‘I would be a hypocrite’: Bob Geldof to return his Freedom of Dublin

Nov 13, 2017

Bob Geldof is to hand back his Freedom of the City of Dublin this morning, in protest of the Myamnar leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who also holds the same honour.

The musician and social activist has said he does not wish to be associated with the Burmese politician who has been criticised for her silence over her country's treatment of its Rohingya minority, with the UN describing it as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.”

Speaking about his decision to forfeit the honour, Geldof said: “Her association with our city shames us all and we should have no truck with it, even by default. We honoured her, now she appals and shames us.”

Suu Kyi was awarded the Freedom on the City in 1999, six years before the Boomtown Rats frontman.

“It is with deep sadness and great regret that I feel obliged to return to Dublin City Council the great honour bestowed upon me of the Freedom of the City of Dublin,” he continued.

“I am a very proud Dubliner but cannot in all conscience continue to be one of the honoured few to have received this great tribute whilst Aung San Suu Kyi remains amongst that number.”

Adding: “I would be a hypocrite now were I to share honours with one who has become at best an accomplice to murder, complicit in ethnic cleansing and a handmaiden to genocide.”

Over half a million Rogingya Muslims have fled from Rakhine state in western Myanmar into neighbouring Bangladesh since August.

The Myanmar leader is to be stripped of the Freedom on the City of Oxford in the coming weeks and Geldof has confirmed that he would be happy have it restored should the Freedom of Dublin also be stripped from Suu Kyi.

‘Biggest since Lady Di…’: What we know of George’s TWO funerals

Dec 31, 2016

by Amber Saunders

The late George Michael will have two major ceremonies in the New Year – poignant milestones which will allow his wide circle of friends and family to mark his passing with respect.

As previously revealed by his partner Fadi Fawez, the pop superstar, 53, was found dead at his home in Oxfordshire on the afternoon of Christmas Day.

Fadi said he found George lifeless and unresponsive.

An exact date for the funeral ceremonies has not yet been released.

However, it is believed that at least two high profile memorial events are currently in the pipeline and are at advanced levels of planning.

Both will be held in January.

At at least one of the tribute events it is expected that Elton John will play a poignant tribute to his late friend with a heartfelt rendition of their 1991 collaboration Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

Elton dedicated an emotional version of their hit to Mr Michael during a gig in Las Vegas earlier this week.

He was seen breaking down shortly afterwards.

Mr John, of course, performed at Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997, moving an entire nation and fans around the world to tears with his revised version of Candle In The Wind.

"There will be so many mourners and friends. It will be the biggest funeral since George's mate Di’s," a source told the Daily Star.

"Elton will sing as he did for Diana's funeral as a final farewell."

It’s also believed that George will be buried next to his mother Lesley in Highgate Cemetery in London.

“George’s love for his mother remained as strong as it had always been, and he always said he hoped he would be able to be with her again,” a source told The Sun.

“It’s what he would have wanted.”

A post-mortem on George will be carried out "in due course".

It's thought that his death was due to heart failure, but this has yet to be confirmed by doctors.

Furthermore, a huge tribute gig to honour George’s legacy is currently being planned.

The likes of Elton John, Bob Geldof, Andrew Ridgeley, Mariah Carey, and Aretha Franklin are all believed to have already committed to taking part.

‘Wedding sprogs and dogs’ Get a glimpse into Fifi Geldof’s wedding

Sep 5, 2016

by Rebecca O'Keeffe

Sir Bob Geldof's eldest daughter, Fifi, got married to her long term beau over the weekend in a very special ceremony.

The happy couple made the decision to wed in the same church where the bride's late mother and sister are buried.

Fifi has not had an easy life, loosing her mother Paula Yates to a heroin overdose in 2000.

Peaches Geldof, the sister of the bride, also passed away in 2014 from a drug overdose.

However, this weekend was a glimmer of happiness for the young PR executive, as she married the love of her life, Andrew Robertson, in an intimate ceremony.

Fifi has since taken to social media, to share a number of snaps from the otherwise private affair.

The venue for the wedding, which is located next door to Bob Geldof's country home, is the same place that Peaches Geldof and Paula Yates are buried.

Fifi shared a heartwarming picture of her flower girls, which she captioned "wedding sprogs and dogs".

The blushing bride also shared a picture of herself and her "friend and master" Gary Cockerill, who did her make-up for the big day.

Many famous faces were in attendance, including former Made in Chelsea star Ashley James, and the widower of Peaches, musician Thomas Cohen.

Thomas Cohen also brought his two sons with him, who are Fifi's only nephews.

Jasper Conron, who is Fifi's Godfather, designed the bride a beautiful white lace dress, equipped with a full length veil.

Jasper had previously designed Paula Yates' famous red wedding dress, from her marriage to Bob Geldof in 1986.

Fifi's marriage comes just one year after her father wed his actress girlfriend of 18 years, Jeanne Marine.

We wish the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness!

‘Peaches’ death was unbearable… but I expected it’ admits Bob Geldof

Celebrity

Dec 1, 2015

by Amber Saunders

Bob Geldof has admitted that he was not surprised that his late daughter, Peaches, died at such a young age.

The 25-year-old died of a suspected overdose just last year.

