Nick Samuels faces a “long road to recovery” after mistakenly using the wrong brand of fake-tan yesterday. Loughborough sources have revealed how the 1500m international made the error when “rushing to get home” from Boots. “Nick didn’t think to check the label and now his skin has turned a weird orange colour,” an insider said, “it is very distressing to look at.” There were also said to be problems in the application, which has left “a streaky complexion” to the skin. It is thought that the 3:45 man was forced to resort to the bottle after many had lauded George Gandy’s “beautifully toned skin” and one had even hinted that the guru’s tan was “the best in LSAC”. Speaking only last week, Samuels attempted to laugh off the story by pointing out that Gandy was “nearly three times his age” and that as a result could not be included in the contest. However, growing media attention for Gandy’s sunbathing rituals in Front Romeu is rumoured to have pushed Samuels over the edge.
A spokesman for the Sale man has “categorically denied” speculation that his charge used artificial tan. It was instead claimed that Samuels’ strange complexion was owing to an “overdose of carrots”. “It’s the only conclusion we can draw,” said the source, “Nick has been running late at night recently and so has been eating more carrots to help his vision.” Rumours to the contrary have been slammed as “malicious nonsense” aimed at “derailing” Samuels’ season. “Nick will be back as soon as this [skin complaint] has died down,” the insider continued, “he’s in good shape and so will be proving everyone wrong yet again”.
Club officials at Loughborough remained coy on the revelations this morning, but did concede that the battle to be top dog in the tanning stakes was “hotter than ever”. “Portugal was a turning point,” said Ian Anholm’s official spokeswoman, “I know that Nick was upset that he was unable to attend, but we have no evidence that he has been using sun beds and the like”. The official also rejected calls to change the historic African Violet kit because it “did not complement” an all-over tan. “I know that Flannery has been going on about this for ages,” said the source, “frankly we’re all fed up of it. We let the guys wear different shorts and that should suffice. End of story.” It was confirmed that the tan race, which culminates at the Loughborough International later this month, had been “blown wide open” by the news that Frank Baddick had booked a two week holiday in Spain.