By Amanda Kirton BBC News Magazine Everyday folk are trying to buy into the celebrity lifestyle of swanky nightclubs and £5,000 bar bills and plunging themselves into penury as a result. Why?
By Amanda Kirton BBC News Magazine Everyday folk are trying to buy into the celebrity lifestyle of swanky nightclubs and £5,000 bar bills and plunging themselves into penury as a result. Why?
We've all seen pictures of footballers, singers and soap stars stumbling out of "exclusive" clubs and into waiting taxis, label-clad and dripping with jewellery, illuminated by popping flashbulbs.
We've all seen pictures of footballers, singers and soap stars stumbling out of "exclusive" clubs and into waiting taxis, label-clad and dripping with jewellery, illuminated by popping flashbulbs.
But what of those who try to follow the same lifestyle, but without the funds?
But what of those who try to follow the same lifestyle, but without the funds?
Gregory, an IT programmer from Walthamstow, was part of this lifestyle, but ended up in debt after losing all his money and savings following months of excessive spending in London clubs.
Gregory, an IT programmer from Walthamstow, was part of this lifestyle, but ended up in debt after losing all his money and savings following months of excessive spending in London clubs.
You don't want to be who you are, you want to be something more than that Gregory
You don't want to be who you are, you want to be something more than that Gregory
"I would go out and I would spend a lot of money on drinks, on occasions about £2,000 a night. I used to buy a lot of champagne in the clubs at around £60-£100 per bottle.
"I would go out and I would spend a lot of money on drinks, on occasions about £2,000 a night. I used to buy a lot of champagne in the clubs at around £60-£100 per bottle.
"Sometimes I'd buy over 10 bottles for myself and for people around me, you want to feel like you are that glamorous so you will be extravagant you will give glasses of champagne to people that you don't even know and you don't even talk to.
"Sometimes I'd buy over 10 bottles for myself and for people around me, you want to feel like you are that glamorous so you will be extravagant you will give glasses of champagne to people that you don't even know and you don't even talk to.
"It's something that can spiral very easily out of control all because you don't want to be who you are, you want to be something more than that."
"It's something that can spiral very easily out of control all because you don't want to be who you are, you want to be something more than that."
At a club such as Movida in London's swanky Mayfair the average spend on a table a VIP section is £5,000 per night and it can go as high as £11,000. In footballer-filled bars in Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, lesser but still significant sums are spent.
At a club such as Movida in London's swanky Mayfair the average spend on a table a VIP section is £5,000 per night and it can go as high as £11,000. In footballer-filled bars in Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, lesser but still significant sums are spent.
Empty buckets
Empty buckets
Clubs like Movida, Pangaea and Boujis have boasted celebrity customers such as Kylie Minogue, Sarah Harding, Lady Victoria Harvey, Beyonce, Jay-Z and even Prince Harry.
Clubs like Movida, Pangaea and Boujis have boasted celebrity customers such as Kylie Minogue, Sarah Harding, Lady Victoria Harvey, Beyonce, Jay-Z and even Prince Harry.
But stand in an "exclusive" club early in the night and it's confusing. There are groups of girls sitting and chatting, the bar looks empty, the champagne buckets are devoid of fizz.
But stand in an "exclusive" club early in the night and it's confusing. There are groups of girls sitting and chatting, the bar looks empty, the champagne buckets are devoid of fizz.
The clubs are replete with pretty girls quaffing champagne
The clubs are replete with pretty girls quaffing champagne
But as time goes on a couple of celebrities stroll in, groups of men are led to tables and the gleaming buckets are soon replete with bubbly. Suddenly, the girls who have been waiting, drinkless on the sidelines, gravitate like vultures to men who've paid £600 or more for a table. Some head for the booths that might require a spend of £1,500-£3,000.
But as time goes on a couple of celebrities stroll in, groups of men are led to tables and the gleaming buckets are soon replete with bubbly. Suddenly, the girls who have been waiting, drinkless on the sidelines, gravitate like vultures to men who've paid £600 or more for a table. Some head for the booths that might require a spend of £1,500-£3,000.
