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Weekly UpdatesByline: MIKE KELLY
I'VE never thought of former Newcastle United midfielder Rob Lee as a 'ladies man' but that's how I'm A Celebrity star David Gest described him.
Truth be told, it might come as news to Rob - not to mention his wife - as David can come up with not so much tall tales as skyscraper-sized whoppers. The unlikely pair are joining forces at the end of this month to host a gala dinner, party and jam session at Newcastle's Vermont Hotel in aid of the Variety Club Children's Charity.
According to David, it happened like this: "I was approached to host the dinner so I called my good friend Rob Lee.
"I said could 'you host it with me to raise money for children who need artificial limbs' and he said he'd be there."
As a consequence, we can expect a few football stars and some celebrities to turn up - although for the moment David will not say who.
When pressed about Alan Shearer attending - highly likely as he is Lee's best pal - he said: "Let's just say the invitation is in."
What isn't in doubt is that revellers will enjoy a musical treat and all the money raised will go to a very worthy cause.
A raft of Soul and Motown stars will be there, including Grammy-winning Dennis Edwards, original lead singer of the Temptations, Russell Thompkins Jr, singer of many of The Stylistics' hits, Jimmy Ruffin, Billy Paul, Percy Sledge and Deneice Williams who will sing a duet with, er, Joe Longthorne.
David explains: "They'll be singing Too Much Too Little Too Late and Joe will do the Johnny Mathis part."
In addition to the live entertainment, a number of items will be auctioned including a rare Michael Jackson cheque signed by the late singer and an original poster from the movie Cabaret signed by its star - and Gest's ex-wife - Liza Minnelli.
He is in his element as he speaks, cutting a very trim figure, both ears pierced and a shock of dyed burgundy hair.
David's stories include his unbelievable parentage in Vietnam - a single right-legged fisherman and a single leftlegged mother, who named him Hoppity before he was adopted by parents in California.
There'll be much more of this the day after the Vermont Hotel bash as his show David Gest... My Life! begins a nationwide tour at Newcastle's Journal Tyne Theatre on October 1. It features all the stars who will be appearing at the Vermont and the musical numbers are interspersed with stories of his life.
It will include the first public screening of an interview he did with Michael Jackson, a lifelong friend of his.
It was in December 2006 that Gest burst on to our TV screens in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.
Although he didn't end up King of the Jungle - the title was claimed by boyband singer Matt Willis - in publicity terms he was the clear winner.
Before he went on he was reviled by the Press, but by the time he left they were eating out of his hand, won over by his laconic charm, witty one-liners and courage in the bush tucker trials.
"I'm A Celebrity... changed my life," he admits. "I never expected to become a TV star.
"I thought I would have my four minutes of fame and that would be it. It has lasted three years. It seems to keep going.
"I'm doing the National Lottery for the BBC this weekend and I'm appearing on Bo Selecta and doing a Michael Jackson special. I don't stop working."
At 56, he has obviously had a new lease of life.
"I'm having a second childhood," he says. "I'm going through puberty again, which is why I've got red hair."
He says Willis will be coming to Newcastle to join him.
"He's like a father figure to me, even though he's 26. He's always telling me I'm too wild.
"He's become very conservative now he's got a baby girl. I might be wild but I'll die with a smile on my face. There's no better way to go."
For information on the Variety Club event at the Vermont on September 30, call (0191) 214 5959. Tickets are pounds 50.
Information and tickets for David Gest... My Life! are available from The Journal Tyne Theatre. There will be one performance on October 1 at 8pm and two on October 2 at 6.30pm and 9.30pm. Call 0844 493 4567.
CAPTION(S):
GREAT CHARM - David Gest
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