Happy New Year, HugWatchers! Here's the first report of 2007!

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

A New Year and a new complexion to the HugWatch Stakes as Gabrielle was the first to give Frank a hug at the end of New Year's Day's DoND. Although Craig was the first to arrive at the Pound Table, he didn't give Frank a hug so he isn't today's King of HugWatch.

There were then hugs from Ryan and Catherine and that was it. Bunney just shook Frank's hand and Julie and Sarah only gave him a kiss.

For the first time in 2007, here's the HugWatch Leader Board:

New Year's Eve 2006: Craig
New Year's Day 2007: Gabrielle

Will Gabrielle be crowned Queen of HugWatch again? Will Craig win the Stakes once more? Will Jasmine or Bunney be triumphant for the first time? Find out in what I hope will be an exciting instalment of HugWatch....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Conor or Mariette?
Who's the best bet?
Nicola or Paul?
Will the hugs be big or small?
Will Craig rush to congratulate
Or will he commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

Time for Tuesday's HugWatch report, the second of 2007! Take it away!

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

Because she was such a hoot and a very popular contestant, there was a MAD, MAD rush to give Mariette a hug at the end of her show. Craig casually strolled to the Pound Table and was the first to give DoND's resident French Fancy a cuddle and kiss.

Further hugs came from the likes of Gabrielle, Elton, Nicola, and, towards the end, Laura and Bunney. Let's now see how the Leader Board is shaping up:

New Year's Eve 2006: Craig
New Year's Day 2007: Gabrielle
Tuesday 2nd January: Craig

Will Craig or Gabrielle win the Hug Race again? Will Elton, Bunney or Jasmine beat them to gain the HugWatch Crown? Find out in Wednesday's edition of good ol' HugWatch....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Nicola or Paul?
Will the hugs be big or small?
Will Craig rush to congratulate
Or will he commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

Wednesday's HugWatch is here!

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

WOW, what a difference a day makes! Yes, there was a mad rush to the Pound Table but there was very little in the way of hugging. Yes, Craig was the first to arrive at the Pfundtisch, but he only shook Paul's hand, so he isn't today's King of HugWatch.

So, because she was the first to give a hug, Gabrielle wins the HugWatch Crown today and then there was only one other hug at the end from Thanh. All the others either gave a kiss (e.g. Julie, Nicola, Laura) or a handshake (like Bunney, Conor, Don). Anyway, let's see what the HugWatch Leader Board looks like now:

New Year's Eve 2006: Craig
New Year's Day 2007: Gabrielle
Tuesday 2nd January: Craig
Wednesday 3rd January: Gabrielle

Will anyone beat Craig or Gabrielle in the HugWatch Stakes? Find out in Thursday's report....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Sarah or Ray?
Soon you can say!
Will Craig rush to congratulate
Or will he commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

Time for Thursday's HugWatch Report! Take it away!

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

At the end of Thanh's game, there was a MAD, MAD rush to the Pound Table and, unlike yesterday, there were plenty of hugs. For the first time ever, Bunney sprinted de pondtafel and was the first to give Thanh a hug.

Fellow West Winger Craig closely followed and Gabrielle, Craig's neighbour and fellow HugWatch champion of this week, was next to dish out a hug. Then, after having had a really Cutilicious Cuddle off Dennis before the LTL, Sarah gave a hug for the first time! YAY!

Today's Newbie, Phil, was the very last to come to the Pound Table ready to congratulate Thanh just before the credits rolled to an end. Now, let's see the Leader Board:

New Year's Eve 2006: Craig
New Year's Day 2007: Gabrielle
Tuesday 2nd January: Craig
Wednesday 3rd January: Gabrielle
Thursday 4th January: Bunney

Will Bunney win the HugWatch Stakes again? Will Craig or Gabrielle beat him to it? Will Jasmine or Elton be triumphant? Find out in Friday's edition of good ol' HugWatch....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Sarah or Ray?
Soon you can say!
Will Craig rush to congratulate
Or will he commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

Hey, HugWatchers, where are your comments? It feels like I'm talking to myself here!

Anyway, here's Friday's edition of good ol' HugWatch! Take it away!

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

Yet again, there was a crazeee melee to give Conor a hug at the end of his game. Although Craig arrived first at the Pound Table, he didn't give a hug so he doesn't get the HugWatch Crown.

So, for the first time EVER, Jasmine was the first to dish out a hug today and she is therefore Queen of HugWatch! YAY! As it was a Crazy Cuddling Commotion, there were then hugs from Gabrielle, Stella, Laura, Nicola, Julie and Jennifer. Obviously, Conor was the ladies' favourite!

