EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Chris Packham ‘smears’ in explosive new book

He suffered, as it turned out, a major blow in his latest High Court battle, after which he was accused of ‘vindictively’ prosecuting a 70-year-old grandfather through the courts – and was hit with a legal bill of £196,008.

But it seems this isn’t the end of Chris Packham’s current problems.

I can reveal that the BBC presenter has just suffered in America from the publication of a marmalade dropper of a book which is self-published but part-funded – the publisher claims – by some of Packham’s BBC colleagues, with apparently elements of research. delivered by Supreme Court staff.

Providing a detailed account of Packham’s meeting with Dominic Wightman, editor of an online magazine called Country Squire, and one of the magazine’s contributors, Nigel Bean, it makes no sense, even claiming that Packham, 63, is “narcissistic” and a ‘manipulator’.

The lawsuit followed the publication in Country Squire of an article by Bean that wrongly accused Packham of misleading people into donating to a tiger rescue charity. The BBC star was subsequently awarded £90,000 in damages.

But Packham’s case against a third defendant, Paul Read, a pensioner who was the article’s proofreader, did not meet with the same success.

This was dismissed by the judge and resulted in Packham being ordered to pay Read’s costs – which, at just under £200,000, were more than double the damages he suffered as a result of his victory over Wightman and Bean.

Read, a Yorkshire man who said he felt ‘violated’ by being dragged into the court battle, noted that ‘it seems to have been a kind of pyrrhic victory for Mr Packham’, adding that he is relieved that ‘this is all behind me. now’.

It seems Dominic Wightman considers this just the end of the beginning. The book portrays him as a loud, combative and eloquent character who repeatedly took swigs from a bottle of Evian water during his first appearance in court – which was evident when he handed it to his two co-defendants at the end of the day. was not filled with Evian but with peach schnapps. . .

Packham’s lawyers tell me: ‘Our client was fully vindicated in the court’s judgment, which is a strong deterrent to anyone who would pointlessly smear someone’s character simply because they disagree with their views.’

Nike star reveals struggle

Nike shares have continued to plummet since last year’s controversial decision to hire transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney to promote its women’s sportswear, including bras.

Now Dylan, 27, says the fallout has led her to seek mental health treatment. “I have the best friends in the world and if I didn’t have them, my doctors and my family, who are still very supportive, I don’t think I would have survived,” she tells me.

In illness and in Elf for the beloved Georgina

Christmas has come very early for West End star Georgina Castle, who has accepted an engagement ring from Simon Lipkin, who she met playing his girlfriend in Elf The Musical.

The actor, 38, got down on knee this weekend for Georgina, 31, the daughter of BBC Wimbledon commentator Andrew Castle.

“I didn’t really have the words right now to express how excited I am to marry this man who has made me the happiest woman alive,” says Georgina, who can be seen wearing her sparkler in a video from the happy moment.

She adds: ‘When he asked the question, my exact words were ‘Yes please.’

Georgina’s father had previously jokingly said: ‘He better behave himself.’

Miranda book response

Comic character Miranda Hart says she hoped to “help others” with her new book, I Haven’t Been Completely Honest With You, which explores her battle with a chronic illness that left her bedridden.

Now the star has disabled comments on her social media channels following a backlash from angry followers, who accused her work of being ‘dangerous’ and ‘pseudoscience’.

The book suggests that the causes and solutions for conditions such as Long Covid, ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome lie in ‘the brain’s heightened stress response’. One critic says, “This pseudoscience is troubling,” while Viking star Jennie Jacques says, “Eighty to ninety percent of this story is dangerously outdated.”

Miranda responds, “I don’t claim to have medical answers for ME. I have learned how to reduce stress in all aspects of my life…The misunderstanding and lack of answers is just devastating for all of us.”

Rocker’s little royal faux pas

Princes William and Harry are among those who have played at the Hurtwood Park Polo Club, the pride and joy of rock star Kenney Jones.

But the former Small Faces, Faces and The Who drummer, 76, admits he did not always show enough respect for the royal family. “We had played a game and I was peeing,” he says. “I said to my son, ‘Is Prince Charles gone?’

“I hear a voice say, ‘No, he’s still there.’ It was Prince Charles. I was so surprised that I turned around and was sitting at his boots.’ About the king’s shoes, he adds, “He still has them.”

Graham Norton tells stars to ‘get over yourself!’

Stars often claim that they don’t like seeing themselves on screen, to which Graham Norton tells them: ‘Get over yourself!’ The BBC presenter says: ‘I always find it so rude… when you ask other people to watch it, and you say you don’t want to watch it yourself.’ Not that Norton enjoys seeing himself on screen.

“It’s horrifying to see yourself doing something, but I think you have to bite the bullet and do it.”

Royle Family star discovers royal link

The Royle Family star Sue Johnston has discovered she is related to King Charles racehorse trainer Sir Mark Prescott.

“You’re getting a Christmas card from your only family member this year,” the 80-year-old actress tells him in the upcoming ITV1 documentary DNA Journey.

The pair are related through Sir Mark’s grandfather, campaigning Conservative MP Sir William Prescott.

Elton John’s first boyfriend makes a surprise appearance

Sir Elton John was so angry with his manager and first friend John Reid after a letter from the singer’s accountants about his lavish spending was leaked that he fired him and cut him out of his life.

Still, Reid, 75, couldn’t resist the urge to attend a gala screening of the Disney+ documentary about Sir Elton, Never Too Late, at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. “He looked worried and unhappy afterwards,” says a fellow guest.