Fiona Phillips

Fiona Phillips (born 1 January 1961, Canterbury, Kent) is an English journalist, broadcaster and television presenter.

Early life

Phillips was born in Kent and Canterbury Hospital in 1961.Her grandparents ran the Duke's Head pub in Church Street St. Paul's. Phillips attended Kingsmead Primary School. The family later moved to Southampton where Phillips completed her schooling at Millbrook Community School. After leaving school, Phillips worked for a short time at Mr Kipling's Bakery in Eastleigh, near Southampton. Phillips graduated from Birmingham Polytechnic (now Birmingham City University) with 

Fiona Phillips
Born	1 January 1961 (age 50) Canterbury, England
Occupation	Television broadcaster
Spouse	Martin Frizell
Children	Nathaniel and Mackenzie, Jamie Sawdon (stepson)

r a BA (Hons) in English; she also undertook a PGC in journalism.

Early career

Phillips started her career in independent radio working as a reporter for local stations County Sound in Surrey, Hereward Radio and Radio Mercury in Sussex.

Moving from radio to television several years later, she joined BBC South East's Weekend Programme as co-presenter, before becoming a reporter with CNN News, later moving on to become the station's entertainments editor, producing, reporting and presenting CNN News' entertainment output.

GMTV

In 1993, Phillips joined GMTV as entertainment correspondent and was promoted to GMTV/Reuters Television's LA correspondent in December 1993. For over two years Phillips provided daily and weekly reports and covered a number of big news stories including the Michael Jackson alleged child molestation case, the LA earthquake, the first OJ Simpson trial and the Oscars. She also interviewed some of the industry's biggest stars from Leonardo DiCaprio and Clint Eastwood, to Brad Pitt and Mel Gibson.

From 1997 to 2008, she was the main anchor on GMTV, presenting GMTV Today every Monday to Wednesday. On 28 August 2008 Phillips announced that she was to quit her role as main anchor on GMTV for family reasons.She presented her final show on 18 December 2008.

Phillips returned to GMTV in 2010 in its last series GMTV with Lorraine.

Other activities

Phillips has also presented other programmes, including as the celebrity lifestyle show OK!TV, Baby House and Room to Rent, Carlton's entertainment guide Good Stuff, LWT's Friday evening entertainment show Start the Weekend, ITV's Sunday Night and the Rich and Famous series. Phillips currently writes an opinion column in the Daily Mirror on Saturdays and works as an agony aunt in New! magazine

Fiona was a regular panellist on Loose Women in 2002, and was a guest anchor in 2004 and 2005. She returned to Loose Women as a guest anchor in March 2009 and again in March 2010.

She has also stood in for Simon Mayo on Radio 5 Live from 30 March to 3 April 2009. Phillips was a guest host on Channel 5's The Wright Stuff in April/May 2009 and in March 2010 on ITV's Loose Women.

In August 2010 she appeared as a panellist on ITV's new show 3@Three.

She voiced the character of Katie Current in the British release of Shark Tale. She took part in the third series (2005) of Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Brendan Cole. The pair were voted out on Week 4 following several weeks of low scores.

Fiona had also been in the documentary The Killer in Me on 8 November 2007, a show that saw four celebrities agree to take a groundbreaking test that revealed the secret killers lurking in their genes. Fiona joined former England footballer John Barnes, political commentator and presenter Andrew Neil, and Heart FM DJ Toby Anstis who all found out their risk of developing 11 major diseases, including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Phillips hosted a show on Smooth Radio in the 2-5pm slot every Sunday, starting from Easter Sunday, 23 March 2008, until 2009 when she left the station. On 13 March 2008, Phillips, who is the Age Concern Ambassador, presented the Age Concern Grandparent Of The Year 2008, which took place in the Houses of Parliament.

On 7 September 2008 she was a guest on Soccer Aid and again on 12 September 2008, this time on Al Murray's Happy Hour both shown on ITV1.

It was revealed that Fiona will be guest-hosting ITV1's This Morning, on Fridays, with regular Friday presenter, Eamonn Holmes, as Eamonn's wife, Ruth Langsford will be covering Monday-Thursdays, when Holly Willoughby goes on Maternity leave in the Spring.

Politics

Phillips claimed to have been offered a job in November 2007 as public health minister in the administration of Gordon Brown, as well as a peerage. Phillips said she declined due to her responsibilities to her two small children. She attended the 2009 Labour Party Conference in Brighton, where she introduced an address by the Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

She was a panellist on BBC One's Question Time in June 2009, and in May 2010 appeared on This Week, her focus was on Party Political Broadcasts.

Charity work

Already a supporter of many charities, Phillips' mother suffered from breast cancer, before dying on 15 May 2006 from Alzheimer's disease. Phillips took a break from her work on GMTV, and has since supported many organisations associated with the two diseases. On 15 February 2007 she appeared as a contestant with her brother Andrew on Dale's Supermarket Sweep, playing to raise money for their charity for Alzheimer's sufferers.

