TED - Eligible - The Scotsman

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DOUGLAS MURRAY
WRITER, 24
Lives? London. Spends summers
fishing on Lewis, his home turf.
Who he? The youngest published
biographer in history, he wrote the
bestseller Bosie: A Biography of Lord
Alfred Douglas during his gap year.
Having read English at Oxford, he is
working as a freelance political
journalist and researching a book about Bloody Sunday.
His play, Nightfall, heads to London’s West End next year.
It centres on a real-life dinner party in 1944, when
Swedish diplomat and humanitarian Raoul Wallenberg
tried to persuade his guest, Nazi Adolf Eichmann, from
implementing the Final Solution.
Conquests Admits he’s not great at long-term relationships.
Haunts He’s spending five days a week sitting in on the
Bloody Sunday hearings. He eschews noisy clubs and
pubs, but you might catch him at Bonaventure, a remote
French restaurant tucked away on a cliff in Uigg.
Pluses He’s a talented bassoonist and used to sing choral
music, so will feel quite at home at a prom or the opera.
He also loves Coldplay, and is a “mad” CD collector.
Minuses Too clever by half. Can you match him for
intellectual chit chat over dinner?
Do Say, “Can I be in your play?” They haven’t chosen
the cast yet.
Don’t Make him wear trainers. He can’t stand them.
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PRINCE WILLIAM
STUDENT, 21
Lives St Andrews and London.
Who he? As if he needs any
introduction! Prince William Arthur
Philip Louis, son of Prince Charles and
the late Diana, Princess of Wales, is
second in line of succession to the
throne. After debating whether or not
to quit the University of St Andrews,
he decided to stick it out and has two years to go. Had a
lavish African-themed 21st birthday party, notable for
being gate-crashed by ‘comedy terrorist’ Aaron Barschak.
Conquests Has yet to step out officially with anyone.
Haunts Local tearooms in St Andrews or at Edinburgh’s
Opal Lounge or Ricks.
Pluses The royal stamp of approval.
Minuses A busy schedule of geography lectures, water
polo, football, rugby, and a royal engagements.
Do Take him for fish and chips – he’s a devotee of fast
food, and a fan of cider. What would his granny say?
Don’t Mention Paul Burrell, poisoned letters or small
African antelope. All three have plagued him this year.
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MARTIN COMPSTON
ACTOR, 19
Lives Despite his increasingly global
lifestyle, Martin still lives in the
family home in Greenock.
Who he? A modern-day fairytale made
real. Persuaded by his PE teacher to
attend a film audition, Martin was
plucked from obscurity for the lead
in Ken Loach’s award-winning film,
Sweet Sixteen, turning him into a star overnight. In the past
year he’s appeared on The Royal and Rock Face. You can
also catch him playing the part of Ewan in Monarch of the
Glen, a new regular character.
Conquests He’s only 19.
Haunts Red carpets everywhere, or at home in Greenock.
Pluses Has youth and talent on his side; he should go far.
Minuses As he builds success upon success, the chances of
meeting him on neutral ground grow ever smaller.
Do Say, “I love Ken.” Martin has enormous respect for the
director, and says he owes all his success to Loach.
Don’t Mention his early ambition to be a professional
footballer. Martin always dreamed of a life spent on the
pitch. He admits, “It was a bit of a tearjerker when I
handed my notice in.” But he is committed to acting now.
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SAM HEUGHAN
ACTOR, 23
Lives London.
Who he? After making a hit at last
year’s Festival in Outlying Islands, this
Edinburgh boy appeared at the Royal
Court in London, the Toronto World
Stage Festival and in New York,
before the traditional Traverse trip
around the Highlands and Islands.
Only a week after graduating from the RSAMD this
summer, he began rehearsals for Island at War, a six-part
drama for ITV, due to be aired in 2004. He’s in the
enviable position of having several offers of work for
when the project finishes and hopes to assay the Bard, or
embark upon a “sword and sandal film. Anything with a
sharp object would do”. Hollywood, get ready for him.
