XTRA, XTRA - READ ALL ABOUT IT! IRN-BRU'S LATEST STAR.

IT'S the first new permanent product from IRN-BRU in 35 years and theshowbizlion.com got an exclusive taste.
Admittedly we weren't dressed for the occasion - having being pleasantly interrupted during daily bootcamp complete with mud face mask - and we were lucky enough to get can number six in the production line.
As a long time lover of Scotland's other national drink we couldn't wait to get a taste and for those who like some extra pinch without the sugar XTRA delivers.
In the making for over a year, it has been created using the distinctive BRU recipe known only to owner Mr Robin Barr himself, his daughter Julie and only one other employee.
It includes even more of the IRN-BRU taste that consumers love but leaves out the sugar for a new flavour experience.
Only the third permanent variant to be added to the range, IRN-BRU XTRA is set to take Scotland’s shelves by storm when it is released on August 22.
Adrian Troy, AG Barr Head of Marketing said: “It’s clear that the market is changing and consumers want more choice. We’ve listened to this and have worked incredibly hard to not only develop IRN-BRU XTRA, but to make it available to buy this summer.”
"As a brand, strength and resilience is at the heart of everything we do and IRN-BRU XTRA is a total knockout. With the IRN-BRU secret recipe at its core, it delivers extra taste and no sugar. We’re confident it will be just the tonic for those that are keen to try something new and enjoy the bold IRN-BRU taste they love, without any sugar.”
For regular updates from BRU, follow @irnbru.

- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

RIHANNA REACTS TO SCOTTISH CHANT ON VIDEO

HERE'S Rihanna looking confused and then delighted as her Glasgow fans gave her their famous concert chant.
The singer who performed at Hampden Park this week was thrilled to bits after Scots concert goers decided to give her a taste of home with their chant of "Here
We F***ing Go."
Work singer Rhi Rhi couldn't quite make out their lyrics but ended up congratulating them anyway.
She said: "That rocks. Y'all are awesome Glasgow. I love you guys man."
During her gig the Umbrella singer sashayed and shook her bootie like never before.


Despite brollies being banned from the stadium a few managed to smuggle them in for her big anthem.
The 50,000 capacity gig might not have been a sell out but the We Found Love star still managed to thrill her faithful followers for more than Four Five Seconds.



- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

TK MAXX CELEBRATES NEW SCOTS STORE WITH DUVET DINING

SHOPPERS in Edinburgh are about to get an extra helping of their favourite discount store when TK Maxx opens its doors in St Andrews Square.
We'll have all the info for you nearer the time but the labels-for-less retailer is one of theshowbizlion.com's favourite shops because there are so many brands and bargains under one roof.
We also love our grub and were thrilled to be invited to an amazing event at a pop up shop in Edinburgh called #DuvetDining to celebrate the launch of the store's Ridiculous Possibilities, a new campaign bringing to life the delightfully different yet brilliant opportunities made possible when shopping at TK Maxx.


As we relaxed and unwound amidst the luxurious duvet fort, complete with TK Maxx lush linens, heavenly eiderdowns, glowing lanterns and plush cushions, we feasted on an exclusive seven course menu created by renowned food guru Gizzi Erskine.


We all sat down on the duvets as we dined in style and drank some raspberry mojitos.
The menu was incredible with plenty of surprises, including tomato tea - from a teapot and with tiny little vegetable stars (a bit like a gazpacho consommé).


There was also meat fruit on sourdough which looked like a giant olive but turned out to be duck pate.


The egg Creme brûlée was a favourite, presented in an egg shell and even the jelly sweeties were made from beetroot and blood orange.


From the gourmet food to the exquisite décor, #DuvetDining turned our perceptions upside down and made us think out of the box.


We also made some lovely new friends.
The Edinburgh event was the last of a UK tour, appearing in London and Belfast previously to surprise and delight local food and fashion lovers.
Deborah Dolce, Group Brand and Marketing Director, at TK Maxx said: “In a world of shopping predictability, TK Maxx stands for something different: unbounded possibilities. We know that the thrill of the find in our stores and the element of the unexpected is a unique ingredient that draws people back in and this campaign captures that sentiment in the most wonderful and intriguing way.”
TK Maxx. Big labels. Small Prices. Ridiculous Possibilities.



- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

BEN HAENOW PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE SCOTS FUNDRAISER

SINGER Ben Haenow paid tribute to the late Donna Mortimer Ballantyne after he appeared at a fundraiser in her honour.
The former X Factor winner was a special guest at the Thistle Hotel and helped raise a whopping £164,000 to help the Kilbryde Hospice in memory of the late Bothwell born businesswoman, who died aged 39 after being diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
Donna raised funds to help the build of Kilbride hospice before her death, and her family, who own Lynnet Leisure, parent company of well-known Glasgow restaurants and clubs 29, Rogano and One Up, continue to work in her name.
Ben, who performed for VIPs on the night including new Rangers manager Mark Warburton and some of Celtic's finest, said of Donna: "This lady did such a lot of amazing things for charity and helped with charities in the West of Scotland and she helped to raise money to build Kilbryde hospice and continues to do lots even after she sadly passed away.


