Leeds Project Parent

'Project Parent, the show that puts you in control

'of your single parent's life.' Hello?

-BOTH: Is that Angellica?

-Yes, it is.

-We need help. Our mum's embarrassing us.

-She dresses like a teenager

-and goes out in Lady Gaga frocks. She looks fake.

-Please help us!

Don't panic. I'm on my way.

Today's project managers are Josh and Kati.

-Hi.

-Hello!

They're on a mission to give their mum a make-under...

-Her clothes can be over the top.

-She's embarrassing!

Look at that! She should stop dressing like a teenager.

..find a gent to escort Mum on a posh day out.

-My mum worships Peter Andre.

-Ooh!

..create some havoc in the surveillance van...

Release the cow now.

..and peel the layers to reveal what's underneath.

Come in and show us your new look!

THEY EXCLAIM

This is Project Parent,

the show that puts you in charge of your single parent's life.

We give you the power to totally transform them with a whole new look

and choose someone to accompany them on a fun day out.

Now, today I'm in Yorkshire to meet a brother and sister

whose mum totally embarrasses them.

They say she dresses like a teenager and looks way too fake.

They want to give her a make-UNDER

and transform her to what they believe a mum should look like.

Meet this week's project managers,

13-year-old Josh and 12-year-old Kati.

Their mum is 33-year-old Mel.

Mum embarrasses us because she wears teenager-style clothes.

Her clothes can be over the top.

She wears this Lady Gaga-style dress.

It's horrendous.

It's really embarrassing when she wears it.

She's, like, "Mum, you know, you dress like a teenager.

"You're 33 - you can't be dressing like that."

She has fake hair extensions, fake nails,

fake lashes. Sometimes she even wears fake toenails!

Mel's passion for fashion means she is retail queen.

My mum and shopping are...

-..best friends.

-Yeah.

Shopping has to be absolutely my favourite pastime.

-It's horrible!

-It's an obsession, I think, now.

My mum's got three wardrobes packed full of stuff.

Enough clothing to clothe a little town or village in Africa.

Help me!

Mum's taste in men also comes down to appearances.

Looks are really important to my mum,

but I think there's other qualities that she needs to look at.

Personality, sense of humour and brains.

Our ideal man for our mum would have...

Jimmy Carr's eyes.

-Minty's nose.

-Stephen Hawking's brain.

Ricky Gervais's laugh.

I feel extremely scared about putting the kids in control.

I think she just needs to go for a more natural look.

Without all of the fake stuff, she'll look beautiful.

We have a very different assignment on our hands this week.

Luckily, I've help in the dashing form of style guru Darren Kennedy.

Darren's a top stylist who knows how to make a lady look her very best.

If anyone can stop Mum's obsession with dressing like a teen, it's him.

-Hi!

-Hello!

-How you doing?

-This is our mum.

-Hi, Mel. Lovely to meet you.

-We've heard so much about you.

-All good, I hope!

Well...! But you guys gave us the call. We came as fast as we could.

-What's the problem?

-Look at her! She's embarrassing us. Look at that!

She dresses like a teenager.

Right, guys, I want to get stuck in,

but it's not one, not two, but THREE wardrobes?!

-We've got a lot of work. Do you want to show me the crime scene?

-Yeah.

Mel...we need to have a little chat.

So here's all our mum's clothes.

Wowzers!

-She really does have a lot of clothes, doesn't she?

-A lot.

This is ridiculous!

Look how short that is!

That's even too short for YOU, Kati.

Your mum's wearing a ra-ra leopard-print skirt.

-How do you feel about her clothes?

-It's a bit embarrassing,

because she's not a teenager.

I think she should be a bit more mumsy.

Mel, when I see you, I just see a young, funky, beautiful mum.

I'd like to think exactly what you've just said.

But the kids seem to disagree.

-Now, what's the worst offender for you?

-Er...

I think it's over here. It's another Lady Gaga dress.

It's shocking!

I mean, this dress isn't appropriate for anyone other than Lady Gaga!

-# Gaga, oh-la-la. #

-I'm unique!

Honestly, Mel, how do you feel about Josh and Kati taking over?

Terrified. Absolutely terrified.

What have you guys got in mind? What would you like to see her wear?

Longer skirts and dresses,

blouses, cardigan, flat shoes.

I want her to get rid of the fake tan, fake nails,

fake toenails, fake eyelashes and hair extensions

and everything else fake.

