NEWS FROM GROWING UP MILK

GROWING UP MILK EUROPEAN TODDLER NUTRITION INDEX
UK TODDLERS PROVE TO BE TOUGHEST FOOD CRITICS IN EUROPE

European Toddler Nutrition Index examines how UK toddler diets fare against their European playgroup contemporaries

A new survey released today reveals that UK toddlers are discerning diners and the most likely in Europe to refuse food (69%), with one in seven (13%) rejecting some foods at every meal.

The first ever European Toddler Nutrition Index, commissioned by GrowingUpMilkInfo.com, examines the attitudes to diet and food of mums with toddlers in: the United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Italy.

Toddler tantrums spark angst in UK mums

Mealtime tantrums are common in homes across Europe, with nearly one in ten (8%) UK toddlers frequently flinging food they don’t like at the wall or on the floor in protest. Surprisingly, more than a quarter (26%) of UK toddlers refuse meals at least once a day, compared to just one in seven (15%) French toddlers.

Refusing food leaves most UK mums feeling frustrated (51%), worried (38%), upset (24%), and even angry (12%). The result is that more than one in ten UK mums (12%) think they are ‘bad mothers’ when their child refuses food, compared to only a small percentage of Dutch mothers feeling like a bad parent when letting their toddler get away with not eating healthy meals (3%).

Leading child nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton comments: “Toddlers have distinct nutritional requirements that aren’t always easy to meet and, while it can be a struggle to provide them with all of the hard to get nutrients they need, mums will be pleased to know that it isn’t impossible.

“Fussy eating is a daily occurrence for most families and one that we now know is prevalent in the UK, with more children throwing food here than in any of the other European countries polled. Survey results reflect this behaviour is taking its toll on UK mums but it’s important to remember that shouting, bribing with sweet treats or TV only tends to make things worse. A calm approach to mealtimes, using encouragement, stickers, or special playtime as rewards, is more effective.”

UK mums cave under the pressure to please

Over 4 in 10 UK mums (43%) let their toddler get away with not eating certain foods, with almost 38% cracking under the pressure of these demands within the first five minutes.

The survey reveals that UK parents are the most likely of the European countries polled to give sweets, biscuits, chocolate, and fizzy drinks as a reward for eating well or for good behaviour (39%), compared to just one in ten (13%) health-conscious French mums.

Italian mothers are almost three times more likely than UK mums to give in to their toddler’s junk food cravings simply because they demand them.

The survey highlights that almost over a third of German mothers surveyed (38%) are pestered at least once a day for sweets, biscuits, chocolate, and fizzy drinks; the highest percentage in Europe. However, a quarter of these mums remain stern and claim they never give in to toddler tantrum threats.

Toddler obesity

While obesity in the UK is substantially high compared to other European countries[i], only a fifth (22%) of UK mums expressed worry about their toddler being or becoming overweight or obese, compared with the large number of concerned mothers in Italy (68%) and Spain (72%). Worryingly, the study also finds that one in five (18%) UK mums is unaware whether or not their child is overweight, compared to the majority (97%) of Spanish mums polled, who are more informed.

The survey shows that under half (47%) of UK and Dutch (42%) toddlers are fed one home cooked meal a day, compared with a large proportion of children in Italy (78%), Spain (81%), and Germany (58%) who receive meals made from scratch daily. UK mums are also the most likely (24%) of the European countries polled to opt for adult pre-prepared foods because they seem cheaper than cooking homemade meals, versus just 4% of Spaniards. Additionally, almost two thirds (63%) of UK mums cannot find the time for home-cooked meals, compared with only a third (32%) of Dutch parents.

Dr Carrie Ruxton adds: “With childhood obesity on the rise in the UK, it is worrying that mums are generally ill-informed about what constitutes a healthy weight range and, more importantly, the nutrients that a toddler needs for healthy development.

