Sophie Ellis-Bextor Glams Up To Tell Cancer to 'Beat It'

Chiswick resident does promo shoot for Cancer Research

Sophie Ellis-Bextor tells cancer exactly what she thinks of it, by posing for stunning and defiant photos shot by renowned celebrity photographer Jason Bell. The photos, showing Sophie with a powerful message painted onto different parts of her body, have been taken to encourage women in London and across the UK to sign up to Cancer Research UK's Race for Life. The gutsy message which reads, 'Beat it cancer', captures the fighting spirit of this year's Race for Life event series.

Every hour, around three people are diagnosed with cancer in London. So women and girls of all ages, shapes and sizes are needed to join together as a formidable army and take on cancer at events across the south of England this summer. Sophie, from Chiswick, West London, said: "Cancer has sadly touched my family, like so many others, and that is why I am so proud to be supporting Cancer Research UK's Race for Life this year. "I'd urge every woman out there to send a defiant message to cancer by signing up to a Race for Life event now. If everyone gets involved by taking part and fundraising I believe that, one day, we will beat this awful disease."

Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of events which raises millions of pounds every year to help defeat cancer by funding life-saving research. Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK's doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across the South East. Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for London, said: "We're issuing the rallying cry 'Cancer - we're coming to get you!' to mums, daughters, sisters, grandmas and friends, encouraging them to sign up as soon as possible. "Race for Life is non-competitive.It's not about being fit or fast. Most women are able to walk 5k in an hour while chatting and having fun. They can walk, jog, run or even dance around the course if they prefer. "Women of all shapes, sizes, ages and levels of fitness take part in Race for Life. They come from different backgrounds and walks of life but they are united by their absolute determination to take on cancer and beat it."

The striking images of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, along with chart topping band Little Mix and the Xtra Factor's Caroline Flack, were shot by renowned celebrity photographer Jason Bell. He said: "With these images I wanted to visually capture the defiant spirit of this year's Race for Life event series, which is all about telling cancer exactly what we really think of it. These bold messages which are scrawled across the women's bodies will hopefully inspire other women to send their most powerful message to cancer by signing up to this year's Race for Life and helping Cancer Research UK to beat all 200 types of cancer."

March 27, 2013