SCOTS CANCER TEEN GIVEN VIP TREATMENT AT NTA’s

Beverley Lyons 
A Scots teenager with brain cancer couldn’t believe  it when she was invited to the NTA’s as a guest of David Walliams and his team.
Thirteen year old Ellie Beattie went to London first class on the train, was chauffeur driven by limousine around London and was invited to the show as a VIP.
Ellie also received a personal message from David Walliams as well as video messages from Bradley Walsh and Ant and Dec on the trip, which was organised by Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Charity. 
It was a real boost for the teenager who has been battling illness since she was seven when she first suffered from bad leg pains then headaches.
Ellie, who was taken into hospital in September 2017 and finally diagnosed with stage four metastatic pineo blastoma brain disease and leptomeningeal disease in May 2018, has had 32 doses of chemotherapy. 
Her mum Elaine said: “Ellie has been ill since she was seven and she’s really been put through the mill. She has had Bell’s palsy on her face, terrible headaches and lost her memory as the disease has spread. It’s been awful and she even ended up in a wheelchair after her chemotherapy. Her treatment finished in March 2019 when doctors had to cut it short because chemo nearly killed her. We are in a watch and wish situation now and she gets reassessed every three months. The disease is currently sleeping but it will get active again.”

Ellie, whose schooling has been interrupted by her illness, couldn’t believe it when Angela Cook from Les Hoey Dreammaker Charity got in touch to say she’d been invited down to the glitzy bash. 
She said: “It was amazing. I love David Walliams and have his book and couldn’t believe it when I got the random invite to the NTA’s. My mum had been talking to Les and the team about me and they invited me.  I got picked up by limo to go to the awards and when I was at the hotel I was gifted Gucci socks and given my note from David Walliams along with his book The Beast of Buckingham Palace. It said: ”Dearest Ellie I want you to know that I am thinking about you and sending you all my love.” He was too busy on the night hosting to say hello but I also got a video from Bradley Walsh as I’m a big fan of The Chase and he’s invited me down to the studios as his guest. Ant and  Dec also sent me a secret video  message too.”

Ellie was given VIP seats to the left of the stage where she and her mum could see the celebs up close as they went to pick up their awards. 

Elaine said: “We were on an aisle seat and we could see them coming down to go on the stage and shout down to them. When Tom Jones went by I said ‘What’s new pussy cat’ and he replied ‘Woah Woah Woah’.
Ellie reckons the whole experience made her forget about her illness for the evening. She said:  “The worst bit of my illness was being stuck in hospital  for months on end and this definitely made me feel happier than I have been.”
Les Hoey said: “This is the reason the charity was started. When these kids go to events like these they are the celebs.”

SIMPLE MINDS, TOM WALKER CONFIRM SCOTTISH MUSIC AWARDS

SIMPLE Minds, Tom Walker and emerging artist Joesef are lined up to appear at this years  Nordoff Robbins fundraiser The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. 

Now in its 21st year, the prestigious award ceremony will once again raise vital funds for the music therapy charity and honour the very best in Scottish music across one star-studded, unmissable night. The charity has unveiled the first nominees and performers for this year’s awards, with the legendary Simple Minds set to take to the stage alongside one of the biggest breakthrough artists of the last year, Tom Walker as well as Joesef, one of Scotland’s most exciting emerging artists capturing huge industry buzz right now. New for 2019, the awards will be hosted by Scotland’s very own Edith Bowman. 

As one of Scotland’s most rock n roll nights, theshowbizlion.com can’t wait to attend Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket on Saturday November 30 as we all honour and reward some of music’s biggest stars, whilst raising funds for the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity.

 

BRIT Award winner Tom Walker will perform at this year’s awards, nominated for the Barrowland’s Best Album Award. Born in Kilsyth before moving to England, the singer-songwriter has a special place in his heart for Glasgow, with his Scottish gran at the forefront of his Brit Award winners’ speech in February. With heartfelt, singalong singles like ‘Leave a Light On’ and ‘Just You and I’ Tom Walker’s intimate performance at the Old Fruitmarket will be a real highlight of the awards ceremony. A long-time supporter of Nordoff Robbins, Tom’s single ‘Leave a Light On’ received an update from Scotland’s Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and the new track was released earlier this year in aid of the charity, as Tom and the Pipers performed the duet everywhere from Glasgow’s Buchanan Street to Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium. 

