Wednesday 23rd April saw the eight remaining “Nancy’s” from the BBC 1 show “I’d do Anything” descend onto Molesey Boat Club to be put through their paces on the ergo and on the water.
The BBC had contacted the ARA and asked if the eight girls could hit the water and so Molesey Boat Club was selected as the best and safest venue for the 8 girls to come and try rowing. The aim for the show was to show the girls how fit they needed to be to walk the boards on the West End (I’ve got all the lingo now!).
Phil Simmons (Biff) was the link with the BBC and Tom Courtney and Ed Green were on hand to assist with the coaching along with Tory SW and Rachael Padden to cox the two Nancy quads. The girls were also treated to some great hints from Giles “FIGJAM” Ritchie (star of BBC 2’s working lunch!) and the GB U23 4- including MBC star Mo Sbihi. The U23’s weren’t shy in correcting the girls’ posture on the ergos and offering a helping hand to them all… Allegations that it wasn’t the first time that a load of Nancy’s had been on the ergos in the gym are being investigated!
It also transpired that MBC Captain Ollie Keech is a huge fan of the show and didn’t agree with those present on the day that Rachael Nancy, Jessie Nancy or Sarah Nancy were the best of the eight Nancy’s. These three all come highly recommended as Molesey Nancy’s, a position that has been vacant since 1866. Credit to all the girls on the day especially when they broke into song whilst on the ergos! Eight fantastic voices, and far better than the rave music on Dan Badir-Safadi’s ipod!
After Biff’s starring role as TV front man there are rumours the BBC’s Graham Norton is now watching his back and is concerned about his Saturday night slot. The show itself (available on BBC iPlayer until April 6th) was broadcast on prime time BBC 1 where we were treated to Molesey Boat Club on TV for the second time in less than a month after the Working Lunch team came down at the end of March. It was generally agreed that the Nancy’s were more fun and far prettier than the working lunch team.
Watch here http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b00b4cx0.shtml?src=ip_ra it’s about 8min 15secs in!
And more comments from Coach Biff on the I’d do Anything website here http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/04/28/54618.shtml
