The Dessert Island

Amanda Taylor - The Dessert Island

Augustin Chauvet - The Dessert Island

Today’s castaway is truly a citizen of the world - residing in 3 different countries - all before his 18th birthday.
His journey began in Paris, before he moved with his parents and sister quite literally to the other side of the world.
New Zealand was to be his new home - where we would have to learn not just a new way of life - but also a new language - having only mastered rudimentary English before relocating.
The next chapter would begin a couple of years later - as the Chauvet’s moved to Sydney - and is where our guest would remain for the last 2 decades.
Although a self-confessed, slightly nerdy child, who played trumpet, and possessed a minor video game obsession - his move to Australia was the beginning of his teenage transformation - yet it remains easy to spot his French roots - whether it be his moped riding, love of coffee and wine, model-esque looks - or most noticeably - his endearing accent.
Through a combination of hard work and passion - he is a clear success both professionally and personally - with a wide group of friends, a career as a highly skilled cinematographer and editor, and of course, a fiance, who he is due to marry in the coming weeks.
Whether it be at work, or at home - he captures the attention of all those around him - and through the lens of the ones that know him best, he is a strong-minded yet kind-hearted soul, who directs himself through life with integrity, humour - and a new found love of pickleball.
The script may have changed many times, but our guest continues to direct the movie of his own life with creativity and a certain je ne sais quois, that has both friends and family eager to see not just the sequel, but the anthology of his adventures that are to come.
Welcome to The Dessert Island: Augustin Chauvet.

Simon Bourke - The Dessert Island

Today’s castaway grew up in Crouch End, as one of three siblings in a lively, bustling household—yet he always seemed destined to venture beyond the borders of North London.
An adventurer from the outset, it was his childhood swimming career that first carried him out into the wider world. The pool became his passport, taking him across Europe and later to America. But it wasn’t those laps across the channel or the pond that would shape him most profoundly. Instead, it was a different kind of water altogether: the tides of friendship that formed the Fish crew.
Named after their local meeting spot—the Fishmongers Arms in Wood Green—it was there that countless memories were made with fellow football fans, friends and family. And most importantly, it was there that he met the love of his life, Judith… despite the team she may have supported.
Together they spent nearly two years globe-trotting through South East Asia and Oceania, before making their boldest journey yet: a trip up the M1 to begin a new life in Yorkshire.
What followed was more than a change of scenery—it was the arrival of a bustling brood: Natasha, Megan, Emily and Jacob. Having 4 children may have dampened the party spirit in most households, but not at Tanfield Drive, as the home became, and still remains, the legendary backdrop to many a celebration - proving home is not just where the ‘heart’ is - but also kitchen raves, quizzes and fierce table-tennis tournaments.
Our guests own ticker has shown remarkable resilience, and after bouncing back from heart surgery without missing a beat, today’s castaway continues to push himself—whether it be by running ultramarathons across the moors, cycling through the mountains of Europe, or climbing the corporate ladder in electrical engineering - he is a bright spark in every sense, and lights up the lives of all who know him.
Welcome to The Dessert Island: Simon Bourke.

Olivia Tremlett - The Dessert Island

Today’s castaway grew up in Ilkley, with much of her early journey shaped by walks on the moors, holidays in France, and navigating the unique joys and challenges of being the middle sister to two brothers - Jonny and Ross.
At school she was a straight-A student, but her time in education gave her far more than good grades – as it also introduced her to someone that would not only be her high-school sweetheart - but also her soulmate, and having started dating Toby at 15, they remain happily together 18 years later.
Away from passions of the heart, her other pursuits led her to learn the skills of rhythm and coordination in modern and jazz classes, but she would not only serve up dancemoves in her teenage years - but also fish and chips. And although our guests' first forays into employment saw her become a star employee within the hospitality industry - it would be delivering lessons to the next generation where she would excel most. 
To discover this path, her next steps would see her set sail for the geordie shores for a place at Northumbria University to study criminal science. However, it didn’t take Sherlock-esque deduction to reveal where she was most at home - not only back in Yorkshire - but in the classroom.
Originally planning to teach secondary schoolers, inspiring younger children would turn out to be her primary calling - and now 6 years later with nearly as many life lessons learnt as those given - when asked her words of wisdom - her mantra is - ‘Just to get through the day’.
Please welcome to The Dessert Island today’s castaway — Olivia.