 

Tom said, "I’ve just heard the absolutely sick news that I’ve been nominated for the Barrowland’s Best Album at the Scottish Music Awards. I won UK Breakthrough before I even had an album out, which was the first award I ever got for my music. It was a huge honour and a real boost for me to have that support, so to be coming back again and nominated for this is just amazing. You can help Nordoff Robbins right now by downloading the version of Leave A Light On I did with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers – all the money from that helps them to keep doing their life-changing work. Thank you Scotland!”

 

Always supporting the nation’s most exciting emerging artists, previous Scottish Music Awards have seen the likes of Lewis Capaldiand Nina Nesbitt scoop awards. Looking to follow in their footsteps, rising star Joesef has been nominated for Coors’ Best Breakthrough Artist.

With his distinctively soulful vocals, the artist from the East End of Glasgow has captured the attention of fans and tastemakers alike from well beyond the confines of his hometown with tracks like ‘Limbo’,  ‘Loverboy’ and latest single ‘Don’t Give In’. With three sold-out nights at Glasgow’s iconic King Tut’s already under his belt, and a date at SWG3 in December, the singer-songwriter has already carefully crafted a sound that feels incredibly vital and unique to the city’s constantly developing soundscape. 

 

Joesef Added: "Cheers to Nordoff Robbins for thinking of me as a nominee for the Best Breakthrough award. I still don't feel like I've even kicked a ball yet so this is pretty special.” 

  

Jill McArthur, Chair of Specsavers in Scotland, said: “We are delighted to support this year’s 2019 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards.

 

“The work of Nordoff Robbins and The Scottish Music Awards is a true inspiration to the people of Scotland which is why Specsavers has returned as headline sponsor of the event for this year.

 

“We look forward to working with both the event organisers and charity to ensure the 2019 awards are the most successful to-date and we wish all artists the best of luck on the evening.”

 

Some of the most legendary figures in Scottish music have been awarded over the years at the prestigious ceremony with previous winners including Paolo Nutini, Snow Patrol, Annie Lennox and after another triumphant year for the nation’s music scene, an incredible mix of iconic acts and breakthrough stars will be honoured at 2019’s event. 

 

Formed in Glasgow in 1977, Simple Minds have sold more than 70 million records over the last four decades. With six UK Number One albums to their name, the band have one of the most iconic back catalogues in music history, ranging from electronica infused post-punk to strident, stadium-filling anthems. Over their 40-year career, the band have been responsible for some of the most innovate and enduring anthems in rock music including ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, ‘Alive and Kicking’ and ‘Belfast Child’.  Having collaborated with artists from Bono to David Bowie to Iggy Pop, Simple Minds are, quite simply, one of Scotland’s biggest exports to the international music scene. Nominated for the Specsavers Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, Simple Minds will also perform at the awards ceremony at the intimate Old Fruitmarket.

 

Set to feature one of its biggest and most exciting line-ups to date, this year’s glittering ceremony will shine a light on those acts who have made an outstanding contribution to Scottish music throughout their career as well as those who have made a significant impact over the last 12 months. Making its 21st celebrations even bigger and better, Nordoff Robbins have invited the outstanding Edith Bowman to present the awards this year. There is no one who knows the Scottish music scene better than the Scots DJ and Presenter, making her the perfect host for the evening’s proceedings on St Andrew’s Day in Glasgow celebrating all things Scotland. 

 

Shaping up to be one of the most eagerly anticipated music events of the year, TheSpecsavers Scottish Music Awards have been the main fundraising event for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins for over 20 years.  Funds raised on the night are a vital part of the charity’s ability to provide music therapists and sessions to those who need it most. 2018’s winners and attendees included Susan Boyle, Snow Patrol, Mark Knopfler, Tom Grennan, The Snuts and Amy Macdonald. 

 

For tickets to the Scottish Music Awards please contact: Simon.Foy@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

PAOLO NUTINI BUYS LEWIS CAPALDI TRNSMT CHEWBACCA MASK TO HELP CHARITY AUCTION

PAOLO Nutini has saved  the day by purchasing Lewis Capaldi’s now famous Chewbacca  mask after the top bidders pulled out. 

Paolo has donated £10,000 toTiny Changes and has plans to raffle the mask to raise even more funds for the incredible Tiny Changes charity. 

Paolo has now set up a ‘text to enter’ competition to give the Chewbacca mask away whilst raising more money for Tiny Changes. 

From 9am on Monday 29^th July fans can be in with a chance of winning the Chewbacca mask worn and signed by Lewis Capaldi atTRNSMT. 

All they need to do is text TC to 84902. Texts cost £1 and all money goes towards Tiny Changes. The competition will close at midnight on Monday 5^th August 2019.

The original auction was set up by a TRNSMTfestival staff member who lent Lewis his Chewbacca mask for his now-legendary walk on stage at this year’s show.

