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Lionel Richie's £1m just to sing for Sir Philip Green
By Alistair Foster and Max Thurlow, London Lite Last updated at 13:50pm on 09.06.09Lionel Richie will be counting his money "all night long" tonight after a healthy payday from Topshop tycoon Sir Philip Green. The Arcadia boss reportedly paid the pop legend a whopping £1m to perform at his private party last night.
Three times a payday: Lionel Richie outside The Dorchester
The Hello singer gave a thumbs up and a smile as he left the venue, The Dorchester hotel in Park Lane, and now we understand why. Guests at the bash included Sir Philip's daughter Chloe, his colleague and pal Kate Moss and her boyfriend Jamie Hince, and Geri Halliwell.
We're told: "Lionel was paid £1m to sing 15 songs - old hits like Dancing On The Ceiling and All Night Long - while £200,000 was spent on a white carpet for the event."
Sir Philip isn't one to scrimp when it comes to parties. He spent £4m on his son Brandon's bar mitzvah in 2005, which featured performances by Andrea Bocelli and Beyoncé's old group Destiny's Child. And for his own 55th birthday in 2007, the £6m five-day celebration on a private island in the Indian Ocean included sing- songs from George Michael, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin.
That makes last night ' s bash - at close to £ 1.5m - a relatively cheap affair. Today his company Arcadia said they didn't know anything about the bash, while Lionel's spokesman was unavailable for comment.
The Dorchester, discreet as ever, did not wish to confirm our inside information.
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Reader views (6)
I'm sure all the staff at BHS Head Office in Luton are pleased that Phillip Green found the £1 million to pay Lionel Ritchie as they are all being made redundant to save PG a £1 million. Its very comforting to know he values his staff as much as one concert by Mr Ritchie..
- Oakey, London
No wonder Lionel Ritchie's brimming from ear to ear in that photo...Phillip Green's £1 million fee to croon at his party will no doubt pay for more plastic surgery....
- Ali Sichilongo, London
Actually Philip Green got a bargain. Nduka Obaigbena of THIS DAY fame paid £850,000 for Lionel Richie to sing 8 songs back in January!
- Michael, Lagos
MPS, TELEVISION PRESENTERS, ADMINISTRATORS QUANGOS, THE BBC,
SO CALLED CELEBS, FOOTBALLERS, BANKERS, COMPANY DIRECTORS, COUNCIL ADMINISTRATORS, NHS CONSULTANTS, POP STARS, THEN YOU READ ABOUT A MAN AFTER THIRTY YEARS WORK MADE REDUNDANT AND RECEIVES £50 UNEMPLOYMENT PAY A WEEK BECAUSE HIS WIFE WORKS FOR TWO DAYS. ITS ENOUGH TO TURN ONE SOCIALIST EXCEPT SOME OF THEM HAVE THEIR HAND IN THE TILL AS WELL AND BROWN IS ON A MISSION TO TURN US INTO SUPPORTERS OF THE RIGHT.
WHAT ABOUT A MINIMUM MAXIMUM WAGE. SURE THERE ARE PLENTY WE COULD GET TO SING FOR MR GREEN FOR £7 AN HOUR. WONDER WHAT SORT OF SALARY AND DIVIDEND MR GREEN GETS TO PAY SUCH A SUM.
WHEN ARE THE REAL HONEST POLITICIANS GOING TO SPRAK OUT. WHAT FOR INSTANCE DOES MR FIELD , MR SKINNER OR MR SCARGIL THINK ABOUT SUCH FABULOUS SUMS., THAT A MAN EARNS MORE IN A FEW HOURS WORK THAN MOST DO IN A LIFETIME.
- Alan Green, Woodford Green
Jesus; I would have sung for Sir Philip Green for a £100, plus a free meal.
- Mickyinlondon, london
I hope he got an encore.
- Bloke, London
