The recently reunited Essex couple were spotted at the W Hotel in London talking over a new show, The Sun reports, in a bid to increase their celebrity credentials beyond TOWIE.
'Sam and Joey were talking about how they were going to do their own spin-off show and how they'd love it to be on ITV2,' a source revealed.
'Joey said he thought Sam would be perfect starring in her own show, and that people would finally get to see her funny side.'
The pair would follow former TOWIE co-stars Amy Childs and Harry Derbidge, who secured their own reality show on Channel 5, and Mark Wright whose Hollywood Nights vehicle is currently airing on ITV2.
The insider added to The Sun that Faiers has reservations over 'coming across as stupid' in the spin-off, but that the couple 'both seem very excited' about the idea.
Joey's manager refused to confirm the existence of a new TOWIE show, but hinted that Essex is looking for new opportunities, saying: 'There is nothing official being discussed yet and there are no plans for Joey to go anywhere at the minute. But the guys may chat about ideas they have.'
Faiers and Essex may want to exercise caution with regards to leaving the show, with TOWIE regular Kirk Norcross having all but disappeared after exiting to appear on Celebrity Big Brother.
Source: www.metro.co.uk
Woman police officer was FOUR TIMES over the limit when she crashed MG sports car on seafront - Daily Mail
- WPC Tracy Watts admitted drink-driving and was warned she faces jail
- Crashed car in Southend, Essex, after downing bottle of vodka
By James White
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Drink-drive crash: Tracy Watts was four times over the legal alcohol limit when she crashed her sports car
A police officer is facing jail after she admitted crashing a sports car while four times over the drink-drive limit after binge drinking on a bottle of vodka.
Tracy Watts was arrested after crashing her MG TF into a bollard along Southend seafront, Essex, while heavily drunk.
Watts admitted she had drunk a bottle of vodka when questioned by cops at the scene of the early evening crash.
The 31-year-old appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court today wearing a black suit, white blouse and sky blue jumper.
She hung her head as she appeared in the dock and pleaded guilty to a single charge of drink-driving.
Watts, who worked as a WPC for City of London Police, was warned she faces up to six months in jail when sentenced.
Lead magistrate Roger Harbidge said: 'This makes for very disturbing reading and it is only good fortune you did not injure anyone else.
'You must understand a custodial sentence is very likely in this case.'
Watts will now have to wait to discover her fate while a full probation report is prepared.
The court heard how Watts collided with a bollard along Eastern Esplanade, in Southend, at around 7.15pm on March 26 this year.
Police and an ambulance rushed to the scene where Watts admitted to officers from Essex Police that she had consumed a bottle of vodka before the crash.
No other people were injured and Watts was rushed to a local hospital and a blood sample was taken.
She recorded a blood-alcohol level of 320mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - four times over the UK drink-drive limit of 80mcg per 100ml.
Watts, from Shoeburyness, Essex, resigned from her role as a City of London police officer less than a fortnight after the crash.
Crash site: The seafront in Southend, Essex, where Tracy Watts crashed her car in March. Today she admitted drink-driving and warned she faces jail
Miss Bo-Eun Jung, mitigating, said her client had underlying drink problems and was working to deal with them.
She told the court: 'My client has underlying psychological and alcohol problems which are being looked at.'
Watts was given unconditional bail and received an interim banning order meaning she is disqualified from driving until the outcome of the case.
She is due to be sentenced at Southend Magistrates’ Court later this year.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
London Olympics: Cable Car To Launch By End Of June (PHOTOS) - Huffington Post
LONDON — Think Swiss Alps rather than San Francisco.
A new cable car will soar over the Thames River starting next week, promising to become part of the London landscape ahead of the Summer Olympics.
Transport for London has set June 28 as the opening date for Britain's first urban cable car – well in time for the massive crowds expected for the Olympics. It is called the Emirates Air Line, after the air carrier invested 36 million pounds ($56 million) as part of a 10-year sponsorship deal.
The cable car will make the half-mile (one kilometer) crossing between Greenwich and the Royal Docks, allowing visitors to take in the views of Olympic Park, the Canary Wharf financial center and the Thames Barrier, massive structures in the river that keep London from flooding.
