The Running Woman

‘WE received the news that yet again we at Anorak had failed to make it into Time’s list of the 100 most powerful and influential people of 2004 with our customary equanimity.

‘By ‘eck, Joe. The sheep have got out of the bottom field’

That’s not to say we weren’t disappointed, of course, but we were happy to accept that the likes of Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch and even President George Dubya wield a bit more power than us.

Until, that is, we saw the name of Paula Radcliffe in the list.

Now, we have nothing against Paula – in fact, we rather like the way her head goes all lopsided when she runs.

But power and influence? Is she going to take on Ariel Sharon over 5,000m with the winner given carte blanche to redraw the map of the Middle East?

Was it Paula’s marathon successes that finally persuaded Colonel Gadafi that he should seek a rapprochement with the West?

Or perhaps it was Paula’s triumph in last year’s Sports Personality Of The Year award that rallied the US economy and saw stock markets around the world regain some of the ground they had lost over the previous 18 months?

You can call it sour grapes if you want to, but we notice that there is another notable absentee from the list – Patsy Kensit, ex-wife to most of Britain’s music industry.

Patsy is off men at the moment, which is what all women say when they can’t get laid, and into Emmerdale.

And she doesn’t take kindly to those who mock.

‘I find it really offensive that anyone should suggest that taking Emmerdale is a step down,’ she tells Hello!

A step down? Not us, Patsy. In fact, we’d say it is the highlight of your career to date…’

Posted: 6th, May 2004 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink