was subsequently worked on by my old mate Tom MacRae) and it's been a pleasure to work with such a brilliant team. The pilot is directed, as you'll see, as a very chilling, echoing, scary thing by the great James Hawes, and getting to watch him working with our cast was a joy. This is the show where we get beautiful, talented young actors and throw buckets of blood over them. That doesn't happen in Casualty. The cast genuinely didn't know how much was going to hit the main operation scene. A lot of the shrieking is real. I also very much like the concentration on emotion, how much story is carried by expression and subtle shots. I don't like to single out performances amongst so much great stuff, but Claire Foy (Hannah) is such a star for us, the centre of the show. Gregg Chillin (the creepy landlord from Being Human, so much sweeter for us) as Rafee is a joy to watch, and Ben Miles (Dr. Sennet) and Caroline Goodall (Ms. Randall) make a great deal out of their short screen time.

What we really hope for, of course, is that this pilot gets a positive reaction online and in the press. So please do let us know what you think once you've watched the show.
This team has been talking about the arc plot of the show for a long time: we know where it's going, we know what the conspiracy is about. We've got a big story to tell.

Paul Cornell is lead writer of %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse.

Don't forget you can %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/watch-pulse-online-now-and-tel.shtml">watch Pulse first right here on the 大象传媒 Three blog now. And we want you to leave comments and let us know what you think of the show as well.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse will be on TV on 大象传媒 Three on Thursday 3rd June at 9pm.

You can watch the other two drama pilots that will premiere online, %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f5">Dappers and %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f9">Stanley Park, here on the blog next week.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Find out about the characters in Pulse
%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/an-exclusive-first-look-at-our-brand-new-drama.shtml">Watch clips from the drama pilots
%3Ca%20href="/bbcthree/pages/dramapilots">Find out more about the drama pilots
%3Ca%20href="/blogs/writersroom/2010/06/bbc3_drama_pilot_scripts.shtml">大象传媒 Three drama pilots scripts on the 大象传媒 Writers Room Website

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/pulse-writer-paul-cornell-brings-medical-horro-to-bbc-three.shtml">Add your comment here.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/sarah-cawood-goes-to-eurovision.shtml" rel="bookmark">Sarah Cawood goes to Eurovision!

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%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 17:55 UK time, Monday, 24 May 2010

The %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00slt57">main event is being held this Saturday 29th May in Norway but before that there's all the drama, costumes and controversial point-scoring of the %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00skygc">Semi Finals to enjoy. You can watch them on 大象传媒 Three tomorrow and Thursday night at 8pm.

Sitting at home on the sofa shouting nul points at the TV can only give you a small glimpse into the excitement of the actual event so I've asked 大象传媒 presenter Sarah Cawood to let us know how she's dealing with %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/">Eurovision-mania in this year's host city, Oslo. The whole Eurovision team had to travel there overland due to the threat of strikes and ash clouds. You can watch a clip of the journey from the UK entry Josh Dubovie....

When Sarah Cawood finally arrived she sent us this first instalment from the frontline...

And so it begins. My %3Ca%20href="/eurovision/">Eurovision madness!
After a 24 hour journey by land and sea so as to avoid the dual perils of ash clouds and BA strikes, we arrived in Oslo and I entered my bubble. That's what going to the Eurovision Song Contest feels like. I literally take a deep breath, and go under until next Sunday when I will eventually resurface gasping for air and detoxification.

My impressions so far? Well the Scandinavians have got efficiency down to a T so everything is running like clockwork. Huzzah! I have yet to go to the venue as I've been filming some little packages to be put into mine and Paddy's show on Tuesday. Yesterday we spoke to Bobbysocks! Winners in 1985 and Norway's first ever winners... Lovely ladies. COULDN'T shut them up which makes my job super easy. Consequently, my first Eurovision earworm was 'Let It Swing' (the winning number). It will be the first of many...
The hotel we are staying in has the majority of the delegations in residence so I'm openly staring at the quite frankly overwhelming array of fashion on show. LOTS of chicks with tight dresses, hair extensions and drag queen make up and LOTS of very buff young men who preen in every mirror they pass.
Today, I'm lunching with the delightfully delectable Aleksander Rybak: the fiddling winner of last year's contest. (He can fiddle with me any day, heeheehee!). Then we're taking to the streets of Oslo to find out what your average Norwegian thinks of the circus that's just rolled into their town.

Tonight it's the opening night party. It will be handbags and gladrags all the way. I have yet to go to the venue itself but will be blogging regularly so rest assured gossip will be imparted.

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(Josh Dubovie's performs the UK's entry "That Sounds Good to Me")

Just briefly, before I take my leave, I must add that %3Ca%20href="/programmes/p007x5z4">Josh, our UK entry this year, is a TOTAL poppet, as are all his singers and dancers. They will do us proud, wherever we place.
I hope he's ready for the trip, for trip it is in EVERY sense of the word. Well that's it for now my eurodarlings, I must away to prepare for lunch with The Norwegian. I'm going back in....*takes deep breath*... See you later.

Sarah Cawood will be presenting the %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00skygc">Eurovision Semi Finals with Paddy O'Connell tomorrow and Thursday night on 大象传媒 Three at 8pm.

%3Ca%20href="/eurovision/">Visit the Eurovision website
%3Ca%20href="/programmes/p007x5z4">Learn more about the UK entry Josh Dubovie
%3Ca%20href="/eurovision/contestants/">Check out our competition
%3Ca%20href="/eurovision/party/">Find out all you need to know to host your own Eurovision party

Read %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/sarah-cawood-looks-forward-to-the-second-eurovision-semi-final.shtml">Sarah's second blog post from the Eurovision preparations in Oslo.

Who will you be voting for? %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/sarah-cawood-goes-to-eurovision.shtml">Add your comment.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/an-exclusive-first-look-at-our-brand-new-drama.shtml" rel="bookmark">An exclusive first look at our brand new drama!

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Post categories: %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/announcements/" rel="tag" title="">Announcements,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dappers/" rel="tag" title="">Dappers,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/drama/" rel="tag" title="">Drama,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/drama-pilots/" rel="tag" title="">Drama Pilots,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/pulse/" rel="tag" title="">Pulse,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/stanley-park/" rel="tag" title="">Stanley Park

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 11:55 UK time, Friday, 21 May 2010

%3Ca%20href="/beinghuman/">Being Human and %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b007nf70">Gavin and Stacey are just two of the great dramas that were born on 大象传媒 Three. And now we're giving you the chance to watch three of our brand new dramas first, right here on the blog. You'll get an exclusive first look seven whole days before these %3Ca%20href="/bbcthree/pages/dramapilots">drama pilots appear on telly. And we want you to tell us what you think. Do they make you laugh or cry and leave you wanting more?

PULSE: DRAMA PILOT 1

From Thursday 27th May you can watch the first one, %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse, right here. If you like %3Ca%20href="/beinghuman/">Being Human, I think you're going to like this as it's a dark, tense medical drama that had me on the edge of my seat. It stars Claire Foy as Hannah Parker, a young trainee at a hospital who uncovers some dark (and rather gruesome) secrets.

Here's a taster...be warned this isn't for the faint hearted!

So don't forget to check back here on Thursday to watch the whole episode. The lead writer, upcoming talent Paul Cornell, will also be sharing his thoughts about the inspiration for the show on the blog next week.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse will be shown on 大象传媒 Three on Thursday 3rd June at 9pm.

But that's not all, in the same week that %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse will be shown on TV we'll be giving you the chance to preview not one, but two more exciting new dramas on the blog. So you lucky people get a week's head start on everyone else to let us know what you think.

STANLEY PARK: DRAMA PILOT 2

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f9">Stanley Park is based on the stage play from young writer, Leo Richardson. It follows a group of young friends living on the same street in South London.

In this clip, Auntie Pat talks to Debbie about her unique take on relationships.

DAPPERS: DRAMA PILOT 3

The third drama %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f5">Dappers, stars %3Ca%20href="/beinghuman/">Being Human actress Lenora Crichlow as Ashley and Ty Glaser as Faye, two young single mums from Bristol. Living on benefits, they're determined to do whatever it takes to become rich business women.

Find out how to be Bristolicious...

You'll be able to preview %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f9">Stanley Park and %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f5">Dappers online from Thursday 3rd June. And check back here for details of when they'll be on telly.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f7">Pulse
%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f9">Stanley Park
%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj8f5">Dappers
%3Ca%20href="/bbcthree/pages/dramapilots">More information about the drama pilots
%3Ca%20href="/blogs/beinghuman/">Being Human blog

Dana Stevens is online content producer for 大象传媒 Three online. %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/watch-pulse-online-now-and-tel.shtml">Watch Pulse online here.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/wags-kids-and-world-cup-dreams-chantelles-story-part-2.shtml" rel="bookmark">WAGs, Kids and World Cup Dreams - Chantelle's story: Part 2

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%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 16:00 UK time, Monday, 17 May 2010

Although I have to admit I was initially cynical about the WAGs fronting a programme about underprivileged children in South Africa, I was genuinely moved to tears by the first episode of %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj4my">WAGs, Kids and World Cup Dreams. The stories of the young people featured in the show were truly moving and it reminded me just how lucky most of us are in this country, even those of us not in the super-rich league of the WAGs.