Each partying table of two or three men can be surrounded by 10 women drinking champagne. It's perhaps a little taste of why some might stretch their budgets to be the centre of attention.
Each partying table of two or three men can be surrounded by 10 women drinking champagne. It's perhaps a little taste of why some might stretch their budgets to be the centre of attention.
Sights can be seen. A man in a knee-length leather waistcoat entertains eight women, while standing on a sofa making hip hop hand signals. A woman "Tango'd" with fake tan bares her surgically-enhanced breasts for a photographer.
Sights can be seen. A man in a knee-length leather waistcoat entertains eight women, while standing on a sofa making hip hop hand signals. A woman "Tango'd" with fake tan bares her surgically-enhanced breasts for a photographer.
Paparazzi's lure
Paparazzi's lure
Andrea owns Feneo, a thriving promotions company. He is used to people like Gregory coveting the glamorous life.
Andrea owns Feneo, a thriving promotions company. He is used to people like Gregory coveting the glamorous life.
"One of the reasons why people come to London's West End is to feel more glamorous and to do something different. Some people feel they will be spotted there, they want to launch their singing, modelling or acting career, they assume that if there are celebrities there that there are going to be paparazzi there too."
"One of the reasons why people come to London's West End is to feel more glamorous and to do something different. Some people feel they will be spotted there, they want to launch their singing, modelling or acting career, they assume that if there are celebrities there that there are going to be paparazzi there too."
Leo Ihenacho, a singer with The Streets and a former contestant on Love Island, is familiar with the club circuit and the motivations of the "ordinary".
Leo Ihenacho, a singer with The Streets and a former contestant on Love Island, is familiar with the club circuit and the motivations of the "ordinary".
Bar bills in the VIP section range between £5-11,000
Bar bills in the VIP section range between £5-11,000
"People are thinking if a celebrity is in the same club as them that makes them cool because the celeb is cool so they feel like they're going to the right club".
"People are thinking if a celebrity is in the same club as them that makes them cool because the celeb is cool so they feel like they're going to the right club".
But being around celebrities has its drawbacks to the average earner. Celebrities often go straight to the VIP section of the club. If the clubber is not part of the celebrity entourage they will have to be prepared to dig deep into their wallet for the privilege of fellowship with the rich and famous.
But being around celebrities has its drawbacks to the average earner. Celebrities often go straight to the VIP section of the club. If the clubber is not part of the celebrity entourage they will have to be prepared to dig deep into their wallet for the privilege of fellowship with the rich and famous.
Andrea explains that buying bottles of champagne would normally ensure entry into the VIP section where clubbers could rub shoulders with celebrities.
Andrea explains that buying bottles of champagne would normally ensure entry into the VIP section where clubbers could rub shoulders with celebrities.
"To get a table in a club, £500 is normally the minimum spend but ravers nearly always go over because they buy up lots of champagne so on average, the drink spending on tables can go up to £3,000. The people with regular jobs would pay this but not normally every week."
"To get a table in a club, £500 is normally the minimum spend but ravers nearly always go over because they buy up lots of champagne so on average, the drink spending on tables can go up to £3,000. The people with regular jobs would pay this but not normally every week."
Boring life
Boring life
But this expenditure on chasing a dream is a parallel of society's increasing drift towards debt.
But this expenditure on chasing a dream is a parallel of society's increasing drift towards debt.
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service released figures in 2005 that show an increasing number of under-25s are seeking bankruptcy as they struggle to cope with their debts, and the British Lifestyles 2007 report revealed that the British public is spending an increasing amount of money on leisure pursuits.
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service released figures in 2005 that show an increasing number of under-25s are seeking bankruptcy as they struggle to cope with their debts, and the British Lifestyles 2007 report revealed that the British public is spending an increasing amount of money on leisure pursuits.
A preoccupation with looking important drove Gregory.
A preoccupation with looking important drove Gregory.