“Toddlers have specific nutritional requirements which need to be catered for but adult meals, particularly ready meals, which can be high in salt, are not usually suitable for toddlers. In those vital early years, toddlers need vitamins and minerals to support their development, particularly iron, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins D and A. However, due to a lack of knowledge amongst mums, there is a risk that UK toddlers will end up with inadequate levels of these.

“It’s clear UK mothers need more support on this topic to ensure their toddlers are getting all the nutrients they need. I’d suggest seeking guidance from a healthcare advisor or looking at some of the great online resources, such as Growingupmilkinfo.com, that provide toddler health and nutrition information, as well as meal suggestions.”

Uninformed UK mums means toddlers are at risk

Nearly seven in ten (69%) UK mums do not receive any information about the specific nutritional needs of their toddler, the third highest in Europe, following Germany (75%) and Sweden (74%).

The survey shows a fifth (20%) of UK mums think that toddlers require no more vitamins and minerals than an adult (per kg of body weight, per day), with a majority (85%) of UK toddlers dining on the same food as the rest of the family ‘most of the time’. When, in fact, ‘pound for pound’  toddlers require almost four times the amount of iron and vitamin C as adults, around three times the amount of calcium, zinc, and vitamin A, and much less salt in their foods than adults in their diets.

UK mums also top the poll when it comes to being the most unaware about Vitamin D requirements for toddlers, with nine out of ten mums (91%) – the highest in Europe - unsure of the recommended daily dietary intake (reference nutrient intake)[ii], closely followed by France (89%) and Spain (88%). UK mums are often mistaken about types of foods that contain vitamin D. While the majority are aware that fortified breakfast cereals and oily fish provide the essential vitamin, more than a third (37%) of UK mums who were polled incorrectly think bananas are a good source of vitamin D. One in ten say nuts (13%) and fish fingers (10%) do and nearly a fifth (17%) state that baked beans can provide the essential vitamin.

Dr Carrie Ruxton adds: “Despite vitamin D being such an essential vitamin for toddlers during these formative years, the survey reveals that UK mums, more than anywhere else in the European countries polled, know very little about how much vitamin D their toddler needs.

“As so few foods provide vitamin D, it’s worth knowing there are vitamin D fortified products that are easy to offer on a daily basis. For example just two 150ml beakers a day of Growing Up Milk provides 73% of toddlers’ daily dietary recommendation for vitamin D.”

KEY FACTS

·         UK Mums most likely to be frustrated by their toddler’s fussy eating (51%) but calm Italian mother are ‘not bothered’ (37%)

·         Fussy-eating UK toddlers four times more likely to throw food than Spanish tots

·         UK toddlers are rewarded with junk food, with four in ten British mums (39%) giving their child sweets, biscuits, fizzy drinks, and chocolate for good behaviour or eating well

·         Nearly seven in ten UK mums (69%) receive no guidance on toddlers’ nutritional needs

·         A fifth (18%) of UK mums unaware whether or not their child is overweight or obese

Ranking of Countries Where Toddlers are Most Likely to Refuse Food

1	United Kingdom (69%)
2	Netherlands (63%)
3	Germany (58%)
3	Sweden (58%)
3	Italy (58%)
4	France (54%)
5	Spain (40%)

Ranking of Countries Least Likely to Offer At Least One Home Cooked Meal a Day

1	Netherlands (58%)
2	United Kingdom (53%)
3	France (49%)
4	Sweden (44%)
5	Germany (42%)
6	Italy (23%)
7	Spain (19%)

Ranking of Countries Where Mums Most Likely Reward Good Behaviour or Eating Well with Sweets, Biscuits, Chocolates and Fizzy Drinks

1	United Kingdom (39%)
2	Spain (32%)
3	Italy (29%)
4	Germany (23%)
5	Sweden (22%)
6	Netherlands (15%)
7	France (13%)

Ranking of Countries Least Aware Of Toddlers’ Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin D

