David Threlfall and Sean Gilder of Shameless are two of the well known faces who have come out in support of Free Tibet Campaign’s project T for Tibet. The goal of T for Tibet is to imbed in the public psyche a simple T hand signal that athletes – or anyone else – can use during the Beijing Olympics to show their support for Tibet.

Gilder, who plays hard man Paddy Maguire in the popular Channel 4 programme, took part in a photo shoot in London last week with renowned photographer Clive Arrowsmith (1). Gilder’s somewhat mad T photo (2) can be viewed along with other actors, artists and musicians on the newly launched T for Tibet website (www.TforTibet.org).  

Of his involvement in the campaign, Gilder says: “"The plight of the Tibetan people is a responsibility we must all share and if I can help in any way by adding my support to the Free Tibet Campaign, then I am more than happy to do so."

Unfortunately, Threlfall’s filming schedule made it impossible for him to take part in the official photo shoot. However, he did arrange for Shameless art director Miriam Skelton to take a T photo (3) for the campaign. Like Gilder, Threlfall wanted to help in any way he can – even posing for a T shot in character as Frank Gallagher.

Philip Glenister, another television tough guy, took part in the Clive Arrowsmith photo shoot (4). In a nod towards the now iconic character he plays, Glenister said of his involvement in the campaign: "If we were scripting a line for Gene Hunt, he'd probably say, 'Tibet has more bones to pick with China than a dog that's dug up a dinosaur'. I think Tibet has some pretty big bones to pick with us - all the countries in the west who've turned a blind eye to the Chinese occupation and the destruction of Tibetan culture.”

Glenister concluded with some harsh words about the UK government’s public silence on Tibet:  “My message is to the British government: Get off your backside and do something to free Tibet."

Other celebrities who were unable to take part in the photo shoot, but have submitted their own T for Tibet photos, include Michael Stipe, Ralph Steadman and Ruthie Henshaw. There are many more celebrity photos on the way. Individual Tibet supporters are also being encouraged to send their own T for Tibet photos from around the world.

Anne Holmes, acting director of Free Tibet Campaign, said: “We are confident the campaign and the T hand signal will go global quickly. Now all we need are some brave athletes who are willing to show they care about human rights by making the T sign in Beijing.”

Notes to editors:

(1)    All the official Clive Arrowsmith portraits can be viewed at http://tfortibet.org/clive_arrowsmith.html. They are being handled by Camera Press, who should be contacted for high resolution versions.

(2)    Sean Gilder’s somewhat mad looking T for Tibet photo can be viewed at http://tfortibet.org/seangilder.html

(3)    David Threlfall’s photo can be viewed at http://tfortibet.org/gallery/show.php?start=0&id=13.

(4)    Philip Glenister’s photos can be viewed at http://tfortibet.org/philipglenister.html