Lady of jazz

Quoted from: http://www.edp24.co.uk

Everybody is at it, and perhaps a man from Stoke is the one to blame. Ever since Robbie Williams decided to try and get a place in the Rat Pack and swing with a big band, pop music has been in love with jazz.And while the ex-Take That singer pulled it off with some chutzpah, others – yes, Westlife, I do mean you – showed just how painful on the ears easy listening can be. You begin to wish that the Irish lads' video for Mack the Knife had taken on an instructional edge, with them as the victims, rather than just been a straight pop promo.Clare Teal is part of that phenomenon, the difference being she has always sung and listened to jazz; and that her takes on the classic jazz songs, and her own numbers, are actually worth listening to.“It was very much about being at the right place at the right time,” says Clare modestly.“There have always been great jazz singers in this country, but British singers have had trouble being taken seriously. It has always been more of an American songbook tradition.“When I was younger I didn't tell anyone I listened to jazz, because it was seen as being nerdy, but now for the first time I'm cool by default.“Advertising picked up on it before the public did, and then Robbie did Swing When You're Winning. A lot of singers then started doing it who don't really know jazz, and that was a shame because when Robbie did it it was very tongue-in-cheek.”That's also probably a good way to describe Clare. She is fun and self-deprecating, despite last year being the subject of a bidding war between Universal and Sony music, netting herself a multi-million pound recording contract.She also has several well-placed friends and fans. One is fellow northerner Michael Parkinson, who has championed both Clare and her friend Jamie Cullum on his TV chatshow and BBC Radio 2 programme.She maintains, though, that she got into singing by accident.“I wanted to play jazz clarinet, but I realised I wasn't going to be as good as I wanted to be, and then I started singing by fluke.“There was an exam I'd forgotten about and I had 30 minutes to put together the world's worst piano piece. Even though it wasn't that good, there was something there.“I put together my first album at 21, but I didn't know anything about needing a manager, or plugging, so it didn't do anything – it barely left my flat.“I gave up on it and went into selling advertising. Looking back now it was a skill that came in handy, selling myself and negotiating contracts, but I wasn't cut out for the office and was really struggling with it.“I eventually sent a demo tape to Candid, my first label, and they liked what they heard. I was still working full-time though, working all day and singing all night.”That, however, is all in the past now. And with her move to the bigger Sony Jazz label Clare is able not only to concentrate on music but to take more risks.“When you're doing standards you have to think what you can bring to it, what you can do differently or there's no point. I try to pick songs that there aren't definitive versions of.“Sometimes you think it would be really great to do a song you love, and then you realise it's because of the way that it's done that you love it.“Being with a bigger label means I can do more things, and we can get the big bands and the string sections in; but I'm still a tight Yorkshire woman.“We did all the big stuff for the last album in one day. I like to know that everything is organised, and I feel uncomfortable if it's not and then I can't do what I'm supposed to do properly.“I think I'm the only person on the label that likes to come in under budget.” Although she says she enjoys the studio – she is currently working on her next album, again writing her own songs as well as picking from the vast library of jazz standards – her real kick comes from performing live.“I've always said that I wanted to do things properly. I love singing live because I have a great group of musicians who I know I can rely on, and we can do things at a different tempo or try a different song. That's what jazz is about – capturing a moment in time.“I never want to mime or sing to a backing tape, and the only time I've had to use a tape was on television and I hated it. “I got very uncomfortable which, seeing as it was on TV, probably wasn't the best thing to happen.“I played at the Maddermarket in Norwich last year and it was really good. There are some great jazz clubs in Norfolk and Suffolk; it can be strange when you get to these places that seem to be in the middle of nowhere, but the music is really well supported.“I'm working on the album until the end of April, and then I'm touring and gigging till the end of the year.”
Clare Teal is performing at St Andrews Hall, Norwich, on Monday May 9 as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. Tickets cost £5, £12, £16 or £20 and are available in person from the Theatre Royal box office or by calling 01603 766400.

Live Aid II going ahead?

Quoted from: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk

A second Live Aid concert is rumoured to be going ahead, according to a report in The Sun today.The newspaper claims that organisers hope acts such as U2, Coldplay, Madonna and Robbie Williams will sign up to perform at the concert. Sir Bob Geldof is being tipped to organise the event.A source told the newspaper, "Everyone is working toward a possible date in the summer. If it comes off, the biggest names in music will be taking part. Sir Bob has been asked to step in and put the concert together. He thinks it's a great idea but knows it is a race against time to get it organised - and there's a chance it won't happen."Bob would want the event to be really special if it goes ahead. There is no point in a poor sequel to the original, so it is touch and go with these plans."It is no coincidence to try and time the concert around the G8 summit when world leaders have the chance to help fight poverty in Africa."

Fears over Robbie's next album?

