DAMIAN LEWIS has been hard at work on the follow-up to debut album Mission Creep.
And my insiders say the Homeland actor has joined forces once again with Guy Chambers — the man behind some of Robbie Williams’ biggest hits, including Angels, Millennium and Rock DJ — in a bid to nail down some belters.
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A source revealed: “Guy co-wrote Damian’s song The Night We Called It A Day, and the pair worked so well together that Damian wanted the Angels hitmaker back in the studio with him. Damian has loved swapping acting for singing and was delighted with the response to his debut record.
“His acting schedule is less hectic this year and so he has decided to get back in the studio.
“Damian worked so well with Guy on their previous track, so it was a no-brainer to get him involved again, especially considering he penned Robbie’s biggest hits.
“Damian is excited for people to hear what they come up with.”
READ MORE ON ROBBIE WILLIAMS
When the actor first revealed he was trying his hand at singing in 2023, he admitted he was nervous about the reaction he would get.
He said: “There is always a fear of impostor syndrome but, at the same time, I felt very relaxed.
“I think I was enjoying it so much, I didn’t stop to think whether I should or shouldn’t.
“Life is short — it took a pandemic for me to sit down and write some songs.”
But he added: “It’s important to say, I don’t expect to suddenly become Bruce Springsteen.
“I haven’t given up acting — I love it and I’ll continue to do it.
Damien Lewis leaves F1 fans stunned with ‘horrific’ rendition of national anthem
“But [music] does feel different, and I’m having tremendous fun doing it.”
His 12-track record Mission Creep got decent reviews when it came out in June 2023 and, with Guy on board, I don’t doubt this second album will fare just as well.
Until then, Damian’s fans can look forward to seeing him on screen in World War Two film, Pressure — about the 72 hours leading up to D-Day — alongside actors Brendan Fraser and Andrew Scott.
Damian is also starring in Jimmy Carr’s screenwriting debut Fackham Hall, which is a spoof comedy that takes the mick out of Downton Abbey.
Well, they do say variety is the spice of life . . .
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Jade is a Dream act
JADE’s fans are calling for her to play Radio 1’s Big Weekend main stage next year after she smashed her set in the new music tent.
The Angel Of My Dreams singer was on the line-up alongside the brilliant Flo, who packed out the venue in Liverpool, and Tate McRae who is on her Miss Possessive arena tour.
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It was Jade’s first big performance since she announced her debut album, That’s Showbiz Baby! which is out September 12.
The Big Weekend was a good warm-up for the Little Mix star, who will head out on her first solo tour this October.
Jade will play nine gigs across the country with her final show will taking place at London’s Roundhouse on October 19.
We love to see Jade rise and rise – and expect big things from her debut album.
Demi said yes in a Westwood dress
CONGRATULATIONS are in order for Demi Lovato, who got married on Sunday evening.
The American star tied the knot with fellow singer- songwriter Jordan “Jutes” Lutes, three years after meeting in a studio while working on her 2022 album Holy Fvck.
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She had a Vivienne Westwood dress designed especially for her for the occasion.
Demi, who got engaged in December 2023, said: “When I was thinking about [what dress style I wanted], I often found myself coming back to Vivienne’s designs, specifically how the silhouettes really compliment the curves in your body, and her use of corsets.”
The couple also had a wedding rehearsal on Saturday afternoon.
They followed Sunday’s ceremony in California with a reception, where Demi wore another ivory silk satin Vivienne Westwood dress.
From drink and drug addictions to the pitfalls of fame and life in the spotlight as a child star, Demi has certainly not had an easy ride.
But she looks healthier and happier than ever these days.
I’m thrilled to see things going well for her.
A terrific shout, Lu
SHE has a whopping ten Top Ten singles to her name, was married to Maurice Gibb from The Bee Gees, won Eurovision, had a fling with David Bowie and sang a Bond theme.
So there would be plenty of drama if British music legend Lulu made a biopic . . . and that might just be happening, with a massive Hollywood star playing the role.
