GAIL PORTER BEATEN BY CALUM BEST AND NELL MCANDREW

                                 

 GAIL Porter was graceful in her defeat after being beaten to the top of a London skyscraper by Calum Best and Nell McAndrew.  Gail joined Callum, Nell and other personalities including George Lineker, son of Gary, Martin Lewis OBE and Gogglebox's George Gilby in the adrenalin fuelled race to the top of London’s Tower 42 for housing and homelessness charity, Shelter. 

  Despite her best efforts Gail came 11th out of the 13 contestants in just over twelve and a half minutes but was philosophical.

She said of her defeat: “I would happily race up Tower 42 all over again, because I know from personal experience just how scary it feels to lose your home. Shelter is as important now as it was 50 years ago, providing a lifeline for millions of families struggling every day to keep a roof over their head. I feel blessed to have now come out the other side and be able to do something to help.”Now in its eighth year, Vertical Rush retains the record as the UK’s tallest and toughest tower-running challenge, with 932 steps and 42 floors to conquer. But, despite the daunting 600ft ascent, every celebrity runner was still feeling ultra-competitive when the starting whistle blew this morning. 
Over 1,000 members of the public, and a further 10 elite tower-running athletes competing professionally in the event. Shelter, which turns 50 this year, is hoping that Vertical Rush will raise more than £350,000 for the charity’s expert advice, support and legal services, and make a huge difference to thousands of families battling to keep a roof over their heads.  Finishing in under 9 minutes, making him the fastest male celebrity to take part in Vertical Rush 2016, Calum Best said: “I can’t quite believe that I managed to get up there so quickly – it’s a lot tougher than you think. But it's definitely been worth the effort to support the amazing work that Shelter does. I think it's great when charities put on an event that challenges you, while also helping others. Thanks so much for inviting me to take part - I can't emphasise that enough."

                                        

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, who took part in the race for the third time, said: “We are incredibly grateful that so many people have come together to take part in Vertical Rush – because every penny it raises and every aching muscle that goes with it, helps us to provide the critical frontline services needed for families facing homelessness. “Shelter has been fighting bad housing and homelessness for the past fifty years, but sadly with the country in the grip of another housing crisis, we’ve still got a lot more work to. We won’t rest until everyone has a place to call home.”  www.shelter.org.uk/verticalrush

AMY MACDONALD RECORDS AT LEGENDARY ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS

AMY Macdonald has been making sweet music at the home of the Beatles - the famed Abbey Road studios.
The Scots singer is due to release her fourth album after selling more than 9 million albums around Europe.
 Fans have been clamouring for new tracks since her last album Life In A Beautiful Light was released in June 2012.
Since January Amy has been  teasing fans about putting the finishing touches to her songs for her latest offering and even told them she had one of her highest vocals ever on a song.
She said at one point: "Thoughts from today's studio session... Why do I always write songs that are so bloody hard to sing?!? Highest vocal ever!! #album4."
She later told them: "Got a load more final vocals to do on #album4 this week and next. Also have some time booked to record at Abbey Road. How cool?!
Despite leaving her beloved dog Arnold behind in Scotland, she made good progress on Valentine's Day and revealed she was two thirds of the way into finishing the project.

Returning home four days later she said: "It's such a nice feeling going home when you've been away for a bit! Album sounding Ah-may-zing! I'm not biased at all...
Amy returned to Abbey road at the start of this month along with her backing vocalist and producers and by the looks of things she's almost finished.
The star is playing lots of new live shows this summer so could a cheeky wee appearance at T in The Park be on the cards?
She recently said she was eyeing up a Bugati Chiron, the world's fastest road car, but claimed she had to finish her album before even contemplating it..

Maybe she'll come to Strathallan all revved up.

CALVIN GIVES TAYLOR CAKE AND LOCKET FOR ANNIVERSARY

CALVIN Harris and Taylor Swift celebrated their one year anniversary by having their cake and eating it.
The two musical lovebirds met at The Elle Style Awards 12 months ago after their mutual pal Ellie Goulding introduced them to one another.
It might have been Mother's Day yesterday but it was more like lovers day for Scots producer and UberDJ Calvin who decided to get Taylor something extra sweet to celebrate their time together.
He posted up a video on Snapchat of the said chocolate cake with white icing spelling 1 Year and two jelly red hearts and as Taylor nodded happily he said: "One year. We got a one year cake, one year."

The pressie came as fans speculated whether the couple had become engaged after Taylor sported a new ring on her finger in recent pictures.
In actual fact Taylor was rocking a new piece of jewellery instead late last night, She showed off a beautiful golden locket with the date 3.6.15 to mark the original date she and Calvin got together ,along with the message 'One year down!"
Wonder what she got Calvin?

