Celebrity golfer's tee-off for charity
For millions of television viewers he's the scourge of Manchester's underworld where he spiritedly roughs up a host of hapless crooks in a decidedly unpolitically correct way. But it was a case of trying to avoid the roughs when actor Philip Glenister returned to Wiltshire to compete in an all-star charity golf tournament.
The 44-year-old actor, best known his role as maverick detective Gene Hunt in the series' Life On Mars and Ashes to Ashes, joined a host of well-known faces from sport and showbiz. The venue was former newspaper magnate Eddy Shah's plush countryside and golf complex at Wootton Bassett near Swindon where £87,000 was raised for a spinal injuries charity.
Shortly before teeing off at lunchtime, Glenister peered at the gloomy, blackening skies and said: "Oh joy, it's beginning to rain. But it's great to be here. We had a good dinner at the club last night and raised quite a few quid for a fantastic cause." The Harrow-born actor admitted he was becoming rather fond of Wiltshire, having spent several weeks at Lacock near Chippenham when he filmed another hit series, Cranford. Asked for his golf handicap, Glenister, who was anticipating five hours on the somewhat slippery 18-hole course, said: "My clubs".
Another well-known face from prime-time BBC television, who was among the hardy band of golfers, was slick ballroom mover Len Goodman, 66, the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing. He said: "I'm here because I like a game of golf and this is a really good cause." The Voice of Golf, former leading player turned commentator Peter Alliss said: "There's now a strong feeling that in about 10 years time people who are confined to wheelchairs will be able to walk thanks to the progress made by charities such as this."
Fans paid £10 to have their photograph taken with Allis and another legend from the golfing world, the gleaming, golden Ryder Cup for which the finest players from Europe and America will next month battle it out. Despite the grim weather there was no shortage of wisecracks or high-jinks as an assortment of soggy stars made the best of a dreary English summer's day. Reportedly, there were also a few sore heads from the previous night's charity bash.
On the course were actor/singer Kenny Lynch, ex-soccer boss turned pundit Ron Atkinson, former snooker player Willie Thorne, TV actor Garfield Morgan, best known for his roles in The Sweeney, Minder and more recently The Bill, and former World of Sport presenter Dickie Davies. Bristol Rovers soccer legend Geoff Twentyman teamed up with a trio of players from rival Swindon Town for their team round; club captain Hasney Aljofree, and strikers Billy Paynter and Blair Sturrock.
The Wiltshire Golf and Country Club was owned by Mr Shah and his wife Jennifer, who recently sold it to a leisure firm after dramatically transforming its fortunes. Before officially handing it over to the new owners, the Shahs were keen to raise as much money as possible for a special charity.
The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, which raises cash for stem cell research, was established by Michelin Star chef David Nicholls whose son Daniel was paralysed after suffering a spinal injury in a swimming accident at the age of 19 in 2003.
The 44-year-old actor, best known his role as maverick detective Gene Hunt in the series' Life On Mars and Ashes to Ashes, joined a host of well-known faces from sport and showbiz. The venue was former newspaper magnate Eddy Shah's plush countryside and golf complex at Wootton Bassett near Swindon where £87,000 was raised for a spinal injuries charity.
Shortly before teeing off at lunchtime, Glenister peered at the gloomy, blackening skies and said: "Oh joy, it's beginning to rain. But it's great to be here. We had a good dinner at the club last night and raised quite a few quid for a fantastic cause." The Harrow-born actor admitted he was becoming rather fond of Wiltshire, having spent several weeks at Lacock near Chippenham when he filmed another hit series, Cranford. Asked for his golf handicap, Glenister, who was anticipating five hours on the somewhat slippery 18-hole course, said: "My clubs".
Another well-known face from prime-time BBC television, who was among the hardy band of golfers, was slick ballroom mover Len Goodman, 66, the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing. He said: "I'm here because I like a game of golf and this is a really good cause." The Voice of Golf, former leading player turned commentator Peter Alliss said: "There's now a strong feeling that in about 10 years time people who are confined to wheelchairs will be able to walk thanks to the progress made by charities such as this."
Fans paid £10 to have their photograph taken with Allis and another legend from the golfing world, the gleaming, golden Ryder Cup for which the finest players from Europe and America will next month battle it out. Despite the grim weather there was no shortage of wisecracks or high-jinks as an assortment of soggy stars made the best of a dreary English summer's day. Reportedly, there were also a few sore heads from the previous night's charity bash.
On the course were actor/singer Kenny Lynch, ex-soccer boss turned pundit Ron Atkinson, former snooker player Willie Thorne, TV actor Garfield Morgan, best known for his roles in The Sweeney, Minder and more recently The Bill, and former World of Sport presenter Dickie Davies. Bristol Rovers soccer legend Geoff Twentyman teamed up with a trio of players from rival Swindon Town for their team round; club captain Hasney Aljofree, and strikers Billy Paynter and Blair Sturrock.
The Wiltshire Golf and Country Club was owned by Mr Shah and his wife Jennifer, who recently sold it to a leisure firm after dramatically transforming its fortunes. Before officially handing it over to the new owners, the Shahs were keen to raise as much money as possible for a special charity.
The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, which raises cash for stem cell research, was established by Michelin Star chef David Nicholls whose son Daniel was paralysed after suffering a spinal injury in a swimming accident at the age of 19 in 2003.
Original article can be found here.
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