English actor, novelist, film director and screenwriter. His career pottered along until he won an Oscar for Gosford Park in 2002. Subsequent success came with Downton Abbey in 2011 but his personal obsession with the Titanic disaster resulted in an iceberg of a flop with a 2012 ITV mini-series on the subject. Parties at Stafford House, his pile in Dorset, are noted for simple suppers and a lack of heating but it is his wife, Emma, who is truly renowned for the turbans that she sports.
Two stories to keep beside you
Lord Britten, OM, CH (better known as Benjamin Britten; 1913 – 1976)
This composer, conductor and pianist’s life revolved around alliteration: Britten’s siblings were Barbara, Beth and Bob and his professional and personal partner was Peter Pears; his Simple Symphony included the Boisterous Bourrée, the Playful Pizzicato, the Sentimental Sarabande and the Frolicsome Finale and his mother was convinced he’d be the “Fourth ‘B’ after Bach, Beethoven […]
Lord Bell (Tim Bell, Baron Bell of Belgravia)
Tim Bell began his career as a post boy at ABC Television at the age of 18 and rose through the ranks of various advertising and PR firms and was involved in creating the “Labour Isn’t Working” campaign that resulted in Margaret Thatcher becoming Prime Minister.
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Lord Fellowes is a spiffingly good fellow!