Look To The Stars News: Alan Carr

LTTS Exclusive - The Variety Club 57th Annual Showbiz Awards

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Look To The Stars’ UK Correspondent Richard Barker was lucky enough to attend the Variety Club’s 57th Annual Showbiz Awards and filed this exclusive report and photos.

I was delighted to spend some time with A-list celebrities from music, film, theatre and television on the Red Carpet. The event was in aid of one of UK’s longest running children’s charities, The Variety Club, as it celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

London saw some of the brightest stars from the showbiz world light up London’s West End as they congregated on the Red Carpet at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London W1 to show their support for one of UK’s longest running charities dedicated to sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people – The Variety Club – and to honour the most talented individuals from the world of entertainment at The Variety Club’s 57th Annual Showbiz Awards 2009. Don’t worry readers if you are based in England but weren’t there on the night – you’ll get a chance to watch the glitz, the glamour and hear the gossip on FIVE on Sunday 22nd November 2009 at 3.35pm.

The evening’s star-studded event commenced with an array of international A-list celebrities, industry stalwarts and leading luminaries from the worlds of film, television, comedy, theatre, popular music and classical music gracing the Red Carpet. The guest list welcomed names such as Kevin Spacey, Ben Kingsley, Patrick Stewart, Kelly Brook, Alesha Dixon, Dame Kelly Holmes (Ambassador for The Variety Club), David Suchet, Jon Culshaw, Alan Carr, Justin Lee Collins, Pixie Lott, Spandau Ballet, The Saturdays, Daniela Lavender, Faryl Smith and Joe Calzaghe. The stars shined for cameras as they made their way to an exclusive reception where champagne flutes were overflowing, as a prelude to a gourmet banquet and the coveted awards ceremony, which took place against a theatrical backdrop of exclusive world-class entertainment, including dazzling performances by Spandau Ballet, Pixie Lott and Faryl Smith.

The only event of its kind to honour the entire showbiz industry, this year’s winners included: Kevin Spacey, who was presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre by fellow actor David Suchet; Justin Lee Collins, who was presented with the Television Presenter of the Year Award by Alan Carr; and Spandau Ballet, who were presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Popular Music by The Saturdays.

On receiving his award, Sir Ian McKellen said, "This is an over-generous recognition of a career which, in truth, has been its own reward. Acting is working with friends and entertaining people and that’s quite enough for me. The Variety Club is having its 60th birthday, which means I was ten years old at the time in 1949, living in the north of England in Wigan, Lancashire. I was, without knowing it, preparing for a life in show business.

The Variety Club is the essence of life for kids who desperately need the help to get healthy. I am full of admiration for the work you have done for the past 60 years and hope you carry on with the work you do. I am extremely honoured to be associated with this charity and this award."

The Variety Club Showbiz Awards is one of the most eagerly anticipated entries on the British entertainment calendar and has become an international celebrity institution in itself. Nearly every showbiz personality of note from the past 60 years has been honoured by The Variety Club, renowned for its strong links with the showbiz world, including Tommy Trinder, Dame Vera Lynn, Lord Laurence Olivier, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Sir Alec Guiness, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Judy Dench, Ben Kingsley, Diana Dors, Daniel Craig, Keira Knightley, Jude Law, James McAvoy, Al Pacino, Peter Sellers, Tommy Cooper, Ricky Gervais, Alan Carr, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westenra.

The Variety Club Showbiz Awards raises significant funds for and awareness of the work The Variety Club undertakes to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. Celebrating its Diamond Jubilee this year, the charity has raised over £200 million and improved the lives of more than a million children and young people since its inception. Among its tireless work, the charity provides Sunshine Coaches, Easy Riders electric wheelchairs, exciting and educational trips, equipment for children’s hospitals and life enhancing equipment.

Also at this year’s Showbiz Awards, The Variety Club, in partnership with The Co-operative, revealed the face of its 2010 Gold Heart campaign – Alesha Dixon. The Gold Heart badges will be sold in Co-operative food, bank, travel and pharmacy stores from 28th January 2010. Owned by its members, The Co-operative has a long and proud history of supporting charities, community groups and other good causes. Every £1 donated in-store to the fund will help The Variety Club to provide vital, life-changing equipment to those children that need it most.