Phillips is well known as one of the judges of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, and for presenting the GMTV Emergency Services award. She has also been one of the judges for the Children of Courage awards. From 15 October 2007, she reported from Geita, North Tanzania, for one week to visit Neema, a 13-year-old girl who Phillips has been sponsoring, and her family, friends and local schools. On 1 March 2007 she published a 'Quick Reads' book for World Book Day A Day To Remember which is aimed at emergent readers and adult learners. Phillips hosted the Breast cancer Care's annual fashion show in October 2007.

Phillips is also a patron of Barnardos, Alzheimer's Society, Age Concern, Richard House Children's Hospice, and Mildmay Mission Hospital.

Honours

In 1996 Phillips was nominated for the Royal Television Society Interview of the Year Award.

On 7 November 2007, Phillips received an Honorary Master of Arts degree from Southampton Solent University, for "being a person distinguished in eminence and by attainments".

Personal life

Already the Los Angeles based entertainment reporter for GMTV, Phillips had previously thought her replacement for the Christmas holidays Martin Frizell "arrogant and cold." But when he came out to LA, the pair had dinner. When she returned to the UK four months later, the pair met up at a friend's dinner party, and began dating soon after. The couple married in May 1997 and have two sons, Nathaniel, born 1999, and Mackenzie, born 2002.

A vegetarian, in June 2007 Phillips was a nominee for PETA Europe’s “Sexiest Vegetarians” poll, and subsequently won the award as 'Sexiest Female Vegetarian 2007'.

Phillips is a supporter of Chelsea FC, although she followed her home town club, Southampton F.C. when she was younger before dropping them and proclaiming to support a more successful team. She also supports the Labour Party.

(source:wikipedia)

Rihanna Plots Grammys Return 1 Year After Chris Brown Assault

Rihanna has a theory on why producers didn't ask her to perform hits from her comeback album "Rated R" at Sunday's Grammys.

"We messed their show up pretty bad last year," the R&B star told Carson Daly's Amp Radio show this week, referring to her assault by ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, which caused both performers to pull out at the last minute.

"They might be a little mad at me," she added, BET reported.

In separate interview Thursday, Rihanna said she's still "excited" to return to the Grammys, where she's up for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration with Jay-Z and Kanye West for “Run This Town.”

But don't count on any plus-ones -- Rihanna says she always travels solo to the pre-eminent music awards show.

"Even when I was in a relationship, I always have gone alone," the 21-year-old singer explained, Usmagazine.com reported.

Speaking of which, don’t let photos of her cavorting with Dodger’s baseball star Matt Kemp on a recent trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico fool you.

"I'm still single, if that's what you really want to ask!" Rihanna told the radio hosts.

In other Rihanna news, the singer released a statement late Thursday expressing her “heartbreak” over the passing of Jasmine Anema, a 6-year-old with leukemia whom she had grown close to.

"She was such a brave and special child,” Rihanna said her New York City pal in the statement to Us. “She showed me more strength and spirit than many adults I have met. I feel blessed that I was able to have her in my life, and know that through her example she has saved many lives. She was truly an angel on earth.”

Source:nbcchicago.com/

I don't see myself winning Grammy: Ustad Zakir Hussain

Mumbai, Jan 29 (PTI) Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain has said that Grammy nominations for three Indians including himself is a proof that the world is recognising Indian art but the veteran is not too sure of himself grabbing a trophy.

"Three Indian representations for Grammy nominations is incredible and something that has never happened before," Zakir told PTI.

But, he feels Ustad Amjad Ali Khan who has been nominated in the best traditional world music category for "Ancient Sounds" made in collaboration with Iraqi Oud Soloist Rahim Alhaj has a good chance of winning.

"Even A R Rahman has a decent chance. But, I don't see myself winning," he said.

Ustad Zakir Hussain has been nominated for the 52nd Grammy award in the Best Classical Crossover album category for the album 'The Melody of Rhythm'.

Source:ptinews.com/

Rihanna Says She's 'Going To Grammys Alone'

While Rihanna has been hanging with Los Angeles Dodger Matt Kemp in recent weeks, she said she'll be going stag to the Grammys on Sunday.

"I'm going to the Grammys alone, as always!" she said Thursday on 104.3 MY FM's "Valentine in the Morning" show, according to UsMagazine.com. "Even when I was in a relationship, I always have gone alone."

However, "I'm still single, if that's what you really want to ask!" she added.

She was then asked about photographs that circulated online earlier this month of her and Kemp getting close in Mexico, and she only said, "It was a blast!"

Of course, she'll have plenty of company at the show: She's nominated for a Grammy, with Jay-Z and Kanye West, for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Run This Town."

