TV Challenge - 09/03/2007

The BBC recently spent a week filming at Queens for a children's television programme.

Twelve year old Josh Haslam (right in picture), a junior ice hockey player from Caerphilly in South Wales, was set the challenge of swapping his hockey skates for figure skates and learning a free dance routine in just five days for the BBC 2 and CBBC programme 'Do Something Different'.

Under the watchful eye of Queens coach David Hoare, Josh was put through his paces and after a skaky start in unfamiliar skates he progressed to a full blown exhibition routine set to the music of 'Eye of the Tiger' from the film 'Rocky'. Midway through his training schedule Josh had a visit from Harry Mattick (left in picture), the current British junior champion, who made a special trip down to Queens from his hometown of Bradford to give Josh some tips and ecouragement. So once his TV debut is all over will Josh hang up his hockey skates and take to figure skating? 'I don't know', says Josh. 'I've been playing for the Cardiff Junior Dragons under 14 team for about seven year so they take priority'. But added, with a twinkle in his eye, 'I might just have a go at figure skating as well'.