NEWS

Myleene has been revealed as the new face of Birds Eye in her role as The Active Lifestyle Expert for The Birds Eye 100% Challenge – a long term commitment by frozen food favourite Birds Eye, to help British families get 100% out of life.

Myleene first revealed her enviably toned body on 2006’s family show ‘I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here’, and has since maintained an active lifestyle as a busy working mum, running around after three your old daughter Ava.  She also admits to craving her favourite Birds Eye Fish Finger sandwich whilst surviving on a diet of bugs and creepy crawlies whilst stuck in the Australian jungle. As Birds Eye’s resident Active Lifestyle Expert, Myleene has created her ‘Pre-Tea Active Challenge’, which consists of a series of fun and simple exercises, to help get the whole family exercising together before they sit down for tea, that could help them look as good as her!

The challenges include ‘100% Hula’, ‘100% Dance’ ‘100% Skipping’ and ‘100% Ball Games’. Speaking about the challenge Myleene said “My Birds Eye Pre-Tea Active Challenge gets the family together before teatime for a few minutes of simple and fun exercise.  I love to hula!  So pick up your hoop, shake those hips and start hula’ing for 10 minutes every day like me.”

Behind the scenes of the photoshoot

Learn more at the Birds Eye 100% Challenge website

Hi all,

Have had a pretty surreal few days. Spent the first half of last week standing at a shop stall, in an art gallery for what Mothercare called 'Christmas in July'.

The set up is basically lots of buyers and press teams turn up at the gallery which has been transformed into a christmas scene and look at what is expected to hit the shops in August and write/buy it all up in advance. I stood at my stall showing my BabyK section and thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone and showing them the collection and new classical music playmats…. however, there was one small hitch. I have in the five years that I've been with my management only taken one day off sick (bar maternity leave but don't think that counts) and little was I to know the second day off was fast looming. I totally lost my voice and spent the entire 'Xmas day' spluttering, coughing and croaking at the poor people who dared to venture near me. In the end, I was pretty much reduced to miming 'why I think the collection is so great'. Embarrassing, but oddly quite effective! The good news is there has been a ton of interest over the new fashion collection and the BabyK orchestra. Brilliant.

As mentioned, took the next day off where I stayed in bed and genuinely felt sorry for myself as I had promised Ava she could come with me to work as I was meant to be reading a book to 'Bookaboo' (if you have no idea who/what I'm on about, please Google…it will be so worth your while!). We had been busy reading and practicing all the 'voices' we could use for the story telling day and of course, as I had completely lost my voice, I was no use to anyone and Ava was upset to hear that Bookaboo had gone on a 'last minute holiday'!

Next day was miles better. I went to the M&S party to welcome in the new boss, celebrate a fab year and generally catch up with all the 'girls', staff and my colleagues. The party started off as a girls 'worst nightmare/extremely funny' depending on your outlook. As I walked up the steps into the party, I bumped into Tess Daly who was wearing the same dress as me…ever the pro, she ran back into her car and changed, as she had brought a spare frock (I too had gotten dressed in the back of my car but as I only had the dress I was wearing, she saved the day (and looked fab in the process). Spent the rest of the party catching up with Steve Sharp (the creative genius behind all of those amazing campaigns and adverts) Twiggy and Lisa Snowdon. I think its actually safe to guess that Lisa and I demolished pretty much half the cold meats and cheese buffet, but imagine, M&S food on tap at an M&S party, AMAZING!!!

Went straight onto the opening of the Serpentine gallery and had a funny game of ping pong with my manager Jonathan Shalit and my American agent John Ferriter. Both Johns were very good but then again, I was playing in four-inch heels and holding my hand bag (Lulu Guinness herself gave it to me so its sacred!!)

