Coventry Telegraph - Pass the Remote

Engelbert Gets The Eurovision Hump

2012-05-26T23:14:46Z

THE UK's hopes of breaking its Eurovision curse came crashing down when veteran crooner Engelbert Humperdinck scraped into last-but-one place in this year's contest.

He opened the show in Baku, Azerbaijan, with ballad Love Will Set You Free - but seemed to have been forgotten by the time voting started, 25 songs later.

Not even a lucky necklace given to him by Elvis Presley could help Humperdinck, who scored points from only Belgium, Estonia, Latvia and Ireland and ended up languishing at the bottom of the leader board.

The singer, nicknamed The Hump, scored a total of 12 - ending up just one position above Norway, famous for gaining "nul points" in the annual competition.

Celebrities gave their opinions on the night's performances on Twitter.

TV presenter Phillip Schofield was asked by a fan if it was time to bring back the public vote to choose the UK act, but replied: "Nope, it's time to pull out."

DJ Scott Mills, who read out the outcome of the UK vote, wrote: "Still got the Olympics."

It all went horribly wrong for the veteran singer and he seemed to be forgotten in his first act slot.

Questions will be asked about the decision to hand the Eurovision Song Contest baton to a 76-year-old, leading to one of the worst outcomes for the UK.

Until 2011, the public had a say in who represented the UK and with which song, but that was abandoned when boy-band Blue were chosen to sing I Can, in the hope an established name could bring home the title.

They managed to come 11th last year, a respectable position in comparison to this year.

The contest was won by Swedish singer Loreen with dance track Euphoria. She had been the bookies' favourite and romped home with a landmark victory, scoring 372 points. Speaking after the win, she said: "I want to say that I love you so much. Thank you for believing in me."

Popular act Buranovskiye Babushki - the six strong group of pensioners nicknamed The Russian Grannies - came second with Party for Everyone and were notable for performing with a revolving oven on the stage.

The last UK win was in 1997 when Katrina And The Waves - fronted by American singer Katrina Leskanich - took the honours with Love Shine A Light.

Humperdinck, who used the name Gerry Dorsey during the early years of his career, kept the Beatles off the number one spot in the singles chart with Release Me in the 1960s.

Speaking after his performance, he said: "I had a great time, a very wonderful time. I hope everyone listening to the song... we shared the song with every generation. I sang it from my heart."

Humperdinck's song was written by Sacha Skarbek - who teamed up with James Blunt to compose You're Beautiful - and record producer Martin Terefe. There was a UK link to another act as jazz musician Jamie Cullum wrote the German entry, Standing Still.

The show, watched in the Crystal Hall by 20,000 people, started at midnight local time, finishing in the early hours of the morning.

Irish twins John and Edward Grimes - otherwise known as Jedward - couldn't improve on their eighth place scored in last year's contest.

They came 19th despite an enthusiastic performance of Waterline, which saw them singing around a fountain in the middle of the stage and jumping into it at the end of the song.

The Olympic Torch Is In Safe Hands With Doctor Who

2012-05-26T22:48:44Z

DOCTOR Who star Matt Smith hot footed it around Cardiff Bay carrying the Olympic flame on its latest leg in Wales.

Despite an early start the Time Lord was greeted by a crowd of more than 1,000 and said the honour was so great he would do it in his undies.

"I would do it in my underpants. It's the Olympic torch. I would probably get a bigger crowd for that," he joked.

If Matt Smith's brief run from the bay's historic Norwegian church looked familiar it was not a case of deja-vu.

In a previous life the Doctor himself, then played by David Tennant, went forward in time and carried the Olympic torch in London in 2012.

Today his ambition was simply to ensure a successful start to the torch's first full day in Wales.

"I don't even know where I am running to. I try and run in a straight line," he said before setting off today.

He also said he was surprised at the size of the crowd that turned out.

"I feel immensely privileged. The torch and the idea of the torch has been around a long time." Of the Olympics he said: "I think it is so dramatic and it's wonderful for London and it's wonderful for Great Britain.

"I think that they have done a great job, Seb Coe and his team."