John Sachs, Chairman, The Variety Club Showbiz Awards comments, "Once again, the Showbiz Awards has honoured the UK’s top entertainment personalities embracing television, film, comedy, theatre, classical and popular music. As The Variety Club also celebrates its Diamond Jubilee this year, there was even more glamour, showbiz magic and star appeal than ever before.

The prestigious event also helped raise awareness and funds for The Variety Club’s praiseworthy work and as one of the UK’s longest serving charities dedicated to helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, our sole and primary focus is to make sure every child and young person is given the chance to reach their fullest potential."

Here are some facts about The Variety Club:
The Variety Club provides practical solutions to allow sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK to reach their full potential. This year sees The Variety Club celebrate its 60th year of bringing hope, independence and freedom to children and young people. In the past 60 years The Variety Club has raised over £200 million and helped more than a million children and young people. The Variety Club has donated more than 3,300 Easy Riders electric wheelchairs and mobility aids since 1981, put 4,890 Sunshine Coaches on the road and given around £20 million to children’s hospitals. To find out more information or donate go to www.varietyclub.org.uk. Follow the Variety Club on twitter here.

Stars Write Letters To Themselves For Charity Book

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

If you were to write a letter to your 16-year-old self, what would it say?

In the new book Dear Me, some of the world’s best loved personalities have written just such a letter. Their letters range from the compassionate, to the shocking via hilarity and heartbreak – but they all have one thing in common: they offer a unique glimpse at the teenager who grew up to be a house-hold name.

£1 from each copy sold will be given to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

“We’ve all written a letter to our sixteen-year-old selves collected together in the fabulous new book, DEAR ME: A LETTER TO MY SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD SELF,” said Sir Elton John. "It’s a wonderful, uplifting and poignant journey through the lives of some of the country’s best-loved personalities and would make a great gift for all your friends and family this Christmas.

“Your purchase will also directly benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which works throughout the world to provide support to those affected with HIV and AIDS.

“DEAR ME made me laugh, cry and reminisce to when I was 16 – so I went and wrote a letter too. It starts ‘Dear Reg’ and ends ‘CHANGE YOUR NAME!’ I hope you enjoy it!”

Some of the stars featured in the book include Annie Lennox, Burt Bacharach, Alan Carr, Rosanne Cash, Julian Clary, Jackie Collins, Jenny Éclair, Tracey Emin, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Jane Fonda, Mark Foster, Stephen Fry, Rolf Harris, Debbie Harry, Peter Kay, Patsy Kensit, Lynda La Plante, Baz Luhrmann, Joanna Lumley, James Nesbitt, Yoko Ono, Jonathan Ross, Emma Thompson, Desmond Tutu, Suzanne Vega, Alfre Woodard, and Sir Elton John.

Dear Me is the perfect gift for anyone, mum, dad, cousin, aunt, nephew or perhaps someone who is turning 16.

To buy a copy, click here.

Terry Wogan To Return To The Lost City For Children In Need

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0000

For the third year running, Sir Terry Wogan is to return to Leicester, the place he once famously dubbed the ‘lost city’, for the annual TOGs’ (Terry’s Old Geezers/Gals) convention.

The convention will be the fifth time the TOGs have returned to Leicester, and the slogan for this year’s meeting is TOGs 2009 AUSTRALIA (‘All Up Standing TOGs Rally AT Leicester In August’).

Sir Terry will attend a champagne reception and lunch at the University of Leicester on Friday 21st August 2009, joining more than 90 TOGs at their three-day convention, held at the University’s Stamford Hall. He will be welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Robert Burgess.

During his visit Sir Terry will launch the 2010 BBC Children in Need TOGs’ Celebrity Calendar, which to date has raised more than £800,000. Celebrities featured in the 2010 edition include Sir Roger Moore, Midge Ure, Rob Brydon, Alan Carr, Jane Asher, Robert Lindsay and the Wake up to Wogan Radio team.

Back in the 1980s, Sir Terry caused local uproar when he dubbed Leicester a ‘lost city’, due to all the motorway repairs in traffic bulletins. But after visiting the city he revised his opinion, and since then he has given it a number of major references on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, ‘Wake up to Wogan’.

Thanks to Leicester Shire Promotions, Leicester won a Children in Need challenge for UK cities to sell the most Pudsey Paws stickers. The prize was for Sir Terry to broadcast his breakfast show from the city, during which he signed a declaration agreeing never to refer to Leicester as the ‘lost city’ again.