Sounds good to me!

What sort of man do you like? What... What attracts you?

Looks, initially.

Fashion - somebody that dresses well. That's an absolute.

Is there anyone, then, that you think, you know,

"We like the look of them. It'd be nice if Mum had a touch of that."

Anyone out there?

-Cheryl Cole.

-High five! I love Cheryl Cole.

Who'd be your ideal celebrity man?

-Peter Andre.

-REALLY?!

Love him.

G'day, Sheila.

He's got the whole look. Everything.

Plus the fact that he's a single dad, as well.

It's obviously an appeal. He's very sweet.

Guys, we've got a huge task on our hands

if we're going to make your mam under

and bring out her natural beauty. You up to being project managers?

BOTH: Yes!

Your first task today is to choose THE most hideous item

and we're going to bin it.

-Hey!

-There it is.

-Do you agree with his choice?

-Yes!

-Mel!

-Hello.

-Hi.

Dress looks a bit familiar, doesn't it?

-This is horrible.

-And...it's going in the bin.

No! That's my favourite dress. You can't do that!

-Yeah!

-High five.

Aren't they a lovely family?

Gorgeous, all of them. I love them all.

But I'm confused because I think she's young, funky and cool.

I'd love a mum like that, so why are they embarrassed?

I can understand why they're embarrassed.

I think she's just a little bit too fashion-led.

We need to teach her how to dress for HER and feel good,

-so it's not trend-led.

-And she's looking for Peter Andre!

-HE CHUCKLES

-We'd better get to work!

The first step is for Josh and Kati to find the perfect gent.

This is where the task begins -

in our state-of-the-art Project Parent surveillance van,

packed with the latest gadgets,

multi-screens and fantastic satellite dish.

It's also rigged up with camera, microphones

and a big red buzzer to cut them off if they give rubbish answers.

So it's the perfect place to interrogate the candidates.

Josh and Kati meet the men, but they do have an assistant.

We've got some really tough questions for them

-and I hope they're ready.

-Yeah.

We searched for the perfect match for mum and found three candidates.

Josh and Kati want someone to make mum laugh

so we found Carl who loves to play the clown and do impersonations.

The kids want brains, so we have Peter, a whizz at brainteasers.

They also want someone with a strong personality,

so there's Greg who likes to be the centre of attention.

If the children aren't happy with these, we have another option,

Mel's good friend, Monique.

How are you feeling?

-Excited.

-Really excited.

-What are you looking for?

Funny, good personality, stuff like that.

-It's not all about looks.

-OK.

-First to take the hot seat is Carl.

-Hi.

Hello.

We want a gentleman.

How long would you wait for a lady clothes shopping -

one hour, two hours or five hours?

I would wait five hours.

He's an absolute liar.

-You can so tell.

-He's lying.

We want someone funny. Make us laugh.

I'm Barney, hello!

DOES SCOOBY-DOO IMPRESSION

My mum worships Peter Andre. Do an impression of him singing.

# Woah, woah, woah

# Mysterious girl I wanna get close to you... #

Ooh!

My mum hates caviar but we want her to be more sophisticated.

Make a canape and eat it.

-Do you like caviar?

-No. Not at all.

-Put it all in your mouth.

Oh!

BURPING

-What does it taste like?

-Fishy.

-Eurgh!

-That is all. Bye-bye.

Five hours waiting outside a shop. He's never even seen the woman.

-He's trying to impress you.

-That's the problem.

-I enjoyed it.

Next to take the hot seat is Peter.

My mum is a bit rubbish at maths and we want someone that's brainy.

-15 seconds to work this out.

-Go.

-50 x 5 ¸ 10 - 8. Go.

Minus 10? Plus 10 - 8?

Five, four, three, two, one.

-17.

-Well done.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

Mum worships Peter Andre. Do an impression of him singing.

# Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Mysterious girl

# I wanna get close to you... #

-Well done.

-Do you actually have that six pack?

I've got a two pack at the moment. Thank you.

Mum hates caviar, but we want her to be more sophisticated.

Make a canape and eat it.

-I don't really like caviar, but...

-Pile it on.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, my word.

-I don't think he likes it.

-JOSH LAUGHS

-Well done, that is all.

-Thank you.

-What are you thinking?

-Really good at maths.

-He was.

I hope the kids liked me, it wasn't too bad.

-I had a thoroughly good time.