Cardiff's bay area was overflowing with people as the crowds came out. Runners were applauded and cheered at each torch changeover and a cavalcade of cyclists and runners energetically followed the flame.

Hundreds lined the streets taking photographs, and newsagents and coffee shops did a roaring early morning trade.

Ann Taylor, aged 52, was up at 4am with her friend Jonna Batt, aged 31, to get a good vantage point.

"I've never seen Matt Smith before. He was very talkative and really polite," said Miss Batt.

Her friend added: "I think it is a really good idea to have the torch tour the country like this. It puts everybody in a really enthusiastic mood.

"I think it attracts a lot of people who might not ever pay attention to it."

After the brief appearance at Cardiff the Olympic flame headed off towards Barry and the coast.

A jubilant crowd of more than 25,000 people greeted the Olympic torch relay when it returned inland to Caerphilly.

The picturesque town's historic castle basked in blazing sunshine as it played host to a brief torch relay changeover ceremony, with the added attraction of Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave.

Sir Steve is hoping London 2012 will be a catalyst to motivate youngsters across the UK to turn their talents to sport.

It's Action Hero Lewis To The Rescue

2012-05-26T10:09:23Z

LEWIS involved in fisticuffs? What is the world coming to?

Oxford's top cop sprung into action to stop a drug raid escapee. He even tackled him to the ground while the faithful Hathaway joined in with a timely punch.

It might not be in the Tom Cruise Mission Impossible league, but it earned Lewis 15 seconds of fame on the local TV news before it was back to the business of murder.

His action man heroics were obviously still in play because his white knight instincts flared up as he dealt with a case of a single Oxford professor who looked like she had been bullied into suicide.

But nothing is ever that simple in the ITV whodunnit and Lewis proved he was right in suspecting there was a killer on the loose.

So pats on the back all round for Lewis, but it looks as though he might have left it to late to sweep his colleague Laura off her feet and enjoy his own happy ever after.

There's a new detective on town and DI Peterson looks to be a big rival for Laura's affections. Poor Lewis could be left with nothing but his murder cases for company unless he gets a move on.

Elvis Presley Gift Could Be Engelbert Humperdinck's Lucky Eurovision Charm

2012-05-25T15:20:22Z

ENGELBERT Humperdinck will be carrying a prized gift from Elvis Presley to bring him luck as he performs in the Eurovision Song Contest tomorrow night.

The crooner is one of a handful of people from the King's circle of friends who were given one of his TCB necklaces - which stands for "taking care of business."

And the 76-year-old will have the treasured trinket with him when he represents the UK in Baku, Azerbaijan, against other acts from around Europe.

A source said: "He has it in his pocket all the time, to bring him luck. Only a few exist and they are priceless, Elvis only gave them to his friends. He wants to channel some of his charisma and spirit for his Eurovision performance."

Humperdinck will be up against acts such as Irish contestants Jedward when they perform at the kitsch and glittery show in Baku's Crystal Hall.

Bookmaker William Hill now puts both acts at 14-1 to win the competition and said Eurovision has proved a huge money-spinner for the betting industry this year.

The firm predicts that more than £10 million will have been paid out in stakes for this year's competition, but it said Sweden is favourite to win among UK fans, rather than chart veteran Humperdinck.

"Our UK punters are more sceptical after years of disappointments and are all over Sweden," said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.

Choreographer Arlene Phillips, who is the staging director for Humperdinck's performance, said: "How fortunate we are that the UK has the 'King of Song' representing us this year.

"So all I needed to do was add a little magic to surround him. Come on, Engelbert, bring it home."

Humperdinck - whose 1960s hits include Release Me and The Last Waltz - flew in to Azerbaijan almost a week ago to prepare for the final.

Earlier this week, he had to hitch a ride from police to the contest venue when the bus on which the UK contingent were travelling broke down.

"The Hump" has also been enjoying a bit of home comfort while out in Baku, visiting the London Pub where he enjoyed tucking into fish and chips as well as playing darts, one of his favourite pastimes.

