For those who aren't in the know about this mega rally, throw together hundreds of the world's billionaires, dotcom entrepreneurs, sheiks, princes and A-list celebrities including rockstars, sports stars and movie legends, add 120 of the most aspirational, expensive and fastest cars on the planet, and then assign the whole merry lot to complete a mission of driving 3,000 miles around Europe and America. There you have it, my friends - the Gumball Rally.
Not even the police can stop Team 14. @annawilliamsTV #gumball3000 pic.twitter.com/uVo1YdvbCP
— Mattias Forsberg (@lekrantz) May 29, 2015
An eleventh-hour phone call saw me flown out to the starting grid in Stockholm to join founder Maximillion Cooper and his entourage, where I was a part of the most mind-boggling and downright fun adventure there is to be had on four wheels.
Arriving in an already jubilant Swedish capital (the nation having won the Eurovision Song Contest the night before), I embarked on finding 'my car', my trusty crew for the week and most importantly, my hastily recruited co-driver - none other than former Liverpool footie hero Robbie Fowler. For this is the way of Gumball - sheer wonderful, unapologetic randomness.
Team 14 #gumball3000 @betsafe pic.twitter.com/wQHXkJvjZu
What to Read Next
— Anna Williamson (@annawilliamsTV) May 25, 2015
One minute you're having a pee in a grotty petrol station with Rocky legend Dolph Lundgren asking for a back rub, and the next, one is sitting in uber celebrity hotspot Nobu Malibu, alongside Hollywood royalty Jamie Foxx and Mel Gibson. As I write this now I hardly believe myself, but yup, I can assure you, that was merely a toe in the water of the week I spent on the road.
JAMIE FOXX IS SAT NEXT TO ME!!! #gumball3000 #starstruck #bigtime pic.twitter.com/1IDozA1WGa
— Anna Williamson (@annawilliamsTV) May 29, 2015
It would take me a column the length of War and Peace to regale to you the many anecdotes, trials, tribulations and showbiz gossip that occurred over the eight days we spent rallying from Stockholm to Las Vegas, but I look forward to sharing with you the full experience on TV when it airs on Sky in September.
To whet your appetite, there are tears from A-listers, tantrums from almost everybody (particularly when F1 star Lewis Hamilton ran out of petrol in the 40-degree Nevada desert!), and a whole lot of partying Gumball-style (Mötley Crue's Tommy Lee needs no introduction). It's coming soon to your tellybox, and I can't wait to share the most surreal, scary and spectacular week I've ever had - all in the name of work!
On a different note, congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to my friends at Champneys, particularly the beautiful Isabelle Purdew, who hosted the second celeb-packed Ladies Luncheon in aid of The Pink Ribbon Foundation for breast cancer awareness and care.
Hosted at the luxury spa's flagship venue in Tring, Hertfordshire, 100 ladies - including a fair few famous faces - were treated to a five-star lunch, fine wine, fundraising activities, and some amazing live music courtesy of Beverley Craven who, amongst others, sang her popular ditty 'Promise Me'.
#beautiful lunch 4 fab cause #PinkRibbon @champneys with @lizziecundy @annawilliamsTV @Lauratobin1 @PinkRibbonsProj pic.twitter.com/4pBuSWyERk
— Helen Hand (@HelenHandMakeUp) June 9, 2015
Hollywood actress Naomie Harris (who is beyond gorgeous in the flesh) was joined by stars from the small screen including Katherine Kelly, Nina Wadia and Michelle Collins for a sumptuous afternoon fundraiser, which saw The Pink Ribbon Foundation's Lisa Allen presented with a cheque for £60,000 towards breast cancer care.
A terrific sum of money for a very worthy cause, and I'm delighted that we all added more to that fab donation by the end of the day.
Finally, I am totally hooked on this year's Big Brother. Simon and Marc alone are TV gold, and with this week's Time Warp twist will certainly bring a few more viewers to the table for a 'blast from the past' gawp.
I'm also delighted to be a part of Big Brother's Bit on the Side on Channel 5 again this series with the brilliant Rylan Clark, and can't wait to be back on the programme soon with my views and news on all the housemates' antics.
