Gemma Collins will follow in the footsteps of Winston Churchill and the Dalai Lama by addressing the Cambridge Union
IN the pantheon of great orators, a handful of names stand head and shoulders above all others.
Winston Churchill, Stephen Hawking and the Dalai Lama have all addressed the Cambridge Union debating society — and now Gemma Collins will soon be added to that illustrious list.
I can reveal The GC has been invited to address students at the revered institution on November 14.
A source tells me: “The idea is to diversify the sort of people who speak so that the Union moves with the times.
“In terms of modern popular culture, Gemma has managed to cement herself as a major figure in recent years.
“She has published two books, run a fashion company and has millions of followers online. Her insights into 21st century celebrity culture will be fascinating — and she’ll be very funny too.”
Founded in 1815, the Cambridge University debating society is the oldest in the world.
Its roll call of guest speakers includes a host of former prime ministers, acting royalty Clint Eastwood and Ian McKellen and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Gemma joined Bizarre at the Brit Awards last year and stole the attention from a host of A-list stars as people clamoured to grab a selfie with her.
She has also enjoyed several series of her own reality show and muddled through a whole 72 hours in the I’m A Celebrity jungle before quitting in pursuit of a ham sandwich.
None of this is bad going for a girl from Romford who started out selling used cars. I think the Cambridge Union could probably learn a thing or two from her.
Brittle Mix so nervous
STANDING up in front of your idols and belting out a classic is always going to be nerve-wracking.
But the Little Mix girls made sure hopefuls on their hit BBC show The Search knew they felt exactly the same when they strutted their stuff on The X Factor nine years ago.
Speaking about her experience of singing for Simon Cowell and co. back in 2011, Perrie Edwards explained: “My very first ever audition was to be in this band.
“Oh, the nerves. All those feelings come flooding back when I see somebody just so passionate about something. It’s their chance to change their lives.”
Offering advice to wannabe pop star Jolie, from Cardiff, Perrie added: “I was 16 when I first auditioned, and my mouth was quivering.
“I was that nervous, and I didn’t have as much confidence as you. Not even half of the amount of confidence.”
During tonight’s show, the band are seen putting together a girl dance group similar to themselves.
And Jade Thirlwall, sitting alongside her co-stars Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson, admitted it was a cathartic experience.
She says: “Before I got put in Little Mix, I auditioned three times.
“I remember when I auditioned my legs were like jelly, I was shaking so much.
“I was never, ever going to give up on my dream. I would have been turning up till I was an old woman, till I made it.”
Watching singer Fiaa take to the stage on tonight’s show, which airs at 7pm, Jesy adds: “Watching this audition takes me back to what I felt on my first audition.
“The most petrified I’ve ever been in my whole entire life and you can’t control it.
“It doesn’t matter how many deep breaths you take, how much you try and mentally prepare yourself, nothing prepares you for that moment.”
Dizzee’s Stormzy shocker
DIZZEE RASCAL has revealed he was shocked to see Stormzy turn up at the home of British rapper Chip amid an ongoing feud.
Chip, who appears to have swapped digs with the Vossi Bop superstar in a couple of songs, shared a video allegedly showing Stormzy arriving at his Essex house in June and calling for him to come outside.
The clip, which has now been deleted from Twitter, was captioned: “June . . . When you get sent a video of Stormzy & friends tryna run up on your house.”
Dizzee said of the row: “Chip told me it had happened.
“I figured there would be some tunes but the way he has dropped it, I didn’t know there would be tunes. I didn’t know there would be footage.
“I thought it was a squabble that had happened.
“It’s been number one trending – people love to see it. People love drama. That is what everyone wants to see.
“I don’t think how long they will go, or who will go the lowest. “I don’t think it’s going to be the friendliest battle.”
Bizmeter charts
IT’S a third week on the top spot for 24kGoldn with his track Mood alongside Iann Dior.
The Californian rapper released the tune three months ago.
But after getting traction online it has now become a cult hit.
POP Smoke has broken into the top ten for a second time this week, with What You Know About Love in at No9.
The rapper’s track Mood Swings is a non-mover at No6.
Bella has birthday presence
BELLA HADID looked dazzling as she posed in a colourful bikini and red shades to celebrate her 24th birthday.
The supermodel flew her friends by private jet to a secret spot in the US where they spent the day posing for Instagram snaps.
It seems her family, including sister Gigi, are less keen on the spotlight though.
When asked if they’d take on the reality TV slot left open by the Kardashians, dad Mohamed said: “We are not the Kardashians.
“Would we ever do a show? No, I don’t think that will happen.”
As much as I like Bella and Gigi, I can’t say I’m sad about this.
Bizmeter
A NEW podcast tells the story of Joy Division and New Order for the first time.
Launching October 29, Transmissions: The Definitive Story features interviews with the group plus Liam Gallagher, Bono and Damon Albarn.
Lennon’s royal moan
JOHN LENNON’s son Sean has recalled how the late Beatles star refused to take it lying down when one of his songs failed to light up the charts.
When his 1969 track Cold Turkey didn’t do well, the music legend moaned to The Queen about it.
Sean told DJ Strombo on Apple Music Hits last night: “The single didn’t do well, and he hilariously wrote to the Queen returning his MBE.
“He says something like, ‘Your Majesty, I’m returning the MBE in protest against the Vietnam War.
“And in protest of Cold Turkey slipping down the charts’.”
I’m sure Liz appreciated the laugh.
Puss in white boots
THESE boots are made for walkin’ and Ashley Roberts is certainly getting into her stride.
The Pussycat Dolls singer turned the pavement into her own catwalk as she headed home after her stint on the airwaves at Heart FM in central London.
Looking cool in a pair of shades, Ashley teamed her white, ankle boots with a chic denim dress, which she wore with a matching white belt and a cream handbag
Bizmeter
PIXAR’S latest film, Soul, will be released straight onto Disney+ amid fears about box office sales.
The animated fantasy, voiced by Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, had been due to hit cinemas in June, but was rescheduled for November 20.
Amanda’s in dreamland
I WAS popping the bubbly last night to celebrate the success of my mate Amanda Holden.
The Britain’s Got Talent host now holds the record for the highest-charting British female debut album of 2020 so far.
Her record, Songs From My Heart, got to No4 in this week’s chart.
She said: “It was a childhood dream of mine to be a singer in the charts.
“I thought, hanging on to my forties, the opportunity had passed.
“This career moment has been the most thrilling so far – all the more because my husband and children were such a huge part of it too.”
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