EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Joe Biden’s political activist sister Valerie has endorsed Meghan Markle for White House
As Meghan’s popularity in the US dips below Harry’s, there’s good news for her. Joe Biden’s political activist sister Valerie has endorsed her as a woman she would support for the White House.
And despite never running for office, the former TV actress tops a poll of Democrats who asked which woman they would vote for.
She has ties to Vice President Kamala Harris and is ahead of Hillary Clinton.
But US poll experts noted that Meghan’s name in the box is a testament to the “fact that the choices the Democrats have aren’t great.”
And President Biden’s refusal to give her and Harry a lift in Air Force One after the Queen’s funeral suggests Sleepy Joe isn’t a fan.
As Meghan’s popularity in the US dips below Harry’s, there’s good news for her
Prince’s outrage over Sinead O’Connor’s rendition of his song Nothing Compares 2 U continues from beyond the grave. Sky’s new documentary doesn’t include a single clip of her singing the song that launched her international career.
His half-sister Sharon Nelson confirms that Prince’s estate refused permission, saying: ‘I felt (Sinead) didn’t deserve to use the song, so we declined. His version is the best.’ A little Mutt and Jeff, Sharon?
BBC cricket poobah Jonathan Agnew thought he’d gotten a scoop when he interviewed Stuart Broad’s fiancé Mollie King and asked her how long the cricketer would keep playing: ‘It’s all his life. He plays, I think, better than he’s ever been,’ Mollie replied.
‘But yes, it’s his whole world. So who knows?’ Two hours later, Broad shocked everyone by announcing his retirement live on Sky Sports. Do!
BBC cricket poebah Jonathan Agnew thought he’d gotten a scoop when he interviewed Stuart Broad’s fiancée Mollie King (pictured) and asked her how long the cricketer would keep playing: ‘It’s all his life. He plays, I think, better than he’s ever been,’ Mollie replied
About Jenny Seagrove’s upcoming appearance in lover Bill Kenwright’s production of Alone Together at his theater in Windsor. Reviewers aren’t invited because, says the show’s PR, the play is “at the beginning of its journey.”
At the very least, the move will prevent a repeat of the wrath some critics gave to his recent production of Frank and Percy, a far from playful dog-walking comedy starring Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam.
Harry Mount’s tribute to his late godmother Lindy, Marchioness of Dufferin & Ava, recalls her purchase of A Bigger Splash from her friend David Hockney.
“She owned it for many years and when her husband Sheridan died it went to the Tate,” says Hockney, noting that a smaller version, Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures), was auctioned in New York in 2018. York was sold for $90,312,500 (£80m).
How much did Lindy pay for what is now Hockney’s most famous work? £800.
The polymath Stephen Fry, who unwittingly repeated an actress saying to the bishop’s joke, recalls meeting the bishop of Bath and Wells during his juvenile stint in prison for credit card fraud.
“Any complaints?” asked the bishop. “Yes,” Fry replied, lamenting the quality of the bars.
They don’t foam, they don’t smell, they don’t float. The best they do is keep us company in the bath!’ To paraphrase the late comedian Frank Carson, “It’s the way you tell them, Stephen!”