The trip has had a lasting effect on the WAGs and %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sjb47">Chantelle Tagoe, fiancee of Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey, shares more of her thoughts on her incredible South African journey:

WAGS, Kids and World Cup Dreams (Chantelle Tagoe)

WAGS, Kids and World Cup Dreams (Chantelle Tagoe)

After staying in Cape Town, our next stop was %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj9ss">Johannesburg and I was right in the front line. The easy ride I had in %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sh6wz">Baphumelele was well and truly over. ON MY OWN (still upset about that) I was asked to work and sleep in the Central Methodist Church. By day it was fine, but at night it is home to over 3000 refugees, mostly from Zimbabwe. They sleep anywhere - stairs, balconies, even banisters. There is not an inch of space. I was working with an amazing woman called Cleo who took me to her tiny room in the basement. It took ages to get down there and it was disturbing to see all sorts of people who were obviously desperate. I saw a little girl who was holding a cuddly toy and that just made me crack up. I cried and cried. I just thought it was so wrong that people live like this.

The church made me think about what people could do at home to help, and what a week's wages of a footballer could do to help. So I made up my mind there and then to try and raise money back in the UK. I've just finished my first fundraiser and we made just over 拢30, 000. There will definitely be more; I want to make it a yearly event!

(Photo: Chantelle Tagoe in Hillbrow, Johannesburg.)
In the church, I looked after a three year old boy called Moses whose Mum just disappeared one day. He now lives in the day care centre and is cared for by the workers who also sleep there. He was such a lovely little boy, but so lonely and lost. I got really attached to him; he reminded me of my gorgeous boys back home and it was awful saying goodbye. :o( But I have decided to sponsor him so he can be supported, fed and clothed until he is old enough to look after himself. I wish I could have brought him home.

After the church, I went to work as a house mother in a shelter called Twilight which looks after boys who used to sleep rough on the streets. The kids were aged from 8-18 and were great fun. They were really full of life and are building a future for themselves. They refuse to dwell on the bad things that have happened to them which we all really admired. I took one little boy to see his mother who abandoned him, he was dead excited but she didn't want to know. It was really sad to watch. I could never give up my children no matter what I was going through! It just showed to me how important shelters like Twilight are.

The last leg of the trip was to help a friend of %3Ca%20href="/tv/comingup/who-is-nelson-mandela/">Nelson Mandela called Patrick Chamusso. He runs an amazing place called Two Sisters in rural South Africa. It helps to feed over 200 orphans who have lost their parents to AIDS. Patrick also recruits foster Mums to look after the kids so they can stay in their own homes and remain a family. Ellie looked after a family whose shack was teeming with rats and she was covered in flea bites, but because she's really determined and serious about the work, she stuck it out - and even built a new roof for them.

(Photo: Ellie Darby in Hillbrow, Johannesburg.)
Two Sisters really showed me how terrible the AIDS epidemic is in South Africa. We really have no idea what it's like over there. Thousands are dying each week and there is not enough care or medicine to look after them. Meanwhile there are big rich farmers making millions just miles away. It makes me mad - but that is South Africa all over, black and white, rich or poor. No in between!

The two weeks I spent working in South Africa has changed me. I am a better mother, more charitable and much more careful what I spend my money on. I also think I have grown up a lot and got a new identity and am not so much in Emile's shadow. I love him to bits, but there is more to me than being a WAG. But I am happy to use the connections that his job gives us to raise awareness and money for the people we helped. I hope that when people watch the show they will see that there is more to WAGs than what you read about in the press. We do have a heart and we are not afraid to get our hands dirty and get stuck in too.

So tune in....

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sjb47">Chantelle Tagoe is engaged to Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey.

You can read the first part of her story on the 大象传媒 Three blog%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/wags-kids-and-world-cup-dreams-chantelles-story-part1.shtml"> here.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj4my">WAGS, Kids and World Cup Dreams continues Sundays at 9pm.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sjb47">Chantelle features in next week's episode of %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sjb47">The WAGs' Stories on Monday at 8.30pm.

%3Ca%20href="/health/physical_health/sexual_health/stis_hivaids.shtml">大象传媒 Health: HIV & AIDS
%3Ca%20href="/tv/comingup/who-is-nelson-mandela/">Coming soon to 大象传媒 Three: Who is Nelson Mandela?

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/family-guy-exclusive-preview-clips-of-the-new-episodes.shtml" rel="bookmark">Family Guy: Exclusive preview clips of the new episodes

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%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 16:00 UK time, Monday, 17 May 2010

*Sorry but these Family Guy preview clips have been removed due to licence restrictions*

So how much are you loving the %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00pv1hg">new series? My favourite bit so far has to be Brian trying to impress his older lady by showing her his cameo in Die Hard in last week's episode. Genius.