1	United Kingdom (91%)
2	France (89%)
3	Spain (88%)
4	Germany (82%)
4	Italy (82%)
5	Sweden (67%)
6	Netherlands (49%)

Ranking of Countries Most Likely to Be Offered Toddler Specific Nutritional Guidance

1	France (53%)
2	Spain (52%)
3	Italy (46%)
4	Netherlands (40%)
5	United Kingdom (32%)
6	Sweden (26%)
7	Germany (25%)

To find out more information about toddler health and nutrition, the role that Growing Up Milk can play to support toddler development, and more about the European Toddler Nutrition Index, visit www.growingupmilkinfo.com.

ENDS

For more information, contact:

Growing Up Milk Info press team

Tel: 0207 693 6999  /   E-mail: gumbuzzteam@frankpr.it

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[i] http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Overweight_and_obesity_-_BMI_statistics.

[ii] The Reference Nutrient Intake for toddlers is 7 micrograms of vitamin D per day

NEWS FROM COW & GATE GROWING UP MILK

THE WINTER POTTY LIST

Or 24 things to do before spring

It may be cold outside but there’s no need for toddlers to hibernate this winter with Growingupmilkinfo’s fun guide of things to do with your little one. The team from the toddler nutrition website are back with a list of must-do activities toddlers should have ticked off before spring has sprung.

From building a den to getting messy in the kitchen, the list has been created using suggestions from parents nationwide and experts, including children’s play expert Adrian Voce OBE and Growingupmilkinfo.com nutritionist Leanne Olivier.  The list is made up of 24 activities, one for each day of the weekend, to keep toddlers entertained and topped-up with essential nutrients throughout the winter. 

The Winter Potty List is not only a celebration of fun things that parents can do with their little ones, it also includes ways to ensure your toddler gets the hard to get nutrients they need, especially the ‘sunshine vitamin’, vitamin D, which children often lack in the winter time.  

The 24 must-do activities that make up ‘The Winter Potty List’ include:

·         Build a den with the biggest cardboard box you can find

·         Find lots of mummy’s funny clothes and play dress up 

·         Make music in the kitchen using your plate, pans, and a wooden spoon

·         Walk through a pile of leaves as big as you

·         Play chef for a day and design funny faces for Fisherman’s Jackets (jacket potato with yummy tuna) or yummy fish cakes. Not only is it fun but it’s a good source of vitamin D too

·         Make a warm drink and snuggle up in front of a Christmas movie

·         Host a teddy bears’ picnic, tucking into nutritious snacks and a beaker of Growing Up Milk, while mum sits back with a cuppa

·         Touch, Smell and Taste game: Try it with healthy foods, like tinned salmon, crunchy carrots and Growing Up Milk

·         Get your hands messy in the kitchen and make festive fruit flapjacks or fruit scones

·         Make a rain catcher

·         Decorate your room with handmade snowflakes

·         Build a snowman (or a snowdog, if there isn't enough snow!)

·         Decorate a gingerbread house

·         Play musical statues

·         Dance in the rain

·         Hold a treasure hunt around the house

·         Put on a Christmas concert

·         Get creative and make Christmas wrapping paper and gift tags

·         Make salt dough prints of your hands and feet

·         Make a snow angel

·         Visit Santa and his little elves

·         Camp out in the lounge using a bed sheet for a tent

·         Pop on your wellington boots and jump in the mud

·         Take a walk in the woodlands

Children’s play expert Adrian Voce comments: “Playing for toddlers is the way they discover and develop their own capacity to create and manipulate things, to explore their senses and how they come to know themselves. All of the activities on the Winter Potty List are filled with wonder for toddlers.

“Children’s play can have an extremely positive effect on a toddler’s happiness and health, which is why it’s so important to provide your little one with adequate opportunities for play. Growingupmilkinfo.com’s Winter Potty list is an easy way to get active, explore new experiences and, most importantly, have fun with your little one during the often dreary winter months.”

