* Dexter wins his first ever Pro Show

 * Blind Overall British champ Ricky Welling makes his Pro debut

 * Simon Robinson is a sensational guest poser in spite of losing one leg in a car accident

 Promoters Kerry Kayes and Dorian Yates this year took their CHEMICAL NUTRITION English GP back to the famous Wembley Conference Centre in London, home of many fantastic bodybuilding events, going right back to the 1982 Mr. Olympia.  For me it was like a home coming with wonderful lighting, crystal clear audio and my old taping position from the designated central video area, plus a close-up position for Colin on 2nd camera.

 The day's proceedings started with the EFBB AMATEUR GRAND PRIX.  This was a Pro qualifier with Britain's 13 top guys competing for the title and a Pro Card to go straight into the English Pro Grand Prix which immediately followed.  The standard was the highest I have ever seen in this amateur competition.  In fact it was fierce.

 The top 3 were compared, posed down and waited expectantly for the results, cheque, trophy and Pro Card.  It was a hard fought victory for HAROLD MARILLIER from GRAHAM BENNETT with WARREN TREASURE in 3rd place.  Harold is a very tall guy with excellent definition and good size.  But he will need to keep a watch on his mid section as it tends to look distended at times.

The show opened with guest poser BRIAN CONNOLLY, current Masters' Mr. Britain.  He was in sensational condition and it's not that common to see a Masters Guest Poser at a GP event.  Later in the show DAWN SUTHERLAND performed her sexy guest posing routine which was all too brief!  Dawn competed in the Ms. International earlier this year making her Pro debut.

 Although a couple of top Olympians from USA pulled out, it was a fantastic field of 22 with everyone still in Olympia condition.  In the case of DEXTER JACKSON, he was in slightly tighter, harder shape than in Las Vegas and finally broke through for his first ever Grand Prix victory.  In chatting with Dexter we both agreed the victory was long overdue as he has had a number of 2nds and 3rds in top class fields over the last few years.  At last it was "The Blade's" night.

 How did he do it?  The main obstacle was CHRIS CORMIER who on this night could only manage 3rd place.  Chris has won many GP titles and is one of the most consistent pros on the circuit.  But at Wembley he seemed a little flat and carrying water, while Dexter was 100% hard and dry and the best I have ever seen him look.  With this victory, and that of LEE PRIEST in the San Francisco GP earlier this year, shorter pros in superb condition can certainly beat the taller more massive pros.  Dexter was 2nd in the SF event and is always a great rival for Lee whenever they compete against each other.

 Second place at Wembley went to a rejuvenated DENNIS JAMES who placed a disappointing 10th in the Olympia the week before.  Dennis told me that Dorian had been helping him post Olympia and he had dropped 5 or 6lbs, yet looked bigger, harder and obviously better.  Dennis lives in Thailand, was born in Germany to a German mother, and American father, and represents USA when he competes.  He has all bases covered!

 Fourth place went to England's own ERNIE TAYLOR.  Ernie has just released his own video, available from GMV Productions, and he was celebrating tonight with an excellent showing in his home GP.  I saw more camera flashes during Ernie's compulsories and routine than for any other competitor.  He was hard and ripped and with those trademark triceps, he was better than at the Olympia where he seemed rather subdued.  This 4th place earned him Olympia qualification for 2003.  I feel that if Ernie could get some of the "lumps” out of his triceps he would look better, more balanced and also place higher.  Just a personal comment and no disrespect to Ernie who has a great physique.

 Fifth place went to the quiet man, CLAUDE GROULX of Canada.  He has been slowly but surely coming up in the placings from being overlooked a few years ago to a man to be reckoned with.  Claude has outstanding calves, good symmetry, reasonable size and great condition.  I felt he was probably in the best shape of his life.  He also had a very good posing routine.

 Sixth place went to Norway's TOMMI THORVILDSEN, now a resident of California.  This year has been a big one for Tommi as he competed in his first Olympia the week before.  However Tommi had lost his edge and was a little smooth compared to his super “ripped glutes” condition at the 2001 English GP.  Always a crowd favourite, Tommi puts on a great show, but I have seen him in slightly harder condition than he was on this night.

 Seventh place went to the huge American ART ATWOOD.  This year was Art's debut in the Olympia and his first English GP.  Art had also lost some condition from the Olympia where he had a good first up showing as best Olympia rookie.  He is a huge man with a series of large body parts that don't quite tie together in perfect harmony.  Art also needs to relax his face more when he has all his muscles under tension and not grimace so much.

 In eighth place - JAROSLAV HORVATH of Slovakia.  Jaroslav was sharper early this year when he competed in the Australian GP.  It has been a long and tiring year for him including his Olympia debut.  He has excellent symmetry which holds his placings up high.  But being small in stature he needs to be ripped to place in the top 3 or 4 in any GP.

 Ninth place went to PACO BAUTISTA of Spain.  I am not sure why the judges placed him so low as his condition and separation were still superb, same as at the Olympia.  It is probable they marked him down for his slightly unsymmetrical look.  But he is 'freaky' with probably the best legs in bodybuilding and a brutal physique in the old Bertil Fox style.  I felt he deserved 6th or 7th but being one of the new guys, he will have to serve his dues.  Not speaking English is a huge negative for his career and tends to isolate him from the press and photographers. Plus his “gyno” probably hurt him as well.

 Finally in tenth spot was massive Englishman PETER 'ELVIS' BROWN.  Peter had huge arms, possibly the biggest in the contest.  But unfortunately his midsection matched his arms!

Ricky Welling, blind since birth, placed 15th out of 22 competitors which was a very good debut effort.  The English GP will be back at Wembley again next year on Saturday November 1st, just one week after Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas on October 25th. It is one of the best run and best staged GPs you will attend anywhere in the world! My congratulations to Kerry and Dorian.