David Gest Set to Host The Friday Night Project on 10 August 2007 and Announces National Tour for 2008

David Gest Set to Host The Friday Night Project on 10 August 2007 and Announces National Tour for 2008

LONDON, July 18/PRNewswire/ -- David Gest will host Channel 4's The Friday Night Project starring Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins on 10 August 2007 and embark on his first major UK comedy tour in February 2008.

The tour will begin on 21 February at the Manchester Apollo and continue through to March (please see below for full tour dates). Gest will be touring with his own band and special musical guests as well as all the characters from David's fabulous stories in the jungle when he appeared on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The show will be a magical, unique and wild musical extravaganza. Gest will give fans a sneak preview of the tour when he exclusively performs a number from the show on The Friday Night Project next month, with ten little people from DavidLand. This will be Gest's first appearance on another TV network since the mutually agreed release from his ITV contract.

According to Gest: "With all due respect to ITV's Director of Television Simon Shaps, contrary to his recent comments reported online and in other newspapers, I never asked to have my one year deal with the broadcaster renewed. In fact, quite the opposite, my lawyers, Sheridans, negotiated an early release so I could host The Friday Night Project on Channel 4. Due to the confidentiality of the ITV contract, I cannot discuss terms but I am able to reply to any comments Mr. Shaps or ITV make."

ITV1's This Is David Gest was number one ratings and audience share winner for two weeks in its 10.15pm time slot. It continued to perform extremely well and was number two in the ratings for three weeks - a further incredible feat since BBC1 put him against their big sporting events after the success of the first two shows. Heat magazine called it 'The best celebrity reality TV show since The Osbournes'. According to his publicist Neil Reading, Gest has been besieged with offers from other networks and production companies who "want to match his talent with ideas" and they do "have many ideas for him." This is in response to Mr. Shaps' comment that ITV didn't.

Gest added: "I wouldn't rule out working with Mr. Shaps in the future, but feel for him as he is going through such a crucial time right now. I truly hope that Mr. Shaps was not trying to be misleading to the public or spilling sour grapes when he insinuated my show was not being picked up or that I was axed after I already told ITV I did not want to do another season in order to pursue other opportunities and work with other networks. I am honored ITV and I had such a successful run. The ratings speak for themselves! I really believe that BBC Director General Mark Thompson has the right idea in his comments that 'originality is what a top-rated station needs.' I will be announcing my new television plans in the coming weeks and hope to continue showing that originality!"

According to the tour producers Jaine Brent and Albert Samuel: "We are thrilled to be coordinating David's tour with 3a Entertainment Limited. We feel the reaction to David wherever he goes is amazing. One has to see it, he is constantly mobbed by the public.

Ever since his appearance on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, the great British public have taken him to their hearts. David has become one of the greatest characters and personalities of 2007. His stage show will be one of the most lavish spectacles ever put together. He's a real showman. Expect magic, fireworks and a lot of stories that will have the audience in stitches! This is going to be something quite unique and different."

          David Gest - UK Tour Dates      21st February     Manchester Apollo     22nd February     Liverpool Philharmonic     23rd February     Newcastle City Hall     25th February     Glasgow Clyde Auditorium     26th February     Sheffield City Hall     27th February     Birmingham Symphony Hall     29th February     Bournemouth International Centre     1st March         Brighton Centre     2nd March         Cardiff International Arena     4th March         Bristol Colston Hall     5th March         Cambridge Corn Exchange     6th March         London Hammersmith Apollo     7th March         Plymouth Pavilion      Additional Dates To Be Announced  

Source: Neil Reading PR

Further information:Caroline Cabral / Neil Reading, +44-(0)20-7287-7711, caroline@neilreadingpr.com, neil@neilreadingpr.com

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Profile: International Entertainment