"The Emirates Air Line is part of my plan to develop a package of new river crossings in east London and transform the surrounding area into a vibrant new metropolitan quarter that will attract new jobs, homes and enterprise," London Mayor Boris Johnson said in a statement.
Each of the 34 cars holds 10 people and looks like the gondolas that ferry skiers up the mountains in the Swiss Alps. Travelers can go one way or round-trip, with a one-way ticket costing 3.20 pounds ($5).
Aside from being just plain fun, the cable car should help ease public transport ahead of the London games, which start July 27 and end Aug. 12.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com
London: Funding boost for older people living with HIV - pinknews.co.uk
Terrence Higgins Trust has received £200,000 to support 250 older people living with HIV in London, as the over-50s continue to be the fastest-growing group of people living with HIV in the UK.
The money is delivered as part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Silver Dreams programme, being run in association with the Daily Mail, to benefit causes which help older people.
The award is designed to help over-50s living with HIV in London to cope financially, to become active citizens and to manage life changing events.
As part of the project, one of four selected for funding, older people will be trained as volunteers to support other older people, offering help and information about accessing services including social activity groups and advocacy.
Lisa Power, Policy Director at THT, said: “Improvements in medical treatments have given people with HIV a longer life than they ever expected. We know that a lot of people with HIV didn’t plan for older age and need help to manage on a low income.
“Many are also socially isolated because of the stigma of HIV. Through this project, we will provide money management advice and get people involved in volunteering and other social activities, giving them the tools to make that new lease of life a healthier, happier and more secure one.”
Alison Rowe, Big Lottery Fund London Head of Region said: “Last October we set the challenge to organisations in England to develop innovative projects that would recognise the positive contribution older people make to society today whilst also supporting them through life changes. I’m delighted that four London projects have risen to the challenge to share a slice of Silver Dreams Lottery funding announced today.”
Bel Mooney, Daily Mail writer and advice columnist, said as part of the judging panel distributing the £546,000 fund she was “amazed and impressed by the wealth of energy now being directed towards the needs of older people and made possible by the Big Lottery Fund. These matters are close to the Daily Mail’s heart, since our Dignity For the Elderly campaign is always on-going and we believe that a healthy society respects its older members, acknowledging our debt and committing ourselves to taking care of their needs”.
Discuss this →Source: www.pinknews.co.uk
Coryton Oil Refinery: 180 job cuts announced - BBC News
About 180 jobs are being cut at the Coryton Oil Refinery in Essex, its administrators have announced.
The refinery on the Thames Estuary went into administration in January after its parent company, Swiss-based Petroplus, collapsed.
Administrators PwC, now running Coryton, said the redundancies will happen next week.
Discussions will take place in the coming days with affected individuals, PwC said in a statement.
These are the first significant job losses since the refinery was placed in administration.
The refinery employs around 500 full-time staff and 350 contractors.
At the end of May the administrator announced that despite having contact with 100 possible investors and purchasers it had not been possible to find a solution which sees the refinery continue as a going concern.
The administrator has confirmed that while it continues to work with various parties who have expressed an interest in acquiring the Coryton site, it is highly unlikely that it will be sold as a refinery.
Last week the government ruled out state aid for the plant, saying that "overcapacty in the refining industry and declining demand for petrol mean that it would not be sustainable for government to provide assistance".
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
This week's best things to do in London, from culinary celebration to a collection of festivals - Daily Telegraph
Taste of London, Regent’s Park
An annual celebration of the capital’s culinary calibre, Taste of London sees some of the city’s most progressive and interesting restaurants and chefs gather for a series of tastings, masterclasses and cooking sessions at Regent’s Park. Over the four days you’ll be able to sample signature dishes from Pollen Street Social, Maze, Yauatcha and more, while chefs including Wolfgang Puck and Nuno Mendes will be in attendance. As with previous years, the 2012 event also includes a series of special events to reflect the most recent dining developments. This year the San Pellegrino VIP Dining Experience with Theo Randall will see the Intercontinental Hotel Hyde Park chef concoct a special four-course menu for the event; the Taste of London’s Secret Garden will provide an intimate and exclusive new dining and drinking area; a Laurent-Perrier champagne-tasting masterclass will be taking place and specialist beer-tasting sessions are held throughout.