Leo Ihenacho was a former contestant on Love Island
Leo Ihenacho was a former contestant on Love Island
"You want to feel like you are the man, to escape from your 9-5 and from your same old boring life you want to feel like something you're not, but you're basically going home to the same old place and you're probably in big old debt. But for that night, for those three to four hours you're not really caring about it.
"You want to feel like you are the man, to escape from your 9-5 and from your same old boring life you want to feel like something you're not, but you're basically going home to the same old place and you're probably in big old debt. But for that night, for those three to four hours you're not really caring about it.
"It becomes addictive, you get used to that buzz, it's something that you don't really want to let go of until you hit rock bottom, one day you look at your bank balance and you've got nothing left to spend.
"It becomes addictive, you get used to that buzz, it's something that you don't really want to let go of until you hit rock bottom, one day you look at your bank balance and you've got nothing left to spend.
"The worst thing is, you end up feeling like exactly what you were trying to escape from - nothing.
"The worst thing is, you end up feeling like exactly what you were trying to escape from - nothing.
"You feel lower than you were before because now you have nothing to go out with, you have no groupies none of these girls hanging around you, the friends that you thought were friends disappear."
"You feel lower than you were before because now you have nothing to go out with, you have no groupies none of these girls hanging around you, the friends that you thought were friends disappear."
Send us your comments using the form below.
Send us your comments using the form below.
This just goes to show what a bunch of idiots the UK is turning out to be.It's almost as bad as the 80's.Paul, Yorkshire
"A fool and his money are soon parted" - it's old but it's true. This is the entertainment equivilant of living on credit. Rather than saving up (or earning their fame) and then spending their cash on luxury living, they want it now and are prepared to pay over the odds for what they could have cheaper later.Paul, Formby, UK
After reading the story about the moroccan family living in a toilet, stories like this make me feel very sad.Paul Barrett, Stoke
I have no sympathy for people who spend money they cannot afford to try to feel 'good' or impress others. Its a reflection of today's society where kids are used to getting what they want without having to earn it or be taught to apprciate what they have. Parents who spoil their kids and let them have 'things' they are not expected to earn are to blame. If parents taught their children some values instead of indulging them through guilt because they work - or to keep up with their friends' parents perhaps people would grow up understanding the realities of life.Anne
I think the cause of this lies in two parts. Firstly there is our national obession with celebrity - not only on TV and in the newspapers but in all these "celebrity" mags where you can see the minutiae of the lives of the rich. Their lives are made to look glamourous and exciting - even their going to the supermarket is built up into something fabulous and special. The other part is that most of us do very boring meaningless jobs (myself included) and people want some excitement in their lives. People spend money on luxuries to reward themselves for the boredom they suffer in work. We Brits are the hardest worked people in Europe - maybe less working hours and a bit more vacation time is in order!K. Blore, Nottingham
I think this only shows one thing...there are people out there who are to stupid to be let out in public, or have a bank account.Murray, London
sad shallow people. Its these people that the hard working majority will be supporting in later yearsColin Wilcox, Stockholm
Mugs. I have no sympathy at all.James, Twickenham
Lord, what fools these mortals be.William,
I don't understand people who feel the need to spend to the point of putting themselves in deep debt just to feel 'cool'. Its pretty pathetic that anyone would want to even play into that image of being surrounded by fake gold digging girls who are only hanging aroung your table for a free drink, hoping that a little of the money getting thrown around might land on them somehow. Spending to 'keep up appearances' is incredibly juvenile and pointless and a huge indicator of the wasteful mentality of the West.Betty Crocker, Berkshire, UK
Tell me about it. I save each month, I don't drive a flash car, and for the last few years I wondered how seemingly everyone else had huge salary increases, whilst I was "comfortable" but without the means to splash out on champagne and sports cars. As the year passes I'm becoming more and more concerned that our economy seems to be largely fuelled by personal debt. The country certainly appears to be "richer" than I ever remember, but the illusion seems to be shattering. And what will be the cost to those of us who have been careful if the economy falls around our ears? It does worry me.Sebastian, Warwickshire, UK
