PRIDE OF SCOTLAND GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

THE Daily Record’s Pride of Scotland event was full of glamour as celebrities graced the red carpet at Glasgow’s Hilton hotel. 
Love Island’s Laura Anderson, who looked resplendent in a figure hugging red dress, revealed she’d gone for sustainable fashion for the night. 
Laura, who was pregnant at last years awards, said: “ I’m very excited to be here. I’m the first one here. I feel like I’m the first at the party but it’s very exciting to meet everyone.”
Laura rented her dress from a website called HURR. She added: “It’s sustainable fashion and all that . It’s a little bit cheaper than buying which is always nice. I don’t know how many people have worn it but it smells nice.”
Laura who co presents the breakfast show on Capital radio said: “I’m just being a mum just now, getting up at four thirty in the morning.I don’t know how I manage it. 
My little girl is now eight months old. Last year she was in my belly. She’s got such a fun personality. She’s so funny and she does crack me up. I’m just trying to be present and work for her. ”
Comedians Janey Godley and daughter Ashley Storrie arrived at the same time at the hotel but as Ashley talked about her recent filming of her comedy series Dinosaur, Janey disappeared to find the mini horse that arrived from Therapy Ponies Scotland. 

Ashley said: “It’s so important to celebrate goodness in the world. We always go onabout the bad things that are happening but this is the good things and it’s important.”
Talking about her new BBC series she added: “ “I’m not a Dinosaur. I’m still a baby and not extinct.” 
As Janey disappeared to join the tiny horse further down the carpet, Ashley added: “It doesn’t matter. I could have won an Oscar but my ma has met a tiny horse.”
Janey said afterwards: “That wee pony was a like a real life My Little Pony. I was stroking its hair and everything. I loved it.”
She wasn’t the only one enamoured by the tiny horse. 
Asked if she might like to pose with it, or even take a shot at riding it, Susan Boyle who looked resplendent  in a pink dress from Frox of Falkirk laughed: “I’d probably buckle it.”

Another alternative for transport for the night was given by brothers Tom and Luke Stoltman, who offered to pick host of the night Elaine C Smith up on the red carpet. 
As Elaine ran for cover, they picked up theshowbizlion.Com’s Bev Lyons instead. 
The Three times world strongest man and two times European strongest man were thrilled to don their kilts for the occasion. 
Luke said: “We are giving out an award tonight which  is really special. It’s  great to see all the amazing people here.  It’s not going to be a drunken night tonight for Tom and I because we have a lot of competitions.”
Fellow heavyweight Sheli McCoy aka Gladiator’s Sabre was also providing strength on the red carpet. 
Sheli said: “I do feel a little bit like an imposter because there are some really amazing people tonight but I’m looking forward to enjoying the night and meeting everyone that deserves these awards. I’ve literally read some stories. I will need some tissues.”

Sheli from Dundee said of her role in the show: “My job is to meet force with force and to remind them again just why I’m there.”
As she was chatting, wrestler turned actor and presenter Grado joined her and revealed the two had never met before. 
As they swapped a strong handshake, she admitted she didn’t know who he was. 
Grado smiled and said: “She’s from the Gladiators and she doesn’t know who am are. Cmon. Ok there’s no lifting tonight.”
He added: “It’s good here cause I don’t think I’ve ever been at a Pride of Scotland awards. I’m excited I’m giving out an award. I’m with Mani from Scots Squad. I’ll get a night out with him and I’m sure the two of us will end up greeting.”

ASHLEY STORRIE GOES BANANAS AT GLEE CLUB BIRTHDAY

WE all went bananas at The Glee Club in Glasgow as they served up a slice of comedy gold at their eagerly awaited first birthday bash. An edible pair of The Big Yin’s ‘big banana boots’ took centre stage at the popular comedy club’s celebratory show.  

And Tv and radio star Ashley Storrie proved to be the real icing on the cake as she had the audience in stitches with her witty and down to earth humour, 

As they split their sides, guests were able ‘to fill their boots’ with slices of the eye catching life-size birthday cake which was created by award-winning Scottish cake designer 3D cakes. Handcrafted from toffee sponge and airbrushed to depict detail, the comedy cake was the brainchild of The Glee team who voted Billy Connelly’s famous fruity bootiestheir favourite Scottish comedy icon.