Quoted from: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk

EMI bosses are worried about Robbie Williams' next solo album, according to a report in The Mirror today.The newspaper claims that executives fear the new album won't be as successful as 2003's Escapology. The new album, which is reportedly called Intensive Care, will be the first album that Robbie has written without the help of Guy Chambers, his former songwriting partner."There's absolutely no question of Robbie being dropped by EMI, but there are a lot of worries about the new album," an insider told the newspaper. "People are nervous about what the new material will sound like, especially with Guy Chambers no longer involved. They're worried it will be an anti-climax."It doesn't help that Robbie is so hard to work with. All the people he surrounds himself with are sycophantic "yes" men and women. No one around him is prepared to be critical and wouldn't dream of giving him any negative feedback."Some of the people who have to work on his upcoming campaign are dreading it because they know what hard work he is, but there's nothing they can do because he's holding all the cards."

Tim Burgess fronts Starsailor!

Quoted from: http://www.nme.com

TIM BURGESS celebrated the US release of his solo album in LOS ANGELES last night by performing a gig with members of STARSAILOR as his band.
Burgess’ set at the Viper Room club drew an all-star crowd that included Robbie Williams as well as Queens Of The Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwan and Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody.
Performing for almost an hour, Burgess used members of Starsailor, who are in LA recording their third album, as his backing band.
The tiny club was jam packed with fans from the UK and the US, in town for this weekend's Coachella music festival.
"I think of this as a pre-Coachella gig, with me at the top of the bill," the singer joked during his set.
In addition to performing tracks ‘Oh My Corazon’ and ‘I Believe in the Sprit’ ff his new record, Burgess performed three Charlatans tunes including ‘North Country Boy’, which he dedicated to his bandmates in Britain

Jonathan's seaside rock

Quoted from: http://www.horshamonline.co.uk

ALMOST being 'bribed' to write a good review of a play isn't something I'd usually stand for! But when it's a cheeky northern chap declaring his love, well, who could say no? Jonathan Wilkes, star of the rock opera Tommy, former presenter of You've Been Framed, not to mention being Robbie Williams' best mate, is definitely a bit of a charmer.

*For more, plus a link to the Entertainments index, click here.

Robbie showing off his new tattoo

Quoted from: http://www.kikapress.com

04/29/2005 - Beverly Hills - Singer Robbie Williams showing his tattoo to an Egyption tourist at the nightclub Guys in Beverly Hills. 6 pictures.

Robbie Williams @ CHI on Sunset Strip

Robbie was filmed by paparazzi at a restaurant

http://www.lulop.de/site/appbyid.php3?id=290&SourceWell_Session=f3865e378d3627ddee298496a72aa0be#

downloadlink: http://www.lulop.de/download/paparazzitv/290_streamingl.wmv

Robbie's new album

Quoted from: http://www.robbiewilliams-info.com

"Intensive Care"
The new album from Robbie Williams will be called 'Intensive Care' and will hit the shops in October. I can exclusively reveal. The Robster has already written his material and the first three tracks to be recorded are, my sources tell me, absolutely amazing. Six of Robbie's seven albums have gone to No.1. I am tipping his eighth effort to hit the top too.

Robbie photographed in LA

Quoted from: http://www.isifa.com

British Pop star Robbie Williams is photographed here leaving a Restaurant in northern Los Angeles. Robbie was looking relaxed wearing a t-shirt and track suit bottoms. Ca, USA.

6 pictures.

The top 10 sporting rock stars

Quoted from: http://www.timesonline.co.uk
The Sunday Times - Sport

3 Robbie Williams He may be annoying, his records may be hopeless, but Robbie Williams’s love of Port Vale is wholly admirable. His mother owned the Red Lion pub next to the training ground while he was growing up; the players gave him free tickets, and, no mean footballer himself, he was hooked. “I would dream of running down the wing and putting the goal in the net at Vale Park,” he says. “I still have that dream now.” Curiously, despite still being a regular, he has apparently spurned all entreaties to invest in the club. In 2003 Vale were forced to deny that their most famous supporter was behind what they described as a “substantial and serious bid to take control and invest” in the ailing club. Williams, who became famous singing with Take That before enjoying solo success with the likes of Let Me Entertain You and Angels and teaming up with Nicole Kidman for Something Stupid, did, however, splash out on a private box at Chelsea.

Robbie's the new England skipper

Quoted from: http://www.thesun.co.uk

BRITAIN’s top pop star ROBBIE WILLIAMS is having his chance to emulate Becks and live every bloke’s dream by captaining England at Wembley.
Robbie signed up this week to skipper an England XI in the best reality TV idea since Big Brother — Celebrity World Cup.

Robbie photographed at LA airport

Quoted from: http://www.isifa.com

Pop Star Robbie Williams arrives at LAX airport Los Angeles. Despite the long flight Robbie was in good spirits and was even joking with the waiting photographers. Date: 20/04/05

10 pictures.

