WILL your favourite man make it into the dishy dozen? The race is on for our finalists to win as many votes as possible in the hope they will become next year’s calendar boys in our super Manhunt 2008 competition. Last week, we unveiled the 20 finalists who beat 2000 others in the contest we’re running alongside Galaxy FM . . . but in 11 days time only 12 of them will have made it into the glossy calendar. And fans can get a chance to meet them all in person this week when they set off on the campaign trail. Yesterday, the gorgeous hunks surprised shoppers at the Tucci clothing store in Sunderland where they met the public and gave discounts to people who voted for them while in-store. They will also be out on tour in Sunderland on Friday at Chase and Blu Bambu bars, and then at Chase and Sea nightclub in Newcastle on Saturday, where each contestant will be kitted out in official Manhunt T-shirts emblazoned with their names. Becoming an overnight celebrity has taken all the boys by surprise . . . yet they are all taking it in their stride. Newcastle city council worker Liam Errington, 18, of Fenham, Newcastle, said: “I’d like to get into the final 12 but I’m just treating it as a bit of a laugh. “We did a photo shoot last Saturday and I spoke to a few of the others, and some of them really want to win. “I’m looking forward to going out in the nightclubs this week . . . I like a bit of a drink.” Former Royal Marine Iain McCullum, 36, of Monkseaton, North Tyneside, is also thoroughly enjoying taking part in Manhunt. Iain, who is now a support worker, said: “It was my girlfriend Jane who entered me . . . the first I knew of it was when she got in there first, ahead of Galaxy, to tell me I’d made it into the final 20.” To see photos of all the finalists and vote for your favourite you can visit www.galaxynortheast.co.uk/manhunt. Voting closes on Thursday, November 22 at 5pm and the final 12 will be revealed on these pages on December 2. | 
