Ephraim Hardcastle
HAVING quit the Liberal Democrats after being criticised for shielding his paedophile colleague and friend Cyril Smith, what about former Liberal Party leader David Steel’s titles – his life peerage and, since 2004, being one the 16 knights of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the highest order of chivalry in Scotland, which he received from the Queen? Having Steel turn up in his Thistle finery for the biennial service and lunch this year could be a thorny occasion for HM!
RE the retention of honours, the then PM David Cameron said after the Sir Jimmy Savile paedophile uproar that he would look into changing the law so that they could be rescinded after death. He never got round to it. Neither did Theresa May. So Rolf Harris had his CBE, Order of Australia and two honorary doctorates removed, while the late Sir Cyril Smith MBE, Sir Peter Morrison and Sir Jimmy Savile OBE retain their gongs.
SEEMINGLY intoxicated by his eloquence, flamboyant TV architectural expert Dan Cruickshank, pictured, talking at The Oldie’s literary lunch at Simpson’s about his latest book, Cruickshank’s London: A Portrait Of A City In 13 Walks, was silenced by an Oldie functionary sticking under his nose a note saying: ‘You’ve spoken for ten minutes!’
HAVING reportedly shed seven stone, comedienne Dawn French, 62, complains: ‘I have never done an interview without people talking about my weight. I am not stupid. I know this is what people seem to want. I wish they didn’t. Move on.’ As bobbies add: ‘Nothing to be seen here.’
VETERAN TV weatherman John Kettley, 67, once a BBC regular, acknowledges the high levels of February rain, but adds pointedly on LBC: ‘I’m not going to jump on this bandwagon and say it’s a big change in the global warming and climate patterns. This is still British weather.’
REFLECTING on his career accomplishments (three Olivier Awards, two Evening Standard Awards) Sir Patrick Stewart, 79, sighs: ‘I would really like a Tony and Academy Award. Anyone who’s listening who happens to have any influence in that direction, I’d be grateful.’ Is begging for baubles the right approach?
NOTING Labour deputy leadership contender Richard Burgon’s barmy proposal for a ‘Tony Benn School of Political Education’, striking political commentator Camilla Tominey tells Politics Live on BBC2: ‘Many people think most universities are Tony Benn Schools of Political Education.’ Touché!
BURLY Dundee-born Brian Cox, 73, who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of foul-mouthed media mogul Logan Roy in the TV hit Succession, tells The Stage he was accosted at a #MeToo event in Los Angeles by young fans asking: ‘Would you mind if I photograph you telling me to **** off?’ Isn’t life grand?