The Games (TV series)

"The Games" was a Channel 4 reality TV show that ran for four series, in which 10 celebrities competed against each other, by doing Olympic style events, such as weight lifting, gymnastics and diving. At the end of the series, the contestants with the most points from each round were awarded either a gold, silver or bronze medal. The show was mainly filmed in Sheffield, at the Sheffield Arena, Don Valley Stadium and Ponds Forge. In later series, the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield, iceSheffield and for the first time in Series Four the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham were used.

The Games was presented by Jamie Theakston (Series 1-4), with track-side reports from Jayne Middlemiss (Series 1-3) and Kirsty Gallacher (Series 4).

The Games also had an after show on the channel E4, called "The Games: Live At Trackside". The first series was presented by Dougie Anderson, whilst the second was hosted by "Gamezville" presenters Darren Malcolm and Jamie Atiko. Justin Lee Collins and Caroline Flack took over as presenters for the third and fourth series. For the final series an extra one hour show was added on E4 in the afternoon called "The Games: Live At The Heats", and the evening show changed title to become "The Games: Inside Track".

eries One - 2003

The first series aired in 2003 and the celebrities that took part were:

*Azra Akin (former Miss World) - joint gold medalist
*Melanie Chisholm (singer, former member of the Spice Girls - "Sporty Spice")
*Josie D'Arby (presenter and actress) - bronze medalist
*Bobby Davro (comedian)
*Terri Dwyer (actress) - joint gold medalist
*MC Harvey (member of the So Solid Crew) - gold medalist
*James Hewitt (former lover of Diana, Princess of Wales) - silver medalist
*Lee Latchford-Evans (former member of Steps) - bronze medalist
*Jean-Christophe Novelli (chef)
*Gail Porter (presenter)

Gail Porter pulled out part-way through the run. A serious knee injury sustained in the judo competition against Azra Akin also forced Melanie Chisholm to withdraw. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/3102616.stm Ex-Spice Girl Mel C faces surgery] - BBC News, 12 September 2003]

eries Two - 2004

The second series aired in 2004 and included the following celebrities:

*Jarrod Batchelor (former Mr Gay UK) - joint gold medalist
*Charlie Dimmock (gardener- Ground Force) - bronze medalist
*Lady Isabella Hervey (sister of Lady Victoria Hervey) - gold medalist
*Katy Hill (presenter) - silver medalist
*Charles Ingram (cheated on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?)
*Linda Lusardi (former model and actress)
*Shane Lynch (former member of Boyzone) - joint gold medalist
*Jodie Marsh (model)
*MC Romeo (member of the So Solid Crew) - bronze medalist
*Pat Sharp (radio DJ)

eries One vs Series Two - Champion of Champions 2004

After the second series a special champion of champions edition, took place in which the top two male and female competitors from series one and two went head to head to compete for the title, The Games Champion of Champions. Eventually the team from 2003 won. They comprised MC Harvey, James Hewitt, Terri Dwyer and Josie D'Arby (Azra Akin was unavailable to take part).

eries Three - 2005

The third series commenced on 25 March 2005 and included the following celebrities:

*Craig Charles (comedian/actor/presenter)
*Princess Tamara Czartoryski-Borbon (model) - bronze medalist
*Danny Foster (former member of Hear'Say)
*Kirsty Gallacher (presenter) - gold medalist
*Mel Giedroyc (comedienne)
*Chesney Hawkes (singer) - bronze medalist
*Lisa Maffia (singer) - silver medalist
*Jonathon Morris (actor)
*Philip Olivier (actor) - gold medalist
*Kevin Simm (member of Liberty X) - silver medalist
*Anna Walker (presenter)

Jonathon Morris pulled out halfway through the run, and was replaced by Danny Foster.

Injuries also forced Kevin Simm out of the Sumo competition, and Craig Charles out of the speed skating and vaulting competitions.

eries One vs Series Two vs Series Three - Champion of Champions 2005

After the third series another special champion of champions edition took place in which the top two male and female competitors from series one, two and three competed against each other in weight lifting, hammer throwing and finally the relay race. From the first series, James Hewitt, MC Harvey, Terri Dwyer and Josie D'Arby competed. From the second series, Romeo, Jarrod Batchelor, Katy Hill and Lady Isabella Hervey competed. From the third series, Kevin Simm, Philip Olivier, Lisa Maffia and Kirsty Gallacher, competed. The team from the third series narrowly beat the team from the first series overall.

eries Four - 2006

The fourth series commenced on March 17 2006 and was presented as usual by Jamie Theakston, and track-side coverage was taken over by Series Three contestant Kirsty Gallagher. There was a total of 18 different sporting events to test their skills and abilities. The men competed in Water Ski Jump, Weights, Kendo, Vault, Diving, Speed skating, Cycling, Javelin and 100 m sprint. The women competed in White Water Kayak, Hurdles, Cycling, Gym Floor, Swimming, Curling, Archery, Hammer and 100 m sprint.Contestants that took part in the show were:

Contestants

*Peter Duncan (ex Blue Peter presenter and Chief Scout)
*Michelle Gayle (singer and actress) - Bronze Medalist
*Julia Goldsworthy (Member of Parliament for Falmouth and Camborne) - Silver Medalist
*Javine Hylton (singer, represented UK in Eurovision Song Contest) - Gold Medalist
*Jade Jones (former singer from boy band Damage, now a member of Cherry Blackstone; longterm boyfriend of Spice Girl Emma Bunton) - Gold Medalist
*JK (BBC Radio 1 DJ; presenter of the Official Chart Show) - Bronze Medalist
*Amanda Lamb (television presenter of A Place in the Sun)
*Bernie Nolan (singer and actress)
*Adam Rickitt (actor and former singer)
*MC Plat'num B (aka Marcel Sommerville from Blazin' Squad) - Silver Medalist

Darren Day was among the original line-up, but producers replaced him after consistently failing to take part in training. He was replaced by eventual winner Jade Jones. DJ Goldie was originally a competitor, but was forced to pull out due to an injury sustained in the training sessions for the Water-ski event. He was replaced by Adam Rickitt.

Scores

eries Two vs Series Three vs Series Four - Champion of Champions 2006

After the fourth series another special champion of champions edition took place in which the top two male and female competitors from series two, three and four competed against each other in a 50 m freestyle swim, diving and a 4 x 50 m freestyle relay at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Javine Hylton, Julia Goldsworthy MP, Jade Jones and MC Plat'num represented the 2006 team, Kirsty Gallacher, Chesney Hawkes, Kevin Simm and HRH Princess Tamara represented the 2005 team, and Team 2004 were represented by Lady Isabella Hervey, Linda Lusardi, Shane Lynch and Romeo Dunn.

Team 2006 won the champion of champions 2006, with them scoring 29 points. The team of 2005 came second with 23. Finally team 2004 with 20. This Champion of Champions saw Shane Lynch achieve a dive which had never been performed on "The Games" before - a somersault.The trophy for the winners was presented by the Lord Mayor Of Sheffield Roger Davison

The End

After the champion of champions contest, the show was quietly dropped by Channel 4. Jamie Theakston has since said the reason was that the show had run out of celebrities to take part. Fact|date=September 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.channel4.com/thegames "The Games"] at Channel4.com