He added: "My granddad passed away not too long ago and was in a hospice. It does happen and the importance of this thing is that it does touch somebody at some point in their lives. At some time we know someone who has been affected from it and it's a great thing to help with it and raise money for any kind of charity.
"I've visited a few hospices, some purely for children which is quite a tough thing to see but to see the quality these hospices give people towards the end of their lives and the support they for to everyone around is a great thing and a really important network."
Ben is due to appear at Hamilton racecourse this Thursday and admitted he loves visiting Scotland
He said: "I've been in Glasgow many a times before and the crowds are cool. We were here for the X Factor tour for two days and we went out on one of the nights. But I can't give too much away about it. We're doing a lot of things just now and have a lot of gigs set up for the summer. I'm in talks about recording a new EP too."



- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

TEN MUSIC TALENTS COMPETE FOR THE TITLE AT SCOTTISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR

CHVRCHES, Emma Pollock, Lau, Young Fathers and FFS are just some of the artists who have made the top ten for Scottish Album of The Year (SAY)
The shortlist for Scotland's big music award was revealed last night at The BBC Quay Sessions during an exclusive live broadcast and the winner will be announced on Wednesday June 29 at a Paisley Town Hall ceremony to tie in with the Paisley bid for UK City of Culture 2021.
Previous SAY nominees Fatherson performed alongside last year's award winner Kathryn Joseph before this year’s shortlisted albums were announced live on air by host Vic Galloway. Amongst the shortlist this year are a number international collaborations: Ghanaian and South African performers and producers, LA based glam/art rock icons Sparks (who teamed up with Franz Ferdinand) and a project with 70s disco ensemble Sister Sledge.
Producer Graeme Clark also known as The Revenge, and ex Beta Band member Steve Mason all also made it onto the shortlist while FFS were the winner of the public vote.
The overall winner will pick up a £20,000 first prize while nine shortlisted titles will receive £1,000 each.
Run by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), previous SAY Award winners are Kathryn Joseph (2015), Young Fathers (2014), RM Hubbert (2013) and Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat (2012).

The full SAY Award 2016 shortlist:

ANNA MEREDITH - VARMINTS

AUNTIE FLO - THEORY OF FLO

C. DUNCAN - ARCHITECT

EMMA POLLOCK - IN SEARCH OF HARPERFIELD

FFS - FFS

LAU - THE BELL THAT NEVER RANG

STEVE MASON - MEET THE HUMANS
THE REVENGE

YOUNG FATHERS - WHITE MEN ARE BLACK MEN TOO

CHVRCHES - EVERY OPEN EYE















- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

MOET GIVES US THE PERFECT EXCUSE TO PARTY IN GLASGOW

CHAMPAGNE is something you normally drink on a very special occasion (unless you're lucky enough to have some on tap like Moet ambassador Scarlett Johansson).
And June 11 aka Moet Party Day was the perfect celebration to try some of the quite literally coolest champagne in the world.


Moet Ice was in abundance in Glasgow's Ashton lane as the champagne house marked the first champagne spray by Le Mans winner Dan Gurney in 1967 when he celebrated his win by impulsively spraying the crowd with his trophy Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon.


Glasgow's Lane Bar joined Edinburgh in being two of the 35 cities worldwide which took part in the festivities.
Later in the evening there was also a part at Corinthian Club with even more bubbles.


The all white party in Ashton Lane came complete with Balearic beats, DJ sets from Shae D and Nick Peacock and live saxophone beats.


Harry Potter and Departed actor David O'Hara was amongst the guests but the Moet was star of the show.
The white ice bottles and glasses were filled with cucumber, grapefruit and mint to set off the taste of the champagne which was slightly sweeter than usual.
It might have been Glasgow but with the outdoor seating, life rings, beach towels and ice buckets, theshowbizlion.com could have been in St Tropez.



- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

WATCH THE LIGHT THAT IS CHRISTINA GRIMMIE ON HER LAST VISIT TO SCOTLAND

The Showbiz Lion was devastated to hear about the death of young US talent Christina Grimmie after meeting with her in Glasgow.
We had the great pleasure of chatting with her when she appeared in Scotland at Glasgow's Garage Club in February last year.
We had a long chat backstage about the ups and downs of her career, the geeky fans she had, and being a female in the music industry.
Christina, 22, who was an Internet sensation and came third in the US series of The Voice was a lovely down to earth girl who was realistic about fame and its trappings.
She was shot dead during a meet and greet with fans after a performance in Orlando, Florida.
Her brother, Marcus, who was with her when she died, shared a heartbreaking statement on Saturday saying Christina was "more than my sister, she was a partner."
We send our love to her family and friends and hope the video above can provide some comfort during this awful time.


- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com