 A stellar line-up of other Scottish comics entertained the crowd throughout the evening, including the award winning Mark Nelson, the hilarious Christopher KCand up and coming stars Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and Shona Lawson. 

Even the hecklers were entertaining - with a special mention going to troublesome OAP Elizabeth. 

Freshly made food, drinks and a lively after party ensured that a fun-filled evening was had by all to mark the one year milestone.

 Since opening its doors in early 2019, The Glee Club Glasgow has welcomed a raft of top comedians to its stage, including Sean Lock, Joel Dommett, Larry Dean, Janey Godley, Suzi Ruffell, Tom Stade, Fern Brady, Rosie Jones, Gary Meikle and Des Clarke. In addition to its popular weekend shows, the club has hosted a series of sell-out events such as book tours, drag shows and a hugely successful series of Christmas and Hogmanay comedy nights.

To further fly the flag for Glasgow’s thriving creative and entertainment industries, The Glee Club partnered with leading Scottish festivals throughout the year to deliver a series of unmissable events including Celtic Connections, Glasgow Film Festival and Glasgow Comedy Festival.

Glee founder Mark Tughan commented: “Billy Connolly has some pretty big boots to fill in terms of Scottish comedy, so what better way to celebrate our first year in the city than by paying tribute to him with our wonderfully banana’s cake! 

 We opened the club to showcase and support stand-up comedy in the city and we are thrilled that our first year has been such a success. Glaswegians are known for their humour, so the top notch acts that the club has attracted and sold out shows really is testament to this. 

 Our team is incredibly excited to bring more must-see shows to the city and fly the flag for Scottish comedy’

 The Glee Club Glasgow’s 400 seater interior, boasts theatre-style with great views to the round Glee stage, plus excellent lighting, acoustics and atmosphere. An extensive menu of delicious freshly made food and a great quality drinks offering enables guests to enjoy both an evening of entertainment and dining experience under one roof.

  

Prices: Friday night tickets £11 / students £8 / ticket + food £20, Saturday night tickets £17 / students £8 / ticket + pizza + drink £27

 

The Glee Club box office: 0871 472 0400 / info@glee.co.uk

www.glee.co.uk

SCOTS REALITY STAR BRIAN MATTHEWS MISSED OUT ON PAIGE TURLEY

SCOTS reality star Brian Matthews claims he missed out on a date with Love Island’s Paige Turley after being warned off by her music management. 

Lovely Paige, who we know well at the showbizlion.com after helping out with videos and media training when she was in pop band G side, is vying for the prize on Love Island. 

Brian said: “I first met Paige when she was performing with her band G side and she certainly turned my head. You could say she was a real Paige turner. I watched her perform at a few places and met her outside my old bar Liqr in Candleriggs when she was walking to Glasgow’s Dhabba restaurant for a curry. She was hot stuff herself.”

Our showbizlion.com chief lioness Bev Lyons was actually there when Brian fired into Paige on a night out in Glasgow’s now defunct Vapiano restaurant.   

Brian said: “We also partied together at Vapiano restaurant opening in Glasgow and we were a bit flirty. 

Paige was asking me what it was like to be on reality TV because I’d done quite a lot of it myself. We wanted to carry on the party somewhere else but I was warned on the night not to go there by her manager Kasey Monroe at Monroe Management.”

He added: “I got another chance when she was at the panto in Glasgow’s Armadillo at the same time I was and she went to get  an ice cream and realised she didn’t have any cash on her. Being ever the gentleman I offered to get her one but realised I had no money on me either. I blew it and I regret it to this day. I look at her as one of the only few that got away.“

We hope Paige does really well on the show because she’s a lovely girl with great singing talent. 

CORONATION STREET ACTRESS HELEN FLANAGAN AND STYLIST JAY BIRMINGHAM AT GLAM SQUAD

HELEN Flanagan has revealed that her best pal celebrity hairdresser Jay Birmingham styles her from his phone. 

Helen couldn’t wait to get her jammies on and watch Love Island Reunion after putting on the style at Glasgow’s Glamsquad event on Sunday. 

The Corrie star and model was thrilled after her best friend Jay Birmingham presented a slot at the hair, make up and style show in Glasgow’s SWG3.
Helen said: “Jay is one of my best friends and he did absolutely amazing hosting Glamsquad which is one of the biggest events in Glasgow.
Jay said: “ There’s no other event of this kind that has so much talent on stage in one day. Helen and I met on Birmingham about seven years ago. Helen took me under her wing and I showed her the lights of Birmingham.”
Helen added: “Now Jay takes me under his wing.”
Jay joked: “I am Helens stylist, hairstylist, therapist, lifecoach.”Helen said: “If I am ever stuck about what to wear I always WhatsApp Jay loads and and he send me the links.”