After all this, I rushed home, packed my bag and grabbed three hours sleep before flying to Spain for Gray's sister's 40th. It was amazing. A mini holiday, 14 kids between us all and some much needed rest. Oh, and the world cup happened to fall on the Sunday we there so the boys were happy (kind of!). The day I returned, I managed to reschedule 'Bookaboo' and am happy to say that it went very smoothly. (I have never actually seen how puppetry is carried out for 'on screen', its unreal. The puppeteer literally has to be a contortionist, a mind reader and have a good sense of timing (lying on the floor looking at a screen/monitor whilst reading scripts, improvising and coordinating himself and the puppet is no mean feat.) Really enjoyed it and Ava got to keep the book and her VIP Bookaboo tour bus pass!

Today I'm aching all over as I did a photo shoot yesterday dressed as, what looked like, someone from the matrix! The moves I had to pull involved a trampet and a car park floor so needless to say I'm feeling a tad fragile! (won't blow the details of the shoot though as they'll kill me!)

I took Ava, my Mum and Dad to the Barrio Fiesta. For those not in the know, its basically a huge festival that the Filipino community (my mama is from the Philippines) lays on and it is the best festival you will ever go to as its pretty much based solely around good company and good food (not 'festival burgers and hotdogs') think rice, noodles, seasoned skewers, 'halo halo' (My personal fav…a Filipino desert that translates as 'mix mix' and is a 'mix' of fruits, crushed ice, evaporated milk and sugar. I have easily eaten my own body weight in food today!!

The entertainment rather than bands is a mix of everything (Ava loved the fair) but my favs are actually the more traditional dances that include long sticks (like a version of 'elastics'!) and Hula (of course!!). If you ever get the chance to go. You must. The Filipino community is so friendly and warm, we'd love to have you!

Lets see what this week brings!

Leenie x

Here is a sneak peak at a couple of new items from the Baby K Autumn/Winter collection 2010. Offering style, fashion and bold colours, the collection is an exciting mix of different fabrics and patterns.  This season sees bold injections of vibrant colours such as electric blue, bright red and yellow are key across the collection.

Speaking about the new collection Myleene said: ‘This season’s collection is everything you've come to expect from Baby K.  Its bold colours, classic shapes and practical designs will have your little ones looking fun, fabulous and ready for Autumn!’

The Baby K Autumn Winter collection will be available shortly from Mothercare stores and online, visit the Baby K section to learn more.

As mentioned recently in her blog, Myleene has been away filming for a brand new documentary "The World's Youngest Daredevils". The show, to be aired later this year on Sky1, follows Myleene across the globe as she meets some of the world's bravest youngsters. Myleene traveled to a Mexican bull-fighting school that trains children as young as three; met a 12-year-old lion tamer; and encounter two pre-teen cage fighters in the US.

Talking about the show Myleene commented "I thought I'd seen some things in my life, but nothing prepared me for this show. Watching tiny kids fighting in a huge cage in Tennessee in America was a real eye opener, so shocking,"

The show will look at how the children are held in great acclaim in their own communities and cultures, despite their dangerous lives. We'll update you with transmission dates later this year.

Myleene returns to our screens on 2nd August resuming her role as presenter of 10 Years Younger on Channel 4. Following on from the success of the last series, the show features two women going head to head with one goal – to look younger. It's non-invasive techniques versus surgery – but which will get the best results?

The show features a new time slot airing at 5pm every week night for two weeks starting on Monday 2nd August 2010. We've added the transmission dates to Myleene's Schedule – so make sure you tune in to what is shaping up to be a very exciting series!

Learn more about 10 Years Younger at the Channel 4 website.

I know! I've been naughty. I should have written something, anything ages ago!

I have been away with Ava in Australia for a couple of months filming a new programme called Scorpion Island. Its like a kid's version of 'I'm a Celeb' but you wouldn't know it from watching the tasks that they faced! The children were so brave jumping out of planes, eating scorpions (with very little encouragement) and generally enjoying the jungle bugs and heat! It was really nice to be back in the out back, as this time I actually knew what to bring with me (more Deet, less hairspray!). Ava is brilliant now when it comes to naming the bugs as most of them ended up in our room each night! Considering how petrified I used to be of anything with more than two legs, I can't believe how my own jungle experiences have now left me feeling completely nonplussed by creepy crawlies!