But prepare yourselves for this Sunday, because this weekend's double bill looks ace. Firstly in %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sjsn5">Hannah Banana at 10pm Chris tries to prove that the Evil Monkey is real.

Family Guy (Chris and Evil Monkey)

And straight after that, fans of Stewie are in for a treat as %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sjsn7">Quagmire's Baby at 10.20pm features not one, but two Stewies. Original Stewie and 'bitch Stewie'. What the deuce?!

Family Guy

If you missed the brand new episodes last Sunday, they're not on iPlayer due to boring legal/rights reasons but they will be repeated again on Saturday at 11.10pm.

And don't forget the %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00pv1hg">new episodes are on every Sunday at 10pm.

Dana Stevens is content producer for 大象传媒 Three online.

%3Ca%20href="%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00pv1hg/episodes/upcoming">Find out when to watch the new series
%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/whos-your-favourite-family-guy-character.shtml">Tell us who your favourite Family Guy character is

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/whos-your-favourite-family-guy-character.shtml" rel="bookmark">Who's your favourite Family Guy character?

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%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 15:26 UK time, Friday, 14 May 2010

This is a tough one. I keep changing my mind between Brian and Stewie, and then Chris will do something so amazingly stupid I decide he must be my favourite. So, if like me, you've watched endless episodes of Family Guy on 大象传媒 Three and you still can't decide - don't worry! Here to help is our handy little guide to the main characters with some of my favourite quotes thrown in to remind you just how great they are.

So let us know your favourite and feel free to tell us your favourite quotes too.

Peter Griffin in Family Guy

Peter Griffin
Peter: Just don't forget our deal, Lois. I sit through this and later tonight I get anal.
You hear me? No matter how neat I want the house you have to clean it.

The patriarch of the Griffin family has no idea what the word "patriarch' means. While Peter likes an occasional adult beverage at the Drunken Clam, his real passions are harebrained schemes and public nudity.

Peter: Huh, you know something? I always thought that dogs laid eggs. So, yeah. I learned something today.

Lois Griffin
Lois: Peter, I'm off to my book club, don't forget you have to go to the PTA meeting.
Peter: Me? Go to a PTA meeting? What are you high?
Lois: Nah, not anymore, I crashed hours ago. By the way, we are out of chips, cookies, and funnybones. Now, I'm going to my book club and you are going to the meeting.

The high-pitched voice of reason in the Griffin house, Lois is the only woman capable of tolerating Peter.

Peter Griffin: We all know that no women anywhere wants to have sex with anyone and to titillate us with any thoughts otherwise is just bogus.
Lois Griffin: Ah, he is so right on. Women are such teases. That's why I went back to men.

Meg Griffin in Family Guy

Meg Griffin
Meg: Oh my God, we're gonna die! There's so much of life I haven't experienced. I never even got the chance to be some drunk college guy's last resort.

The most disliked member of the Griffin family, mainly by her parents. Frequently found at home, not getting calls from boys.

Meg: I just want to kill myself I'm gonna go upstairs and eat a whole bowl of peanuts.
(Lois and Peter stare in silence)
Meg: I'm allergic to peanuts.
(Peter and Lois keep staring)
Meg: You dont know anything about me. (runs upstairs)
Peter: Who was that guy?

Stewie Griffin in Family Guy

Stewie Griffin
Stewie: HA! That's so funny I forgot to laugh... excluding that first Ha.

This inventive, wisecracking tot is bent on world domination. And finding the perfect pair of snug jeans.

Stewie: Did you hear that Meg? Guys can marry other guys now. So...this is awkward, but I mean, if they can do that, that is pretty much it for you, isn't it? I mean you might as well pack it in. Game over.

Chris Griffin in Family Guy

Chris Griffin
Chris: My name is Chris, I'm supposed to be on my best behaviour tonight and not mention poo.....
Oh God, what have I done?

Like a typical teen, Chris has a fondness for learning and self, um, discovery. Someday he hopes to be as dumb as his father.

Meg: I miss Uncle Patrick.
Lois: Don't worry kids I promise we can visit him once a month
Chris: We'll be his period.

Brian Griffin in Family Guy

Brian Griffin
Brian: Whose leg do you have to hump to get a dry Martini around here?

Peter's best friend and loyal companion. Brian, a die-hard liberal, lives with the Griffins and enjoys drinking Martinis, writing terrible fiction and burying things in the yard.

Brian: "I just spent all morning watching a VH1 special on Gwen Stefani. I don't know what a Hollaback girl is. All I know is that I want her dead."