Robbie photographed at 'Sketch" nightclub London

Singer Robbie Williams leaves 'Sketch' nightclub after a nightout with friends. London. UK. 19/04/05. 3 pictures.

Quoted from: http://www.isifa.com

Robbie photographed at fancy dinner in London II

More pictures from Robbie at the One and Only Reethi Rah hotel launch party. 5 pictures

Quoted from: http://www.rexfeatures.com

Robbie photographed at fancy dinner in London

ON - APRIL 19: (L to R) Singer Simon Le Bon, Heather Kerzner and singer Robbie Williams attend a private dinner hosted by South African luxury hotel and casino magnates Heather and Sol Kerzner previewing their new six-star island resort in the Maldives, at Sketch on April 19, 2005 in London. One&Only Reethi Rah - Pre-Launch Dinner(Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images). 8 pictures.

Quoted from: http://editorial.gettyimages.com

Rowland blasts Williams' critics

DESTINY'S CHILD star KELLY ROWLAND has blasted people for wrongly labelling ROBBIE WILLIAMS a "cheeky" egomaniac, insisting he's a very caring individual.
The sexy R+B singer was pleasantly surprised when she met Williams, because he defied his own reputation by expressing his concern for the hard working girlband.
She says, "People say that Robbie Williams is cheeky but he's not. He's caring and lovely. I met him in LA. He said, 'You guys aren't working too hard are you? Get some rest.'
"I think that's cool. The moral is, don't judge people until you've spoken to them."

Quoted from: http://www.contactmusic.com

Mark Owen

Before you muso snobs get arsey about this fair website giving space to one-time girlie boyband frippery Mark Owen, ask yourself whether you'd rather we were talking about Robbie Williams.
No? So prick up those ears.
This is Take That-ter Mark's third solo album (anyone heard the other two? Anyone?!) landing just long enough after his Celebrity Big Brother victory for us to have completely forgotten about him all over again.
Unfortunately, his songs are just as unmemorable. Acoustic, unusual, lyrical, yes - but there's little to grab on to and hug to your chest like a Smash Hits poster of his once oiled-up self.
Released on his own record label, the smiley fella's given himself free reign to vent his songwriting experiments after living in chart-friendly-ville for the first part of his career.
Produced by The Thrills' producer Tony Hoffer, it's competent stuff but it's never going to follow Robbie's music-by-numbers.
Be grateful for small mercies.

Source: http://www.megastar.co.uk

Robbie photographed in Cardiff with Jonathan Wilkes

15/04/05 Singer Robbie Williams leaves Cardiff's New Theatre with best mate Jonathan Wilkes. Robbie is in town to visit Jonathan who is currently staring in 'The Who's Tommy' at the theatre. The pair met up with pal comedian Matt Lucas and his boyfriend, who were also in town. Wales.

Source: http://new.isifa.com

Russell Crowe battles Robbie Williams for Liberace role

Russell Crowe is going head to head with Robbie Williams to play camp pianist Liberace in a film. Movie bosses had already earmarked the British popstar for the gay role but Hollywood hunk Russell Crowe has muscled in, saying he would be perfect for the role. Crowe says he wants to take the lead in the biopic of the flamboyant musician, who died in 1987, aged 67. The Oscar-winning ˜Gladiator" heartthrob said: I would make a great casting. I can camp it up with the best of them. But Robbie is no stranger to playing gay roles after appearing as a transvestite for a charity comedy show. The star was said to be so enamoured with dressing as a woman on British comedy ˜Little Britain", he even took the floral dress and headscarf home. Comedian Matt Lucas, who appeared alongside Robbie on the show revealed at the time: "He couldn't get into that dress fast enough. I thought he was simply dashing as a lady." In the routine, the ˜Angels" singer discovers a love of female attire when he wanders into a store run by cross-dressing characters Emily and Florence who convince him to put on the dress. He then exclaimed: I do feel really comfortable dressed like this. I feel myself for the first time.
I'm a lay-dee!

Source: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk

Robbie Williams ends feud with songwriter

Robbie Williams has ended a long-running feud with his former songwriter Guy Chambers, The Sun reports today. The singer lost the friendship of Chambers after signing a £30 million deal with EMI. Guy asked for more money from Robbie, who refused and ended the partnership. A source told the newspaper, "Robbie and Guy have made their peace. They were so close for such a long time that they both found it difficult to forgive and move on. But they are both pleased that they are on speaking terms again." Guy claimed that Robbie became obsessed with money after signing his new contract with EMI." He was about to sign this massive deal and the money had become so important to him," Chambers said. "Our parting was very acrimonious." Responding to the claims, Robbie said, "It wasn't all about money. There were lots of reasons which gathered speed over the years but I still love him. One day we'll be friends."

Source: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/

Robbie ends feud with Guy

IT’S not quite up there with Lennon v McCartney or Albarn v Gallagher, but I’m happy to report one of the biggest feuds in showbiz is over. That’s right, ROBBIE WILLIAMS has finally seen sense and ended his battle with his old songwriter GUY CHAMBERS.

