Ethan Couch is a teenage boy responsible for the deaths of four pedestrians when driving drunk, speeding and illegally on a restricted licence in 2013. He was let off with probation by a judge on the excuse he was a spoiled brat – affluenza – not taught limits by his wealthy parents. His divorced mother … Read more
There’s a novel out (by Paula McLain, best known for The Paris Wife) about the life of Beryl Markham. She was an extraordinary woman – a licensed racehorse trainer in Kenya before she was 20 and one of the early record-breaking pilots; on the periphery of the louche colonial Happy Valley set, with a string … Read more
Bubbly actress Barbara Windsor, best known for EastEnders, Carry On comedies and a riotous love life involving some scary criminals back in the day, is reportedly to be made a dame in the New Year Honours. Though some think that unlikely. She has skated through through scandal after scandal and emerged as a national treasure, … Read more
One thing worse than being born into a celebrity family is being born into an aristocratic one. Castle Howard, the spectacular setting for Brideshead Revisited, is now the scene of a family feud which according to a friend makes ‘Kane and Abel look like a fairy tale.’ Before the late Lord Howard of Henderskelfe died … Read more
The UK award winning Downton Abbey, which became one of the world’s most watched TV dramas, has come to an end after six seasons. Set in a stately home it followed the gradual decline of the British aristocracy’s fortunes and lifestyle through WW1 up to 1930. It was the brainchild of writer Julian Fellowes, born … Read more
Singer Janet Jackson, sister of Michael, has cancelled a string of concert appearances because she needs immediate surgery. Born 16 May 1966 Gary, Indiana, she has provisional birth times of either 7am or 7pm. Since 7pm puts tr Uranus on the cusp of her 6th house of health and tr Pluto moving to square her … Read more
Rocco Ritchie, the 15 year old son of Madonna and Guy Ritchie, has evidently been ordered to New York to discuss with his mother his desire to stay with his father in the UK. He did tour with Madonna but after a while decided he didn’t want to any longer. Born 11 August 2000 12.45am … Read more
Oxford students are up in arms about Cecil Rhodes statue (founder of Rhodesia) remaining erect within the hallowed confines since they claim he was a bigoted racist. There’s a counter-argument in today’s Times (behind a pay wall). His biographer said “as a young man he had related directly and well to unlettered Zulu. Throughout his … Read more
Harjit Sajjan, an Indian-born Canadian Sikh has been appointed Minister for Defence in Justin Trudeau’s government. For 11 years he was with Vancouver Police latterly as a detective investigating organised crime. He served with distinction in Afghanistan winning medals and praise and was specially requested to join the US Command Team. Born 6 September 1970 … Read more
Cate Blanchett, the multi-award winning Australian/American actress has a talent for picking (and being picked for) highly successful movies. Her latest of ‘Carol’, based on a Patricia Highsmith novel, about two women falling in love, is certainly picking up the publicity and nominations for the Golden Globes on 10th January. Cate Blanchett, 14 May 1969 … Read more