The annual celebrity dad of the year award has gone to singer Peter Andre. The star was presented with the award after he towered over rivals, Jeff Brazier and Gary Barlow. The single dad has had a rough year, after his very public split from wife Katie Price and a flurry of media press surrounding him and his children. Andre has been able to achieve much public support with his down to earth dimener and sheer dedication to the welfare of his children. It is clear to see that they are his world.

In an interview with Sky News earlier this year, he broke down in tears and the interview had to be cut after questions about how he would feel if someone tried to adopt his kids. The interview only added fuel to the flames to the fire of public support for the singer.

On receiving the award, he said, “This feels so good. It’s been a turnaround year for me and the kids and it’s an honour to be the subject of the public’s support and best wishes. This means a huge amount to me as being a dad is my most important role.”

Some of Peter’s rivals for the award fell short of the top ten due to their disgraceful behaviour in recent months. Mark Owen who has admitted having numerous affairs while battling a drink problem, Ronan Keating came clean last month after he had an affair with a backing dancer. Presenter Vernon Kay was also in the running for the award, but was snubbed after he admitted to sending “racy text” to another woman.

The top ten celebrity dads for 2010 are:

1. Peter Andre
2. Jeff Brazier
3. Gary Barlow
4. Jamie Oliver
5. Gordon Brown
6. Ben Shepard
7. David Cameron
8. Ronan Keating
9. Wayne Rooney
10. Steve Gerrard

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The Islay Woollen Mill in the Southern Hebrides has won a new order from notorious Hollywood director, Steven Spielberg. The weavers were commissioned to dress Mel Gibson in his 1995 film, Braveheart. They also dressed Liam Neeson who starred in Rob Roy in the same year.

The firm only employs five staff in its obscure village location, some two hours away from the Scottish mainland. Despite the remoteness, buyers are attracted by the quality of the garments and the attention to detail. The mill has designed and produced clothes for both Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks in their roles in Far and Away and Forest Gump. The latest commission is for Spielberg’s latest project, War Horse.

Gordon and Sheila Covell own the mill. Speaking about the business they said, “Our minimum order is for 30 metres of cloth, although for regular customers, we will produce as little as five metres of a special design. We have over 200 different pattern designs, but can, and will, develop additional ideas for and on behalf of our customers.”

Although the tiny business is in such demand, Mr. Covell has no desire to expand, and will pass the baton to his son Marcus, who will ensure the business’ future.

“I have no intention of expanding the business, for you can get no help from bank managers whatsoever. We are very busy, and I am happy with level of production.”

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Saturday night saw the final of the BBC’s Over The Rainbow talent competition, which scoured the country in search of a new leading lady for Andrew Lord Webber’s new musical. The winner was seventeen-year-old Danielle Hope from Greater Manchester. The youngster beat of strong opponents, finally coming down to just her and red head Sophie Evans. Danielle won after receiving more viewers’ votes than eighteen-year-old Sophie in a nail biting finale.

Lord Webber’s new show is due to open next year and is bound to be a huge hit. For the girls and guys he picks (or in this case the public picked) to play his leading lady/man are in the perfect position to shine. Speaking on the show, Lord Webber spoke of Danielle saying, “Now the hard work starts but my goodness me you can act with soul and that’s something that’s very, very special.”

The production of The Wizard of OZ is sure to be a smash, appealing to theatres goers of all ages. The story, made famous by Judy Garland in the 1939 film adaptation, has been told since the book (The Wonderful Wizard of OZ by L.Frank Baum) was published way back in 1900.

Speaking after the show, Danielle said, “All I can say is thank you, it really does come from in here. It feels like not enough, but I’m just so grateful, I know we all are for this amazing opportunity. After being on television for the last two months I’m ready for anything. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do with my life.”

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Robbie Williams and Russell Brand have teamed up and released a new version of Three Lions, for next months World Cup. Now there’s a slightly deranged combination! The pair have both had battles with alcohol and drugs and had their wicked way with many ladies! Not who you’d immediately want your face painted children singing along to, but why not? They’ve both cleaned up their act and have proved that there is success after failure.

Williams, a notorious football fan said, “I’ve always been approached to write football songs but have always declined as I thought Three Lions could never be beaten – so I am really happy to be part of this record. I am counting down the days until the start of the World Cup.”

The song was originally released in 1996 and subsequently in 1998. Written by The Lightning Seeds and with comedy due Baddiel and Skinner adding their dulcet tones, the song was a massive hit and had fans singing all over the country. The original team has had major input into the current single. It does not have FA backing, but is sure to do well nonetheless.

Brand told reporters, “I was embarrassed by how emotional I felt singing this song; I literally nearly cried. It brought me back to 96 – spice boys, dentist chairs and Gazza’s last hurrah. It’s the only good England song – I look forward to singing it as we crash out on penalties – then I will be crying.”

Lets hope that’s not the case and both the single and England can hit the number one spot.

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They were born over 250 years apart; one was German, one American. Artists who loved London and sadly died in its arms. Not usually seen in the same sentence, George Handel and Jimi Hendrix are now to become the focal point for a new exhibition to be held in London.

Both the composer and musician once resided at 23 Brook Street, albeit it hundreds of years apart. The Georgian town house that has long since been interconnected with number 25, became the Handel House Museum in 2001. The top floor flat, which was once home to rock legend, Hendrix was being used as office space for the museum and has been off limits, much to the fans dismay.

The stunning property that Hendrix described as his “first real home” is where he lived with his girlfriend Katy Etchingham for two years in the late 1960’s before his tragic and untimely death in 1970. Handel called Brook Street his home for almost forty years in the 1700’s. The decision to allow Jimi Hendrix’s flat to be accessed by the public, is to mark the 40th anniversary of his death and is sure to be a long awaited treat for his army of fans who have been patiently waiting for their chance to enter Jimi’s sanctuary.

The exhibition will include memorabilia from the guitarist, such as archive photographs and film from private collectors and instantly recognisable clothes worn by Hendrix. Fans will be able to glean an insight into someone who many believe to be the most talented and inspired rock guitarist in history, from 25th August – 7th November.

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Surprise Surprise. Another star, another book. We can’t get enough of showbiz gossip and the celebrity autobiography is just taking it to the next level. Whether the actual celebrity or a ghostwriter wrote it, we are enthralled. However the new autobiography from Sarah Silverman is gaining much praise stateside for it’s honest approach of a difficult subject. The Jewish comedian has spoken openly about her plight with bedwetting and has even made fun of it in the title. The book, ‘The Bed wetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee’.

The thirty-nine year old comedian is no stranger to pushing the boundaries on her TV programmes and stand up shows, and now she’s transferred that ‘tell all’ attitude to her first book. She admits to being a bed wetter until her high-school years and falling into a deep depression because of it. She writes, “It happened as fast as a cloud covering the sun. It was at once devastatingly real and terrifyingly intangible. I felt helpless, but not in the familiar bedwetting sense. As quickly and casually as someone catches the flu, I caught depression, and it would last for the next three years”.

Although the book is beautifully written, funny and brutally soul bearing, some of the content is still bound to offend. Her brand of humour does not sit well with many, especially in America’s Midwest, where Silverman’s God jokes are not taken well. However it is quite clear to most that the humour is tongue in cheek and not meant to cause offence. Personally I love the quote, which mirrors what I said in the opening paragraph, “”I’m not writing this book to share wisdom or inspire people, I’m writing this book because I am a famous comedian, which is how it works. If you’re famous, you get to write a book, and not the other way around.” Brilliant!

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