BB FANS

The reality TV shows are hitting us thick and fast...

And don't we just love it.

The next one to grace our screens will be Celebrity Fame Academy.

But which celebs will be busting some tunes on stage?

None other than It Girl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has been lined up for the show.

She's set to sign for the Comic Relief telly talent contest and it could be a great chance for her to get her career back on track - after she was axed as the host of I'm A Celeb's spin-off show.

TPT has a few musical bones in her body, as she can play the piano, but she will have to pull out all the stops to come out on top...

Among her competition will be Shaun Williamson - who played Barry in EastEnders and Birds Of A Feather star Linda Robson.

Perhaps Tara should get some singing tips from some of her ex-lovers and mates - Robbie Williams, James Blunt and er... Duncan James from Blue could come in useful. ananova

i don't know about you, i can't really picture tara singing.

as for blue, they should be able to help.

after all, i met them!

Fame Academy scheme offers bursaries to musicians

Prizes totalling £160,000 are being awarded to young musicians as part of a scheme launched in conjunction with the BBC’s Fame Academy series.

More than 650 people aged between 16-30 applied for the Fame Academy Bursary and the winners were picked after an audition and an interview. Four receive a sum of £12,500 a year for three years, while two runners up will be given £5,000.

TheStage

Comic Relief Does The Apprentice will see Sir Alan Sugar matching 10 celebrities - including Ross Kemp, Rupert Everett and Cheryl Cole - against each other.




waveguide

Russell feels sea sick?

It seems poor Russell found the sea a bit choppy at the Comic Relief launch

It seems Russell Brand and a host of celebs were struck down with sea sickness as they launched Comic Relief on a moored Thames pleasure boat yesterday.

The lanky lothario joined Sugababes, Girls Aloud, Fearne Cotton, Lenny Henry, Davina McCall and Patrick Kielty on the bobbing boat.

The funnyman told The Daily Star: "I've been hit my terrible sea sickness.

"They've given me something for it. They said it was ginger something - but it's made me feel like Judy Garland."

Fearne was also forced to cut her stint at the microphone short admitting: "I don't feel well. I fear I'm going to vom."

Sugababes and Girls Aloud are teaming up on this year's Comic Relief single, a cover of the Run DMC hit Walk This Way.

"I'm all right when the boat's bobbing up and down - it's when it stops that I feel dodgy," commented Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding.

A Comic Relief source added: "Some of the stars felt under the weather. It was lucky we didn't go on a trip up the Thames or they'd all be hanging over the sides.

"We gave the guests some ginger tea to try and settle their stomachs. Metro

TIP THE WINK

CLAUDIA Winkleman is taking over from Cat Deeley at this year’s Comic Relief Does Fame Academy.

Her co-host Patrick Kielty eloquently explained how this came about. “Cat’s f***ed off to America to be a big star,” he declared. “She doesn’t care about starving Africans any more! Well f*** her!” Steady on, old boy…

The 13 contestants are rumoured to include Barry from EastEnders (Shaun Williamson), Linda Robson and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. Mirror

CELEBS ON SONG FOR TV TUSSLE
EXCLUSIVE
By Nicola Methven Tv Editor 19/02/2007

BLUE Peter presenter Zoe Salmon and Heartbeat star Tricia Penrose will fight it out for the title of singing queen in Celebrity Fame Academy.

They will join "It Girl" Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, 35, and ex-EastEnder Shaun Williamson, 42, on the BBC1 show.

Others featured include Linda Robson, 48, of Bird's of a Feather fame, CBBC host Angellica Bell, 30, and DJ Colin Murray, 29.
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Producers are hoping for fireworks among the celebs - some of whom are determined to carve out a career in singing.

An insider said: "Some of the celebs have quite a bit of singing experience whereas others have never sung a note before."

Zoe, 24, a former Miss Northern Ireland. has told friends she is hoping to belt out ABBA tunes.

And Tricia, 34, who will sing Motown classics, has revealed she once recorded an album of covers.

The wannabe said: "I spent a hell of a lot, hiring a studio, musicians and producers but wasn't happy with it.

"So now I've scrapped it. I've got about 35 million copies at home."

Shaun Williamson is also a singing pro and part of a 10-piece band.

He once appeared as Meatloaf on Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes.

Meanwhile posh Tara said she was terrified of going on the show because she was up against "trained singers" and was 'petrified of making a t*t of herself.
mirror

Celebrity Fame Academy returns

Celebrity Fame Academy is winding up again for this year's Red Nose Day, and the line-up is looking just as entertaining as last time.

In what must rank as one of the major coups of the year, ubiquitous sleb and erstwhile star of Walker's crisp adverts Tara Palmer-Tompkinson leads the list, along with Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon and Heartbeat star Tricia Penrose.

Joining them is ex-EastEnder Shaun Williamson. An experienced singer, Shaun appeared as Meatloaf on Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes and is a professional singer with his own 10-piece band. Click through below for more slebs.

TVScoop

TV STARS FLOCK TO JOIN FAME ACADEMY

BLUE Peter babe Zoe Salmon and Heartbeat star Tricia Penrose are to enter Celebrity Fame Academy.

