Look To The Stars News: Joanna Lumley

Leona Lewis And Ricky Gervais Want An Animal-Friendly Christmas

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

British stars Leona Lewis, Ricky Gervais and Joanna Lumley have joined Humane Society International/UK in urging people to celebrate an animal-friendly Christmas and Holiday Season.

The celebrities are supporting HSI’s “Cruelty-Free Christmas Pledge,” and join HSI in suggesting a range of festive and animal-friendly options, from having a veggie Christmas lunch to refusing to buy animals as gifts.

“Christmas and the holidays should be a time for celebrating peace and compassion, but sadly that’s not the case for so many animals who suffer unnecessarily for the festive season,” says Leona Lewis. “It breaks my heart that millions of turkeys will be killed for the table, beautiful fur-bearing creatures will be skinned in the name of fashion and hundreds of puppies, kittens, rabbits, hamsters and others will end up abandoned as unwanted presents. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Join me in taking HSI/UK’s Cruelty-Free Christmas Pledge and show our animal friends you care.”

Stars Wish Macmillan Cancer Care A Happy 100th Birthday

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Leading cancer care charity Macmillan Cancer Support recently asked its celebrity supporters – including Kylie Minogue, Keira Knightley, Sting, Alesha Dixon, Joanna Lumley, James Corden, Anna Friel and Seth Rogen – to share their 100th birthday wishes in a short film 100 Years Of Macmillan: A Birthday Tribute.

The short film premiered at The Macmillan Centenary Gala, an all-star evening of entertainment hosted by Graham Norton at The London Palladium on Monday 28 November.

Acting royalty Dame Helen Mirren wished for a very high heeled pair of shoes comfortable enough to walk around in all day for her 100th birthday, while TV presenter Amanda Holden would love to look 75 years younger if she reaches 100. Funny man Ricky Gervais wished for a real life hoverboard from the film ‘Back To The Future’ while Myleene Klass’ dream present would be a grand piano which she could shrink and carry around in her handbag.

Help Stop The Tiger Trade In China

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

The Environmental Investigation Agency and a number of stars are endorsing a new petition calling on Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on tiger trade.

The petition has been organised by TigerTime, an initiative of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation which has garnered mass public and celebrity support to raise awareness of the plight of the world’s last remaining wild tigers and campaign to reverse its decline.

The petition urges: “I appeal to Premier Wen Jiabao to send a clear message to his government, calling for an end to all tiger trade within China. This is to include a call for a zero tolerance policy applied to all trade of all parts and derivatives of tiger and other protected Asian big cats, from all sources.”

Paul McCartney Gets Behind Meat Free Cookbook

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:30:00 +0000

A new cookbook inspired by the Meat Free Monday campaign – and featuring a foreword by Paul, Stella and Mary McCartney – has hit the shelves of bookstores in the UK

Following the huge success of the McCartney family’s Meat Free Monday campaign, the new cookbook launched yesterday and was inspired by the simple idea that going without meat for just one day of the week can make a huge difference to the planet, our health and even our pocket.

The campaign, which was launched in 2009, came about after the United Nations issued a report which stated that the livestock industry as a whole was responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the whole of the transport sector put together. Meat is in fact responsible for a staggering 18 per cent of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Samantha Fox To Shock Politicians Into Action Over Tiger Conservation

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

International singer, impassioned tiger conservationist, humanitarian and former model, Sam Fox, aims to shock MPs and politicians into action to save the tiger in the wild at an event outside the House of Commons at 1pm on Wednesday 26th October.

With only an estimated 3,200 wild tigers left on earth, Sam has joined TigerTime, the global campaign to save the tiger.

Celebrity Shoes Go Under The Hammer At Charity Event

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:15:00 +0000

Over 350 people – including many of the celebrity shoe donors themselves – showed their support for the fundraising Celebrity Shoe Auction at The Royal Society of Medicine, at One Wimpole St, London on October 12.