After Noel Gallagher said that Lewis should 'enjoy his 15 minutes' of fame as well as calling him 'f***ing Chewbacca', Capaldi changed his social media profile picture and name to ‘Chewis Capaldi’.  

Then, live on the TRNSMT Main Stage on Sunday 14^th July, he walked on to a tongue-in-cheek video montage wearing the Chewbacca mask. Taking it all on the chin and making everybody laugh while doing it, Lewis also gave a shout out to Noel by covering ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ – changed to ‘Don’t Chewback in Anger’. Delighting thousands of fans with his set, the Scottish superstar put on a huge performance packed with hits from his debut album ‘Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent’ including ‘Grace’, ‘Hollywood’, ‘Bruises’, ‘Hold Me While You Wait’ and ‘Someone You Loved’.

Tiny Changes is a charity that support efforts to improve mental health in children and young people in Scotland, and was launched following the death of Frightened Rabbit singer Scott Hutchison in May 2018. The charity takes its name from a lyric from the Frightened Rabbit song “Head Rolls Off” (“While I’m alive, I’ll make tiny changes to Earth”).

Paolo commented: "I really wanted to find a way to help out the Tiny Changes Charity. Not only am I a big fan of Frightened Rabbit but I was lucky enough to share the stage with them on various occasions - most memorably for me on Hogmanay in Edinburgh 2017.

“Scott was such a great and honest songwriter who was not afraid to convey what he was going through in such a beautiful and honest way. People could hear and read their troubles in his lyrics and be reminded that they were not alone in how they were feeling. That really is the power of music.

“When I found out what happened regarding the money raised for the kind donation from the team at DF Concerts and Lewis Capaldi, I felt like I could help. The idea is now to give people another chance to take it home and contribute to this very important cause. Big Love”

Scott’s family added: "Once again we’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who has gone above and beyond to make this happen. We’d like to thank DF concerts, Paolo Nutini and his team and of course Lewis Capaldi and his face. We hope you can all be a part of this wonderfully weird little story and get your name in the pot to win this mask. Many tiny changes can start the movement for massive changes."

A DF Concerts spokesperson said: “Despite the original bidders pulling out, an amazing amount has now been donated to the brilliant and important Tiny Changes charity. It’s fitting that fellow Scottish singer Paolo Nutini is the one who has saved the day and amazing that fans can now get the chance to enter a raffle to win this piece of memorabilia whilst donating to a fantastic cause.”

GLASGOW SINGER DARIUS CAMPBELL HAS CHANGED HIS NAME AGAIN

SCOTS singer Darius Campbell is marking Fathers Day by changing his surname back to Danesh.
The former Pop Idol, who played Billy Flynn in Chicago and Sky Masterton in Guys and Dolls, also revealed he has plans to spend more time in Scotland as he jets between his other home of LA where he is also working in the movie business.
Darius, who was married to Species actress Natasha Henstridge in 2011 before filing for divorce in 2013 and finalising paperwork in 2018, exclusively told the Scottish Sun: “I’m coming home to give back and acknowledge the wisdom of my ancestors. Part of that includes celebrating with mum and dad and that they have both managed to defeat a diagnosis of terminal cancer and the fact that between them they have given more than eighty years of service to the NHS and philanthropy.
I’m also changing my surname back to Danesh, my father’s Persian name.”
He explained:”When Simon Cowell first offered me a record deal he told me: ‘Mr Danesh I’m going to send you in the studio with Pete Waterman’. People called me Darius after that in the music industry and it was only when I started acting that I needed my surname.”
He added: “My father is my number one hero. Danesh means wisdom and I keep coming back to it through the world of film producing and technology that I am now working in. We have a new world of wisdom to tap into and it’s based on the quality of relationships we have. For Father’s Day it’s also the perfect timing. My father was very generous when I changed my name to Campbell in memory of my maternal grandfather after I buried him a few years ago. At that time, I wanted people around the world to know I was proud of my Scottish roots and still am, but it’s time to change back again.”
Darius, who has just announced that he will be strategic advisor of the George and Annette Bell Foundation and spoke of his role at a swish ceremony in Glasgow’s Bute Hall yesterday, explained that wisdom and building relationships are at the heart of his business.
The Colourblind singer, who first shot to fame with his memorable performance of Britney Spears Hit Me Baby One More Time in 18 years ago, produced Daniel Radcliffe thriller Imperium which saw the Harry Potter Star shave his head as an undercover FBI agent  and infiltrate a white supremacist group in 2016.
He revealed that he and his business partner  now have an LA office sandwiched in between Vin Diesel and La La Land producers.
He said: “I told my mum and dad I am going to split time between Scotland and LA offices.
“The minute the plane touches down here my breathing changes and everything feels just better.  The drinking water is better - you can drink it out of the tap and the people are amazing.”
Darius also paid tribute to his Funny Girl stage pal Sheridan Smith on Fathers Day after she lost her dad in 2016 to cancer.
The 37 year old star only just returned to Instagram this week after finding it hard to cope with the passing of 80 year old Colin whose birthday would have been on June 13.
Darius said: “Sheridan has done an amazing job to be able to do what she loves and it was an honour to meet her father and mother.
“Her mum and dad are beautiful people and I feel for her on the loss of her dear dad and a great soul.  I only work with people I care about and I care about her.”
Darius’ new role with the George and Annette Bell Foundation will see him and the charity help to give education and training to those who are in danger of becoming displaced in society.

