Britain's Got Talent: Gymnastic group Spelbound win this year's final as Twist and Pulse come in a close second

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By Georgina Littlejohn

Champions: Gymnastic group Spelbound were crowned this year's winners of Britain's Got Talent


They were the hot favourites to win this year's Britain's Got Talent final.

And last night, gymnastic group Spelbound proved they had what to took to capture the nation's heart as they were crowned the winners of the ITV talent show.

The accolade won them £100,000 and the chance to perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.

The 13 acrobats jumped up and down as they beat dance duo Twist and Pulse to the coveted top spot after the public vote put them above the dance duo and drummer Kieran Gaffney.


Amazing: Spelbound performed a dizzying routine that left everyone stunned and helped them become the winners of Britain's Got Talent


Clad in revealing black PVC costumes and sprayed with gold, the 13-strong group looked noticeably more tanned than usual as they mesmerised a TV audience of millions – it was revealed last week that a London salon had offered them free unlimited sunbeds after a magazine dubbed them ‘tasty but pasty’.

They were the only act in the final to receive a standing ovation from all three judges.

They said: 'This is unbelievable, thank you to everyone out there, this just goes to show our hard work paid off.'

Earlier they had impressed the judges and the voting public with their energetic and at times dangerous routine, which saw one of them being thrown over the heads of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan.


The judges: Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, who wore a Ivory silk crepe v-neck fishtail gown by Ralph & Russo, and Piers Morgan


Amanda Holden told them: 'I am running out of adjectives to describe you. We are hosting the 2012 Olympics, what an opening act you would be.'

Simon Cowell added: 'Putting it in Olympic terms, That would have won the gold medal. One of the most astonishing things I have ever seen.'

The name Spelbound is derived from Spelthorne Gymnastics club in West London where the group, aged 12 to 24, all meet.

They beat Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy, both 19 years old, and also known as Twist and Pulse to take first place.


Twist and Pulse: Friends Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy impressed with their original dance routine



Back to front: Tobias Mead started his act suspended from the air upside down before launching into his backwards performance


The dancing duo were the first act to perform and went down a storm with the judges and audience alike.

Piers Morgan told them: 'Sometimes people say it's a disaster to go first - you have set the bar tonight for people to follow. It was fantastic. really good.'

Amanda added: 'Tonight you've shown me there's more and more and more. You're on the money every single time.'

And Simon added: 'This was the best routine we've seen of you so far. Was really impressed with you guys tonight.'

Third place went to little drummer boy Kieran Gaffney, who drummed along to Wipeout as dancers bopped underneath his suspended drum kit.

Piers told him: 'You've got unbelievable talent at drumming, great to watch.'

Amanda, who looked stunning in a Ralph & Russo dress Ivory silk crepe v-neck fishtail gown with a center front split with a Swarovski crystal encrusted waist, added: 'Those drums were on fire tonight. I can't describe it.'


Little drummer boy: Kieran Gaffney plays the drums while suspended in the air over some dancers


And Simon added: 'You are a showman. What I love about you is that you've got real passion and enthusiasm and I absolutely really, really, really, like you.'

And sadly it wasn't meant to be for Tobias Mead, who didn't even make the final three, despite being a big hit among the judges and the fans of the show.

His elaborate performance saw him suspended from the ceiling before he launched into his backwards dancing routine.


Mini heartthrobs: Teenybop boy band Connected got the girls in the audience screaming with their Westlife cover


Piers told him he was a 'showman' who would go down a storm on stage in Las Vegas, while Amanda said his 'creativity and imagination is second to none'
She also told him: 'And you're fit. Eye candy and best dancer on this show.

Sadly, Simon's prediction that the show could have seen an upset with Tobias going all the way, wasn't to be


Singing sensations: Manchester schoolboy Liam McNally and accountant Christopher Stone sang their hearts out for the judges


Canine capers: Tina Humphreys and her dancing dog Chandi


Also performing tonight was Tina Humphreys and her amazing dancing dog Chandi, described by the judges as 'charming', 'entertaining' and 'gorgeous'.

Grandmother Janey Cutler, 80, melted everyone's hearts with her version of Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, and was told by Amanda that she looked 'beautiful' while Simon told her she was a 'gutsy lady'.


No regrets: 80-year-old Janey Cutler sang Edith Piaf's Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien - in English


The night also wasn't meant to be for impressionist Paul Burling, who got a standing ovation after he took off Andy and Lou from Little Britain, Jeremy Clarkson, Graham Norton, Marjory Dawes, Billy Connolly, Chris Tarrant, David Jason, Uncle Albert, Simpson characters Homer and Marge, Mr Smithers and Crusty The Clown, as he sang his own version of the Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).