Growingupmilkinfo.com nutritionist, Leanne Olivier, adds: “It’s impossible for toddlers to get vitamin D from the UK sun at this time of the year, so it’s important that toddlers get a daily dietary intake. Unfortunately vitamin D is one of those nutrients that can be hard to get in the daily diet because it’s not found naturally in many foods; especially ones that toddlers like to eat.

“Oily fish and liver aren’t to every toddler’s taste buds, but Growing Up Milk, which is a fortified milk drink, is a great way to ensure that your toddler gets a daily boost of vitamin D in their diet. The Winter Potty List includes some tasty activities where you can use Growing Up Milk to top up your toddler’s daily diet.”

The years from one-to-three are an amazing period of growth and development for toddlers, so it comes as no surprise that they need the right nutrition, including vitamin D, to support them during this time. In the UK, toddlers’ opportunities to get vitamin D from the sun are severely limited during the winter months. This makes it even more important for parents to ensure they are getting all the essential nutrients they need through their diet.

Growing Up Milk is made from cows’ milk enriched with key nutrients that toddlers need, like vitamins D, A and C, iron, calcium and omega 3 & 6. Just two 150ml beakers of Growing Up Milk each day provides 73 per cent of a toddler’s reference nutrient intake of vitamin D and is an easy way to top up your toddler’s daily intake of essential nutrients.

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For more information, contact:

Frank PR 0207 693 6999

toddlercensus@frankpr.it

Notes to Editors:

·         Growingupmilkinfo.com is a resource created by Cow and Gate for parents who want to find out how using a Growing Up Milk for children aged one to three can support toddler nutrition

NEWS FROM COW & GATE

KIDS DON’T JUST SAY THE FUNNIEST THINGS…THEY EAT THEM TOO

Toddlers’ eating habits cost UK families millions of pounds in damages a year, but what is the real cost to their health?

A SURVEY RELEASED today reveals that the nation’s toddlers regularly have mouths full of mum’s jewellery and chew on family essentials like car keys and cameras – with the average toddler costing mum and dad £60 in damages during their first three years[1], equating to a shocking nationwide loss of over £14.5 million a year[2].

Cow & Gate Growing Up Milk, who commissioned the survey to highlight the hard to get nutrients required to support toddler growth and development, found 21 per cent of parents’ bundles of joy caused more damage in the home than the family pet1! With 86 per cent of children spending up to 30 minutes per day1 chewing or sucking on household items like remote controls, which came top of the carnage list of items most commonly damaged1.

In light of additional research reporting that the typical UK toddler is more likely to have eaten a burger than broccoli[3], the new poll shows that a supper of crayons, keys and toys is commonplace for our little ones.

Released to coincide with Cow & Gate’s new TV advert, the survey also reveals that inquisitive taste buds are not limited to the household, with creepy crawlies also appearing on this unusual menu of toddler fare, with a quarter of children chowing down on between five and fifteen insects, worms and slugs in their first five years1. It’s not just the celebrities participating in Bushtucker Trials it seems!

Whilst “mouthing” is not to be discouraged, Doctor Leanne Olivier, nutritionist and spokesperson for Cow & Gate, comments: “It’s common for little ones to put weird and wacky things in their mouths, from cushions to remote controls, but they won’t find the essential nutrients they need to support their amazing growth there! A healthy balanced diet including just two beakers of Growing Up Milk[4] each day is a simple way to provide little ones with the hard to get nutrition that they need.”

Dr Richard Woolfson, child psychologist for Growing Up Milk, adds:  “The results of this survey confirm that “mouthing” is very common amongst toddlers. It’s simply another form of exploration and discovery. Mouthing lets curious and inquisitive toddlers learn about the object’s texture, resistance, taste and structure. That’s why you need to watch closely – your toddler will happily mouth anything they get their hands on, big or small, safe or hazardous.”