Helen and Jay attended the event alongside Alexis Stone, Polly Marchant, Reuben de Made and Tatti Lashes. 
Jay said: “People are going less glam now and going more natural, wearing their hair a bit messy, with tracksuit bottoms. People go to events on tracksuits now. I think times are changing now.”
The two besties were planning a comfy night in following their glam day at the venue. Jay laughed: “We’re going to the rathole now. I’m staying at Helen’s house and I’m having my own bedroom this time.”

Helen added: “We’re just going to chill because Jay will be exhausted after this event. We’re going to put on comfies and watch Love Island.

ED BYRNE, LEWIS CAPALDI, GO WEST AND MORE AT EDINBURGH’S FORTH AWARDS

ED Byrne claims his first child was conceived in Scotland and that he almost called it Ballachullish in memory of the occasion. 

Ed who used to study at Strathclyde uni and was at the Forth Awards said: “Scotland means everything to me. I began my career as a stand up here, met my wife here and my first child was conceived here. His name is Cosmo, not Scotland, but Cosmo which was the name of the first ever Scottish Archbishop of Canterbury, just by coincidence of course. We liked the name. “We thought  we could name him after the place where he was conceived but Balacullish just doesn’t have a ring to it. It’s a genuine place up near Glencoe.” 

Ed popped into say hello to Amy Macdonald at the event because he told me ‘we have a mutual friend’. He added: “She said hello and was a very polite woman.”

He continued: ”I’m writing my next show in little rooms above or below pubs with pieces of paper on hand trying out new stuff, some of which works, some of which doesnt. It’s the very exciting, very dispiriting occasionally quite scary part of the writing process. I’m getting the next show ready which I’ll then  premiere at Ed Fringe in August 2019.”

GO West pop star Richard Drummie  has revealed he is  regular visitor to Glasgow because his daughter is studying here. 

The eighties muso who attended the Forth One awards in the capital with Peter Cox told me he is always in the city. 

He said: “My daughter is at Glasgow School of Art so I go to Glasgow quite a lot. This year’s she’s specialising in photography and film making. She’s doing a four year course so she’s half way through. 

Peter Cox jokes: “She’ll do the band videos for free or a discount.”
The Kings of Wishful Thinking love it here and especially like to partake in some drinking in the true spirit of Scotland. 

Peter said of his Edinburgh trip: “We had a nice meal and drank loads of wine. We stayed at Tigerliliy. We don’t like to go out cause it’s harder to get back of hotel when you’re that drunk - so we ate in the hotel.
Every time we come to play here we get a great reaction.”

DRIVERS were trapped in Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre carpark after a technical glitch meant the barriers locked down. 

I know, cause I was one of them. 

The 900 space car park recently adopted automatic number plate recognition technology meaning drivers don’t have to have a ticket to get in or out. The system recognises your registration and you pay before you leave by putting in your number plate details. 

Unfortunately on Tuesday night, the whole computer system crashed meaning there was a queue of traffic snaking all the way up. I’d already paid but still couldn’t get out and ended up having to call the person I was meeting to tell them I was locked in by a barrier. 

It took around twenty minutes before a car park attendant came to resolve the situation  as frustrated drivers peeped their horns. 

With Christmas round the corner let’s hope they’ve have no other technical glitches in the near future. 

TELLY presenter John Mackay might own plenty of ties but he admitted he doesn’t possess a leopard print one. 

I found this out as I stepped off the studio floor at STV following a chat on  Scotland Tonight about I’m A Celebrity and it’s huge viewing figures on opening night. 

John told me he quite fancies going into the jungle which I think could be quite fun.

He explained: “I’d love to go on I’m a Celeb because my tactic would be to get out as quickly as possible then stay in the luxury hotels.”

He then offered to cut off the sleeve of my snazzy new leopard skin jacket from stylist and boutique owner Phil’s Boutique in Glasgow and make it into a tie so he would be themed up. 

I’m not sure Phil would approve.  

DR Who’s Peter Capaldi was floating about the Merchant city for family member Tony Capaldi’s  birthday party this week.