He has also met the Azerbaijani contestant, Sabrina, who told him he was one of her all-time favourite singers.

And she gave him a bird's eye view of her native city from the roof of the Hilton Baku Hotel.

Sabina wore a T-shirt with his photo bearing the phrase: "Engelbert King of Hearts."

And she handed him a shirt with her picture and the words "From Baku with Love", telling him: "It is a pleasure to have you here in Baku.

"I hope you know how much Azerbaijani people love you."

"Taking Care of Business" was a personal motto of Elvis, and also the name of the main group of musicians who formed his backing band. He had the initials TCB painted on the tail of his personal jet, along with a lightning flash.

Liam Gallagher had the letters and symbol tattooed on his arm in tribute - as well as to cover up the name of his first wife, Patsy Kensit.

Keira Knightley To Wed Rock Star Boyfriend

2012-05-25T15:12:11Z

KEIRA Knightley is to marry her rock star boyfriend James Righton.

The Hollywood actress and the Klaxons rocker have got engaged after dating since early last year, it has been confirmed.

Keira's spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that Keira is engaged to be married to James Righton."

The details of the proposal are being kept under wraps.

Her publicist added: "We are not discussing any further details."

Oscar-nominated Keira, aged 27, and James have been together for around 15 months and are said to have been introduced by their TV presenter friend Alexa Chung.

The couple have kept their romance low-key, rarely attending celebrity events together, but they have been spotted together casually on a number of occasions.

Oscar-nominated Keira previously dated actor Rupert Friend for several years.

The star, whose movie roles have included Atonement and the first three Pirates Of The Caribbean titles, is due to begin shooting her next film in the US. She will star as a wannabe singer in Can A Song Save Your Life?.

Keyboardist James won the Mercury Prize in 2007 with his band's debut album Myths Of The Near Future. Klaxons are working on a new album after releasing their second in 2010.

Book An Appointment At TV's Food Hospital

2012-05-25T15:05:38Z

CHANNEL 4's The Food Hospital is back for a second series and is looking for people to take part.

Do you have an extreme medical condition? Addicted to a particular food or drink / salt or sugar? Do you or your child eat a terrible diet? Does it worry you?

Patients attending The Food Hospital will be advised by on-screen medical professionals including a GP, a specialist medical consultant and a leading dietitian.

The team will prescribe specific diets using evidence-based, cutting-edge scientific research which might improve the condition and / or symptoms.

The programme makers are looking at conditions from severe acne to erectile dysfunction; constipation to diabetes.

Send an email with your phone number and a line about your concern to foodhospital@betty.co.uk or call us on 02072900660

Matthew Morrison Reckons Cameron Diaz Is Perfect For Glee

2012-05-25T13:29:12Z

MATTHEW Morrison reckons Cameron Diaz would make a great addition to the Glee cast.

The actor, who plays teacher Will Schuester in the all-singing, all-dancing show, said his What To Expect When You're Expecting co-star would be perfect on the next series.

"I'm trying to get Cameron to be on the show. I don't know what role she'd play. She loves (musical theatre) - she doesn't fancy herself as a singer, but I think she can fit in quite well there," he revealed.

Return Of The Lolly Stick Jokes

2012-05-25T11:18:22Z

THE lolly stick joke is back, thanks to the Cadbury Dairy Milk Ice Cream competition on Twitter.

The top 10 joke entries are:

1. Who is in charge of the hankies? The hankie-chief! @swingitcharlie

2. Why are crabs trying to take over the sea? Because they're shellfish @dave_giz

3. What did the buffalo say to his child when he was leaving for uni? Bison @MartinDarko

4. Where did Noah keep all of the freshwater fish? In his multi-storey Carp Ark - (8.45%) @TonyCowards

5. Why did the cow get thrown out of the darts competition? Because she hit a bulls eye @bellmusic

6. I've got a joke about Elton John. It's a little bit funny - @jcodfishpie

7. Why did the cheese maker walk with a limp? Because he only had one stilton - @QuintinForbes

8. Who is president of the Zoo animals? Barack O'Llama - @zoolander1978

9. What is Bilbo Baggins' favourite part of a cooker? The hob bit - @Alan_Machnik

10. Who did King Arthur get to look after his napkins? Sir Viette - @hilaryoscorne

Frederick's Dairies, who make and sell the ice cream lollies under licence for Cadbury, turned to the social media website for inspiration ahead of producing a new range of lolly stick jokes for 2013.