Bill Oddie

Celebrity Shoe Auction Kicks Off For Charity

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0000

The Small Steps Project will be holding the 2011 London Celebrity Shoe Auction and the premier of the new film at a fundraising evening at The Royal Society of Medicine on October 12.

From SJP, Kristin Davis, Chris Noth, Ben Stiller and Bill Murray to Kate Moss, Zandra Rhodes, Russell Brand, Sienna Miller, Sophie Dahl, Michael Palin, Joanna Lumley, Ricky Gervais, Rachel Weisz, Simon Pegg, Sharleen Spiteri, Liam Gallagher, Helen Mirren, Colin Firth, Jamie Lee Curtis, Steven Gerrard, and Jason Donovan; Small Steps Project has collected celebrity support from both sides of the pond culminating in a fundraising Celebrity Shoe Auction at The Royal Society of Medicine, at One Wimpole St, London on October 12th 2011 at 7pm.

Paul McCartney Joins Celebrity Supporters Of Tiger Charity

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Paul McCartney is the latest celebrity to support TigerTime, a charity that aims to save the last 3,200 wild tigers on earth.

The Beatles legend joins a list of celebrity supporters that includes Joanna Lumley, Ricky Gervais, Roger Moore, Michael Parkinson, Melanie C, Anjelica Huston, Susan Sarandon, Gemma Atkinson, Vicki Roberts, Simon King, Naomie Harris, Neil Gaiman, Claire King, Abi Titmuss, Elizabeth Emanuel and Paula Abdul.

TigerTime was established by the renowned British wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd CBE on his 80th birthday in May of this year.

Queen's Brian May Named As Charity Patron

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Renowned musician and astrophysicist Brian May CBE, has been named as a Patron of the Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT), the UK’s leading non-animal medical research charity.

Brian is a keen advocate of both scientific progress and animal welfare and welcomed the opportunity to join the charity’s existing high profile patrons, Dame Judi Dench, Joanna Lumley OBE and David Shepherd CBE.

The Pope Joins Celebrity Charity Art Auction For Darfur

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Unique works of art created by 100 celebrities will be auctioned by author Jeffrey Archer on the 15th September at the Drawn…to Darfur Celebrity Charity Art Auction in London to help the forgotten children of Darfur.

Lord Archer offered to help when he heard that nearly 100 celebrities – including His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Prince Charles, Prime Minister David Cameron, Melvyn Bragg, Martin Clunes, Rolf Harris, Anne Heche, Eamonn Holmes, Kelly Holmes, Ken Howard, Robert Lindsay, Julian Lloyd-Webber, Joanna Lumley, Ruth Rendell, Cliff Richard, Prunella Scales, Chris Tarrant and many more – have been drawing for Darfur as part of UK based charity Kids for Kids’ 10th Birthday celebrations.

Joanna Lumley Joins Celebrity Friends To Save Tigers

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:00:00 +0000

British actress Joanna Lumley has added her support to TigerTime, the new global charity campaign to save the last 3,200 wild tigers on earth.

Joanna joins an amazing list of celebrities from all across the world of entertainment in both the UK and USA including Ricky Gervais, Roger Moore, Michael Parkinson, Melanie C, Anjelica Huston, Susan Sarandon, Gemma Atkinson, Vicki Roberts, Simon King, Naomie Harris, Neil Gaiman, Claire King, Abi Titmuss, Elizabeth Emanuel and Paula Abdul.

“Animals share the earth with us: that is to say, they are equal partners in the right to live on this planet,” says Joanna. “In our anxiety to make the world a better place for ourselves, let us be very careful that we don’t obliterate the needs of other species. If the tiger disappears from the wild because of our behaviour we humans shall have lost all claims to be called civilised and compassionate. The greatest enemy is indifference. Please join TigerTime right now to help to save the lives and habitat of these magnificent creatures. This is extremely urgent. The clock is ticking: real time is running out.”

Andy Murray Signs Art For Troops

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Britian’s top tennis player Andy Murray has signed a rare piece of art and donated it to the next Tickets For Troops fundraising auction.