Speaking at last year’s TOGs’ convention, Sir Terry said: "What is memorable about Leicester is the kind of welcome you get from the University of Leicester for the TOGs. That is why they keep coming back. Who else can supply us with the kind of welcome and facilities we get from the University? Everyone here is fantastic.

“I would like to have been a student here – it looks like a really nice campus. I am not being sycophantic, but the University of Leicester has a very good reputation. For students embarking on their careers my advice would be to study something you want to and then go and do whatever you like. But always remember to go to an established university, like Leicester.”

Speaking at the same event, Norman Macintosh, one of the organizers, added: “Terry’s Old Geezers (or Gals) have got together for our tenth convention – this is our fourth one at Leicester. We find the venue the ideal place for our convention and everyone is full of praise for the facilities, the lovely setting within the University grounds and the great service we receive from all the University staff.”

Sir Terry will be joined by other Radio 2 personalities, including producer Alan Boyd, the News and Traffic team, the Lottery ‘Voice of the Balls’ Alan Dedicoat, the ‘Welsh Traffic Totty’ Lynn Bowles, and presenters John Marsh and Charles Nove.

The ‘Pause for Thought’ team from Sir Terry’s program will also be there, including Canon Roger Boyle, Rev Rob Gillian, Rev Ruth Scott, Rabbi Pete Tobias, Lt Col Charles King of The Salvation Army and the Buddhist Dharmachari Nagaraja. BBC Children in Need will be represented by Gareth Hydes, Head of Editorial at BBC Children in Need, and Jodi Saul.

This year’s TOGs’ convention has an antipodean theme and will also include portrait opportunities by artists who are currently taking courses at the University’s Richard Attenborough Centre through its Lifelong Learning program.

Ricky Gervais Designs Manbag For Charity

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Ricky Gervais is among celebrities who have made their mark on a new fundraising initiative designed to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Leading online retailer manbagcompany.com threw down the gauntlet to some of the UK’s favorite celebs to let their imaginations run riot and customize one of its exclusive Messenger bags. The great and the good from the arenas of fashion, comedy, art, music and film stepped forward to add their personal touches to a Manbag – and raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity into the bargain.

A host of contributors rose to the challenge and joined Ricky in supporting the initiative, including Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Alan Carr, Rio Ferdinand, Twiggy, Jade Jagger, Joe Corres, Spandau Ballet, Darth Vader, Bruce Oldfield, Jimmy Choo, Tom Baker (Dr Who) and many more.

The resulting collection of bags – from the comic to the cool – will now be auctioned on eBay on 24 June, with all of the proceeds going to the Charity.

Ricky Gervais explained his belief as to why so many celebrities have come forward to support the campaign: “Prostate cancer touches the lives of 35,000 men and their families every year in the UK. I hope the auction of celebrity manbags will raise as much money as possible for The Prostate Cancer Charity.”

Manbagcompany.com has enjoyed great success since it launched its collection of top of the range men’s bags last year, so much so that it now wanted to give something back.

Says manbag founder Bain Ellisdon: “We are delighted to be raising funds for such a worthy cause as The Prostate Cancer Charity. We have received great feedback from those we have contacted so far; this initiative really seems to have brought out people’s creative as well as philanthropic side!”

John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: “This collaboration really seems to have struck people’s imaginations – and revealed some hidden artistic talent. The designs range from a glittery prostate by Jason Gardiner to a playful creation by Jimmy Choo. We would like to thank Bain and the rest of the Manbagcompany team for their support, as well as all of the celebrities who have taken the time to customize a bag. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. I think this project will really help raise awareness of the disease across different age groups, as well as generate funds for the Charity.”

To find out more and view the designs, click here.

Joan Collins Becomes Charity Ambassador

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Joan Collins has become the new ambassador for a British charity that focuses on donations to special children for medical treatment, therapy, specialized equipment, and dying wish holidays.

The 75-year-old star of Dynasty and author of 13 best-selling novels and self-help books will join Elizabeth Hurley as an ambassador for Caudwell Children, a charity established in 2000 by entrepreneur John Caudwell.

“John and his charity are doing wonderful things to help improve the lives of children everywhere,” said Collins. “I’m proud to be named as an ambassador of the charity and wholeheartedly lend my support to this worthy cause.”

