Celebcity with Jo Brooks: The Great Escape & Alex Reid MP?

Jeremy Paxman in Brighton, Zane Lowe can’t stay away, plus The Great Escape & Alex Reid MP?

Paxman keeps it clean
Jeremy Paxman, yes him of University Challenge and Newsnight fame, found himself on the receiving end of a few difficult questions the other week when he visited binmen at the City Clean depot in Hollingbury, Brighton. Paxman joins a long line of celebrity guests, including Simon Cowell’s mum Julie and author Louis de Bernières, who have shared their experiences with workers at the education and learning centre in support of local workers. The City Clean employees looked rather nonchalant at the arrival of TV’s biggest ball-breaker. It seems Paxman can’t strike fear into everyone!

Alex Reid: He-Man
Last week’s office discussions regarding Katie Price are sadly NSFL (not suitable for Latest 7) so I will instead turn my attentions to the slightly more cerebral pursuits of her ex-husband: the inimitable Alex Reid. In what can only be deemed a rather surprising turn of events, it seems that Mr Reid plans to run for Parliament as a Labour candidate for Brighton and Hove. Newspaper reports suggested that Alex saw the move as a way in which to utilise his high-profile status for good (rather than evil), to shirk constant media ridicule and ultimately be a lot more like his childhood hero: He-Man. The more perceptive readers among you may realise that one of these targets (if not two) have already failed miserably. Alex appears to see a correlation between the voting system of Celebrity Big Brother (which lest we forget he won back in 2010) and that of the UK’s democratic vote system, and it is in this spirit which he promises to go forth into the world of politics. Alex, who described himself as ‘a pretty good guy’ said that his goal ‘is to make people go “wow’’’. Well Alex, that was very similar to the actual reaction here in the JBPR office… “The people know I’m Alex reid,” the cage-fighter told one paper. “Nothing more nothing less, you get what you see.” Yes Alex, I think that was what we’re kind of worried about…

Shakedown Additions
Looks like we can’t keep Zane Lowe away from Brighton, as he has confirmed that he will return this year to play Shakedown Festival, which he attended last year for its first ever outing. Dizzee Rascal, Professor Green, Shy FX and Ms Dynamite are also confirmed to be playing on 6 October at Stanmer Park. For more visit www.shakedown.co.uk

Sweet escape
Our Emma visited The Great Escape festival and seemingly loved every second of it. Alabama Shakes delivered a hell of a set as expected, as did Scottish based band Django Django who packed The Blind Tiger Club full. Grimes tore down her set at Digital and (Emma’s pick) Citizens! more than delivered with their performance at the Corn Exchange. Some of our personal faves, Sweet Sweet Lies and The Special Ks made the city proud by proving that Brighton bands continue to push boundaries, bringing us two of the best gigs we saw all weekend. To check out the local lads visit www.somethingnothingrecords.co.uk/artists/sweetsweetlies and www.thespecialks.com. And big props to Sweet Sweet Lies for looking so dapper as well!

Spotted!
Brighton & Hove Albion player Craig Noone leaving a tanning salon… looking suspiciously brown.
Ordinary Boy Preston enjoying The Great Escape 16/06/2012