The actual bright red jockey shorts worn by Tom Hollander in Academy Award-nominated comedy In the Loop are going to auction with Celebrity Bottom Drawer, the new celebrity cast-off auction site.
That’s not all, though, as the generous actor has really dug deep in his drawers to pick out Pirates of the Caribbean film scripts, a Tiffany travel clock received from Tom Cruise whilst filming Valkyrie and DVDs from season 1 of the award-winning BBC2 sitcom Rev.
Celebrity Bottom Drawer is being organised by Griff Rhys Jones as he continues his annual festive fundraising for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). As well as putting in quirky and valuable items of his own, such as a film camera coffin made in Ghana and a Montblanc pen believed to be worth over £7,000, he has been asking his network of celebrity friends to regift items too valuable to take to the dump. A tranche of top grade celebrity cast-offs, memorabilia and treasure will be available come 27 November, when the week-long online auction will begin.
Griff said: “We’ve been knocked out by the response. Some amazing stuff is coming in from a super A-list list. If you’re searching for a Christmas present for a granny who’s nuts about Game of Thrones or an uncle who always does his Mick Jagger impression, we have unique authenticated GOT and Stones items for you. You have to go on the website to have a look and choose a Christmas memento for someone you know. There’s a good chance one of your favourite stars or shows will be there. My ambition now, of course, is to get more undies from other heartthrobs!”
Exclusive books from David Walliams, including one of three copies of Baby Eric, a story written for Simon Cowell when his son was born, and a special £10 note created for Doctor Who from David Tennant are among items that have already come in. The likes of Alexander Armstrong, Ant & Dec, Ian Hislop, Joanna Lumley, Matt Lucas, Ralph Fiennes and so many more have also been delving through their drawers.
EACH has experienced a hugely significant drop in voluntary income as a result of shops being closed and fundraising events cancelled this year. While the charity met its first challenge of surviving the initial drop and supporting families to protect themselves at home, it says it needs public and government support now more than ever if it is to continue meeting the cost and increasing need for delivering its specialist care, as it now receives an increased number of requests for support from families exhausted by providing care on their own.
Griff said: “What we’ll give is a tiny thing for a huge and vital service. I’ve met parents and children at the Treehouse (EACH’s hospice in Ipswich). I’ve never been so overwhelmed. It’s a place that buys precious time for people who really need it. Don’t be afraid. A hospice is not about death. It is about making the very most out of life and joy. If we can all get behind this auction, we can really help.”
This is the fourth Christmas running Griff has raised money for EACH, with a star-studded show at Ipswich’s Regent Theatre last year having followed two solo performances in 2017 and 2018.
The auction will be hosted by online auction experts Bid In, kindly donating its services free of charge, with Go Group giving a free platinum delivery service straight to doors. For more information and to start looking at lots announced so far visit www.CelebrityBottomDrawer.com. Anyone who feels they already have enough items around the house will be able to ‘bid for nothing’ and make a donation straight to EACH.