The star is a regular attendee of the charity’s annual Legends Ball, and last year offered an exclusive auction prize of dinner with one of her fans at the event. But when bidding became heated and two rival fans were locked in battle over the prize, the screen legend offered both men the opportunity to dine with her, raising £200,000 for the charity.

“Joan is truly a British icon and we are delighted to be able to name her as one of the charity’s ambassadors,” said Trudi Beswick, CEO of Caudwell Children. “With the support of well-known personalities such as Joan and Elizabeth, the charity can continue to grow and help as many children as possible.”

The next Legends Ball – featuring Rod Stewart and Alan Carr – will take place in London on May 14.

Red Nose Day TV Special Breaks Records

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

BBC’s Red Nose Day television extravaganza, Funny For Money, raised over £57 million (US$80 million) on Friday night, breaking the previous record of £40 million set in 2007.

Presented by David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and others, Funny For Money aired on March 13 on BBC One and Two and featured comedy items performed by Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Robbie Williams, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield, Peter Crouch, David Beckham, Ronnie Corbett, Sadie Frost, and Kate Moss.

A special version of Top Of The Pops featuring performances by U2, James Morrison and Oasis – as well as Tom Jones and Rob Brydon singing the official Comic Relief single, Islands In The Stream – also aired as part of the extravaganza. The Islands In The Stream single has just topped the UK charts, which will bring in more cash for the cause.

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s – which sold the official Comic Relief merchandise – handed over a cheque for over £9 million to the show’s presenters during the evening, the single largest donation ever made in the event’s 11 year history. Another £20 million as donations keep coming in.

Celebrity Kilimanjaro climbers Alesha Dixon, Ben Shephard, Cheryl Cole, Chris Moyles, Denise Van Outen, Fearne Cotton, Gary Barlow, Kimberley Walsh and Ronan Keating also made an appearance, and it was revealed that their efforts had raised £3,326,142 for Comic Relief.

‘It is just incredible to see such a huge amount of money given by the public again on Red Nose Day," said Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis. "Red Nose Day is 21 years old this year and its success is down to the unrelenting support and ingenuity of our supporters – it belongs not to the comedians, but to the people who give. It’s wonderful that, in more difficult times, people seem to understand that the need increases for people whose lives were impossibly tough in the first place. The work this money funds helps change and save lives all over Africa and the United Kingdom. A huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped to make this year’s Red Nose Day such a memorable and brilliant campaign."

The evening also featured appearances from Annie Lennox and Take That.

Red Nose Day TV Special To Tickle BBC Funny Bones

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Today, March 13, is Red Nose Day in Britain – the major fundraising event of the year for Comic Relief. And to celebrate, celebrities young and old will appear in a TV extravaganza being screened tonight on BBC One and Two.

Presented by David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and others, Funny For Money will feature the last ever French & Saunders film parody – a version of Mamma Mia! performed by Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders – plus comedy items performed by Robbie Williams, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield, Peter Crouch, David Beckham, Sadie Frost, and Kate Moss. There will also be an appearance from Annie Lennox.

As part of the show, Comic Relief will also present a special version of Top Of The Pops that will feature performances by U2, James Morrison and Oasis, as well as Tom Jones and Rob Brydon singing the official Comic Relief single, (Barry) Islands In The Stream.

The show will also a special appearance by the celebrity climbers who scaled Mount Kilimanjaro last week. The group – including Take That’s Gary Barlow, Ronan Keating, Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl Cole, singer Alesha Dixon, television presenters Fearne Cotton and Ben Shephard, West-End star Denise Van Outen and radio DJ Chris Moyles – reached the summit of the 19,300ft (5,900m) peak as dawn broke on Saturday, March 7. They featured in their own BBC One documentary last night, and also met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has pledged £2 million to the charity.

“It has been a privilege for the whole team to meet the Prime Minister … and under such special circumstances,” said Barlow. “To think that our efforts on the mountain and the incredible generosity of the public have inspired school children and have now been supported by the Government is unbelievable. If the money raised can help control malaria and also help poor and vulnerable people in the UK, it will all have been worthwhile. What an unforgettable day.”

The Funny For Money TV special runs from 7pm to 1:30am. Viewers will have the chance to pledge money to go towards helping people in the UK overcome poverty, mental health issues, domestic violence and other issues, and people in Africa affected by AIDS, malaria, conflict and more.

