A right Royal day out! Take the Kate Middleton tour to the church

By RICHARD HARTLEY-PARKINSON


Introducing your host: Charmian Griffiths shows clippings of Will and Kate as the bus sits in a car park opposite the Old Boot Inn


It was supposed to be a one-off event, but the organisers of a tour of Kate Middleton country said it was so popular they wanted to keep on doing it and they are now taking bookings for more trips. In fact, they have even more than trebeled the price.

Mortons coaches in Berkshire carries out a whistle-stop tour of 'Kate Middleton Country' with highlights of her early life being pointed out.

For the prince(ss)ly sum of £35 each, tourists can converge on the banks of the River Thames in central London before being whisked off on an hour and a half drive to the countryside of Berkshire.


The different locations on the tour of Kate Middleton Country


n February the tours on the 33-seater coach were on offer for £10 with commentary from their 'Blue Badge' guide, Charmain Griffiths who insists on referring to Kate as Catherine.

Now they are three and a half times as much, but that has done little to stop its popularity.

A spokesman at Morton's Coaches said: 'It's proving popular. We have got one more booked for March 26, but no more as of yet, it all depends on how popular that is and how much demand there is.'

Since the first trip back in February, the company has had numerous requests from as far away as America and Japan. Admittedly most (if not all) of the trips have been from the press, but Mortons remain hopeful that things will pick up with tourists as Kate and Will's big day gets closer.


Since their engagement Kate's sleepy home village of Bucklebury has become very popular with outside


Tour guide Charmian Griffiths holds up a magazine clipping of Britain's Prince William and his fiancée Kate Middleton during a bus tour highlighting areas of Berkshire where Middleton grew up.

The first stop is at Kate's first school, St Andrew's Prep School - a private school set well back off the road and behind bushes and trees so that it isn't even possible to get a photograph. Tourists instead leave with a picture of the sign.

Her secondary school, Marlborough College, is miles away in Wiltshire so probably even more expensive than the £35 for the Berkshire trip.


Star attraction: One of the highlights of the £35 trip is St Andrews Church where Kate was baptised


The historic church where Kate was baptised, just down the road from her parents' house in Bucklebury


Following the visit to the sign in a bush, the royal tourists are taken to the church where Kate was Baptised.

Those disappointed that the school was out of bounds will hopefully feel that St Andrews Church in Bradfield is a bit more of a success. If you are lucky the church will be open and you can get pictures of yourself at the font, or even walking down the aisle.

With the morning out of the way and Kate's early years covered, the trip then fast forwards to lunch at the local pub where she has been known to drink with William.

The Old Boot Inn, in the deliciously named Stanford Dingley is a regular, unassuming village pub that might be threatened with closure if it didn't have this sudden international interest.


Royal education: As Kate's prep school is out of bounds, the first stop on the tour can only get as far as the sign at the end of the drive while the sign on the right is the after lunch treat


Bradfield School: The unassuming CofE primary that is now the focus of 'international tourism'


Lunch stop at the Old Boot Inn in the deliciously named village of Stanford Dingley


Outsiders aren't as welcome as you might expect, what with all the extra cash coming into the community, but the food and drink are good enough.

The landlord, along with many other people in the village, has received an invite to the royal wedding.

After lunch there is more excitement with a quick trip to stand outside Bradfield Primary School where she was a pupil. Then it's back on the road, heading to a house in the same village that she is thought to have lived in early in her life.

Up the road is Bucklebury, the home of Kate's parents, Carole and Michael.


Royal household: A house where it is believed Kate lived when she was much younger


Since their engagement press interest at the Middleton's house is only sporadic compared to the constant watch that was from across the road after the initial excitement.

Kate's Country Tour barely even stops outside their five-bedroom house before speeding off again to the next and final stop. A Spar.

Hash and Chan, the owners of the shop, are among the lucky few to be on the guest list at the wedding. They will pose for photographs, only too aware of the financial capital that having a royal in their midst will bring.


Welcome news: Carole and Michael Middleton outside their home in Bucklebury, Berks, which is the penultimate 'stop' on the tour before heading to the Spar shop in nearby Bradfield


Not everyone is enjoying the attention being turned on Bucklebury, however.

Wynne Frankum, chair of Bucklebury Parish Council, told the BBC: 'This is her home. Her family have been in the village and the parish all her life. We are privately proud.

People have been very protective of Kate for a long time and we respect her privacy'.

Frankum did concede though that tours through this 'quiet little backwater' would be good for local businesses.

Mortons also has a London-bound Royal Wedding tour, which promises to 'rejoice in the spectacle, pageantry and celebration' of April 29th by offering the 'best possible location to glimpse the Royal couple'.