To cap it all, there was Phil wowing us with his Not So Quick Crutching Action at the very end! Oh dear, this is so exciting being a HugWatcher, let's see the Leader Board:

New Year's Eve 2006: Craig
New Year's Day 2007: Gabrielle
Tuesday 2nd January: Craig
Wednesday 3rd January: Gabrielle
Thursday 4th January: Bunney
Friday 5th January: Jasmine

Can Jasmine win the HugWatch Stakes again? Will Bunney get the Crown once more? Will Craig or Gabrielle beat them to it? Find out in the first ever Sunday edition of HugWatch of 2007....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Sarah or Ray?
Soon you can say!
Will Craig rush to congratulate
Or will he commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!





P.S. Have you noticed the new HugWatch endcap? If so, what do you think of it? Who are you supporting in the HugWatch Stakes? Please discuss here in this thread.

We're still here!

I'm waiting for someone in the middle of one of the wings to make a concerted effort to be either King or Queen of Hugwatch. Smash the bench out the way or jump over the top of it - that kind of thing. Show some real dedication to the cause! Those on the end of the wings have such an easy time of it...

we love your work

Time for the FIRST EVER Sunday edition of HugWatch of 2007 and what an event today's DoND was! £250,000 was won by Laura! Good on you, girl!

Now, here's today's HugWatch report:

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

Not surprisingly, there were LOADS of hugs in this milestone show. Just after revealing the contents of Laura's box, Noel gave her a hug and then the rest of the East Wing Gang and the West Wingers rushed to congratulate Laura who had ran from the Pound Table.

As this was such a Crazeee Cuddling Melee, it was difficult to tell who was the first to give the first ever quarter of a millionaire a hug at this point.

Now, to the hugs after the LTL. Craig strolled over to the Pfundtisch and was the first to give Laura a hug. Then, the hugs came in thick and fast and Gabrielle, Stella, Ryan, Bunney, Elton and Jennifer closely followed Craig.

Laura's good friend and fellow East Wing Gang member Nicola then gave her a very long hug, so I think this Cheshire Cutie deserves to be today's Queen of HugWatch for her extra haute qualité hug!

Finally, for the first time ever, I'll start the Leader Board on a Sunday and show today's King and Queen of HugWatch:

Sunday 7th January: Craig, Nicola

Will Craig be crowned King of HugWatch once more? Will anyone be worthy of another very long hug off Nicola? Will Jasmine, Elton or Bunney be triumphant in the HugWatch Stakes? Find out in what I hope will be another thrilling instalment of HugWatch....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Sarah or Ray?
Soon you can say!
Will Craig rush to congratulate
Or will he commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

Monday's HugWatch report is here:

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

A different game from yesterday and, not surprisingly, a different round of the HugWatch Stakes. Following Craig's £10 win, Elton sprinted from the East Wing and was the first to dish out a hug, albeit a macho one.

Ryan closely followed with a slightly better hug and then Psychic Sarah gave an extra haute qualité hug! So, just like Nicola yesterday, Sarah is DEFINITELY worthy of being crowned HugWatch Queen!

WOOOOO HOOOOOO! Go Sarah! Go Sarah! Go Sarah!

Anyway, moving on, Stella, Gabrielle and Bunney were the next few to hug Craig and then we could see Phil and his Not So Quick Crutching Action. Here's what the Leader Board looks like now:

Sunday 7th January: Craig, Nicola
Monday 8th January: Elton, Sarah!

Will Elton win the Stakes again? Will Sarah dish out another extra haute qualité hug? Will Jasmine, Bunney or Craig's successor be triumphant? Find out the answers to these posers and more in Tuesday's HugWatch....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Sarah or Ray?
Soon you can say!
Will Jasmine rush to congratulate
Or will she commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

Some nice close up hugs today. All too often the camera is miles away and I get eye-strain trying to see what is going on...

Right, Chico, what time is it? It's HugWatch Time!

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

At the end of Nicola's feel-good game, there was yet another mad rush to give her a hug. To cap it all, today's newbie Leanne, raced to the Pound Table to give Nicola a hug and it wasn't any old hug, it was Extrahöchqualität!

Naturally, the hugs then piled in thick and fast and Catherine, Stuart (aka Ventress), Stella, Bunney, Julie and Dennis all dished out kisses and cuddles! What a Hugtastic HugWatch!

Now, here's the Leader Board this Tuesday:

Sunday 7th January: Craig, Nicola
Monday 8th January: Elton, Sarah!
Tuesday 9th January: Leanne!

WOW, not only did Leanne reveal a blue on her debut, she was also Queen of HugWatch! WOOOOO HOOOOO! Go Leanne!

