Gymnastics: Multiple directions – do GB5 a boyband make?

 

Wednesday 01 August 2012 09:41 BST
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(From left) San Oldham, Kristian Thomas, Max Whitlock, Louis Smith and Daniel Purvis
(From left) San Oldham, Kristian Thomas, Max Whitlock, Louis Smith and Daniel Purvis (Reuters)

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"Britain has a new smash-hit boy band – a five-strong well-muscled group that brought more noise to the O2 last night than Guns N' Roses," roared The Times yesterday after the heroics of Britain's male gymnasts on Monday. But how do GB5 compare in the boy band stakes with the likes of One Direction:

Sam Oldham Home-taught, like Justin Bieber. Shares surname with Mark Owen's hometown. Kristian Thomas Not-as-burly-as-he-looks elder statesman and de facto leader of the group. Clearly GB gymnastics' answer to Gary Barlow. Max Whitlock The "cute" one. "Popular with the girls – and the men," says his girlfriend Leah.

Louis Smith Once got through to the fourth round of The X Factor. Can actually sing.

Daniel Purvis Comes from Liverpool. As do The Beatles. Case closed.

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