BILLY CONNOLLY LOOKING FIT IN HONG KONG BEFORE JETSETTING TO NEW YORK TARTAN WEEK

Beverley Lyons 

Sir Billy Connolly met up with Scottish former rugby union player Doddie Weir in Hong Kong ahead of his appearance at New York’s tartan day celebrations this weekend.
And Sir Billy was looking dapper as he chatted with MND sufferer Doddie at the fundraising dinner in Hong Kong’s Grand Hyatt hotel.
Players past and present joined the Big Yin and Humungous one as revellers endearingly referred to them.
Amongst those promoted to attend the bash were Scott Hastings, Andy Goode, Brian O Driscoll and Gregor Townsend.
In a photo posted on Twitter,  Sir Billy looked dapper in his black tux and chose to go tieless with his white shirt for the occasion while Doddie opted for his now famous tartan suit. 

One of the dinner guests commented: “Billy was in great spirits and very happy to be there. He and Doddie has a great chat and Billy entertained guests with his answers during the Q and A session.”
Scottish artist Gerard Burns had painted a portrait of Doddie in the suit which raised almost £100,000 at the event.

The dinner, attended by around 500 guests, was organised by the Scottish business community based in Hong Kong as a precursor to the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens on April 5-7. More than £300,000 was raised in total by the event.

The new pictures will come as a surprise to many fans who thought that Billy’s health was ailing. 

The 76 year old was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012 and has been pictured looking frailer and more subdued than the larger than life character we have come to expect. 

Billy who also had to have his prostate removed following a cancer diagnosis several years ago and has joked in the past about his shaky hand, over which he has little control, admitted in a BBC documentary in January that his diagnosis with the degenerative brain condition meant he was now "at the wrong end of the telescope of life". 

Billy said at the time: "My life is slipping away and I can feel it and I should. I'm 75 and I'm a damn sight nearer the end than I am the beginning. 

"But it doesn't frighten me - it's an adventure and it's quite interesting to see myself slipping away, as bits slip off and leave me, talents leave and attributes leave.

"It's as if I'm being prepared for something, some other adventure, which is over the hill. I've got all this stuff to lose first, and then I'll be at the shadowy side of the hill doing the next episode in the spirit world."

Sir Michael Parkinson also said in 2018 that Billy had trouble recognising him, a claim that Sir Billy has since dismissed. 

Sir Michael, 83,  said at the time: “His wonderful brain has dulled. I saw him recently – he's now living in America – and it was very sad, because I was presenting him with a prize at an award ceremony [...] We had an awkward dinner together, because I wasn't quite sure if he knew who I was or not."

It certainly seems that Billy is not ready to give into the debilitating illness - as he jetsets round the world for a busy year of public engagements.

From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

RANGERS LEGEND FERNANDO RICKSEN GETS NEW LION TATTOO

Watch as Fernando Ricksen gets his new tattoo. 

The Rangers legend, 42, got the tat inked from his bed at St Andrews Hospice in Airdrie this morning and it was filmed by YouTube page Rangers Fans Channel. 

The video features Glow Star Brian Matthews who now also has a famous tattoo   of a Celtic badge on his thigh after his girlfriend sought revenge for his cheating wats. 

In it, fan Kirsty Lindsay, who works at Kenny’s House of Pain Tattoos in Hamilton, can be seen giving Fernando the painful lion tattoo on his neck over a two hour period. 

The tattoo manager, 33, said: “Fernando did amazingly. We thought it would take longer but was quicker than we thought. 

It was one of the sorest places. People find it quite painful to get it done on their neck. For him to sit for two hours and be in pain is amazing. This is the second time I’ve tattooed Fernando. The first time he fell asleep. 