Conquests His rising profile has only increased his circle of
admirers, but Sam is “still searching for that perfect
eligible lady”. Just turn to page 22, Sam!
Haunts Any of the “great clubs and pubs” in Soho.
Pluses Check out the “wet long johns” scenes in the
upcoming series and all will be revealed…
Minuses Can you really compete with the actresses,
models and female fans starting to swarm?
Do Buy him a pint while he’s home visiting.
Don’t Moan about the price. Sam’s current complaint is
how much dearer it is in London, compared to Scotland.
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LORNE BALF
Composer, 27
Lives LA, London and Inverness.
Who he? A musical prodigy who
composed the theme tune to River
City, Lorne’s a graduate of Fettes
College in Edinburgh. He performed
with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
and the Edinburgh Symphony
Orchestra whilst still at school,
before going on to study percussion and composition.
He has written hundreds of commercial tracks for TV
and radio, worked as musical assistant to composer Guy
Michelmore, and made his mark with Hans Zimmer in
Hollywood. Has his own music production company,
Metrophonics, that exclusively represents Scottish
composers and just opened a studio in Glasgow. Lorne
has also created his own film company, Fragmented Films.
You will have heard his music on ITV’s William and Mary
with Martin Clunes, the latest Hellraiser film and the
upcoming The Night We Called It A Day, starring Dennis
Hopper and Melanie Griffith.
Conquests His main relationship is “with my keyboard”.
Haunts Halo in Edinburgh and the Heathmount, up north.
Pluses Red carpets, A-list stars, swanky film parties – need
we say more?
Minuses The man is his music, so be prepared to be pushed
to the sidelines when inspiration strikes or LA calls.
Do Tell him about your recent scientific discoveries.
Lorne loves talking cold, hard logic when he needs a
break from the emotional world of music.
Don’t Be tone deaf.
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STEPHEN ANDERSON
DIRECTOR, 27
Lives Glasgow.
Who he? A quiet and modest man,
who is one of the major players in the
Scottish film industry because of his
production company Kelpie Films,
and editing service, the Post Facility.
Born in Edinburgh, he became
interested in film as a child actor.
In the three years since setting up shop, he has worked for
a range of corporate clients and made acclaimed short
films on his own. Chosen as one of 12 representatives of
Scottish production to travel to London for the Best of
Scotland event hosted by Channel 4. Also runs a web
design company, directs the odd music promo and
dabbles in property development.
Conquests An “on-off” relationship with a beautiful
European lawyer from Brussels, but longs to settle down
and share his life with someone full time.
Haunts Enjoys pubs on Glasgow’s Byres Road, “where you
can talk”, and snowy holidays in Europe for skiing.
Pluses A good listener, charming and creative.
Minuses Work, work, and er, more work.
Do Practise your vampire killing. Stephen holds a torch for
teen telly icon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Don’t Say, “Are you gay?” During his teens Stephen’s mum
was convinced he wasn’t sexually attracted to women, as
he had many female friends but no girlfriend.
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SIMON DANIELLI
SCOTLAND RUGBY PLAYER, 24
Lives Bath.
Who he? Edinburgh-born Simon
started playing rugby at the precocious
age of six. He progressed through the
school teams, was picked for the
county and division teams, and
eventually for England’s schoolboys’
side. While studying at Oxford, he was
awarded two Blues and played for England Students’ and
Under 21s, before opting to play for Scotland last January.
The winger hasn’t looked back, and his performance in the
World Cup in Australia is to be applauded.
Conquests Two long-term relationships, but now single.
Haunts Pubs, bars and clubs. Like most rugby players,
Simon is fond of his drink. He likes to get away whenever
possible and recently had a three-week holiday in Florida.
Pluses He has brains to match his brawn.
Minuses Since his muscular torso was beamed via satellite
to the four corners of the globe this autumn, Simon has
become an international pin-up. There’ll be plenty of
ladies waiting to snap him up on his return to the UK.
Do Cook him spaghetti bolognese. It’s his favourite
carb-loading dish.
Don’t Assume he drinks Guinness. Cider’s his tipple.
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NOVEMBER 9, 2003
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