-The final contender is Greg.

-Hi, what's your name?

-My name's Greg.

-I'm Josh.

-Hi.

-I'm Kati.

-Hi.

Tell us your best joke.

What do you call a three-legged donkey?

-I've heard this.

-Let's hear it then, what's the answer?

-Er...what is the answer?

-You don't know the answer.

-It's that bad, I've forgotten.

-There you go! A wonky.

Let's hear yours then.

-I'm the one asking the questions.

-No, you can't do that!

My mum worships Peter Andre. Do an impression of him singing.

# Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Mysterious girl

# I wanna get close to you... #

He's rubbish.

-BUZZER

-Thank you.

-Do your best impersonation.

-I used to play for Manchester United.

I used to cross the ball in for Wayne before I moved to America.

-David Beckham.

-Oh! See, I'm awesome.

Better than Peter Kay or Lee Evans.

-I'll take that as a compliment.

-OK.

-That is all.

-Thank you, Kati, thank you, Josh.

-You were good.

Josh and Kati asked some wicked questions and it made me think.

-Did you enjoy that?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-You've met all the guys.

Tell me what you liked. Start with Carl.

-I'm Barney!

-He was funny and honest.

He made us laugh a lot.

-What about Peter?

-He was nice, but...

-I didn't feel the vibe.

There wasn't a connection.

-Finally, Greg, you were having some banter.

-I got you!

-The way he said our names after...

-You liked that.

-Yeah.

-It felt like we knew each other.

-Thank you, Kati and Josh.

And we still have Monique.

So have you guys definitely decided who's going home?

-Yeah.

-You sure.

-Yeah.

-Positive.

-Yes!

Tell me who it is.

It's this one, Peter.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye.

-See you later.

Am I disappointed? A little.

But somebody has to go first and it's me.

Bad luck, mate.

So, that's one down and three to go.

We've lined up a posh treat for Mel at a stately home.

Who will Josh and Kati pick to accompany her?

And what's she going to wear?

Josh and Kati want to stop their mum dressing like a teenager

and have asked me to dress her more as a mum.

We're not going near Mel's bargain high street shops.

We've brought her to an upmarket department store.

Guys, we're going to split up, do some shopping.

Mel, pick up some stuff that you like.

-But we have one rule.

-No short skirts.

And nothing Lady Gaga.

- OK, how short's short? - Just short.

-This is not short!

-Yes, it is.

Use that as your baseline. Try and hit the knee.

Josh, Kati, this way. See you later.

-Found them. How about this one?

-Why do you like this, Josh?

Because it's granny and frumpy.

-Is that granny enough for you?

-Yeah.

Granny chic, isn't it?

-What about this?

-Interesting.

They've gone a bit too frumpy at this stage.

They're forgetting that their mum is a young woman.

I like this.

Why did this catch your eye? It's not too teenage and not granny.

-It's in the middle.

-Yeah.

-I think that colour is amazing.

-Sophisticated.

It is, isn't it?

# Oops, I did it again... #

Mel has sneaked off to her comfort zone - teen fashions.

She seems to have forgotten the rules.

I've tried to stick to the rules, but it's so hard.

They're a bit above knee, I think.

-Hey.

-Here she is.

-Come on over. How did you get on?

-Brilliant.

-Loads of dresses. Not too short.

-What do you mean?!

-JOSH: That's short.

-That's even short on Kati.

I've had enough. Give me all this.

-Pop yourself in there. We're going to get you changed.

-OK.

Some people just don't listen, do they?

It's time to see if any of Josh and Kati's choices

will turn Mel into the mumsy mum they hope for.

Three, two, one. Come on out.

Well, what do we think?

-The look has gone a bit too granny.

-Nowt wrong with that.

Thumbs up, thumbs down? OK, I think that's a massive thumbs down.

Hello, Grandma.

-What?!

-I like it.

-Eugh! You like that!

-Why don't you like it?

-It's horrible.

-Bleurgh!

-I think it's beautiful. How do you feel?

-Lovely.

Completely different look, but it feels really nice.

-It's sophisticated, it's elegant.

-You're wrong in the head.

-Wow.

-Wow.

-That's nice.

-That's beautiful. You look sophisticated.

-Wow.

-Wow.

-That's nicer.

-How do you feel? Normally you're legs, leg, legs!

-It feels nice.

-I like it.

Oh, wow!

-That's nice.