Is Kate Middleton Too Skinny?



source: dailymail

Kara Tointon, Danielle Lineker and Sheridan Smith lead the glamour as Legally Blonde cleans up at the Olivier Awards

By EMILY SHERIDAN

Lots of layers: Winner Sheridan Smith (left) kept it short and sweet in a white layered prom dress, while Kara Tointon wore a striking red floor-length number at the Oliver Awards last night


It's the biggest night in the theatreland calendar and the Olivier Awards 2011 certainly didn't disappoint on glamour.

A host of leading ladies past and present including Sheridan Smith, Kara Tointon and Danielle Lineker put on their finest frocks as they dazzled on the red carpet at London's Theatre Royal.

And there was plenty to celebrate for Smith, who not only picked up Best Actress In A Musical for her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical, but co-star Jill Halfpenny was named Best Supporting Actress with the show also being named Best New Musical.

Strictly Come Dancing winner Tointon turned on the Hollywood glamour in a show-stopping red gown as she arrived with Rupert Everett - who will play Professor Higgins to her Eliza Dolittle in the forthcoming production of Pygmalion.

Gavin And Stacey star Smith, 29, attended the ceremony with her father Colin dressed in a white layered prom dress and broke down in tears after being announced as the winner.

Accepting her award on stage, she thanked the show's American creators 'let a chav play an American rich girl'.


Chic Vs high glamour: Model-turned-actress Danielle Lineker, currently starring in Calendar Girls, wore a black shift dress, while Amanda Holden wore a stunning satin Ralph & Russo gown


Speaking to the BBC, she said: 'I was so gobsmacked and overwhelmed. This is beyond my wildest dreams. I'm baffled, but so honoured.'

Althought Smith left the role in January and is now starring alongside Sienna Miller in Flare Path, she described Legally Blonde as 'the best 14 months in my life'.

She admitted she feels like she's 'blagging it' - something that Sir Laurence Olivier who the awards are named after never did.


Yes! Smith and co-star Jill Halfpenny celebrate backstage after both winning Oliviers for their roles in Legally Blonde: The Musical


Theatreland's darling: Smith cuddles up to her father Colin on the red carpet (left) and receives a kiss from Rupert Everett


While Legally Blonde picked up three awards, National Theatre's revival of playwright Terence Rattigan's After the Dance won four, including Best Actress for a heavily pregnant Nancy Carroll.

Carroll, 36, is due to give birth to her second child any day now and showed off her large bump in a purple gown.

Her co-star Adrian Scarborough - well-known for playing hapless Pete in Gavin And Stacey - accepted Best Supporting Actor.


The toast of the West End: Best Actor winner Roger Allam with heavily pregnant Best Actress winner Nancy Carroll (left) and Best Supporting Actor winner Adrian Scarborough with Best Supporting Actress winner Michelle Terry


Plenty to celebrate: Halfpenny and Sheridan can't hide their joy at winning as they pose with their Olivier busts


Roger Allam, who played bent copper Super Mac in Ashes To Ashes, beat Derek Jacobi, Rory Kinnear, Mark Rylance and David Suchet to the Best Actor trophy for Henry IV Parts I and II.

Andre Lloyd Webber's newest show Love Never Dies - the sequel to Phantom Of The Opera - was up in seven categories, but failed to win any.

Webber's protogee Summer Strallen missed out on Best Supporting Actress In A Musical, but did not look striking in a strapless gold number.


Pale and interesting: (L-R) Elisabeth Moss in a plunging gold number, Summer Strallen in a strapless number while Lesley Manville wore a light green halterneck


Going to the dark side: (L-R) Best Supporting Actress nominee Gina McKee wore a strapless column gown, Best Actress nominee Tracie Bennett wore a racy slit number while Anne-Marie Duff kept it simple


A newcomer to theatreland was Gary Lineker's model wife Danielle, who recently made her stage debut in the touring production of Calendar Girls.

The brunette steered away from full-length glamour and looked chic in a black and white shift dress as she arrived with husband Gary.

Black appeared to be the dominant style choice last night, with Best Supporting Actress nominee Gina McKee, Best Actress nominee Tracie Bennett, Anne-Marie Duff, Rachael Stirling, Angela Rippon and Angela Lansbury all opting for the simple shade.


Smart: Lost star and his In A Forest co-star Olivia Williams (left) presented an award, while Brian May - with wife Anita Dobson - accepted the Audience Award for We Will Rock You


Honoured: Stephen Sondheim was presented with the Society of London Theatre Special Award by Angela Lansbury and Sir Cameron Mackintosh


TV and theatre veteran Lansbury, 85, joined Sir Cameron Mackintosh on stage to present Stephen Sondheim with the Society of London Theatre's Special Award.