Boy band Connected were also left disappointed after peforming a cover of Westlife's What About Now, teenager singer Liam McNally who performed Danny Boy, and Harrogate accountant Christopher Stone, who sang Somewhere from West Side Story and was told by Piers to give up his day job.


I want that one: Impressionist Paul Burling started his act as Andy from Little Britain and ended taking off Crusty The Clown


R&B singer Usher performed live on the show and was greeted by screams from the audience as he launched into his new single OMG.

He said: 'It's a pleasure to be here, some incredible talent tonight.'

Also performing was Dizzee Rascal and comedian James Corden, who debuted their World Cup song Shout.

James said: 'We tried to book the wood cutter to perform with us. Been a great series and can't wait to see who wins.'


The professional acts: R&B star Usher and James Corden and Dizzee Rascal performed on the show











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SISTAR debuts with Push Push on Music Core

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Having released their album and performed on Music Bank this week, SISTAR embarked on their second debut performance on the June 5th episode of Music Core.

With a decent catchy song, the girl showed that they are here to stay with a good performance last night.

Can they follow it up this afternoon, check them out!
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MusicAfter School says goodbye with a Bang on Music Core!

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On today’s episode of Music Core, the girls of After School returned on stage for their goodbye performance.

This might be our last time seeing these girls together for quite a while, so enjoy their bangin’ Bang! performance!

As reported recently, the girls will now split up into subgroups to promote in two three-member groups, and a solo singer. The first unit division will be revealed as soon as next week

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Britain's Got Talent: Little drummer boy Kieran Gaffney and young singer Liam McNally through to the final

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By Georgina Littlejohn

Stunned: Kieran Gaffney, who impressed the voting public with his drumming skills, gets emotional after hearing he made it to the Britain's Got Talent finals


He failed to make it through to last year's semi-final but was determined to go even further this time when he returned to audition for the Britain's Got Talent judges.

And 13-year-old Kieran Gaffney's hard work and tenacity paid off after he won the public vote last night and got through to tonight's final.

The little drummer boy said he was 'over the moon' after presenters Ant and Dec read out his name as the first of two contestants to go through

He said: 'I feel great, I feel over the moon. Thanks everyone!'
The second of the last semi-finalists to make the final was 14-year-old Liam McNally, who went head-to-head with dance group A3, three brothers from Swansea, Wales, to face the judges' decision.


Piers Morgan backed Liam, while Amanda Holden decided to give her vote to A3, but it was down to Simon Cowell to make the final decision and give the deciding vote.


Second chance: Singer Liam McNally looked relieved as Simon Cowell chose him over dancing brothers A3, sending him through to the final


He said both acts had been better in previous performances but opted to give Liam another chance.

After performing Danny Boy in the last round, Liam opted for You Raise Me Up for last night's show.

After belting the song out, Morgan said: 'I thought that was a fantastic performance


Bang the drum: Kieran showed off his stick skills


You Raise Me Up: Liam decided to sing Westlife's song which impressed the judges and the audience


Cowell said he though it was 'absolutely terrific', and added: 'The audience loved it.'

The two boys will join eight other finalists for the big show this evening including Spelbound, Tobias Mead, Tina & Chandi, Connected, Paul Burling, Christopher Stone,
Janey Cutler and Twist & Pulse.

But there was disappointment for last night's remaining semi-finalists including exotic dance troupe Dance Flavourz and pole dancing Alesia Vazmitsel


Carnival fun: Dance act Dance Flavourz brought an element of Bollywood and south America to their performance


Bendy: Pole acrobat Alesia Vazmitsel stunned the judges with her flawless and dangerous act


Alesia left the judges stunned by her pole dance, with Cowell telling her that she was 'technically fantastic', while Holden said she was 'absolutely beautiful to watch'.

Morgan told Dance Flavourz that they were an 'explosion of colours and bottoms, great fun'.

Also missing out on the final were dance troupe Mystikal, father and son act unimaginatively called Father & Son, and celebrity impersonaters, The Chippendoubles.


Impressive: Dance troupe Mystikal performed better than at their audition but it wasn't enough to go through


Double take: The Impersonaters, who took off Simon Cowell, Ricky Gervias, Mr T, David Beckham and Gordon Ramsey


Father & Son, Graham and James Edgington sang Bette Midler's classic song The Wind Beneath My Wings but was told by all three judges that their performance had been 'cheesy'.

