CELTIC LEGEND FERGUS MCCANN JOINS NEIL LENNON AT THE CELTIC STORY

CELTIC Football Club’s former Managing Director Fergus McCann joined the opening night cast of the original and inimitable The Celtic Story in Glasgow alongside former player and manager Neil Lennon and fellow Celtic legends Murdo MacLeod, Tosh McKinlay and Tom Boyd. 

Last night’s show - which marked the first in a three-week run at the SEC Armadillo - was held in support of Celtic FC Foundation. 

Theshowbizlion.Com joined Fergus, Neil and Murdo backstage. X ex Celtic Captain, Tom Boyd said: “This show just epitomises how Celtic was started.  It takes us through all the generations, highlights the emotions that come with so many things and proves that we are much bigger than a football club.  An absolutely astonishing show.”

Tosh McKinlay added: “This took me right back to my grandad’s days when he said no one could lace Jimmy McGrory’s boots, which they talked about in the show tonight, so that was absolutely fantastic. It took us right through the years, right through our years – an amazing show”.

Starring the likes of Martin Quinn, David Mackay and Kathleen McDermott, the large-scale theatre production - which charts the unique history of Celtic Football Club through the eyes of an Irish immigrant family in living in Glasgow - was also a smash hit with fans, who took to their feet to give the cast an emotional standing ovation. 

One Celtic fan said: “When you are at a show called the Celtic story, it’s hard not to think of your own Celtic Story. Every time one of those games happened or one of these moments happened it was with people you loved or people who are not here anymore, so it’s a really emotional and uplifting show.”

The Celtic Story - being produced by Regular Music and Bublico in partnership with Celtic FC - was first performed at The Pavilion Theatre by Wildcat Theatre Company in 1988 and was the very first play of its kind about a football club. 

Originally commissioned by Celtic to commemorate the Club’s Centenary Season, it was a smash hit with Celtic fans. Since then, there have been three hugely successful revivals of the production, with the last run of the show taking place over twenty years ago. 

This latest - and long overdue - revival, adapted and directed by Martin McCormack with Martin McCardie exec producing, has been updated to reflect the changing times and evolving history of the Club while still capturing the unwavering passion and commitment of the fans.  

Featuring a brand new song, Celtic Did It First, penned by songwriter Ciaran McEneny and Ken McCluskey - of Bluebells fame – which is set to become a new anthem for the Club, The Celtic Story is a funny, moving and completely gripping, it promises to be an unforgettable night at the theatre. 

Tickets are on sale now for The Celtic Story which runs from September 1 to September 16 at SEC Armadillo, Glasgow from  www.ticketmaster.com

ROD STEWART CHEERS WITH DELIGHT AT CELTIC BABY NEWS

ROD Stewart cheered with delight as he announced his daughter Ruby was expecting a baby boy and even made up a jingle on the spot to welcome the new addition to the family.
Maggie May rocker Sir Rod was given the honours of revealing the gender as Ruby told her followers on social media of the good news she and her other half Jake Kalick had for 2023.

As the family gathered round, Sir Rod could be seen reading from a piece of paper after opening the envelope from the hospital and he was delighted as he fist pumped the air and referenced his favourite football team as he said: “Its a boy. Mon the Celtic.”
Beaming from ear to ear, he then showed off the announcement on paper and sang a new naughty tune entitled: “Another winkle in the Stewart family.”
Ruby who is the daughter of Sir Rod and his ex girlfriend, the model Kelly Emberg, and Jake moved in together six weeks after they met during the beginning of the lockdown period.

Jake is co founder of cookware company Made- In.
The good news came following the recent death of Ruby’s uncles Donny and Bob.
Ruby urged her followers: “Hire Sir Rod Stewart for your gender reveal! He’ll even write a custom jungle for your unborn child!”
As she posted up a video of her black and white scan, she wrote: “Out of all of the things that happened in 2022 you were by far the most beautiful...We can't wait to meet you..Baby boy Kalick coming in April…”

Amongst those to congratulate her were her half sister Kimberley who wrote: “Def has the Stewart nose.”
Rod’s current wife Penny Lancaster added: “Can't wait to meet him.”
And his second wife Rachel Hunter added: “You are going to be an incredible Mum.”
Rod’s first wife Alana Stewart added: “How wonderful! So happy for you.”