But some attendee weren't afraid to shy away from colour with nominee Tamsin Greig, Oliver! star Jodie Prenger and TV presenter Anneka Rice making statements with their flamboyant ensembles.

Amanda Holden looked stunning in a blue Ralph & Russo gown as she made her first public appearance since losing her baby last month to present David Thaxton with the Best Actor In A Musical Award for Passion.

Meanwhile Queen rocker Brian May, who attended with actress wife Anita Dobson, was thrilled to pick up the Audience Award for We Will Rock You.


Coupled up: Jonny Lee Miller and wife Michele Hicks (left) and Rachael Stirling and boyfriend Oliver Chris


Here come the luvvies: Theatre producer Bill Kenwright and partner Jenny Seagrove (left) and David Suchet - who was nominated for Best Actor - and his wife Sheila





source: dailymail

America Idol's Ashthon Jones is first to be sent packing as 'stressed out' Casey Abrams fails to show due to hospital dash

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Time to go home: Ashthon Jones is comforted by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest after being voted off


It turned out that axed contestant Ashthon Jones's was not the only casualty of American Idol last night.

The 25-year-old hopeful was sent packing in last night's results show as it emerged that fellow contestant Casey Abrams was unable to attend the show due to a hospital dash.

According to internet reports, 20-year-old Casey, from Illinois, needed to medical treatment for a stress-induced bleeding stomach ulcer.

He suffered a similar set back a few weeks ago just before the Top 24 was revealed.
Host Ryan Seacret was scant with details, only revealing he was in hospital and wished him to 'get back here soon'.

But the show must go on, so it was left to the remaining 12 to perform a cover of Michael Jackson hits.


Awaiting their fate: Ashthon waits with Karen Rodriguez and Haley Reinhart to find out who's going home


Too much to handle: Ashthon and Haley comfort each other as they wait for the judges' decision


The performance was somewhat sketchy, however, with pre-recorded vocals and some poor examples of lip syncing.

But it wasn't long before the cohort of finalists was cut down to size with Haley Reinhart and Karen Rodriguez joining Ashthon in the bottom three.

Later in the show Ryan sends Karen to safety, before revealing Ashthon, who sang Diana Ross' When You Tell Me That You Love Me in Wednesday night's show, has the least number of public votes.


Hospital dash: Casey Abrams, seen here performing in Wednesday night's programme, was unable to make the results show due to a 'stress-induced stomach ulcer', according to reports


Early indications show around 30million votes were cast by the public.

After performing When You Tell Me That You Love Me, the judges vote unanimously to eliminate Ashthon and decided not to use their 'save' vote.

The save card was brought in recently and allows all four judges to save one contestant from being eliminated.


Judgement time: American Idol judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson sit on the panel


Teary-eyed: Jennifer appeared to be finding it difficult to decide which of the contestants go home


It can be used up until the top five contestants are eliminated and only once.

It has to be an unanimous decision and once used up it cannot be brought into effect again for the rest of the season.

Last night's result show also featured a performance from former American Idol winner Adam Lambert.


Swan song: Ashthon performs for the final time as she's watched by the rest of the American Idol contestants



Sad to see her go: The remaining contestants applaud after Ashthon's emotional final performance


In the the first of the studio shows of the season on Wednesday, the contestants had just a minute and a half to try and persuade America to vote for them - but even that was too long for some.

The 'live' America Idol show - recorded a day early to allow the new judges time to settle in - didn't go well for everyone, with lacklustre performances and dull song choices slowing things down.

The boys were more on form, with Paul McDonald, Casey Abrams, Jacob Lusk and James Durbin all exciting the judges.


Who are you backing? Amanada also attended the contestants performances and chatted to Seacrest


Of the girls Pia Toscano lived up to last week's stunning performance, but many of her fellow females failed to deliver.

Naima Adedapo at least had some energy as she offered up an imitation of Rihanna, but Karen Rodriguez struggled to do justice to her choice of Selena's I Could Fall in Love and Haley Reinhart was simply labelled 'boring' by Randy Jackson.

The finalists had paid tribute to their own Idols as they performed songs by their very favourite artists.


Famous faces: P Diddy performed his track Coming Home on the programme last night


"Casey Abrams - With a little help of my friends" American Idol 2011 Top 13



source: dailymail

Sneak peek: Fans delight as X-Men returns in a real blaze of glory

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Red-hot: In a tunnel of flames, American actor Lucas Till shows he is the fearless subhuman superhero he plays in X-Men: First Class


The lead-up to X-Men: First Class is getting red-hot.