When: June 21-24
Where: Regent’s Park, Marylebone Rd entrance, London NW1 5HA
Tube: Regent’s Park
How much: standard-entry tickets cost £24 in advance or £28 on the door (£12 or £14 respectively for children aged 6-14). Other packages and entry options are available.
City of London Festival, the City
The Goldner Quartet at last year's City of London Festival. Image: Robert Piwko/City of London Festival
Fifty years old in 2012, the City of London Festival returns again this year with an extensive programme of concerts, exhibitions and recitals all held in spectacular landmark locations throughout the City. This year’s theme is City of London – Trading Places with the World, and with a nod towards the Olympics, it explores the history of the City and its relationship with other regions throughout the world. With events taking place over 34 days there’s plenty of entertainment on offer but highlights include the English National Ballet’s performances of two new commissions for the festival by Anthony Downson and Van Le Ngoc, the temporary installation of live music sculptures at Tower Bridge and Monument and a series of free lunchtime concerts by musicians from the Guildhall School.
When: June 24 – July 27
Where: throughout the City
How much: prices vary
Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, Greenwich
Reliably engaging and innovative, the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival fuses theatre, dance, art and music to create a ten-day-long cultural spectacular. This year highlights include the world premiere of Crow by the Handspring Puppet Company, best known for their work with the National Theatre production of War Horse; the return of the Greenwich Fair and the Word on the Street series of outdoor theatre performances. As ever, festival organisers have done a good job of making many of the major events and performances free and open to all.
When: June 21-30
Where: throughout Greenwich
How much: prices vary
Free Range Art and Design 2012; The Old Truman Brewery
Brick Lane becomes even more vibrant in mid-summer, with the return of the annual Free Range Art and Design show. Lasting two months, the continually changing exhibition showcases works by some of the country’s most talented young creatives, with displays featuring art, photography, textiles, illustration, interiors and product design. This is the biggest show for graduates of art and design in Europe so you can expect to discover some exceptionally promising emerging talents if you visit. For those inspired to learn more, a series of workshops and talks run alongside the main exhibitions.
When: until July 16
Where: The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
Tube: Liverpool Street
How much: free
London Wonderground, Southbank Centre
The Boom Boom Club at this year's London Wonderground Photo: Boom Boom Club
Cabaret, circus and music are all fused at the all-summer-long London Wonderground, now on at the Southbank Centre. In its inaugural year, the free-spirited festival is being held in a 1920s Spiegeltent and brings a Coney Island-style celebration of the curious and eccentric to the South Bank. The headline production is Cantina, a sultry combination of acrobatics, vaudeville, magic and music intended for adults, while there will also be performances from Irish chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan and playful cabaret shows hosted by the Boom Boom Club.
When: until September 30
Where: Jubilee Gardens, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Tube: Waterloo
How much: prices vary
Udderbelly Festival, the Southbank Centre
Image: Belinda Lawley
Now in its fourth year, the Udderbelly Festival has already made a significant impact on Londoners thanks to its excellent comedy programme and distinctive venue – performances are held in a huge, partially inflated, upside-down purple cow. Performing this year are Tim Minchin, Sean Hughes, Andi Osho, Patrick Monahan and many more – the festival continues until July so there’s plenty of time to visit but expect the most popular acts to sell out soon. As well as comedy, there are family shows, theatre performances and musical experimentations.
When: until July 8
Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd London SE1 8XX
Tube: Waterloo
How much: prices vary
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
New buyers may lift London art sales to $1 billion - Reuters UK
LONDON |
LONDON (Reuters) - London's art market is attracting the lion's share of business from an emerging class of super-wealthy collectors from Russia, the Middle East and China, and they are likely to be a big factor in a summer season of sales valued at up to $1 billion (638 million pounds).