Kirsty added: “He just emailed me a few weeks ago and we were planning it and set a date for today because he wanted it done for some time. It’s not a response to the other tattoo. We’ve been planning it since December. He got it done as his star sign is a Leo.”

“It’s a difficult area to tattoo and we had to make sure he was as comfortable as possible.

“It was lovely to get the chance to do it, thought. It was a real honour and it’s something I’ll remember for a long time.”

BOYZONE MEET SCOTS CANCER PATIENT IN GLASGOW 25 YEARS LATER

Boyzone were thrilled to meet one of their first Scots charity patients on Glasgow - twenty five years after they first helped her make her dreams come true.

Shelley Cunningham first met the boys in Scotland at the SECC In 1994 during their first big tour of Scotland.

Shelley then aged 12 was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. She also had septicaemia and a form of meningitis.

The visit was organised by her dad, now the famous Les Hoey MBE who is behind Scotland’s Dreammaker charity and who was desperate to help his daughter meet her idols.

At the time no other charity would help fourteen year old Shelley to fulfil her dream.

Les who is currently looking for Kiltwalk volunteers said: “I made three phone calls and no one would help me. They said they were too big a band, so I had to do all the groundwork myself. Eventually I managed to get in touch with Mark Plunkett who was the tour manager at the time and he told me he would organise it on the day of the concert.”


Shelley had spent nearly two years in Yorkhill Hospital, after a bone marrow transplant following her diagnosis in 1992  and pop group Boyzone were new to the scene.

When Les saw how happy this made Shelley, he was inspired to give other children with life threatening illnesses the same joy, and so the DreamMaker Foundation was born.

Shelley said: “The first time I met Boyzonethey were all so nervous. They asked me how I was because they could see I was skinny from all the treatment.

It built my confidence up and made me think positively after the meeting. It was incredible to meet them again twenty five years later.


Ronan remembered our first meeting and Shane said to me I’d grown up since the last time. We had a great laugh backstage and it was so lovely to chat after all these years.

I talked to other families who were there and met some kids who were going through the same illness that I had. As one parent said it was good to see the positive instead of the negative things.”

AMY MACDONALD HITS A MILLION STREAMS

Amy Macdonald celebrated having more than one million streams in Spotify this year. 

The performer has come a long way since her first ever tour when we travelled round the isle of in a people carrier and she plated to handfuls of people in churches. 

Amy who recently performed for charity the Big Sleep Out and was seen jetting around Scotland by hellocopter with KT Tunstall said she remains as down to earth as ever. She told me: “I always do think surreal it never gets normal and it is lovely and I always feel lovely and at home and happy got support for more than decade . Everything I do is normal on average Joe as normal.”

She also joked she won’t be taking any more acting roles for the foreseeable following her appearance on Still Game. 

She laughed: “Acting after still game I’m terrible at even making  music videos so the thought of doing proper acting is not on the agenda for now. I never expected Still Game and meant the world to me.”

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...

GLASGOW’S DAKHIN RESTAURANT HELPS FLOOD VICTIMS IN KERALA

Glasgow’s businessmen and women raised over £9000 for the victims of Kerala floods. 
One hundred people including the Indian Consul General and MPs Anas Anwar and Martyn Day turned up to a special charity dinner at Glasgow’s Dakhin restaurant who donated the venue, food and staff for free on the night. 
Business PG Paper also sponsored the event as well as the new owners of TriBeCa restaurant. 
The funds will be used to help with the infrastructure and rebuilding homes in Kerala for those who were devastated by the damage. 
Indian Consul General Anju Ranjan from Edinburgh said: “I was shattered to see the loss of property and people following the flood in Kerala. More than five hundred people were killed and more than thirty five thousand people rescued and more than two million people were put in camps. It is very sad. Scotland and India have a shared history and the spices from Kerala like cardamom and pepper came over to Scotland after Scots went over there to work on the rubber plantations.”
As well as funds, the Council General is keen to hear from anyone who can help with infrastructure in Kerala.
She explained: “There is no weather forecasting system in place like we have here and the children need help with education too.”
MP for Linlithgow Martyn Day who was in Kerala when the disaster struck also spoke of his experience visiting the worst hit areas.  

JOHNNY DEPP WEARS SPECIAL SCOTS BADGE OF HONOUR

Beverley Lyons
Johnny Depp wore a special badge with pride at his Scots gig after being presented with it backstage at the SSE Hydro.
The Edward Scissorhands and Pirates of the Caribbean  star and his Hollywood Vampire bandmates Alice Cooper and Joe Perry met up with Dreammaker Les Hoey and some sick kids from his charity during a special meet and greet.
Les presented them all with a badge of Mr Wizz, the special mascot of his charity for terminally ill and sick children in Scotland.
Johnny even asked Les to pin it on him so he could wear it on stage. 

