Look To The Stars News: Piers Morgan

Simon Cowell Attends Charity Dinner

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

British TV stars Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan helped raise millions of dollars for a UK-based family support charity this week.

The pair took to the stage for an informal chat at the annual Norwood Dinner to help thousands of Jewish children and families with learning difficulties and social problems. Cowell also introduced Norwood’s fundraising film, and expressed his admiration for the charity’s work.

“Charities carry out extraordinary work and I like to support them as much as possible,“ he said. “To see so many people out tonight to support Norwood is staggering. Through my friend Richard Desmond [charity president], I have learnt a lot about Norwood and I understand why you’re all here. I’m a great believer that we have to support British charities and I’m very happy to support this cause.”

The dinner – held on Monday, November 17 – raised £3m (US$6 million) for Norwood to go towards the £9 million (US$18 million) that the charity needs this year in donations to maintain its services supporting children, families and adults, coping with disabilities and social disadvantage within the Jewish community and beyond.

“This year, more than ever before, we appreciate the generosity of Norwood’s donors who have demonstrated that even in this tough financial climate, they are there for the children, families and adults who rely on Norwood’s support,“ said Richard Desmond.

Desmond also surprised the 1,200 guests by announcing that the charity’s patron, Queen Elizabeth, will visit Ravenswood in Berkshire, Norwood’s residential community for adults with learning disabilities, on 11 December.

“Something that sets Norwood apart is that we have the Queen as our Royal Patron,“ said Desmond. “I am delighted that she has requested to meet children and adults who use our services, together with staff who support them.

“We are all looking forward to showing her our fantastic services. Whilst she is at Ravenswood she will be opening the new Pamela Barnett Centre for adults with profound and multiple disabilities. It’s a great honor to have Her Majesty’s support.”

More information about the charity can be found at their website.

Celebrity Apprentice 2 To Feature Annie Duke

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

NBC will aim to repeat the success that was Celebrity Apprentice when a new series of the show premieres in January 2009.

Although most of the contestants cannot be named or have yet to commit, professional poker player Annie Duke confirmed her involvement during the weekend.

According to a statement made on www.ultimatebet.com on Friday, ““Annie Duke wasn’t able to attend… the Aruba Poker Classic because, as you may have heard, she was selected to be on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice this season. She had to fly to L.A. for the premiere party and she’ll be competing for the Ante Up for Africa charity. Annie and Donald Trump in the same boardroom… that should make for some interesting TV.”

Duke is well known for her work with Ante Up For Africa, a celebrity poker tournament she organizes annually with Don Cheadle that aims to raise money and public awareness for the crisis in Darfur. Participants are asked to contribute half of their tournament winnings to the ENOUGH Project and the International Rescue Committee, organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur.

The first series of Celebrity Apprentice, which was won by Piers Morgan, raised over $1 million for a range of charities.

New Children's Poetry Competition Raises Money For Charity

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

An exciting new poetry competition for school children will see the literary works of 96 youngsters published alongside the efforts of a range of stars.

The 2nd annual Pound A Poem competition will raise funds for Rays of Sunshine, a charity that makes wishes come true for terminally and seriously ill children between the ages of 3-18 in the United Kingdom. The competition – which promotes literacy, healthy eating, and celebrates good citizenship – is open to children aged 5-11, in school years 1 to 6, and costs £1 per entry. The theme is “fruit and vegetables”, and the 96 winning entries will appear in the Pound a Poem book alongside poetry from celebrities including Piers Morgan, Julie Christie, Darcy Bussell, and Dermot O’Leary.

The poems will also be judged by celebrities, including TV personality Esther Rantzen, children’s authors Jacqueline Wilson, Annabel Karmel and Dan Freedman, presenter Dom Wood, actress Tracy Ann Oberman, and comedian James Campbell.

Based on last year’s competition, organizers believe they will make over $12,000 for the UK based charity to spend on children’s wishes, equipment, and hospital funding.

The overall winner will win a week’s holiday for four to Barbados, with their school receiving £1000 to spend on equipment. More information can be found at www.poundapoem.co.uk.

Stars Pound The Pavement In London Marathon

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:51:45 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

35,000 people set off through the English rain yesterday in the third biggest London Marathon ever held. And a handful of celebrities slipped on their running shoes, polished off their pedometers, and sweated their way along the 26 mile course for charity.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay managed to compete in his ninth marathon with very little of his trademark bad language, and completed the race in just under three hours.

“It doesn’t get any easier,” said the Michelin-star winner, who was raising money for Spina Bifida research. “There were thousands who came out – they were fantastic.”

Actress Amanda Holden – whose show, Britain’s Got Talent, has just returned to TV – also braved the blisters for a good cause. The 37-year-old ran the event to raise money for the Born Free Foundation, of which she is patron. She trained for six months for the marathon, during which she set up a website for people to follow her training and sponsor her effort. She raised over $12,000 from sponsors, including pledges from Simon Cowell ($2,000) and Piers Morgan ($2,002).

