An end to the era of celebrity (part xx)?

I have blogged several times before about Gordon Brown's false promise regarding ending the era of celebrity; now I read on the BBC that

"Tony Blair was well known for inviting showbusiness figures to his country home Chequers - and it seems Gordon Brown is carrying on the tradition.

Film legend Lord Attenborough, Beatles producer Sir George Martin and Four Weddings and a Funeral writer Richard Curtis have visited in the past year.

Sir Alan Sugar - star of BBC One's The Apprentice - and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson also attended.

...

From the media world, Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, Sun editor Rebekah Wade and former Mirror boss Piers Morgan - now a TV talent show judge - visited.

Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard and novelist and historian Lady Antonia Fraser were entertained.

Retailers on the list include Sir Terence Conran - founder of the Habitat shop chain - Marks and Spencer boss Sir Stuart Rose and Tesco chief Sir Terry Leahy."

The BBC try to defend "their man" with these weasel words:

"While many of Mr Brown's guests are household names, there is not quite the celebrity focus of the list given for Mr Blair last year.

That included the likes of singer Charlotte Church, DJ Chris Evans, TV presenter Adrian Chiles and the then England football coach Steve McLaren."

However they then list the people invited to be brave and sup with Gordon Brown:

"Among the more famous guests invited by Mr Brown were:


ROYALTY

Duke of York

SHOWBUSINESS

Sir Alan Sugar, child psychologist Tanya Byron, screenwriter Richard Curtis, presenter Emma Freud, chief executive of Royal Opera House Tony Hall, Beatles producer Sir George Martin, playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, Lord Attenborough

AUTHORS

Kathy Lette, Richard North Patterson

OTHER CELEBRITIES

Designer Sir Terence Conran, architect Lord Foster, historian Lady Antonia Fraser, former Mirror editor, writer and TV judge Piers Morgan, architect Lord Rogers"

Hmm I do wonder at some of those names.


The first time I blogged about Gordon Brown ending the era of celebrity was this from May 2007 when I wondered

"wasn't it GB who was first politician to comment on the earth shattering Shilpa Shetty affair? Wasn't it also GB who had "secret" drinks with that political guru Kylie Minogue. I presume he wanted to keep that meeting secret and that it was leaked to the Sun by a political enemy, maybe not... Maybe he has always admired Kylie's musical ability and shapely bottom. Maybe he admires "Kylie Minogue, the pop sex goddess of the moment, hip chick, gay icon, and a fair old belter out of a dance tune" (David Lister, Independent, 23.02.02), I wonder why? I am sure that the lunch had a serious purpose, who else attended? Stephen Fry, one of my favourite comics and I am sure one of GB's as well."

. The next time was later that same month when I blogged

"the person who awarded the Greatest Businessman prize to Innocent Smoothies was Gordon Brown. I am sure he had a very good reason for being there but I doubt if it helped show he is serious about ending the era of celebrity. You can read more about the awards presented here or you could just luxuriate in the natural warmth of Gordon Brown's smile"

The next time was in November when I blogged about Gordon Brown's incredible Countdown birthday message. The next time was when I blogged about Gordon Brown's possible job offer to GMTV's Fiona Phillips - completely unconnected with his love of appearing on the GMTV sofa for a long hard interview.