Ephraim Hardcastle
VISCOUNT astor wrongfoots his step son-in-law, Prime Minister David Cameron, by claiming that a Brexit win in the referendum won’t be accepted by Parliament. Both houses have inbuilt pro-eU majorities capable of thwarting the popular vote and astor happens to be one of the 92 remaining hereditary peers entitled to vote. But i doubt if Dave wants us to be reminded of that fact.
SPORTY Clare Balding, 45, has fretted that she’s on TV too much. However, she appears at the National Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s 90th birthday today. My source says: ‘Although Clare only has an OBE so far she has positioned herself well for future honours. Fronting horse racing on TV endears her to the Queen and Camilla. Fronting Wimbledon makes her popular with Prince William and Kate.’
SO abba star agnetha Faltskog, 66, pictured, finally joined the band’s much-publicised stage reunion in Stockholm after 30 years, although it was against her nobler instincts. She has been outspoken in her opposition, opining: ‘i think it’s tragic when people get older and are still fighting to be on stage. it’s not dignified.’ neither is her change of tune, alas.
LIKEABLE former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson is a disaster as leader of Labour’s Remain campaign. He struggled during a question and answer session on Radio 4’s World at One. A Labour supporter asked: ‘If we’ve got to be in for workers’ rights, as you keep claiming, why are the French workers always on strike?’ Johnson’s reply: ‘There’s always reasons to go on strike – particularly if you’re French.’ Brilliant!
GORGEOUSLY coiffured Tory MP Michael Fabricant, 65, says he fears for the sanity of noel edmonds, 67, after the oddball broadcaster claimed a man got cancer because of his ‘negative attitude’. Says Fabricant: ‘He is beginning to sound like David icke!’ – a reference to the ex-BBC sports reporter, now 64, who announced in 1991 that he was the Son of god.
REFERRING to their ITV appearance, David Cameron mentioned ‘Mr Farage, or “Farridge” as I like to call him’. Why’s the PM so obsessed with mocking Ukip leader Nigel Farage’s surname, which is of Huguenot origin. Are Huguenots a minority he doesn’t mind upsetting?
SKY news anchors Colin Brazier, 48, and Jayne Secker, 43, continue their intriguing on-screen flirtation. Discussing coverage of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, Ms Secker purrs that she was ‘moving in excitement’ about him covering today’s St Paul’s service. Brazier inquires: ‘gyrating?’ Saucy!
LABOUR’s hard-Left leader Jeremy Corbyn is due at St Paul’s today for the service marking the Queen’s 90th birthday. Next morning, it gets worse. He’s expected at the Birthday Parade, otherwise known as Trooping the Colour. What can Jeremy wear to compete with the Guards’ Club panama hats in the grandstands? My source says: ‘A Che Guevara beret might do nicely.’