Celebrities, artists urge Britain to stay in EU

Around 300 leading figures from the artistic circle joined forces Friday to back Britain staying in the European Union (EU).

The cast of supporters include a number of Britain's best stage and screen actors, artists, musicians and writers. They warn that if Britons vote next month to leave the EU it would leave Britain "an outsider shouting from the wings."

Among the signatories who have signed a letter sent to the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign is actor Benedict Cumberbatch. Film stars Jude Law and Keira Knightley have also signed.

Other famous stars adding their signatures include Sir Derek Jacobi, Helena Bonham Carter, Bill Nighy, Dame Kristen Scott-Thomas, Mike Leigh, Sophie Okonedo and Sir John Hurt.

Danny Boyle, the film director who masterminded the opening ceremony at the London Olympics in 2012, has also signed the letter pleading people vote 'yes' to staying in Europe.

Their intervention, with just over a month before the June 23 referendum, follows pleas by world leaders and captains of industry who want Britain to continue its membership of the 28-nation EU.

Their letter states: "From the smallest gallery to the biggest blockbuster, many of us have worked on projects that would never have happened without vital EU funding or by collaborating across borders."

"Britain is not just stronger in Europe, it is more imaginative and more creative, and our global creative success would be severely weakened by walking away."

"From the Bard to Bowie, British creativity inspires and influences the rest of the world. We believe that being part of the EU bolsters Britain's leading role on the world stage."

It adds: "Leaving Europe would be a leap into the unknown for millions of people across the UK."

Britain's official poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy and master spy-thriller writer John le Carr have both signed.

The "Stronger In" campaign claims more than 2.2 million people are employed in Britain's creative industries and digital sector.

John Kampfner, the chief executive of the Creative Industries Federation, said: "Our members have sent a clear signal about the importance of EU membership for the continued success of the UK's fastest-growing sector."

The federation said Friday 96 percent of its members wanted Britain to stay in Europe.

Kampfner said EU funding had helped box office hit movies such as Slumdog Millionaire, The Iron Lady, and The King's Speech.

Sir John Sorrell, chairman of the federation said: "The UK creative industries are key to the way we are seen by the world and deliver a massive 84.1 billion pounds (122.07 billion U.S. dollars) to our economy."

Leave campaigners have hit back saying a number of big name stars, including the veteran actor Sir Michael Caine and Roger Daltrey from the long established pop group, The Who, are backing the Brexit lobby. Endit