Celebcity: Eddie Izzard at the Labour Confrence in Brighton

Eddie Izzard speaks out, Este’s ‘bass face’, & a darker side to artist Eelus is revealed at Ink_d

Campaign style
Our favourite attendee at the recent Labour conference in Brighton had to be Eddie Izzard, (well-manicured) hands down. Eddie was spotted during conference week strolling along Brighton seafront wearing lipstick and high-heels, clearly comfortable back in the county he grew up in! The self proclaimed ‘executive transvestite’, hilarious comic and marathon man is a life-long Labour supporter and took to the stage at the conference to discuss the abuse he has suffered as a cross-dresser, including an assault which took place in London’s Leicester Square. Izzard pointed to the assaults as the deciding factor in his decision to pursue the title of Labour Mayor of London, and explained: “I think people should be able to live their lives freely.

I want people to realise they can be different. I want to raise awareness, to help people accept it’s okay to do what you want – and me getting into a position like that will help.”

Is there no end to this man’s drive? Of course our funny-man won’t actually be able to fight an election until 2020 – but if he makes it as a possible candidate, we just know he’ll be the most glamorous!

The Wanted’s hairy moment!
So The Wanted caused a stir at the recent SD2 Festival in Stanmer Park by, um, giving away a sock full of singer Jay McGuiness’ hair. Not particularly known for his curls – unlike, say a certain Harry Styles (not that we’re fuelling the band rivalry…) – it was still apparently such a big deal that McGuinness had his locks (half) shaved off, that bandmate Max George took to saving them. SD2 Festival then saw the band lob the sock into a crowd of screaming girls, one of which was lucky enough to bat them all off for the follicular prize. She was so enthralled by the gift that she later took to Twitter to assure the boys it had gone to a good home. Hurrah for Jay’s hair!

Presidential horror show
We’re excited to be working on the up-coming Eelus show at Ink_d Gallery, which opens next week. Wigan born Eelus entered the world of street art after moving to London in 2000. He was almost instantly snatched up by master printmakers Pictures On Walls after street legend Eine noticed his work on the grimy walls of East London. Eine, whose work was famously given to Obama as a gift from David Cameron, certainly knows a thing or two about art, and Eelus’ show is set to be amazing.

For his first solo show in his new home town, Eelus has decided to step away from the child friendly, rainbow like images he’s had so much success with over the last couple of years and return to his darker roots. ‘Horrorshow’ will feature a brand new body of work made from hand-cut paper that focuses entirely on his number one love of horror imagery from the silver-screen, pulp comics and classic literature. The Halloween show encourages horror fancy dress for its opening night (17 October) and there may be a little gruesome gift for all those who make the effort – so please let us know if you want to pop along! For more info on the show visit www.ink-d.co.uk
Bass Face
The most famous ‘bass face’ in history – that of Haim’s guitarist Este – saw somewhat of a birth here in Brighton according to the band’s recent interview with Spin Magazine. Este, who has attracted attention, parody Twitter accounts and even Facebook pages due to the facial gymnastics she employs whilst rocking out with her sisters, has become nothing short of an internet sensation. The recent interview saw drummer ‘Dash’ relay his defining moment with the much lauded ‘bass face’ at Brighton’s pioneering Great Escape Festival.

Dash recalled: “We were downstairs in a sweaty room somewhere in Brighton and I looked over at Este and she was just like a wild woman.

I had this moment and was like, ‘holy s***, this is the band I want to play with, this is the bass player, she is more ferocious than any of the dudes I’ve ever played with’.” We’re not surprised that Great Escape has birthed another musical phenomenon – with the likes of Adele and Disclosure debuting at the festival in past years – but this creation is one we’re particularly intrigued by…

Jo Brooks is director of Brighton-based PR company JBPR Ltd, 01273 622555, www.jb-pr.com
Send celebrity spots, gossip and pictures to job@jb-pr.com
Follow me: latestcelebcity

Have you spotted a celeb in the city? comment@thelatest.co.uk