Articles
Simone’s a bid girl
By YVONNE BOLOURI
Published: 13 Oct 2009
SULTRY Simone Lahbib made such an impact as Bad Girls lesbian Helen Stewart that fans are fighting it out online for copies of a COOKBOOK with her autograph on it.
Simone rocked the gay community when she first hit the screens in 1999 as the gay prison governor.
Now fans across the globe are forking out a fortune to buy the charity cookbook because it is signed by the 44-year-old actress.
One in Australia shelled out a staggering £320 for the Caledonian Kitchen book - despite the fact it costs just £12 in the shops.
A British fan paid out £150 on eBay, while an American fan paid £160 for a signed PICTURE.
Simone said: "I was amazed when I heard that.
"It's the tenth anniversary of Bad Girls and I don't know where on earth the time has gone."
Simone got involved after being asked for her favourite dish by Glasgow couple Kenny and Julie Munro.
They created the cookbook to raise cash for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy because their son Ross suffered from the condition.
Simone said: "They asked me for a recipe and it's snowballed from there. My donated recipe is a chocolate dessert.
"My dad was head chef at Gleneagles and he always encouraged a love of food.
"I'm very glad to be of help to them."
Simone signed books and photos for online auctions to raise more DMD funds.
She said: "DMD is awful. The actress Eileen McCallum's grandsons also have it."
About 100 boys are diagnosed with DMD every year in the UK. It is terminal and incurable.
Simone said: "Right now, there's a young member of my family who is battling cancer. And my husband's father died of lung cancer at the beginning of the year - so I'm very aware of how fragile life is."
Kenny launched the Caledonian Kitchen cookbook in August. He said: "Simone's been brilliant.
"Three signed books and dedicated photos were offered in return for donations to Action Duchenne.
"The top three donations were £320 from Australia, £152 from France and £150 from the UK.
"I've received over 20 offers from UK, France, Australia, Canada, Brazil and many from the USA.
"For boys like Ross, we'll always be eternally grateful."
Meanwhile, Simone has just finished making a film written and directed by her actor hubby Raffaello Degruttola, 37.
She said: "Our daughter Skye is in it as well. She's only four and she's never done anything like this before. She loved it."
Simone added: "I was happy to help Kenny. Skye is a healthy active girl, and I know how lucky we are."
 |
|---|
| Click on picture for scan of article |
(With thanks to Kenny Munro for the image)