The day Chipmunk came for tea

Oct 19 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

RAPPER Chipmunk was in Wirral this week to conquer his fear of dogs – and give a teenage fan a birthday surprise she’ll never forget.

The 20-year-old is filming TV series Live and Lost with BlackBerry, which sees him left stranded in the middle of nowhere.

He is given just a week to make his way to a gig hundreds of miles away using only the goodwill of his fans and must stay at their house and complete challenges they set.

On Monday Chipmunk came to Wallasey after accepting an offer from fan Paige Barnes, who was celebrating her 16th birthday.

She decided to help her idol overcome his fear of dogs by asking him to visit the RSPCA’s Animal Centre on Cross Lane, Wallasey.

Chipmunk, flanked by a camera crew, was asked to walk Staffordshire Bull Terrier Blade, and despite some initial reluctance, eventually took his lead and stroked the dog.

Then it was back to Paige’s home on Breck Road, where Chipmunk joined her family and close friends for birthday cake.

Paige, a pupil at St Mary’s Catholic College, said it was “probably the best birthday I’ll ever have”.

She told the News: “It was surreal when he walked in. I was just thinking ‘Chipmunk is in my house, Chipmunk is in my house!’.

“I think my mum was more excited than me! I was just trying to stay calm because he must get a bit bored of people shouting and crying so I wanted to be different.

“We got our dog Skye from the RSPCA which is why I thought he could go there. I was so excited.

“My phone kept going with messages from my friends asking if he was really in my house.”

Enjoying a cup of tea made for him by Paige’s mum Maria Bruce, 40, Chip – as he prefers to be known – said he was enjoying his week with his fans.

He said: “As an artist you don’t get the chance to do stuff for your fans because the harsh reality is you’ve got to get back on the tour bus. That’s been the most exciting part for me.

“It’s also growing up in general. I’m a very homely person. My friends used to stay at my house so I’m getting used to being at different people’s houses.”

Chip had high praise for Paige, saying she was the calmest fan he’d met so far.

He said: “She’s proper calm, it’s very refreshing.

“Everyone’s been crying and the girl before was breaking down!

“I’m a proper hygiene freak. I’ve never been a day without a bath or shower. But this is a nice house and clean, so I’m cool. I can work with this.”

l Chipmunk’s meeting with Paige will be featured on T4 this Sunday or follow his progress at www.blackberry.com/liveandlost