DION DUBLIN TALKS CELTIC AT EDINBURGH TV FESTIVAL

Beverley Lyons 
DION Dublin revealed Celtic bosses made him get rid of his blue Volkswagen Golf and bought him a new car that was more of a neutral colour when he started playing for the Hoops. 
The Homes Under The Hammer presenter was at Edinburgh’s International TV Festival when he spoke of how he played for Celtic as a striker in 2006 after being released by his hometown club Leicester City. 
And he revealed the historic old team rivalry ended up meaning he had to change the colour of his car. 
He exclusively told theshowbizlion.com: “I remember signing for Celtic and I remember having a blue Volkswagen Golf turn up at the ground and the hierarchy said ‘You can’t have That!’ So they bought me a silver one. That’s a fact.”
Ex England international Dion who  even better a goal in the 3-0 CIS League Cup final victory over Dunfermline refers to his days living in Glasgow as ‘The super hoops days’.  
Now as a presenter of the property show which looks at buildings across the UK he reveals: “I lived in the Merchant City for about eight months - absolutely love it - it’s a great place. The Scottish are always great to me regardless of the team and I love coming back so thanks for having me. I’ve had lots of good memories.”
Dion who visited Scotland for the Edinburgh TV festival last month also spoke fondly of Sir Alex Ferguson who signed him to Manchester United in 1992 but admitted there were lots of rules he had to abide by under his leadership. 
Dion said: “Alex Ferguson taught me lots of stuff.  One of the main things was never have your hands in your pockets when he’s taking a meeting cause he hates that. Don’t be late, never answer him back.”
He added: “He’ll have a conversation with you, he will listen to you, he’ll take on board all the information and then you’ll do exactly what he wants you to do.”
Dion reckons it helped him with the rest of his life on and off screen. 
He said: “Listen if you do as your told and you do the job that you’ve been asked to do to the best of your ability you’ll go far and then you can start to put your own little stamp on that job as you get better at it. I’m sure the manager or the boss will allow you to do that.”
The footballer who has also spoken at length about the racism he has faced in the past also has new ambitions he’d like to realise. 
He revealed: “I would like to do something in music. I’ll leave that open. Take out the singing. There will be no singing from me. I’ve got a terrible voice. Playing, I play percussion that’s my thing. I love playing percussion. I’d love to present some kind of music show as well so sit tight you never know.”

From Scotland with Love theshowbizlion.com

This article has since appeared in The Daily Record

FORMER CELTIC PLAYER BOBBY PETTA IS ON TRACK TO NUMBER ONE

Exclusive 
Beverley Lyons 
FORMER Celtic player Bobby Petta is on track to be number one after carving out a new career for himself as a house DJ. 
Dutch star Bobby, who was with the Glasgow club for five years until 2004, was well known for his fancy footwork but decided to pursue his other passion of DJing two years ago. 
Two months ago he went into the Groove City Radio studios to produce his own tracks. 
Bobby said: ”I released a track with Saint Luke and it was top 100 and has now gone to number four in the Traxsource Jackin’ house charts. To be honest it’s really weird, but it’s doing well so we’ll see.”

Bobby claims he’s always loved music but never got the chance to pursue his hobby when he joined the Hoops in 1999. 
Bobby who recently celebrated Republic Bort Halle’s 20th anniversary with Hospitality legend Colin Barr said: “I always actually liked DJing when I was at Ipswich but when I came here it was different. It was only two years ago that I went back to it and I like doing it but I want to produce too. I’ve got some good people around me and it’s a new journey in my life and I love it. It’s a process, it’s a journey and I love it.”
This month he released his funky disco house track Feel Good with Glasgow producer Saint Luke which is now at number four. 
Bobby, who recently played at charity night in honour of Fernando Ricksen at Club 69,  said: “The track is called Feel Good and it’s a jackin’ house number, funky disco house. It is deep and underground and I like melodic techno too. It changes all the time. I got together with Saint Luke, a producer from Scotland who knows his stuff. I’ve got it in my head and he translates it for me. It’s hard when you’re doing everything yourself so he’s the one that can translate what I want from my head. It’s a good combination.
“The fact that it is at number four in the charts means I am on the right track and it is only my second attempt. I know what it takes and it’s just learning every time as I go on. I just play what I like to play. For me it’s all feel.”
Bobby says he’s not quite at the level of Calvin Harris but he admits he’s competitive when it comes to making tracks. 
He said: “I’m very competitive. I say this with football, I put in the hours and enjoy it. It’s not like work. For mental health, it is my outlet and it keeps me happy. That’s what I do, I do what I love. Whenever I’m behind the decks I’m doing it because I love it. It’s not work. It’s enjoyment. Like football and the fans, music connects people.