Toddler Tasting Tactics – Some bitesize facts:

·         The top ten items that toddlers most commonly put in their mouths are: toys (17%), crayons and pencils (16%), remote control (13%), keys (11%), camera, phone and iPod (10%), soft toys (9%), plastic plates and bowls (6%), items of clothing (5%), security blanket (4%) and jewellery (3%)1

·         Over a quarter (28%) of toddlers have eaten more than five insects, worms and slugs in their first five years1

·         30 per cent of toddlers mark their territory and display the first signs of ownership by sucking on their beloved security blankets, soft toys and toys1

·         More than half of parents (57%) say that their toddler has damaged something in the home as a result of “mouthing” 1

·         7 per cent of frustrated parents state that their toddler frequently causes damage in the home, causing destruction more than four times a month1

Cow & Gate’s latest advert for Growing Up Milk highlights just how hard it can be for toddlers to get the essential nutrients they need as we see curious little ones putting ordinary household items in their mouths as they ‘feed their personalities’.

ENDS

For more information, contact:

Frank PR 0207 693 6999

gumbuzzteam@frankpr.it

Notes to Editors:

·         Cow & Gate’s brand new advert ‘Lick Lick Chomp’ is currently airing on television and is available to view on YouTube

·         Growingupmilkinfo.com is a resource created by Cow & Gate for parents who want to find out how using a Growing Up Milk for children aged one to three can support toddler nutrition

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[1]Data gathered from 1,000 parents of children aged 1-5 surveyed between 22-23 November 2012 

[2] Statistics based on ONS data - 723,913 live births in England and Wales in 2011: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/birth-summary-tables--england-and-wales/2011--final-/sb-births-and-deaths-in-england-and-wales--2011--final-.html

[3] The Toddler Census was based on survey data gathered by Opinion Matters in July 2011 from over 1,000 mums and insight gathered from professionals in the field of toddler nutrition, child psychology, parenting and trends, underpinned with statistics on toddlers from a variety of sources including the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and the Infant and Toddler Forum. Among those involved in authoring the final report were leading nutritionist, journalist, author and mother of two, Amanda Ursell

[4] Two 150ml beakers of Growing Up Milk is an easy way to provide your toddler’s diet  with the hard to get nutrients they need, including vitamin D, iron and omega 3

NEWS FROM MAGGI

RECESSION HAS BROUGHT THE FAMILY TOGETHER AT DINNERTIME

As cooking budgets decrease, the importance of families eating together increases

35% of families eat together MORE often than they did five years ago according to new research from Maggi®. Despite food budgets often being squeezed in tough economic times, 66% of parents surveyed think that eating together is the best way to catch up. Testament to this, 68% of the UK families surveyed eat together at least five times a week.

Of those families who reported eating dinner together more often since the recession, 16% say that it’s due to cutting down on dining out, and 13% find it more cost effective to eat together at dinnertime. However, of those parents who admit that the recession has caused their family to eat together less, 38% attributed working longer hours to make ends meet.

The study of over 1,000 UK parents also looked at which regions in the UK eat as a family unit the most regularly and revealed that Welsh families topped the list with 43% sitting down together for dinner every day, whereas only a mere 22% of those in the North East eat as a family every night

Maggi also asked parents across the UK how to save money on family dinners. Top tips given included batch cooking and buying more economical cuts of meat.  Using cheaper cuts doesn’t affect the taste of the meal, for example, the delicious new Maggi Fresh Ideas ™ Beef & Ale Casserole uses casserole meat, while the Chicken & Leek Potato Bake works best with chicken thighs.