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk

Wally's mate Willy!

THEY usually can't move for laydees but two of Britain's most eligible bachelors failed to pull in spectacular style on a recent night out. Robbie Williams and Little Britain star David Walliams hit London town on Thursday. Their mission? To snag some gorgeous girlies. Unfortunately, the dynamic duo - who recently dressed as transvestites for a Comic Relief sketch - went home empty-handed.

Wearing a cravat and waistcoat, while smoking a strange little brown cigarette, the Robster obviously decided to replace David's regular camp sidekick Matt Lucas. The pair, and a few male pals, started the night by dining out at upmarket restaurant Nobu, before heading to West End nightclub Funky Buddha. "When they got to Funky Buddha, it was still early," our spy confides. "Robbie wasn't happy because there weren't enough women about. "So they decided to go on the prowl somewhere else first and came back to the club around midnight." Rob, 31, who hid behind dark shades for much of the night, convinced funnyman David to try out Soho House. "They clearly crashed and burned there," says our insider. "It wasn't long before they were back at Funky Buddha. "They got themselves a table in the VIP area and Rob, who was only drinking water, hit the dance floor." The Angels crooner, who now spends most of his time living at his LA pad, is back in the UK for a record company meeting. A close pal of the star admitted Rob finds it "tough" when back in Britain. "He's at a loss for something to do and has few close friends to spend time with. "Though David and Robbie only really got to know each other while filming the Little Britain sketch, he still regards him as a close mate. "Rob's problem is that he's lonely and doesn't have many friends to hang around with." "It depresses him and, because he's had alcohol problems in the past, he can't go out and have a drink like other guys." Poor Rob's also suffered a string of failed relationships, being linked to (among others) Rachel Hunter, Geri Halliwell, Nicole Appleton and, most recently, probation worker Lisa Brash. He was forced to cut all ties with Brash when she sold a kiss and tell to the Sunday papers. "It's not that easy for Rob to meet women," says his mate. "He went out on Thursday hoping to hook up with someone but, although he and David got a lot of attention, they went home alone." Will their luck change?

Sorry, boys, computer says no!

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/

Robbie photographed in London

14-4-2005.

Singer Robbie Williams and Comedians David Walliams starting the night at 'Nobu' restaurant, before arriving at 'Soho House' in London, only to carry on partying at Funky Buddha Club.

Some 32 new pictures.

Source: http://www.isifa.com

Robbie tribute

The person regarded by many as being ‘the best’ tribute to Robbie Williams is in Kendal tomorrow night.
Danny Lowry is performing at the Castle Green Hotel to raise funds for Kendal Town FC’s Supporters Club.

He’s been a Robbie look and sound-alike professionally for 4 years and has travelled all over the world, doing gigs in Dubai, Scandinavia and Ibiza.

Source: http://www.lakelandradio.co.uk

Emi Slowdown "Not as Severe"

Music giant EMI offered investors hope today that a shortfall in annual profits would not be as bad as originally feared.
EMI warned in February that profits would drop by 15% to £138 million after key album releases from Coldplay and Gorillaz were delayed until spring, but said it now believes the annual figure will be closer to £141 million.
In its final update before the release of its full-year results next month, EMI said the slowdown in sales at its recorded music division was also not as severe as previously thought.
EMI said it now believed sales of recorded music would be around 7.5% lower after stripping out the impact of currency fluctuations in the year to March 31 – against its earlier guidance of an 8% to 9% decline.
The positive update failed to reverse any of the damage caused by the February profits warning which wiped 15% off the value of the stock. EMI shares traded 0.5p lower at 246.75p today.
Hopes that the company will be able to return its recorded music division to growth are underpinned by the scheduled release of Coldplay’s new album – titled ‘X&Y’ – on June 6.
Music fans will be able to buy the ‘Demon Days’ album by the Gorillaz even sooner as it is due to appears on store shelves on May 23.
In February, EMI said delays to both albums had caused it to lose market share over the past year despite successful releases from other artists such as Robbie Williams and The Rolling Stones.
The setbacks overshadowed a brighter assessment of the health of the global recorded music industry which has suffered from piracy and illegal downloads.
The company added at the time that its music publishing arm, which holds the rights to more than one million musical compositions, continued to perform well.

Source: http://business.scotsman.com

Posh too posh for Robbie

In case you were losing sleep over it, Robbie Williams didn't get it together with Posh or Baby Spice. Although he has boasted of bedding four Spice Girls Mel C has called him a fibber and said he definitely didn’t get Victoria or Emma into bed. According to The Sun, Robbie definately did have a fling with Mel C and Geri Ginger Spice.

