Who's Who on the Cameo Rich List? The surprisingly not-so-famous faces earning a fortune from fans wanting personal messages on 'shoutout' site now valued at $1billion

  • Cameo is website that allows you to purchase 'shoutout' videos from celebrities
  • The Chicago-based company, started in 2017, has now been valued at £1billion
  • Popular UK celebrities on the app include Inbetweeners star James Buckley
  • The site is also popular in the US, where fans can get videos from favourite starsThey are the not-so-famous faces earning a fortune by selling personal 'shoutouts' for fans and their friends. 

    Cameo, which this week was valued at $1bn, is filling the pockets of film stars and public figures who are selling off short videos those willing to splash out.

    Big name celebrities on the site range from top sports stars, including boxing legend Floyd 'Money Mayweather, to television personality Caitlyn Jenner.But while superfans can splash out the big bucks on A-listers - some who charge into the thousands - it's the not-so-famous who are really cashing in.

    Casts members young and old from the Harry Potter series - some of whom have drifted into relative obscurity since the ending of the main franchise - are among the most popular on Cameo.  

    The Darkness singer Justin Hawkins, a name which most commonly crops up around Christmas, is also a surprise hit on the site.

    And last year it was revealed Inbetweeners actor James Buckley, who played Jay Cartwright in the hit series, was one of the site's most prolific shoutout creators.

    The comedian, who offers fans videos in the style of his foul-mouthed character, made an average of 37 videos a day in 2020.

    And, according to figures from the company, the 33-year-old could have raked in as much as £300,000 from Cameo last year. 

    Alongside its stars, the company's shareholders are also set to reap the rewards of the celebrity greetings app.

    The Chicago-based company, which turns four this year, has recently been valued at a whopping $1billion.

    Originally launched by Martin Blencowe, a British tech entrepreneur from Brighton, the firm makes its money by taking a 25 per cent cut of the fees for the celebrity shout-outs. 

    The site works by fans searching for their favourite celebrity. They can then request them to make a personalised video.

    Fans can even send directions about the words, theme or style of video they want.

    Though people can order videos for themselves, most people request personalised messages for their friends.

    And, if requested, videos can be rude and foul-mouthed.

    Former Monty Python star John Cleese, who charges up to £350 for a video, even asks people to 'provide extra details' to make the experience more 'personalised and rude'. 

    Celebrities charge hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds for the videos.

    Caitlyn Jenner currently charges the most on Cameo, with a video costing £1,875 and a direct message costing £14.99.

    According to the star's profile, the money from the videos goes to her Caitlyn Jenner Foundation.  

    Today MailOnline looks at some of the stars who are helping drive the growing Cameo craze. 

    The figures used are not definitive and are an estimate calculated from the number of reviews and the cost a celebrity currently charges for a video.

    Some stars on Cameo may have made more videos, but have not received as many reviews.

    MailOnline today requested definitive figures for a top 10 from Cameo, but the company declined to provide them.

    UK top earners

    Tom Felton: 396 reviews: Cost: £449.25 - 25 per cent = £133,428 estimated earnings

    The Harry Potter star is best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series. 

    Though the 33-year-old continues to act, and most recently starred in the American child's horror film A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting, his career has never quite reached the highs of his childhood super-stardom.  

    But he has magicked his way to the top of the Cameo rich-list.

    Harry Potter star Tom Felton is best known for playing the role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series.Felton, originally from Epsom, Surrey, has posted personalised videos on the site, in which he is seen singing and playing guitar.

    He is one of the priciest UK Cameo stars, at £449 a video. 

    But spellbound fans don't seem to care, as he's received almost 400 postive reviews, while raking in at least £133,000.

    James Buckley: 3,100 reviews - £41.25 - 25 per cent = £95,000 estimated earnings

    The Inbetweeners star, who played the boastful Jay Cartwright in the Channel 4 comedy series, is thought to be one of the most active Cameo stars around.

    Fans often cough up his £41.25 fee for a shout-out video from the comedian, who usually delivers with lines from his trademark Jay character. 

    And he's straight to the point about why he's on Cameo - money. 

    The Inbetweeners star, who played the boastful Jay Cartwright in the Channel 4 comedy series, is thought to be one of the most active Cameo stars around

    He previously told the Sun said: 'I always got asked for messages but couldn't be bothered, until I found out I could do it for money.

    'So if you want me to congratulate your brother's birthday or maybe hurl some abuse at a friend of yours who is getting married, I can do that all for you now – for a fee.'

    He has 3,100 reviews on the website, meaning he has earned at least £95,000.

    However, according to reports last year, he is said to have made at least 10,000 videos in 2020 and made around £300,000.  

    John Cleese: 329 reviews - £337.50 - 25 per cent = £83,278 estimated earnings

    The legendary Monty Python star is comedy royalty and made millions from his exploits.

    But he faced an expensive divorce bill in 2009, when he reached a £12million settlement in his acrimonious divorce from his third wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger. 

    It was reported at the time that the huge settlement may have been the reason behind his decision to go back on tour with Monty Python shortly after. 

    He's also faced criticism in the past over his willingness over his choice of advertising campaigns.

    Over the years, he has sung the virtues of Schweppes drinks, Planters Pretzels and Accurist watches.

    Legendary Monty Python comedian John Cleese is also up there as one of the most costly Cameo stars, at £337.50 a video.

    He plundered a scene from Monty Python’s Life Of Brian to plug the delights of the BBC TV licence. 

    And he has, the past, enthused about Maxwell House coffee, BT and American Express.

    Now he's made a name for himself on Cameo - encouraging users to send him 'extra details to enable the Cameo video to be more personalised and rude'.

