EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: ‘Speed demon’ and former Strictly judge Dame Darcey Bussell reveals she went on speed awareness course after breaking 20mph limit

Known for her graceful performances as a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, Dame Darcey Bussell is a speed demon when she gets behind the wheel.

The former Strictly Come Dancing judge has revealed that she’s carried out a punishment after being caught breaking the speed limit.

‘I did a speeding awareness course,’ Dame Darcey, 54, explains. ‘It was in a 20mph zone, so I wasn’t doing 120mph or anything.’

The former dancer, who has two children with her husband, businessman Angus Forbes, says of what she learned: ‘One of the things that came up was: helping us to remind ourselves, when we’re in a rush, have a moment to breathe.

‘The course is great because it offers really simple reminders to slow down.’

Dame Darcey Bussell is a speed demon when she gets behind the wheel. She has revealed that she’s carried out a punishment after being caught breaking the speed limit

Depending upon the speed at which they were detected, drivers may be invited to attend such a course as an alternative to taking penalty points on their licence

‘The course is great because it offers really simple reminders to slow down,’ Dame Bussell said 

Depending upon the speed at which they were detected, drivers may be invited to attend such a course as an alternative to taking penalty points on their licence.

Earl of Snowdon’s ex-wife Serena finds a new beau 

The Earl of Snowdon is an important figure for King Charles, even advising him on his ‘increasingly contemporary wardrobe – and hip accessories’, according to reports.

But the Earl’s ex-wife, Serena, is forging a life of her own — with a new boyfriend.

I hear that Serena, 53, daughter of Viscount Petersham, is going out with Mark Swire, 66, brother of former Tory minister Lord (Hugo) Swire. ‘They are very happy together,’ one of their circle tells me.

The Earl of Snowden’s ex-wife, Serena, is forging a life of her own — with a new boyfriend

Serena split up with David Snowdon, Princess Margaret’s son, in 2020. He is reported to be advising King Charles

Serena — whose daughter, Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, was one of Kate Middleton’s bridesmaids — split up with David Snowdon, Princess Margaret’s son, in 2020.

Swire separated from his wife, Syrie Mavroleon, in 2018. She is the daughter of the late shipping tycoon ‘Bluey’ Mavroleon.

The smart set’s talking about… masked singer Rita’s risque Vogue outfit 

Clearly being a panellist on hit ITV show The Masked Singer is influencing Rita Ora’s fashion choices.

The pop star, 32, kept her face partly concealed in a sheer mask at British Vogue’s Forces For Change party at the Maine Mayfair restaurant in London. Her mask was attached to a floor-length black gown designed by David Koma.

Rita Ora kept her face partly concealed in a sheer mask at British Vogue’s Forces For Change party at the Maine Mayfair

Apart from the strategic shimmery floral embellishments protecting her modesty, the risque, transparent outfit displayed her nude-coloured underwear.

The Hot Right Now singer, who’s married to Bafta-winning film director Taika Waititi, says: ‘There’s a phrase I’ve often heard referenced in the fashion industry, ‘Wear the clothes — don’t let them wear you.’ I’d say to anyone looking to discover and develop their own style, for whatever occasion, that this is the best tip you can remember.’

Andrew Castle girl’s love match 

West End star Georgina Castle split up from her boyfriend, wealthy Silicon Valley executive Amit Pradam, earlier this year, which may have come as a disappointment to her father, the BBC Wimbledon pundit Andrew Castle.

Georgina, 31, is now going out with Simon Lipkin, a magician in illusionist Derren Brown’s stage show Unbelievable.

West End star Georgina Castle is now going out with Simon Lipkin, a magician in illusionist Derren Brown’s stage show Unbelievable

Simon Lipkin, left, seen here with Georgina Castle, second from left, ‘fell in love on stage and off stage’ 

‘She’s made her own career and it’s great, good for her, much against my better advice, but do they listen?’ former tennis star Castle tells me. ‘Marry rich, I said — get yourself a good lad.’

Georgina fell for Lipkin, 37, when he performed the leading role in Elf The Musical, in which she played his girlfriend. Speaking at the gala night of the show’s new run at The Dominion Theatre, Castle adds: ‘They fell in love on stage and off stage — it’s sick, isn’t it. Simon is a good man, but he’d better behave himself.’

Gossip Girl Ed gets gushy about Amy 

He starred as anti-hero Chuck Bass in hit U.S. drama Gossip Girl before his life was derailed by rape allegations, which have since been dropped. Now, Ed Westwick has found happiness in the home counties with actress and model Amy Jackson.