If I’m being honest, I’d like to go to Ibiza, like Jackmaster from Glasgow. That’s just an ambition and a half. I’d like to go to the Sub Club on Glasgow or Circo Loco in Ibiza, that’s my vibe. 
A Vegas residency would be nice but do you know how many good people that are out there? 
In this industry there are really quality people like my manager Jay Gunning from Attic Room Sessions. I’m humble and take it as it comes.”
So far, he’s kept his own name but he admits he might change it for the dance world. 
He laughed: “Whilst we are here in Glasgow and called Bobby Petta, but I like to step away from the football thing. It’s hard. I’d like to be judged on the music I play.
Football has given me a lot, but this for me is not physically demanding. I can play music as long as I want and it’s fun and if You can make a living out of it that’s good too. For me it’s more the journey and experiencing everything and meeting various people who are very good a bit like football.”

CORRIE ACTRESS HELEN FLANAGAN ALLERGIC TO CURRY

CORRIE actress Helen Flanagan has revealed that eating curry causes her face to swell up.
The Celtic wag also claims that drinking cow’s milk could be to blame for her acne outbreaks.
Soap star Helen, 29, lifted the lid on her dietary woes online.
The glamorous celeb who shares two children with fiancee, Hoops winger Scott Sinclair, was commenting on the results of a food intolerance test that highlighted her sensitivities.
She said: “My results came back showing that I am intolerant to cows milk! I’ve always suspected I was but it’s nice to have it finally confirmed.
“I’ve suffered with acne on and off for years and always worried if cows milk aggravated my skin.
“I was interested to see I had an intolerance to kale and curry leaves\ powder my face is always puffy the day after I have been out for a curry.”
Helen also posted a picture of her full results from food intolerance company YorkTest Laboratories.
Her other main trigger foods are crustaceans including lobsters, prawns and crabs, cardamom and bay leaves.
Chia seeds, turmeric, lemongrass, spirulina, dandelion and burdock and chardonnay wine grapes were also flagged as causing her a reaction.
Earlier this week mum-of-two Helen – who has daughters Matilda, four, and one-year-old Delilah with Celtic star Sinclair – went into more details about her eating regime.
She said: "We all have different body shapes and we should all celebrate and love our bodies."
The Coronation Street star, who played Rosie Webster on the famous cobbles before taking maternity leave last year, said she starts the day with porridge and coconut milk, snacks on hummus and crackers and eats fish, pasta and rice for her evening meals.

FORMER GLASGOW GLOW REALITY STARS MAKE SEX SHOW

Beverley Lyons 

GLOW’S Brian Matthews and Victoria Obahor have made a new TV programme which will show them having raunchy sex. 
The Scottish reality couple who were last seen on Couples Come Dine With Me after giving one another ‘terrible tattoos’ on Just Tattoo Of Us have been trying to keep hush about the sexy new show for Channel 4.
We can now reveal that the show called Sex Tape will see the often fighting couple cosying up in the bedroom in adult scenes while their love life is filmed for the viewing public. 
The show starts Friday 26th April at 10pm on Channel 4 and the couple told friends that they will see a different side to them. 

A close friend of the couple said: “Brian and Victoria have been boasting about their antics. From the sounds of it there are no holds barred for their sex tape.”

Brian admitted he and Victoria’s love life has gone from wild to woeful. He said: “At first we went through the Kama Sutra, but now there’s no spontaneity when it comes to our relationship anymore, especially when it comes to the sex. We need help because we used to have an amazing sex life and it’s flipped the opposite way now.”

According to a spokesperson for the show arguing couples will have their home rigged with cameras to capture everything from the heated rows and the reconciliation – to the sex.In each episode, the couples hoping to fix their relationships meet each other, along with a sex therapist, for a “new therapy”. Executive producer Gary Chippington said the show was a “ground-breaking series”. “Sex Tape promises to be a perceptive, revealing and surprising social experiment offering a fascinating insight into intimacy.”