Les said: “It’s a dream come true that Johnny wore the badge on stage during his performance. He met with some children on the night and was very interested to hear about the charity and work they we do.”
During his performance Johnny paid a tribute to David Bowie with the song Heroes as well as singing Jim
Carroll song People Who Died - about deceased friends.
He also told charity worker Les that his favourite whisky is a £1750 bottle of Bunnahabhain Canasta.

MUSIC LEGENDS THE JACKSONS TURN SCOTTISH FOR CHARITY AHEAD OF SCOTFEST GIG

Beverley Lyons
HERE’S music legend Tito Jackson trying out his awful Scottish accent to wish punters a great new year ahead of a Scots music fest next July.
Taking time out from his tour, the Blame It On The Boogie and ABC singer tried out Scottish slang like Hoots Mon and Lang May Yer Lum Reek as well as admitting he couldn’t wait to explore the capital’s haunted dungeons as he teamed up with Scotfest to give 500 free tickets to deserving children.
Tito and his famous brothers The Jacksons are coming to Edinburgh to play Scotfest eighties and nineties music event at Ingliston’s Royal Highland Centre on July 6 and 7.
The singer, who has just celebrated the band’s fiftieth birthday this year said:
“We love Scotland and can’t wait to play our full stage show for the first time at Scotfest in Edinburgh in July. We might even have a tour of the castle and haunted dungeons when we’re there.”
Revealing that organisers of the big bash have donated £12,000 worth of free tickets to the NSPCC with their blessing as a special present to those in need, he added: “My brothers and I are so happy that we and other artists can help the children of the NSPCC through Scotfest.
“It is important to remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves at this time of year. It’s a lovely idea for a unique New Year present and it will be great to see them boogieing to our music over the two day festival.
We are looking forward to meeting with other artists including Five Star, and Boyzone during our summer trip to Ingliston.”
Tito who reckons the impending visit will be pure brilliant managed to mispronounce Edinburgh in our video but also sent a New Year message to fans saying ‘Lang May Yer Lum Reek.’
Scotfest is bringing other acts including Liberty X, B*witched and 5ive as well as local talents Blue Delta, The Session and Timed Out to the 35,000 capacity event which takes place the same weekend as Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival.
Festival boss Mark Bennett who ran the PKD festival in Dunfermline for eight years which was nominated for Scotland’s Best Outdoor Festival in the Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards, alongside events like T in the Park, is hoping to offer a family friendly event.
He said: “Charity has always been at the heart of the festival and we are delighted to team up with NSPCC this year. We’ll also be offering lots of child friendly activities during the festival and have special areas to keep the children safe while their parents enjoy a great weekend out.”

CONOR MCGREGOR MEETS WITH GLASGOW DREAMMAKER KIDS

Exclusive
CONOR McGregor stayed an extra two days in Glasgow  and met up with Celtic and Scotland team supremo Kieran Tierney and nine brace children from Scottish charity the Les Hoey Dreammaker Foundation after his talk in the Armadillo.

The MMA fighter who is fiercely proud of his Scottish ancestry met with the children after Les and his team splashed out on the treasured tickets to see him talk at the bash.
And the Dublin born champ met up with Glasgow's own boxing lad Lee Welsh who at thirteen already has several boxing titles of his own under his belt.
Lee who has beaten cancer was joined by Euan Fellows, 14 from Arbroath who was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma.
Lee said: "You don't get to meet Conor McGregor every day. Conor is a UFC fighter but as a boxer he did alright for the first five rounds and Mayweather then picked his shots."
Hamish McGuigan, 13 from Stranraer and Mitchell Connell, 14, who both have lymphoma also met their hero.
Hamish said: "I'm a massive Conor McGregor fan. I like what he does."
Mitchell said: "He's a cool guy and I like the way he dresses."
Darren Valentine,16 from Blantyre added: "Les Hoey got tickets for us for this. He's helped us out quite a lot and this is just one of the things he'd done for us. Conor is a famous guy and is one of the most popular people in the world."
Dylan Hawkins added: "It means everything to me to meet Conor as I've always followed him."
Conor who wore a jacket in the McGregor tartan said of his Scots trip: "I'm very proud of my heritage and where I come from you can go way back and I was swinging a pick axe on a horse up in the Scottish Highlands defending this land. That's where I come from so it's an honour to come here."
During the night audience member Steven Anderson gifted a signed glove he bought for £250 to The Dreammaker Foundation.
Another audience member gave the charity a hundred pounds after seeing them at the event.
After the bash Conor stayed on an extra two days at the plush Blythswood hotel in Glasgow where he met up with Kieran Tierney.
Conor who had chanted Celtic songs both during his Armadillo chat and at his Sanctuary nightclub appearance said he couldn't wait to get back home to his son and family.

