Jessie J and Kaiser Chiefs feature in unusual Olympics

Jamie Stangroom with rock star Slash who competed in the Olympic-themed ‘Rock Games’. (s)

PITTING rock stars against each other in Olympic-style sports is the latest self-confessed “silly project” of a former Trinity School student turned national radio and TV presenter.

Jamie Stangroom has produced his own 17-part video series – being screened across the London 2012, 5 Live and BBC sport websites – featuring his own alternative Olympics called the 'Rock Games', with sports such as mini basketball and table football.

With little or no budget, and using only his best bothering techniques, the 27-year-old found music stars willing to battle it out in special games, from Kiss, Alice Cooper and Slash to the Kaiser Chiefs and Jessie J.

After a special opening ceremony - in the living room of Jamie's east London home - wrestling star Hulk Hogan even makes an appearance, wanting to be in the Rock Games and door-stepping Jamie throughout the series but not being let in as he's not a rock star.

Jamie said: “Its been a lot fun, putting music stars against each other at little versions of Olympic sports as they battle it out for the coveted Rock Games trophy.

“We even had a torch – that is lit on my kitchen hob and Alice Cooper’s head is the flame, through which he communicates in the form of a fiery head as part of his role as ‘Games Guru’, where he tells us each day which ‘athletes’ will be competing.”

Jamie, who studied film and broadcasting at university in the capital on leaving Trinity, started working at 5Live as a Saturday morning tea boy, making brews and bacon sandwiches for then presenter Eamon Holmes, his crew and guests.

But he has since secured full time posts at broadcasting house, not only working on his own late night show, but also carrying out TV music interviews for the entertainment section on BBC News 24.

View the 'opening ceremony' episode of the Rock Games at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wnm2g

Regional news »