Pass the smelling salts! A very exotic Girl In Pearls

FOR 120 years, Country Life’s ‘Girls in Pearls’ page has featured a portrait of a young lady making her entrance into society.

This week, however, the hunting, shooting and fishing set’s magazine has taken an exotic turn.

The ‘posh pin-up’ features Anna Coreth, a burlesque dancer, the ‘art’ form dismissed by some as modern-day striptease.

‘Anna is a London-based musician, aerialist and burlesque dancer,’ Country Life announces solemnly, below this portrait of her suspended from a hoop wearing a see-through dress.

A major’s daughter and a Durham University graduate, Miss Coreth, 24, is better known as Miss Scaramouche. With her modesty protected by a few sequins and tassels, she performs athletic dances that would put an acrobat to shame.

He May need divine intervention to win strictly Come dancing but pop starturned-priest the Reverend Richard Coles is enjoying his stint on the BBC1 show. ‘am i embracing the spray tan?’ asks the former Communards pin-up. ‘absolutely! i had an intensive briefing: for a very pale clergyman, it is recommended starting with 6 per cent. the professionals crank it up to 20 per cent, but i’d look like i’d fallen in creosote.’

No oNe could ever accuse theatrical knight Sir Kenneth Branagh of hiding his lamp under a bushel.

Not only does the Wallander detective direct the forthcoming new film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on The orient express, co- starring Dame Judi Dench and Penelope Cruz — the actor also takes the role of legendary detective Hercule Poirot.

And now I learn that Branagh, 56, has also recorded a new audiobook version of the bestseller which is to be released next month.

even Poirot’s little grey cells might detect a hint of egomania.

PiPPa Middleton’s brother-in-law spencer Matthews, 29, recently told me he’s ready to start a family with girlfriend Vogue Williams. now, the irish model reveals that the lovebirds are taking their relationship to the next level. ‘We are definitely moving in together,’ confirms Vogue, 31. ‘i never lived in his place. that’s something i read — “Vogue’s moved into spencer’s place”. He lived in a one-bedroom apartment! i need a whole room for my clothes alone. ‘i never lived in his apartment, but we are getting our place together.’

THRICe-DIvoRCeD chef Antonio Carluccio admits he never wants to marry again, despite being happy with girlfriend Sabine Stevenson. ‘We are very happy, but I don’t think I will ever get married again,’ he tells me. ‘In the last six years we’ve never had one bad word, and probably if we got married, that’s when the trouble would start. I know from experience.’