ANNIE LENNOX HIGHLIGHTS PLIGHT OF SINEAD O' CONNOR

SCOTS singer Annie Lennox has sent out a cry to help fellow singer Sinead O Connor after watching a video of her having a public breakdown in a US motel.
The Irish songwriter who rose it fame with the hit Nothing Compares To You posted a 12-minute video on her Facebook page tearfully explaining she has been “fighting for her life” and living in a Travelodge motel in New Jersey.
Eurythmics singer Annie has admitted she was distressed by the video and has now appealed to fans to come to Sinead's aid.
In a post on her Facebook she said: "I just watched this truly distressing call for help by Sinead O'Connor, from a motel room in New Jersey, where she says there's no one there to help her, with the exception of a psychiatrist and a doctor.
The Sweet Dreams singer added: "I realise that Sinead has some serious mental health issues, but she appears to be completely out on a limb and I'm concerned for her safety.
Are there no close friends or family who could be with her to give her some loving support? It's terrible to see her in such a vulnerable state."
Sinead sparked a police investigation and search last June after she disappeared after going on a bike ride with friends in Chicago

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.

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

BOYZLIFE AND NICHOLAS MCDONALD COLLABORATE AT GLASGOW CHARITY BASH

BOYZLIFE singers Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy surprised partygoers by inviting Scots singer Nicholas McDonald on stage to perform at a Scots fundraising ball.


The Irish heartthrobs from Westlife and Boyzone were secret guests at the Donna Mortimer Ballantyner Trust ball and had already told punters and sporting celebs including Jamie Walker, Walter Smith and Scott Allan: "This isn't a job. This is f***ing great" as they performed hits including Picture of You, Mandy and Uptown Girl."

Nicholas who was in the audience with fellow X factor talent Caitlyn Van Beck who had earlier performed in memory of Donna who passed away from cancer couldn't wait to get up on stage.
He jumped up for a rendition of Westlife cover Swear It Again.

Keith said:"He was gagging to get up there. I couldn't turn him down."
The Boyzlife stars commented on the hundreds of mobile phones that were recording them, quipping: "We used to write some nice handwritten notes to one another."

Following the event which raised over a hundred thousand pounds for the charity at Glasgow's Doubletree Hilton, Keith sat in the bar downing tequila shots.
 Brian stayed up in his room after bringing his PE teacher girlfriend Danielle with him to Glasgow.

Posted with love from Scotland - theshowbizlion.com

Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Glasgow Evening Times

WILL TAKE THAT BE WEARING KILTS TO TAKE PART IN SCOTTISH CHARITY KILT WALK?

TAKE That might well give true Scotsmen a run for their money after backing Scotland's famous Kiltwalk.
The trio did their own cover version of The Proclaimers I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) alongside ITV Breakfast’s LA correspondent Ross King to encourage punters to sign up for the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk which takes place next month.
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen join other celebs including actor Gerard Butler and comedian Kevin Bridges in support of the charity.
Mark Owen who used to come up to Scotland regularly during his solo career said: " Is it about walking in a kilt? I'd like to."
Kiltwalkers won’t need to walk 500 miles, but 23 miles for the Mighty Stride, 15 miles for the Big Stroll or six miles for the Wee Wander in four Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalks this year.
For every pound raised by walkers, £1.10 will go to charity. This comes after Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation generously pledged that 110% of all fundraising at each of the four 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk events will go to charity.
Whether a walker raises £10 or £100 or more The Hunter Foundation will add 10% to their fundraising total with absolutely no limit.
Paul Cooney, Chief Executive of the Kiltwalk said: “It’s brilliant that the Take That lads are encouraging fans to walk. Our ambition is to turn the Kiltwalk into Scotland’s largest mass participation event, so this kind of support is invaluable.
"With the Glasgow Kiltwalk just a month away, we’re asking Scots to choose a charity close to their hearts and sign-up for the Kiltwalk to help raise vital funds. The efforts from walkers will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of so many. And with the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk open to all charities there has never been a better time to get your kilt on.”
Funds raised at the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk went to 282 Scottish children’s charities in 2016. This year, even more people will be able to benefit as the Kiltwalk is now open to every Scottish charity.
Kiltwalk has raised more than £3.5 million for Scottish charitable causes since 2011. The dates for the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk 2017, are: Glasgow (April 30), Aberdeen (June 4), Dundee (August 20) and Edinburgh (September 17).
This year’s fundraising will be further boosted by a pledge from Platinum Sponsors Arnold Clark that one lucky Kiltwalker from each of the four 2017 events will win a brand new Renault Clio.
All you need to do is register to take part in any 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk and start fundraising to be in with the chance of winning the car.
Those who choose to walk for the Kiltwalk itself will know that everything they raise will be distributed through the STV Children’s Appeal.
Walkers can choose to walk the Mighty Stride (23 miles), the Big Stroll (15 miles) or the Wee Wander (6 miles) so people of all ages and abilities can take part.
To sign up for any of the four Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalks simply visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