Glan Quagmire in Family Guy

Glen Quagmire
(Quagmire to a girl)
Quagmire: You must be a parking ticket, cuz you got fine written all over you.

A consummate ladies man, Quagmire is one of the only people to have an STD named after him. Giggety!

Quagmire: Soccer moms, all riiiiight! GIGGITY, GIGGITY,GIGGITY!

Dana Stevens is online content producer for 大象传媒 Three online.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00pv1hg">Find out more about the new episodes of Family Guy on 大象传媒 Three.
%3Ca%20href="https://www.familyguyquotes.com/">Family Guy Quotes
%3Ca%20href="www.planet-familyguy.com">Planet Family Guy: The unofficial home of Family Guy news
%3Ca%20href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Guy">Family Guy on Wikipedia

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/blood-sweat-and-luxuries-what-can-you-do-to-help.shtml" rel="bookmark">Blood, Sweat and Luxuries: What Can You Do To Help?

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%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 15:56 UK time, Thursday, 13 May 2010

Sam, James and Oscar with the E-waste Kids, Ghana.

After reading your comments on this blog, I know that loads of you have been deeply shocked and affected by the living and working conditions in %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00s6103">Blood, Sweat and Luxuries. Lots of you - Gill, LilacRose, SammiO and Natasha to name just a few - have been asking what you can do to help. Faced with the enormous scale and complexity of the issues it's easy to feel overwhelmed, so I thought I'd highlight some of the great suggestions some of you have already made and post some links of organisations which you can use as a starting point.

After watching the %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00s9w3x">third episode about coffee, I was appalled to see how hard people have to work just so that I can enjoy a cup of coffee! So from now on, I'm going to try to be much more aware of where my coffee has come from. As jane, elinedj, and Maxine pointed out, buying %3Ca%20href="https://www.fairtrade.org.uk">Fairtrade is a small but positive change we can make.

Shievonne with the ladies of the coffee sorting room, Ethiopia.

Shievonne with the ladies of the coffee sorting room, Ethiopia.

Find out more about Fairtrade:

%3Ca%20href="https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/"> Faitrade Foundation
%3Ca%20href="https://www.wfto.com/">World Fairtrade Organisation
%3Ca%20href="https://www.ethicaltrade.org/about-eti">Ethical Trade

The group with locals at the sapphire mine, Madagascar

If the episode about the gem trade has made you think twice about the jewellery you buy, do your own research. As arabel lebrusan says: "If you are interested in an alternative search for ethical and sustainable jewellery. There are different brands out there, especially in the UK, which are working really hard to make a change in the jewellery industry."

Rachel C suggests finding out more about %3Ca%20href="https://corporate-responsibility.org/">The Corporate Responsibility Coalition (CORE) - a group of NGOs and charities that are trying to get the government to create an independent UK Commission for Business, Environment and Human Rights.

As Backspacer, Louise, Susanpat and many more of you pointed out, you can lend your voice to campaigns; write to your MPs, lobby businesses, find out whether your council recycles electrical equipment in Africa and force them to become accountable. Since the election you may not know who your new MP is but you can find out %3Ca%20href="https://findyourmp.parliament.uk/">here.

Jenny R urges: "If you want to make a REAL difference then allow yourself to be inspired by this programme. Allow yourself to cry over the workers plight and allow yourself to be outraged enough to push for change by lobbying parliament, join fair trade action groups, vote with your wallet and SPEAK OUT! Because our silence can be deadly. We cannot allow this to continue in our time. BE the change you want to see in this world. Think. Act. Change."

Here are some of the organisations that are working to raise awareness and campaigning for social justice:

%3Ca%20href="https://www.ilo.org/ipec/">International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC)
%3Ca%20href="https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/">Oxfam - Get Involved
%3Ca%20href="https://www.unicef.org.uk/">Unicef
%3Ca%20href="https://www.worldvision.org.uk/">World Vision
%3Ca%20href="https://www.waronwant.org/">War on Want
%3Ca%20href="https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/">Save The Children
%3Ca%20href="https://www.vso.org.uk">VSO (Voluntary Society Overseas)

This is obviously not meant to be a definitive list, as there are lots of charities that are working around the world, many of them small charities focusing on specific local problems. So if you are passionate about a specific subject, search online for one working in that area.

And finally some of you, like Mohammed and wickedauntie, want to know how to get involved in shows like this in the future. If you check the %3Ca%20href="/showsandtours/beonashow/">大象传媒 Be on a show website regularly you can find information about 大象传媒 shows, including 大象传媒 Three, which are looking for participants.

