7 DAYS
‘I’m always looking for characters because there’s not much that I can play with this stupid accent. I can’t play a scientist’
A ROUND-UP OF NEWS REPORTS
THE DOWAGER DUCHESS OF RUTLAND
The Dowager Duchess of Rutland has died peacefully at her home on the Belvoir Castle estate. She was 86.
In a tribute on Instagram, her granddaughter Lady Violet Manners wrote: “Granny, gosh, how we will miss you… Your life and impact on the estate, the incredible work you did in your time at Belvoir with Grandpa, will be felt for generations to come.”
Frances was the daughter of Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, whose life inspired the TV miniseries A Very British Scandal.
Frances married the 10th Duke, Charles Manners, in 1958 and is survived by three of their four children: David, who became 11th Duke of Rutland in 1999, Lady Helen Manners and Lord Edward Manners.
SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR
Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor has scored a new deal with her old record label following the revival of her 2001 hit Murder on the Dancefloor.
Sophie, 44, has re-signed with Universal and work is under way on new music to be released this year.
The Kitchen Disco star is enjoying a major comeback after Murder on the Dancefloor was used in Emerald Fennell’s hit film Saltburn. It has gone on to reach No. 2 in the charts – the same position it made upon its original release more than 20 years ago.
“It actually feels really magical,” she said. “It’s extraordinary. I love the way people react when I do it live. But for new people to be discovering it, for it to be making new memories with people is kind of beautiful.”
KYLIE MINOGUE
Kylie Minogue has won Billboard’s 2024 Women in Music Icon Award, shortly after being nominated for her first Brit Award in 13 years.
“Today just gets better and better! What an absolute honour to be awarded Billboard’s Women in Music 2024 Icon Award,” she told fans on social media.
Among the congratulations were messages from Shania Twain, who wrote: “ICONIC”, and Paris Hilton, who added: “Yas Queen!”
Kylie, 55, will join fellow honourees including Ice Spice and Charli XCX in Los Angeles for the 6 March ceremony. Meanwhile, this weekend sees her hit Padam Padam up for a Grammy, against Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s Miracle and Bebe Rexha and David Guetta’s One in a Million.
ALEC BALDWIN
Hollywood star Alec Baldwin has been charged again with involuntary manslaughter over the death of Ukrainian cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot on the set of the western Rust in New Mexico in 2021.
While previous charges against the 65-year-old actor were