CORRIE’S HELEN FLANAGAN GOES WEDDING SHOPPING IN GLASGOW

CORRIE’S Helen Flanagan has been busy preparing for her big day with Celtic winger Scott Sinclair by visiting the Scottish Wedding Show - and picking out cakes and entertainment.
 The glamorous mum of two took her baby daughter Delilah Ruby with her to the runway show as she watched the latest fashions and organised some of the finer details of her wedding with her make up gal Kirsty Martin.
Helen who ended up breastfeeding Delilah during the show, has said she will marry in summer - after taking time to get rid of a tattoo of Marilyn Monroe on her arm in order she could wear her dream dress.
She said at the time “I’m super girlie and I’ve dreamt about my wedding since I was young, so I’ve already been wedding dress shopping! I found my dream dress, but it’s sleeveless and I have a tattoo on my arm that I got when I was much younger. I always cover it up, but if I want to wear this dress then I won’t be able to, so I’m going to have to have the tattoo lasered off.”
She spent the day talking to different stall holders at the bash in Glasgow’s SEC. 

and she told followers online: “Had a lovely day at the Scottish Wedding Show.”
Amongst the stalls Helen visited was bespoke wedding cake designer Marie Clare Cake Design whose previous creations include a life size tea set made entirely of sugar as well as owl shaped cakes  and sugary planters. The company makes a point of meeting with couples to create exactly what they want. 

Helen posed for a pic at the stand and owner Marie Clare Heffernan Martin, a baking columnist for our sister paper the Sunday Mail, sent a message to Helen following their meeting saying: “Lovely to chat with you Helen Flanagan. So pleased you like my cake.  S*** just got real.”
Helen who plans to centre much of the activity around her two beautiful children, also managed to chat with Pamela from Arty Party Crafts who provide activities for bored kids at weddings and said: “Thanks for stopping by to discuss children’s entertainment with Arty Party Crafts wedding function and entertainment. It was lovely to meet you and your beautiful daughter.”  
The model and actress also checked out the trendy Blue Parrots event group who have everything from Oscar themed statues, Friends couches and Alice in Wonderland props to interactive games said: “Thanks for stopping by to chat to us today Helen. You looked beautiful. Hope you had a great day.”
Helen also had a chat with flute, violin and piano trio Amarone music who told her she was such a beautiful mama and even more stunning in real life. They added: “Hope you got some inspo for the wedding.”

Fans were thrilled to see Helen at the event and breastfeeding her baby in public. 

Irene Cullen told her: “So great to see you normalising breastfeeding in public. It will help nervous mums do it.”

From Scotland with Love 

From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

BRENDAN ROGERS GOES TO UNI FOR A LANGUAGE COURSE

CELTIC boss Brendan Rogers became a university lecturer for the day after urging students to learn a foreign language.
And students couldn’t believe it when he started chatting away to university professors in Spanish, French and Italian in the lecture theatre at the private event.
Northern Irish football gaffer Brendan was the very first speaker at the Living Languages event hosted by Senior Language Teaching Fellow Cedric Moreau.
And he even welcomed children from St John Ogilvie High School in Hamilton and Holyrood Secondary in Glasgow to the chat about his love of linguistics.
Brendan spoke of his love of learning and revealed to students that an "inspirational" teacher/coach Jim spurred him on to be the best coach he could be.
He told them: "Do the extra work, put the time in".
Brendan, who recently translated a written message in the official football programme to Spanish fans for the Celtic Valencia game, also said it was important to use languages in work life
Student Jack Batty admitted afterwards: “I’m still shook at Brendan Rodgers chatting away to my uni lecturers in Spanish, French and Italian. What a man.”
Hollyrood French and Spanish teacher Mr Mcilkenny added: “I had a great Monday night hearing from Brendan Rodgers about the importance of learning languages. It was a tremendous experience for our four S2 pupils from Holyrood Secondary who attended and got to hear about language learning first hand from an inspirational and high-profile guest speaker
Brendan has told of his loved of language in the past.
He had tried his best to communicate with players in their native or shared language and explained: “I always think if you speak to someone in their second language, you speak to their head. If you speak in their first, you speak to their heart. I've always tried to let players see that.”

