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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