Celebrity island; holiday 2007 Starstruck on the Isle of Wight.

WELCOME to Celebrity Island! No, it's not another tiresome reality TV show.

It's the Isle of Wight.

Celebs have been flocking to the island, making it a VIP holiday hotspot for 2007.

And with the short ferry ride from Portsmouth, it's certainly cheaper than Cannes!

Among recent visitors have been Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna and Jodie Kidd.

Jeremy Irons, Sharon Osbourne, Chris Martin and Charlie Dim-mock are regulars.

And surely that can't be Jimi Hendrix. Actually, it can, but more of that later.

The return of the Isle of Wight rock festival, and its little Bes-tival brother, have put the place back on the entertainment map.

With headline acts such as David Bowie, Coldplay, The Who, REM and Scissor Sisters, all eyes have been on the island.

If the latest rumours are true, then Robbie Williams, Eric Cantona and Anneka Rice are all checking out holiday homes.

Not that celebrity holiday-makers are anything new here.

"Queen Victoria fell in love with the place," says Liz Walker at Isle Of Wight Tourism. "Os-borne House became her beloved holiday home and retreat.

"And where she went, society followed. The island became the place to be seen during her reign.

"Alfred Lord Tennyson, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll and John Keats are just a few of the literary and artistic greats who were inspired here, and left an indelible mark on the island.

"These were the celebrities of their day.

"It's no secret that our annual rock and pop festivals have raised the island's profile. Quick to spot a trend, people like Kate Moss, Jude Law and Peaches Geldof have all been enjoying the new 'cool Wight'.

"Alan Titchmarsh and film director Anthony Minghella have been visitors, and round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur learned to sail here.

"Even Madonna and Guy Ritchie pop over occasionally for a spot of celebrity chilling."

This year's Isle of Wight Festival runs from June 8 to June 10 and is headlined by Snow Patrol, Muse and The Rolling Stones, the latter amazingly playing their very first UK festival.

The Bestival, staged from September 7 to 9 this year, boasts the likes of Beastie Boys and The Chemical Brothers.

Among the other high-profile events that draw the VIPs to the island are the Skandia Cowes Week and Cowes Powerboat Festival, both of which take place in August.

Last year actor Jeremy Irons, who has starred in movies such as Die Hard With A Vengeance, Kingdom Of Heaven and Lolita, took to the water with yachtsman Conrad Humphreys.

Fashion model Jodie Kidd was at the regatta, and Olympic gold medal rower James Crack-nell tried his hand at the helm.

But what of Jimi Hendrix, who famously headlined the Isle of Wight Festival before his untimely death in 19 70?

A life-sized bronze statue of the rock guitar icon now stands in the gardens at Dimbola Lodge in Freshwater, bringing the musician back to the island where he made his last public performance.

"The Isle of Wight has attracted and motivated amazing people from all walks of life," adds tourism boss Liz.

"It must be something in the water, possibly the air, or maybe it's in the landscape. Whatever it is, the island continues to lure them. Who knows whom you may see or, indeed, what you might be inspired to do yourself?"

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TRAVEL FILE

For holiday opportunities, details of events and attractions, head for www.islandbreaks.co.uk. The site averages 3,000 visitors a day - not bad for a tiny island.

There are more than 1,000 local, national and international events on the Isle of Wight this year. Call 01983 813800 for information and travel links.

For the latest on the Isle of Wight Music Festival, click on www.isleofwightfestival.com, and for Bestival, see www.bestival.net.

Other events include the White Air Extreme Sports Festival, Skandia Cowes Week, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival, the Wight Diamond Mountain Bike Festival, carnivals and concerts.

It's not all celebrity action. For news of relaxing breaks, walking and cycling tours, and gourmet food trails, take a look at www.islandbreaks.co.uk.

It's a tiny island in the English Channel yet 3,000 people a day check out holidays on its official website. Travel Editor PAUL COLE discovers there are some household names among them.

CAPTION(S):

VIP BREAK: (from left) David Bowie, the Scissor Sisters, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ozzie and Sharon Osbourne and Robbie Williams