The brilliant set of drawings by top artist John Trevillion captured the various moods and actions of Murray, who was so impressed he posted them on his Facebook page. “They’re really, really good,” said the Wimbledon contender and world’s number four.

Stars Send Birthday Wishes To Hearing Loss Charity

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The UK’s largest charity for the deaf and hard-of-hearing is celebrating its 100th birthday by changing its name – and a host of celebrities are sending birthday wishes.

Action on Hearing Loss is the new name of RNID, but their aims are still the same – they offer a range of services for people with hearing loss, including people who are proufoundly deaf and they aim to achieve a radically better quality of life for people with all levels of hearing loss throughout the UK. Their work includes campaigning and lobbying; providing training, products and equipment; and medical and technological research.

Joanna Lumley Models Necklace To Save Tigers

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Joanna Lumley took time out of her schedule recently to be photographed wearing an absolutely fabulous necklace that is to be auctioned for charity.

The unique, breathtaking, the diamond-adorned, solid gold Shere Khan Necklace, to be auctioned by the Born Free Foundation, will hopefully raise at least £300,000 to help save the wild tiger from extinction. Experts have valued the necklace at over half a million pounds.

Stars Support Petition Against Sex Trafficking Of Children

Wed, 18 May 2011 13:00:00 +0000

ECPAT UK and The Body Shop were joined by celebrity campaign supporter Martine McCutcheon on 12th May 2011 to hand over the Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People Petition to the British prime minister at 10 Downing Street.

Signed by an incredible 735,889 people – including stars such as Ricky Gervais, Sienna Miller, Nicole Kidman, and Elizabeth Hurley – the petition is the largest to be received by the coalition and calls for greater protection of child victims of trafficking. Other celebrity supporters included Matt LeBlanc, Robert Pattinson, Joanna Lumley, Yoko Ono, Naomi Campbell, Sir Ben Kingsley, Claudia Winkleman, Lily Cole, Pixie Lott and Craig David.

ECPAT UK – End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes – is active in research, campaigning and lobbying government to prevent child exploitation and protect children in tourism and child victims of trafficking. ECPAT UK & The Body Shop are campaigning together against child trafficking.

Joanna Lumley Saves Bunnies This Easter

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Actress Joanna Lumley and former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt are calling on people buying Easter gifts to save bunnies by only buying beauty and personal care gifts that have not been tested on animals.

There is a huge choice of cruelty-free Easter gifts on offer this year for both men and women. These can be easily identified by the Leaping Bunny Logo which symbolises the BUAV’s Humane Cosmetics Standard, the internationally recognised gold standard, which guarantees a company does not test their cosmetics and toiletries on animals.

Celebrity Red Noses Raise Record Amount For Charity

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Comic Relief delivered another spectacular evening of top TV treats in the UK on Friday, as Red Nose Day 2011 entertained the nation while raising an incredible sum of money to help poor and vulnerable people in the UK and Africa. The TV event raised £74,360,207 (US$118 million) – the highest total reached on the night in Red Nose Day’s 23 year history.

“This is more than we ever believed we would raise,” said organizer Richard Curtis. “The generosity of the British public is staggering.”

The TV extravaganza featured appearances by Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, David Tennant and Susan Boyle.

Paul McCartney Says No To Animal Testing For Cosmetics

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:20:00 +0000

Sir Paul McCartney has declared his support for BUAV’s No Cruel Cosmetics campaign to end animal testing for toiletries and cosmetic products sold in the EU.

“Animals should not suffer in the name of beauty. Testing toiletries and cosmetics on animals is cruel and unnecessary,” said Sir Paul. “Join me in signing the BUAV’s petition to ensure the sale of cruel products in the EU is outlawed by 2013. Say NO to Cruel Cosmetics.”

Tigers To Benefit From Celebrity Charity Event

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Celebrities from the worlds of drama, comedy, conservation, television, sport, fashion and journalism will be burning bright at the year’s most exotic fundraising event for wild tiger conservation in London on Thursday (March 3).