Source: http://www.pink-football.com

Another take for Robbie

NEARLY a decade after they split, the Take That boys are putting out a DVD full of unseen footage as part of a Christmas greatest hits package. We revealed last year that Take That singer Gary Barlow - who has written for Blue and Mariah Carey - told us they were planning "something special" for last Christmas. "Robbie Williams has definitely signed up to do it," he said. But for various reasons, the project was put on hold. Now we're assured the five boys _- Robbie, Gary, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald - are all agreed on a December release. A source says: "Gary has loads of tapes of them on tour, backstage antics, unseen interviews and hours of stuff no one's ever seen of the guys messing about. They plan to release it on a DVD along with some of their greatest hits. Gary is the brains behind the whole thing. He's really excited." Sadly, we hear the boys have all ruled out any reunion performance. Nor will they appear together for promotional duties.
"It looks as if Robbie will do just one interview but the others will have lots to say," our source adds. So they won't be back for good - just for our Christmas stockings!

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk

Fans-Supreme website faces difficulties

Not really hot news anymore, but since some days the popular german fans-supreme website www.fans-supreme.de has been facing difficulties after being contacted by a lawyer. For the unforsee-able future, it is unsure whether it is still allowed to post RW lyrics or pictures if not made by fans.

Source: http://www.fans-supreme.de

Mel Pays For Her Own CD

When Mel C was dropped by record label Virgin, she wasn't going to let it get in the way of her career. The Scouse singer came up with a novel alternative - but it could cost her a huge chunk of her bank balance. Mel simply set up her own label - Red Girl - and released new album, Beautiful Intentions, herself. Now she admits she is nervous at putting her own hard-earned readies on the line. Mel said: "I've funded the album so it's a bit of a risk, but it's a risk I'm willing to take. "Hopefully, if we have success, the financial rewards will be good, but I have set it up with my own money knowing that I might lose it. "I was quite nervous before starting the album, but now it's all come together. I'm really pleased with the route I have taken." Meanwhile, she has AGAIN slammed Robbie Williams for being a "fantasist" over claims he bedded four Spice Girls. She stormed: "We've all talked about it and we know there are a couple he never b***d." Classy! Mel also recently slammed the Brits for snubbing the Spice Girls and then ticked off Britney Spears for being too raunchy. You'd never know she has a new album out, would you...

Source: http://www.sky.com/showbiz

Mel C rants at Robbie

SINGER Mel C has slammed “fantasist” Robbie Williams over claims that he bedded FOUR Spice Girls.Mel, 31, said: “He must be sharing his fantasies because I know the reality. We've all talked about it and we know there are a couple he never b***d. We don’t care for being dragged into his games.”

