Stick to the day job, Bunter!

WHAT is the point in being a duke with your own stately home if you can’t call in favours from your celebrity friends when you need them? The Duke of Beaufort – aka Bunter Worcester, right – auditioned for a small part in Lily James’ new BBC series The Pursuit Of Love, but didn’t get past the first round – despite filming for the Nancy Mitford tale taking place at his home, Badminton House. The rejection was doubly humiliating, since not only is series writer and director Emily Mortimer a pal of his wife Georgia, but the audition, to play a waiter, was at a dinner for the whole cast, including Dominic West. ‘Fortunately, even someone of Emily’s generous and inclusive nature could not quite accommodate his acting talent,’ Georgia says diplomatically. At least he has got his music career to fall back on: Bunter sings with a prog rock band called The Listening Device.

takes place behind closed doors next month and toffs are lamenting the horseracing festival’s absence from ‘the season’. But perhaps not Peter Phillips who, I’m told, was humiliated last year when he was refused entry to the exclusive parade ring because he didn’t have the right badge. Peter watched as Made In Chelsea celebs went in, and even his estranged wife Autumn marched in, to meet Zara and Mike Tindall. Peter tried to call them but a patchy phone signal left him high and dry until a doorman relented. Perhaps someone told him that Cheltenham’s Princess Royal stand is named after Peter’s mum!