May 2006

BRITAIN’S FAVOURITE CELEBRITY VEGETARIAN ANNOUNCED

Sir Paul McCartney and daughter Stella ‘keep it in the family’
(National Vegetarian Week – sponsored by Quorn)

The Vegetarian Society is delighted to announce the winners of our Favourite Celebrity Vegetarian Poll which has been running throughout National Vegetarian Week 2006. Receiving the highest number of votes for the most popular male celebrity vegetarian was Sir Paul McCartney, followed closely by singer Morrissey.

Keeping it in the family, the most popular female vegetarian celeb was Sir Paul’s daughter, fashion designer Stella McCartney. After adding the total votes, Sir Paul was the outright winner across both sexes.

Speaking to The Vegetarian Society today, Sir Paul McCartney said:

“ I am really thrilled. People are becoming more aware of what they eat and where it comes from. But many still don't make the connection between their own actions and the suffering and death of a real living creature. Once you truly understand the consequences of buying and eating meat, you can't claim to care without going vegetarian.”

Voters were asked to select their favourite veggie through our on-line poll at www.vegsoc.org. The list of 25 nominees included GMTV’s Fiona Phillips, Big Brother’s Chantelle Houghton, Lady Heather Mills-McCartney, actor Martin Shaw, singer Moby, actress Joanna Lumley, Big Brother’s Russell Brand and US hunk Tobey McGuire.

Voters were asked to add a comment if they wished when placing their vote. Sir Paul’s included:

“Sir Paul McCartney is my favourite male veggie celebrity because: he is the celebrity that has done the most to promote vegetarianism as a healthy and ethical way of living and played a pivotal role, along with his late wife Linda, in vegetarianism being accepted into mainstream Western culture.”

Another said: “He is fab! A totally genuine guy and a really committed vegetarian.”

Comments for Stella McCartney included:
“ She is not just famous for being Paul McCartney's daughter, but rather she has carved out a career as a fashion designer and stuck to her guns about not using fur.” And: “She is a vegetarian without ramming it down people’s throats; it sends out the message that it’s an easy and healthy way to eat and live. She looks great too.”

Collette Walsh, press spokesperson at The Vegetarian Society said: “It was level-pegging for Morrissey and Sir Paul McCartney at one point. Both are hugely influential individuals and great ambassadors for vegetarianism.
“ Stella, however, was the outright winner in the female category. The vast majority of votes for her came from women. She’s clearly the savvy, successful type of vegetarian that they like to look up to.”

TOP FIVE VEGGIE CELEBS (MALE/FEMALE)

Favourite male celeb veggie

(1) Sir Paul McCartney

(2) Morrissey

(3) Martin Shaw

(4) Moby

(5) Tobey McGuire

Favourite female celeb veggie

(1) Stella McCartney

(2) Chrissie Hynde

(3) Lady Heather Mills-McCartney

(4) Sadie Frost

(5) Fiona Phillps

Runners up

Russell Brand (Big Brother)

Andre 3000

Dave Spikey (comedian)

Michaela Strachen

Chantelle Houghton (BB)

Joanna Lumley

NOTES FOR EDITORS

• There are over three million vegetarians in the UK. This is the first poll of its type run by The Vegetarian Society.

• For more press information contact Collette Walsh or Liz O’Neill in The Vegetarian Society Press Office on 0161 925 2012, 07973 108 165, collette@vegsoc.org

• For more information about Quorn please contact Sabrina Lynch at Revolver Communications on 020 7107 2720 or Sabrina.lynch@revolvercomms.com