"This was actually the first piece of music we did since the last Grammys," she said. "It's exciting that it's nominated." She was presumably referring to that particular tandem team, since she released her Rated R album late last year and also recorded "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)" with Jay and U2 members Bono and The Edge, which they performed on the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon and is also available on the album of the same name.

"We cannot wait," she added. We hope we bring home the bacon, but if not, it's great that it was nominated."

Rihanna's scheduled appearance at last year's Grammys was abruptly canceled after then-boyfriend Chris Brown assaulted her the night before the show. Brown later pleaded guilty to felony assault and was sentenced to five years of probation

Source:mtv.com/

L. Kent Wolgamott: Grammy watch

I'm not a huge fan of awards shows. I could care less about who is wearing what designer gown, the "thank you" speeches are seemingly endless and the jokes from the hosts and presenters wear thin quickly.

But I'm looking forward to Sunday's Grammy Awards, if, for nothing else, a sure-to-be captivating performance by the one and only Lady Gaga, who is likely to create a sensation with her outfit and her singing.

Lady Gaga, one of the hottest, most compelling acts in music, will be joined by Beyonce, Taylor Swift and the Black Eyed Peas on the show, and likely in taking home a whole bunch of the little gramophones.

Also slated to perform are the Dave Matthews Band, Pink, Maxwell, Lady Antebellum, Bon Jovi and my pals in the Zac Brown Band.

An aside here: Brown and I were talking about awards shows before he played Pershing Center last year, and he said if he had his way, the Grammys would be the last such show he'd ever play. I'm guessing he won't be able to pull that off. But, just in case, ZBB fans will want to catch this appearance.

The performance lineup is very strong - and absolutely necessary if the Grammys are to get anything resembling a large audience.

With the splintering of the music market and the death spiral of the CD, the music biz isn't what it used to be. Big-selling acts now reach the 10 million mark max. In the past, that was a good start. And the Grammy "bounce" has likely become more myth than reality.

But the awards still give the industry a chance to trot out its biggest acts - no shock that most of them are pop stars - and remind us that "we're all fans." Those "fans" may not want to pay for music anymore, but they're fans nonetheless.

There are a zillion Grammy categories and I don't have the space, time or inclination to handicap them. But here's a look at the "big four" awards to be presented during the show, which starts at 7 p.m. on CBS (Channels 10/11) and is supposed to be over at 10:30 p.m.

Album of the Year

The nominees: Beyonce, "I Am ... Sasha Fierce"; The Black Eyed Peas, "The E.N.D."; Dave Matthews Band, "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King"; Lady Gaga, "The Fame"; Taylor Swift, "Fearless."

The breakdown: DMB is the only rock act nominated, providing a solid block of votes. Beyonce and Lady Gaga also have decent shots. But crossover queen Swift is likely on her way to a very big night as she gets the country vote and some pop fans, too.

Song of the Year

The nominees: Beyonce, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)"; Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody"; Lady Gaga, "Poker Face"; Maxwell, "Pretty Wings"; Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me."

The breakdown: "Poker Face" was one of my favorite songs of 2009 and I'd like to see it win. But look out for Swift, whom I see taking three of the top four awards.

Record of the Year

This one goes to the artist, producer and engineers.

The nominees: Beyonce, "Halo"; The Black Eyed Peas , "I Gotta Feeling"; Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody"; Lady Gaga, "Poker Face"; Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me."

The Breakdown: There's a pattern developing here: a rock artist, three popsters and Swift. I think there's going to be another pattern: Swift wins No. 3.

Best New Artist

The nominees: Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups, The Ting Tings, Zac Brown Band.

The breakdown: I've got a horse in this race; I'd love to see the ZBB win. But this one's an intriguing coin flip. As usual, there's one veteran act - Silversun Pickups - nominated as "new," and one of the hottest new artists in MGMT. I'm going to go with MGMT as the winner, but I'll be pulling for Zac.

Source:journalstar.com/

Lil Wayne, Eminem & Drake To Perform "Forever" At Grammy Awards

Music’s biggest night has just added three of hip-hop’s biggest stars to its performance lineup.


Announced last night via Twitter, The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will play host to a memorable performance of Drake’s “Forever” remix featuring, Lil Wayne, Eminem and Blink 182 drummer, Travis Barker.

The 51st Annual Grammys saw a similar performance when T.I. performed the boastful posse cut, “Swagga Like Us” featuring Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and Kanye West.

However, for unspecified reasons, Kanye West, who is also featured on “Forever,” was not named in the announcement as a performer. West is still experiencing backlash for crashing the 2009 MTV VMA stage during country singer Taylor Swift's acceptance speech.

At press time, representatives from the Grammys have yet to address West’s exclusion from the star-studded performance.

This will also likely be Lil Wayne’s last award show performance before his early February sentencing for pleading guilty to a felony gun possession, stemming from a 2007 arrest in NYC. Weezy is expected to serve up to a year in jail.

Source:bet.com