From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

ROD STEWART JOINS HOST OF FOOTBALL STARS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO GLASGOW MUM

ROD Stewart paid tribute to a very special member of Celtic Park - and serenaded her before telling her he loved her.
In an exclusive video to honour Glasgow's Angela Thomson who celebrated thirty years of working behind the scenes at Parkhead, Rod gave a tour of his Celtic themed home gym.
Standing by a Celtic flagpole, he welcomed her to his gym decked out with Hoops scarves and placques and said: "Angie its Rod. It's raining. Come into the gym. Come quickly. Come on in. This is my gym. Angie, I just wanted to thank you for your thirty years to the best football team - not always the best football team but certainly the best club in the world. You've been absolutely wonderful. What would we have done without you? I wish I could have been there for you but I'm away tonight to the south of France for a rest but I love you and I'll see you soon. I'm going to bring you up a present and I'm going to sing a song as well."
After singing the opening verse of 'Have I told you lately that I love you?' Rod added: "See you soon Angie. Take care darling. Love you"
The brilliant video and night was organised by Made In Scotland and Celtic Former Players Association with Spirit Aid and was one of the largest events in Celtic Park's function rooms with a whopping five hundred and fifty guests.
Rod wasn't the only celebrity to pay his respects to Angie who has kept the players strips clean and smart over the years.
It was like a Who's Who of the clubs history as over 100 past and present names and four ex managers turned up to honour Her.
John Hartson, Henrik Larson, Jackie McNamara, Neil Lennon, Frank McAvennie, Gordon Strachan and Martin O Neill were amongst those who paid tribute to Angie in the flesh alongside the current squad and Brendan Rodgers. Pierre van Hooijdonk, Peter Lawwell and Lubo Moravcik also sent special video messages to Angie as she is affectionately known.
The 59 year old started off in catering before moving to the clubs laundrette.
Angie's daughter said: "It was amazing for us to see how well respected Angela is and to see how many people love her. She is so special to us.
"She thought she was going to a Celine Dione tribute night and was in shock when she saw a big picture of herself on screen. I was blown away too. She's been with the club for 30 years and she started with catering and then went to work in laundry."
Ex player Joe Miller who heads up the Former Celtic Players Association said: "It was a great event and pretty touching as well. Angie started at the club the same time as I started at Celtic and used to help Neil Mochan who was kit manager at the time. She's a great character and has looked after everyone. She's an important part of the club and has played a huge part in the players lives and made an impression. You could rely on her if you needed anything signed - even once you left the club. A lot of people who work at the club are unsung heroes and Angie comes under that category. She is at the heart of the club.
Players flew in from around the world to be with her."
Jacqueline Doherty from Made In Scotland who put together the videos for the event said: "Getting Rod was the icing on the cake and we compiled a potted thirty year history for this lady. It was wonderful."
Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Scottish Sun
From Scotland with Love - The Showbiz Lion.

FERNANDO RICKSEN CELEBRATES HIS 41ST BIRTHDAY IN BENIDORM

FERNANDO Ricksen battled against the odds to greet hundreds of his awaiting fans last night at his 41st birthday party in Spain.

The stricken Rangers legend has been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease after being diagnosed with it in October 2013.
Despite failing health, Fernando and his wife Veronika attended a special party in his honour at the Ibrox Bar in Benidorm.