Morgan said he felt like he was 'drowning in a vat of gorgonzola', while Holden told them it had been a 'cheese-fest'.

Also missing out were dancing brothers A3 from Swansea, who came on the stage on revolving pillars.


Cheesy: Father and son act Graham and James Edgington failed to win over the judges with their rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings


Brotherly love: Swansea siblings A3 showed off am impressive dance routine


The siblings, who practised all their routines in their living room, were praised for their hard work and dedication.

Holden told them they had done themselves proud while Simon Cowell said they were 'very, very talented'.

JLS also performed their new single The Club Is Alive live on the show.
The final takes place tonight on ITV from 7.30 to 10pm


Talent show boys: JLS, who came second on the X Factor in 2008, performed their new single The Club Is Alive














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A tank, a helicopter and the famous van... Stars revel in an all-action red carpet show as the A-Team remake gets its Hollywood premiere

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By Mail Online Reporter

Hitching a ride... and her hemline: Brooke Shields hikes up her skirt round her thighs as she rides pillion on a friend's motorcycle


By the look of these photos, Brooke Shields probably isn't an experienced motorbike rider.

After being offered a ride on the back of a friend's motorcycle in New York yesterday, the actress soon realised she wasn't quite dressed suitably for sitting pillion.

The Lipstick Jungle star, 45, ended up flashing a lot of thigh to onlookers as she hitched up her mini-dress round her bottom to sit on the back of the bike

Luckily, the dress had a zip along the side, so Shields have bit of leeway to move the dress up her long legs.

Despite her unsuitable fashion choice for biking, the mother-of-two did at least wear a safety helmet.

Before getting on the bike, the actress looked chic in a black, grey and white pannelled mini-dress and peep-toe ankle boots.

But after getting off the bike, it would be safe to assume the dress would be in need to a good iron.


Safety first: Shields made sure she wore a helmet... even though she wasn't wearing suitable biking clothes


Meanwhile, Shields have come under fire from animal rights activists after a recent trip to Denmark to design her own mink coat.

With the help of designers from fashion house J Mendel, Shields fulfilled a childhood dream to create her own fur coat at the Kopenhagen Fur's creative workshop in Copenhagen in March.

During her visit, she was quoted as saying: 'Wearing fur may be associated with something grandmotherish. Something you wear when you visit the opera, or if you are a rock star and wears it inside out.


Practicality: Fortunately, Shields' dress had a handy zip on the side


'But I will advocate that both my generation and the younger generation can wear fur.'

After learning of her controversial trip, People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wrote a scathing post directed to the actress.

It read: 'We understand that when some actors' careers begin to fade, they'll do just about anything to stay in the limelight, including appearing in eyelash-growth commercials and starring in short-lived TV shows.

'But Brooke, did you really want the world to remember you as a "fur pimp" who stares agog at rows of animal skins?'
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Davichi enchants time on M! Countdown

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Vocal remedy duo Davichi are back and ready for yet another round of weekend promotions. They’re kicking it off with their first performance of the weekend by appearing on stage at M! Countdown with their title track Time, Please Stop!

After their sensational 2009 dance ballad hit 8282, it seemed almost impossible for the girls to top themselves. And yet here they are on stage proving us wrong with their new song. It’s still a ballad but they’ve ditched the dance and thrown in a little fire of punk rock to develop an interesting mix.

Watch below as the double threat known as Davichi appears on stage and put on a vocal performance so powerful and magical that it’ll make time stop.
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4minute brings on the Huh on Music Bank

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The 4minute girls returned on the Music Bank stage on June 4th to perform their latest hit song, Huh.

What caught the attention of fans however was that Gayoon was donning sunglasses, which was a first since they begun performing this song. If you recall, only Jiyoon wore sunglasses during their previous performances, so it was a surprise for fans.

But if you recall again, Gayoon was sporting a bandage over her right eye when she voted in local elections two days earlier. It was said that she had injured her right eye and was currently undergoing treatment for it.

But with only one good eye and wearing sunglasses on a semi-dark stage, it must be some feat for Gayoon to go through the entire performance without any major mistakes. We wish her a speedy recovery though!
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Goodbye, Miss Ellie: Global mourning as World's Ugliest Dog dies aged 17

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By Mail Foreign Service

When ugly is beautiful: Miss Ellie competes in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest in 2009. She went on to raise more than £68,000 for the Humane Society


Miss Ellie, the former World's Ugliest Dog, has died aged 17.

