Nic’s hula lotta love Pal Louis the one to lift her Hawaii lows
BEAMING Richard Hammond looks like he’s had a Grand night out as he and telly pals Jeremy Clarkson and James May celebrate their new show.
Richard, nicknamed the Hamster, grinned wildly and clung on to his wife and daughter as he hailed a taxi home from London’s West End. The 46-year-old and his fellow former Top Gear hosts were celebrating rave reviews for new Amazon Prime motoring show The Grand Tour.
Clarkson, 56 – on a reported £10milion a series – and May, 53, puffed on ciggies as they were snapped outside Soho’s Curzon cinema, famed for its lavish bar.
The trio’s visit came hours after the first episode aired. Sources said: “It was exactly the sort of night out you’d expect those three to have – nothing too fancy, just a great time. The laughter was booming down the street. They’ve obviously had an amazing week and made sure to celebrate properly.
“Richard had a huge smile and was clearly up for a good time.
“He didn’t seem quite ready to go but his family obviously thought it was time he headed to bed.” WITH so much hype and a widely reported budget that could finance a trip to Mars, The Grand Tour always seemed destined to disappoint slightly.
So it was something of a relief to tune in to episode one this week and quickly find that this show really delivers. On a huge scale.
It reinvents the standard for entertainment television, shot in a style that would make Spielberg nod approvingly without losing the personality of the three stars, complete with near-the-knuckle gags and relentless banter.
The cinematic opening, which saw the guys arrive in style, sets a standard which will have TV producers the world over quaking in their boots – and viewers everywhere salivating at the prospect of more. THE X Factor’s Nicole Scherzinger today admits she gets homesick for Hawaii and reveals her antidote is Louis Walsh. The jet-setting singer says whenever she gets down and longs for family and friends, her cheeky Irish co-judge knows just how to lift her spirits. Nicole, 38, says they’re great pals off screen despite what viewers might think. “I do get homesick,” she says. “England keeps me busy, but I really do miss the island. Yet I know I’m working towards something and it puts everything into perspective.
“And people don’t realise it, but Louis is the one to lift me up. Some days he gives me a pep talk. We’re real friends.”
And that’s even though he recently accused her of having a boob job. “Louis pushes his luck, but I can handle him. I told him I’m like a fine wine, I get better with age. We never take things too personally.” Nicole was speaking at London’s Grosvenor House Apartments before rehearsing remaining acts, Matt Terry and Ryan Lawrie.
After Matt finished his soundcheck, she said excitedly: “Everyone else may as well go home.” She says she would be “shocked – well surprised – if Honey G wins”.
And she hints she may be back next year, adding with a smile. “We’ll just have to see how hard Simon tries to persuade me.”