EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Florence Pugh looks tiny next to her new boyfriend Charlie Gooch as he meets the Little Women star’s family in London
Little Women star Florence Pugh looks tiny next to her new boyfriend, Charlie Gooch, as he meets her family in London.
Oxford-born Florence, 27, who is 5ft 3in, was first seen with Gooch, 26, a photographer and film-maker, in December, so things seem to be getting serious.
The couple were spotted going for lunch with the actress’s mother, Deborah, a former dance instructor, and her sister Rafella ‘Raffie’, 19.
Florence split up with American actor Zach Braff, 47, last year. Much had been made about their age difference and Florence said they tried to keep their split a secret.
‘We just felt something like this would really do us the benefit of not having millions of people telling us how happy they are that we’re not together,’ she explained.
Florence Pugh, 27, looks tiny next to her new boyfriend, Charlie Gooch, 26, as he meets her family in London
Florence Pugh was seen going for lunch with her mother, Deborah, a former dance instructor
The couple were spotted going for lunch with the actress’s mother, Deborah, a former dance instructor, and her sister Rafella ‘Raffie’, 19
Oxford-born Florence, 27, who is 5ft 3in, was first seen with Gooch, 26, a photographer and film-maker, in December, so things seem to be getting serious
Florence Pugh is pictured with her boyfriend, as well as her mum and sister
The Little Women star was spotted going for lunch with her mother, Deborah, her sister Rafella ‘Raffie’, and her new boyfriend Charlie Gooch
Will newts sink Pippa’s pool plan?
She and her husband, financier James Matthews, have been enjoying the Caribbean’s carefree pleasures this week.
But something rather less sun-kissed – bats and newts, to be exact – will be squarely on Pippa Middleton’s menu when she tears herself away from St Barts – and the Matthews family’s £970-a-night Eden Rock resort – and returns to the sumptuous country house she and James acquired for £15million in Berkshire last year.
For I can reveal that the plans by the Princess of Wales’s sister and her husband to scoop a mammoth swimming pool out of a kitchen garden and to create an AstroTurf tennis court have been rudely called into question by their local council’s ecologist.
Identifying numerous deficiencies in the proposals, he particularly decries the removal of nine trees without determining if they support ‘roosting bats’ and points out that the area earmarked for work is within a ‘red risk zone for great crested newts’. Back to St Barts – or the drawing board?
Pippe Middleton and her husband, financier James Matthews, have been enjoying the Caribbean’s carefree pleasures this week. Pictured: The couple attend The Miles Frost Fund party at Bunga Bunga Covent Garden on June 27, 2017
The couple’s renovation plans have been rudely called into question by their local council’s ecologist. Pictured: Pippa Middleton and James Matthews pictured on their wedding day leaving St Mark’s Church in Englefield in 2017
The smart set’s talking about… The Princess of Wales’s Wimbledon minefield
Being patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club might sound the dreamiest of the Princess of Wales’s roles — guaranteeing a plum seat in the Royal Box on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, moments in the spotlight handing trophies to the champions, plus lashings of strawberries and cream once the action’s over.
But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to Russian players being banned, has changed all that. The ban will almost certainly be lifted this year, turning Wimbledon’s manicured courts into potential diplomatic minefields. I hear that the prospect of Catherine having to present a trophy to a Russian player, handing a propaganda coup to Vladimir Putin, is causing great nervousness at the Palace.
So I’m intrigued that Catherine had a private meeting with Wimbledon’s chairman, Ian Hewitt, at Windsor Castle on Thursday. A royal spokesman declines to comment. Last month’s Australian Open was tarnished by pro-Russian demonstrators, who chanted for several minutes before security guards moved in.
I hear that the prospect of Catherine having to present a trophy to a Russian player, handing a propaganda coup to Vladimir Putin, is causing great nervousness at the Palace
Sugar takes a pay cut – to just £90m
The Apprentice winner receives a £250,000 investment into his or her business idea. The show’s star, Alan Sugar, has rather more cash to play with.
I can disclose that Lord Sugar was paid a £90 million dividend from his company, Amshold, last year.
It makes him Britain’s second highest-paid boss, after Denise Coates, who took home £260 million in salary and dividends from online bookie Bet365.
Although Sugar received a vast sum — more than 2,700 times the average British wage — it’s much less than the previous year when he was handed a £390 million dividend.
The latest payout comes from reserves at the business, which acts as the holding company for his property and investment interests.
The taxman should stand by for another bumper receipt: Sugar once took to social media to post a copy of a cheque made out to HMRC for £56.8 million.
I can disclose that Lord Sugar was paid a £90 million dividend from his company, Amshold, last year
Wedding role for Jodie’s Kidd sister
Jemma Kidd’s relationship with billionaire Arpad ‘Arki’ Busson is going from strength to strength, but there are no signs of an engagement ring just yet.
Jemma, 48 (right) who’s still the Marchioness of Douro despite splitting up with her husband, Arthur Wellesley, the Marquess, in 2020, will, though, soon have a key role at a wedding.
Her sister, Jodie, 44 (left), is due to exchange vows with former Royal Marine Joseph Bates. ‘My sister will be maid of honour,’ Jodie tells me. Speaking at the launch party for East London rooftop bar Florattica, she admits she still hasn’t booked a wedding venue.
(Very) modern manners
Shaun Woodward became a pariah when he crossed the floor of the Commons to join Labour. So I wasn’t surprised to hear the Tory turncoat’s son, Tom, is no longer using his patronymic.
Tom now goes by the surname Hunniwood.
The hedge fund manager, 34, insists that he’s not, however, trying to distance himself from his father.
‘My wife and I both changed our names when we got married,’ he tells me. ‘Her maiden name was Hunnisett, and we both wanted to keep part of our family heritage in our names without adopting a double-barrelled mouthful, so we chose elision.’
Psst… Lily’s up to something rather Naughty!
She sang in the Mamma Mia sequel — and could hold a tune better than most of the men. Now, Lily James is being lined up to launch a solo music career.
Producer Naughty Boy, who recently worked with the actress (right) in the studio for her latest film, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, tells me: ‘Lily James can really sing. I was amazed by how at ease she was in the studio performing.
‘People will be quite receptive to her as a singer, and she’s not averse to it. I would let her pick what sound she wants to go for.’ He adds: ‘Just between us, I think there’ll be a Lily James and Naughty Boy project in the making.’
Don’t worry, Mr Naughty, I won’t tell a soul!
Now, Lily James is being lined up to launch a solo music career. Pictured: Lily James poses during the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 19, 2023
Producer Naughty Boy tells me: ‘Lily James can really sing. I was amazed by how at ease she was in the studio performing. Pictured: Naughty Boy attends the “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” UK Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on February 13, 2023
Novelist Kathy Lette wanted to follow Dame Helen Mirren and Felicity Kendal and have a tattoo, but got cold feet. ‘Standing outside the tattoo parlour, I felt panic,’ admits Lette, 64. ‘What if the Chinese inner peace symbol I’d selected for my thigh actually turned out to be a takeaway order for sweet and sour pork?’
King Charles is seeking a servant with a head for heights. Applicants for the position of senior attendant are warned that they must be a ‘natural leader’ who will have to work at heights on indoor scaffolding, steps and ladders.
‘It’s knowing your team has assembled the table ready to seat 200 guests,’ says the advert on the royal website.
‘You’ll supervise and motivate the team of attendants who prepare Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace for every occasion and function.
‘From setting up for a department meeting, to moving furniture in the state rooms for thousands of visitors, you’ll support the smooth, daily running of a working palace in a variety of portering services.’
The successful candidate will get £23,750 a year for the live-in role.
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