Joanna Lumley, Bill Bailey, Bill Oddie, Nicholas Parsons, Jimmy Greaves, Ronni Ancona and Alistair McGowan, Jimmy Choo, Virginia McKenna and Will Travers, Donal MacIntyre, Liz Bonnin and Steve Backshall will all be in attendance at the exclusive Gala Night at London’s prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Joanna Lumley To Save Wild Tigers At Celebrity Charity Gala

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

As few as 3,200 tigers survive in the wild today. That’s why wild tigers need all the friends they can get, and on March 3, 2011 celebrities, conservation leaders and campaigners will attend an exclusive Gala Night in London to raise funds for this critically endangered species.

Showing their support for tigers at the Gala will be stars including Joanna Lumley, Bill Oddie, Jimmy Greaves, Ronni Ancona and Alistair McGowan, Jimmy Choo, TV chef Ching-He Huang, Virginia McKenna and Will Travers, Donal MacIntyre, Liz Bonnin and Steve Backshall.

Joanna Lumley Designs Bra For Celebrity Charity Auction

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000

This is your chance to own a unique piece of “bra art” made by your favourite celebrity – and to do your bit for charity too.

The Jewish Community Centre for London has asked its famous friends to customize bras and have been overwhelmed by their creativity.

A number of celebrities have transformed plain white bras into works of art, including Joanna Lumley, Helen Lederer, Claudia Winkleman, Esther Rantzen, Kelly Brook and many more.

Roger Moore & Joanna Lumley Support Animal Rights in Guernsey

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Sir Roger Moore and Joanna Lumley are supporting a campaign to toughen animal anti-cruelty laws in the island of Guernsey.

Guernsey’s Protecting Animal Welfare (PAW) are working to introduce a more modern law on preventing animal cruelty while enforcing laws already in existence.

Joanna Lumley OBE said, "Your campaign for animal welfare in Guernsey has my full support; I am ever grateful to the great writer Henry Beston who had this to say:

Stars Donate Artworks To Celebrity Charity Auction For Willow Foundation

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

A whole bunch of stars – including Ricky Gervais, Roger Daltrey, Joanna Lumley and Wayne Rooney – have donated signed canvases to a special celebrity charity auction in the UK.

The Willow Foundation and British artist, Julie-Anne Gilburt, have teamed up to create an exhibition of 20×20 cm canvases, each created by a different star. Well known faces from the worlds of sport, art, design, fashion, music and entertainment have drawn on their artistic skills in aid of the charity.

Stephen Fry And Joanna Lumley Recite Poems For Soldiers

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Between them they have an OBE, a Military Cross, two Knighthoods, four BAFTAs and ten No 1 albums; they include a Dame, a Sir, Britain’s “Most Intelligent Man”, the best-selling classical artist of this century and the Forces Songbirds from both the 20th and 21st Centuries.

Now this host of leading talent has teamed up with The Royal British Legion and record label Decca to launch a fundraising CD to help boost funds for the Poppy Appeal. Celebrity readers including Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley have collaborated on this album of words and music for Remembrance. Entitled “We Will Remember Them”, the album will be the Official Album of the 2010 Poppy Appeal.

“We Will Remember Them”, to be released as The Royal British Legion also launches its 90th anniversary appeal, aptly traces prose, poetry and news readings from the First World War through to texts from the present day written by Service men in Iraq and Afghanistan. All the readings are set to some of the world’s most moving classical music.

Stars Say No To Testing Botox On Animals

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Celebrity beauties Joss Stone, Joanna Lumley and Lucy Davis have joined the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) to end cruel botox tests on animals.

The stars were shocked to learn that every batch of botox that hits the high street is tested on animals. Botox is used by huge numbers of people worldwide for cosmetic purposes.

“We can stop this cruel and unnecessary act by bringing light to what has clearly been done in darkness for too long,” said Joss Stone. “I think it is a sick way to test something that is for cosmetic use. They are not trying to cure cancer here; this is about smoothing the wrinkles on the faces of women and men. How many innocent animals have to suffer? Let’s put a stop to this cruel, inhumane, and above all unnecessary act.”