Beat The Star

Student Laura Beardsmore tries to out hit Martina Hingis in this week’s Beat the Star.

Back for a brand new series and hosted by Vernon Kay Beat The Star sees a courageous member of the public as the challenger take on a super competitive star as they go head to head in a series of physical and mental games – set to push the star and the challenger to their limits.

If the challenger wins they leave with £50,000 if they lose they leave with nothing. If the star wins, they leave with their reputation intact and the money rolls over to the final show of the series which will see Vernon take on a surprise star with the prize money going to charity.

Following on from Austin Healey’s last-gasp victory last week, Laura Beardsmore, a 22-year-old dentistry student from Leeds, will be challenging Tennis champion Martina Hingis, 28, for a chance to win the highly coveted prize of £50,000 and a chance to Beat the Star.

Laura is a part-time waitress and is preparing to finish her degree in dentistry. Laura can turn her hand to any challenge, whether it is hockey, aikido or a pitting her wits in a general knowledge quiz. She also represents Leeds 1st XI hockey team and Great Britain for Aikido.

Laura’s first question when meeting her opponent, Martina Hingis was: “Can I get her autograph?” When asked whether she feels as though she can beat Martina Hingis, her confidence is still sky high by replying “Definitely... I am very confident - I think I have everything I need to win.”

Martina was the number one of women’s tennis with an amazing five Grand Slam titles and a Wimbledon title under her belt. Despite hanging up her racket 18 months ago there is no slowing down this centre court champion: she runs, horse rides and skis all at her home in Switzerland.

Martina, ‘the smiling assassin’ says: “I try to keep fit by doing different things, I have my horses and skiing definitely keeps you fit.”

The pair will go head to head in up to eight thrilling and unpredictable games, set to test them mentally and punish them physically. Vernon will oversee each of the games which he will reveal to the contestants only moments before they must undertake them.

This week’s games could include brand new strategy game ‘Broken Ladder’ which will test them physically and mentally. They have to climb a six metre ladder with three removable rungs to fit in as they go along. Grime Trial gives them three chances to get the fastest time in the dirt buggy and round the tricky track.

Wood Walk is a frightening test of nerve, agility and speed. Eight metres in the air are a series of logs attached to chains that they must cross to ring the bell and win the challenge. Martina and Laura will go head to head in the hang bar, a test to see who can hold on the longest. They could also face each other in the high jump where the winner who records the highest jump takes the points. The final game the girls could face is “Bottle It”. Both contestants will have to drop a pea into a bottle from a height that is at least a metre high.

In the weeks to come stars will include British Olympic Athlete Rebecca Romero and Adrenalin Junkie Jack Osbourne, each taking on a different Challenger in a bid to Beat The Star.

Last edited: Thursday, 9 April 2009