Christie's, Sotheby's and smaller rivals like Phillips de Pury hold a three-week series of auctions featuring works by artists as diverse as Rembrandt, Renoir and Gerhard Richter.
Euro zone turmoil and slowing Chinese economic growth are giving investors the jitters, yet the high-end art market has defied gravity on a record-breaking streak.
New York has long been considered the global capital of the auction world -- most recent records have been set there, including the $120 million paid for Edvard Munch's "The Scream" at a Sotheby's sale in May.
London, a more natural fit for Russian tycoons who have homes in the city and Middle Eastern buyers just a mid-haul flight away, may be closing that gap.
Sotheby's has calculated that, while the number of lots sold to buyers from "new" markets has risen in both cities so far this year, the increase has been far more marked in London (33 percent) than New York (six percent).
"Particularly the Russians feel very comfortable bidding in the London sales as many of them have second homes and are very active here," said Helena Newman, chairman of Sotheby's impressionist and modern art department in Europe.
"I think that because of our geographic situation, we are the gateway to the East ... Central Asia, the Middle East and the East," she told Reuters at the company's London headquarters where star lots from the upcoming sales were on display.
"We definitely see that in the sales of recent years. It is a growing trend."
BILLION-DOLLAR BONANZA?
Beyond bragging rights, auctioneers are not overly concerned with who buys what where. Key lots for sale in London come from the United States, for example, and the market overall has become more globalised.
One of the prize lots of the season is English artist John Constable's "The Lock", being offered by Christie's for 20-25 million pounds and the only one of a series of six important landscapes by the painter to be in private hands.
It goes under the hammer on July 3 and should eclipse the 10.8 million pounds raised when it was sold in 1990 - a British painting record it held for 16 years.
On the same night, Rembrandt's "A Man in a Gorget and Cap" is on course to raise 8-12 million pounds.
On Wednesday, a Renoir nude is set to fetch 12-18 million pounds and the next week the same auctioneer offers Yves Klein's "Le Rose du Bleu", estimated at 17-20 million pounds and Francis Bacon's "Study For Self-Portrait" (1964) (15-20 million).
Christie's, the world's largest auction house, expects to raise at least 310 million pounds from its sales of impressionist, modern, contemporary art as well as those of British paintings and Old Masters.
The upper estimate is closer to 500 million pounds, and combined with Sotheby's low target of 210 million pounds, a billion-dollar art bonanza looks within reach.
"The four week summer season of major international auctions at Christie's ... is set to become one of the richest and most valuable series of auctions in company history," said Jussi Pylkkanen, head of Christie's Europe.
MIRO RECORD IN SIGHT
At Sotheby's, the top work of the season could be Joan Miro's "Peinture (Etoile Bleue), valued at 15-20 million pounds and in sight of the artist record set this year of 16.8 million.
Its appearance so soon after the February record is no coincidence -- auction houses tailor sales to reflect the latest tastes, and the Miro, along with works by Henry Moore and Surrealist Paul Delvaux, all follow recent auction highs.
The prominence of large, colourful, figurative works at Sotheby's, including Kees van Dongen's "Lailla", Marc Chagall's "L'Arbre de Jesse" and Delvaux's "Deux Femmes couchees", also reflects emerging market tastes.
Soaring prices for coveted works of art at a time of global economic uncertainty have long prompted warnings of a sharp correction and even collapse, but time and again in the last three years the market has defied the gloomiest predictions.
There has been weakening in Chinese demand and tastes can be fickle, but the very best works of art have generally risen in value since a sharp but brief drop in auction turnover in 2009.
The contraction was as much a reflection of sellers backing away as of falling demand, experts say, and auction houses believe they are back in a "virtuous cycle" of rising prices in turn attracting the very best works on to the market.
Institutional acquisitions have also played a key role in the recovery, with Qatar emerging as one of the biggest buyers of art in recent years as it fills a growing network of museums.
Widespread reports said the Gulf state paid $250 million for Paul Cezanne's "The Card Players" in a private deal, believed to be the highest price ever paid for a work of art. (Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)
Source: uk.reuters.com
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