The initiative was launched following customer research which found that 66 per cent of British ice cream fanatics would love to see the return of the lolly stick joke. More than 2,000 entries came via Twitter as micro bloggers flexed their humour muscles in search of a £5,000 prize.

Comedy critic and author Bruce Dessau, who has been researching comedy trends in social media, said: "There has never been a better time to revive the tradition of the lolly stick joke. Short form text mediums like Twitter have focused people on delivering bite-sized wit and shown us that a joke doesn't have to be long to be good."

All entries were judged by a panel of experts which included Dessau. The top gags were then put to public vote.

The winning joke has been penned by Charlie Thomas (@swingitcharlie), a Newcastle scaffolder by day and part of a Rat Pack tribute act by night.

His joke has been engraved onto the world's first ever 18 carat gold lolly stick which the British public will have the chance to win this weekend. The stick, worth £10,000, has been put into a random Cadbury Dairy Milk Ice Cream Lolly for a member of the public to find. The lollies will be given out in London's Covent Garden Piazza over the weekend.

Jenny Bostock, Consumer Marketing Manager, says: "We are proud to be reviving a great summer time tradition and what better way to do it than with the help of the nation. Twitter has re-energised our passion for joke telling and sharing. We want to bring back the fun to ice cream and put a smile on our customer faces."

Sick Elton John Cancels Las Vegas Concerts

2012-05-25T11:09:40Z

SIR Elton John has cancelled a series of Las Vegas concerts after doctors urged him to rest.

The singer went to hospital in Los Angeles for a series of tests but went home the same day.

He told website TMZ that it felt "strange" not to be able to perform the concerts, but promised he would be back.

He said: "All I can say to the fans is 'sorry I can't be with you'."

He is due to play at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert, organised by Gary Barlow, alongside acts including Sir Tom Jones, Ed Sheeran, JLS and Jessie J. The show takes place in front of Buckingham Palace on June 4.

Sir Elton recently announced he had signed a book deal to publish "the very personal story" of how Aids affected his life.

The book, which will be called Love Is The Cure: Ending The Global Aids Epidemic, will include his memories of friends including Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, who died of an Aids-related illness in 1991.

The star and his civil partner, David Furnish, became parents of a son, named Zachary, via a surrogate mother in 2010.

Star Words ... Sean Penn

2012-05-25T08:06:11Z

"I AM constantly embarrassed by my own personality. Maybe I have a strength in that as an actor. I have a very tough time with people. It's not that I'm totally anti-social, I just don't want to socialise with the people I've already known."
Actor Sean Penn.

Robbie Williams On Baby Countdown

2012-05-25T06:35:41Z

ROBBIE Williams has confessed he is feeling both "overjoyed and terrified" at the prospect of becoming a dad.

The Take That singer has been training with stars including Olly Murs and Aston Merrygold and Marvin Humes from JLS ahead of Soccer Aid 2012 on Sunday, a celebrity charity football match in aid of Unicef.

Robbie said of his impending fatherhood: "I have been genuinely overjoyed and terrified and then going back between the two on a daily basis and today I'm overjoyed and I can't wait.

"I know the sex of the baby and I'm very, very excited. I can't tell you, the missus is like 'Don't go telling' and I said I won't."

He added: "It's a girl. I'm very, very excited about becoming a daddy, I can't wait."

The singer and wife Ayda Field announced in March that they are expecting their first child.

Robbie will captain the England team as they take on The Rest Of The World, captained by Twilight star Michael Sheen and including Will Ferrell and Fight Club actor Edward Norton. The match on Sunday at Old Trafford in Manchester will be broadcast live on ITV1.

The 38-year-old confessed he hadn't trained as much as he would normally, but said he was still confident of taking back the trophy from The Rest Of The World, who won on penalties last year.

