A string of celebs have turned out for Sir Philip Green again – to enjoy a very different kind of bash.
The Topshop boss was once treated like royalty as he hosted big showbiz names at lavish events including a three-day toga party in Cyprus.
But the 67-year-old seemed to fall out of fashion after he was hauled before MPs over the collapse of BHS and found himself nicknamed Sir Philip Greed.
Now, stars have queued up for cameos in Steve Coogan’s film Greed, an obvious rip on the shamed rag trade tycoon.
It mocks his lifestyle and business woes, and blasts fashion industry exploitation.
Coogan – who plays retail mogul Sir Richard McCreadie, known as McGreedy – said the stars “probably” did their cameos “for expenses plus a sandwich”, adding: “They’re playing themselves as if they’re prostituting themselves.”
Actor Colin Firth, who sends a recorded tribute to McCreadie, says the film “challenges our deniability” of the injustices of the fashion industry.
Some of the stars who feature were at Green’s £6.5million 60th birthday bash in Cancun, Mexico, in 2012. One opulent event sent up is the toga bash held for Green’s 50th in 2002. Coldplay singer Chris Martin, reportedly at the 2012 party, appears sending McCreadie a video message.
Louis Walsh, snapped out with Green in 2009, sends in another video. But a lookalike stands in for Simon Cowell, friends with the tycoon for years.
The film also refers to the cost of hiring Robbie Williams – who performed eight songs at Green’s 2012 party. Topshop fans Alexa Chung and Pixie Lott also have cameos, as does Rolling Stone Keith Richards – although it was bandmate Ronnie Wood who partied with Green.
And Made in Chelsea star Ollie Locke sends up his past relationship with Green’s daughter Chloe by playing the boyfriend of McCreadie’s daughter.
Director Michael Winterbottom had reportedly wanted to shame celebs like Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwyneth Paltrow for going to Green’s dos. But Coogan said: “This unwritten rule exists among entertainers the same way as among CEOs – we don’t diss each other.”
*Greed hits cinemas on February 21.
