HICKEY
DAWN French admits she struggled to come to terms with long-time comedy partner Jennifer Saunders enjoying separate acclaim for sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.
Recalling how Saunders’ show quickly became a hit in the early 1990s, she says: “It can be hard when a friend, especially one you’ve never done any work separately from, suddenly has a huge success without you.”
The Vicar Of Dibley star mischievously adds: “I dealt with it by being open and honest about my jealousy. I sent her a bunch of flowers when she won a Bafta saying, ‘Congratulations you **** .’” LITTLE Britain star Matt Lucas, whose hair fell out when he was aged just six, recounts an ill-fated attempt to wear a wig at school when he was 11.
Noting his hair loss was blamed on the “shock” of being knocked down by a car when he was four, the comedian explains: “They didn’t make children’s wigs on the National Health so it was actually a lady’s wig. A big bouffant. It was bigger than my head.” He adds: “As I walked through the playground the first morning, one of the rough kids from the year above grabbed the wig and threw it into a puddle.”
Acknowledging parting company with the unfortunate-looking hairpiece was a blessing, Lucas, pictured, concludes: “In a way it was probably the best thing that could have ever happened.” CURRENTLY embroiled in a muchpublicised feud with culinary rival Gordon Ramsay, chef Jamie Oliver concedes that being honoured at Buckingham Palace in 2003 was premature.
“I got an MBE too early,” the 42-year-old tells Woman’s Weekly. “I’ve done so much more since then.” Asked about his chances of a future knighthood, he diplomatically responds: “Only if I deserve one,” adding: “Maybe see what I manage in the next 10 years.”
Old foe Ramsay would doubtlessly find the idea of “Sir Jamie” hard to stomach! AT loggerheads with Melania Trump after claiming this week she was the real “First Lady,” the President’s original wife Ivana enjoys taking aim at her rival.
Following Trump’s US election triumph last November, Ivana cattily said of the former Slovenian model: “The problem is, what is he going to do with his third wife? She can’t talk, she can’t give a speech.” SHOWBIZ photographer David Hurn, 83, points out his famous publicity shot of Sir Sean Connery, pictured, had an unexpected twist. Hired to photograph the Scottish star for 1963 Bond film From Russia With Love, he recalls Connery arriving at his London flat with an impressive entourage. Hurn was then informed by a panicked publicist that they had forgotten 007’s gun.
Forced to hastily find a replacement, Hurn now reveals: “If you look at any of those Bond posters, there’s Bond posing with my air pistol.” WHILE Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon faces a fresh political row after her party the SNP voted to end state funding for the Royal Family, the Queen will of course maintain a diplomatic silence.
A brief insight into her private political views once came via David Cameron. The ex-PM indiscreetly announced the monarch “purred” with delight on hearing Sturgeon and Co had lost the Scottish independence referendum in 2014.