 UK MUMS’ TOP RECESSION-BUSTING COOKING TIPS:

1. Cook something that everyone will enjoy to ensure you’re not making more than one type of meal an evening
2.  Batch cook and use leftovers – try and make little changes to ensure that the family don’t get bored e.g. Chilli Con Carne for two nights, one night with rice and one with a jacket potato
3. For older children, make individual portions of family meals that can be frozen if necessary, so that they can eat when they get in from after school activities etc.
4. Plan ahead by making a list of the week’s meals and sticking to it
5. Don’t shop on an empty stomach!
6. Search for the best deals in supermarkets – head to the shop later in the evening to make the most of special offers
7. Bulk up meat dishes with vegetables
8. Change from your weekly to monthly shop to encourage families to eat all food
9. Use more economical  cuts of meat e.g. Chicken thighs or drumsticks and beef casserole steak
10. Buy vegetables in season

 Maggi Home Economist, Cath Edwards, states “It’s great to see the UK embracing family mealtimes with the realisation that it doesn’t need to cost a lot to get everyone round the table. Making the most of family mealtimes and following simple cost-saving tips can ensure that parents save money whilst bringing everyone together over a delicious meal. Cooking with a tighter budget needn’t mean that meals become boring, buy seasonal veggies and alternate your cuts of meat to keep the family satisfied.” 

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For more information contact Bethany Pearson and Jennifer Murdoch at Frank PR on 0207 7693 6999 or email Maggi@frankpr.it

About Maggi

Founded by Swiss entrepreneur Julius Maggi, Maggi®, now a Nestlé brand, has been the master of flavours, herbs and spices for over 120 years.

The original company was born in 1872 in Switzerland, when Julius Maggi took over his father's mill. Maggi quickly became a pioneer of industrial food production, aiming at improving the nutritional intake of worker families. We were the first to bring protein-rich and vegetable based meals to the market, followed by ready-made soup in 1886 which was based on the popular vegetable meals. The Maggi brand merged with Nestlé in 1947.

Maggi launched in the UK in 2011 with the So Juicy® range which has sold over 20 million packs since launch*. The range provides mum’s with a way of cooking tender, juicy meat the whole family will enjoy. The seasoning adds delicious flavour to the meat whilst it cooks in its own juices in the special cooking bag. The ‘So’ range was extended in February 2012 with the launch of Maggi So Crispy, which gives chicken a delicious crispy coating without the need for oil or frying.

Maggi Fresh Ideas range is available in the following new flavours:

o    Roasted Apple & Sage Pork

o    Beef & Ale Casserole

o    Cheesy Chicken & Leek Potato Bake

o    Lincolnshire Sausage Casserole

For easy, tasty meal ideas visit www.maggi.co.uk

 Maggi is listed in all major retailers.

The Maggi Fresh Ideas range contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. In addition, they meet UK Government Responsibility Deal Salt Targets; when prepared, the final recipes have been developed to provide a balanced meal also containing at least one portion of vegetables.

Sample size: 1,005 UK parents with children under 16

The research was carried out in October 2012 by Census Wide.

*IRI unit sales data January 2011- 6^th October 2012

NEWS FROM GET TAXI

GETTAXI SPEEDS AHEAD WITH FREE TAXI BOOKING WEBSITE FOR SMBs

November 2012, GetTaxi, the free black cab-ordering app, has launched its new website, www.gettaxi.co.uk, allowing those without a smartphone to use the pioneering taxi-ordering service that has been facilitating thousands of taxi rides each day. It is the only black cab-ordering app of its kind to branch out into website booking and is also available on the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android platforms.

The newly enhanced portal includes a sleek and seamless design that allows the customer to book taxis at the click of a button, whilst businesses can set up and manage GetTaxi accounts with ease. The new features include:

·         Instant Online Booking – book your black cab at the click of a button no matter where you are in the world

·         Business Account Management – small to medium businesses are able to open an account and easily manage all their taxi rides, expenses and accounting by simply entering their credit card details

Shahar Waiser, Founder and CEO of GetTaxi comments: “We are very excited about the launch of our new website. With GetTaxi being an international business, designing the new website was very much a global effort to ensure the right experience is delivered across all the relevant audiences. Our high quality service already available on the smartphone platform is now available to anyone and everyone at the click of a button.”

