While preachy stars have traditionally gravitated towards the Labour Party, prominent celebrity backers for the Tories have long been thin on the ground. But is there change in the air? Both actress Dame Maureen Lipman and television presenter Kirstie Allsopp have been voicing support for the Conservatives in recent days, having been swayed by the performance of Kemi Badenoch. A former Labour loyalist, Dame Maureen announces she’s ready to vote Tory for the first time thanks to “amazing” Kemi, while posh Kirstie’s previous insistence on distancing herself from the Conservatives is now a thing of the past, after she hailed the “brilliant” leader of the opposition this week. Are we finally witnessing the rise of the Tory luvvie?
One prominent Conservative casualty from the last election confirms he’s bidding to make a comeback. Having lost to Labour in North East Somerset by just over 5,000 votes in 2024, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has formally applied to be put back on the party’s candidates’ list. The Tory gent quips: “We’ll see if I get purged later.”
With sharp-tongued BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty due to leave the programme after 17 years, colleagues brace themselves for her upcoming on-screen farewell. As well as being the subject of an internal bullying probe - no formal action was taken - Naga's reported feud with BBC Breakfast boss Richard Frediani made headlines. “Naga doesn’t do cosy goodbyes,” chuckles my source. “We’re expecting a few spiky remarks during her final show.”
Preparing to promote an upcoming memoir, Anneka Rice recalls the disheartening moment she discovered her Madame Tussauds waxwork had been removed. The presenter jokes: “My body was melted down to become Kim Kardashian's bottom.”
Now a familiar fixture on the airwaves, TV and Radio 2 presenter Angela Scanlon confesses to fibbing about her age when first attempting to forge a career in London. Previously officially born on “December 29, 1983”, the Irish star now awkwardly admits: “It's actually 1982. Exclusive...Wikipedia has me as 1983. I did shave off a year when I first moved to London, because at 29 I thought I was too old. I didn't want to hit 30 too quickly.” Angela now openly embraces the ripe old age of 43...
Abstaining from alcohol since going on a health kick five months ago, Nigel Havers complains: “I feel no different.” Drinks are on Nigel!
With Prince William having recently caused a stir after claiming the late Queen preferred the “cream first, jam second” Devon method for her scones, rather than the rival Cornish tradition (jam first), the monarch’s personal chef Darren McGrady indignantly insists to the contrary.
“Let’s clear this up,” he fumes. “When the Queen was hosting afternoon tea, scones were always served halved with jam first and clotted cream on top.” Darren also clarifies: "On her own she would never have clotted cream, because she fed the scones to her corgis."