Dana Stevens is content producer for 大象传媒 Three online.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00s6103">More about Blood, Sweat and Luxuries
%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/04/blood-sweat-and-luxuries-what.shtml">Read the original blog post and comments about Blood, Sweat and Luxuries

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/wags-kids-and-world-cup-dreams-chantelles-story-part1.shtml" rel="bookmark">WAGs, Kids and World Cup Dreams - Chantelle's Story: Part 1

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%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 12:01 UK time, Tuesday, 11 May 2010

When you hear the label WAGs, most people usually think of a pretty negative stereotype. However, the girls are out to prove that there's more to them than fake tan and shopping sprees in a new five-part series. %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj4my">WAGs, Kids and World Cup Dreams follows some of the most privileged women in England as they travel to South Africa to work with children struggling to survive in a side of South Africa far removed from the gloss and glamour of the upcoming World Cup.

It's been such a life-changing journey for Chantelle Tagoe, fiancee of Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey, that I asked her to share her experiences. In the first of two blog posts, she explains what she witnessed during their first visit to Baphumelele Children's Home which features in the %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sh6wz">first episode:

Chantelle Tagoe at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg.

Chantelle Tagoe at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg.

When I first heard about this programme I signed up pretty quick even though the producer told me it was going to be full on and upsetting.

I am not one to get nervous but I'd say the thing I was dreading most was meeting the other four girls going. I've never cashed in on the whole WAG madness. Believe it or not me and Emile are not showbiz types who spend all our time and money shopping and going to all the big parties. So I had no WAG friends at all. (By the way, I hate the word WAG, it's the one label I wish would go away.)

Emile was right behind me doing the programme, but he was worried I might come back with loads of kids, ha ha ha! We've got two boys together and he has three other children from a previous relationship, so he was worried I might do a Madonna or a Brangelina! :o)

I met the others at the airport and we just hit it off straight away. They were Elen Rivas (former partner of Chelsea star Frank Lampard), Ellie Darby (girlfriend of West Ham's Matthew Upson), Amii Grove (ex-girlfriend of Jermaine Pennant) and Imogen Thomas who had just split with Jermaine Defoe (bless her she was still quite upset about it). We are all very different but all of us were determined to work as hard as possible and try and help. Over the two weeks we became really close and never fell out once. We are all still in touch and hopefully we'll be mates forever.

We landed in Cape Town and it was a real eye opener. It is supposed to be one of the most gorgeous places in the world but not where we were going. We were going to work in a children's home called %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sh6wz">Baphumelele right in the middle of one of South Africa's biggest townships called Khayelitsha which is just a mass of shacks with people living in extreme poverty. I was so shocked.

In %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sh6wz">Baphumelele I got the best job looking after ten children in a little house called a cluster home. They were gorgeous and I loved them - you had to be careful though as they copied everything you say. After three days one little boy called Snoyolo was sounding like a proper scouser! :o)

A lot of the kids there had HIV, something I have never come into contact with before and it was just so sad. As much as you try not to get too close I couldn't help it, and one of the girls told me about some terrible things that she had been through. You realise just how lucky you are, and just how messed up things are down there.

The toughest job at %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sh6wz">Baphumelele was the baby house. Imogen and Ellie worked in there and hardly got any sleep looking after 36 babies. It stank of poo, and there were always kids crying and shouting. I went in for five minutes and couldn't take it, so hats off to the girls who stuck it out.

The night before we went to the next place the crew put us in a nice hotel in the posh part of Cape Town. Don't get me wrong it was a lovely hotel, but it just felt wrong being there. I wanted to go back to my kids in the cluster house but all being well (hint Fabio...) I will get to go back because England are playing Algeria in Cape Town so I can go and visit them again. I want to see if Snoyolo can still speak Scouse! Ha ha ha!

To be continued.....

Next week you can read more about Chantelle's trip to South Africa, her fundraising and how it has changed her life.

Chantelle Tagoe is engaged to Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey and you can watch her in %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sh6wz">WAGs, Kids and World Cup Dreams this Sunday at 9pm on 大象传媒 Three.

To go with the series 大象传媒 Three, will also be showing %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sh6x9">The WAGs' Stories on Mondays at 8.30pm. The first one features Ellie Darby.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sj4my">Find out more about the WAGs, Kids and World Cup Dreams
%3Ca%20href="https://www.baphumelele.org.za">Baphumelele Children's Home
%3Ca%20href="https://www.avert.org">AVERT.org: AIDS Orphans
%3Ca%20href="/health/physical_health/sexual_health/stis_hivaids.shtml">大象传媒 Health: HIV and AIDS
%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00s6103">Find out about similar programmes like Blood, Sweat and Luxuries

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Post categories: %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/being-human/" rel="tag" title="">Being Human,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/doctor-who/" rel="tag" title="">Doctor Who,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/doctor-who-confidential/" rel="tag" title="">Doctor Who Confidential,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/drama/" rel="tag" title="">Drama

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 12:49 UK time, Friday, 7 May 2010

If, like me, you've been missing your weekly dose of vicious vampires since %3Ca%20href="/blogs/beinghuman/">Being Human finished then you're going to love this. The creator of %3Ca%20href="/blogs/beinghuman/">Being Human. Toby Whithouse, has written the latest episode of %3Ca%20href="/doctorwho/dw">Doctor Who and it's full of fierce female vampires.