I have no sympathy for people who go and spend £1000+ a night in a rubbish bar, just because some z-list celebrity who once appeared on Big Brother goes there. My advice for those people is: Grow up!Alex, London, UK
It seems a shame when people are so shallow that they think by hanging in these clubs, makes them better. I can understand when people join social activities to further their career and to make business contacts. But the "celebs" certainly wouldnt be there if any of these wannabe's needed help would they? and the girls would quickly disappear without the money and free drinks. Give me true friends anytime and a social circle where I am can be myself.Jan, Cheltenham
Am I the only one who finds the celebrity culture embarrassing?Andrew White, Koln, Germany
Why would you want to spend your free time with shallow, vacuous people who pretend to like you, but who will drop you like a hot potato when the money runs out? How empty must life be before that's a good way to spend a night out?Sarah, Reading, UK
Crikey! I have no time for that i'm too busy working so I can pay my council tax, inflated gas bill, the VAT on air. I don't know where these young people get the time.Henry Normal, Leeds
If I live like a celebrity and go over my budget and end up with debt, the government will pick up the tab. There should be tighter policies to ensure the government (tax payer dont pay for the outragous lifstyles of others)mark johnson, London
How very sad; to think that apart from the fact that so called 'celebs' have nothing better to do with their money than court a few hours friendship from some unknown people; the poor unknown people (as they see themselves) are copying the 'celebs'.GET A LIFE. I remember my Dad sitting and listening to some friends trying to outdo each other in how much their house, car holidays etc cost, when they asked him he said I live in a council house which may not be mine but I don't owe anyone anything and I have a beautiful wife and 4 wonderful children so I don't need the exensive house, car holiday as I see it I have much more than money can buy. Think on it and reflect on why your life is so sad that you need to throw money away on rubbish!D.Avery, Bushey
Words fail me. Stupid people thinking they'll look cool ruining themselves on bubbly, to be like the celebs and footballers. Hey idiots, these "stars" earn millions so they can afford it. Simple really!Yann, London
I can't think this happens to many people. Those it does happen too are very very inadequate sad people. I don't even understand the drive? I'd love to be a millionaire but can't think of anything less appealing than being a celebrity.Sam,
Someone knows someone who spoke to someone who cleaned the toilets at a TV studio. They must be a 'celebrity' in their eyes, not someone who was plucked from obscurity and made to behave like a fool on a ridiculous TV programme for the nations amusement. Then other people want to emulate them and go broke in the process. God give me strength. Derek Eddlestone, Southampton
When is it going to be a case of going out for the sake of having a good time without getting totally off your face. People do this to be part of the in crowd no matter where you go or how much you have to spend, its a case of how much can I get down my throat in as quick a time as possible, being rich does not make you a different type of alcoholic. In the end they all end up the same, nothing. Steven , Cardiff
How can these people not see it coming? A couple of thousand a night to just pretend they are popular. Clearly the only ones with any intelligence are the flirty blondes who get free drinks off the naive and gullible. They deserve to go broke, the saddest thing is they get bailed out by declaring bankruptcy, if they were made to pay off their debts, they may think twice about doing it again.V, Lincoln, England
These people are absolutely patheitc, bring back the debtors prison and throw away the key. If they can't cope with reality then they shouldn't be part of society. Millions of people in this country get on with their lives no matter what hardship the have to endure.Gary, Cheltenham
This is just a symptom of the lack of personal responsibility in the young. Families coddle their children, trying to shield them all ills. Then they wonder why their grown-up child doesn't have a clue about real life.Caroline Brown, Rochester, UK
I feel sorry for Gregory, he obviously has extremely low self esteem and is delusional to think that anyone he hardly knows sipping his free champagne is interested in being his friend. Its much more rewarding to avoid these fake big brother loser and wannabe WAG hang outs and instead sit in a nice beer garden with real friends you can actually have a reasonably intellectual conversation and a laugh with.Rebecca, London
