Look To The Stars News: Rowan Atkinson

Stars Line Up For The Return Of The Secret Policeman's Ball

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +0000

The Secret Policeman’s Ball is back – and its heading for America!

Amnesty International’s legendary charity show – featuring a plethora of music and comedy talent – will hit the Radio City Music Hall on March 4. Organizers have confirmed Coldplay, Russell Brand, Mumford & Sons, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and Reggie Watts as part of the lineup, with more to come.

“We are so happy to be involved with the 2012 Secret Policeman’s Ball,” said Chris Martin of Coldplay. “We have followed and supported Amnesty International – and the amazing work they do around the world in the field of human rights – for years, and it is a pleasure to be asked to contribute to such an inspiring event.”

Celebrities Light Up Virtual Brain For Kids Charity

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0000

On Monday September 27, 2010, Camila Batmanghelidjh – also known as ’Britain’s most colourful charity leader’ – will be challenging the nation to light up a virtual brain for the children’s charity Kids Company.

The groundbreaking socially networkable campaign, which is supported by celebrities like Dame Helen Mirren, Stephen Fry, Ruby Wax, Rowan Atkinson, Sam Taylor-Wood, Richard Branson and Jon Snow. The aim is to raise £5 million in one million seconds to provide support that will help disturbed and vulnerable children across the world. Children whose drug addicted parents like to use a loaded gun to wake them up. Kids Company provides vital refuge for these children and develops pioneering therapeutic treatments.

Kids Company has created an astonishing online virtual brain comprising one million neurons and the competition is on to see who can light up the largest cluster of neurons in the fastest possible time. The virtual brain harnesses the power of social media and social networks in a unique way. Supporters go online and light up a neuron for £5 and are then encouraged to ask everyone within their own social networks to do the same. The neurons connect together to form clusters that grow and grow.

Comedians Are Most Amused For Prince Charles

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Robin Williams, John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson lead the line-up of comedic talent that will perform at “We Are Most Amused” next month. The night of comedy will help celebrate Prince Charles’ 60th birthday, as well as benefit the Prince’s Trust.

Founded by Prince Charles in 1976 (using his severance pay of £7,400 from the Navy), the Prince’s Trust exists to help the UK’s troubled youth through support, training and personal development. With skill development, self confidence and a completed education – and even money for a start up business – young people with hopeless outlooks are now heading toward self chosen goals and achieving their real potential.

“We try to do things differently, to cut through the bureaucracy and the red tape,” said the Prince. “And I believe that approach has paid off.”

The Spy Who Loved Me For Charity

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Ever fancy a kiss with James Bond? Or a cuddle with Hugh Grant? One lucky bidder did on Tuesday night, when they won the chance to do exactly that at a charity auction in London.

The Great British Movie Event, a dinner and auction to raise cash for the National Film and Television School, attracted a host of famous faces, including Richard Attenborough, Christopher Lee, Rowan Atkinson, Honor Blackman, Bill Nighy, and Richard Curtis. Hosted by Jonathan Ross, the evening raised over $800,000 for the school, which specializes in high-end media training.

The chance to kiss three living legends – Hugh Grant, James Bond actor Daniel Craig, and Harry Potter’s Robbie Coltrane – sold for a whopping $39,000, with the honor going to Barbara Broccoli, producer of the James Bond film franchise.

Celebrities Send Signitures For Charity Auction

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:19:30 +0000

Sometimes, if you really believe in a cause and you want some celebrity help, you’ve just got to ask. That’s exactly what Simon McGuinness, a British teenager who recently got a whole lot of star-power behind his mission to raise money for CAFOD, did.

“The response was overwhelming,” said Simon, who contacted over 50 celebrities and asked for signitures and items to sell in an internet auction.“I had replies and donations from Dr Who’s David Tennant, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Rowan Atkinson, and even Prime Minister Gordon Brown.”

CAFOD – the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development – is a charity that supports communities abroad by helping provide food, water, education and health care, and McGuinness will stop at nothing in his quest to enlist celebrity help for the cause.

Idols To Give Back On TV Special

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:21:10 +0000

Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, and Forest Whitaker will be appearing on the two-night special, Idol Gives Back on April 24th and 25th. The stars hope to raise awareness and funds for relief programs helping children living in extreme poverty in America and Africa.

Other celebrities who plan to appear include the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Radcliffe, Teri Hatcher, and Rowan Atkinson.

The show on the 25th will include entertainment by Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban, Pink, Michael Buble, Annie Lennox, Il Divo and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Doctor Who Joins Charity Comic Cast

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:00:00 +0000

A special edition of UK children’s comic the Beano will feature celebrity guests in an effort to raise money for this year’s Comic Relief event on March 16.

Dennis the Menace and the Bash Street Kids will be joined by Doctor Who, chef Jamie Oliver, Rowan Atkinson, Jonathan Ross and others. The reluctant students will be forced to study by the Daleks, and have their school lunch cooked by Oliver.

The unusual cast will make its appearance in the first ever issue of the new monthly BeanoMAX publication, going on sale on February 15.

Return of the Secret Policeman's Ball

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:56:11 +0000

In 1979, John Cleese headlined the first of a series of performances entitled ‘The Secret Policeman’s Ball’. The show was to raise awareness of Amnesty International UK, which it certainly achieved. Amnesty International UK stated that after the first 3 shows, public awareness of AIUK increased by 700%.

The first show starred other members of Monty Python, Billy Connolly, and it also gave Rowan Atkinson his big break. The Secret Policeman’s Ball was then made into a feature-length film.

In 1987, musical acts were added to the line-up, starring such artists as Kate Bush, Bob Geldof and Duran Duran.