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Eric Cantona for President?

Sadly no, but it was a great story while it lasted. For a few hours it seemed that former Manchester United star Eric Cantona-turned-philosopher-turned-actor had signalled his intention to run for the French Presidency. 

And how did he do that exactly?

His photo appeared in the country's national daily Libération alongside a letter to French mayors asking for 500 signatures - the number needed to run for the presidency.

Why would he do that?

Because the former soccer ace is lending his support to flag up the issue of the French housing crisis and urging politicians to sign a petition being touted by French charity the Abbé Pierre Foundation. 

The Guardian called the move the 'latest in a string of highly effective publicity coups to raise awareness of the plight of poor people in France'. 

Sounds like an odd move to me. Normally celebs just endorse charities in press photos rather than alluding to Presidential ambitions. 

Maybe so. But it's not the first time a celebrity has done something unusual to get the world's attention for a good cause. 

Well I suppose celebrities are good at doing unusual things to get attention.

Yes, especially in the Big Brother house - although that particular variety of celebrity rarely ends up lending a hand to good causes. 

So when was the last time you heard of celebs stunting (unusually) for charity? 

In December 2010, a clutch of celebrities faked their own death on social media. 

And how did they do that exactly?

By opting to abstain from tweeting and posting to Facebook as part of a 'Digital Death' campaign. The celebs resisted the urge to tweet until $1 million had been donated to the Keep a Child Alive, a group raising money for medical and social services for children and families in Africa. 

Photos of the celebrities with eyes closed in fake coffins were circulated as part of the campaign. 

How did that go down? 

It was a mixed bag. Some people branded the effort tasteless. But the campaign did make its target. 

And what about when celeb publicity stunts backfire?

In 2009 actor David Arquette attempted to pull off a David Blaine style feat by apparently spending two days inside a plastic box over Madison Square Garden. The effort was an attempt to raise $250,000 for Feed America, one of the country's largest domestic hunger relief organisations. 

What could possibly go wrong?

The move attracted some criticism after it emerged the actor had only spent 16 hours total in the box - eight hours each on Tuesday and Thursday thus not depriving himself of any meals during the venture. 

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