Alice Cooper joins star golf line-up
Rocker Alice Cooper and EastEnders hard man Ross Kemp were today confirmed to take part in a star-studded golfing tournament.
The announcement was made at the launch of this year’s Northern Rock All Star Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, south Wales.
There were also hints that a member of the British royal family, such as Prince William, could possibly take part.
The event is the brainchild of keen golfers Ant and Dec and promises to boast a line-up of Hollywood A-listers against a team of famous Europeans, who will defend their title, once again captained by professional golfer Colin Montgomerie.
Last year saw the first such tournament at the resort, which is the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup matches.
The European team, including Catherine Zeta Jones, Chris Evans, Steve Redgrave and Ian Wright, stormed to victory.
The event also saw Zeta Jones pitched against her film-star husband Michael Douglas on the American team.
Following last year’s success, ITV1 will show 20 hours of coverage featuring the drama and excitement from the tournament.
It will take place from August 26 to 28, with Ant and Dec hosting the live coverage.
Bob Massie, executive producer on the show, said no-one could remember the last time a golf tournament received 20 hours of coverage on ITV.
Dec said that, although they were in the early stages of putting the team together, Alice Cooper, who rose to fame as the master of shock rock with breakthrough single School’s Out, was confirmed.
“He’s very excited about it,” Dec said.
He said Ross Kemp would be on the European team trying to retain the title.
Ant said: “That Ronnie Corbett will also be commentating over the weekend.”
Mr Massie added that the celebrities who would be taking part were “triple A-list stars”.
He said: “There is no Jade Goody here.”
Colin Montgomerie told journalists that although the celebrities were nervous last year the standard was very high.
Organisers are hoping Chris Evans will be back to play, but Robbie Williams was said to be busy on a world tour.
Dec confessed to reporters that Ant was “slightly” better at golf than him.
He joked that with the pair presenting this year’s show they would need to go around the hotel’s courses and “see what the massages are like”.
Asked whether royalty such as Prince William had been approached to take part, Mr Massie replied: “Watch this space,” as Ant and Dec looked on coyly.
The show will also be hosted by Kirsty Gallacher and Ben Shephard.
