Extraordinary times we may well live in. But you can count on the Echo to make sense of it all for you and bring you everything that's important in easily digestible snippets.............
BADDICK ADMITS CONCERN OVER BIG BROTHER DISTRACTION
Frank Baddick has said that he is finding it “increasingly difficult” to remain focussed on running whilst the final series of Big Brother is on air. The Newham and Essex Beagle has conceded that he has spent “many late nights” watching a live feed from the house and has been known to leave sessions early in order to make it home in time for the highlights. “I guess I just feel that this is it for Big Brother,” sighed a perplexed Baddick from his weekly press conference, “after this series, it will all be over. I don’t want to look back on this summer and wonder whether I should have appreciated it more.” Baddick has been a long time fan of the show and stuck with it even through the rocky ride that was the ‘snooze-fest’ of series 4. “I always knew it would be back,” said Baddick, “and look at how we were rewarded- many people say that series 5 was the best ever.” The 3:42 1500m man, who has struggled for form this year, also said that with the end of Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters, his summer of television was looking increasingly bare. “I do worry,” said the 25 year old, “there was no Apprentice this year and I think that channels should look at how rubbish their summer schedules are. I don’t know what I would do if it weren’t for Big Brother.”
GANDY PONDERS FA OFFER
George Gandy has revealed that he is “seriously considering” an offer from the Football Association to take over as the England boss with immediate effect. The revelation comes after a difficult week for Fabio ‘not as scary as CVC’ Capello with senior players openly mocking his team selection. John Terry, the sacked England captain, said that he was “hugely excited” at the prospect of working with the athletics guru and David Beckham argued that Gandy was the “only option” left for England if they are to win the World Cup. The FA have publicly denied the speculation, but an insider revealed that they were “very impressed” with Gandy’s capacity to control unruly members of his squad. “It’s become clear to everyone here [at the FA] that Mr. Capello has lost the dressing room,” said our source, “we have to think of the future and are sure that Mr. Gandy would never be foolish enough to do such a thing. We know that he has a very good track record in not losing dressing rooms.” Whilst critics have pointed out that it would be very difficult for Gandy to lose the LSAC dressing room as his temporary office is right next to it, his track record at Loughborough cannot be disputed. A lifelong Newcastle United fan, Gandy has pledged that he would “paint the squad black and white” if he were to take over. However, UKA have said that they will not “under any circumstances” release Gandy from his contract. “It’s out of the question,” said a source, “George is doing a great job for us and he is staying put. This is typical from the FA, trying to employ bullying tactics to get their way- pathetic.” Despite this, our source within the FA has said that his employers will "do anything" to get Gandy. "Contracts mean nothing," he said, "I know that we have even agreed that Alasdair Donaldson will be allowed to come and make Mr. Gandy's tea and so you can see how determined we are."
ANGER AT ‘GARISH’ AVIVA SIGNAGE
Many athletes at the U20/U23 AAAs Championships have complained that the yellow used in the Aviva advertising boards was “far too bright”. England Athletics officials are said to be in last ditch talks with the Insurance company in a bid to avoid similar complaints at the senior championships. One unnamed U20 1500m athlete has said that it “undoubtedly cost him a medal” despite crashing out in his heat, whilst a young sprinter claimed that the brightness caused him to be disqualified in the 200m. For their part, Aviva have been unrepentant stating that athletes really need to “get over themselves.” Speaking at an insurance industry function, a senior executive said that he had “deliberately chosen” yellow in order to “upset as many athletes as possible”. Whilst ordering a third bottle of wine, the top man said “everything we do is all about ruining the races of British athletes. This way, they are ready for failure at a top level.” England Athletics officials have said that they are “disappointed” with the remarks and have pledged to “do all they can” to minimise upset at the forthcoming senior event. “We know that Ryan McLeod is sensitive and so will have to be really careful here,” said an insider, “we don’t want fisty-cuffs again.”