GetTaxi gives people a quick and easy way to order a taxi from its website or their BlackBerry, Android or iPhone. GetTaxi’s drivers are equipped with a dedicated “plug-and-ride” driver unit, which allows them to instantly join GetTaxi and start earning money.

With GetTaxi already servicing the UK, Israel, Russia and imminent plans to launch in New York made possible by a recent $20 million investment (bringing the total investment in the company $30 million to date), the taxi service is poised for global domination.

GetTaxi is focused on creating the best possible taxi experience for its clientele with the combination of intuitive app and web interface, worldwide presence and exceptional service.

For more information or to book a black cab visit www.gettaxi.co.uk

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For more information please contact Alexia Scherer or Sophie Tyler Frank PR – 020 7693 6999 / gettaxi@frankpr.it

Notes to editors:

 Notes to editors:

About GetTaxi Service

The GetTaxi revolution began in February 2010. Their mission was simple – to wow passengers and drivers alike by giving them a more reliable, user-friendly and safe way to travel around their cities.

Today, GetTaxi is a global virtual taxi grid across three continents with game-changing technology and an unbelievable customer experience that takes transportation to lofty new heights. GetTaxi has motored through some of the world’s biggest metropolises, including London, Moscow, and Tel Aviv, picked up over 2,500 taxi drivers, and gained $30 million in funding along the way. Already, at peak times, someone, somewhere, is taking a GetTaxi ride every second.

But, GetTaxi is only just getting started. The tank is still full of gas! The GetTaxi revolution is set to come to all major cities in the United States, with many more countries on the horizon.

NEWS FROM FOXY BINGO

ARG-Y BARGY! GB OLYMPIANS PROVE BIGGER HIT WITH THE LADIES THAN TOWIE STAR

Eight single male celebrities launched Foxy Bingo’s ‘Bingo Dating’ last night – with Team GB Olympians continuing their winning streak, but this time with the ladies!  With 24 real-life women rating the famous faces, it can be revealed this morning that the sporting stars trumped the TV talent, securing the most dates overall.

The unique dating concept brought together reality TV’s finest – pitting The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE) star’s James Argent (Arg) and Charlie King, Made in Chelsea’s Sam Cussins and Geordie Shore’s Gaz against each other in their quest for love.

Sadly for TOWIE’s Arg, real-life mirrored the show as he had the least luck with the ladies with only four out of the 24 daters saying he ticked their bingo boxes. It was actually the sporting stars who hit the jackpot with 21 out of the 24 daters asking to see Team GB’s canoeist Richard Hounslow again.  Close behind was the hunky 400m athlete Jack Green and musician Romeo who lived up to his name with 18 daters wanting to be his Juliet.   

The male daters who took part (in order of their popularity at last night’s event) are as follows:

1.       Richard Hounslow – British canoeist who won silver at London 2012 – 21 out of 24

2.       Jack Green – Hunky Team GB athlete who specialises in the 400m  - 19 out of 24

3.       Romeo – English rapper who found fame in the ‘So Solid Crew’ – 18 out of 24

4.       Gaz Beadle – ‘Geordie Shore’ heart-breaker - 16 out of 24

5.    Lucien Laviscount – Dishy ‘Waterloo Road’ actor who featured on last year’s ‘Celeb Big Brother’ - 15 out of 24

6.       Charlie King – ‘TOWIE’ cutie who’s looking for ‘the one’ - 13 out of 24

7.       Sam Cussins – The latest heartthrob to hit our screens in ‘Made in Chelsea’-  10 out of 24

8.       James Argent – ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ star who’s recently taken to a dating site in his quest for love – 4 out of 24

Richard Hounslow said, “I won silver at the Olympics but now I’ve hit the jackpot at Foxy Bingo Dating! The biggest problem will be how I’ll squeeze 21 dates into my schedule, maybe I can get one of the reality TV lads to take some off my hands.”

