Pick of the week’s Gossip

In death, as in life, Michael Winner can be somewhat overbearing. The film director died in 2013, in bed at the Kensington mansion in which he grew up. Pop star Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field (pictured) bought the house for £17.5m, and have spent nearly three years redecorating. But Field, 37, says she can feel the spirit of the late bon viveur “watching over her” and criticising her taste in furnishings. “I am kind of concerned because I’m like: ‘Michael, do you like this? Is this OK with you?’” she told the Daily Mail. Field has hired a Native American shaman to drive out Winner’s spirit using

burning herbs. “I am going to have it blessed, saged, the whole LA thing,” she said.

Lindsay Lohan unveiled a mysterious new accent last week. The American actress gave an interview in what sounded like a series of European accents, complete with faltering pauses while she appeared to grope for the right word in English. Later, she explained: “It’s a mix of most of the languages I can understand or am trying to learn. I’m fluent in English and French, can understand Russian and am learning Turkish, Italian and Arabic.” She also suggested a name for the unique accent: “Lilohan.”

The Royal Family has had to endure many indignities at the hands of the press – not all of them deliberate. About 20 years ago, The Times ran a photograph of the Queen’s sister, who had just recovered from a minor illness, with the caption: “Princess Margaret looking much better as she leaves hospital.” In the second edition, the story was replaced by one about a naked protester, pictured getting into a taxi with his buttocks and undercarriage visible. Unfortunately, no one changed the caption. When the Times royal correspondent rang Buckingham Palace to grovel, he was told: “You would be in trouble, but Prince Philip found it hilarious.”