Halloweeeeeeen!

It's nearly Halloween! Poptweetz loves Halloween - and so do Westlife. The above photo was taken shortly before the boys got dressed into their brilliant Halloween costumes. Those guys are so creative - they dressed up as four mediocre male singers. Good job, guys.

Happy Halloween, folks!

Mariah's Scary

With Christmas approaching, our thoughts turn to drinking large glasses of mulled wine, eating german christmas cake and listening to soppy festive tunes.

Mariah Carey makes a fortune around Christmas time, due to her classic song 'All I Want For Christmas (is a bra)'. This year, Mariah will be buying extra expensive gifts for her pals as she will be due a massive payout with the release of a new Christmas album.

I hope she isn't thinking about giving away the gorgeous pup in the photo - though if she is, I will take him/her. Too cute.

Play the Jamie Oliver drinking game!!!

Lovely, lovely Jamie Oliver is back on our TV screens with a new series of 30 minute meals.

To celebrate this cracking show, I've developed a new game.

1. First things first, invite 3 or 4 mates around to your house.
2. Line up the drinks.
3. Watch an episode of Jamie's new fantabulicious new TV show and follow these rules:

When Jamie says 'Beautiful', drink one shot of vodka.
When Jamie says 'Waz' or 'Waz it up', drink one shot of gin.
When Jamie says 'Fink' (think), drink a whole bottle of champagne.

4. The winner is the one that survives until the end of the show without throwing up.

Please note: Poptweetz does not condone drinking alcohol in large amounts, unless you have purchased expensive drinks.

Siobhan Fahey

There are very few (80's) popstars that remain to be both creative and youthful in appearance. Siobhan Fahey, an original member of Bananarama and creator of goth/electro group Shakespears Sister is one of the fortunate survivors of the eighties. As you can see from the photo, she is still amazing.

With a new album out, (Songs From The Red Room) and an equally amazing new video (It's Trip), it's clear that Siobhan still has massive star-quality. She now releases her material independently, which gives her greater control over the music she creates. The new music is typically quirky. There is no high-pitched falsetto vocals from Marcella Detriot as she left the band many years ago.

She's still a bit bonkers, but I can't help but love Siobhan. Check out her website / Her new material is available to download from iTunes and other retailers.

Florrie

This is Florrie. She's been under my radar for a while now. Keep an eye on this one. Listen to 'Fascinate Me' (Fred Falke Edit) - it is fabulous.

If you like Annie and Robyn, you will surely like Florrie.

Nadine Coyle - Insatiable

Keeping on the topic of Girl's Aloud members. Nadine Coyle has been working on her solo album for something like 2 years. You would hope that the album is going to be a stonker after working on it for so long. I do hope so.

I prefer 'Insatiable' to Cheryl Cole's efforts, but there is no denying that it is also a little bland. The sound is dated but maybe that was the point (he hopes!). I'm not very good at predicting these things but I don't think that 'Insatiable' will be a huge hit for Nadine. Unfortunately from what I've read, music journo's are saying that the album tracks are on a similar plain.

I don't want to judge the album until I heard it myself but Nadine will have to release a brilliant follow up single - otherwise this project will possibly destroy her solo career, which will be very sad. Nadine has a fantastic voice. She gets such bad press but I try not to believe everything you read, and so should you!

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for Nadine - and I'm also doing the same in hope for a brand new Girls Aloud album. Purrrlease.

Why I'm disappointed in Cheryl Cole....

There are many things I like about Cheryl Cole - a woman who is now labelled as a national treasure in the UK. I love seeing her playing judge on the X-Factor, bickering with Simon and scowling at Louis. She's gorgeous - and even as a gay man, I can appreciate that she is extremely easy on the eyes. I love that she is (was/maybe still/?) part of Girls Aloud, my second favourite girl group after Bananarama. I'm in no doubt that there is a lot to love about Cheryl.