-Nice.

-Would you be proud to see her dressed like this?

-Yes.

The length is perfect, it hits you right on your knee.

I feel lovely. I feel really lovely.

After a hard day's shopping, Josh and Kati have found three outfits.

Which will they go for on the big day? Wait and see.

The granny outfit was funny because she looked horrific.

Josh and Kati have chosen an ice rink to check if the candidates

will behave like gentlemen.

If Carl or Greg don't step up to the mark, Monique is in the mix.

Josh and Kati will monitor it from the Project Parent van.

-Their mum is rigged up with a secret earpiece.

-Give us a signal.

Mum must do whatever Josh and Kati say.

-First up is Carl.

-Hello.

-Hiya.

-Are you all right?

-Yeah, are you?

-Nice to meet you.

-I'm Mel.

-Carl.

They've got ten minutes to learn a routine.

After a demonstration from coach Sarah,

they have to perform for Josh and Kati.

First, time for the real test.

Pretend you've lost your earring and see what he does.

-I'm sure I've lost an earring.

-Let's have a look.

I keep making sure, but I've definitely lost one.

-Very good.

-We'll find it.

-He's being very good, isn't he?

-Yeah.

-It's probably on the back bit.

-Is it gold?

-No, silver.

-That's probably why it's a bit...

Tell him to leave it, but thanks for the help.

I'll probably not find it, don't worry. They were only cheap.

-What do you think.

-So far, he's passed.

-Very good gentleman.

-Thank you for looking for me.

-All right.

OK, start your routine again.

The kids have got one more trick up their sleeves

-to test the candidates' sense of humour.

-Release the cow.

-Moo!

-Have you seen who's behind us.

-A skating cow, look!

CHEERS

-A skating cow.

-That was good.

-See you later.

-Bye.

-You did well. Well done.

-Cool.

The cow was a bit of a surprise. But it's all fun.

-Now it's Greg's turn.

-Hiya.

-How are you doing, Mel?

-I'm good.

-I got quite close there!

-You're all right.

For Greg, just remaining upright is enough of a challenge.

GREG LAUGHS Epic fail!

-Shall we go again?

-What?!

Sit of the floor and tighten your shoe and pretend you can't get up.

-My right boot's playing up.

-Is it?

Clever girl.

-This'll be nice trying to sit on the ice.

-Somehow I can...

I know there's a way you can.

Aah!

-Do you want me to do it?

-Look at him.

That's it.

Oh!

-That feels better.

-Stand up.

-This'll be fun.

- He already knew what to do. - OK, I'm up, that's brilliant.

What a gentleman.

-Let's get to the start position.

-I was going to say.

Do the final routine now for a final time

and then the cow's going to come.

That's it.

-And we've got a cow...

-A spectator on the...

Mooo!

-We've got a cow.

-Hi!

That's a bit of a random sight to see - an ice-skating cow.

-The cow's putting me off now.

-Ha-ha!

ANGELLICA LAUGHS

Josh, Kati, watch this bad boy.

We're watching.

-Ready?

-Oh-ho-ho!

-Yay!

Flukey boy!

Well done.

Very well done, that was good.

-Pleased to meet you, sweetie.

-Take care.

-Thank you.

-See you later.

-Bye.

-Did you enjoy that?

-BOTH: Yeah!

Hey, a skating cow, who hasn't seen one of them?

I want you to talk me through

how you think Carl did with your mum.

Yeah, he was nice and stuff, he was a gentleman

but he was just...

-But he looked for the earring.

-He was a good gentleman.

-Right, what about Greg?

-Really good.

-Yeah.

With the boot, he got down and helped her with it.

-It were funny when he fell over.

-Whoa!

We love anyone who falls over when they skate though.

And we still have Monique in the mix

if any of the other two guys aren't right. Let's mix these up

and you have to tell me who it's going to be.

BOTH: It's going to be that one.

It's the day of Mel's transformation

and the team is up at the crack of dawn.

There's so much to do.

So, gang, we're at the part that I love the most of any make-over.

I think for you, Mel, it's going to be really interesting

cos it's a complete make-under.

-What do you want to do in terms of make-up?

-Lose the lashes,

less make-up, no fake tan,

losing the nails.

Kati, in terms of hair, what do you think?

Just more natural, her natural brown

and get rid of the extensions.

How are you feeling?

Very scared.

Have one last look at yourself.

because that's the last time you shall see yourself

until your make-under is complete.

