101 most embarrassing moments in entertainment(3/5)
23.05–00.05

Everyone has the capability to make a fool of themselves, but, with their whole lives being playedout on the cameras, celebrities seem to have a special knack for it. This series counts down the 101 most toe-curling showbiz howlers ever captured on celluloid, including Geri Halliwell’s disastrous 2005 documentary, Richard Bacon’s ignominious sacking from ‘Blue Peter’, and some of the most catastrophic actor-turned-pop star farragos ever witnessed.

The world of kids’ TV was rocked to its very core the day that ‘Blue Peter’ boy wonder Richard Bacon was sensationally axed after a tabloid newspaper caught him snorting cocaine. Not only was Bacon quickly relieved of his post, but he had to endure the sight of Children’s BBC boss Lorraine Heggessey making an apologetic speech on his behalf, just before the next edition of ‘Blue Peter’ aired. “I’m sure in his darker moments, he still squirms at this memory,” reflects Mirror journalist Kevin O’Sullivan.

A rich mine of celebrity embarrassment comes inthe form of pet projects that backfire horribly. Making an appearance in tonight’s countdown: Woody Harrelson’s baffling ‘O2’ bar where he expected patrons to arrive in droves just to breatheoxygen; and Alicia Silverstone’s disastrous and short-lived career as a film producer. But none of these celebrity faux pas come close to touching Geri Halliwell’s bewildering 2005 documentary, ‘There’s Something About Geri’.

The premise of the ex-Spice Girl’s show seemed to be to ramble on about every subject under the sun, surprising even her diehard fans at how undignified and banal she could be. The documentary’s nadir saw Geri taking to the streets and quizzing confused pensioners about their sex lives. “Your chin had carpet burns because it kept hitting the floor,” testifies Observer journalist John Lyttle. This odyssey of self-indulgence also saw Geri offer opinions on everything from spirituality, the Spice Girls and how best to dispose of dog poo. The singer has never quite recovered from the torrent of bad press the show deservedly received.“I think her future is in some show at the end of a pier,” says Martin Deeson of GQ. “Or possibly mumbling and walking down the street feeding pigeons and wearing grey slippers.”

High on the embarrassment count in tonight’s show are those celebrities who try their hands at alternative careers –usually with catastrophic results. For example, why did successful actor Mickey Rourke become a boxer? And what made supermodel Cindy Crawford think she had the talent to become an actress?

Another classic celebrity mistake is the actor who tries to become a pop star. Look no further than Donna Air and her post-‘Byker Grove’ band ‘Crush’, or ‘Hollyoaks’ hunk Will Mellor’s woeful sub-Westlife efforts. Maybe the crown of shame, however, belongs to comedian Richard Blackwood, who grazed the charts with his blingtastic ‘Mama Who’s Da Man’ single. “There was a time when you couldn’t get Blackwood out of your face,” laments Smash Hits girl Emma Jones. “Thank God he only had 15 minutes of fame.”

For another dose of cringeworthy celebrity calamity, the countdown continues next week.