Gary Barlow in Afghanistan....

[gray]

...on ITV now. Starting off ok.

 

[Craig855s]

That was pretty decent that, seems a thoroughly nice chap in that. And the SAC medic was better than a lot of **** they say "yes" to in X factor so can we expect to see him there next year?

 

[justintime129]

Went up in my estimation. Glad it wasn't robbie williams.

 

[Dan_Brown]

I don't get these 'welfare' visits at all:

a. Only a select few get to see them and that's if they can get past the heirachy hogging them - ie Colin Montgomery came out and offered golfing lessons - awesome eh? No, that part was kept quiet and only the select few got the lessons. WHat about the lads and lasses further afield than BLS?

b. I'd rather just crack on with the job in hand.

c. Are these 'celebs' there for the welfare or their own publicity? Not many do under the radar visits and do it to splash their mugs across the media.

It's not bah humbug honest! I just don't get it.

 

[propersplitbrainme]

I don't get these 'welfare' visits at all:

a. Only a select few get to see them and that's if they can get past the heirachy hogging them - ie Colin Montgomery came out and offered golfing lessons - awesome eh? No, that part was kept quiet and only the select few got the lessons. WHat about the lads and lasses further afield than BLS?

b. I'd rather just crack on with the job in hand.

c. Are these 'celebs' there for the welfare or their own publicity? Not many do under the radar visits and do it to splash their mugs across the media.

It's not bah humbug honest! I just don't get it.

Total no-win situation then. I've seen people in here say that the public doesn't get to see or appreciate what they do and then when someone like Gary Barlow goes out to do something to show the troops they are appreciated they get slated for being publicity hogs.
Its obvious that the celeb visitors will be on a well choreographed program, there's no way they can get everywhere and meet everyone and the powers-that-be won't let them away from the relative security of Bastion. Its a total no-brainer.
To me Gary Barlow came across as honest and humbled by the experience. His 'band' were just ordinary lads and lasses - an SAC, a Sgt and a Flt Lt and it simply looked like he was doing what he could to give the those who could make it to the show a good time. Obviously not everyone could, it'll never happen but thats no a reason not to bother at all.
Just my opinion.

 

[Climebear]

I don't get these 'welfare' visits at all:

a. Only a select few get to see them and that's if they can get past the heirachy hogging them - ie Colin Montgomery came out and offered golfing lessons - awesome eh? No, that part was kept quiet and only the select few got the lessons. WHat about the lads and lasses further afield than BLS?

b. I'd rather just crack on with the job in hand.

c. Are these 'celebs' there for the welfare or their own publicity? Not many do under the radar visits and do it to splash their mugs across the media.

It's not bah humbug honest! I just don't get it.

Katie Melua came out in the Summer with a couple of good comedians. The party went forward into the FOBs as played a small concert in BLS on their way back to the UK. Not a lot of publicity back home - I think the most was a video on Katie's You Tube 'channel'.

What did the trip achieve?

It provided a change to the usual succession of ground hog days for those out in the AOR.

It also provided something to talk to those back home about - especially for those that can't really talk about what they've done all day/week (either because it's classified or to gruesome to talk about, or it's just the same dull routine).

And it raised my moral a lot after Katie gave me a hug in the BSN departure lounge.

It's not for everyone, and those at BLS/KAF/Kabul generally have a pretty good deal anyway; however, if it's not for you then you don't have to go.

 

[Downsizer]

Katie Melua came out in the Summer

Slightly off topic but I've always imagined her to have a really hairy mott.

 

[Climebear]

Slightly off topic but I've always imagined her to have a really hairy mott.

Off topic

I wouldn't care!

 

[KingGuin]

And it raised my moral a lot after Katie gave me a hug in the BSN departure lounge.

Steady on old chap, don't flatter yourself. You know she was only using you to try and get my number!

P.S. I bet it even raised your MORALE too!!

 

[Tin basher]

If he doesn't go - some think he doesn't care
If he goes and no publicity - No one knows except the few he meets
If he goes and it gets on telly he's a media whore - poor fecker can't win
Well done to the guy for bothering, for showing interest in those out there doing a good job in an unkind place.

 

[Downsizer]

If it makes one persons day in theatre, its worth it IMO.

 

[firestorm]

It's worth dodging tax to make 1 person happy?
It's partly because of people like him people are losing their jobs. I reckon they're not too happy.

 

[chiprafp]

The man has been very successful and to be fair didn't need the PR so wasn't there because HAD to. He also seemed very genuine and I think what he did benefited the troops so good luck to him. I would rather a visit like that than some slimy politician who is only there because they have to be to try and garner votes!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[chiprafp]

Very good anyway back to the point of this thread. He did good for the morale of the troops!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[firestorm]

Is morale good because of redundancies? It's all linked.

 

[chiprafp]

Wow you really do take it to extremes don't you if it's not pensions your bleating about its something else. Anyway shouldn't you be on strike or something else useful.

I'm sure you could link this story to anything you want but try to keep it somewhat on topic.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Dan_Brown]

Any finally, to bring the thread back on topic – Gary Barlow – Good on him. I’d like to see more celebs take the time to visit the troops – it shows their support , and keeps the forces in peoples minds with a positive cultural association…

it shows their support

Not sure about that - maybe for some, but for others certainly a PR stunt. Had Danielle Lloyd out to Basra, did the bare minimum and couldn't wait to get the feck out of dodge.

 

[Rugby-Jock-Lad]

She's not exactly a Celeb though is she.

More of a Football WAG...CHING CHING...Move onto the next Footballer with money. At least she's got the CSA all tied up if she decides to leave the one she's with just now :-D!!!

 

[PraiseBacon]

Out of interest, who was the most engaging celeb to visit the troops on current operations...?

 

[Dan_Brown]

Heard good things about Daniel Craig; i met Ewan McGregor who took the time to chat, pics etc.