BB FANS

Aug 24 2005
By Rhona Ganguly, Evening Mail

WITH vintage cars and skimpily-clad cowgirls, the premiere of the Dukes of Hazzard roared onto the giant screen at the Birmingham's new drive-in movie centre.

Coronation Street babes Tina O'Brien and Samia Ghadie joined former Steps star Lisa Scott-Lee and Brian Dowling of Big Brother fame at the Street Movies Drive-In in Curzon Street.

They were joined by competition winners and car enthusiasts at the invitation-only event. The film was projected onto a 47ft by 23ft giant outdoor screen while cowboys and cowgirls dished out free food and drink.

Samia said: "It's great. Tina and I think it looks like something out of the film Grease and it takes you back in time.

"We have friends who live in Birmingham so we are going to enjoy being here and will be making a night of it."

The event was sponsored by T-Mobile whose spokesman Toby Hester said: "We see Birmingham as the motor capital of the country. It is in the heart of the country and an ideal place for us to show our commitment for the region. There is a great vibe in the city."

Birmingham electrical fitter Colin Grant, aged 42, of Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, won tickets through a radio station competition.

He took his wife Inez, aged 37, daughter Chantelle, aged eight, baby son Deshawn and niece Naomi Blake, aged 15.

"I think it is brilliant," he said. Chantelle, who attends Sacred Heart Catholic School, Perry Barr said: "The best thing here is the cars. When I am older and I have extra money, I am going to get a car where I can take the roof off like the cars here."

American car enthusiast Paul Hashie, aged 37, of Harewood Road, Coventry, drove to the event in his 1968 Charger.

The civil servant was impressed by the range of American cars parked up next to his.

He said: "I think they have done a really good job and I'm looking forward to partying and having a good time."

Housewife Dawn Whittall, aged 38, of Raby Close, went with daughter Danielle, aged 16, and two friends.

She said: "It is better than we thought it would be."

inthenews
Wednesday, 24 Aug 2005 16:55
MegaStar.co.uk, UK

Stars flocked to the Dukes of Hazzard post-premiere after party last night, which which was held at London's exclusive Met Bar.

The partying celebs racked up a £10,000 bar tab, reportedly paid off by the star of the film Jessica Simpson.

Dressed in a plunging red dress, the blonde and female half of the Newlyweds couple made sure her guests had a VIP area and were properly looked after.

"Her people put some cash behind the bar and the fun began," a source told the Daily Star.

"The Cristal champagne was in full flow and she was the centre of attention," they added.

Jessica had previously announced that she was "delighted" to be in the UK and was looking forward to meeting partying Brits.

Big Brother's grinning mannequin of a winner Anthony Hutton unsurprisingly put in an appearance at the party, as did the newly slim Jack Osbourne, and American Pie star Tara Reid also turned up to the bash.

However, the evening did not end well for Ms Reid.

Tara reportedly left the do in tears after she learnt that her 'Pie co-star, Natasha Lyon, was seriously ill with hepatitis C.