The %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sch0s">new episode is set in Venice where the%3Ca%20href="/doctorwho/dw/characters/Eleventh_Doctor"> Doctor has taken Amy and Rory for a spot of romance in the beautiful old city. But there's no time for passion as it soon becomes clear that 16th century Venice is full of blood-sucking vixens. Sounds right up our (watery) street.

Watch this introduction to the new episode...

And here's some top trivia fact fans, this isn't the first time Toby's written an episode of %3Ca%20href="/doctorwho/dw">Doctor Who. He also wrote the 2006 School Reunion episode which featured some rather creepy bat-like aliens.

If that's not enough to have you howling at the moon there are more demonic delights in %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b006q2xb">Doctor Who Confidential this week, as Toby Whithouse takes us behind the scenes on location in Venice. He gets %3Ca%20href="/doctorwho/dw/characters/Eleventh_Doctor">Matt Smith (who plays the Doctor) and historian Francesco da Mosto together so they can freak each other out with dark tales of real life Venetian vampires.

You can watch %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sch0s">Doctor Who: The Vampires of Venice on Saturday at 6pm on 大象传媒 One or on Sunday at 8pm on 大象传媒 Three.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b006q2xb">Doctor Who Confidential is on Saturday at 7pm on 大象传媒 Three.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/beinghuman/">Being Human will return for a third series later this year. You can find out more about the new series on the %3Ca%20href="/blogs/beinghuman/">Being Human blog.

%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sch0s">Watch The Vampires of Venice preview clips
%3Ca%20href="/doctorwho/dw/funandgames/d11_s01_e06?category=jigsaws">Play The Vampires of Venice jigsaw game
%3Ca%20href="/doctorwho/dw/episodes/b00sch0s/galleries/vampires_of_venice_wallpapers">The Vampires of Venice photo gallery
%3Ca%20href="/doctorwho/dw">Doctor Who website
%3Ca%20href="/programmes/b006q2xb">Doctor Who Confidential
%3Ca%20href="/blogs/beinghuman/">Being Human blog

Dana Stevens is content producer for 大象传媒 Three online.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/05/autism-disco-me-how-dancing-saved-my-son.shtml" rel="bookmark">Autism, Disco & Me: How Dancing Saved My Son

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Post categories: %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/autism/" rel="tag" title="">Autism,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/autism-disco-me/" rel="tag" title="">Autism, Disco & Me,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/documentaries/" rel="tag" title="">Documentaries,听%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/factual/" rel="tag" title="">Factual

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/dana_stevens/">Dana Stevens | 13:14 UK time, Wednesday, 5 May 2010

Can dancing really re-wire your brain? After watching %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sbk0y">Autism, Disco & Me it certainly seems to have changed the life of James Hobley and his family. James, or Jimmy to his family, was diagnosed with autism and struggled to read, write and communicate until he began taking dance classes. The documentary follows his fascinating journey as he attempts to win at the World Disco Championships in Blackpool.

But watching the programme highlights that living with autism is not just a challenge for the children who are diagnosed, but that it affects the whole family. Parenting one child with autism must be hard enough but all three of the children in Sheila Hobley's family have been diagnosed as autistic. After watching the show I was keen to talk to her about filming the documentary and her experiences of living with autism.

Sheila, what motivated you to be part of the documentary?

Until recently people thought that autism was quite rare but with better diagnosis experts now think that as many as one in a hundred people are autistic and possibly even more. So I feel it's very important to raise awareness of autism so that people can learn more about it.

You allowed the film-maker Liz Bloor to have intimate access to your family, were you concerned about how that would affect all three boys?

When we first agreed to make the documentary we did think really long and hard about it because it's strange when you open up your life to potentially millions of people. We've always been quite private as a family and very anonymous up until now. I did wonder how it would affect the boys but in a strange way it's been really good for them. They got to know Liz and Alan who came to make the documentary really well, so in a few weeks it was like they weren't there or they were just part of the family. The boys were quite natural, it was me and Andy who were sort of trying to act or sort of show our best side for the first few weeks. Then I think we just got used to them as well, you know. It was actually quite sad when we said goodbye, I actually cried a bit because they had become part of the family.