SAM HEUGHAN INTERVENES AS WILLIAM SHATNER BOLDLY ARGUES WITH OUTLANDER CAST AND FANS

OUTLANDER star Sam Heughan and his castmembers appear to have been getting trolled online by Star Trek's William Shatner.
And while the actors seem to be taking it on the chin as playful banter, some of the loyal series fans are a tad dismayed by Shatner's attitude.
The ribbings began after Shatner took the mickey out of Sam's outtfit choice at a Scots press conference for Zero Waste Scotland.
When a fan praised Sam saying he was 'looking freaking awesome', William replied: "Until he put on those shoes." 
After Sam asked him for advice on what to wear to his upcoming Tartan Day Parade appearance in New York next month, Shatner then added: "I can call in Betsey Johnson and I'm sure she'd love to advise."
The two actors had been joking previously about a dinner date they'd planned - and Shatner, who claimed he'd been stood up, asked Sam to donate something to his charity auction. 
He wrote: "#He now has to bring gifts to redeem himself! "
The conversation then took a turn for the worse as Shatner appeared to criticise actor Claire Fraser on the series.
He said: "I (heart) Catriona...she's a fine actress. Claire meh ;)
After that, things got messy as Outlander fans were quick to jump to Claire's defense.
Shatner, who referred to the loyal fans as Cray Cray's (crazies), then had a pop at actor Richard Rankin who plays Roger Wakefield on the show.
When Richard asked Shatner if he was trying to get a spot on the series, Shatner replied: "Yes Lord of the Blue rocks" 
He also said: "You have no idea how desperate I am to go to the cold Scottish highlands and create box jumping pastimes, before adding : "So you are another crazy who is on that show."
Richard replied: "Now Mr Shatner. To insult me is one thing but to insult my colleagues is quite another."
Author Diana Gabaldon then tried to calm things down by joking: "A simple Yes would have sufficed."
The slanging match continued until Shatner, who also appeared to insult Diane by saying he'd read Wikipedia rather than the eight Outlander books, let rip:
"You know RikRankin I did some research and decided you are not relevant until the second part of next season IF at all XO."
Even Sam Heughan had to intervene by asking: "Play nice boys."
Shatner then sloped off adding: "I'll be back later to cause more aggravation..."
Looks like there's more drama going on here than in the actual books!

GOGGLEBOX GIRLS SANDY AND SANDRA SING IN SCOTLAND

GOGGLEBOX girls Sandra Martin and Sandy Channer showed off their singing skills during a whirlwind visit to Glasgow.
 The two couch potatoes who won an award for the Channel 4 telly review show were only too happy to swap their usual four walls for the sights and sounds of Scotland after being invited up for the weekend by local recruitment agency boss Tony Benedetti and his wife.
After popping into the south side for a quick bite to eat the girls headed with Tony, who owns Central Staff Services, into the city centre where they took up residence into Glasgow's oldest gay bar, The Waterloo. As legendary resident entertainers Robert and May Miller performed, Sandra and Sandi enjoyed cocktails and chat with excited punters.
Sandra even gave out some of her famous blingy oversized rings and tings to www.theshowbizlion.com as she mingled with regulars.

As the evening went on, the two ladies, who later visited cafe Andaluz for some dinner tapas, couldn't resist getting up on stage to sing a couple of songs with beloved resident May.
Sandi, in particular, proved that she had her own strong set of pipes as she gave everyone an impressive rendition of Amy Winehouse's Valerie. The thrilled crowd couldn't believe their luck as she and Sandra hit the stage and thanked them for a lovely evening.
The ladies, who are currently on our screens for the telly series were staying at Glasgow's Village hotel before heading to Oban for a few days of peace and quiet.

CALVIN HARRIS AND DIZZEE RASCAL REUNITED AFTER 7 YEARS

CALVIN Harris has finally got back into the studio with the man who gave him his first number one. The superstar DJ collaborated with Dizzee Rascal in 2008 when he produced, co- wrote and sang on his hit record Dance Wiv Me.

Following the success of the hit, and their follow up Holiday in 2009, Dumfries born Calvin appeared to lose touch with the star and even went on the record to say he was worried Dizzee was trying to cut him off.

He said at the time: "I would work with Dizzee in a heartbeat. I loved making those tracks with him. But as for more songs, I don't know what he's doing at the moment and whether he's making another album.He's lost my phone number or he's trying to cut me off. But I thought we had a good track record - two songs and two No1s."

The two artistes did indeed lose touch with one another, but over the last few days they've rekindled their passion for making tunes together.

 The first hint was when Dizzee told fans he was getting 'piano lessons' from Calvin.

He then revealed he'd been larking about in the studio with Calvin, Oliver Heldens and John Newman.

On Friday night the two went totally public about their collaboration with Calvin posting up a photo of the two online.

 Calvin said: "8 years after my first #1 I produced for this man...feels great to be back in a studio with @dizzeerascal "

This is one collaboration worth waiting for.

REBUS AUTHOR WROTE POETRY FOR RADIO TIMES IN HIS TEENS

REBUS writer Ian Rankin confessed he once sent a poem into the Radio Times to try and get published.
The award winning crime writer may have sold more than 20 million books, which have spawned several telly shows, but he claims punk music inspired him to get creative.
As he appeared at The Tower Digital Arts Centre in Helensburgh for a Cafe Improv session with Scots musician King Creosote, Fife born Ian, 55, revealed his DIY attitude came from music.
 He said: "The whole thing about punk was it came along at the right time. I was 16 or 17 in high school and we were trying to start a magazine and thought anyone could do it. I was brought up on prog rock and you had to have Mellotrons and know classical music and score stuff.
"With punk you could just pick up the cheapest  guitar going and hammer away at it. It was like that. Anybody can do it to get on board. You want to be a writer? I was sending off stories and poems to ridiculous places like The Times Literary Supplement and I even sent off a poem to the Radio Times thinking maybe they will take it. I was eighteen at the time and thought why not? " 
Ian, whose first book The Flood was published in 1986 by small indie uni run company Polygon in Edinburgh, added: "It was DIY things, in Scotland per say, not just in music and film but writing too.They were put together by kids  fresh out of high school trying to do something different ."