You’ve heard of friends in high places, but these pairs of pals give that saying a whole other meaning
WORDS: RHONA MERCER
MARK WRIGHT & MILLIE BOBBY BROWN
As random showbiz friendships go, Millie, 19, and Mark, 37, are up there! The former TOWIE star met the Stranger Things actress when he was working in LA and she spotted him at a press event. She said, “I’m a huge fan of TOWIE and I was doing press in LA, saw him [Mark] and introduced myself. He told me he was a fan of my work and our families bonded. Now we’re friends and go on family vacations together all the time.” Giving her the full Essex treatment, Mark has even taken her to iconic restaurant Sheesh “plenty of times”. Lucky Millie!
PATSY PALMER & MARK RUFFALO
Patsy, 51, may be most famous for playing Bianca Jackson in EastEnders, but the star – who now lives in California – has managed to make some A-list pals over there, including Poor Things actor Mark, 56. Sharing a snap with her unlikely friend last year, where they were wearing matching sunglasses, the former Dancing On Ice star said, “Look at us rocking our @caddis_life @markruffalo.”
Talking about life in Malibu – where she has lived with her husband Richard Merkell and their kids since 2014 – Patsy said she does yoga and meditation to create a balance in her life. She said, “Now I feel my life is more balanced than it’s ever been.”
AKON & YAZMIN OUKHELLOU
We don’t know what it is about celebs from Essex and America, but they can’t seem to get enough of each other, and another unlikely pair who’ve forged a bond are former TOWIE regular Yazmin, 29, and rap star, Akon.
The Lonely singer, 50, enjoyed a big night out with Yazmin – who dressed up in a lacy bodysuit and leather shorts teamed with a Chanel bag – and ex-TOWIE co-star Jasmin Walia at the launch party of his EP record TT FREAK at Aura Grill and Bar in Loughton. Proving how close they are, Yaz posted a group shot, including Akon, on Instagram, with the caption “Gang” with a love heart.
EYAL BOOKER & SCOTT DISICK
Eyal, 28, and Scott, 40, became pals in 2020 when they dated sisters Delilah and Amelia Hamlin, although both couples have since split.
When Scott caught up on Eyal’s stint in the 2018 series of Love Island, he slid into Megan Barton-Hanson’s DMs to defend his friend, saying she was “disrespectful” to Eyal in the villa. Ooh!
TOM HOLLAND & LAYTON WILLIAMS
Layton