Hugo Dodd - The Dessert Island

After growing up in Hertfordshire, our castaway had big ideas from the very beginning. With dreams of being a footballer, film director - or even rollercoaster designer - from his love for music and film, to sports and gaming, his creative interests were shaped by a myriad of pursuits - whether it be with a ball at his feet - or strategising while playing Warhammer.
From a young age, he was always destined for great heights — both figuratively and literally. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 6 inches tall - his stature is matched only by the esteem in which he has continuously been held in by his friends, family, and peers.
With a curious mind and a deep interest in life’s biggest questions, he went on to study Philosophy at the University of Birmingham and after wrestling with the ideas posed by Nietzsche, Kant, Aristotle, and Marx — he would develop an analytical mindset that would prove invaluable in his work life - although unexpectedly.
In his profession, he works on a global scale continually searching for answers, not in regards to morality, ethics, or existential questions facing humanity - but rather in finding the perfect solution for a prestigious roster of sports organisations - in the form of complex talent challenges.
Whether it be thought, or candidate experiments, our guest is intelligent and analytical - and although he may not believe in a god, there is one institution he has faithfully followed for years: Arsenal FC. However, through the grace of Bergkamp, and the brilliance of Henry, the club has managed to provide some moments of transcendence.
When asked his favourite quote, he chose the words of evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins:
“We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further…”
Please welcome to the Dessert Island today’s castaway — Hugo.

Steve Brunsden - The Dessert Island

Today’s castaway should be somewhat accustomed to the island life. Having grown up surrounded by the beaches of Bournemouth - he remains living by the south coast to this day - a literal stones throw away from the Southbourne sands.
In his youth, our cheeky yet charming guest may not have found joy in textbooks or chalkboards, but once outside the confines of the classroom, the energy he put into the subject of his true passions would put him on the right track. 
A promising career in the field of athletics was where he excelled most - leading to appearances at multiple national finals. But going for gold was just as important as going for goals, as his talent also extended to the football pitch. And though playing up front for the Cherries wasn’t meant to be, he has covered multiple positions throughout an assortedly entertaining career, with transfers both domestic and overseas.
Whether it be serving drinks, selling items from christmas catalogues, driving tractors, calling clients, or even picking bananas - our castaway has never shied away from a challenge - no matter how questionable the role, or the clientele has been. Now, as an aspiring entrepreneur, his latest quest is to build the dream life for his wife Flick and their young son Bowie through his business ventures.
From Bournemouth to Bangkok, and Spain to Sydney - his escapades have taken him all over the world - and the only fitting introduction - which will make sense later - is through the following…
“There are tall ships, there are small ships, there are ships that sail the seas - but the best ships, are friendships - so here’s to you and me.
There are funny stories, there are wild stories - there are stories you wouldn’t quite believe - And now it’s time to welcome, to the Dessert Island - the one and only Steve”

Sarah M - The Dessert Island

Today’s castaway is well and truly a North London girl - after spending most of her childhood at Connaught Avenue as the eldest of two daughters to Suzanne and Steve - 38 years later she still resides in Enfield - just a few streets down the road - albeit with a family of her own.
When not in EN1 - the March’s can commonly be found at their second, slightly more exotic home - Woolacombe Bay. Having spent almost every summer on the golden Devonshire sands, or in the clubhouse playing bingo, the traditional pilgrimage to the southwest coast shows no sign of fading.
Away from bodyboarding and being entertained by Billy The Beachball, sport has always been a constant in our guest’s life. And while she excelled at playing netball throughout her younger years, representing her borough and county - it is football that has always had her heart.
As a self-confessed Spurs mad superfan - whether it be down the pub, watching at home with her family, or in the stadium - you can always guarantee a slightly drunken rendition of Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur will be delivered loud and proud.
When not publicly declaring her passion for Spurs, she uses her voice to capture the attention of others in her day job - as an English teacher.
To quote Shakespeare - “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” - and while our castaway is only interested watching those in blue and white - she thrives in her own role improving the lives of all those around her - whether it be her own children - or the ones she attempts to inspire in the classroom.

Lara Mowforth - The Dessert Island

Today’s castaway grew up in the small Scottish town of Milngavie, but her adventurous spirit always reached beyond the highland moors. From performing for her family to drama school productions, she’s always loved the spotlight. Whether entertaining with dance routines, rapping nursery rhymes, or representing her country at hockey, she brings energy to every stage. Now living in Australia, her career in social media marketing continues to thrive also just as much as her sense of adventure.

Angela Lambard - The Dessert Island

Today's castaway grew up in North London as the second eldest of six siblings in a household that loved music and sport in equal measure. Although a great show-woman at table tennis, her starring performances were saved for the stage in many musical theatre productions. After a career spanning nearly four decades, mainly enjoying disciplinary meetings as an HR Manager, she has constantly been a devoted mum to Lauren and Matt, and has recently undertaken her latest role as Nanna to Daisy and Ella. Now she continues to build not only a dream life, but quite literally a dream home with her husband of 20 years, Simon, in the Norfolk broads. Welcome to the Dessert Island, Angela.

James Francis - The Dessert Island

Today's castaway has as many talents as he does stories. While excelling at sport — it was arguably with a mic he was most talented - performing as Sum MC. At Bournemouth Uni, he was the life of the party & not only left with a degree - but also his soulmate, Hayley. Also proving to be just as successful at building businesses as he is forging friendships, with many crazy adventures along the way, he continues to be the best man, in more ways than one!