Mike Tindall published his first book yesterday and Princess Anne‘s son-in-law was keen to make light of the fact that it shares part of its title with Boris Johnson‘s memoirs, Unleashed.
The former England rugby captain hopes to knock Boris’s book from the top of the best-sellers list with the tome he has written with Alex Payne and James Haskell, the co-presenters of his sports podcast.
Theirs is called The Good, The Bad & The Rugby Unleashed, and Tindall took to social media to make comparisons with the former prime minister’s Unleashed.
In an amusing post, Zara Tindall‘s husband first pointed out that they both use the word in the title, and said that Boris’s book is written by a ‘controversial blond author’ while his has a ‘controversial blond co-author’.
This is thought to be a reference to his fellow former England player Haskell, who hit the headlines last year when he separated from his wife, Chloe Madeley, daughter of television presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.
Mike Tindall published his first book yesterday and Princess Anne ‘s son-in-law was keen to make light of the fact that it shares part of its title with Boris Johnson ‘s memoirs, Unleashed
The former England rugby captain hopes to knock Boris’s book from the top of the best-sellers list with the tome he has written with Alex Payne and James Haskell
In an amusing post, Zara Tindall ‘s husband first pointed out that they both use the word in the title
Tindall also says Boris suffered a ‘fall from political grace’ while the authors of his own book underwent ‘the latest fall from grace in general’.
It’s not clear what he’s referring to, but Tindall is spoiled for choice. He may be thinking of his 2022 stay in the jungle when he competed in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, or perhaps when he was fined £25,000 for ‘serious misconduct’ by the Rugby Football Union in 2011 for enjoying a ‘dwarf-throwing contest’ with some teammates at a bar in New Zealand.
He jokes that Boris’s memoirs include ‘debaucherous party stories’, referring to the fine he received for attending a gathering during lockdown. Tindall’s book, he says, features ‘debaucherous but legal party stories’. He adds of both: ‘Makes good firewood’.
Boris and Tindall are competing not only with each other’s releases but also with Prince Harry’s Spare, which was published in paperback yesterday.
Police stop royal to make way for VIPÂ
Even junior royals are stopped in their tracks when a senior member of ‘The Firm’ passes by.
The Earl of Snowdon, Princess Margaret’s son, was told by police to wait on his bicycle in Chelsea as a VIP was driven past in a Range Rover. It’s not known who was in the vehicle but it’s likely to have been a member of the Royal Family.
Unless of course, Taylor Swift was in town. The star was embroiled in a political row after it was revealed she was given a police escort to and from Wembley for her August concerts.
The Earl of Snowdon, Princess Margaret’s son, was told by police to wait on his bicycle in Chelsea as a VIP was driven past in a Range Rover
The star was embroiled in a political row after it was revealed she was given a police escort to and from Wembley for her August concerts. Here he is pictured with Made in Chelsea’s Mark Francis Vandelli
Sue Johnston second thoughts in Gen Z dramaÂ
Royle Family star Sue Johnston, 80, admits having had second thoughts after agreeing to star in Channel 4’s new zombie apocalypse drama, Generation Z.
‘My first scene on my first day was me biting somebody’s nose off, and I remember thinking, ‘God, why are we doing this?’ says the actress.
She adds: ‘The supporting artists were fantastic, so committed – you didn’t feel quite as daft as you guzzled on an arm.’
Miranda Priestly is certainly not impressedÂ
This would not have impressed Miranda Priestly, the highly demanding, perfectionist magazine editor played by Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.Â
I hear that the West End’s Dominion Theatre, where Sir Elton John’s musical version of the hit film is being staged, has called off three performances with no explanation given to ticket holders. A spokesman tells me the cancellations are ‘due to TV/promo appearances’. American singer and actress Vanessa Williams plays Priestly.Â
Westwood’s granddaughter’s in style after row with brandÂ
Dame Vivienne Westwood’s granddaughter Cora Corre dramatically resigned from the late designer’s brand this week, accusing its ‘bullying’ boss of betraying her grandmother’s legacy.
And the 27-year-old model and activist showed that she wasn’t planning to give up the limelight by turning up at the Elle Style Awards in an eye-catching sheer top and black leather skirt split at the front.
It’s unclear if her outfit was designed by her granny’s label.
Cora, left, quit her role as campaign manager for the Westwood brand in a letter sent to all staff.
Cora Corre dramatically resigned from the late designer’s brand this week, accusing its ‘bullying’ boss of betraying her grandmother’s legacy
Is jail spell to blame for Fry’s OBE snub?Â
Stephen Fry was once described as a ‘national treasure’ by King Charles and is involved in numerous charities – so why has he never been awarded an OBE, let alone a knighthood?
‘It would be indelicate of me to say,’ the broadcaster and comedian chuckles. ‘Who knows? It may be because my past life has been that of a wicked, wicked monkey. Because I went to prison when I was young and [I’ve] written about various things I did wrong when I was a little older.’
Fry, 67, who received a three-month sentence for fraud after stealing a credit card from a family friend, says: ‘No, I don’t think that’s the reason… it’s not polite to say.’
He adds, intriguingly: ‘It may be that I’ve been offered and I said no, but I would never say if that was the case.’
The Chelsea Flower Pension ShowÂ
They are always a splendid sight at the Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place in the grounds of their home, the Royal Hospital Chelsea. But next year the Chelsea Pensioners will have their own garden – designed just for them, I hear – which will star in the show.Â
The London Square Chelsea Pensioners Garden is being created by Dave Green. Green-fingered veterans are getting involved and their ideas have shaped the design, even down to a splash of scarlet on the seats, which will be made from the Pensioners’ recycled ceremonial uniforms.
