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We may have to start listening to celebrities. Not just about their "sensible" diets, their "grounded" relationships or their "exciting" new projects but about matters of national, even global concern. This week has seen an upsurge in famous faces taking on issues close to their hearts, about which they actually know quite a lot, and sometimes even putting their money where their mouths are. Say hello to the "cause celebs".
The most recent indicator of this trend was the image of Alistair McGowan standing by a plot of land reportedly crucial to the expansion of Heathrow. McGowan, along with Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson and eco-millionaire Zac Goldsmith, has stumped up cash to buy the field in the hope of thwarting BAA's plans.
Elsewhere, film director Danny Boyle has used his influence, and his cash, to set up a fund ensuring that the child actors in his award-hoovering Slumdog Millionaire receive a proper schooling. Boyle's act, so soon after terrorists besieged the Mumbai streets he filmed, has a pleasing moral symmetry, a sense of putting something back.
Also operating to effect change are artists Antony Gormley and Tracey Emin, who have put their voices and contributions towards the campaign to save Titian's Diana and Actaeon and Diana and Callisto for the nation. Then there's Jamie Oliver, whose Save Our Bacon campaign, aimed at rescuing the British Pork Industry, is the chef's latest bid to get us to think about the harsh realities behind his lovely-jubbly recipes. Joking aside, comedian and author Alexei Sayle, who is of Lithuanian Jewish descent, has spoken out against Israel's attacks on Gaza.
It seems likely that, as western civilisation comes crashing around our ears, the rich and famous now realise that putting their names to any cause is not good enough. We need passion and commitment from our famous faces now. That's why Emin and Gormley's appeal on behalf of a £50 million painting, when most people are worrying about their next mortgage payment, seems almost heroic. I used to find celeb endorsements a turn-off. Now? Well, Tracey, Danny, Jamie and Em - tell me more.
Reader views (6)
Emma Thompson is often seen in the US, I wonder how she gets there if not by air?
- David Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland
Celebs, and actors and singers in particular, do not live in the real world, but mostly exist on the very extremes of emotion. As such they simply cannot grasp the complexities of most disputes or modern scenarios. All too often their metier is simply to vent forth, almost always with nothing of any real value to offer.
- Jon Anthony, United Kingdom
Its amazing all these flash 'hollywood' types getting in on the act and all the posh west Londoners complaining. But you are the ones who have increased Heathrows use by taking your holidays abroad and jetting off to Hollywood, etc. Lets hear more from the people that will really suffer those that live right next to the flight path and NOT the pampered darlings of the suburbs who will not experience as much plane noise as those living directly under the flight path. How many of you have the gas guzzlers you drive to these pointless demonstration get-togethers. GET REAL the 3rd runway will go-ahead. And lets see if once its built all the cause celebres are not hopping on the first plane out of the country from the new runway.........I don't think so
- Alot, Twickenham
I would immediately take against anything Emma Thompson stood for on principle. She's too smug.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
I think it can only be positive if influential humans can stir us all into supporting good causes. It encourages political debate over the issues that matter a great deal to great many people. That in a time of serious political apathy (lowest turnout ever in the 2001 General Election and 2nd lowest turnout in the 2005 General Election) can only be good.
- Joshua Burge, Egham, Surrey
The problem with celebrities is that they are ego led; consequently they will do anything to have their faces plastered across newspapers and television screens. Whilst I am happy for them to make a good living from acting and entertaining I have no interest and am unable to give any credence to any opinions that they might have.
- Casper Slides, France