Ed Westwick has found happiness in the home counties with actress and model Amy Jackson

‘We got a new place in the countryside just outside of London,’ he tells me of his move from the capital at the launch of Fenix restaurant in Manchester. ‘I’m decorating the house right now — I’m a bit of an interior designer.’

The university lecturer’s son, 36, who was raised in Stevenage, Herts, met Amy, 31, a Bollywood star with a four-year-old son by an ex-boyfriend, at Silverstone racetrack in 2021.

‘Things are wonderful — she’s my best mate,’ he says. ‘She’s a great mother, all those things you want that I saw with my mum and dad. I hope I can have my version.’

I’m a sitting duck for hate mob: Maureen 

Dame Maureen Lipman, who was pictured recently being shadowed by a burly security guard while filming on location to protect her from any possible anti-Semitic attacks, has spoken for the first time about life under protection.

Dame Maureen Lipman who is Jewish, had her every move watched by the minder in Manchester to ensure her safety as tensions soar in Britain over the conflict in the Middle East

The Coronation Street star, 77, who is Jewish, had her every move watched by the minder in Manchester to ensure her safety as tensions soar in Britain and abroad over the Israel-Hamas conflict. ‘There are places where people know I’m a sitting duck, especially if you’re on stage and if you’re in a particular television company,’ she tells me. ‘Every waking moment is affected by rising anti-Semitism.’

Poldark star Harry Richardson has reprised his role as a wealthy Harvard graduate in Julian Fellowes’s costume drama The Gilded Age, now back on air for a second series.

Off screen, the 30-year-old actor is also embarking on a new chapter in his personal life. I hear he has split from his long-term girlfriend, U.S. dancer Juliet Doherty, 26.

Poldark star Harry Richardson has reprised his role as a wealthy Harvard graduate in Julian Fellowes’s costume drama The Gilded Age

The London-bred star, who previously went out with Eleanor Tomlinson — his on-screen sister in Poldark — met Juliet in 2021 when he moved to New York to film the first series of The Gilded Age. At the time, he said: ‘My world is infinitely brilliant with her in it.’ I understand the couple found it difficult to make their relationship work given their competing work schedules.

If Beyonce wore one of your rings, you might think it would be a blessing for a business. Sadly for The Prodigy star Maxim, it ended up being a curse — as the £15,000 bespoke ring, in the shape of a ram’s head, he gave to the American singer in 2010 led to a flurry of hearsay that she practises witchcraft.

At the time, Maxim was a co-owner of jewellery brand BR Republic. ‘I gifted my ring to Beyonce,’ he tells me at the launch of his new exhibition at Clarendon Fine Art gallery in Covent Garden. ‘She saw it in Harvey Nichols. It was a goat ring I bought from Camden Market which I covered in black diamonds and made the horns gold.

‘She wore it to perform at Coachella [the U.S. music festival]. Then the news afterwards said she was devil worshipping. It was just a ring I bought from Camden.’

The Baphomet design of the ring is usually portrayed as half-human, half-goat figure, or a goat head, and is often misinterpreted as a symbol of witchcraft.

Not content with a new baby, a burgeoning Hollywood career and his highly lucrative stand-up comedy shows, Jack Whitehall is now trying to launch a whisky brand.

Comedian Jack Whitehall is now trying to launch a whisky brand, but I hear that the Intellectual Property Office failed to approve the name of his brand

Whitehall has a new baby with partner model Roxy Horner 

However, I hear that the Intellectual Property Office failed to approve the name of his brand, Soho Whisky Co, which he co-founded with entrepreneur Hugo Sells and Scotch expert George Michie.

They applied to trademark the brand’s name in July, but their application has now been refused, with no reason given. Companies House lists the brand’s business as the ‘wholesale of wine, beer, spirits and other alcoholic beverages.’

Dame Joanna Lumley may yet have the chance to join the all-male Garrick Club — 12 years after the Absolutely Fabulous star was denied membership. I hear that a survey of members, who include Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville and polymath Stephen Fry, carried out by the club has shown that more than half would agree to women being allowed to join the London establishment, founded in 1831. 

Fifty-one per cent said ‘yes’ to admitting women, while 44 per cent said ‘no’, with 4 per cent undecided. The poll comes months after barrister Michael Beloff caused a stir by reversing his legal opinion that women didn’t qualify for membership because the club’s written rules exclusively refer to members as ‘he’. 

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