[Ed Pummelon]

It's been a while since someone has stepped into a permanent team member's role for such an extended period, and I've been really impressed with how well Tulip has fitted in since she started. She's adapted to the style of the show, and gets involved without pushing herself forward too much.

I'm a big fan of Dom and look forward to him coming back, but in the meantime I reckon Tulip's doing a good job - speaking as someone who's done his fair share of deputising for other people, I know it's not always an easy thing to do.

What's the general feeling on here - hit or miss?

[MK Chris]

She's doing a very good job in what are very hard shoes to fill. She's not trying too hard to be something she's not, which is important, she's getting involved and seems to be enjoying herself. It's good.

[Yudster]

Hit. She's cool.

[chrysostom]

Hit. She's not really bringing anything new to the show as such, but allowing it to carry on as it was.

Plus the tulip puns and constant barrage of dave/chris overpronouncing MAZUMDA is hilarious

[Johnny 1989]

Hit for me, I'll be honest I never thought anyone would top Georgina as fill in newsreader but I think Tulip has surpassed her now

[Boboff]

I like her too.

The whole BGT playing over Carrie's news was a class way for the Bitch Fight to start!

[Ed Pummelon]

Have I missed a bitch fight?

[Munki Bhoy]

Two thumbs fresh from me too.

[jocky85]

I like her too.

The whole BGT playing over Carrie's news was a class way for the Bitch Fight to start!

Did they pick up on her getting the time wrong aswell, I think yesterday morning. She said 7:30 instead of 6:30. Panicked me for a moment!

[Ed Pummelon]

They mentioned it briefly. Basically saying it would panic people. Seems they were right!

[jocky85]

Well then the cheesy song kicked in so I knew all was right with the world!

[CassieJackson]

Hit. Tulip has fitted in with the rest of the team very well. Dom's place is not an easy one to fill, but she's managing admirably.

[Boboff]

she's managing admiralty.

Oh and eh and up she rises, earl i in the mornin'

[DannyBoy]

she is brilliant and also VERY VERY HOT! she looks well nice on the odd box!

[CassieJackson]

she's managing admiralty.

Oh and eh and up she rises, earl i in the mornin'

*sniggers*

Danny Boy - seeing Dom's face as your avatar and reading the Tulip is hot comments was a little disturbing for me.

[Yudster]

Nice to hear Dom on the show this morning. He's back on Monday apparently, although I'm sure he could take another week if he wanted to - Rachel seemed surprised too. Anyway, it will be nice to have him back, even though Tulip has been lovely.

[Munki Bhoy]

Maybe Dom needs the money. He does have three kids now!

Paternity pay can be absolutely dreadful. Different rules than with Maternity leave apparently. We had one guy here that didn't take it, he just took two weeks holiday instead.

[jocky85]

I know someone that did that too, took holiday instead of paternity leave

[Johnny 1989]

Same here, one of the blokes in work took two weeks off instead, the rate of pay for Paternity leave is considerably lower.

My friend who went on Maternity leave (although who took voluntary redundancy in the end as the office was having a mass cut back of staff), said that for the first three months she got 90% of her pay, the next 6 months 45-50% of her pay & the last three months nothing at all. She was going to only take 9 months maternity leave as she couldn't afford to stay off any longer, however the redundancy came at sort of the right time for her, she had worked for the firm for 12.5 years so got a fair amount of money & they gave her her maternity pay in one whack. She's since had the baby.

Shame Tulip is going though, although I have missed Dom also.

[Boboff]

Paternity Pay = Zero

Paternity Leave=2weeks

Two different things.

Paternity > Maternity (no nasty gashes)

[NorvilleRogers]

notice that Tulip has joined twitter. personally I'll be glad when The Dom is back

[Ed Pummelon]

What's her Twitter name? Welcome to the forum by the way.

[NorvilleRogers]

Thanks!

just her full name I think! hang on I'll try and check

[jocky85]

She commented on Chris' pic with Davina

tulip_mazumdar

[Ed Pummelon]

Thanks jocky.

EDIT: Can't find anyone with that username.

ANOTHER EDIT: Found it going through TwitPic. Weird.

YET ANOTHER FRICKIN' EDIT: I'm not sure about this. Feels fake.