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk

Talk of the Tyne

Apr 8 2005
By Nicola Methvem TV Editor

They have grilled some of the biggest names in showbiz – including the Beckhams, Kylie, Will Smith and Robbie Williams – and they are still only 10 years old.
Such is the popularity of Little Ant and Dec, who have a regular slot on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, that no one ever turns them down, however famous.
Last weekend, the pair were even granted an audience with Tony Blair on the eve of him announcing a general election.
Despite having an impressive collection of big name interviews under their belts, they still got the jitters about meeting the Prime Minister in his Downing Street home.
They confess: “We were very nervous as he’s the second most important man, after the Queen… But the Queen’s not a man.”
Nearly a week after meeting Blair, they have still not quite come back down to earth.
“He was brilliant, because we were both very nervous to be going to Number 10,” raves Little Ant.
It turns out that the Labour leader was top of his wish-list of interviewees. But he has now been replaced by someone the youngster holds in equal thrall.
“We’ve done Blair, so now I’d most like to talk to The Rock,” says Little Ant. “I love wrestling. I’d ask him if it is just acting or proper moves.”
A huge Little Britain fan, he would also like to interrogate comedian Matt Lucas. It can only be a matter of time...
Ant and Dec discovered the likely lads when they scoured
the North East looking for mini versions of themselves for their hit ITV show.
They knew they’d struck gold when they saw Gateshead schoolboys James Pallister (Little Ant) and Dylan McKenna-Redshaw (Little Dec).
The petite pranksters get on just as well with their grown-up Geordie counterparts, saying, “They look after us on stage when we forget what we’re supposed to say.”
Although the pair are unfazed by their new-found celebrity status, their parents have been bowled over by the calibre of stars they’ve talked to.
Their mums went weak at the knees when their young sons met Bond star Pierce Brosnan, and shed a tear or two when they sang with Westlife.
But their dads were rather more impressed when Kylie Minogue chased them down the hallway with her knickers.
The nation’s new kings of chat have very different ways of preparing to quiz the stars.
Little Ant says: “We usually get up early when we have to interview a big celebrity. I like to have a bath and wash my hair and then get breakfast.”
Little Dec prefers to rush the bath part so he can fit in a proper meal of scrambled eggs. He confesses that on the way to a meeting they sometimes get a bit hyper: “We get really excited in the car and we usually get wrong for shouting.”
“Get wrong” is a North East expression meaning to be told-off. It’s something that happens to them a lot – Little Dec for running down the batteries on his dad’s iPod and Little Ant just “all the time”.
He has an unusual tactic to make amends, revealing: “I make my mam fishfinger sandwiches to say sorry if I’ve been naughty.”
They bring this down-to-earth attitude to every interview – often with hilarious consequences.
If a star doesn’t give the duo what they want, they are given short shrift.
And the boys are not immune to fits of giggles or deadpan stares if an answer goes over their heads. Even so, they claim to have enjoyed every interview they’ve done, and hearing their anecdotes it is clear they’ve had lots of fun.
“Will Smith was excellent,” laughs Little Ant. “We went to Venice to interview him and he told us to stop swimming by shouting, ‘Get out of the swimming pool, dudes!’
“And we thought Richard Branson would be dead posh but he wasn’t.
“He was good fun and threw a boiled egg at us. I trod crisps into his living room carpet by accident.”
Food is often on their minds.
Cliff Richard scored mega points with the pair when they turned their noses up at salmon for lunch, giving them spaghetti hoops instead.
Sadly, Sir Cliff was less fun as an interviewee.
Trying to be tactful, Little Dec says: “I started to yawn by accident when we were interviewing him. Not ’cos he was boring, just his answers were very, very long.
“But Samuel L Jackson was brilliant, we had a staring competition with him and played Twister. He was very bendy for an old bloke.”
They also had a laugh with Robbie Williams, even though they were a tad distracted while chatting to him.
“Our bums got hot on the white leather seats,” explains Little Dec. “If you watch you’ll see we keep shuffling around.”
They say their interviewees have no say over what they are asked and don’t see the questions in advance. This leads to some amusing reactions if celebs are put on the spot.
When they met Kylie it was around the time she launched a new lingerie range. They asked, cheekily: “We’ve had a look at some of your bras and pants and they don’t look very warm. Do you wear underpants in the winter?”
Kylie gamely replied that she didn’t.
“We wouldn’t tell Kylie what colour pants we had on,” recalls Little Ant, adding with a snigger, “We all had a knicker fight and chased Kylie around the room. Dad was so jealous.
“When Kylie was chasing us down the corridor, I opened a door on the cameraman’s nose by accident and I couldn’t stop laughing.”
Kian from Westlife was gobsmacked when they announced, “A girl in the papers said you were an animal in bed. What kind of animal did you pretend to be?”
He finally spluttered: “I have no idea… A lion?”
Afterwards they had lunch with the Irish pop stars. Little Dec recalls, “I spent the whole time talking to Mark about the scab I had on my knee.”
Later the band taught them to dance and sing on stage.
“Our mams cried because they thought it was so sweet,” says Little Ant.
Little Dec butts in with: “No, I think they were crying because they wished it was them singing with Westlife.”
Another favourite stunt is dressing people up and making them look ridiculous. Ewan McGregor was kitted out as a trainspotter.
“And David Beckham was laughing for ages when we got him dressed up as a king,” says Little Ant.
“Victoria Beckham was really nice, too. We went to Hamley’s toy shop and played football. She was in goal and I kicked the ball into her by mistake.
“When we asked if she would get Brooklyn to play for Newcastle United she called David on her mobile and passed it to me.
“I forgot to leave my name – that was funny.”
Asked if they prefer Kylie or Posh, the boys reply, diplomatically, “They are both pretty but we don’t want them as girlfriends, thank you very much.”
They have also recommended their tailor to Hugh Grant, heard all about George Clooney’s pig and sang to Diana Ross.
“The music and our words didn’t match up and she looked at us as if we were mad,” chuckles Little Dec. “She did join in, but we were giggling.”
Despite giving chat show veterans Michael Parkinson and Jonathan Ross a run for their money, the pair have their feet firmly on the ground.
Little Dec says: “Our friends treat us normal. We are just James and Dylan from school.”
But looking faintly horrified, his pal adds: “Although some of the girls in the year below ask for our autographs.”
It seems they’re happy to leave the tricky subject of girls to the grown-up Ant and Dec.
At least for now...

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/

Conspiracy charge in minder’s murder case

By staff reporter

A SECOND High Wycombe man has been charged by police investigating the death of Robbie Williams’ former minder 32-year-old David King.
The bodybuilder from Stevenage was shot dead outside a gym in Brewery Road, Hoddesdon, in October 2003.
Julian Elfes, 38, of De Havilland Drive, High Wycombe, was charged last month with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Roger Vincent, 32, of St Johns Road, Penn, David Smith, 33, from Elstree, Jason Attridge, 35, of Harrow and Londoner Dean Spencer, 30, all deny murdering Mr King.
Mr Spencer also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to murder Mr King, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing a sawn-off shotgun.

