to think that Eddie Izzard is

[Singlenotsingle]

just another rich person trying to persuade poor people to give their hard earned money to other poor people? I've just seen him on one of these tv ads guilt tripping people into donating to a worthy cause. Whilst I can understand and sympathise with the people who need money, I can't help but think it would be better if the said Eddie Izzard put his hand in his own pocket first. rather than flouncing around in full make up and nail varnish trying to be a politician

I know - I'm totally U, aren't I?

I had to order tickets for his show on behalf of my BIL as a surprise for his DW and they weren't cheap!

I'm not their biggest fan but I don't think you can really accuse them of not doing their bit?

Why are you using the pronoun ”their” and not “he”?

Normally I'd agree with you, I hate celebs who do the charity ads but don't actually give anything themselves.

But this man ran 27 marathons in 27 days to raise money and awareness. He can't really do much more than that can he?

And what does him flouncing around in full makeup and nail varnish matter? Would it be better if he tried to be a politician without makeup? I don't get what your point is there? So YABU yes

I hate it when all the slebs do it (especially Bono). I don't care whether they give a lot of money privately or not, guilting people who are probably a lot worse off than you into giving money that they may not be able to afford is indefensible (IMHO). Famous people are obviously used because people are supposed to think 'ooh I like that person, they obviously wouldn't support the cause if it wasn't worthwhile etc' although in EI's case it is more likely to put me off the charity.

Trans stance also a massive turn off for me. I've recently turned on James O'Brien for his twattishness on it too.

I like him.

How much do you give to charity, OP?

Blame the fact that nobody will seemingly put their had in their pocket for charities unless some celeb is making a noise about it.

Generally they offer their time for free to do this stuff so that’s at least something.

But the argument that he shouldn’t do it, he should just give money is ridiculous. The publicity generated by celebrity endorsements is worth a lot of money, the additional income received is also generally quite good. The celeb might put their hand in their pocket for a few thousand pounds but the income they can generate is far higher.

Just to add to my previous, Izzard has been nothing but respectful, warm and kind to the members of one organisation of which I'm particularly aware and has personally hosted them when they were let down by a venue at very short notice.

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I've recently turned on James O'Brien for his twattishness on it too.

Likewise - I used to have so much respect for his intellectual rigour. We all have our blind spots but this feels like a particularly egregious one.

I used to like him - thought he was very funny. I don't know about his charitable work, but I have heard he does plenty (and obviously he did the marathon thing so he's no slouch). I have no problem with how he chooses to dress - not my business, couldn't really care less.
And I think his beliefs are sincerely held, whether you agree with him or not.
I lost a lot of liking for him during the referendum when he appeared on QT, - I actually share his stance, but he came across as domineering and frankly barking mad, I think he probably lost the remainers votes. It was very odd.
I haven't seen the adverts, I would hazard a guess he isn't getting paid for them though. What charity are they for ?

clearly considerably richer than most of the people they're appealing to asks for donations to whatever charity they're promoting

Only poor people should campaign on behalf of charities?

A local charity here provides clothes for families who are struggling. It is run by a few very wealthy ladies, who have oodles of time on their hands to do such a thing. Should they not do it because they are asking people considerably less wealthy than themselves to donate?

He has had a spectacular fall from grace

How exactly?

Don't know the man personally, have no clue if he's a nice bloke or not.
Some choose to use their fame to promote a cause, some don't. It's a personal choice and I don't begrudge anybody who chooses to use their voice to highlight an issue.

We too have a choice to listen, or ignore it. It's hardly a big deal.
I give to some charities, and not to others - I can't afford to give to all, and some I probably wouldn't support anyway. I don't see why it should be any different for a famous person.

Maybe I'm missing something big here, but doesn't the UN in UNICEF stand for United Nations?

Aren't they the people who, hand-in-hand with the IMF, basically run the world and dictate global policy (some would say indirectly causing the disasters for which they're urging people to donate in the first place) - with access to literally billions (probably trillions) of dollars?

How could they possibly need £3 a month from me, or even from 100 million people?

He’s annoying.

As soon as you go down this path, you might as well say 'oh well because you drive a BMW, you should be paying more to charity than the person driving a lowly old Fiat' or 'Well, you live in Surrey, so can clearly afford to donate more than the folks in Tyneside'.

Fame doesn't always equate to riches, and we'll never know what someone else does or doesn't give.

It’s just your opinion that he’s “out for all the attention he can get”
Let’s be honest , you know fuck all about him other than who he portrays on telly and you do not know that he doesn’t donate large sums of money .

I’m not a fan either, but I imagine his profile is such that a large number of people will hear his messsage and hopefully donate, which is the point of the message.

And it isn’t just about one off donations, but legacy and direct debit income that allows the charity to plan and sustain projects.

If I’m honest, Olivia Coleman’s tv appeal has probably affected me more than if the same appeal had been made by, say, a charity official.

Singlenotsingle I completely agree. I see the adverts with Olivia Coleman, I actually like Olivia Coleman ever since her Peep Show days, but she is just a distraction.

I would much rather the advert were presented by someone like an aid worked, a local leader in the community the money will go to, or perhaps best of all someone who has themselves had their lives changed dramatically by receiving aid etc.

I don't feel a 'celebrity' has anything to offer that others doing the ads could not offer.

Eddie Izzard has given lots of money and effort to charity. Maybe the celebrities do give a lot of money, but when would one ever expect a major donor to be the face of a charity getting others to part with cash.

Why is he a knob? (genuine question)

I don’t like those ads either but I remember his marathon running and used to admire him immensely. However, recently he told a story about running into a female public loo and getting changed while a group of 13 year old girls were there. He made such a fuss moving from one loo to the other, then walked out after changing out of so-called women’s clothing and the girls chased him out. He referred to them as bigots I believe. So I’ve lost all respect for him. I don’t know what his preferred pronouns are as he is a man when on tour but a woman in politics. If he can’t respect the fact girls don’t want him changing amongst them, then I’m not going to great lengths to find out what pronouns he is currently using.

OP -TOTALLY agree! Along with Bob Geldof and Paul McCartney too!

I was a fan until he gave an interview and stated that he had undressed in a female toilet in front of teenage girls who chased him out; he seemed to think he was the victim! He tried to make the story funny, because of cause frightening girls who think they are in a safe space is hilarious...

I don't agree about Bob Geldof, Bob actually put effort and energy into starting something major, I think he is brilliant for that.

There is nothing wrong with celebrities getting involved in charities, of course. But fronting an advert just doesn't seem right.