Foxy said, “Arg shouldn’t be too hard on himself, four potential dates is better than none!”

Bingo Dating saw the male celeb daters partnered with the females via a random bingo ball generator. The couples then had three minutes to impress before moving onto the next date. If either of the daters wanted to see each other again, they marked them on their Foxy Bingo Dating card.

Foxy Bingo is the most popular online bingo site in the UK with over one million players on the site.

-ends-

For more information please contact Sophie Tyler or Alexia Scherer on

020 7693 6999 or email foxy@frankpr.it

Notes to editors:

About Foxy Bingo:

Foxy Bingo launched in 2005 and is now one of the biggest names in UK bingo with more than 40 game rooms to play in.  Our cards start from just 1p and we give away a whopping £1,000,000 in guaranteed jackpots every month.  Join Foxy Bingo today and get a special 200% matched sign up bonus.

The Foxy Bingo brand is owned by bwin.party digital entertainment plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 250 Index. Regulated and licensed in multiple territories including Gibraltar, Alderney, France, Denmark and Italy, bwin.party has around 3,100 employees in offices worldwide.

NEWS FROM HOTELS.COM

Bed jumping and mini-bar raiding – Brits’ hotel rituals revealed

A study into Brits’ most popular hotel rituals by Hotels.com reveals that 19% of men check out adult TV channels as one of their top priorities arriving in their hotel room whereas 29% of women look at the toiletries on offer.

The most common ritual by both men and women alike is taking in the view, which 51% of Brits said they do on arriving in their hotel room. The next most popular hotel ritual is making full use of the hotel facilities including trying out any gyms, pools and spas that may be on offer. Jumping on the bed was another of the things that 15% of travellers do, whilst one in ten (10%) also raids the mini bar to check what’s on offer.

Hotel rituals split according to gender:

Activity	Brits	Men	Women
Taking in the view	51%	47%	54%
Making full use of hotel facilities	46%	40%	50%
Looking for toiletries	21%	10%	29%
Checking out (adult) TV channels	17%	19%	15%
Jumping on bed	15%	13%	16%
Checking  mini bar is well stocked	10%	8%	11%
Using hotel loo	10%	8%	10%

The Hotels.com survey also examined what  gives people the special ‘holiday feeling’ and revealed that almost half of travellers (48%) get this buzz when they first board the plane, while 43% experience the joy upon entering their hotel room and 38% when they pack their bags before leaving for their holiday.

Kate Hopcraft from Hotels.com said: “It appears that men and women have very different priorities when it comes to their hotel rituals, with men preferring to see the ‘full’ selection of TV channels and women more likely to check out the toiletries on offer. Despite a couple of questionable hotel rituals it’s clear that the top priority for Brits is checking out their surroundings, with the majority rushing to take in the view on offer when entering their hotel room.”

For more information please contact:

Emma Pritchard or Jennifer Murdoch at Frank PR on 020 7693 6999 or email hotels.com@frankpr.it

Alternatively contact Kate Hopcraft, khopcraft@hotels.com, 020 7019 2165 or Laura Watts, lwatts@expedia.com, 020 7019 2761

About Hotels.com

Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking website with almost 155,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, negotiating the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. Regular customer e-newsletters provide exclusive offers and advance warning of up-coming sales. There are more than 6.5 million reviews on the site from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through its industry-leading loyalty programme Welcome Rewards, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com will refund the difference. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centres. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. For the last nine years, Hotels.com has published an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index which is now produced in 30 individual country editions. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at facebook.com/Hotels.comUK, on Twitter at @HotelsdotcomUK and YouTube at www.youtube.com/HotelsEU. Hotels.com is part of Expedia Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands.

Notes to Editors

The research was carried out in August 2012 by Censuswide.

Sample: 1,406 UK Adults