As Mum's layers are peeled away,

Josh and Kati have just got one more task...

to let the lucky candidate know.

Hi, it's Josh and Kati,

I just wanted to say that we've picked you.

You can come down to the hotel now but you've got to remember...

Dress formally and look nice.

Mum Mel has never been a fan of the natural look

but her kids are taking control.

It's time to see if all their hard work has paid off

and what friends and family will make of new-look Mum.

I think Melanie would be feeling absolutely terrified at the moment.

She's always blonde

and I can't remember when I last saw her with brown hair.

Well, I hope Josh has done a good job,

because I know what he's like - stylish -

so if he can do that with Melanie then she'll look quite good.

'It's time to see if their new-look Mum is what they'd hoped for.'

-Are you guys ready?

-BOTH: Yeah.

-Are you nervous?

-Yeah.

Really?

I think we should put you out of your misery.

-Shall we call your mum in? OK.

-Let's get her in.

Mel, come in and show us your new look.

GASPS

-APPLAUSE

-Give us a twirl. Come on.

Wow.

What do you think?

BOTH: That's amazing!

So much better.

-She looks more natural.

-She's so different.

Less make-up, less fake tan, less eyelash.

What about the hair?

-That is really nice.

-More natural, a lot better.

OK, shall we show her?

She's looking a bit nervous there, let's put her out of her misery.

OK, come on over here.

She's getting tearful. Are you all right?

Hold on to them, hold on to them.

Three...

two...

one!

Oh, my God!

Look at my hair! It's so dark!

I look skinny.

THEY LAUGH

That's a good mirror.

It's classy, it's elegant

and I've absolutely no doubt in saying this,

that you're very proud to say she's your mum.

KIDS: Yeah.

-Do you feel classier though?

-Yeah. No, I do feel nice. Yeah, absolutely.

-JILL:

-The children have done a wonderful job. I'm amazed.

I really am amazed

at how wonderful she looks.

It takes me back a while.

That's the sort of clothes I used to wear.

Without all the make-up she just looks like even prettier.

Yes, she does. Yeah.

Thank you, Kati. Thank you.

The clothes that they've picked are lovely.

Still it's, again, something I wouldn't have gone for

but I can see where they're kind of going with it now

and everything that they wanted - looking a bit older,

a bit more like a mum rather than a big sister.

So, yeah, I'm really pleased.

Mel has come a long way from her high fashion, teenage style image.

New look, elegant Mel is ready for the special treat

Josh and Kati have lined up for her and their mystery guest.

-So it's nearly time for your fun day out.

-Yep.

Do you have any idea what you're going to do?

-Is she going to have fun?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-You've got to trust these guys.

-OK.

-That is our car.

-That is unbelievable.

-Come on down!

THEY CHUCKLE

Our driver.

-Hello!

-ALL: Hi!

It's Greg!

Hi, you look lovely.

-Thank you.

-Bye!

ALL: Bye! GREG: See you, guys.

Bye!

Have a nice time!

BIRDSONG

Josh and Kati chose a most elegant spot for their sophisticated mum -

the aristocratic country retreat of East Riddlesden Hall.

-It's stunning, isn't it?

-I know.

'Greg's lovely. He's a really nice guy, really funny,'

just really easy to talk to.

-Oh, look at that.

-That looks impressive.

'Mel was fab. She really wanted to get involved.'

She seemed like she was enjoying herself.

-Oh, look.

-Oh, hello.

JOSH: 'Seeing my mum with her new look,

'she didn't look as much like a teenager

-'more of an adult.'

-She looked more sophisticated, more like a mum.

Oh, well done. I'm impressed by that.

'To give the kids their due, they've made good choices all round today.'

Oh, look at that!

I think it has changed everything in a big way.

I think I am going to look to change my wardrobe. I've actually got

the details of Sarah, our coach from the ice-skating rink,

to look at ice-skating lessons.

So, yeah, it's all so positive so I can't thank the kids enough.

'I think it's brought us closer as a family.'

I won't be embarrassed any more when I'm out with her.

I'm proud to say that she's our mum because she looks like a mum.

Oh, wow! What a transformation.

Another successful Project Parent completed.

MOO!

Eh up, what's this?

Thank you.

"Dear Project Parent,

"my mum lives in her slippers

"and only goes out to put the rubbish out.

"Please help."

Another parent...another project!