Why write a biography? It only pins you down. Suffice to say I was born in Africa. And already that’s seeing the world without its skin. My father was the local gynaecologist. My mother was born in Strasbourg. My grandmother lived with us. In many ways I loved my childhood but not in others. I would have been cheating myself if I hadn’t left to study English literature in Britain. Before that I was lucky enough to live in Paris on the threshold of womanhood, in the spring, on my own, and of course that stays with you forever. We ate well and cheaply and I learnt to love wine and got engaged. At Edinburgh I got a First class MA Honours and the Janet Christie Bequest to study abroad. So we drove to Florence and lived in an old farmhouse for 8 months, learning Italian, studying at the British Institute.
In the slipstream of your life you imagine you’ll be a great writer, another Virginia Woolf, have the perfect family, be the best mother. So many impossible aims. I ended up being a journalist. A mother to one daughter. A lover. As a journalist I did quite a lot of good in the beginning. Campaigning stories, saving a horribly mistreated lioness in Italy, seals in the Hebrides, premature babies at Dulwich hospital in need of incubators, endangered leatherback turtles in Tobago. I have done a lot of travel articles, restaurant and hotel reviews, and many years of exciting seat-of-the pants Showbiz stories, travelling with Freddie Mercury, Rod Steward, Spandau Ballet, interviewing Angelina Jolie, Leonardo di Caprio, Bono, Jude Law. Now I’m writing a novel set in Venice and its working title is Behind the Mirror. With a novel, which takes years to write, you’re not the same person at the end of the book as you were at the beginning. The story has changed, the characters are deeper, but you have changed with them. You fall in love with all of them. I’m nearly ready to say goodbye to them and let them stand on their own.
In the steaming, electric atmosphere of Bangkok, one of the world’s most exciting cities, The Peninsula Hotel is a supercool, sophisticated refuge. Reaching up 37 floors, its panoramic views are the most breathtaking in the city. All the rooms in the W-shaped glass and steel tower overlook the meandering Chao Praya River and awesome sprawl … Continued
Nelson Mandela’s oldest friend, Denis Goldberg, was at the former President’s bedside last week to help mark his 95th birthday. Here, he tells Sharon Feinstein about their historic 52-year friendship Nelson Mandela’s closest friend Denis Goldberg was invited to visit him to wish him a happy birthday and stimulate his mind, as he lies in … Continued
They are multi-million pound pop stars with the world at their feet and staff to cater for their every whim. But forget about haute cuisine and exotic treats – One Direction prefer simple nosh like pasta, sausage and mash, cakes and biscuits.And never mind late-night meals at swanky restaurants. These down-to-earth lads normally have dinner … Continued
This is the summer Amy Winehouse should have been throwing a party like no other to celebrate her 30th birthday. Instead, her grieving family are preparing to face the second anniversary of the tragic singer’s untimely death. Heartbreakingly, mum Janis insists it is no surprise her daughter is no longer with us — as she … Continued
A Tattooist who inked controversial star Tulisa Contostavlos has banned her from his parlour. Vic Greener spent seven hours tattooing Tulisa and claims she talked non-stop about herself and was horrified when she was told she had to smoke by the door. In an exclusive chat with the Daily Star, Vic insists: “She’s never coming … Continued
Rita Ora goes topless for hers while Cara Delevingne gets it done at 3am in a hotel suite – much to the delight of the celebs’ favourite tattooist. Inker-to-the-stars Bang Bang has lifted the lid on some of his favourite clients and what goes on inside his famous tattoo parlour. He has etched a series … Continued
Rihanna started partying at 14 and loves dressing in raunchy outfits because her mum banned her from sexy clothes as a teen. But the Diamonds singer is also a homebird at heart and likes nothing more than going back to Barbados and tucking into chicken curry. That’s according to her younger brother Rorrey Fenty, who … Continued
The Blue Haven Hotel in Tobago is a perfect place to stay and soak up the island’s lazy days, lush vegetation and glittering turquoise seas. It’s stylish, intimate and welcoming – with a perfect palm-fringed beach of soft sand.