Locals as well as dedicated fans from around the world gathered at the bar adorned with the famous blue and white memorabilia and team kit in the holiday resort to pay their respects and wish the Dutch star and former right back and right midfielder a happy 41st birthday.
After fighting against the debilitating disease, at the eleventh hour Fernando admitted it was touch and go whether he could attend the bash.
 Theshowbizlion.com met up with Fernando near his home in Valencia to give him a special present of a personalised front page of The Sunday Post before we headed to the party with him in Benidorm.
Opening his gift, he said "Thankyou. It's great."
Veronica added:"I feel like a small child opening his present for him."
 Making the two hour journey from his home in the sweltering heat of Valencia to the bar in the Costa Blanca, Veronica and Fernando said: "We'd love to stay in Benidorm tonight but we can't. We have to get back for our four year old daughter Isabella. It is too much for her to make the journey tonight and too late for her."
Fernando summoned all his strength to attend the birthday bash. In the days before the event, he said he had had some bad days but that the love of the fans gave him the power to go on.
He added: "I'm tried but still ok."
Footballers including Nacho Novo, Marco Negri and Michael Mols had sent messages of support to the star on his birthday two days ago while Alex McLeish had earlier joked via a personal message that he was sorry he couldn't make it but hadn't been invited.
Rangers FC also told fans: "Please join us in wishing #Rangers Hall of Fame inductee Fernando Ricksen a very happy birthday today!"
Fernando himself said he was extremely excited about the party and specifically asked organisers to play some Rangers anthems as well as his theme song and Abba classic Fernando.
In the weeks running up to the event had also asked bar owner Wilma Wallace to make everyone feel relaxed and to help raise money for his MND charity The Fernando Ricksen MND Foundation.
Wilma who was originally from Dunbarton before moving to Clydebank in Glasgow decked out the blue and white themed bar with messages of congratulations for the Rangers legend.
She added: "We are thrilled to welcome Fernando here again. He likes things very relaxed, the same as other punters do. It was always going to be a casual affair with a chance for fans to get up close with their idol. Tonight was all about making Fernando feel special and we have hundreds of people who have taken over the terraces here tonight.
"The most important thing was that people could see him and get their picture taken with him. I myself have been a Fernando fan ever since he's been in Rangers. He was always the best looking and a wild boy. He is a legend and we were honoured to host his birthday here. He has come to the bar to celebrate his birthday for the last three years."
We have organised special Fernando cocktails with vodka, peach schnapps, blue balls and lemonade and we also presented his charity with a large cheque this evening."
Last year was an important birthday for him because it was his fortieth and every year makes it so much more special that he is fighting the disease and making his plight known. He wants to let people know what it is like living with motor neurone disease and raise money for his charity."
Excerpts of this article have since appeared inThe  Sunday Post.

CELTIC TARGET OLIVIER NTCHAM RETURNS TO GLASGOW HOTEL AFTER TALKS

Celtic target Olivier Ntcham looked every bit the superstar as he arrived in Glasgow ahead of signing talks with the club.

The 21-year-old Manchester City midfielder who arrived surrounded by a posse of security, kept his hood up as he was spotted entering the Blythswood Hotel in the city centre at around 7.45pm on Saturday evening.
The soon to be player arrived in a white team sponsored Kia Jeep accompanied by three others and rushed straight into the hotel while carrying a bar of soap and a hairbrush.
He had earlier been spotted on the Parkhead pitch getting a look at the new surroundings that will await him if a deal is agreed.
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers is believed to be keen to land the French player after he impressed on loan at Italian side Genoa last season, and hopes he will compete for the No.10 role.

TRIBUTES FLOOD IN FOR BRAVE CROOKSTON SCHOOLBOY SPARKY

TRIBUTES have flooded in for the late Celtic mad thirteen year old who won the heart of NDubz Dappy and countless other celebrities.

Brave Crookston lad Mark Sparky Gallagher passed away from brain tumour Craniopharyngioma on Saturday.
The terminally ill schoolboy was diagnosed with the condition six and a half years ago and his mum Michelle, 31, and seven year old brother Che were told at the start of the year by doctors there was nothing more they could do following thirty eight operations.
Friends and family, with help from the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation, Glasgows Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Robin House did their utmost to make his short life as memorable as they could.
During his illness Sparky was sent messages of support from everyone including Shameless star Jody Latham, View guitarist Kieren Webster and Geordie Shore's Jay Gardner.
He featured in the Dreammaker Christmas song, sang with Susan Boyle, met most of the Celtic team including Scott Brown and Callum McGregor and was thrilled to have close contact with NDubz rapper Dappy. Family friend Lindsay Coyle said at the time: "Sparky is Dappy’s number one fan and even loves him more than his beloved Celtic."
The two met initially in 2012 at a London recording studio organised by children’s charity Rays of Sunshine.
In January, Sparky's birthday month, they were reunited when Dappy met up with him after two Scots gigs.
Amongst those who have paid tribute to Sparky's passing were Celtic legend Bertie Auld who visited Sparky just last week in Robin House.
He sent a private message to Sparky's mum within hours of hearing the news.
BAFTA award winning actress Kathleen McDermott also said: "My heart is breaking - fly high little man. Love you and will miss u sooo much!!"
Les Hoey and Angela Jamieson Cook from the Dreammaker Foundation said: "He was a remarkably strong wee boy who always gave people a high five no matter how ill he was. He was such a cheeky chap and was even twerking to music on Friday in Robin House."
Posted with Love in Scotland from theshowbizlion.com
Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Evening Times and Daily Record