The former timelord looked relaxed as he partied with friends and posed for photos in Bar Square with some gate rashers as well as those invited. 

Craig Murphy who was at the bash told pals online: “Having a pint with Malcolm tucker, the doctor, Peter Capaldi. 

• Normal Friday night...”

Talking of Capaldis, I asked singer Lewis Capaldi if he fancied swapping roles with his acting relative when I met him at the Forth awards in Edinburgh. 

He told me: “Peter is my father’s cousin or something and came to the London show last year.  If there is a frustrated rock star in him, there is s  frustrated actor in me waiting to get out if he is up for it.”

LEWIS Capaldi says he might have Niall Horans number on speed dial but he doesn’t like to bother him too much. 

The brilliantly funny Lewis, who supported Niall at his Glasgow show, told me: “I’d definitely like to do something with Niall Horan at some point because we’d be good together. Paolo Nutini is always cool too.

Lewis admitted his life has been ‘insane’ of late after touring with Sam Smith, and his sold out gig at the Barrowlands 

He said: “Never in my wildest dreams would I think I’d get to do these arena tours and sell out the Barras and London gigs.  It’s been pretty mental.”

 Lewis said he was tempted to go out and go wild in between his music commitments but has not yet had the chance. He laughed: “Never never rule it out. It can sneak up on you. Maybe you have put the idea into my head now. I’ve been behaving myself for quite some time now but I could get loose soon.”

SHE might have put a Celtic tattoo on her Rangers loving ex live on MTV, but Victoria Obahor has no regrets. 

Victoria, who has put up with Brian Matthews womanising ways over the years says she’s not intimidated by the online hate she’s received since pulling the stunt in Just Tattoo of Us. 

She told me:  “I think two fingers up to lot of them who think it was evil. It’s not them who went through it. It’s me. It’s heartbreaking that Brian cares more about the tattoo than me because I thought he was in love with me and he’s not.”

Victoria, who claims the tattoo was ‘her revenge for what he got up to that night with Jane Park and countless others’ added that she’s now staying at her mums. 

However she told me she is still in touch with Brian to keep things as amicable as can be. 

What’s the bet they’ll be back on by Christmas?  

I felt like I was living one of my worst nightmares when I tried out some new activated charcoal tooth whitening powder.
 I’d been sent a tub of the stuff by U.K. company Procoal to test out. 

I know it is charcoal but I still didn’t expect it to leave my hands looking like I’d messed up a first year art project. 

The bathroom sink looked like I’d not cleaned it for months, and as for my teeth... 

I’m not sure if they look whiter because the rest of my face is now dirty... 

Sent from my iPhone

FROM GRAHAM NORTON TO GLASGLOW WITH TOM HUNTER AND ICE CREAM CHEESE...

Graham Norton was resplendent  in a tartan suit as he stepped out to talk about his new book in Glasgow. 
Graham was staying at the Blythswood hotel before heading through to Edinburgh where   he admitted one if his favourite authors was Scots born Denise Mina. 
Graham got the crowd laughing at the bash particularly when one fan asked him to listen to their radio show droptheboom.com. Despite Irish born Graham being a Celt there were language barriers as he misheard the title and asked if it was spelled bomb.
The radio person replied in ernest, ‘No drop as in D.R.O.P’
Graham should have had his big red chair with him. 


Billionaire Tom Hunter was looking pretty cool in a tracksuit when I bumped into him in town. 
Sir Tom told me he wasn’t on a keep fit regime. 
Instead the 56 year old who was with wife Marion and friends including former Clyde 1 boss Paul Cooney been at a gig in town and told me he wanted to fit in with the rest of the cool crowd. 
Tom has always been a very down to earth man and I remember visiting some of Glasgow’s favourite chippies with him and his posse in the past. 
He’s been busy of late working on the kiltwalk and he asked me to ask you if you can take part in the next one. 
I might well be doing it too now. 
You can choose a charity of your choice and Sir Tom will top up by forty percent whatever money you raise. 
He said: “We has over 20,000 walkers this year and are very chuffed with that.”


