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Prince Harry, Cheryl ex-Cole, Helen Mirren, Simon Cowell and Dermot O’Leary hit the phones for Icap charity drive
While most of the City had its eyes glued to the Autumn Statement, Icap traders were slightly distracted by the likes of Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (ex- Cole, née Tweedy), Prince Harry, Dame Helen Mirren, Simon Cowell and most of the cast of The Only Way Is Essex – who were all in helping to raise money for charity. “We’re hoping to push the Autumn Statement off the front pages,” Icap chief Michael Spencer told The Capitalist.
X-Factor colleagues Cheryl and Dermot O’Leary were in agreement that trading isn’t all that easy. “It’s hard! It’s hard!’ said Cheryl – while the pressure was getting to Dermot, “it’s really stressful, can we have lunch now?!” he laughed.
Prince Harry proves one phone is not enough
Dame Helen Mirren has a dance in the silent disco
The Icap staff members themselves put on a good show with their fancy dress. The Capitalist got shot in the back with water guns a few times by some rowdy Mexicans in ponchos.
We later caught Lord Jeffrey Archer talking footie with Manchester United legend Denis Law in between trades, Dermot O’Leary and Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding were swapping trading tips and everyone was in agreement that Prince Harry’s trading prowess was coming along, getting a £50m gilt trade up to £300m.
Dermot O'Leary gives it his best shot
Damien Lewis enjoys the moment
“The celebrities certainly add a certain frisson to the day,” Spencer told us. “We’ve been doing this since 1993. We used to have guys doing charity bike rides, but I said, ‘Why not give a day’s work to charity instead – you’re much better at it.’” With Icap’s aim to raise £10m yesterday, we’d say he’s probably right.
Cheryl gets into the spirit
Michael Spencer with Cheryl
Cheryl was a popular trader
Gemma Arterton on the phone
Jamie Oliver is a bit overwhelmed