CELTIC PLAYERS AND FANS HIT THE STATES

CELTIC players Bobby Peta, Tosh McKinlay, and Joe Miller are amongst the former Hoops stars headed to Vegas this week.
The event is being organised by the North American Federation of Celtic Supporters Clubs in Vegas and takes place until June 11.
Bobby who flew out this morning following his charity match for the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation in Wishaw is keen to Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions out there and said: "It's a Celtic convention so it's going to be busy. Every couple of years they organise it for the fans and with it being the fiftieth anniversary of the Lisbon Lions it will be great. It's my first time there. Joe Miller Tosh McKinlay, some of the Lisbon Lions will be going. It will be like a green and white spring break in Vegas. I'm looking forward to it. We are out there for a week so will go to a dinner and films and other things. We won't be playing but a lot of them will be drunk at the pool while I will be exploring the place and getting to know it. It's a great chance for everyone to catch up with each other."

Excerpts from this article have since appeared in The Scottish Sun.
From Scotland with Love - theshowbizlion.com

CELTIC DAFT ROD STEWART KEEPS TABS ON RANGERS DURING SCOTS VISIT

ROD Stewart might be Celtic daft as he screens some victory matches tonight at his live show in Glasgow but he keeps in touch with the competition just to see how they are doing.
As he prepared for his gigs at the Hydro tonight and Friday he said: "I bumpfded into one of the hierarchy at Rangers and they did say it would take a couple of years and it may take a couple of years but I get up here as many times as I can. I'm coming up for the Hearts game and I'm coming to watch them playing Albion for The Scottish cup and that's about that this year." Speaking of his drinking time in the Rogano he added: "Usually before England Scotland matches it's almost obligatory to get slightly plastered so I can't remember much about it or about the game either."
Rod also revealed he'd installed a football pitch in his new home in Essex for his boys to enjoy.
He said: "I've just had a pitch put in for my boys. It's a seven aside AstroTurf and is absolutely beautiful. I was speaking to my two boys and I was trying to tell them 'Do you know how lucky you are?' .
When I was their age - Aiden is five or six - my football was mums stocking stuffed with newspaper and you had to play out in the street and if it went under a lorry that was the end of it so they don't know how lucky they are."
Rod also revealed how he keeps fresh faced. He said: "I have facials every week and it obviously seems to be paying off."

Excerpts of this article have since appeared in The Sun.


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

BAY CITY ROLLER AND BGT WINNER SURPRISE AT CELTIC ROCKERS GIG IN DUNDEE

 BAY City Roller Alan Longmuir ended up playing Shangalang after becoming the  surprise guest at a Scots celtic rock gig.

 The legendary popster surprised punters at the Dundee gig by award-winning Scots celtic rock band Gleadhraich who were Rolling in Talent alongside Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall.

 The band, who were Angus Cultural Ambassadors in 2014, were joined by  two talents for their sell-out show at the Starlight Showroom.

After a kilted Jai provided vocals on Loch Lomond, the Carnoustie band welcomed Alan to the stage.

As he brought out his acoustic guitar the lads in the band joined him to play a special rendition of 1972 hit Shang-A-Lang sending the crowd into raptures.

The band then closed the show with their version of Take On Me from their second EP, Where We’re From, with confetti canons blasting into the crowd and showering the band as they took their final bows to David Bowie’s fitting Heroes.

 Both guest spots came about through piper Craig Weir who had supported the artists over the last few years.

 Craig piped on the Bay City Roller’s reunion tour last Christmas, with Queen at the SSE Hydro in January 2015 and twice with The Libertines. He’s also composed and played a tune to the Dalai Lama in 2012 and along with brother, Paul, played Arnold Schwarzenegger into his Edinburgh business event in January.

 Craig said: “We were keen to make this show extra special with the addition of a couple of special guests.

 We’d previously played with Jai and thought it would be great to get him to sing with us. When I was on the Bay City Rollers tour I discussed with Alan the idea of him guesting for us, so when I asked if he was up for it he agreed straight away. I still can’t believe it’s really happened.

 “To have both of these major Scottish artists playing with the band was amazing and hopefully the crowd enjoyed the surprises. It certainly completed the night for us!”

Afterwards, Roller Alan, who kept his promise to play despite suffering from flu, said: “They’re a great band.”

 Jai added: “I was panicky before the gig, as I normally am, but once I was on stage the audience were great and the boys were brilliant too.”