Kelly Osbourne Engaged: Sid Wilson Proposes Backstage at Ozzy’s Final Gig
Kelly Osbourne’s partner Sid Wilson surprised the star by proposing backstage at Ozzy Osbourne’s final gig on Saturday night. Ozzy…
He appeared to be one of those remarkable characters whose progress seldom falters – and resilient enough to recover speedily if it ever did, as happened when his wife, effervescent S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens, announced that their 13-year marriage was over, after she fell head-over-skate heels for her Dancing On Ice partner, Brendyn Hatfield.
But less than a year after starring in the Netflix series Buying London – billed as the British version of Selling Sunset, the addictive US show which took viewers inside the homes of the impossibly rich of LA – Alex Bourne is contending with what appears to be a brutal reversal of commercial fortune.
He has, I can disclose, decided that his business, London House, which specialises in selling trophy properties in the capital for anything up to £100million, has no future, and has put it into liquidation.
There was no inkling of this bleak outcome only nine months ago when Bourne, 47, reflected on his Netflix role – describing the series as ‘fun to work on’ – and his decision to switch careers, from acting to property, after marrying and starting a family.
Explaining that he’d wanted to ‘pursue a career that followed my passion for people while offering security’, he added: ‘I haven’t looked back since’.
It could be argued that his confidence was understandable. In 2017, he and his business partner recruited a new co-director – the legendary Gary Hersham, who, it’s been said, ‘has a nose for the super-rich like a pig for truffles’ and whose innumerable triumphs include finding a London residence for Roman Abramovich and selling a Knightsbridge house for £215million.
Less than a year after starring in the Netflix series Buying London, Alex Bourne (left, pictured with ex-wife Rachel Stevens, right, in 2015) is contending with what appears to be a brutal reversal of commercial fortune
He has, I can disclose, decided that his business, London House, which specialises in selling trophy properties in the capital for anything up to £100million, has no future, and has put it into liquidation. Pictured: Bourne in 2024
He does, though, have one immense consolation: he has a new bride, Lily, an art dealer he married only last month, when his daughters acted as bridesmaids. Pictured: Bourne and Stevens in 2018
Hersham, 71, whose own business, Beauchamp Estates, handles annual deals worth over £1billion, also acquired a stake in London House. But in 2021 he resigned as a director and disposed of his holding.
Bourne – who has two daughters with Stevens, 46, a childhood sweetheart whom he married in 2008, with a wedding reception at Claridge’s – declines to comment. He does, though, have one immense consolation: he has a new bride, Lily, an art dealer he married only last month, when his daughters acted as bridesmaids.
He may also take inspiration, once again, from Hersham, whose first marriage, to Aida Dellal, daughter of tycoon ‘Black Jack’ Dellal, ended when Aida left him for one of his cousins – stockbroker Tony Parnes, a.k.a. ‘The Animal’, who, as one of the ‘Guinness Four’, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for theft and false accounting.
Hersham, who starred in the 2014 BBC series, Under Offer, subsequently remarried – and has been going gangbusters ever since.
Faberge firesale to fund Castle Howard repairs
They’re putting things right at Castle Howard, the splendid setting for Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton – not to mention a family drama more compelling than any fiction.
Just over a decade after ousting his younger brother Simon, who took control when their father George died in 1984, Nick Howard is selling a vole, a rhino, an anteater and other items – all by Faberge. ‘I’m sad to be losing this beautiful collection, but it deserves to be seen more often,’ says Howard, 72.
They’re putting things right at Castle Howard (pictured), the splendid setting for Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton – not to mention a family drama more compelling than any fiction. Pictured: File photo
It’s expected to raise up to £350,000 when auctioned by Sotheby’s in May. ‘The proceeds will assist us in the re-creation of the Tapestry Drawing Room,’ adds Nick.
Repairing the family rift may take longer, even though Simon died in 2022. ‘Whenever I drive past Castle Howard now, a shudder goes through me,’ his widow Rebecca once reflected.
Toff chills out on honeymoon
Georgia Toffolo’s honeymoon period is proving to be a chilly one.
The Made in Chelsea star, 30, was with her BrewDog founder husband James Watt, 42, at the Fife Arms hotel in Aberdeenshire.
Georgia Toffolo’s honeymoon period (pictured) is proving to be a chilly one. The Made in Chelsea star, 30, was with her BrewDog founder husband James Watt (pictured), 42, at the Fife Arms hotel in Aberdeenshire
‘We went… wild swimming in the icy cold river,’ says Toff. Her husband says: ‘I maybe enjoyed it more than Georgia – not sure if this counts as torturing my new wife’
‘We went… wild swimming in the icy cold river,’ says Toff. Her husband says: ‘I maybe enjoyed it more than Georgia – not sure if this counts as torturing my new wife.’
Cold water will hold no fear for Toff, who won I’m a Celebrity in 2017.
Pierce: Never say never to Bond return
Pierce Brosnan can’t resist being intrigued by suggestions he could play an ‘older version’ of James Bond following Amazon’s takeover of the franchise.
‘Of course, how could I not be interested?’ says the actor, 71.
Having bowed out as 007 in 2002’s Die Another Day, he’s quick to add: ‘It’s a delicate situation now. I think it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie, really. It’s a rather romantic notion and idea, but I think everything changes.’
Pierce Brosnan (pictured as James Bond in 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies) can’t resist being intrigued by suggestions he could play an ‘older version’ of James Bond following Amazon’s takeover of the franchise
Bill Bryson was happy to bite the hand that fed
Notes from a Small Island author Bill Bryson was happy to bite the hand that fed at the Nero Book Awards, run by Caffe Nero. ‘It strikes me as notable that one of the most foremost literary prizes in existence was created by a man who doesn’t know how to spell “cafe”,’ Bryson, who was chairman of the judges, joked to guests at Outernet London.
Charles Hanson missing from anniversary Bargain Hunt
Cleared of assaulting his wife, Charles Hanson appears to have been edited out of Bargain Hunt’s 25th anniversary show despite being on the BBC1 series since 2002. I can disclose there is no mention of the auctioneer, 46, in a silver jubilee show 25 Years Of Bargain Hunt to be aired next week. Some 17 other experts feature. A BBC source claims it was impossible to capture everyone in a one-off special.
