Award winning TV and radio presenter uses Legal Deed Poll Service to change his name to reflect exciting election times

Online, May 13, 2010 (Newswire.com) - In a Radio 4 documentary broadcast on 3rd May (available on BBC iPlayer) Tim Samuels visited Christine Hamilton (aka Mrs British Battleaxe) and used her computer to register and pay for his new moniker from the Legal Deed Poll Service.

Sensing a slight hesitation as he was poised over the keyboard, Christine urged him on, "I've had a completely new lease of life since I changed my name to Mrs British Battleaxe. It's re-invigorated me...kept me youthful...it's wonderful.

"I definitely think you should. It's like going for a wonderful walk on a sunny day......if you don't go through with this you're a total wimp."

On hearing from her some of the extraordinary names people choose, Tim commented, 'They make you look positively sane!'

During the programme, Tim Samuels, winner of three Royal Television Society awards, investigates the recent phenomenon of changing your name by Deed Poll, learns how easy it is and looks at the reasons why people feel the need for an identity change.

Tim heads off to meet some of the myriad of people who have reinvented themselves and visits the National Archives to discover the origins of the deed poll. Then, on his best behaviour, he visits the Senior Master at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Speaking on the show, Tim said: "You are free to change your name to virtually whatever you like.

"For the purposes of this program I am changing my name for publicity value .. to 'Lovechild of DavidCameronandGordon Brown-whataboutClegg'.

"Name changes seem pretty useful PR tools. Some 70,000 people will change their name this year through Deed Poll. If I'd have known about this at university we would all have changed our names."
Concluding his show and assessing name changes, Tim said: "The right to change your name with ease and without official sanction seems to be rooted in libertarian brutishness.

"Marry that with today's tendency to alter anything you don't like about yourself and ......it seems more than just an internet fad, in fact a quite unexpected barometer of social change."

Jamie Jackson, Chief Executive of Legal Deed Poll Service, who helped Tim with his name change, said:

"We get many crazy name change applications, but this one is terrific fun in Election Week.

"Many people are surprised how easy it is to change your name by Deed Poll. You merely fill out a simple online application form - just like Tim Samuels. It costs only £10 for an adult name change. Within a few days you will receive an official Deed which must be signed in the presence of a witness - then the new name is official."

NOTE:
A deed poll is used to change your or your child's legal name and can quickly and simply be done online with The Legal Deed Poll Service. There are no limits to how many times you can change your name and no limitations on the name chosen - you can call yourself whatever you like. Just visit http://www.thelegaldeedpollservice.org.uk and click 'Apply Online'.
Contact Information
Michael Sami | Press Officer
The Legal Deed Poll Service Ltd
2nd Floor | 145-157 St John Street | London | EC1V 4PY
Tel: 020 3070 2264
Web: www.thelegaldeedpollservice.org.uk