[Red Moon]

Bow and Bethnal Green constituents impressed by Galloway

8 January 2006

George Galloway's constituents say they have been impressed by their MP's performance on Celebrity Big Brother so far.

They said the firebrand politician, who has been singing and dancing alongside funnyman Michael Barrymore, has shown a more "relaxed, human side" to his personality in front of the cameras.

Speaking from Brick Lane in the heart of Galloway's Bow and Bethnal Green constituency, actor Tim Harwood, 35, said: "He seems to be taking control of the show and seems not at all like I thought he would be.

"I did not know a great deal about him before this and have been quite pleasantly surprised because I thought he was a really serious character.

"He comes across as quite good fun. He is quite open despite the fact there are quite a lot of strange types in the house.

"He has been getting involved in everything and is really giving it a go. I do not know if he will win it. I will be surprised if anyone other than Michael Barrymore wins it. But this has shown him as having a relaxed, human side and that can only be good for his future."

Market trader Gary Lawrence, 50, said: "I think his performances so far have been fine. I wasn't sure what to make of him at first.

"He always seems quite stern but that is not how he is. He is having to play the role of one of the two 50 somethings they seem to have to include on these shows. I personally would not go on there.

"But he knows what he is doing and why he's in there. He seems to be able to mix well with the odder people in there. So, good luck to him."

Another trader Simon Gaze, 32, said: "Good on Galloway. He's showing people a good side to him. He looks like he's having good fun in there and I cannot fault him.

"He's completely different to what I and my friends thought he would be and we've had a good laugh particularly when he was messing around with Barrymore, singing and dancing.

"I'm not sure that he can win it because all the teenage girls with vote for the younger men but who knows? These shows have a habit of throwing up a surprise."

A dissenting voice among Galloway's admirers was shop-owner Annika Sanders, 32. She said: "What the hell's Galloway doing in there? Small business owners round here have lots of problems he should be solving.

"My friends and I watched him last night and he did make us laugh but I don't understand what he's getting out of it.

"He's supposed to be a serious politiican and yet we see him on TV acting daft, trying to find some fame. What does he think is going to happen when he leaves there?

"He wants to have his political life and he wants his time in the limelight as well. We're the ones who will pay the price."

Source: LIFE STYLE EXTRA