Robbie said of his preparations: "I've been ill, so I haven't been able to train but normally it's a good three months before."

Tickets are now on sale for Soccer Aid 2012 on 0161 444 2012 and itv.com/socceraid.

Growing Up On American Pie

2012-05-24T11:15:35Z

THERE have been two sequels, some spin-offs and an American Pie Re-union. So what have the male stars of the comedy hit been up over the last 13 years?

It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. Awkward father-to-son chats, a risque webcam striptease and a certain X-rated incident involving a pie ensued and a mega franchise was spawned.

JASON BIGGS IS JIM

:: Jim in 1999: Perpetually horny, Jim was caught on camera doing a striptease for exchange student Nadia, having cringe-inducing 'birds and bees' chats with his dad and getting intimate with a pie.

:: Jim in 2012: He now has a son with 'band camp' Michelle, the girl who popped his cherry in the first film, and is worrying about his lack of sex life.

:: Biggs today: "This series has never been about being gross just to be gross. These are characters people relate to," says the 33-year-old.

"For me as an actor, Jim's got everything. He's got heart, he's got some really sweet moments, great jokes and great physical comedy to do."

That includes going full-frontal and dressing up in bondage for the new film.

"I have no shame obviously so there was nothing that was really embarrassing.

"I put out more than I've ever shown and I'm not talking emotionally. I don't know how to top that. Maybe the next stop is porn?" he teases.

Though filming did get uncomfortable.

"We filmed it in the summer in Atlanta when it was humid, gross and disgusting. I was wearing this crazy S&M outfit, I had an allergic reaction to the grass and they have these bugs, which they call Palmetto bugs, which is a really sweet way of saying cockroaches. It was just bad on every level."

SEANN WILLIAM SCOTT IS STIFLER

:: Stifler in 1999: High school was Stifler's castle. He somehow managed to be popular despite being crass and rude to everyone.

:: Stifler in 2012: He's a temp getting yelled at by the guy he would've picked on in high school and is a bit lonely.

:: Scott today: "I've only seen a couple of movies that have used high school reunion as a plot and I thought it was perfect to see everyone from American Pie at one," says the 35-year-old.

He was working at Home Depot when he read the original script.

"The character wasn't very likeable at all," he recalls. "He was just a straight up jerk and I was thinking I'm not sure I even want to play this role but I felt comfortable taking a risk."

He based the character on five different guys from school and with a bit of ad-lib, Stifler was born. "I wanted him to be the guy you're not supposed to like," he says.

"Now it's fantastic to play a character who's doing things other 30-year-olds really want to do. Stifler's the person who hasn't changed but the world around him has."

As with Biggs, Stifler was required to strip for a scene. "I thought we were just going to see the side of my butt and I showed up to set that day and in my trailer they had this flesh coloured thong and I'm like, 'Woah, what's up with that?'

"I'm uncomfortable about showing my bum but I do it for the sake of acting," he jokes. "It's like, 'What would Marlon Brando and James Dean do?'"

CHRIS KLEIN IS OZ

:: Oz in 1999: A gentle giant who had to choose between helping mates out in the lacrosse final or supporting 'choir chick' Heather (Mena Suvari) at a singing competition.

:: Oz in 2012: Oz has become a big success. He's a sports presenter and has a beautiful but crazy girlfriend but he's missing the comforts of home when he catches up with Heather at the reunion.

:: Klein today: "When I closed the American Pie: Reunion script, something was resonating that resonated when I finished the first American Pie script. I had a similar gravitation towards it," says the 33-year-old.

Having missed out on the last sequel, the actor enjoyed catching up with his co-stars. "If there was B-Roll of all the corpsing and all the antics, it would play 12 hours long," he says. "Behind the camera's where the real fun is because that's where you get flicked in the ear, have thumb wars and smack each other around."

But one of his favourite scenes was a dance-off for the fictitious TV show Celebrity Dance Off, which he'd spent two months preparing for.

