??? Looking For A Celebrity ?????

             As CIE is primarily concerned with the support and care of those working in the entertainment industry, we do not act as an agency.

However we realise that some performers enjoy using their gifts of communication for church-based events.

Here are some suggestions of shows and celebrities who are sometimes available for special events......

 

 

Comedy in Church....!

...whatever next?

 “100 laughs a day

gives you as much beneficial exercise

as 10 minutes of rowing”

Dr.Wlliam Fry-Stanford Medical School

 

STOP PRESS....

`Rock Around the Church`

with

Cannon & Ball

Limited dates now available

to host this show in

Spring 2008

 

An Evening with...

Syd Little

Syd Little is one half of top comedy act `Little & Large`. The recipients of numerous awards for their TV, Club and theatre performances throughout the country, including their own BBC TV show which ran for fourteen years, Little & Large are established as one of Britain’s finest double acts, and recently celebrated 40 years together in showbusiness.

 

Alongside Little & Large, Syd Little is enjoying a successful solo career, and is in constant demand for the Thomson Gold and P&O Cruise circuits, alongside his summer seasons, tours, TV appearances and Pantomimes at numerous venues across the UK.

In 1995 Syd`s eldest son Paul died of a drug overdose whilst his daughter was left for dead after being seriously attacked by an enraged boyfriend. It was at the Grand Theatre in 1996, during the run of the Cannon & Ball Show, that Syd made a new discovery. “Christians in Entertainment` had invited several comics appearing in Blackpool to a comedian’s Bible study backstage in Bobby Ball’s dressing room,” explains Syd. “I was pleased to join them, and we had a great time discovering how relevant God is to our everyday lives. It was here that I formally asked God into my life. I have always been a churchgoer and believed in God, but before it didn’t have much to do with the reality of my life, and all the difficulties I faced. Now I know that whatever happens, God is with me, and helps me through.”

In conjunction with his first autobiography Syd embarked on a unique tour of Churches throughout 1999, which proved to be so popular that he has made space in his professional diary to do so every year since. In An Evening with Syd Little, Syd gives a hilarious and musical account of life in showbiz and entertainer Chris Gidney from Christians in Entertainment interviews Syd about his life and Christian faith.

Syd`s new autobiography Little by Little was published in November 2004 and his comedy book A Little Heavenly Humour remains a best-seller. Further details of Syd`s availability for his Gospel evenings from: Chris Gidney chris@cieweb.org.uk 0208 651 9565 or

Nick Page - Shorehill Arts:  nickpage@shorehillarts.co.uk

 

 

For details of Syd`s availability: mailto:nickpage@cnet.org

or

http://www.shorehillarts.co.uk

Syds Biography is just a click away!

                                 

   

 

“People who regularly exercise their face Muscles can expect to delay middle aged sagging for at least ten years”

Eva Fraser-The Facial workout studio

Wendy Craig

       

 Britain's best loved actress in conversation

 about her life her work and her faith

Wendy Craig has a long and distinguished career in television, theatre and film and it’s easy to see why. Remembering such television classics as Not in Front Of the Children, And Mother Makes Three as well as the much acclaimed Butterflies; Wendy Craig is still everybody’s favourite Mum. These hilarious series are re-running on television for a new generation to enjoy whilst Wendy treats us to her current role as the matriarchal matron in The Royal, now in its sixth series for ITV. Wendy’s stage appearances stretch from the Royal Shakespeare Company to London’s West-End and back again.

Her professional biography is very extensive, and the list of her awards illustrates the love and esteem in which she is held. She has been voted BAFTA's TV Actress of the Year, BBC Personality of the Year, BBC TV’s Woman of the Year and The Funniest Woman on Television three times running.

Wendy`s latest book, Show Me the Way published by Hodder & Stoughton is based on one of the songs that Wendy found emerging from within her during a time of spiritual reflection.  It was a particularly difficult period of her life and the lyrics of the song that came to her are a clear and concise request for guidance, re-assurance, healing and love; essentials that Wendy says she needs on a daily basis in an unsteady and often confusing world.

