In November 2006, Simon Tarr (then a teacher at my old comprehensive school, Kirkley High in Lowestoft) invited me to give a talk to some of his students. This was part of National Enterprise week, and my pep talk (at which my Dad, once a teacher at the school, was also present) was a success.
On leaving, Simon mentioned a young boxer by the name of Anthony Ogogo, whom he thought it might be worth us meeting, regarding our Young Blades bursary scheme.
Jenny Moore, my head of brand communications made contact with Anthony, and he was invited to London for the annual Young Blades event, this time held in a gym in Fulham, where we'd invited John Terry along. Anthony sparred with JT, and the press picked up on it, due to Jose Mourinho being under threat of sacking at that time from Abramovich (Don't K. O. Jose - the Red Tops loved it!)
One of our young marketeers, Jay, video'd the event, and posted the piece (advertising our KU range) on YouTube, click here to see it.
When Big Brother decided to do the Celebrity Hijack, they were trawling for young sports people to invite, and this video flagged up, bringing Ogogo to their attention.
The rest is history...click here to see Anthony going into the BB house
...One moment, an obscure and unknown boxer from the 'Toft (Lowestoft), the next the star of the UK's biggest reality TV show.
True story. That's how life happens. Expect the unexpected (but be prepared for it)