Alan Carr To Join Rod Stewart At Charity Ball

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Global superstar, Rod Stewart, has been confirmed as the headline act at an annual fundraising event for sick and disabled children, and comedians Justin Lee Collins and Alan Carr have been confirmed as MCs for the night.

The generous singer, famed for hits including Maggie May, You Wear It Well and Sailing, has agreed to donate his appearance and perform at the Caudwell Children ‘Butterfly Ball’ in May after learning about the work of the Charity.

The exclusive performance at London’s Battersea Evolution on May 14, will be in front of an impressive guest list of celebrities and charity supporters and will be the first performance in England by Stewart since appearing at the Princess Diana memorial concert at Wembley Stadium in 2007.

Stewart is the latest superstar to perform at the high profile event, which raises funds to provide vital specialist equipment, treatments and therapy for sick and disabled children living in the UK. Founded by successful entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist, John Caudwell, the Charity has donated over £9million and helped change the lives of thousands of children across the UK.

Trudi Beswick, CEO of Caudwell Children, said: "Rod Stewart is without doubt one of the most influential performers of a generation, totally unique and still one of the World’s top entertainers. We are thrilled that Rod has confirmed as our headline act and that he has kindly donated his time to the Charity, it is set to be an electrifying night and the money raised will all go to support children who desperately need our help.

“Justin and Alan are a great addition to our line-up; while the reason we stage this event is to raise vital funds for the charity, we aim to provide our guests with a truly memorable experience and they will definitely help us to achieve that.”

Stewart’s career began in the 60’s when he sung with bands including The Jeff Beck Group and The Faces, but it was as a solo artist that Stewart gained international acclaim making him one of the biggest selling artists of all time. His distinctive raspy voice and emotive song writing secured him an impressive six consecutive UK number one albums and total of 62 hit UK singles. His latest studio album, Still the Same…Great Rock Classics of Our Time, was released in 2006 and went straight to Number 1 in the US Billboard charts.

By performing at the Butterfly Ball in May, Stewart joins the likes of Whitney Houston and Tina Turner, who have both previously entertained the audience of influential entrepreneurs, corporate partners and international celebrities at the glamorous fundraiser.

In 2008 celebrity guests including Joan Collins, Buzz Aldrin, Kelly Rowland, Louis Walsh and David Furnish attended what is fast becoming the most anticipated charity event of the year and joined in raising a staggering £1.5million for the Charity.

Caudwell Children is a national charity based in Staffordshire that provides direct donations of treatments, therapies and specialist equipment throughout the UK. To date the charity has donated over £9 million to thousands of children with over 160 different medical conditions.

The Charity is unique in that all the management and administration costs are covered by its founder and Chairman, John Caudwell, meaning every penny raised goes directly to the cause.

Details about the glamorous event and ticket details are available by visiting www.caudwellchildrenbutterflyball.co.uk or by calling the Charity on 01782 600113.

Michael Caine Honored In Charity Showbiz Awards

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The 56th annual Variety Club Showbiz Awards were held in London on Sunday, November 16, to raise money for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

Among the stars to be honored at the ceremony were Sir Michael Caine, who picked up the prize for Outstanding Contribution to Showbusiness, as well as Hayley Westenra, Alan Carr, Noel Edmonds, the cast of the Hairspray musical, Kenneth Branagh and James McAvoy.

“The Variety Club Showbiz Awards are the oldest and most established awards in the UK that recognize the outstanding talent in the field of entertainment,” said Variety Club’s Showbiz Chairman John Sachs. “Due to the generous donations of all our guests and supporters, the vital funds raised tonight will enable Variety Club to continue to support children and young people throughout the UK.”

The ceremony will be broadcast on Sky1 in the UK on November 30.

All Saints Singer Sports Superb Spectacles

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

All Saints singer Melanie Blatt has been crowned Celebrity Spectacle Wearer of 2008 at an awards ceremony in London.

The Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards – held at the Waldorf Hilton – saw some of Britain’s biggest spectacle wearing celebrities gather to raise funds for Kidscape, the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse.

“It’s… really important to demonstrate to children that glasses are cool as so many children are still bullied about wearing glasses,” said Blatt, who had to start wearing glasses when her eyesight deteriorated after the birth of her daughter in 1998. “I love to wear my specs to make a style statement, daytime and evening, and have a wardrobe of frames for different outfits and looks. I just pop my glasses on and I feel transformed. There are many iconic male specs wearers out there, like [”David Tennant":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/980-david-tennant] and Alan Carr, but you don’t see many females who wear their glasses in such an obvious and public way."

