Gemma Collins axes plans to release Christmas single with producer Naughty Boy
GREAT Britain can breathe a sigh of relief — Gemma Collins will not be releasing a Christmas single this year.
Her pal Naughty Boy told me back in March that the pair had joined forces for the perfect festive tune Come Home after meeting at the Brit Awards the previous month.
But the project has been put on ice until they find time in their schedules to complete it. Instead Naughty Boy has today released another single, Live Before I Die, featuring US star Mike Posner.
Mike penned it after his father died and was spurred on to live life to the fullest — sparking his decision to take on a 3,000-mile walk across America.
The video follows him on his journey, including the moment he was bitten by a snake and feared he may lose his leg.
Luckily for him, he’s lived to tell the tale and has a dramatic song and video to show for it.
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Make track a Monster hit to help our heroes
I TOLD yesterday how James Blunt has agreed to give the proceeds from new single Monsters to Armed Forces charities for Christmas – and the response has been sensational.
Fans and charities have hit Twitter to heap praise on the big-hearted former soldier for his kind decision.
The move came after I asked James if he would be prepared to give royalties from the single to Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion following radio host Chris Evans' suggestion on air last week.
And yesterday the Virgin Radio breakfast host vowed that he would play the record almost daily in a bid to push it up the charts.
After I told how James had come on board, Chris chatted to the singer again and said: “James told us, ‘I think we’re going to put it out again as a unique release for Christmas.’”
Delighted Help for Heroes chiefs tweeted my story to their 516,000 followers, writing: “A huge thanks to James Blunt who will donate all proceeds from his new single to support veterans via Help for Heroes and The British Legion.”
The news went down a storm with fans too, who pledged to buy the track in their droves.
And today I am calling on Bizarre readers to Back Blunty by buying this top single for a great cause.
Bizbit
JUSTIN Biber's return to music is imminent.
The Canadian singer has already started rehearsing for a tour, which is expected to kick off early next year.
He is expected to move into R&B for his new record, his first since 2015’s Purpose.
Rita tops the glitter parade
JUST like me, Rita Ora would prefer to spend the entire festive season in warm, comfy clothes with an elastic waistband.
But she gamely donned this shimmering, part see-through number at a bash celebrating 50 years of Centrepoint, a charity combating youth homelessness.
Rita performed alongside Duran Duran for the event at London’s Roundhouse, also attended by Ellie Goulding, Shirley Ballas and Claudia Winkleman.
Afterwards, she slipped into a far more comfortable seasonal jumper and baggy trousers to return home.
Rita poked fun at her contrasting looks on Instagram, joking: “Sometimes you gotta go from lady . . . to cozy when you got these 5am call times.”
Too right, Rita. I’d do this column in my pants if I could.
Loyle is so green
ALAN Titchmarsh had better beware as South London rapper Loyle Carner is hot on his heels.
The hip-hop star is changing the reputation of urban stars by “greening up” his hometown of Thornton Heath in a new documentary with Timberland, which airs on MTV on Monday, where he takes a grey space and changes it with plants.
Loyle, who has ADHD, said: “I’m very aware of the importance of urban green space but any quiet spot for a second is important.”
If Ground Force makes a comeback, Loyle is the man for the job.
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Instaglam
BUSTY Mel B's so excited about Christmas she can hardly contain herself.
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- ALICIA KEYS will return to host the Grammy Awards for a second year in a row when it takes place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 26. She said: “When the opportunity came back around, there was no question about returning as host.” Nominations for the annual music ceremony will be announced next Wednesday.
- IRISH singers WESTLIFE are back today with their first album in nine years, Spectrum, which has been written with Ed Sheeran. Shane Filan said: “This is the best album of our careers. There’s a mix of fresh new music and classic Westlife ballads. It has everything the fans will love.” The boys start a stadium tour next June.
- LEWIS cwas named Artist Of The Year at the Artist & Manager Awards in London last night. He won an all-expenses-paid recording trip to Selina Studios in Colombia but handed the prize over to rising singer-songwriter Charlote. He said: “I just think Charlotte’s gonna be one of the biggest f***ing things in the world.”
- SPIKE LEE will direct a retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet, set in the ’80s New York hip-hop scene. The BlacKkKlansman filmmaker’s version is seen through the eyes of Juliet’s hot-headed cousin Tybalt, following the storyline of Ron Wimberly's 2012 novel Prince Of Cats.
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