Ava's swimming is unreal now. She is better than me at diving, backstroke and crawling! She's completely obsessed with Mermaids and Ariel, handy, as I've just decorated her entire room like the bottom of the ocean! She is so funny now, a real character and amazing little girl. I took her to see the Lion King last week and she danced through it all.

After Oz, I went on to Mexico to interview a child matador (whatever your beliefs when it comes to bull fighting, this boy in his own right was just adorable) followed by a trip to Tennessee to meet a group of child cage fighters (yes seriously!) succeeded by Spain and a chat literally in the lions den with a child lion tamer.

I can't say much more than this, it is all for a new programme set to come out soon. I am sure it will make amazing viewing. I learnt so much about the different cultures out there as well as challenged my own beliefs and attitudes to things (oh, and I cried a lot!!)…I defy you not to do the same when you see it!
So now I'm back home which is so lovely (have been busy wallpapering the house and playing in the garden with Ava) and have had the chance to catch up with friends and family as well as complete the finishing touches on the next Baby K collection.

The leopard print buggies have been such a massive success (thank you if bought one!) as has the whole clothes collection and now, the Baby K orchestra (toys that have been influenced by my training in the classical world) are set to hit the shelves soon so there is plenty to be getting on with.

On a more social note, I got the chance to go to Elton John's 'White Tie and Tiara Ball'. It was absolutely spectacular if not a tad 'insane'! The theme was 'lunatics taking over the asylum' (in my dress/nighty I fitted in perfectly!) with people suspended, hanging from trees, broken crockery strewn across the lawn and my old school mates from the Royal Academy of Music sitting in steel beds in Elton's garden playing the metal frames with spoons!!! Bonkers! Lady Gaga performed and showed just how brilliant she is. She deserves every ounce of the success she is receiving.

This weekend was brilliant fun. I hosted and played the piano for a concert at Mercedes Benz World. Escala (collectively the best legs in the business!), Darius and Russell Watson amongst others performed and it really was an amazing night. Thank you to everyone that took a chance on the weather (it paid off!) as well as all the friendly people they came for autographs and pictures and were just generally lovely to chat to! My mum's picnic was a success and Ava spent the entire night dancing around to all the melodies and chatting to 'Uncle Darius' so everyone went home very happy!

I have just received my new glasses (had my eyes lazered ten years ago but they've totally regressed again…you have been warned!) and accompanied with my 'secret' brace, all I need is for Matthew Wing to dump me and I'll be back to my teenage years again!

Shout you next week….I PROMISE!!

Love always,

Leenie xx

Myleene has partnered with Casio to celebrate the company’s 30 year anniversary of producing world class digital pianos.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Casio launch their new Pianos for Schools initiative, aimed at encouraging children’s involvement in music and our very own Myleene will be fronting the campaign. This will see 50 pianos given to children in schools throughout the UK to enhance their music education experience, give them the chance to learn the piano and ultimately get them playing.

Speaking about the project Myleene said “The Pianos for Schools project is something I feel passionate about and it’s a great chance to get the message out there that music in education is a great thing.

I’m really pleased to be a part of this scheme as it’s so important to encourage music in schools and to give children the tools and passion for learning where we can.  Even though she is very young I encourage my daughter to play the piano and I would be so pleased if she has the opportunity and support to continue in school throughout her education.

Schemes like this can also give children who may not otherwise get the chance to engage with music in school the opportunity to and this can only enhance their all round learning experience.”

The 30th anniversary campaign will also see limited edition Casio products being released, with Myleene involved in the launch of stunning new anniversary additions to Casio’s Privia and Celviano ranges.