The small, bug-eyed Chinese Crested Hairless dog whose pimples and lolling tongue helped her win Animal Planet's 'World's Ugliest Dog' contest in 2009, passed away in Colorado.

Miss Ellie only had a couple of back teeth, cataracts in both her eyes, several moles and pimples, and limited hair.


Ready for my close-up: Miss Ellie, officially the world's ugliest pedigree dog


Kept in a kennel for much of her life, her original owner saw no purpose for her.

But then she was rescued in Tennessee by Dawn Goehring - who saw hope in the hairlessness.

Miss Ellie was to be 'spokesmodel for rescue dogs of the "not so cute" kind,' she said.

When she was rescued she knew no commands and was not house trained.

But Dawn lavished so much love and care on her that she even brought her to her wedding - dressed in a rival white dress and veil.

But by 2009, when she won her infamous title, she ruled the roost among her other rescue compatriots.


Triumph: Miss Ellie's owner Dawn Goehring on hearing the news her diamond dog had won in 2009


'Her dream is to travel around to prove that ugly is just a word, and says nothing about how wonderful she is,' Dawn said in 2009.

'Miss Ellie hopes that people get the message that there are plenty of wonderful rescue dogs out there just waiting for a chance,' she claimed proudly.

At the time, as well as winning a modeling contract from House Of Dog, Ellie also picked up a cheque for $1,000, a trophy to put in her kennel and even a professional photo shoot.

She went on to have a short but sweet career in resort show business in Colorado's Smoky Mountains, starring in shows at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge.

She also appeared on The Animal Planet cable show 'Dogs 101' and was on billboards and in a commercial.

Pigeon Forge Mayor Keith Whaley proclaimed November 12 as 'Miss Ellie Day' for her owner's efforts to raise money for the local humane society.

Over the years, Ellie helped raise more than $100,000 (£68,000) for the Sevier County Humane Society.

She will be cremated.
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Kourtney Kardashian and boyfriend Scott Disick put on a united front after violent row

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By Daily Mail Reporter

Feeling blue? Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick look glum as they head for dinner at the trendy Katsuya in Hollywood


Dressed up and out for dinner, Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick made a show of being together last night.

But while their visit to the trendy celeb hotspot of Katsuya in Hollywood meant they obviously wanted to be seen, the glum couple couldn't raise a smile.

It was perhaps understandable. The outing came as violent scenes from an upcoming episode of Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami were released.


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All dressed up: Kourtney's outing came as footage emerged of a violent outbust fro her boyfriend, during which she was forced to lock herself in the bedroom


They show Kourtney, 31, cowering with the couple's now five-month-old son Mason as an out of control Disick smashes bottles and punches the wall, while throwing back alcoholic drinks.

The obviously drunken businessman, 27, screams: 'If I'm a f****** murderer wouldn't I be the wrong person to f*** with?'
In response a shaken Kourtney slams her bedroom door, locking herself, her son and sister Kim inside.


Drunk: Disick punches the door in a scene from the new series of Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami


Aftermath: Bloody towels and broken glass litter the ground


Plea: Kim Kardashian told her sister to leave Scott


Kim tells the camera: 'I'm afraid he's going to come back in here.'

In the aftermath of the incident, released to publicise the show, the floor is shown littered with blood soaked towels, broken glass and spots of blood.

Following his outburst in April Disick went to hospital for treatment for his mangled hand, which saw him wear a bandage for three days.

The footage includes an emotional phone call between him and a sobbing Kourtney, in which she tells him: 'I can't do this anymore. I love Mason more than I love you.'

It also shows Kim pleads with her sister to leave Disick: 'He's crazy. I don't get why you always forgive him.'
Other scenes show Disick exposing himself to Kourtney and a friend as they sit in a hot tub.

Kourtney and Disick did split up following the row, and she left Miami for Los Angeles a week ahead of schedule.

But the separation was only temporary, with the two soon rekindling their relationship.

The couple have often rowed in the past, with Keeping Up With The Kardashians showing their frequent disagreements.

But following the latest outburst Disick is said to have agreed to seek help and cut down his drinking.[endtext]

Kelly Brook set to strip for Playboy in $500,000 deal

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Post content here Kelly Brook shows off the form in a new shoot for magazine FHM that has landed her a $500,000 deal for Playboy


Kelly Brook is definitely a girl who knows how to show off her assets.