Will Leanne win the Hug Race again? Will Bunney, Elton or Jasmine beat her to it? Will Sarah dish out another hug de haute qualité? Find out in what I hope will be another thrilling instalment of HugWatch....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Sarah or Ray?
Soon you can say!
Will Leanne rush to congratulate
Or will she commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

Wednesday's HugWatch report is here:

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

Despite sprinting to the Pound Table as fast has he could, Elton was pipped to the post by Leanne, who because she was the first to hug Don, was Queen of HugWatch for the second day running.

The rest of the West Wingers and the East Wing Gang then piled in thick and fast and Ryan, Stella, Julie and Catherine all dished out hugs. Incidentally, Catherine hugged Don just before the credits rolled to an end. So there you have it, here's what the Leader Board looks like now:

Sunday 7th January: Craig, Nicola
Monday 8th January: Elton, Sarah!
Tuesday 9th January: Leanne!
Wednesday 10th January: Leanne!

Can Leanne win HugWatch three times in a row? Will Elton, Jasmine or Bunney pip her to the post? Will Sarah dish out another of her Cutilicious Cuddles? Find out in Thursday's HugWatch report....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Sarah or Ray?
Soon you can say!
Will Leanne rush to congratulate
Or will she commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

Hi all at hugwatch

Has anyone beat my record of being the last to the table every time???

sorry havent been in touch for a while

sal xxxx

p.s loving your work

It's nice to see you back on the forums, Sal! I'm not sure if anyone's broken your record yet, but you're certainly in the hall of fame for the slowest, due to your crutches! Talking of that, how is your leg?

absolutely fine thanks.

My team start playing netball again in March so I am training at the mo and its cool. Thanks for caring H2005

salx

It's great to hear that you're doing well!

Hello again HugWatchers! Time for Thursday's instalment:

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

Today's player Jasmine was obviously popular as there was a MAD, MAD rush to congratulate her at the end of the show following the LTL and, for the first time EVER, Catherine sprinted to the Pound Table quickly enough to be the first to dish out a hug!

Further kisses and cuddles came in thick and fast from Leanne, Gabrielle, Stuart aka Ventress, Bunney, Elton, George and Ryan, while Phil was last to arrive at de pondtafel and demonstrated his crutching action, albeit not as quick as Sal's back in July, August and September. Nice to see you back, Sal!

Now, let's see what the Leader Board looks like this Thursday:

Sunday 7th January: Craig, Nicola
Monday 8th January: Elton, Sarah!
Tuesday 9th January: Leanne!
Wednesday 10th January: Leanne!
Thursday 11th January: Catherine!

Will Catherine be triumphant again? Will Leanne beat her to win the HugWatch Crown? Will Elton or Bunney beat these ladies to it? Find out in Friday's edition of good ol' HugWatch....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Sarah or Ray?
Soon you can say!
Will Leanne rush to congratulate
Or will she commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

It's Friday and it's time for HugWatch! Take it away!

(Improvise some kind of tune) Every one needs a hug once in a while, a hug can do wonders! (Insert one of those traiangle instrument things!)When your feeling down a hug is all you need. So hug hug hug until your arms drop off...

Give me an H! H!
Give me a U! U!
Give me a G! G!
Give me a W! W!
Give me an A! A!
Give me a T! T!
Give me a C! C!
Give me an H! H!

What does that spell? HugWatch!

Determined not to beaten in the HugWatch Stakes, Leanne rushed over to the Pound Table and was the first to give Brian a hug. Gabrielle closely followed and then there were hugs from Bunney and Stella, who dished theirs out just before the titles rolled to an end.

Here's a week of HugWatching summed up by the Leader Board:

Sunday 7th January: Craig, Nicola
Monday 8th January: Elton, Sarah
Tuesday 9th January: Leanne
Wednesday 10th January: Leanne
Thursday 11th January: Catherine
Friday 12th January: Leanne

Will Leanne be crowned Queen of HugWatch again? Will Catherine beat her to it? Will Jane, Bunney or Elton ever be in the running for the HugWatch Crown? Find out in the Sunday edition of HugWatch....

(Piano)
Who will be the first to embrace?
Who will win the mighty race?
East or West?
Who's the best?
Julie or Bunney?
Who'll be the huggin' honey?
Sarah or Ray?
Soon you can say!
Will Leanne rush to congratulate
Or will she commiserate?
(Fading piano)

HugWatch ohh yey!

Why is Phil on Crutches

I feel well jealous - he has stolen my thunder??

Whos crutching action is better??? lets start a debate!!!!

Well there was Speedy Sal on standard double crutches,
Valerie the Great with her walking stick,
Lucky Lynne using just the one crutch,
Not-As-Crap-As-Barbara's-But-Still-Crap-Swap David using the other crutch,
and now Terminator Phil who takes half an hour to get to the Pound Table, not that it's his fault.

Sal is the greatest of them all.