Joan has just emailed me to say that Richard’s Victoria Baths episode of “Restoration” came first and will receive the restoration money so that it will be saved from demolition. Richard himself wasn’t in the programme as he’s filming “Story Of An African Farm” in South Africa, but there was a lovely old lady of 80 who used to swim at the pool and she was thrilled to bits with the announcement. Richard’s episode won with 282,018 of the total votes. Charles, Prince of Wales also spoke in support of saving buildings.

Denise adds:

“Tonight was the final Restoration programme with 10 finalists, including
Victoria Baths. I confess to not tuning in for the start of programme (ironing and prefer a drama – actually watched film Kate and Leopold) however when film finished I turned over to see result.

Film updates on final buildings were being shown then return to ‘studio’ (actually an outdoors location at Tower of London complete with background noise of police sirens!). Thought I’d missed Richard as supporter and celeb were interviewed.

Finally lines were closed. Top three were Wentworth, Victoria Baths and something beginning with ‘L’. At this point supporter and celeb stepped forward and I realised Richard wasn’t present. Wentworth had third place. Winner was VICTORIA BATHS. The elderly lady supporter was gobsmacked but managed a few words of thanks to the two and a half million people who had voted and contributed to the restoration fund.”

So YAY for Richard and the Victoria Baths!

Got this from Richard today:

“Am currently in South Africa, two hours north of Cape Town filming the lead role in ‘Story Of An African Farm’, based on a 19th century novel of the same name by Olive Shreiner. I Play an Irish con-man called Bonaparte Blenkins, an all round lying, swindling, scallywag and seducer of large women.

Here until the end of October.

Spent last weekend in Swaziland with a skeleton crew filming the 35th Independence Celebrations and reed dance which will feature in ‘Wah-Wah’, which now begins shooting in April 2004. Busy with casting at the moment, and the opportunity to film the warriors and crowds at the 35th celebrations was a huge logistical “saving” as I won’t have to try and re-create it next year, but simply film the actor’s response to the event.

So my film has officially/unofficially begun, so very excited at the prospect of it all finally happening.

Hope this finds you well. Email contact can be a bit hit and miss out here in the sticks.
Chin chin
Richard”

So there you have it! More soonish.

What REG would look like if he was a doorknocker.

A Christmas postcard……But then that’s pretty self-explanatory.

Don’t stare for too long or your eyes will go goo-goo.

Calendar Pages

Magazine Covers

Collages

Other Stuff

Ananova.com – Wednesday 3rd September, 2003

Richard E. Grant is to star in a new cinema ad written by Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding for Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign.

Viewers are called upon to join the Big Noise, Oxfam’s global petition, which has already been signed by more than a million people.

For Grant, the Swaziland-born star of Posh Nosh, the Scarlet Pimpernel and Withnail and I, there were personal reasons for taking part in the ad:

He said: “Born and bred in Africa, I have a lifelong obsession and passion for the continent and its people.

“Anything that I can do to help alleviate the suffering and injustice there, is a way for me to give something back to a place that has given me so much.

“Africa has incredible potential – Africans just need a fair chance to make that potential work for them. Without a change in the world trade rules, they wouldn’t get that chance.”

The actors, director and crew from the Paul Weiland Film Company gave their time and skills for free to produce the one minute advert which will be initially shown in independent cinemas across the country.

The release of the ad is timed to put pressure on governments to end unfair trade at the meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Mexico which starts on September 10.

Grant and Fielding are the latest celebrities to add their support to the Make Trade Fair Campaign after the likes of Colin Firth, Minnie Driver, Kate Moss, Katherine Hamnett, Chris Martin, Bono and REM.

Make Trade Fair aims to change the rules of world trade so that they no longer disadvantage the world’s poorest people.

Story filed: 12:13 Wednesday 3rd September 2003.

I’ve uploaded the trailer for the new movie “Bright Young Things”, in which REG plays a cameo role. There are three “versions” of the same trailer – depending on how big you want the screen size to be. You can check it all out by clicking on the trailers link which can be found in the “Filmography” section.

I’ve also taken a couple of stills from the trailer (featuring REG of course) which you can find in the “Pictures” section of the website.