New Articles on The Daily Dust today

Shepherd: Owen owes Newcastle a “moral debt”

Posted: 24 Dec 2008 04:25 AM CST

Michael Owen owes the club another year in order to fulfill his “moral debt”

Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has claimed that Michael Owen owes the club another year in order to fulfill his “moral debt”:

“He has been injured a lot of the time since I signed him and has barely played one in four games that he could have done had he been fit. He owes Newcastle another year.”

Owen is looking increasingly unlikely to stay at the club beyond the summer, especially after again confirming his quality at the top level with his goal-scoring exploits this season. If Owen can stay healthy, there should be no shortage of suitors.

MP’s Go Online and Attend Tweetminster

Posted: 24 Dec 2008 04:23 AM CST

Microblogging comes to the House of Parliament

Want to know what your MP is up to? Well if your representative in the mother of all parliaments is part of "Tweetminster" then you’re in luck. Set up by Alberto Nardelli, after a chat with Labout MP Tom Watson, Tweetminster brings together in one site the short messages from MP’s using the internet service Twitter.

Twitter allows users to post short messages of up to 140 characters (a bit less than a text message) and you can follow your friends to see what they are up to. Tweetminster gathers the thoughts of seven MP’s in one place, so you can see democracy in action.

The four launch MP’s of Tom Watson, Andy Reed, Grant Shapps and Jo Swinson have been joined by three more, namely Lynne Featherstone, Kerry McCarthy and David Lammy. While there is a certain informality about the whole thing (especially as Tom Watson was starring in a Twitter based Christmas Pantomime yesterday) we here at The Daily Dust think that MP’s being involved with their constituents and the rest of the public is a good thing.

Tweetminster joins Lords of the Blog as some of the best political uses of the internet from those in power in 2008.

(Hat tip to El Reg).

Christmas Comes Early: 90% off Sale Starts Today

Posted: 24 Dec 2008 04:17 AM CST

Scenes like this are expected in stores across the UK today

Bargain-hunters will benefit from the biggest Christmas discounts ever with cuts of up to 90 per cent in some high street stores.

The traditional Boxing Day sales will begin today in many outlets and many on the internet.

Those launching online sales today include John Lewis, House of Fraser, B&Q, as well as Topshop, Topman, Evans, Miss Selfridge and Burton, all starting late afternoon once the stores are closed.

Boxing Day will see Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s opening hundreds of large supermarkets for the first time.

Time to fill those stockings..

BBC Put in Aggressive Lower Bid for 2entertain

Posted: 24 Dec 2008 03:58 AM CST

Corporation looking to scoop up DVD distribution for themselves on the cheap.

One of the more interesting quirks with Woolworths closing down is what happens to 2entertain, the DVD publishing company that Woolies hold a 40% stake in. Unlike the rest of the group, this arm did not go into administration, but because one of the major UK distribution companies that helped ship the 2entertain products did, it’s caused a lot of headaches.

The BBC are keen to buy back the stake in 2entertain, as they were one of two partners to set up the chain back in 2004. With the lucrative DVD rights to many BBC properties (including Doctor Who) under the 2entertain banner, it allows a huge amount of money to flow back to the BBC to help keep the licence fee down.

While there is a clause that says all DVD rights return to the BBC if the company is sold or goes under, the BBC presumably would like to own the whole thing, and feel that in the present circumstances they can lower the £110 million bid they made previously down to £40 million because of the ongoing distribution concerns – and it’s a bit of a fire sale on anything with the Woolies name on it.

Those against the licence fee should consider that may of the BBC budgets are put together assuming DVD sales will generate income – without them the BBC would have to decide on either cheaper programs (likely more reality style shows) or less quality programs. Making a play for the whole DVD slice of income is good use of the licence fee. We watch with interest.

(Hat tip to Digtial Spy).

The Sting of the Sherriff Mosquito

Posted: 24 Dec 2008 03:23 AM CST

Singing about the Mosquito that caught a thief, that’s Rise and Shine!

Did you catch the story of the theif caught by his DNA in a mosquito? Even if you didn’t, you can’t help but be delighted by the spin that the Rise and Shine team have put on today’s topical story to be turned into a song.

Dan Brittain (with assistance from Dean Whitbread) took this story and with the help of the audience spun out “Mosquito” with the combined songwriting, singing and improvising talent.

There’s one night left, so catch up with the team at 7pm on their live stream and help shape the final Rise and Shine song of the year - and if you’ve been enjoying them do consider making a donation to the charities they are supporting.

Celeb’s Ban Toilet Scenes in Celeb Big Bruv

Posted: 24 Dec 2008 03:18 AM CST

The celebrity D-List have demanded no toliet cameras in this years Celebrity Big Brother

The ego’s have landed..the money grabbing fame seekers celebrities have started their demands in Celebrity Big Brother. First one is that the bathroom remains camera free. The pampered D-Listers do not want to reveal anything about themselves in the “fly- off on - the - wall” show.

Names confirmed for the series so far are Mini Me star Verne Troyer (pictured above), Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan (who?), former Liberty X pop star Michelle Heaton (another reality show for her), glamour model Lucy Pinder (the token topless) and Shameless actress Tina Malone — while ex-Sugababe Mutya Buena has also signed up..

Full line up to come..we bet you can’t wait!

Ten Most Watched Presenters On TV in 2008

Posted: 24 Dec 2008 03:00 AM CST

Who was the most watched presenter on UK television this year?

All figures are combined audiences with the respective shows under the presenter’s name:

10. Paul O’Grady

- The Paul O’Grady Show - 245.m

9. Holly Willoughby

- The Xtra Factor, Celebrity Juice, Dancing on Ice - 249.8m

8. Gary Linekar

- Match of the Day, Ryder Cup Highlights - 302.3m

7. Ant & Dec

- I’m a Celebrity, Britain’s Got Talent - 314.6m

6. Dermot O’Leary

- X Factor - 358.5m

5. Davina McCall - above with Dermot

- Big Brother - 403.5m

4. Fern Britton

- This Morning, Mr & Mrs - 494.2m

3. Noel Edmonds

- Deal or No Deal - 611.7m

2. Phillip Schofield

- This Morning, Mr & Mrs, Dancing on Ice - 677.6m

1. Adrian Chiles

- Olympics 2008, The One Show, Match of the Day 2 - 1.04bn

Boxing Day bets

Posted: 23 Dec 2008 10:00 AM CST

Three winners from eight bets saw us break even last week, but I’ll be back on Boxing Day with both betting barrels loaded in an attempt to fire up more profit to spend in the sales, so make sure you tune in.
Until then, have a happy Christmas.