Easily the most eagerly-anticipated blockbusters of the year, producers have given yet another official sneak peek of the comic book prequel by releasing a new still on the film's official Facebook page.

In a tunnel of flames, American actor Lucas Till shows he is the fearless subhuman superhero he channels in the film, set to be released this June.

The young 20-year-old's character Alex Summers / Havok is a mutant who has the ability to absorb cosmic energy and discharge blasts from the energy..

Havok can generate powerful plasma blasts, an ability he has had difficulty controlling.

He is also the son of Cosair, the younger brother of the X-Men’s Cyclops and older brother of Vulcan.

Till is best known for his appearance in Hanna Montana: The Movie.
He joins American actress and Mad Men star January Jones in the blockbuster.



Much-anticipated: The film will hit cinema screens in July 2011


In previous stills from the film, fans saw Jones slips into a skin-tight white leather jumpsuit and wear her trademark icy blonde mane in a curled 60's style bouffant.

Jones plays the main female lead, Emma Frost, a mutant that possesses telepathic powers including mind control and thought projections.

Frost's personality is calculating, manipulative and secretive and she also has the ability to turn into a flawless diamond.


Sexy Frost: Kevin Bacon asSebastian Shaw sits alongside Mad Men star January Jones who plays seductive mutant Emma Frost


Formerly one of the X-Men's deadliest foes, she is now one of their central members.
Jones took over the role from Australian actress Tahyna Tozzi, who played a younger and much more minor version of the cartoon character in the 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Till and Jones also join a cast including Shameless and Last King Of Scotland star James McAvoy as Professor Xavier, A Single Man and Skins actor Nicholas Hoult - who beat Twilight star Taylor Lautner to the role of the Beast.


Mind control: James McAvoy steps into Patrick Stewart's role as X Men founder Xavier


Get Him To The Greek's Rose Byrne is Dr Moira MacTaggert, Kevin Bacon plays Sebastian Shaw, Winter's Bone star Jennifer Lawrence is Mystique and former child actress Morgan Lily is a young Raven Darkholme.

Inglourious Basterds and 300 actor Michael Fassbender takes on the role of a young Magneto, portrayed by Ian Mckellen in previous films.

The new action hero movie, based on the X-Men Marvel comics is currently still shooting.


Check mate: James McAvoy and and Michael Fassbender in one of the scenes from the movie


It is being directed by Matthew Vaughan, with scriptwriters including Jonathan Ross's wife Jane Goldman.

The film is being set in the 1960s and will parallel the history of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.

Vaughn has said of the plot: 'The story that (producer) Bryan Singer came up with is very, very smart.

'It's very clever when you see how he has integrated the characters into the time period where the film is set. I'll put it that way.


A fine cast: The film is being set in the 1960s and will parallel the history of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X


'I just don't want to give it away.

'It's a very clever way of getting these characters involved in recent history, in recent world events.'

Vaughn, 39, is the husband of supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

He's also fast becoming one of the UK's most successful directors, with recent critically-acclaimed releases including Layer Cake, Kick-Ass and Stardust.

The much-anticipated film will hit cinema screens in July 2011.


Back to the start: Michael Fassbender takes on the role of a young Magneto, portrayed by Ian Mckellen in previous films


Click to watch this clip - X-Men - First Class - (2011) Trailer


source: dailymail

Sorry Kate, obviously smoking really IS bad for your skin

By MAYSA RAWI

Breaking the rules: Kate Moss lights up on the catwalk for Louis Vuitton during Paris Fashion Week today


Kate Moss has never been one to follow rules and today was no exception when she ignored the ban - and No Smoking Day - and lit up on the catwalk.

Walking for Louis Vuitton at Paris Fashion Week, Kate indulged her bad habit and proved she's still got it in a pair of tight hot pants and bondage-style lace-up boots.

Moss was the perfect choice to close the fetish-themed show and had the crowd cheering as she theatrically blew out smoke.


Naughty but nice: Naomi Campbell, centre, starred in the fetish-inspired show


Jacobs spared no expense to produce a highly stylised event, casting supermodels Naomi Campbell, Amber Valetta, Carolyn Murphy and Maria Carla.

Hostesses dressed in French maid's uniforms and brandishing feather dusters and platters with caviar canapes and shots of vodka ushered guests into a tent that recreated a dimly lit Paris hotel.

