EFBB North East Championships Durham, September 11   Overall champion: Darren Nicholhurst   Men's over-90kg 1 Chris Wall 2 Paul Megwa 3 Andrew Glynn also competed: Michael Stokell, Neil Rushton   Women's over-57kg 1 Kelly Bruce 2 Julie Waite 3 Sharon Rose   Men's under-90kg 1 Darren Nicholhurst 2 Bruce McCall   Men's under-80kg 1 Adrian Birchall 2 Derek Hastie 3 Colin Hinder   Men's under-70kg 1 Paul Howarth   Men's seniors 1 Andy Baty 2 George West 3 Marty Brown   Men's intermediates 1 Darren Irwin 2 Michael Bell   First timers 1 Gustavo Diaz 2 Gareth Vaughan 3 Gary Carter also competed: Paul Slowey, Paul Debrick   Men's juniors 1 Liam Armstrong 2 Chris Johnson 3 Jason Walden 4 Michael Kennedy

Overall winner Darren Nicholhurst with Weider Publishing's Andrew Berrie (left) and Geoff Evans (right)

COMMENT
Letter received via email on Thursday 16th Sept....
 
Comment - i feel it right and proper that i contact you and allow flex to defend itself in relation to the comments made at the efbb north east qualifier 11/09/04 coxhoe. basically 95% of the audience left before the line up for the overall champion with howls of boo's and derision relating to the judging.there were a lot of comments suggesting certaian competitors had won on the instruction of flex and not on merit.i myself do not believe this to be true but i was left confused and dissapointed as to the some may say corrupt judging of this show.to highlight but a few categories :-
men's over 90's without doubt paul megwa was the winner !
chris wall the great champion and competitor that he is was nowhere near in show condition and as for the placing of andrew glynn in 3rd place this just was beyond belief, he could only be described as being fat on the day and having no tan, well he looked totally out of place. how michael stokell and neil rushton who were both in excellent shape and condition must feel, i can only summise cheated.
although i could continue with some very puzzling decisions in other weight categories i have to highlight the biggest travisty of the the day. this came in the men's under 90's last years overall winner ( a worthy one may i say ) bruce mccall came on stage showing massive improvements in muscle quality and condition and it has to be said the overall winner darren nicholhurst was an impressive size with shape but nowhere near the condition of mccall.
the opinion of the bodybuliding fans was this was the wort case of judging they had witnessed at a bodybuilding show. i could go on and on but will leave it to you to clear your name and i would appreciate if you could pass on to those efbb judges how they have tarnished the good name of the efbb.
 
John Jones
(Return email address incorrectly supplied)
 
RESPONSE
From Geoff Evans of FLEX magazine...
 
Dear Mr. Jones
Thank you very much for your email which was both enlightening and disturbing!
 
Why anyone would think that any magazine, be it FLEX or otherwise could have any influence on the judging of that or any other competition is puzzling.
 
I must categorically state that FLEX magazine (and thereby any Weider emloyee) had no influence whatsoever on the judging of any class at the North-East Show in Durham.
Myself and Andrew Berrie were there soley to publicise FLEX magazine, and to support the show by presenting a cash prize and trophy to the overall winner, as decided by the EFBB judging panel.
 
I will certainly pass your email onto the EFBB so that they are aware of the fans feelings.
 
Yours sincerely,
Geoff Evans
 
Further comment? why not email web@weideruk.com?