You know those snippets in the gossip mags where they talk about celebrity trends, accompanied by pictures of 3 celebrities wearing or doing the same thing?
Well, I think I might just have found one. You see, in Northern Ireland, there seems to be a trend of celebrities becoming politicians.
The trailblazer, was “Flash” Harry Hamilton, The UK’s Number One Freddie Mercury Tribute Act apparantly, who is standing for the UUP in the Upper Bann constituency.
Like most Freddie Mercury tribute acts, he has short hair and a moustache. I’ve always wondered, but i’ve never seen a Fredie Mercury tribute act with long-hair, a buck tooth and dressed like a hippie. It would be my niche if I was going to enter the competitive world of Freddie Mercury tibutes.
Why is that? Queen had hits before 1980 you know.
As with anything Queen-related since 1992, no doubt Brian May and Roger Taylor will be cheerleading it, with John Deacon sitting at home, washing his hands off the whole idea.
If you think the idea of Brian May and Roger Taylor canvassing for the UUP in Upper Bann is far-fetched, remember, they did a song with 5ive, so they aren’t worried about embarrassing themselves in public.
It should be interesting if he does get elected to Westminster, especially on his first day when he is swearing an oath of allegiance to The Queen. Hopefully, someone points out to him that it’s her majesty The Queen and not the band.
Of course, when you change jobs, it’s always hard to shake off the corporate culture of you previous employer when working for you new employer.
Hopefully, he won’t be in a heated debate in the house about wether a prisoner should be released from jail, and an impassioned member of the house shouts out “LET HIM GO!!!!”
I don’t think it is considered parliamentary conduct to shout back “BISMILLA …… NO!!!! WE WILL NOT LET HIM GO!!!!!!!” in response.
Flash Harry isn’t the only celebrity looking for the UUP vote this year, as Mike Nesbitt, the Richard in ‘Ulster’s Richard and Judy’, standing in the Strangford constituency.
Unlike his mainland equivalent Richard Madeley, Mike Nesbitt doesn’t have any embarrassing Ali G impressions in his back catalogue, although there a few clips of him on Youtube which look like he’s doing a dodgy Alan Partridge impression, until you realise that is what he was actually like as a sports commentator.
It is unsurprising that a company that sounds like a dyslexic Jim Allster naming a political party should spawn two celebrity candidates as former Insight presenter Fearghal McKinney has received the SDLP nomination for Fermanagh/South Tyrone.
The next few weeks are expected to see a mad scramble for former UTV presenters as DUP, Sinn Feinn, PUP and Alliance all battle to woo Pamela Ballantine, Adrian Logan and Kate Smith.
If there is to be a former UTV presenter entering politics and standing for Westminster, I hope it’s Kate Smith.
She’s intelligent, beautiful, articulate and well spoken, and most importantly of all, it would see Michael Deane nowhere near a TV screen for the next two months.
For pure comedy value, it would be great to see Julian Simmons stand for parliament.
Just think of the answer he would give if a reporter ask him he had a mandate prepared.
Analogue Boy In A Digital World 