|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UPDATED EVERY FRIDAY
Last Update:
Friday 28th January, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All content ©
New Journal Enterprises, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fash takes a bashing over lights switch-on
|
Critic asks: Why choose ex-footballer over
rock stars?
Ex-footballer John Fashanu at
the switch-on |
WHEN it came to the Christmas lights switch-on that kicked off
the festive season in Camden Town, you might have thought the borough’s
pop chart princesses Ms Dynamite and Amy Winehouse would have been
on the Town Hall’s star guest shortlist.
Or perhaps old hands like globetrotting comic Michael Palin, playwright
Alan Bennett or newsreader Jon Snow could have been roped in for
some festive fun.
But, it emerged this week, the Town Hall’s list of possible
celebrities for the event was never larger than three.
Documents seen by the New Journal show that environment chiefs were
told music man Suggs and actor Charles Dance were off-limits, before
ex-footballer John Fashanu was called in at late notice.
The details emerged as Tory councillor Andrew Mennear questioned
the council’s final choice of star guest.
Mr Fashanu stood shoulder to shoulder with Camden Mayor Harriet
Garland and council leader Dame Jane Roberts at the ceremony at
the Richard Cobden statue in Camden High Street last month.
The former footballer, who appeared at no charge to the council,
was surrounded by cheering teenagers as he flicked the switch to
illuminate decorations on the street’s first ever Christmas
tree.
But Cllr Mennear told Monday’s full council meeting that he
was puzzled by the choice of the footballer, known as “Fash
the Bash” due to his physical style of play with Wimbledon
and Aston Villa.
Cllr Mennear said: “It is unfortunate that the abbreviation
that goes with his name – The Bash – which I accept did
relate to his time on the football pitch is associated here with
the switching on of Christmas lights in Camden Town.”
But Mr Fashanu – who moved into television after his football
retirement, hosting Gladiators and starring in jungle gameshow I’m
a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here – does not appear to have
been first choice.
Documents produced by event organisers show Madness frontman Suggs
and respected actor Charles Dance were considered for the role but
were both unavailable.
On Monday, environment chief Councillor John Thane, a keen Aston
Villa supporter, laughed off the suggestion that Mr Fashanu was
the wrong man for the job.
He said: “The decision was taken on the basis of availability
at short notice to attend this event, the potential of the person
to attract interest, and cost.
“John Fashanu was available and keen to become involved in
this event in a way of giving something back to Camden, and donated
his services for free. He in fact lives just outside the borough,
only just, but spends a lot of time around, for instance, Camden
Lock’s markets and is involved in a number of charities that
benefit kids in Camden.”
Cllr Thane later backed the selection: “He seems to have been
an excellence choice. The kids were enthusiastic and he made a good
impression on both the Mayor and the leader.”
Cllr Mennear said afterwards: “Three celebrities is not a very
big choice for the borough. They could have asked anyone in Camden.
There are so many well-known faces. There are plenty of rock stars
that live in the borough.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