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The Shout singer has revealed she is in talks to bring her life story to the big screen after she told The Sun last year that there were discussions about a potential career-spanning documentary.
In a new, exclusive chat, she told Bizarre: “The documentary might be a film about my life. It might be all sorts of things. There are several interested parties talking about how it should go.”
Her memoir, If Only You Knew, is out on September 25 so there will be even more stories to include in a movie.
She added: “I think the book has to come out first. I can’t commit to any more right now, but maybe. And who do I want to play me? I think Reese Witherspoon might be good.
“But one of my favourite actresses right now is Saoirse Ronan. Does she sing? I think she can do anything.”
It has been a decade since Lulu’s last album but she said fans shouldn’t get their hopes up for another any time soon.
She explained: “I haven’t been in the studio, but my brother and I have been writing. I’ve been writing with a couple of friends.”
With a book, film and her popular podcast on the go, I can’t blame her for leaving the studio alone.
CAUGHT LIVE: HURTS @ O2 Academy Brixton, London
★★★★☆
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HURTS may have been one man down, but you wouldn’t have known it by the adoring sell-out crowd.
The Manchester duo burst on to the scene in 2010 with their debut album Happiness and now lead singer Theo Hutchcraft is celebrating its 15th anniversary – although he’s without his bandmate Adam Anderson, who is taking time away from the group.
On stage, Theo said: “We are a man down, and no one misses Adam more than me tonight. He sends his love.”
But fans had waited seven long years to see Hurts perform in their home country and the show lived up to the hype.
Impeccably dressed as a hero on a victory lap, Theo looked to be in his element, flinging white roses into the audience while the dancers, string section and even an opera singer added the perfect amount of melodrama to the occasion.
A decade and a half on, there’s still plenty of love for Hurts.
JANET DAVENPORT
Kenny’s back in groove
SOUL singer Kenny Thomas is to bring out his first album in 15 years.
Kenny, whose Nineties hits include Thinking About Your Love and Best Of You, will release his new collection, Unstoppable, on August 8.
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Its lead single, If I Can’t Have You, is out today.
He will take the collection on tour next year – coinciding with the 35th anniversary of his debut album, Voices.
He will play Gateshead Glasshouse on March 19 before gigs in Manchester, London, Southend and Birmingham.
Of his new record, he said: “It’s some of my best work to date. I’m sure fans will enjoy it.
“They’ve been with me from the beginning and we now have my biggest-ever UK tour on sale – all because of them.
“We can’t wait to take these songs on the road as well as the hits that my fans expect.”
‘Expect some noise’
TO celebrate the release of their tenth album Antidepressants on September 5, Suede are taking over the Southbank Centre in London.
Of the shows also happening in September, Brett Anderson said: “Expect old songs, new songs, borrowed songs, blue songs, drama, melody, noise, sweat and a couple of surprises.”
Tickets are available now but are selling quickly, so act fast.
Si: Call the Mrs
HE famously doesn’t own a phone but Simon Cowell has made sure stars of the future can still contact him.
But his fiancee Lauren Silverman might not be best pleased about it, because the Britain’s Got Talent boss and music mogul admits he gives out her number and gets her to sift through the best singers.
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Simon, inset, who is inundated with people sending their audition tapes, said: “I say, ‘Here’s Lauren’s number’.
“She’ll say, ‘Simon, I’ve had these people leaving me all these messages today’.
“And I said, ‘Well, you will have to get back to them.’
“She actually does. She listens to the songs and sometimes gives feedback.”
If I were Lauren, I’d be asking for a raise.
Pete’s a top dog
PETE WICKS is cosying up to another special someone but it’s all for a good cause.
The Strictly star is backing Animal Free Research UK with their battle for Herbie’s Law, encouraging the Government to introduce a roadmap to end experiments on animals in medical research.
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He snuggled up to a beagle and was photographed by acclaimed snapper Rankin to help raise awareness about the number of animals, including dogs, still used in British laboratories.
Pete said: “I’m supporting Herbie’s Law because I believe in a brighter future, without animal testing.”