And what better place to do that than the cover of legendary men's magazine Playboy.

The actress and glamour model has signed a half-a-million dollar deal to pose naked for the publication later this year.


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Delighted: Kelly shows her support for England in a stunning Three Lion themed shoot for FHM


The 30-year-old, who boasts a 34E cup size, will pose for arty and tasteful nude shots on a shoot in the Mediterranean later this month.

Her agent Jonathan Shalit told the Mail Online that Kelly was delighted to have been chosen.

He said: She's absolutely thrilled. It's such a great honour for her, especially when you think about the icons that have graced the cover of the magazine over the years.'

These include Marilyn Monroe, who appeared on the very first cover in 1953 after it was founded by Hugh Hefner in his kitchen in his Chicago home.


Men's mag favourite: Kelly poses for the cover of July's FHM magazine, out this month


Kelly's shots will be on the cover and the inside pages of the magazine.

And just in case you can't quite wait for the Kelly adorned Playboy issue, Miss Brook gives a hint of what's coming in a stunning cover shoot for FHM's World Cup issue.

Kelly poses in a slashed to the waist swimsuit and spiky heels next to a lion.
But this will be the first time that Kelly has posed especially for Playboy, the magazine founded by Hugh Hefner in 1953.

Speaking to the Sun, a source said: 'This is a huge opportunity for Kelly who is without doubt one of the world's most beautiful women. Playboy is an iconic publication which is known across the world as a sophisticated title.


Seductive: Kelly shows exactly why she's a popular pin-up


'It's a real honour to be asked to do Playboy as obviously they are very picky about who they want.

'And by the same token it's a real coup for Playboy as there probably isn't a red-blooded male who won't be looking forward to pictures.'

Kelly is currently in Los Angeles where yesterday, she kept her famous bosum under wraps as she treated her fans to a flash of her toned midriff instead.

She was snapped enjoying the warm Californian climes with rugby player boyfriend Danny Cipriani as they strolled round West Hollywood yesterday


Ocean beauty: Kelly looks almost mermaid-like as she poses on some rocks by the beach


The couple, who have been dating for 18 months, looked closer than ever as they did a spot of shopping.

They bought clothes at the Ron Herman store before heading on to the trendy and upscale shop Fred Segal, a store favoured by many of the Hollywood jet set.

And all that retail therapy worked up an appetite as the couple stopped to refuel for lunch at a local restaurant.

But it was then back to the shops again before they returned to their hotel, shopping bags in hand.


Leave them in the shade: Kelly strikes a sexy pout as she shields her eyes from the sun


And while some women would shamelessly flash the flesh at the first sign of the sun, Kelly, 30, flaunted her taut and tanned stomach under a chic knitted top as she clutched onto her 22-year-old boyfriend's hand.

And she showed off the rest of her gorgeous figure in dark blue skinny jeans which she teamed with Christian Louboutin nude peep toed heels.

Kelly, 31, is in Los Angeles doing screen tests and auditions before embarking on promotional work ahead of the release of her new film Piranha 3D which is due for release in August.

With a number of box office flops and straight-to-DVD films under her belt, including Fishtales, in which she starred alongside her then-fiance, actor Billy Zane


Get my best side: Kelly poses for the photographic crew


And while she admits that Piranha 3D is not exactly and award-winning movie, she will be hoping that it will put her firmly on the acting map.

The film is a remake of the classic 1978 horrow, which also stars Elisabeth Shue, Richard Dreyfuss and Peaches Geldof's new squeeze, Eli Roth.

Kelly said: 'It’s just a big, fun B-movie - lots of boobs, blood, gore and drama. I don’t think I’ll be getting any Oscars for.


Playgirl: Kelly Brook, seen here shopping in Los Angeles yesterday,will pose nude for Hugh Hefner's famous publication


Celebrity couple: Kelly and Danny stroll arm-in-arm as they hit the shops
'In Piranha there’s lots of cool people. It’s about a lot of fish that eat a lot of buff boys and big-breasted girls. It’s all set during spring break.'

She took Cipriani along with her to Los Angeles while he nurses a broken thumb.

The couple are planning to move to Australia this autumn after former London Wasps player Cipriani signed a two-season contract with the Melbourne Rebels.