The TV beauties will join socialite Tara Palmer-Tompkinson, 35, and ex-EastEnder Shaun Williamson, 42, on the BBC 1 reality show.

The programme, which will help raise money for Comic Relief, will also include Linda Robson, 48, of Birds Of A Feather fame.

DailyRecord

CELEBS ON SONG FOR TV TUSSLE

BLUE Peter presenter Zoe Salmon and Heartbeat star Tricia Penrose will fight it out for the title of singing queen in Celebrity Fame Academy.

They will join "It Girl" Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, 35, and ex-EastEnder Shaun Williamson, 42, on the BBC1 show.

Others featured include Linda Robson, 48, of Bird's of a Feather fame, CBBC host Angellica Bell, 30, and DJ Colin Murray, 29.

Mirror

The first Fame Academy series was the reason for my online addiction, as I had to find out what Ainslie Henderson was up to, and talk to other fans after the series finished.

I've enjoyed the Celeb versions much more than FA 2, which was dire, and I can't wait for the new one. I love the format. I hope we get the live feed again, and I enjoy watching the vocal coaching and rehearsals. Woo hoo!! It's back. And I hope Colin sticks around for as long as possible, as he's a total babe!!

CELEBS LINE UP FOR FAME ACADEMY

With Comic Relief just around the corner the 13 celebrities who have agreed to take part in Comic Relief Does Fame Academy have been announced.

Fame Academy has launched the careers of wannabe musicians in the past, but this year the focus is on raising money for charity as celebs flex their vocal chords.

Among the seven females taking part are comedienne and writer Mel Giedroyc, socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Blue Peter Presenter Zoe Salmon and actress Linda Robson of Birds of a Feather fame.

Representing the men are Radio1 DJ Colin Murray, sports presenter Ray Stubbs and Extras actor Shaun Williamson.

Hosting the show will be Patrick Kielty and Claudia Winkleman while Richard Park returns as headmaster along with voice coaches Richard and Carrie Grant.

Judging alongside headmaster are opera diva Lesley Garrett and Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood.

Kevin Cahill, chief executive officer of Comic Relief, said: "Every time somebody votes to save their favourite student, Comic Relief will get cash that goes towards helping bring an end to poverty and social injustice in the UK and Africa.

"It's a great line-up and I can't wait to see what happens in the Fame Academy."

The show kicks off on Saturday March 3rd and each night from March 7th one of the contestants will be voted off.

Last year's Comic Relief Does Fame Academy winner was Radio1 DJ Edith Bowman.

26/02/2007 16:35:55
ContactMusic

Fame Academy stars revealed

ENJOY a sneak preview of the 13 C-listers singing on Comic Relief Does Fame Academy in our slideshow.

They are headed by favourites Tricia Penrose from Heartbeat and Shaun Williamson who played Barry Evans in EastEnders as well as socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.

Providing the glamour is Blue Peter beauty Zoë Salmon who will be singing for her supper with Radio One DJ Colin Murray, BBC sports presenter Ray Stubbs and Birds Of A Feather actress Linda Robson.

Completing the line-up are comics Mel Giedroyc, Tim Vine and Rowland Rivron, DJ Fred MacAulay, kids’ TV presenter Angellica Bell and actress Miranda Hart, who recently appeared in ITV1 comedy The Abbey with Russell Brand.

Comic Relief Does Fame Academy, BBC1, March 3.

Check them out by clicking on the link below:
TheSUN

TARA'S BID TO BE TV QUIT GIRL

TARA Palmer-Tomkinson has tried to pull out of Celebrity Fame Academy three times due to nerves.

Appearing tired and distracted at yesterday's launch of the show, the "It girl" said her dad Charles offered to make a donation to Comic Relief if she did not have to take part.

But she agreed to stay after pleas from producers.

Tara, 35, said: "I'm petrified about singing live."

The ex-coke addict also revealed her love life has taken a nosedive. She rambled: "I don't feel the love any more. I've tried but I can't. I've gone all numb."

A BBC insider said: "I just hope she holds it together in the Academy."

The BBC1 show in aid of Comic Relief begins on Saturday. Heartbeat's Tricia Penrose, Blue Peter's Zoe Salmon, DJ Colin Murray, sports host Ray Stubbs and presenter Rowland Rivron are among the other stars taking part.

Mirror

Will Bookies Get Turned Over By Tara?

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is the first contestant to be backed for the new series of Celebrity Fame Academy and bookies William Hil have shortened her odds of winning from 16-1 to 12-1.

Conversely, William Hill have also seem small sums of money for the 5-2 on offer for her to be the first contestant to be voted off the show.

William Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams said, "We underestimated Tara in the 1st series of I'm A Celebrity and narrowly escaped paying out a six-figure sum when she finished second. She is an exceptional pianist, but we are told she sings like an X-factor audition."

Ex-Eastender Shaun Williamson and actress Tricia Penrose head the betting at 2-1 and 7-2 respectively, with the rest of the contestants at 10-1 or bigger.

CasinoTimes