Recently by Kay Harrison

CANARY WHARF’S iconic towers regularly set the scene on the show, despite the fact Sir Alan Sugar is based in Brentwood.

But this week The Apprentice truly arrived on the estate, when the two teams went head-to-head in the creative task inside Ogilvy’s Cabot Square offices.

Fans of the BBC show will have watched the surprise result last night after the hopefuls spent two days at the top marketing agency, designing 30-second adverts and posters for a brand of tissues.

And the results were enough to make you reach for a box.

IT’S OFFICIAL – you get the world’s best reception here in Canary Wharf.

Markus Mormels, who works at the Westferry Circus-based Four Seasons Hotel, has just been crowned international receptionist of the year.

Markus, who lives in South Quay, went head-to-head against 11 other finalists representing luxury hotels from across the globe.

The final decision took place in Dubai, with each receptionist taking part in role-play scenarios with difficult guests and demands, followed up with a gruelling question-and-answer session with an expert panel from the hotel and tourism industry.

DANNY Dyer revealed he had been cut from the role of Bill Sikes when he paid a visit to Canary Wharf’s barbershop.

The outspoken actor was favourite for the part in the upcoming production of Oliver!, which is receiving attention through the BBC’s I’d Do Anything search for a Nancy. Danny, who was getting a trim in The Gentry in Cabot Place West, said: “It’s a bit gutting really. I just got the call, I was down to the last two.”

The part is rumoured to have been given to Nick Knowles, from DIY SOS, a surprising choice due to his lack of acting experience.

MEET one of Trinity Mirror's all-seeing soldiers, Piotr Tokarz.

The strapping security officer is based in One Canada Square and looks out for hundreds of Trinity Mirror employees.

He moved to London from Poland three years ago, and has rubbed shoulders with many a celeb destined for The Daily Mirror's 3am Desk.

Piotr, 27, said: "I met Alesha Dixon the other day, she seemed nice. I didn't know who she was at the time though.

"I know a lot of the Trinity Mirror journalists. They might not know me though. We know everything that's going on here, it's our job."

Piotr lives in Stratford and has an advertising business degree. He enjoys watching films and using the Trinity Mirror gym on floor 21.

MEET Mr fix it Tom Barczyszyn, who has been getting Wharfers back in the saddle again for the last two years.

Tom, who is originally from Poland, works as a mechanic at the South Colonnade branch of Evans.
The 25-year-old lives in Camberwell and enjoys cycling around London in his spare time and partying with friends.

He's bracing himself for a rush of women in the store on May 29 , when it holds a Ladies Night, a free evening of bike demonstrations, advice, giveaways and champagne.

Evans help us.

SMOULDERING Spaniard George Higueras is getting used to Wharf life.

The 29-year-old recently started working in new Cabot Place West store Cross, selling luxury pens, bags and accessories.

George is originally from Barcelona, but moved here two years ago with his English wife. He plans to return to Spanish shores this summer for a holiday.

He lives in Brixton, and is definitely not loving his Tube journey to and from work.

George said: "I was expecting it to be a lot easier to get here. I wish they would sort out the Jubilee line."

SAY hello to this week’s Face, Limehouse resident Richard Baker.

The 30-year-old grew up in Essex and scored a top degree in aircraft engineering before landing a job at an investment bank in the City.

He’s done a fair amount of travelling in his time and has just returned from a trip to Australia where he celebrated a friend’s wedding and sat around in hot tubs drinking beer.

Richard is a lifelong Tottenham Hotspur fan, who also plays football for his pub team, snowboards and enjoys eating out.

l Nominate yourself or someone you know to be a Face of the Week by emailing kay.harrison@wharf.co.uk.
Each Face will receive a bottle of wine or two cocktails and snacks at wonderful West India Quay bar and restaurant 1802.

THIS week’s Face is no stranger to the wonders of the world wide web.

Lancashire native Sian Owen is spending two weeks learning the ropes from the Daily Mirror’s online team at One Canada Square.

Sian returned to her home county last year for an MA in online journalism at Preston’s University of Central Lancashire after seven years in London.

She’s a big fan of music, and has been spotted singing and playing the keyboard in alt-country and folk bands. Sian’s latest idea is Gig in a Flat, a series of secret acoustic gigs held in living rooms.

See the Gig in a Flat website for details.

Nominate yourself or someone you know to be a Face of the Week by emailing kay.harrison@wharf.co.uk.
Each Face will receive a bottle of wine or two cocktails and snacks at wonderful West India Quay bar and restaurant 1802.

TRADITIONAL pub sports around the Wharf had been restricted to the one dart board in the Cat and Canary.

But not anymore.

Via on West India Quay has just brought in two pool tables to its back room, where customers can have a game for £1.50.

KATE Moss, Lily Allen and Sarah Harding have all recently been spotted showing off their curl power.

And the trend for part-time perms and wavy locks has received a further boost thanks to an innovative new Wharf business.

Rageaze Twist and Curl wraps are soon to hit the High Street thanks to the efforts of Boardwalk Place residents Lesley Buckley and Jim Weir.