The event was hosted by Ben Shepherd and Jenni Falconer, and was judged by British fashion guru Gok Wan. Amongst the audience were Mark Foster, Jenni Eclair and Penny Lancaster-Stewart, and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here winner Christopher Biggins was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to Specs.

Secret Policeman's Ball Returns This Weekend

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Amnesty International has revealed some of the names to take part in its famous comedy event The Secret Policeman’s Ball, which returns to London’s Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 4 October.

The event – which made its name with seven shows between 1976 and 1991 – is a star-studded night of comedy, entertainment and music. It is set to feature some of the most cutting edge and leading comedic and musical talent and will also highlight some of Amnesty International’s campaigning activities for human rights all over the
world.

This year’s Secret Policeman’s Ball will also mark the start of Amnesty International’s celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December.

This year’s show will feature a lineup of some of Britain’s best comedy talent, including Frank Skinner, Alan Carr, Graham Norton, Sean Lock, Katy Brand, Tim Minchin, Kristen Schaal, Sarah Millian, Kayvan Novak, Russell Peters, Fearne Cotton, Meera Syal, Sean Williamson, and many more.

The first Secret Policeman’s Ball took place over four consecutive nights in London in June 1979, and featured John Cleese. In 1979, Pete Townshend became the first major rock musician to donate his services to the human rights organization when he performed three songs for the show, a performance that went on to inspire the human rights work of Bono, Sting, Bob Geldof, and many others.

This year’s show will be “cinecast” in cinemas all around the world, from Canada to Australia. A list of the cinemas who will be showing the Secret Policeman’s Ball live – and ticket information – can be found at the Amnesty International website.

Stars Target Breast Cancer

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some famous names from British entertainment are lending their faces to a new advertising campaign targeting breast cancer.

Natalie Imbruglia, Anna Friel, Alan Carr, Edith Bowman, and Twiggy have been shot by acclaimed photographer Rankin wearing Fashion Targets Breast Cancer T-shirts for the campaign from Breakthrough Breast Cancer – the UK’s leading charity fighting breast cancer. The campaign aims to raise £1 million (US$2 million) to assist with research, campaigning, and education about the disease which kills around 35 women every day in the UK.

The campaign’s message is “Whatever your reason, wear one,” and each celebrity taking part has agreed to send themselves up by featuring their own comic reason. In the ads, which can be seen on Breakthrough’s website, Alan Carr jokes that the T-shirt shows off his man boobs, and Natalie Imbruglia admits that she is supporting FTBC because she has a thing about pastel colours. However, they also all see the serious side of the disease which affects 44,000 women in the UK every year.

“As a woman, I feel it is important to support this wonderful campaign,” said Imbruglia. “I was shocked when I saw the latest UK figures – 1 in 9 women are diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. The Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign makes so much sense. All you have to do, like me, is buy a T-shirt and wear it with pride. You will be helping to build on the £8.5 million already raised by this fantastic campaign to help Breakthrough Breast Cancer continue its crucial research, campaigning and education work. Breakthrough’s vision is a future free from the fear of breast cancer. I really do believe that together we can help Breakthrough achieve this. I can only reiterate what this year’s advertising campaign is saying: whatever your reason – please please wear one.”

A range of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer clothing – including T-shirts, swimwear, and accessories – will be available at stores such as Marks and Spencer, Topshop, and River Island. The range will also be available from the FTBC website. The campaign is Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s premier fundraising campaign and has raised over £8.5 million over the last 11 years. The money raised by this year’s campaign will go towards projects like the Triple Negative Trial – the first UK-based clinical trial to improve the treatment of “triple negative” breast cancer, a type of aggressive breast cancer that often affects young African women.

“My real reason for supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is simple: No less than £4.50 from this T-shirt goes directly to Breakthrough Breast Cancer,” said Alan Carr, who represents the 300 men diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year. “So there really is no excuse is there? I want to see every one of you wearing this T-shirt with pride and supporting this fantastic charity. Just think you could look as you good as me, well, without the airbrushing and the girdle.”

Look To The Stars News: Alan Carr

LTTS Exclusive - The Variety Club 57th Annual Showbiz Awards

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