Writer and free speech campaigner Toby Young has been blackballed from joining the exclusive Savile Club in Mayfair after older members objected to his Right-wing political views.
The 62-year-old author, who was nominated for a peerage by Kemi Badenoch in 2024, had gathered scores of supporting signatures from younger members at the London gentlemen's club before senior figures blocked his application.
A source at the £2,000-a-year venue said Lord Young was rejected by a couple of older, left-wing lawyers despite his popularity among younger members. "They like him. His page in the candidates' book had scores of signatures in support," the source said, adding: "I think he may have been blocked by a couple of older, Lefty lawyers. So much for free speech."
The Savile Club, situated on Brook Street in London's Mayfair, counts broadcaster Stephen Fry, actor Edward Fox, and Jonathan Baker, the Bishop of Fulham, among its members. The traditional venue, which hosted filming for scenes of Downton Abbey, previously voted against allowing women to join as members last year.
Lord Young established the first free schools outside local authority control and went on to found both the Free Speech Union and the Daily Sceptic website. He previously turned a career setback into commercial success after being sacked by Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter in New York for hiring a stripper on "Take Our Daughters to Work Day," later writing the best-selling memoir How to Lose Friends & Alienate People, which was adapted into a film starring Simon Pegg.
Responding to the decision, Lord Young declined to comment in detail. "Even though I'm not a member of the Savile, I respect the rule of Omerta nevertheless," he said.
Savannah Miller emergency C-section
Fashion designer Savannah Miller has revealed she underwent an emergency caesarean section for her fourth child after the baby flipped into a dangerous position during labour.
The 47-year-old sister of actress Sienna Miller gave birth to a boy named Theodore last month. She explained that the baby flipped breech and then sideways during labour, creating a high-risk situation.
She said the experience proved to be an important lesson in accepting medical intervention when necessary. "It was a real lesson in letting go, to accept that the medicalised version of birth is a vital and necessary thing that we're lucky to have access to," she said.
Buckingham Palace car mix-up
Squadron Leader Adam Fox-Edwards, former assistant to the Master of the Household at Buckingham Palace, has shared how he ended up driving Queen Elizabeth II's official vehicle for a weekend.
When his personal car was parked deep inside the Royal Mews, a palace foreman suggested he take one of the royal vehicles instead. "Sir, would you mind taking one of our cars for the weekend?" the foreman asked, lending him the monarch's Daimler.
Fox-Edwards recalled noticing unusual controls inside the luxury motor. "Behind the gearstick were some extra buttons which were for the sirens and blue lights and a special attachment between the arm rest of the two seats," he said. When he asked about the fitting, the foreman explained it was a special attachment designed specifically for the Queen's handbag.
Genevieve Chenneour romance on set
Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour has defended performing nude scenes in her upcoming film while vowing never to date a co-star again following a brief onset romance.
The 28-year-old star, who served as a judge at the London Rolling Film Festival, filmed intimate scenes for the upcoming psychological thriller Asphyxia. She argued that cinematic nudity remains preferable to online adult content platforms. "Nudity is part of being human, and it's better that someone sees that on a screen than going on OnlyFans and all that stuff," she said.
Chenneour also disclosed that she fell in love with a colleague while shooting the project. "I actually fell in love on set. It turned into a brief romance," she said. "You're in this kind of bubble together and it becomes your whole world. But transitioning to the real world is not the same. I'm never falling in love on set again."
Julia Donaldson on grandparenting
Children's author Dame Julia Donaldson has admitted she has no interest in providing regular childcare or changing nappies for her own grandchildren.
The 78-year-old creator of The Gruffalo and her latest book The Gruffalo Granny opened up about family life in an interview with Saga magazine. "I wouldn't want to look after my grandchildren one or two days a week every week," she told the publication, adding: "And I wouldn't want to change nappies."
Kirstie Allsopp bad luck streak
Television presenter Kirstie Allsopp has suffered a second misfortune in quick succession after her Land Rover Defender was stolen in London shortly after she broke her leg.
The 55-year-old Location, Location, Location co-host was previously airlifted to hospital when she slipped and fractured her leg while walking home from a beach in Devon during her 55th birthday celebrations.
Reflecting on the vehicle theft, Allsopp described it as adding insult to injury quite literally. "Whoever has my voodoo doll needs to put it down," she joked.
Josh Widdicombe Strictly spray tan
Comedian Josh Widdicombe missed a night out with friends to ensure he received a professional spray tan ahead of his debut as a presenter on Strictly Come Dancing.
The 43-year-old stand-up chose not to join fellow comedians Rob Beckett and Matt Morgan at a party because he had to wake up early for the tanning session.
Morgan explained that Beckett had urged Widdicombe to get the treatment to avoid looking washed out under studio lighting. "Rob Beckett said, quite rightly, 'You've got to have a spray tan, because everyone has got spray tans, so you'll look really pale if you don't,'" Morgan recalled, adding: "He's right, the telly just bleaches you out."
Coco Fennell second wedding ceremony
Fashion designer Coco Fennell and her husband Maximillian Webster have exchanged vows for a second time at Hackney Town Hall to ensure their marriage is legally binding.
The 35-year-old designer married the photographer in December in a ceremony featuring bespoke rings by her father, society jeweller Theo Fennell, with her sister, Oscar-winning film director Emerald Fennell, as bridesmaid, and Dame Joan Collins among the guests.
However, the original ceremony was not legally recognized because Webster's father had officiated without being a qualified registrar. The couple resolved the issue over the weekend with an official service at Hackney Town Hall, where Fennell wore a white kimono jumpsuit before confirming they are now legally wed.