"What I learned is that hip-hop is hard work but my one goal was to make it as big as we could possibly make it," he says. "In these movies we all get our moment in the spotlight and that was Oz's."

EDDIE KAY THOMAS IS FINCH

:: Finch in 1999: He was 18 going on 40 and famously bed Stifler's mum (Jennifer Coolidge) on prom night.

:: Finch in 2012: Remains a bit of a mystery as the one friend from high school who's fallen off the grid.

:: Thomas today: "I was excited by what I got to do in this film, more so than anything that happened in the middle," he says. "I mean how cool is it that we got to read a script where we already had the job and already had a sense of what it was like to do it? It was such a blessed experience."

He's worked with the directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg before on all three Harold & Kumar films.

"What's really fun about Jon and Hayden is the way they giggle and laugh and get off on what's happening in front of the camera," he says. "They're just having fun and making themselves laugh."

It's the directors who avid fans have to thank for the in-joke when Finch makes a dramatic entrance on a Ducati bike.

"The crazy fans would remember I was riding a Vespa in American Pie and in the final cut I'm unable to put it into first gear because Eddie was unable to put a Vespa into first gear. It just stalls," he laughs.

As for his character's finest moment, there's no contest. "He did have sex with his friend's mother. I mean what could possibly beat that? It's been 13 years but it's pretty awesome."

THOMAS IAN NICHOLAS IS KEVIN

:: Kevin in 1999: The sweetheart who only had eyes for his girlfriend Vicky (Tara Reid).

:: Kevin in 2012: He's happily married but his life is neutered. He needs excitement that the reunion, and potentially meeting old flame Vicky, will bring.

:: Nicholas today: "I think Kevin's right where you would expect him to be," says the actor.

"He was pining after Vicky in the original film and now the feelings are kind of bubbling up and the directors and I talked at length about whether they're going to get back together or not.

"I think it's more likely that someone would experience what Kevin and Vicky do in this film, as opposed to Oz and Heather who always sort of represent the romantic ideal."

Compared to what some of the actors are required to do, Nicholas had an easy time of it. The greatest challenge was growing a beard.

"I was asked to grow this beard and it took 10 years, which is why we've had to wait so long for American Pie 4," he jokes.

"But Kevin and Vicky, we're the straight sort of characters in the comedy group, which also keeps it very grounded."

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

2012-05-24T10:57:13Z

A ONE-OFF National Lottery draw will create 100 millionaires as a "thank you" to players for helping fund the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle draw will take place on the night of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on July 27, a National Lottery spokesman said.

The event guarantees a million-pound cheque for 100 UK players, breaking the world record for the most millionaires created in a single draw.

National Lottery players are contributing £2.2 billion towards the staging of the London 2012 Games, including venues and infrastructure.

The spokesman said: "The opening ceremony will be a huge night for Britain and this amazing draw is set to add to that excitement, making it truly a night to remember.

"We will see 100 UK players become millionaires as the torch is lit above London, smashing the world record for the most millionaires created in one night.

"National Lottery players are playing a key role in the London 2012 Games, helping fund both the infrastructure and venues, and provide life-changing support to athletes. This special one-off draw celebrates their role in helping bring the Games to London."

The previous record for million-pound winners in a single draw was set after 25 players won in the EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle draw on Christmas Eve in 2010.

Kissing Chace Crawford Means Stubble Rash Nightmare For Anna Kendrick

2012-05-24T09:01:32Z

ANNA Kendrick has confessed that she got serious stubble rash after a kissing scene with Chace Crawford.

The pair play young lovers in new comedy What To Expect When You're Expecting, and Twilight star Anna revealed their on-screen embrace wasn't as romantic as it seemed.

"His stubble is very sharp and very masculine and the next day my face was actually peeling as if I had sunburn because his stubble was so manly," she said.

"But I was pretty excited about working with him. He is scary good-looking in person."

Star Words ... Alec Baldwin

2012-05-23T22:33:47Z

"I'M not as good as she'd like me to be. If I eat a cracker she wants to hang me."
Actor Alec Baldwin on the strict dietary regime imposed by his fiancee, Hilaria Thomas.