Source: http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk

Demi Moore may play female James Bond

London April 06, 2005 1:24:34 PM IST

Demi Moore is reportedly in talks with film bosses to play the female James Bond in a new British spy franchise.
According to Fox News quoting IOL.com, she is currently the filmmakers' favourite to play the role of Daisy Scarlett.
It has also been reported that Robbie Williams and Val Kilmer are associated with the film. (ANI)

Source: http://netindia123.com

Robbie Williams wins Best Male Rocker award for the fourth time!

London April 05, 2005 4:22:11 PM IST

Robbie Williams has bagged the best male rock and pop artist award at Germany's Echo awards beating artists like Phil Collins, George Michael, Seal and Usher.
Anastacia won best international female pop and rock artist award leaving behind Nelly Furtado, Norah Jones, Avril Lavigne and Katie Melua.
According to the BBC, Williams, who has won the award three times earlier in the past, did not attend this year's ceremony which was rocked by performances of Anastacia and Mariah Carey.
Other winners include Eminem, who won the award for best international hip hop artist , Katie Melua who got the international newcomer of the year award and the Romanian rock band O-Zone who won single of the year title for their hit Dragostea Din Tei (Love in the Linden Tree).

Source: http://netindia123.com

Church's long-awaited album set for summer

Apr 5 2005

CHARLOTTE CHURCH'S debut pop album should be out this summer.
The singer's record label Song BMG is scheduled to put the CD's long-awaited first single out on June 27.
Called Crazy Chick, this will be followed by the album, rumoured to be called Tissues and Issues, on July 11.
The album's launch was put back from last autumn as industry insiders claimed record bosses told the singer to rethink her song choices.
Charlotte spent six months in the studio last year with Robbie Williams' former songwriting partner, Guy Chambers, to fine-tune her sound.
The Cardiff-born chanteuse holds the record for Youngest No.1 Classical Artist when she hit the number one spot in November 1998, aged 12 years and nine months.
Her album, Voice of an Angel, went double platinum just four weeks after its release.

Source: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk

Musical battlefield for Wembley

2005-04-04

The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams, and Irish rockers U2 have all thrown their hats into the ring as to who will be able to take the title of being the first band to open the new Wembley Stadium upon its completion in 2006.

According to ContactMusic.com, The Stones have secured the gig. The veteran Brits would most certainly have the biggest swing in the preverbial game as they have played to 12 sold out audiences of 72,000 in the English Stadium in a time period spanning from 1982-2002. The last gig played inside the stadium was just before its demolition in 2002 to make way for the building of the newer stadium.The opening of the stadium would already fit into U2's "Vertigo" world tour, giving them what would be the obvious 2nd running.

Source: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/

Wilkes is all about the music

By Dianne Bourne

Wilkes stars in Tommy from April 4

TALK was all about the music when I caught up with actor, singer and TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes.Jonathan, is currently touring with the rock musical Tommy, which arrives at Manchester's Palace Theatre on April 4.And while he tells me it was his passion for The Who's music that led him to take up the lead role, it was best pal Robbie Williams's former band Take That which was on his mind when we had a chinwag."Still to this day there's not been a better boy band than Take That," he mused. "When they did a show, they really did put on a show. The problem with boy bands now is they just stand there and sing and I think that is just laziness."They should be out there properly entertaining the kids."So would Take That get Jonathan's vote for best Manchester band then?Well, no, actually, it is the rather rockier edge of Oasis that gets Jonathan's backing. "They are just such a great band, and Liam is a fantastic showman."PinballHe tells me it was an easy decision when he was asked to take part in Tommy, the story of a deaf, dumb and blind kid who becomes an international superstar by playing pinball. "It's just such amazing music," he says. "I love that kind of rock music, it blows you away."Jonathan will return to our TV screens in August with the new series of Sky's reality show The Match, in which celebrities train as a football team that eventually takes on legends in a one-off game.After the success of the first series, in which Jonathan scored a sensational last-gasp goal, his pal Robbie hinted he wanted to take part next time.But Jonathan was quick to dispel that idea. "It's unlikely because he will be doing all the promotion for his new album then," he says.Tommy is on at the Palace Theatre from Monday, April 4 until Saturday, April 9. Tickets are £11.50 - £27.50. Call the Box Office on 0870 060 1768 for tickets or click here.

Source: http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/

Vin woos Nicole

Burly baldy Vin Diesel still hopes to coax Nicole Kidman and Robbie Williams into joining him in a remake of 50s musical rom-com Guys and Dolls.
The Hollywood hardman reckons the project is a winner, although he admits it is miles away from his usual action roles in films such as XXX.

Vin grunts: "I think once it gets going, everyone will be up for it."

Nic and Rob hit No 1 with their cover of Somethin' Stupid. And Vin and Kidman made headlines in 2002 when they were spotted giggling in a booth at a Beverly Hills hotel.

But if Nicole does agree to the role boyfriend Steve Bing will be glad to know the skinny Aussie star isn't Vin's type.