Wendy Craig – Show Me The Way is a light-hearted event lasting about an hour and will feature some of the best stories, poems and prayers from her book. Chris Gidney from Christians in Entertainment interviews Wendy and discovers how her childhood faith dissolved when fame and the demands of show business led her away from God. Then, later in life, an emptiness and loneliness led her to a spiritual experience that took her back to a Christian faith that Wendy describes as “…a never-ending resource for my life today.”

For details of Wendy's availability: mailto:nickpage@cnet.org

More Tea Vicar?

An Evening with

Dad's Army Vicar

Frank Williams

He’s one of the best-known faces in the most popular classic comedy television series ever made, and yet the `vicar` in real life has a strong Christian faith and a lifelong commitment to the church.

Even after twenty years, the BBC`s Dad’s Army continues to regularly pull in millions of viewers for each repeated episode. Video, Audio tapes and books about the series are best sellers, and the programme successfully bridged the generation gap like no other. Dads Army became a very successful feature film and a popular stage musical enjoying a triumphant run in London’s West-End and on its national tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The originators of the series, David Croft and Jimmy Perry, chose Frank Williams to create the role of the wonderfully eccentric vicar who was always slightly tetchy as he tried to come to terms with the elderly platoon’s invasion of his beloved church hall.

 Frank was perfectly cast in Dad`s Army and enjoyed its long run. However, Frank has spent a lifetime in the world of entertainment and appeared in many other highly successful productions including Granada Televisions `The Army Game` and as the Bishop in the BBC`s`You Rang Ma` Lord? `. Appearances in plays, pantomimes, and over thirty films have seen him work with some of the world’s leading star names. Several of his own plays have been produced to date.

Despite his instant recognition in public, he remains a very private man, and his Christian faith is his bedrock. Frank tells the story of his life in his autobiography, Vicar to Dad’s Army, published by Canterbury Press in October 2002, and reprinted in paperback in October 2003.

In An Evening with Frank Williams Chris Gidney from Christians in Entertainment interviews Frank who gives his audience a unique view of an actor’s life and a behind the scenes glimpse of the legendary series, alongside his personal journey of faith. This could be made even more of a special evening by introducing a WWII Theme to the evening.

It’s a light-hearted evening of fun that lasts just over an hour and is ideal for churches to use as a special event.

For details of Frank's availability: mailto:nickpage@cnet.org

or

http://www.shorehillarts.co.uk

 

“Laughter increases production of imunoglobulins,

antibodies which boost the immune system”

Robert Holden-founder of first NHS Laughter Clinic

 

 

An hilarious Evening

with

Jimmy Cricket

When Sutton Coldfeild Baptist Church had Jimmy Cricket at a recent evening, the organiser Malcolm Flanagan wrote afterwards to say "There is only one complaintfrom a lady who had "very sore ribs" from too much laughter after the evening!  We reckon 250 were totally new, never seen before in the Centre, in fact  I sat next to a man and his adult daughter in this morning's service who first came through seeing Jimmy advertised on BBC Local Radio, and both are now signing up for Alpha.” 

 

With his special brand of family humour, Jimmy has enjoyed great success on stage, TV and Radio, over many years. Having produced and written many of his own shows, Jimmy is famed for his catchphrase, `And there’s more`. However there really is more to Jimmy than meets the eye.

 

            

Jimmy Cricket having fun in church and being interviewed by Chris Gidney

 

Jimmy was born into a large Irish family, with four brothers and one sister. His father was an undertaker by trade. Most people felt that the whole family must have been extremely miserable at home, because of their father’s trade. But Jimmy remembers that it was completely the opposite. Their father had a wonderful sense of humour and the house was always filled with laughter.  Their house was also filled with the reality of God. Very much a God fearing family, they would attend church each Sunday on a regular basis, and Jimmy realises that this is where his faith first took root.

 

In An Evening with Jimmy Cricket, Jimmy relishes the opportunity to spend the first thirty minutes raising the laughter gauge as high as he can, “There are enough long faces in the world, and I don’t plan to become one of them!” he says.

