All bets are on.Byline: By Rhodri Phillips A pack of celebrities rolled up the red carpet last night as TV personality Donna Air helped officially open her businessman husband's first UK casino in her home city. Aspers, a three-floor poker players' paradise in The Gate in Newcastle, is described as the first casino of its kind in the country. And Donna's celebrity friends came up trumps for her last night as they helped her and husband Damian Aspinall celebrate the launch. Casino owner Duncan Bannatyne Duncan Walker Bannatyne, OBE D.Sc.(born February 2 1949) is a British entrepreneur and businessman. He is most famous for his appearance as a business angel or Dragon on the BBC programme Dragons' Den. attended the event, as did celebrity pin-up Abi Titmuss, James Hewitt
orig. Lady Diana Frances Spencer (born July 1, 1961, Sandringham, Norfolk, Eng.—died Aug. 31, 1997, Paris, France) Consort (1981–96) of Charles, prince of Wales. , and former Big Brother contestant Michelle Bass Michelle Bass (born February 2, 1981 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England) is a British Glamour model and Television personality turned Singer and Columnist. She first came to fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the UK reality television show Big Brother. . X-factor rejects 4Tune, Full Monty actor Hugo Speer Hugo Speer (born 1968) is an English actor. He was born in Harrogate, Yorkshire, and educated at Harrogate Grammar School. He studied acting at The Arts Educational School. , Newcastle United chairman Freddie Shepherd and former players John Beresford and Terry McDermott also trod the red carpet. And jazz singer Amy Winehouse provided a laid-back soundtrack to an evening of high rollers and high jinks. Donna said: "It is very, very exciting for the North-East. You will see there is not anything like this in the UK. I am very excited that the first Aspers casino is opening in Newcastle, which is my home town. "We want to have lots of fun and lots of responsible gaming here." The 45,000 square ft Aspers boasts silk-lined walls, African walnut finishes, 27 plasma screen television and tanks of tropical fish. It also has a distinct family theme and features Air's bar, Freya's restaurant ( which is named after Donna and Damian's two-year-old daughter ( and Cafe Marie, a tribute to Donna's mother. Damian Aspinall said his flagship casino was not just about gambling. He said: "My vision for Aspers is that it is a leisure destination for everyone. "Our members will be able to come and spend the whole evening at Aspers and not gamble if they don't want to ( they can have a drink, a meal and watch a show. There is nothing like it in the UK." Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Diane Packham, cut the ribbon and declared the casino open shortly after 9pm. Celebrity pin-up Abi Titmuss, who arrived at The Gate in a fetching black dress, said: "It's great to be in Newcastle and I am looking forward to a night out in a casino I have been hearing so much about." And Big Brother contestant Michelle Bass, originally from Dinnington, near Ponteland, Northumberland, said the casino was just what Newcastle needed. She said: "It is amazing. I don't normally gamble but I might have a flutter. I might get lucky now that I am back in my home city. "It is great to be back home ( although I am only here for one night. "Everything is familiar but at the same time unfamiliar as well. There is always new stuff happening ( like this casino." |
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