Other celebrities puffing their way through the streets of London included Ronan Keating and former Big Brother winner Kate Lawler, who raised thousands for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Celebrity Apprentice Raises Over One Million Dollars

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:42:16 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Donald Trump’s first season of Celebrity Apprentice helped many worthy causes. Stephen Baldwin won more than once for his charity of choice named for his mother, the Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund. However, the final two on Thursday night’s finale were the tenacious Brit Piers Morgan versus the American cowboy Trace Adkins in the quest to become the first Celebrity Apprentice to win $250,00 for their cause.

Morgan is recognized in the US as a judge on America’s Got Talent and known in the UK for Britain’s Got Talent, in addition to his work as a tabloid editor. The tough as nails competitor won nine out of eleven competitions and raised over $500,000 for his designated charity, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Trump helped Morgan add to his total to the tune of $250,00 as he was dubbed the Celebrity Apprentice winner. Critics say that he played dirty. Morgan states that he played the game to win money for his cause.

Morgan beat 12 other celebrities competing to win money for their charity of choice. Final two opponent Adkins was raising funds for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. His motivation to win was driven by his six year old daughter’s severe food allergies. The country singer performed a song which can be downloaded from the NBC website at cost to contribute fund’s for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

It's A Big Night In On Thursday

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:28:10 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The seasons may be changing, but there are still enough reasons to cuddle up on the couch in front of the television this week, especially on Thursday when two game shows see celebrities competing for charity. So grab a blanket, a cat, and a loved one, slip into some slippers, pour a drink, and put your feet up for a night on the couch.

The big attraction is NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice, which comes to a conclusion this week, with the last two contestants battling it out for good causes and glory. Country singer Trace Adkins will go head-to-head with British media personality Piers Morgan for the finale, with Donald Trump awarding $250,000 to the winner’s chosen charity.

Adkins will perform his new single, You’re Gonna Miss This, during the show, and the song will be available on iTunes immediately after the program is aired. Proceeds from the song will go to FAAN (the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network), which is also the singer’s chosen charity for the show.

“I intend to conclude my time on this show with my dignity intact,” said Adkins. “I will try to be as respectful as Piers will allow me to be.”

But if country music isn’t your scene, and you spend your evenings reminiscing about torn jeans and long hair, then head over to the Fox Network for Don’t Forget The Lyrics. This week’s show will prove that the 80’s really was the best decade for music when REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin competes for MusiCares.

The show’s aim is simple – celebrity contestants compete to win $1 million for their favorite charity by recalling song lyrics from a variety of genres. So far, artists such as Boyz II Men, Kenny Loggins, and Poison’s Bret Michaels have all tried their luck with host Wayne Brady.

And no matter if Cronin wins or not, you are guaranteed to have “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore” still running through your head at 3am.

Stars Compete For Charity On Celebrity Apprentice

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:26:17 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

16 million people tuned into the first episode of Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice on January 3, a show in which celebrities work to win money for the charity of their choice. Critics may argue it is a publicity stunt to boost ratings, but when $250,000 is at stake to go to a good cause, all is fair in ratings and charity.

The show marks the 7th series of reality television show The Apprentice, and features a return to the original format of a male team versus a female team. The men’s team named themselves Hydra, and the women have chosen the name Empresario.

Every week, the money earned on a project goes to the team leader’s charity. In the first episode, actor Stephen Baldwin headed the winning team, and the breast cancer charity named for his mother – the Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund – was the first charity to reap the benefits of male star power. Baldwin proudly presented a check in excess on $69,000 to the charity. His celebrity teammates include KISS bass player Gene Simmons, Heavyweight Boxing Champion Lennox Lewis, country singer Trace Adkins, America/Britain’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan, Ultimate Fighting Champion Tito Ortiz, and Sopranos star Vincent Pastore.

The female celebrities have lost two challenges and two teammates – former Playboy Playmate Tiffany Fallon and Olympic Gold Medalist Nadia Comanechi. The remaining competitors include actress Marilu Henner, former supermodel Carol Alt, Olympic Gold medalist Jennie Lynch, Elemundo executive Nely Galan, and infamous veteran Apprentice star Omarosa.

The charities the celebrities are fighting for are:

Nadia Comanechi- Special Olympics
Jenni Finch- The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Marilu Henner- The Physician’s Committee For Responsible Medicine
Carol Alt- The Tony Alt Memorial Foundation
Lennox Lewis-The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
Gene Simmons-The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Piers Morgan- The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
Stephen Baldwin- The Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund
Tiffany Falon- The Walter Reed Society
Tito Ortiz- The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Vincent Pastore- The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Nely Galan- Count Me In
Trace Adkins – the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
Omarosa – Tomorrow’s Aeronautic Museum

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