 

Chris Gidney from Christians in Entertainment then spends time finding out how God and laughter fit together in Jimmy’s professional and personal life.

It’s an ideal, light-hearted evening of fun that will get them rolling in the isles, but with a very special message of God’s love and special laughter medicine right at its heart.

 

For details of Jimmy's availability: mailto:nickpage@cnet.org

or

http://www.shorehillarts.co.uk

 

“Regular laughter permanently lowers your heart rate

and blood pressure”

Dr.Annette Goodheart-lndependent Laughter Therapist

 

“ROCK AROUND THE CHURCH!”

 with

CANNON & BALL

& Supporting Cast!

 

2008 Dates

There are some dates still available to host this event

in your church or local venue

 

Request further details here

 

Pictures from the Wings

 Britain’s Kings of Comedy are about to embark on yet another Gospel Tour set to take the UK`s Church community by storm. Squeezed in between the usual round of commercial appearances, Pantomimes, cruises, and summer season, top double act Tommy Cannon & Bobby Ball are hitting the road again, with another all new, unique show.

 “Rock Around The Church!” gives the pair an opportunity to laugh, sing and chat their way through an evening which gives a rare insight into life and faith in the world of showbusiness. “We want people to know that its not  boring being a Christian, in fact its great!” explains Bobby “We also want to people to know that God does care, that he can fill the gaps in your life and make a difference without you having to become a Monk or something!”

 

The show will also feature their special guest star,

Syd Little and a full supporting cast and will be touring the UK in May 2005.

 

Contact chris@cieweb.org.uk if you would like to be considered as a host for this.

The tour will be administrated and produced through Nick Page at Shorehill Arts, and is devised and directed by Chris Gidney from Christians in Entertainment.

Bobby Ball

Having enjoyed 35 years as one of the country’s best loved double acts, Bobby & Tommy’s Christian faith has been the a  nchor in their lives, and this has sparked the popular Cannon & Ball Gospel shows enjoyed by thousands. Now, their new autobiography `Rock on Tommy`, gives each member of the famous duo a chance to tell their own individual story of the way in which they took the world by storm, and the devastating effect it had on their private lives.

·          

As part of Bobby`s unique gifts of communication, he is pleased to make some dates available for his preaching activities. Why not invite Bobby to a special morning or evening guest service? Its guaranteed to raise some spiritual eyebrows!

For further details: mailto:bobby_ball@hotmail.com

 

Tommy Cannon

 

Tommy’s Christian faith has been the anchor in his life for the past eight years, and this has sparked the popular Cannon & Ball Gospel shows enjoyed by thousands. Their new autobiography `Rock on Tommy`, gives each member of the famous duo a chance to tell their own individual story of the way in which they took the world by storm, and the devastating effect it had on their private lives.

 

Co-inciding with the release of their book, Tommy Cannon is making certain dates available in order to talk about his own life and faith in one of the world’s most glamorous yet deadly professions. In a light-hearted, intimate evening surrounded with great laughter and outstanding song, Tommy talks openly to Chris Gidney about his struggles, his fame and his Christianity.

 

For details of Tommy's availability: mailto:nickpage@cnet.org

or

http://www.shorehillarts.co.uk

 

For showbiz testimonies you can use

copyright free in your magazine...

Click here

 

Don Maclean

Don is in constant demand for his talents as a comedian and television presenter, and is of course remembered as the BBC`s most famous host for `Crackerjack`. Don continues to present ‘Good Morning Sunday’ live on Radio 2 every Sunday morning as he has done for the past nine years. It’s a mixture of music and interviews with a religious theme for Sunday listening, and is the most listened to radio show in Great Britain on a Sunday, regularly attracting an audience of two million listeners. Don himself is a ‘cradle church goer’ having been the only child of a very devout mother and a father who was a member of their Church of Barrow – he only went when pushed!

 

Don`s recently published autobiography has become a popular seller

as has his book `Closer to Heaven`.