RYAN BAIRD MEMORY KEPT ALIVE BY RANGERS LEGEND FERNANDO RICKSEN

IT was an emotional moment as Fernando Ricksen presented the fiancée of Rangers bus crash victim Ryan Baird with a mirrored portrait in his honour.
Glasgow dad of two Ryan was on the way to the Rangers game against Patrick Thistle in October last year when their Nith Valley Loyal Rangers supporters bus crashed near Kilmarnock.
Heartbroken Sarah Hughes who turned up to see Fernando with her friend Billy McLeod from the club, couldn't hold back the tears as she accepted the gift in Ryan's honour and later said: "Everything has just been so overwhelming and the support we've had from everybody has been amazing. I just love the picture and I'll make sure I find a great space for it."
Fernando, who has invited Sarah and her family to be guests of honour at his forthcoming charity march in Fleetwood with a team of legends said: "The Nith Valley supporters club have always been there for me and I wanted to give something back. No one expected to go to a football match and not come home."
The former Rangers player who suffers from Motor Neurone Disease was joined by his fellow Rangers veterans including Derek Ferguson, John Macdonald and Bob Malcolm as fans launched two special Rangers Legends strips in his honour.
The Ibrox hero was at the Stonefield Tavern in Blantyre for the launch of the two strips which will be sold to raise funds for the Fernando Ricksen Foundation.
They will also be used in charity matches like the forthcoming Rangers Legends versus England Select match in Fleetwood's Highbury Stadium on March 25.
The two strips - in red and blue - were designed by Fernando himself and feature his national colours.
Fernando was in high spirits as he joked with some of his oldest friends and Derek Ferguson paid tribute to him saying he was one of the most colourful characters in football. He said: "They don't make them like Fernando anymore."
Bob Malcolm added: "When Fernando first came to Rangers he was Dutch and quiet and then he came out of his shell as he got to know the people. It's great these strips wil be brought out at every game and give Fernando and his charity the recognition they deserve."


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

DONNA MILLER'S BROTHER BRAVES ARCTIC FOR LATE SISTER'S FUNDRAISER

THE brother of tragic brain tumour mum Donna Miller has returned from a gruelling Arctic Trek to raise funds for charity.
Beautiful Donna, wife of former Scotland international footballer Lee Miller, and mother to two of his children, died in April 2012 after battling a brain tumour for more than four years.
Her brother Sean Gilhoolie, 24, is just home after embarking on a three day trek into minus forty temperatures in the arctic circle to help Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
Sean headed to Rovaniemi in Finland for the Trek.
Having already helped to raise £100,000 in the four and a half years since she passed away, he said: "The Arctic Trek idea was put forward to me by Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity and what an experience I have had over the past week. Mentally and physically it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I never want to see a hill, snow or a tents again. I have met some great people and there were high and low moments but I couldn't have felt prouder standing on the finish line with the Donna Miller foundation across my chest. I just want to thank everyone for their support.


Sean added: "I was pushing myself and although my family were not too keen and my mum was worried sick I'm wasn't doing it half heartedly. I'm not a massive fitness person and my biggest worry was how I'd deal with a lack of sleep and walking all those hours every day.
Donna wouldn't have wanted me to go as she was so protective but her kids were behind me and it was a great experience - and I didn't come back with just five toes."
Sean only realised how serious his trek was after picking up some of the equipment he needs for it. He said: "We were training on The West Highland Way and I had to buy a nine hundred pound sleeping bag for nighttime and a special jacket to walk in. Luckily my friends had given me a whole load of vouchers for my birthday so I got my equipment with that."
Sean took a picture of Donna with him as well as a lucky charm from his mum.
He said: "Donna's oldest child Lennon was so excited for me and made a personal donation. I don't think her youngest Bobby understood at first but I was showing him photos and he understood how cold it was going to be."
"The kids even sent me a video message congratulating me on the trek."

- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com