‘Tried and tested on my two daughters. They said: “Yeah, Dad, it’s a classic – play it,” so there you go.’
It was a Beautiful Day for Vernon Kay to start his new BBC Radio 2 show
CAROLE & MICHAEL MIDDLETON
Party Pieces bought by ice-cream entrepreneur
The party decorations company owned by the Princess of Wales’s parents Carole (left) and Michael Middleton has been sold after falling into administration. Party Pieces is now owned by James Sinclair, an ice-cream entrepreneur from Essex.
Joint administrator Will Wright said: “Party Pieces is a well-established brand with a proud British heritage, but like many other companies across the retail space, it was profoundly affected by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing restrictions on social gatherings. We’re pleased to have been able to conclude this transaction and wish James all the very best for the future.”
Carole and Michael famously set up the firm from their kitchen table in 1987.
HANNAH SPEARRITT
Quits S Club 7 reunion after bandmate’s death
S Club 7’s Hannah Spearritt has quit the group’s forthcoming reunion tour following the death of bandmate Paul Cattermole.
The five remaining members of the band – Rachel Stevens, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Tina Barrett and Jo O’Meara – announced the news last week, with Jon saying of the 42-year-old: “She will always be a part of S Club 7. We wish her all the best for the future. However, the five of us are really excited and geared up to crack on.” The 25th anniversary concert dates, renamed the Good Times Tour in Paul’s honour, will start in October.
Last week, it was revealed that Paul, 46, died from natural causes. His body was found in his flat in Dorset on 6 April.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Funeral and mourning events cost £162m
Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and national mourning events cost an estimated £162m, it was revealed last week. The sum was paid by the Government, with the Home Office covering £74m and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which organised the lengthy queue to see the late monarch lying in state at Westminster Hall, spending £57m.
Other departments covered the rest, with the Scottish government contributing almost £19m.
The figures were revealed by John Glen, chief secretary to the Treasury, in a written statement to Parliament. “The Government’s priorities were that events ran smoothly and with the appropriate level of dignity, while at all times ensuring the safety and security of the public,” he wrote.
RIO FERDINAND
Detains intruder in garden of family home
Former footballer Rio Ferdinand tackled an intruder in the garden of his hom