For details of Don`s availability:

 mailto:nickpage@cnet.org

or

http://www.shorehillarts.co.uk

Charlie is a comedy impressionist who is always in popular demand to appear at the top hotels and corporate venues throughout the UK.
Charlie has been a professional entertainer for many years and during that time he has appeared on approximately thirty major television shows and has broadcast on as many radio programmes.
At the turn of the century there was also a turn in Charlie's life, as one day he came under tremendous conviction to come clean with God to repent fully and instead of trying to compromise he started going God's way instead of his own way.
He became God seeking instead of pleasure seeking, God centered instead of self-centered.
In Charlie’s own words he could never go back to the old life, and what is more God is using him in a unique way.
Audiences now congratulate him on his clean performance and he is able to witness to them saying that it is through the love, the joy, and the peace of having Jesus in his life that all things are possible.

For bookings: www.charliehale.co.uk

Dora Bryan (OBE)

After a lifetime in show business, Dora’s performances across the entire spectrum of show business continue to sparkle. From her recent appearances in the BBC classic comedy `Last of the Summer Wine` to her extensive theatre shows, Pantomimes, plays and cruises, Dora Bryan has earnt the right to be called one of the country’s favourite actresses.

 

Her faith is no secret either, and her autobiography `According to Dora` traces the story of her life from tragedy to a realisation that God had a personal interest in her. Now she shares elements of her life and work in show business with a combination of laughter and song, and is interviewed by Chris Gidney from Christians in Entertainment, about the way her Christian faith makes a difference.

For details of Dora`s availability: mailto:nickpage@cnet.org

or

http://www.shorehillarts.co.uk

 

Peter & Norma Goodwright

In his crowded career, Peter has tackled most aspects of showbusiness. Over the past thirty years, his work in broadcasting and television has been prolific, with cabaret, after dinner speaking and stage performances taking him all over the world. With his own radio and TV series Peter has also been a guest on most major TV variety shows and appeared at many of the country`s most famous venues like the Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium.

 

 Peter has enjoyed starring in numerous summer seasons and pantomimes, as well as the `legit` side of the business in such productions as Shakespeare`s Twelfth Night, and the international debut of the musical `The Great big radio Show`. His comedies include the record breaking Ray Cooney farce `Run for your Wife` and recent radio series include `Jimmy`s Cricket Team` as well as his own radio series `Peter Goodwright`s Radio Times`, for the BBC. Peter has been honoured to appear in several gala shows for the Royal Family, and is a member of the world famous Grand Order of Water Rats.

 

When Peter and Norma met, Norma was a dancer. She now works within the Anglican church as a Reader and Pastoral Assistant. They firmly believe that church and worship should be joyful and not dreary. As committed christians they love to explore the comic side of life as church-goers, and have many anecdotes about life alongside famous celebrities and personalities in showbusiness. 

There is a real challenge to check out the claims of the Christian faith for yourself, as Peter and Norma talk about how their own walk with God has been the turning point, as well as the foundation stone, of their lives.

 

For details of Peter and Norma`s availability: mailto:nickpage@cnet.org

or

http://www.shorehillarts.co.uk

Steve Legg

Escapologist, Steve Legg ties himself up in knots when he tells people about God!

His daredevil escapes have taken him around the world and was the first man to escape from a regulation straight jacket, six times in under two minutes.

For details of Steve's availability contact him on 07966-484754 or http://www.breakout.org.uk

BRIAN RICE...

"When I saw Brian Rice perform live, I laughed so hard I had to spend several days in an iron lung just to recover. "
Roger Sutton, Chairman, Reaching The Unchurched Network

www.brianrice.info

Paul Jones & Fiona Hendley

 

This husband and wife team comprises two of the best known names in entertainment. Paul's distinguished career includes being lead singer with Manfred Mann and the Blues Band; whilst Fiona is an accomplished actor and singer who's collection of gold discs rivals Paul's!

In their presentation they perform a varied selection of songs and talk about the importance of their faith both on and off stage.

For details of Paul & Fiona's availability: mailto:nickpage@cnet.org

or

http://www.shorehillarts.co.uk

For showbiz testimonies you can use

copyright free in your magazine...

Click here