The show saw models emerging from a makeshift lift attended to by porters, while they strutted down the runway handcuffed to their handbags, in heels so high, the catwalk had to be reworked to accommodate the 13cm heels.


Hotel Vuitton: A makeshift lift, attended to by porters saw models emerging from the boudoir-style set


Hourglass shaped coats in tweed and slick patent leather were worn with thigh-high stockings - and nothing else.

Black bustiers were layered over demure A-line skirts worn with shirts with round white collars.

A black dress embroidered with sequins looked innocent enough until the model turned the corner, revealing her handcuff-bound wrists.


Irrational desire: Marc Jacobs said the public's love of everything with the LV logo sparked the idea for the collection


Superstar designer Marc Jacobs said the public's insatiable desire for everything with the LV logo sparked the idea for the collection.

'There's this crazy, almost irrational desire for these objects, these things we create,' Jacobs told a scrum of journalists in a frenzied backstage interview.

'We were thinking about obsession, fetishism and we thought about an old hotel, with its chambermaids and the affairs that go on there, the crimes and scandals.

'And we just wanted to reveal all the amazing creatures who passed through there'.


What a difference an hour makes: Moss's complexion outside looks a far cry from her glossy appearance on the catwalk a short time earlier


Home time: Kate and fiance Jamie Hince, left, and Naomi head out after the show


Louis Vuitton A/W 2011/2012 with Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell Fashion and Fetisch collection.



source: dailymail

Does this trousersuit really suit Tess? Miss Daly steals the spotlight in a very bright (and revealing) orange outfit

By SIMON CABLE

Standing out: Tess Daly arrived at the TRIC Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel yesterday in a very bright orange trousersuit


Standing out in such a glamorous crowd was never going to be easy.

And Tess Daly certainly didn’t take any chances – opting for this fluorescent orange trousersuit.

Just in case the colour wasn’t enough of a head-turner, the £445 Max Mara outfit was open at the back and featured wide-legged trousers split revealingly to the thigh.

The 41-year-old Strictly Come Dancing presenter opted for the garish garment as she arrived at the Television and Radio Industries Club Awards yesterday.


She teamed it with chunky gold bangles and rings.

Miss Daly was joined at the awards, at the Grosvenor Hotel in Central London, by the stars of Strictly Come Dancing, including Anton du Beke and Brendan Cole.


Revealing: The palazzo pants featured a daring split to the thigh, showing off plenty of leg


The BBC show collected the award for best reality TV programme. Chris Evans was the biggest winner, picking up two awards, for best radio personality and best radio programme for his Radio 2 Breakfast show.

Eamonn Holmes was honoured with the TV personality prize, while Top Gear was named best TV entertainment programme.

It was a year ago that Daly’s marriage to fellow presenter Vernon Kay, 36 – with whom she has two children – was rocked after it was revealed he had sent seedy texts to a string of girls.


Soap stars: Jennifer Metcalfe (left), who plays Mercedes McQueen in Hollyoaks, and Katherine Kelly, who plays Corrie's Becky, also attended


Kate Garraway was nominated in the Newscaster or Reporter category this year and was joined at the bash by a host of TV celebrities including fellow presenters Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsdale.

Soap stars Jennifer Metcalfe, who plays Mercedes McQueen in Hollyoaks and Katherine Kelly, who plays Corrie's Becky, also attended.


On-screen lovers: Brooke Vincent and Sacha Parkinson, who play the soap's young lesbian couple Sophie Webster and Sian Powers also attended


Kelly's colleagues Brooke Vincent and Sacha Parkinson, who play the soap's young lesbian couple Sophie Webster and Sian Powers, were also on the guest list.

But it wasn't all about the girls, as Peter Andre was among the male faces at the star-studded bash.

He stood and patiently posed for the cameras unlike presenter Keith Lemon, aka Leigh Francis, who larked about as he made his grand entrance.


Brightly coloured: Gloria Hunniford and Florence Welch stood out in their choice of outfit


It takes two: Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford and Christine and Neil Hamilton were also among the guests at the celebrity bash


Chris Evans picked up two awards for his BBC Radio 2 show today but admitted he still had one unfulfilled ambition - to write a hit Hollywood film.

The star said he had started writing a script for a 'rites-of-passage' film several times but never finished it.

He said: 'I'd love to write a movie. I've had loads of gos, I've got loads of half movies.

'It was always rites of passage, I was trying to come up with the answer to The Graduate but then American Beauty came along and did that so I'll have to figure something else out.'


The calm and the crazy: Peter Andre looked dapper in his suit as he posed for the cameras while Keith Lemon, aka Leigh Francis, larked about as he walked inside





source: dailymail