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.
Angelina Jolie talked with estranged husband Brad Pitt before going public over Harvey Weinstein propositioning her. A source close to the star said the couple discussed the impact it could have on their family. Jolie, 42, said the producer made an approach in a hotel room after 1998’s Playing By Heart. She said: “I had a … Continued
‘Futuristic’ 25th instalment aims to propel 007 into the heavens The next 007 movie will be out of this world – literally. Rumours are that Bond 25 will take the franchise to a whole new level – namely the stratosphere – with a giant space rocket in the mix. And the idea to boldly go futuristic is said … Continued
Daniel Craig wants italian screen goddess Monica Bellucci back for the next 007 film. The actress caused a stir as the oldest ever Bond girl when she appeared, aged 51, as Lucia Sciarra in 2015’s Spectre. Now planning is under way for the next film in the series that has produced thrillers such as Dr … Continued
Friends of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are hopeful the pair could reunite. Two weeks ago the Sunday People reported they were “getting on better than ever” since their split. And, in an interview, the superstar actress admitted she was struggling to cope with life as a singleton. Now, a source has revealed their separation … Continued
Look out, Matt – you don’t have a Cloo who’s behind you! George Clooney photobombs Hollywood pal Matt Damon and their waiter on a big night out. The stars and their wives were at George’s favourite restaurant Da Ivo to toast the premiere of their new movie Suburbicon at the Venice Film Festival. He … Continued
Yoo-hoo, peekaboo, it’s only me… you-know-Cloo! Superstar George Clooney delights in photobombing Hollywood pal Matt Damon during a night out in Italy. The pals and their wives were at Da Ivo restaurant to mark the Venice Film Festival premiere of crime drama Suburbicon, which stars Damon, 46, and is directed by Clooney, 56. Joker George and wife Amal, … Continued
Son to follow mate Brooklyn to the US Madonna is set to be reunited with estranged son Rocco, who plans to move from Britain to the US to study. Rocco, 17, wants to follow best pal Brooklyn Beckham, 18, who has enrolled to study photography at Parsons School of Design in New York, where … Continued
Brakes on Hollywood pair’s divorce Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are getting on better than ever since their shock split, according to their friends. The Hollywood superstars have put their break-up behind them for the sake of their six children. And divorce proceedings have slowed down. Brad, 53, who says he has stopped boozing, is regularly in contact … Continued
