Ritz, glitz and getting locals Sloshed, now that’s what I call a brilliant birthday bash
There’s nothing quite like celebrating your birthday in your favourite place in the world, at your favourite hotel in the world, with your favourite pal in the world!
So there I was in Aspen at the famous Little Nell hotel with Gerard Butler. OK, so two out of three isn’t bad, (sorry Gerry!)
Seriously, what a great time I had, and it coincided with me filming in the world’s most beautiful ski resort. And, yes,
I do know just how lucky I am, especially during these hard times.
Even with the pandemic, Aspen, winter playground to the stars, is still welcoming guests with sociallydistanced open arms and safety precautions to make your stay just as safe as it is fun!
You have to have a Covid test within 72 hours of arriving. Masks are required and temperature checks are taken regularly at restaurants so most local businesses have been able to open at 50% capacity.
Of course, skiing makes you hungrier than ever, well that’s my excuse, and for amazing food and celeb-spotting, Aspen has it all.
I returned to legendary spot, Jimmy’s where last time I dined with Catherine Zeta-jones and Michael Douglas. I called Gary Barlow from another amazing place, Bosq. They do tasting menus with seven courses, and I think it’s the only time I’ve ever been able to make Gaz jealous of my life!
Aspen may be the ritziest and glitziest of resorts but it’s also the friendliest and it’s wonderful to see the whole town working together to make things as good and as safe as can be.
On the sillier side, you can be like the Kardashians. Kylie Jenner rented a mansion for just over £500,000 a month. I had a wee look in through a window and even that cost me five grand!
Back to my birthday celebrations and my old pal May Selby threw me a surprise party at the 5-star Little Nell. You can actually ski in and out of the hotel – they even heat your boots up for you!
I was joined by my old pal Gerry and, just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, Darius arrived to sing Happy Birthday!
Gerry is looking fit as he’s been training during lockdown. And he’s busy as ever with him being a big-shot producer now, too. Darius lives in Canada these days. He loves the mountains and outdoor life but can’t wait to get back to the West End when things open up again.
The Nell has seen many bizarre sights but me teaching the locals to do the “Slosh” to Barry White’s You’re The First, The Last, My Everything is right up there!
Tomorrow, it’s back to work. I’m covering The Golden Globes, not on the red carpet but from a virtual press centre on my PC.
The race in all categories is fairly open but I’d love to see Anthony Hopkins win for his amazing performance in The Father. He’s been nominated eight times but never won. I’ll never forget the time Hopkins spoke about getting his most famous role: “My agent said,‘why don’t you read this? It’s called Silence Of The Lambs.’ I said,‘ Is it a children’s story?’”