Celebcity with Jo Brooks: Jo Brooks looks back at the local celeb stories that made the headlines in 2011

That ’s so last year
2011 was a non-stop year for Brighton’s celebresidents, new and old. Arguably last year’s most controversial star hailed from our very own Woodingdean: Mr Frankie Cocozza, X Factor bad boy and local lothario.
Not content with stirring up problems on-stage each week – with his husky voiced renditions of indie-pop songs – Longhill High School’s Frankie was splashed all over the papers’ front pages for his party antics and womanising ways. The Brightonian finally dropped out of The X Factor competition among allegations of drug use, of which he had reportedly boasted about to the show’s production team. Cue pages and pages of kiss and tells and people berating or defending Frankie all over the press. Frankie’s house in Woodingdean was soon flanked by hordes of photographers, and by the looks of his end of year frolics (gate crashing The X Factor closing party) this is hardly the last we will see of our bad boy resident!

Thank you for the music
Brighton’s X Factor connections didn’t end there though. Lucky for us we could catch the latest evictee from the competition at Revenge each Friday, and they sure put on a show. Sadly, our fave Misha B had to cancel due to illness, so look out for her rescheduled gig coming up this year. Having been championed by none other than the queen of hip-hop, Missy Elliot, and rumoured to be first choice for the leading role in the new West End production of The Bodyguard, we reckon Misha B is an act not to be missed.
Our reputation as a city of music and parties remained un-shaken by 2011’s stellar line-ups of celebrity events. What with the likes of Example and Ed Sheeran taking over Stanmer park for September’s Shakdedown Festival
and Alexandra Burke working the stage for our first ticketed Pride event, Brighton was the place to be throughout the summer. Local veteran rockers The Ordinary Boys also reunited for a farewell tour at the end of the year, proving that the band could still tear down venues across the country.

Keep us smiling
We had our fair share of celeb comedians gracing Brighton in 2011
– keeping a smile on our faces, despite the daily doom and gloom! What with Lee Evans and our own Steve Coogan (appearing as the inimitable Alan Partridge) conducting book signings in town, and stars such as Stephen Merchant and Eddie Izzard playing sell-out shows, Brighton sure had its funny-bone tickled in 2011.

Another wedding for Katie Price?
And we had a smattering of local gossip from the usual subjects as well, with Peter Andre opening a new coffee shop and Katie Price finding a tracking device underneath her bright pink car! With rumours of reconciliation on the cards for the estranged husband and wife, will 2012 see another Brighton celeb wedding!? With our girl Katie, you never can guess! So look out for our column this year to keep up to date with all of Brighton’s celeb news and the latest city gossip, including great upcoming celeb events such as Fatboy Slim’s Big Beach Bootique 5, Brighton Pride and the opening of Brighton fave Gresham Blake’s new London store. Happy New Year from us all at JBPR!

Setting an example
In the JBPR office hit parade, there is only one artist that is constantly top of our pops – and that is Example. While our Emma regularly declares her undying love for the Fulham rapmeister/singer, Clare is always adamant that she is all about the music and is definitely not an Example groupie. Well, last week we learned the truth, when Clare spotted him in The Lanes. Not only did she scream at him – like a teenager at a Justin Bieber PA – she also chased him down North Street until he gave her the slip on New Road… (she’d like to apologise to him officially via CelebCity and promises never to repeat the episode) Needless to say, when he played the Brighton Centre last month, the JBPR massive was out in force to represent and the boy did not disappoint with a set that literally blew the roof off the venue. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket for his forthcoming 2012 arena tour… Clare and Emma will see you in the mosh pit.