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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Richard Jenkins

Celebs share bad advice they were given before stardom and why they ignored it

A quirky new celebs 'rulebook for life' has been released that's literally designed to be ripped up.

The limited-edition book features negative advice given to a host of entrepreneurs and top musicians at the beginning of their careers - which would have held them back if they'd paid any attention to it.

The book, which asks for the reader to destroy it, contains contributions from business rebels like the soon-to-be youngest-ever investor on BBC's Dragon's Den, Steven Bartlett.

Other personalities to appear in the book, compiled by Smokehead whisky, include rapper Professor Green, comedian Adam Rowe and photographer Martina Martian.

The quotes are designed to be ripped out of the book and set alight to 'smoke rinse' cocktail glasses, allowing the drinker to raise a rebellious toast to those who take risks.

The celeb rulebook which is intended to be ripped up (Daniel McAvoy / SWNS)

Professor Green - aka Stephen Manderson - grew up on a council estate in east London, before going on to become a multi-platinum artist, and then diversifying into other creative businesses.

He was often told 'a bad idea is better than no idea', but knew that was never right for him.

Instead, he prefers to leave the studio with a blank piece of paper rather than produce work for the sake of it - and he'll never launch anything new unless he knows it's excellent.

He said: "I've been told plenty of times just to make something and that it doesn't matter if it's not totally perfect.

"That might be good advice for some, but it doesn't work for me.

"Some people think that a blank page is your worst enemy - imagine a painter with a blank canvas fearing their first stroke - but the challenge of walking into a studio with no idea for a song and having to come up with one is what spurs me on.

It contains bad advice celebrities were given starting out (Daniel McAvoy / SWNS)

"Reading the book, I can relate to plenty of the other comments. I think anyone who has fire in their belly will too."

Steven Bartlett wanted to leave university to start his own business but was told 'quitting is for losers'.

At the age of 18, he did it anyway and is now running one of the world's most influential social media companies with a current market valuation of more than £300m.

He now hosts Europe's most popular business podcast, is a best-selling author and will replace Tej Lalvani on Dragon's Den, when it returns for its 19th series on BBC1 later this year.

Mikey Sim, Ambassador for Smokehead whisky, which compiled the book, said: "Every contributor to our book has trusted their gut over guidance.

"They come from different backgrounds and are known for different things - but it's that mindset that connects them together and it's one we share.

"With this book, we hope to inspire more rebels and game-changers by encouraging them to believe in themselves above all else.

"We created Smokehead because we refuse to believe that you need to 'earn your stripes' to enjoy a peated whisky.

"We're not interested in the usual etiquette - ours is an award-winning single malt, but people should drink it however they like.

"With this book, we can't wait to see the rules literally being ripped up."

The book is available to buy from Monday.

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