However, unfortunately this article is not about loving the Newcastle lass. This article is actually about my huge disappointment about the way that her solo music career has panned out. 99.9% of Girls Aloud songs were fabulous. Therefore, I was expecting great things from Cheryl. I wasn't expecting copy-cat songs or solo recording of Girls Aloud demos that didn't make it on albums. I had expections that the songs would me both memorable and tuneful. I was expecting fun, fresh pop tunes with equally colourful videos. When Cheryl released her first single 'Fight For This Love', I was saddened because it sounded so flat. However, I (perhaps stupidly) thought that the follow-up album would be different. It wasn't. The album, in my opinion, is a massive dud. Not that it seemed to matter to the record buying public as they bought it in droves (shame on you).

Cheryl's new single 'Promise This' is just as uninspiring.

The album 'Messy Little Raindrops' is about to drop and there are preview clips everywhere. Listen and judge for yourself.

Nigela Lawson - secret excerpts from her forthcoming book

I've been lucky enough to be given a copy of a manuscript for Nigela Lawson's next book. In the book she writes about her life, career..and of course there are lots of fabulous new recipies from the kitchen temptress.

Nigela's publishers have given me permission to publish some choice excerpts from the future best selling book.



"Being a foody superstar can be exhausting. I'm often invited to other celebrity chefs homes for parties, book launches or bare knuckle fights with Delia Smith. When I arrive home late at night, exhausted and lacking in 'sexual' energy, I'm usually desperate for some comfort food like my Easy Thai Soup which can be made in minutes....."

Easy Thai Soup
This recipe is completely effortless and delicious.

1. First open a bottle of expensive wine and pour half of it into a large wine glass.
2. Ask a member of your staff to make a large bowl of Thai Soup.
3. Thumb through various food magazines whilst drinking the wine.
4. Tear up press photos of Jamie Oliver because it's funny.
5. Ta da! Soup Ready. Delicious!

I think you'll agree that the book will be a huge success.

Next week Nigela writes about her frequent nightly trips to the fridge, and why she likes to store chocolate bars in her underwear for emergencies.



(The above Nigela story may not be entirely true. Infact it isn't true. Infact I made it up. Don't hate me.)

The Rules - Part 1

According to many a music critic, there are several important elements that make a good popstar. Charisma, individuality, a great personality and perhaps most importantly - a fantastic singing voice. ...but is that really true?

I've been a fan of pop music for most of life. Here is Part 1 my rules to make the 'perfect' popstar:

1. Personality.

It's not always one of the most essential characteristics (Hello Leona), but having a big personality helps. Remember the 'Spice Girls' early television appearances? From day one, it was clear that these girls were something special. Not only were they incredibly irritating, they were also fun, fresh and loud. A mix of terrible fashion and faultless pop songs. Amazing. In 2010, we are lacking in decent music television. Gone are the days of 'Top Of The Pops' when we were able to see brief glimpses of personality during performances. Today's pop stars have to rely on guest spots on Alan Titchmarsh, performing for an elderly audience that are mostly asleep.

2. Great Songs.

In these current times, it's hard to hear a decent pop song as most of them are indentical. The songs are possibly written and produced by the same person. A good pop song is easy to recognise. In most cases it can produce an instant response - "F**k, this is brilliant" - or "I will sell my children for this song on mp3".

3. Stupid Clothes.

Lady Gaga, nuff said.

...more soon...

Viva Espana

I'm home and feeling super refreshed after spending a week in Mijas, a little village in southern Spain. I tend to go to Spain at least once a year. Mostly because I need a sun-fix, but also because I love to hang about Puerto Banus, a place extensively featured in a recent Piers Morgan documentary. Puerto Banus is a well known for its association with the boat-owning super rich. Whilst it's quite nice to rub shoulders with rich bitches and their elderly husbands, I like to enjoy sitting in the restaurants and spying on the passers-by. It's addictive. The seemingly young model-types are usually foiled by closer inspection - note: wrinkly hands and thinning hair. AND - you can't buy good taste. I'm seen so many hideous outfits - too many to count. It's nosey parker heaven.