    He's up there with some of the most costly Cameo stars, at £337.50 a video. 

    But the 81-year-old funny man is still in popular demand, with at least 329 reviews.

    It means the actor has netted at least £83,278 from Cameo.

    Oliver Phelps: 811 reviews - £93.75 - 25 per cent = £57,000 estimated earnings and James Phelps: 755 reviews - £93.75 - 25 per cent =  £53,086 estimated earnings

    Brothers off-screen and on screen, twins Oliver and James Phelps, were again thrust into superstardom at a young age playing the Weasley twins - Fred and George.

    But the work appears to have largely dried up for the pair since, with a handful of film credits to their name since the end of the smash-hit series. 

    Oliver Phelps
    James Phelps

    Brothers off-screen and on screen, twins Oliver (pictured left) and James Phelps (pictured right), who starred in the Harry Potter series seem equally popular in the world of CameoThe pair did star in the BBC made for television film Danny and the Human Zoo in 2015, and they are again set to star together in the upcoming Last Night in Soho.

    But with legions of Harry Potter fans still interested in their lives, they have decided to rake in the cash on Cameo, charging £93.75 each for their videos.

    Oliver appears the most popular, with 811 reviews, though James is not far behind, on 755 reviews.

    Graham McTavish: 355 reviews - £105 - 25 per cent = £27,597 estimated earnings

    Scottish actor Graham James McTavish is best known for his role as Dwalin in The Hobbit film trilogy - and another cashing in off the back of big-hit franchises.

    Scottish actor Graham James McTavish is best known for his role as Dwalin in The Hobbit film trilogy

    Scottish actor Graham James McTavish is best known for his role as Dwalin in The Hobbit film trilogy

    The 60-year-old is also popular on Cameo, with more than 355 reviews.

    Charging £105 per video, the Hobbit star has raked in at least £27,597 from the site. 

    The actor's videos include personalised messages, including birthday messages to those who request it. 

    Justin Hawkins: 533 reviews - £56.25 - 25 per cent = £22,486 estimated earnings

    The musician was a big name in the early 2000s when he burst onto the scene as the lead singer of the Darkness. 

    He split from the band in 2006, and along with fleeting TV appearance, his name is one that most often crops up around Christmas. 

    However the Darkness frontman has, in recent times, managed to shine a bit of light in the world of Cameo. 

    Justin Hawkins, the leader singer of the Darkness, has raked in at least £22,486 from his Cameo appearancesHe often creates personalised birthday messages for fans who are willing to pay the £56.25 video fee he commands. 

    The musician, who recently appeared on the Masked Singer, racked up 533 reviews, it means he has earned at least £22,486 from the app. 

    Miltos Yerolemou: 410 review - £56.25 - 25 per cent = £17,297 estimated earnings

    The British actor is best known for his role as Syrio Forel in the HBO fantasy TV series Game of Thrones.

    He's also made appearances in films such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

    The British actor is best known for his role as Syrio Forel in the HBO fantasy TV series Game of Thrones

    The British actor is best known for his role as Syrio Forel in the HBO fantasy TV series Game of Thrones

    But in a galaxy much closer to home he's also made a tidy sum making videos on Cameo.

    With his videos costing £56.25, and 410 reviews, he's earned at least £17,297 from the app. 

    Miriam Margolyes: 204 reviews - £127.50 - 25 per cent = £19,508 estimated earnings

    The fourth Harry Potter star to feature on the list. The British-Australian actress played Professor Sprout in the series.

    Miriam Margolyes is the fourth Harry Potter star to feature on the list. The British-Australian actress played Professor Sprout in the seriesOne of the pricier UK Cameo stars, a video from the 79-year-old star will set you back £127.50.

    The actress has 204 reviews, meaning she has received at least £19,508. 

    James Cosmo: 470 reviews - £37.50 - 25 per cent = £13,219 estimated earnings

    Fellow Game of Thrones actor is also a hit on Cameo. The Scottish actor played Jeor Mormont in the hit series.

    Fellow Game of Thrones actor is also a hit on Cameo. The Scottish actor played Jeor Mormont in the hit series

    Fellow Game of Thrones actor is also a hit on Cameo. The Scottish actor played Jeor Mormont in the hit series

    Fans can get a video for £37.50. And with more than 470 reviews, it means the Clydebank actor has netted at least £13,219 

    The most expensive UK acts on Cameo 

    Jamie Muscato - West End singer: £750 (His profile contains a message saying he is trying to put people off with a high price while he attempts to disable his account)

    Rhys James - Comedian: £750

    Tom Felton - Harry Potter actor: £449.25 

    Gabi Faye - Youtuber: £375

    John Cleese - Monty Python Actor and Comedian: £337.50

    Emma Rigby - Hollyoaks actress: £255

    Alfie Boe - Singer: £225

    Boy George - Singer: £225

    Nicola Adams -  Boxer: £225

    Engelbert Humperdinck - Singer: £224.25

    David Bradley - Harry Potter actor: £187.50

    Lily Allen - Singer: £187.50

    Viv Anderson - Footballer: £150

    Chunkz - Social media star: £150

    Orissa - Foot archery performer: £150 

    Derek Chisora - Boxer: £150

    Cleopatra Higgins - West End Star: £150

    Bonnie Wright - Harry Potter actress: £150   

    Keisha Buchanan - Former Sugarbabes singer: £150

    Jenson Button - former F1 World Champion: £150 (charity)

    Michael Owen - Footballer (charity): £135  

    Miriam Margolyes wishes a fan a happy birthday on Cameo
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    The Darkness singer Justin Hawkins sings birthday message to fan
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