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk

Williams beats Usher for top german award

03/04/2005 21:35

ROBBIE WILLIAMS beat off competition from USHER and GEORGE MICHAEL to win the top honour at the German music industry's ECHO awards yesterday (02APR05) for the fourth consecutive year.
The outspoken British singer was named Best International Pop/Rock Male Artist - an honour based on CD sales in Germany, the world's fourth largest music market behind America, Japan and Britain.
Williams, who did not attend the Berlin ceremony in person, said, "Thanks for this. But it's kind of long (one metre high) and I think I'm going to have to cut off the top so it fits on my shelf."
American star ANASTACIA picked up Best International Pop/Rock Female Artist and enthused, "It's been a dream year for me."
The 2005 ECHO award winners are:
Best International Pop/Rock Male Artist - ROBBIE WILLIAMS
Best International Pop/Rock Female Artist - ANASTACIA
Best International Rapper - EMINEM
Best International Newcomer - KATIE MELUA
Best National Artist - ANNETT LOUISAN.

Source: http://www.contactmusic.com/

Robbie William fancies women's clothes !

London April 03, 2005 2:14:57 PM IST

Robbie Williams has preserved all the women' s clothes he wore when he appeared as a transvestite for the British charity comedy show 'Little Britain'.
Williams took the women 's outfit home with him and hasn't given it back to the costumes department.
Matt Lucas, the comedian who appeared with him in the show, has revealed that the singer was keen to wear the clothes and looked stunning in them.
"He couldn't get into that dress fast enough. I thought he was simply dashing as a lady", Femalefirst quoted him as saying.
The 'Angels' singer filmed the sketch earlier this year, appearing with Lucas and comedy partner David Walliams in the famed 'rubbish transvestite' sketches and Robbie begins to fancy female attire when he wanders into a store run by cross-dressing characters Emily and Florence who convince him to put on the dress after which he exclaims, "I do feel really comfortable dressed like this. I feel myself for the first time. I'm a lay-dee!"

Source: http://netindia123.com

Robbie Williams, Anastacia Take German Music Awards

Sat April 2, 2005 6:32 PM GMT-05:00

By Erik Kirschbaum

BERLIN (Reuters) - Britain's Robbie Williams won the German music industry's Echo award on Saturday for the fourth straight year, beating out Phil Collins, George Michael, Seal and Usher for top honors in the male pop/rock category.

American singer Anastacia won the Echo for the best international pop/rock female artist, edging out Nelly Furtado, Norah Jones, Avril Levigne and Katie Melua.

"It's been a dream year for me," said Anastacia, 31, who has long been a favorite in Germany and sold more than 1 million albums here in the last year.

Anastacia won her first Echo, which is seen as the world's most important music industry prize after the Grammys and Brits, four years ago.

Nominations for the awards were based on sales in Germany, the world's fourth largest music market behind the United States, Japan and Britain with annual sales of 1.7 billion euros. A jury then picked winners in 26 categories.

Even though the German industry has seen sales tumble by more than 40 percent since 1997 due to the internet piracy that has hit the industry worldwide, the surging popularity of German recording artists are taking a bigger share of the home market.

German albums took a record 30 percent share in 2004 and the rising demand helped prop up the home market, where overall sales fell just 3.6 percent after steeper drops in prior years.

Williams, who has appeared in person in Germany to collect Echo awards in the past, was not in Berlin this year to get his trophy even though Echo organizers tried to lure him by setting up his favorite Playstation equipment in the VIP lounge.

Eminem, who won the Echo award for best international hip hop, was also not in the German capital city but sent his regards in a videotaped message from the United States.

"Thanks for this," he said, staring at the sleek one-meter high Echo trophy. "But it's kind of long and I think I'm going to have to cut off the top so it fits on my shelf."

Melua, a native of violence-wracked Georgia who grew up in Belfast, won the Echo's international newcomer of the year award. Romanian pop rock band O-Zone won single of the year for their hit "Dragostea Din Tei" (Love in the Linden Tree.)

Anastacia and American pop diva Maria Carey were among the 14 international and German acts to perform during the Echo award ceremony, which was broadcast nationally in Germany.

But Anastacia went out of her way to dismiss claims made by a German pop star on television that she and Carey hated each other and wanted promises their paths wouldn't cross in Berlin.

"Maria rocks -- get over it, people," Anastacia said after receiving her award.

Source: http://www.reuters.ca

Velvet Revolver To Team Up With Robbie Williams

01 Apr 2005

British pop icon, Robbie Williams, is currently working on his new studio album with the help of Velvet Revolver/former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.
Slash, real name Saul Hudson, is originally from Stoke On Trent and both he and Robbie still support local football team Port Vale.
A source close to Robbie told Metal Hammer "The pair met on the terraces of Vale Park last year where the idea for a collaboration first came up."

Source: www.metalhammer.co.uk