But Kelly is planning to return to Britain - conveniently missing out on Melbourne's winter - purely for work commitments. [endtext]

Six astronauts begin 520 days locked up in windowless mock 'spaceship'

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By Daily Mail Reporter

Chinese astronauts Wang Yue and Diego Urbina of Italy wave before their 520-day isolation


Six volunteers will today be locked up together in a windowless, mock spaceship for 520 days.

The 'astronauts' will be trapped inside the capsule for a simulated flight to Mars, and are expected to live and work as if they are on the 43-million mile journey for real.

The all-male crew will not endure weightlessness, but from today they will follow a harsh regimen of experiments and exercise.

The main task of the Mars-500 experiment is to study the effects of long isolation to help a real space crew of the future cope better with stress and fatigue.

'When everybody interacts with the same people in the same space, habits and behavior become apparent very quickly.

'These habits may irritate and cause indignation - and even fits of aggression,' psychotherapist Mikhail Baryshev said.


Two researchers test spacesuits on a simulated Mars surface during a training session at Moscow's Institute for Medical and Biological Problems ahead of their incarceration


The experiment, conducted by the Moscow-based Institute for Medical and Biological Problems in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Chinese space authorities, will simulate a 250-day journey to Mars, a 30-day surface exploration phase and 240 days return trip.

But the choice of an all-male crew has provoked criticism for 'inflicting sexual discrimination on Mars before man has even set foot there'.

There is even a threat of a legal challenge over the absence of women, while the experiment faces criticism for failing to address the real issue of sexual dynamics which future crews to Mars may have to face.

'The absence of women in Mars-500 Project yet again proves the presence on old-fashioned earthly gender stereotypes,' complained Mikhail Salkin of the Moscow Human Rights Protection Centre.

'The organisers were likely set on choosing men from the start. We suspect the endurance tests they set were more suitable to men than women, and the results will be a biased judgement because it will only apply to males, so will not five the full picture.

'Women should have equal access to any job so we are ready to apply to the Russian General Prosecutor on this and ask him to investigate.

'The organisers have also forgotten the social tension they can face among six men which might have been softened by having a woman on board.'.

The facility built for the experiment comprises several interconnected modules with a total volume of 20,000 cubic feet and a separate built-in imitator of Mars surface for the mock landing.

The researchers will communicate with the outside world via internet, delayed and occasionally disrupted to imitate the effects of space travel.


The six participants attend a news conference before entering a confinement module


No women: The module for the Mars-500 Experience, which will not leave the ground but in all other respects will emulate what cosmonauts will face on the first manned flight to the Red Planet


They will eat canned food similar to that currently offered on the International Space Station and take a shower once every 10 days - mimicking space conditions. The crew will have two days off in a week, except when emergencies are simulated.

ESA said the crew will also regularly play video games as part of the agency's project to develop personalized software to interact with crews on future space missions.

French crewmember Romain Charles said the experiments will keep the team busy in isolation.

'It's not a jail, it's a program, an experiment,' he said. 'It will be hard I'm sure, but we have a target to stay here 520 days and we will achieve it.'

Both Charles, 31, and Italian-Colombian Diego Urbina, 27, are engineers by training.

China's Wang Yue, 26, is an employee at China's space training center.

The 38-year old Russian captain, Alexey Sitev, has worked at the Russian cosmonaut training center and the two other Russians, Sukhrob Kamolov, 32 and Alexander Smoleyevsky, 33 are doctors.

The European crewmembers will earn the equivalent of about $97,000 for their participation in the experiment; he declined to cite a figure for Wang.

A similar experiment in 1999-2000 at the same Moscow institute went awry when a Canadian woman complained of being forcibly kissed by a Russian team captain and said that two Russian crew members had a fist fight that left blood splattered on the walls.

Russian officials downplayed the incidents, attributing it to cultural gaps and stress.

A 2009 experiment that had four Russians, a German and Frenchman spending three months in isolation went smoothly.


We did it: A team of researchers celebrate ending their three-month stay in July last year


Martin Zell, an official with the ESA's Directorate of Human Spaceflight, said the 2009 experiment helped study stress linked with cardiovascular problems and effects on the immune system.

While the isolation experiment may give scientists ample material to analyse the problems faced by a future Mars exploration crew, technological challenges make a real mission a distant prospect.

One of the biggest is designing a compact and efficient shield against deadly space radiation.

Both the US and Russia are working on spacecraft which could be used for a mission to Mars, but design works are still in an early stage.

Last month, President Barack Obama told NASA workers in Cape Canaveral that he was committed to manned space flight and foresaw sending astronauts to orbit Mars by the mid-2030s.
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