Stars turn out for Cowell fundraiser
MUSIC mogul Simon Cowell’s star-studded charity single saw a host of big names perform in aid of the Grenfell Tower victims.
The benefit cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters saw Rita Ora, James Blunt, former X Factor winner Leona Lewis and Paloma Faith team up for the recording at Sarm Studios in west London over the weekend.
Mr Cowell, 57, wants to help the victims of the London tower block inferno, which claimed 58 lives but there are fears the death toll could rise.
It also left hundreds of residents homeless – many escaped with just the clothes they were wearing last Wednesday.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge unveiled the plan on Thursday. He said: “Until that last note’s been finished, we will not be off the phone.
“A lot of London artists, people like Skepta, Stormzy, Emeli Sande, The London Community Gospel Choir, all wanted to be involved.” Other stars to feature on the track include One Direction’s Liam Payne, The Who, Louisa Johnson, Craig David, James Arthur, Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics, Pixie Lott and Westlife’s Shane Filan.
X Factor winner Louisa Johnson said: “The amount of people that have agreed to it and gone out of their way to do it is incredible. I feel honoured to be a part of it. “It is really important.” The singer, whose hit Tears reached the top five in the charts last year, said the charity single was “beautiful”. “Everyone will love it. I’m hoping it does well.”
Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones added: “All these things happening in London at the minute, and Manchester and everywhere, I think the main thing is people are pulling together”.
Pitch Battle chorister Gareth Malone put together 300 people, made up of local choirs and local residents, to also be on the track.
He said: “I just think we need something really positive at the moment.”