I indulged in what must be one of the most unusual desserts of this year at Oro Italian in Glasgow. 
Their ice cream cheeseboard sees Melt in the mouth versions of Mozarella, Marscapone and Ricotta all appearing on one plate. 
It was really odd when the Buffalo Mozarella flavour was served up with olive oil, salt and balsamic glaze, but it all worked beautifully!! 
What an amazing concoction by chef and restauranteur Domenico Crolla who tells me is now off to Roma to pick up yet another food award. 
Xxx
Kilts were very much in vogue on Tuesday night as both Enrique Iglesias and Eric Cantona wore one to mark their visits here. 
Enrique’s kilt was presented to him by radio presenter Adele Cunningham who managed to get him a special pink Heart radio kilt made to order by Slanj. 
Robin Galloway, who was also backstage, advised Enrique to wear nothing underneath but only those in the front row can tell whether he did - or not. 

I’ve triple booked myself this Friday night so if I see you please give me a drink of water to rehydrate me. 
Firstly I’ll be saying a very quick hello at The Dockyard Social where they have a special evening with some bloggers ahead of their Halloween market this weekend.
Then I’ll be heading westwards to Clinica Medica to go live on Facebook around six thirty pm and talk about some fat removing treatments with Dr Awfa Paulina (I should take the hint after all my weeks of gorging) 
And lastly I’ll be freaking myself out at the launch of GlasGLOW at Botanic Gardens - with a Halloween themed magical sound and light show.
I’ll let you know if I survive...

TOWIE STAR LAUREN POPE AND THE INSPIRATIONAL GLASGOW CANCER PATIENT

TOWIE’S Lauren Pope spent her evening at Scotlands Hair and Beauty Awards at Glasgow’s Hilton hotel with an inspirational cancer patient. 

Former beauty queen Melissa McNaughton, 29, is now a hair stylist at her own Mac Hair salon in Glasgow. 

But just weeks ago Melissa was diagnosed with leukaemia and is now undergoing chemotherapy treatment. 

Melissa who undoubtedly is still in shock about her diagnosis said: “Lauren and I have known one another for years and I’ve worked with her hair extensions before. We’ve become friends over time and our relationship is very natural.”

Lauren who was a guest of SHABA organiser Joanne Reid and Hair Rehab London who she works with invited Melissa to the event as her guest. 

We’ll be seeing more of Melissa as she takes part in the Carry On Prancing charity dance contest with Gok Wan. 

Lauren who was being wooed by a variety of eager Scots men on the night  told me: “The hair stuff takes over my life twenty four seven so that’s what I’m mainly doing. Also I’m filming TOWIE at the moment and everything’s very busy but it’s how I like it.

TOWIE is good And real life but I have a very different group of friends I spend most of my time with when I’m not filming so I like to keep that separate and have a bit of normality. You can go through the filming have the dramas and go back to reality I guess.”

SHANIA TWAIN AND THE SECRET BEHIND HER GLASGOW CHICKEN VISIT

Shania Twain might have had dinner at Bucks chicken restaurant but she admitted to me that she didn’t eat any birds on the night. 

Shania checked into her city centre hotel around about seven pm along with her five guitars and crew. 

She had snuck through a side door at her hotel and I actually thought initially that she’d gone to bed - maybe cause she was still on transatlantic time. 

But then, a little tipster told me she’d gone for some dinner at Bucks Bar and was still there. 

I ran and after a wee bit of waiting around I spoke to her as she walked outside with her crew. 

She was a lovely gal, so down to earth. 

She told me she’d just been in Glasgow two hours and that she hadn’t had a chance to explore but was looking forward to spending the next four days here. 

When I asked her how her chicken dinner was and admitted I thought she was veggie she laughed. “Yes most of us are vegetarian but there was still plenty for us to enjoy.”

 I have it on good authority that the much impressed Shania enjoyed vegan option The Umami Tsunami - crispy tofu with a miso mushroom sauce, and salad in honey lime dressing. 

The singer also drank a couple glasses Sauvignon Blanc and her pals enjoyed some pints of Drygate Gladeye IPA each.
The rest of the party also indulged in Thai Style Hot Wings and Halloumi  Nuggets with 25 ingredient BBQ dip. 
A spokesperson for the bar said later: “Funny thing is that she was served by our Canadian waitress Sadie. As Shania was leaving Sadie turned round to he manager and said ‘that woman looks a bit like Shania Twain. No one in the place recognised her.”
After Shania posted up a picture of her toilet trip with the signs reading Cocks for men and Hens for women’s some cheeky fans wondered if she’d change the name of her famous song to “Cock, I feel like a Hen.”
Seeing her standing outside the loos another joked: “Looks like she made it.”