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| From clockwise: Tim Peake, Jenny Beavan, Ed Balls, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, Claudio Ranieri |
Having read reviews of 2016, I can't help but feel glum. The extraordinary number of recognised 'legends' and 'icons' in the entertainment industry, the never-ending tensions in Syria and Yemen, the turbulent political dramas in Europe and United States - summarising the year with these events would be enough to justify why many of us feel a little depressed, even if the elections we faced ended in our favour.
But I'm a glass half-full kind of person. Away from the doom and gloom, 2016 also had moments of true brilliance and inspiration. Keep these individuals and events in mind and we won't be seeing 2017 as 'the year of uncertainty', as some claim. I would like to see the next 52 weeks as 'the year of transparency', 'the year of boundary pushing' and 'the year of defying odds'. I don't doubt the opening month of the Donald Trump Presidential era will rock the US and beyond, and once UK triggers Article 50 beginning the EU exit process, uncertainty to communities reliant on Brussels funding will escalate . But, if we focused on the certain good, rather than potential tension, then we can tackle any new challenge with ease.
Here, I have handpicked moments and people who made 2016 a great year. These have inspired, made people think and achieved amazing things through their merit alone. These people may be in the public eye and I'm sure there are many unsung heroes out there, but as we're easily influenced by the former, it's good to be reminded of those. That said, we can certainly relate to their journeys prior to their recent stardom, regardless of the dollar we have in our accounts.
The Inspirer - Tim Peake
It is the dream of many children to be an astronaut. I didn't, because I hate heights - I still do. But to be one requires financial commitment, a lot of hard-working hours, an eye for science and be an extreme adrenaline junkie. Many famous astronauts have either been Russian like Yuri Gagarin or American like Neil Armstrong. In Britain, we've been starved of a figure with such 'status'. However, from the end of 2015, we were introduced to Tim Peake as he launched his presence from an esteemed Army officer to media heaven.
Chichester-born Peake spent a colossal 185 days, 22 hours and 11 minutes in space and safely landed back to Earth on 18th June 2016. During that time, he made the expedition he was part of a spectacle. Science as a school subject had suddenly become 'cool', with Peake's achievement inspiring those in pre-GCSE to embrace it as the career path to pursue. His activities in space got primary school children in absolute awe. I remember him doing a live press conference from space for the kids, and it's brilliant to see someone like Peake taking all this attention at his stride. It is remarkable to see him carry on inspiring the scientists of tomorrow and long may that continue.
The Shameless - Jenny Beavan
The film industry portrays a rather bleak picture when it comes to their big Awards nights. Fashion is deemed more important than the victorious films and their actors. This annoys me no end, so you must have sensed my delight when Jenny Beavan collected her awards for Best Costume Design at the BAFTAs and Oscars - for blockbuster Mad Max - wearing a leather jacket and trousers, raising a few eyebrows.
The typical Award etiquette for women is for them to wear a very expensively designed dress by a reputable designer. For Beavan to break stereotypes is quite poignant. She's in an industry where many involved are highly self-conscious about what they wear, how they look and how they're being reported. Living with these burdens can eat you alive - not Beavan. She shrugged off all criticism and snobbery and I hope she continues to send out this message and remind the younger generation that how you look shouldn't be relevant to what you do. I may never want to see Mad Max but I raise my hat to her message wholeheartedly.
The Underdog - Claudio Ranieri and Wales
I want to place Leicester City's manager Claudio Ranieri and the Welsh national football team in the same context. Both had been dismissed quite harshly at the start of their incredible journeys and that only encourage them to embrace 2016 with open arms.
To start with Ranieri, the Italian was appointed manager of the Foxes in the summer of 2015 on the back of an unfortunate and short-lived tenure at Greece's national side. He also had relatively poor terms in Italy with Inter Milan and Parma, and Valencia in Spain so critics fully expected him to guide Leicester to oblivion. Thankfully, he did completely the opposite through means of inspiring coaching techniques and entertaining sceptical journalists. He took the East Midlands club to the top. In May 2016, the side many expected to relegate, lifted the Premier League trophy. It was a triumph even non-football fans relished in.
Meanwhile, at the Land of my Father, Wales were preparing for Euro 2016, their first major tournament appearance since 1958. This was deemed impossible initially, especially after the sudden and tragic passing of their manager Gary Speed in 2011. His replacement, Chris Coleman performed some wonders to inspire a team still in shock to this day.
Wales weren't meant to go far at the Euros. The bookmakers put them as firm outsiders. They ended up as semi-finalists. The world were in awe with the character the entire team showed. Even when England exited the tournament early, their fans were adopted Welshmen and women, supporting their fellow home nation. As a Welshman myself, I'm thankful for Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and the entire squad for gripping the globe to focus on a small nation's progress that very few anticipated showing that if you work effectively together, you'll achieve greatness.
The Comeback - Ed Balls
Politics has never really looked so off-putting as it does today. With the UK's EU referendum and US's general election fiercely dividing voters and the debates enraged many, it's an understatement to say 2016 was emotionally draining for campaigners. Thank the Lord for Ed Balls to save the day. He may no longer be a politician after dramatically losing his seat in Morley and Outwood West, Yorkshire in 2015, but 2016 glitzed his ever existence after featuring on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.
Before, the thought of politicians entering a talent show of any kind sounded blasphemous to many. But millions tuned to Balls's unforgettable journey where he finished sixth overall. Yes, his dancing ability was limited but most of the viewing public were united on one thing - Ed Balls was a right hoot. After being previously branded a 'bruiser', he certainly has changed that notion. For the first time in a very long time, a politician has brought joy and happiness to the mass audience, even if no politics was discussed. Heck, we enjoyed him more than we did Tory Anne Widdecombe in 2010 when she took part in Strictly. Even she gave him appraisal after his incredible journey.
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