Spencer Matthews and Stephanie Pratt share their love on Twitter
A group of owls is referred to as a parliament and given that Made in Chelsea ‘star’ Spencer Matthews has united with his namesake and fellow reality television creation Spencer Pratt’s sister, Stephanie, we are given to suggest that the trio are just such also. (more…)
Frankie Dettori returns to racing
Frankie Dettori’s back. This afternoon the racing legend will ride Beatrice Aurore, owned by ABBA’s Benny Andersson, in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom.
A former Eastenders actress turned born again Christian whose car crash of a life is the envy of no one. She tragically destroyed her nose after wasting at least £250,000 on crack cocaine and even ended up being kidnapped and gang raped because of a drug debt. In 2013, twice married Westbrook announced: “I have given my life to the Lord”. Her story should be a lesson to many.
A model and “television personality”. The daughter of the former daytime duo Richard and Judy, Madeley appeared in a show named Celebrity Quitters in 2010 but has been banned for causing a car crash whilst drunk and photographed allegedly smoking cannabis. Maybe it would indeed be best if she did indeed give up.
Ben Fogle suggests that he could have been poisoned by a Russian spy
Ben Fogle’s rise to the middle realms of “fame” is something I’ve always found puzzling. Don’t get me wrong, he’s an affable chap and I have utterly no problem with him but whenever he comes on the screen, I find myself simply asking: “Why on earth is this man famous?”
Mr Fogle featured in The Telegraph’s ‘Mandrake’ column, written by great friends of The Steeple Times Tim Walker and Richard Eden, this morning and frankly made the most preposterous of suggestions I’ve heard in years. Even though he had to admit it sounded “far-fetched”, he went ahead and alleged that he could have been poisoned by a Russian spy. Has the man gone bonkers?
“Made in Chelsea” wins a BAFTA
Made in Chelsea won a BAFTA last night for the Best Reality and Constructed Factual show. Many wondered why.
Her billionaire husband, David, calls this former Miss Florida a “psycho, but a lovable psycho” and adds that she is a “big-busted shopaholic”. Her main desire in life is to be famous and a documentary film about her was made in 2012 by Lauren Greenfield. When her current neighbour, Tiger Woods, crashed his car, she ran out and took a photo. She sold it to TMZ for $400. Her husband stated: “That was very enterprising of her, but I think she could have gotten more”. Together, they have eight children and began construction of a 90,000 square foot mansion in Windermere, Florida in 2006. They named it Versailles and boast that it will be the largest single family home in America. Of the rare Brazilian mahogany from which the doors of Versailles are to be made from, she commented: “They had to stop exporting it because they were cutting down the rain forest, or whatever”. She’s all class.
The Steeple Times asks Paul Johnson Calderon: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Wit, cunning and sheer will.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Trust no one.
The Steeple Times asks actor Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Vino, feminae et Carmen.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Ask, believe, receive”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
I find the fact that we make celebrities of people in reality TV shows unspeakably depressing.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss my father who died a few years ago.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
If I had a choice between being wealthy and alone or poor and in love, I’d definitely choose the latter. Preferably someone like Mila Kunis if you can arrange it.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I think a lot of people and companies made mistakes driven by greed and no one seemed to learn from historical mistakes. I’m not against big bonuses if they reward success. I believe in a meritocracy.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“We are experiencing high call volumes (today, yesterday and every other day you’ve called). Your call is important to us (so important that we have 2 non English speaking people working to answer 5000 calls a day). Please Hold (whilst you are charged 50p per minute so that when we answer we can tell you that what you want us to do is not possible”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Over the years I’ve performed at a lot of charity events and helped them raise money in all sorts of ways. On a personal level, I think the British Heart Foundation is a great charity and I have a soft spot for WWF. But aside from wrestling, that wildlife charity is good too.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
They’re a blessing and a curse. I use mine to run my whole life. It practically brushes my teeth for me. But when I lose it or it breaks I feel completely helpless. Sad really.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Fry, Anthony Hopkins, Christian Bale and Jennifer Aniston. A few drinks, a few laughs and then perhaps make love. Not all together. There isn’t room in that bar.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I have a feeling they’d make me have it in prison but if they were foolish enough to allow me to have it in, let’s say, The Fat Duck, I’d do that and then have a couple of pints in a pub in Bray, chill out for a few hours and then, well, go home and relax. Phew that was close.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
I never really drink before 6pm unless there is a plan to start early. In which case, I can be persuaded.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A vodka martini with Grey Goose and a twist. That gets things started nicely.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
There is a yearly polo party that Audi put on for about 200 people that is the best of the year. Talented, interesting guests from the world of sport, acting and music, lots of champagne, cocktails, amazing food. It turns into one big house party in a field.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My old boss, Nigel Evans MP. He’s a lovely chap.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Pickled eggs.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
“Get it Here”.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Range Rover Evoque. A fusion of classic and contemporary, urban and rural.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I wanted to be in the army. Now I prance around treading the boards.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
My Classical Brit is wedged between my two degree certificates: a woeful 2:2 MA in Art History from St Andrews and my MA in Acting for Screen from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Jules Knight is an actor and former member of the Blake, the vocal group widely known for having been formed on Facebook in 2007. He appears in BBC1’s Holby City from 14th May 2013 as Dr Harry Tressler.
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/MrJulesKnight
The Steeple Times asks nightlife entrepreneur Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Get there on time.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Racism and injustice. I travel quite a bit and I am always taken aback by how prevalent both are everywhere in the world.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My family. They are all spread out, far away in different corners of the globe. It is difficult to see them often.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
The wellbeing of my loved ones.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I love that quote but sadly it is indicative of how failed the system is. I used to work in the equity derivatives arm of RBS’ investment bank and I can tell you first-hand it is a cowboy’s game, with a lot of cavalier moves being made at the expense of the general public.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
Racist slurs.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
This is probably true but I think all humans have a primal desire and need to help each other. I personally support Nordoff Robbins and Kids Company, both charities that help and provide support and protection for children.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Unfortunately I am incredibly addicted to my Blackberry. Thinking about it, I don’t think it one has ever been more than 5 feet away from my in almost 10 years. That is disturbing.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
So many… A random list off the top of my head: All of Led Zeppelin, Marcus Aurelius, Michelangelo, Rodin, Picasso, Piranesi, Buddy Holly, Hobbs, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and maybe Daniel Tosh because he’s hysterical. It would certainly make for quite the journey all around.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
It’s hard to say, I am a lover of food, but I recently have developed a new obsession with steak, so maybe that and a spinach, avocado and mango salad. In any case, let’s just hope this situation never happens.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
The conventional wisdom would dictate after 5pm. If you are on holiday somewhere sunny, a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz (if in Italy) with lunch is always acceptable.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Vodka martini, dry, 3 olives.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
It’s a toss-up between very close friends and big luxurious bashes thrown by film studios and such. Both have their perks and are fun in different ways.
Who is the most positive person you know?
I am fortunate enough to have quite a few very positive people in my life.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Lazing about in Tuscany for 2 weeks every summer, doing nothing but eating pasta and tanning.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I strongly dislike tattoos.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A classic Ferrari.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I have a masters in journalism and finance.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Lots of pictures of my family, a handmade sculpture made by Amazonian natives and some invites for events this week.
Diego Bivero-Volpe is a partner in Conduit Brands. For more information, go to: http://www.conduitbrands.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DiegoB_V