"Part of me kind of half-expected [it with] Peaches, to be honest with you – the way she was carrying on, there’s nothing you can do about it," said the Boomtown Rats singer earlier this week.

Despite this, Bob revealed that he devastated by the death of his daughter and the fact that he had outlived her.

"This thing of being forever 25, in my head, that's unbearable, simply because of that cliché – you’re not supposed to see your children die."

The pretty blonde was found dead in her Kent home in April of last year and is survived by her husband Thomas Cohen and two children, Phaedra and Astala.

Despite losing Peaches, the 64-year-old made it pretty clear that she would never be forgotten.

"She is the one who is with me every second of the day and she is the one who bangs into my consciousness at any moment, especially in any down moment. She's very present."

Geldof married his partner of 18 years, Jeanne Marine, in April of this year.

Why Peaches Geldof’s heroin dealer will probably never be caught

Celebrity

Jul 3, 2015

by Amber Saunders

It has been reported today that police have now closed the search for the drug dealer responsible for selling heroin to Peaches Geldof.

The daughter of Bob Geldof and the late Paula Yates was just 25 when she overdosed, using a fatal amount of the Class-A substance.

The TV presenter and journalist had been on a methadone programme for two years leading up to her death in an attempt to kick her addiction.

She was found dead back in April of last year in her home in Kent, along with syringes and heroin.

The police launched a search for her dealer when they discovered that the drug was unusually potent (more than twice the usual strength of that found on the street). However, more than a year on, investigators have come to no conclusion and the relevant file has been closed.

Authorities working on the case will, however, reopen it again if any new information surfaces.

Mail Online reported that police had reason to believe that a well-known Essex gang had supplied Peaches with the drug while she was in London. The gang is known to seek out celebrity customers via nightclubs frequented by wealthy A-listers.

Detective Superintendent Paul Fotheringham, who led the probe, said: "Our investigation has exhausted all lines of enquiry and has now concluded.

"If further information or witnesses come forward we will review the case. I would like to pay tribute to Peaches’ family who have supported our enquiries during a difficult time."

World’s biggest stars team up for Band Aid 30

Nov 17, 2014

by Amber Saunders

From One Direction, Rita Ora, Sam Smith and Bono to Sinead O'Connor, Ellie Goulding and Chris Martin – Band Aid 30 had quite the turnout!

Raising money for the Ebola crisis, some of the world's most famous faces turned up for Bob Geldof in London for the recording, and we must say it's brilliant!

The only person missing was Adele, but that's another story…

‘She’s not answering the phone’ – singer snubs Bob Geldof

Celebrity

Nov 16, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It has been reported that Adele has rejected an offer to be involved with Bob Geldof’s Band Aid 30 Ebola charity song.

Bob told The Sun that the powerful singer has not gotten back to him: “Adele is doing nothing. She’s not answering the phone…she doesn’t want to be bothered by anyone. She won’t even pick up the phone to her manager. She’s bringing up a family, you know. Some people just don’t want to do it.”

However, Bob also said that 30th anniversary single of the original Band Aid song will feature some massive talent: “There are voices here that are at least parallel to Adele. Sam Smith is her male equivalent.”

According to reports, Adele did give a donation towards the initiative.

Will we EVER get to hear Adele’s amazing voice with new music?!

S! TV BREAKING: Peaches Geldof inquest results

Jul 23, 2014

by Amber Saunders

The inquest in to the death of Peaches Geldof took place today. Peaches tragically passed away at her home on the 7^th of April this year, aged 25.

Emma Power reports.

Fifi Geldof announces her engagement on Instagram

Celebrity

May 5, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Fifi Geldof has announced on Instagram that she’s engaged to her 33-year-old boyfriend, Andrew Robertson.

Fifi isn’t the only one in the Geldof family to be getting married, as her father Bob Geldof revealed recently that he also plans on walking down the aisle, with his long term girlfriend, Jeanne Marine.

The 33-year-old posted a picture of her engagement ring on Instagram and captioned the shot: “The ring #boydonegood.”

The good news is a welcome relief for the Geldof family, after last week’s inquest revealed that Peaches Geldof died tragically as a result of taking heroin.

We are glad to see Fifi and the Geldof family celebrate this happy news, after the difficult time they’ve had recently.

Peaches Geldof’s family react to her sudden death

Celebrity

Apr 7, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Many are still shocked over the news surrounding Peaches Geldof this evening, who died aged 25.

The socialite and model’s death was announced by police this afternoon, who are treating the television presenter’s death as “unexplained and sudden”.

Peaches father, Bob Geldof released a statement over his daughter’s sudden death:

“We are beyond pain. She was the wildest, funniest, cleverest, wittiest and the most bonkers of all of us. Writing ‘was’ destroys me afresh. What a beautiful child. How is this possible that we will not see her again? How is that bearable? We loved her and will cherish her forever. How sad that sentence is. Tom and her sons Astala and Phaedra will always belong in our family, fractured so often, but never broken.”

Peaches Geldof was married to musician Thomas Cohen, who she had her two children, Astala and Pheadra with.

Thomas also released a statement about his wife’s death: “My beloved wife Peaches was adored by myself and her two sons Astala and Phaedra and I shall bring them up with their mother in their hearts every day. We shall love her forever.”