Let's talk about the dancing, in the documentary you talk about the physical differences that it made but you also believe that dancing re-wired James' brain. Tell us more about that...

Before James started dancing he was actually the most autistic, if I can say that, the most classically autistic out of all three boys. Jimmy was always there locked inside somewhere but it's almost like someone switched the light on when he started dancing. It's about the only way I can describe it and he's just found a personality. It's almost like he seemed void of a personality and his life was very simple. He was eight years old and he was still not reading and writing but six months later he was reading and writing and it was full words and then full sentences. It all happened so quickly - it's like something clicked suddenly. It wasn't a gradual thing. The other thing that happened through the dancing was that he started giving eye contact to people and actually smiling at people. And he had to do this because when they're in competition they've got to try to give a cheeky wink or a smile to the judge on the way past. And now it's almost become second nature to give us eye contact at home all the time which he never did before.

Autism. Disco & Me (James Hobley)

In the film, you visited %3Ca%20href="https://www.elmhurstdance.co.uk/">Elmhurst School for Dance and Jimmy started ballet classes. Since filming is he still doing both ballet and disco?

He's doing both at the moment. We found a %3Ca%20href="https://www.rad.org.uk/">RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) school and he's gone right through his RAD 2 syllabus in just three months even though it would normally take a year. If he got into Elmhurst or a special ballet school, I don't think he would have any regrets about dropping the disco dancing as ballet is actually where his heart lies.

In the documentary we see you trying to encourage his twin brother George to take up dancing or another hobby. Has he managed to find something that he's really interested in?

It's always caused problems as the twins are very close and very competitive with each other. George is desperate to find something and he thought it would be ballet so he started modern ballet with Jimmy. They did a Christmas show and he absolutely loved it. But after the Christmas show that was it, he didn't want to go back anymore. Then he tried the clarinet for about three months. Now he's still thinking about rugby so we're thinking of starting him after the summer, unless he finds something else in the meantime.
But we try to give the kids as many experiences and opportunities as possible because with Jimmy he showed no inkling in being interested in music or dancing. It was just a pure chance thing that he found that. So I always say if we can afford it, if it's humanly possible then we'll push the boat out to try and let the boys experience as much as they can.
You know it may be that George never finds that special thing, a lot of us don't, but I'm going to give him every chance to.

And finally, I'm sure lots of people who have contact with autistic children will be interested in the documentary. Do you have any advice for other parents?

I think the thing I was most conscious about when we did the documentary was that I didn't want everyone with a child with autism to think I was saying every child should dance. Obviously it's a really large spectrum and every child's different and all of my three are completely different. But I think that the main thing is to raise the awareness that a child with autism has dreams just the same as any other child out there and with the right help and support they can actually achieve those dreams. They can reach their potential; they just need the right support and understanding.
The other thing I always think of is that the world is set up for mainstream people and it doesn't mean that autism is wrong or that that they are inferior to anyone else. It just means that they operate differently and I think it's up to the rest of the mainstream world to make allowances and to give them that chance. Operating differently, as in Jimmy's case, can be a really good thing. I didn't expect him to be able to dance or want to dance but it just shows what they can actually achieve.
So I just think more awareness is the most important thing. Parents with a child with autism should know it's not the end, it's just the beginning. You don't know what they're capable of.

Sheila Hobley features in %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b00sbk0y">Autism, Disco & Me which is on Thursday at 9pm on 大象传媒 Three. You can also watch it %3Ca%20href="/iplayer/episode/b00sbk0y/Autism_Disco_and_Me/">on iPlayer shortly after.

You can also read %3Ca%20href="/blogs/tv/2010/05/autism-disco-me-jimmys-in-the.shtml">a blog post from the director and producer Liz Bloor on the TV blog.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/04/the-autistic-me---one-year-on.shtml">Also on the 大象传媒 Three blog: The Autistic Me - One Year On: Interview with Tom and Kirsty
%3Ca%20href="/bbcthree/pages/autism/">More information about upcoming Autism programmes on 大象传媒 Three.
%3Ca%20href="/health/physical_health/conditions/autism1.shtml">大象传媒 Health: Autism
%3Ca%20href="https://www.open2.net/autism/autism_quiz.html">Take the OU Autism Quiz
%3Ca%20href="https://www.dancelines.com/events-dkkq.htm">More information about the Disco Kid Dance competition

Dana Stevens is content producer for 大象传媒 Three online.

%3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/04/">芦 April 2010 | | %3Ca%20href="/blogs/bbcthree/2010/06/">June 2010 禄

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