APPRENTICE STAR ATTENDS FRANK MCAVENNIE BASH

Beverley Lyons 
APPRENTICE Star Thomas Skinner has become such a fan favourite that he now has his own Showbiz manager and publicist. 
Pillow company boss Thomas, 28, who has impressed with his wheeling and dealing and hands-on cheeky chappy attitude thoughout the show with Lord Alan Sugar is now just weeks away from a potential victory. 
He has currently made the final eight following Ryan-Mark Parsons departure last week and he is high up on the bookies list to win alongside Lewis Ellis, Pamela Laird, Marianne Rawlins, Carina Lenore, Lottie Lion, Scarlett Allen-Horton, and Dean Ahmad. 
Last week, fans raved that Thomas was noble and chivalrous following his demands to be brought back into the boardroom to save his teammate. 
We can now reveal that Thomas, who had a paper round at 12 and used to work on market stalls from the age of 16, has been snapped up by Showbiz agency CAN who represent celebrities including Peter Andre, Rachel Hunter, Amy Childs, Dan Osbourne and Gary Lucy. 
A spokesperson for CAN confirmed: “The CAN Group are now representing Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner. The 28 year old is part of the current 2019 series of the hit BBC TV show and is also owner of his own business, The Fluffy Pillow Company. Tom’s hobbies include boxing, golf and fitness, has a passion for fashion and relishes the challenge of being an entrepreneur. He is now available for opportunities.”
Thomas is currently keeping tight lipped about the future of his role in the programme. 
The businessman who claims that he like boxing, rugby, beer and West Ham in his Twitter profile, was spotted enjoying a special anniversary interview  with Frank McAvennie at the weekend in the famous grounds in East London. 
Thomas didn’t demand any special treatment as he turned up to support Frank, who turned sixty, at the interview ahead of the match. 
Singer Debi Ronain who was a guest of Franks at the stadium said: “We couldn’t believe it when we saw Thomas at the match. He was like a normal punter mingling with everyone. He told us he absolutely loves Frank. We kept asking him about Snotty Lotty but he just laughed off our comments. He couldn’t tell is if he’d won or not but was very polite and took time to have his photos taken. He’s also shared on his socials the song we wrote starring Frank McAvennie called Funtime Frankie. I think he was driving so he wasn’t even drinking at the match. He was such a nice guy.”

JAMES MCAVOY PROVES TO BE A REAL SWEETIE IN NEW SHOW

Beverley Lyons

X Men’s James McAvoy got rave reviews for his dress rehearsal of Cyrano de Bergerac - after letting the audience pay with sweeties - and going topless. 

The Hollywood A lister decided to invite people to London's Playhouse theatre ahead of the official opening night to make theatre accessible to everyone. 

He told fans ahead of the show: “We are doing an open dress rehearsal. That means that even though we are rehearsing, Anybody and everybody come can come. That means you can pay whatever you like 1p or 1000p. You can pay in sweets or anything you like really. We’re pretty excited.  It’s pretty unprecedented in the West end.”
As he also gave out Haribo from a box to some of the theatre goers outside in the queue, James said: ”Hope you enjoy the show. This is a dress rehearsal. Be kind.” 

The stage production was stark with few props but the rhyme and performances got thumbs up from the fans ahead of the official previews. 

The fact that James also performed shirtless in just a pair of leather trousers also got rave reviews. 

Paige Oblong Ellìot wrote: “Other plays may be good but are they James McAvoy in leather pants sitting in front of you shirtless with leather pants on? I thought not.”

Abha T was one of the punters who took advantage of the offer and paid £12 for tickets that would normally cost £119. 

She said: “The show was fantastic. The cast was incredible.”

Scottish actor Max McVey also said of the performance: “Amazing performances by all! Had me in tears by the end of it. Fantastic first half. Couldn’t help but laugh. On the edge of my seat the whole time. And such wonderful use of rhyme.” 

Another lucky ticket holder Sylwia added: “The show was outstanding.”
And Mira Vasiliu wrote on Twitter: “Just saw Cyrano de Bergerac  at @ThePlayhouseLDN and now I don’t know what to do with myself. How do you return to your life after seeing something like that?? #cyranodebergerac #JamesMcAvoy #theatre #London.”

SIMPLE MINDS & TOM WALKER HOMECOMING AT SCOTTISH MUSIC AWARDS

Beverley Lyons 
SIMPLE Minds celebrated their homecoming as they picked up an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music at The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. 
Jim Kerr and Charlie Birchill joined Brit award winner Tom Walker, The Incredible String Band, Be Charlotte,  Twin Atlantic, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Joesef on the red carpet at Glasgow’s Fruitmarket to raise awareness for Nordoff Robins music therapy charity. 
And Jim reminisced: “This is a mile from where we were born. We’ve been working on new songs and it’s a nice homecoming.”
Referring to the passing of his father, he added: “Unfortunately I’ve got no family here tonight but they will definitely be here in spirit.”

Mike Heron accepted the Living Legend award for the Incredible String Band in a neck brace, revealing that he had fallen down the stairs at home.
He said: “In the late 60s Bob Dylan had an accident on his motorbike and damaged a couple of bits of his neck and I had the same thing but it was falling downstairs in my house. It was hard to play guitar but I can do it again now.”

Brit award winner Tom Walker who picked up a gong for Best Album made it a family affair. He said: “It’s lovely to be back. I remember coming here two years ago and I was so frightened doing the red carpet.  I have my granny, my mum, my dad, three uncles, my auntie here tonight. I’m not wearing a kilt because it’s too itchy.”
Other award winners who sent Thankyou s included Best UK Artist Liam Gallagher and Song Writing Award winner Lewis Capaldi.