Why write a biography? It only pins you down. Suffice to say I was born in Africa. And already that’s seeing the world without its skin. My father was the local gynaecologist. My mother was born in Strasbourg. My grandmother lived with us. In many ways I loved my childhood, but not in others. I would have been cheating myself if I hadn’t left to study English literature in Britain. That was my feat of daring that altered the landscape of my life. Before the term started, I went to Paris, like all would-be artists and authors. It was spring. I was full of day-dreams, imagining myself capable of extraordinary insights and creativity. It was a time when everything seemed possible. I could laugh at it now, but it propelled me to develop some of those qualities. In Paris, I fell in love and got engaged, but in the bleak, cold winter of my first term at Edinburgh, I broke it off. I got a First class MA Honours and the Janet Christie Bequest to study abroad. So, I drove to Florence with a friend and lived in an old farmhouse for 8 months, learning Italian, studying at the British Institute. In the slipstream of my life I imagined that I would be a great writer, another Virginia Woolf, have the perfect family, be the best mother. My path was a journalism, a single mother of one daughter. My writing included campaigns to save a brutalised lioness in northern Italy, Hebridean seals at risk, endangered and slaughtered leatherback turtles in Tobago, and premature babies at Dulwich hospital in dire need of incubators. I covered news, travel, and then big interviews with iconic figures in the public eye. Freddie Mercury, Angelina Jolie, Amy Winehouse, George Michael, Bono, and literally hundreds more. I walked away from journalism to live in Venice and write my first novel, Behind the Mirror. My second, All the People We Are, is set on the Cycladic island of Folegandros. The third, The Shed, is set in Berlin through WW2, and Southern Rhodesia in the 60’s. My literary agent is Jason Bartholomew of The Bks Agency.
The boss of a restaurant where Charles and Diana ate with their young sons 32 years ago has invited Prince William to recreate the visit. William was only three and brother Harry a baby when the family made a trip to the Venice eaterie in 1985. The boys were a hit with staff and … Continued
Daniel’s wife Rachel lays down law Action man Daniel Craig has promised to cut back on his James Bond stunts to remove the Spectre of yet more painful injuries. He made the vow to give actress wife Rachel Weisz some Solace after she grew “worried sick” by the toll on his “broken body”. The couple … Continued
Troubled Jamie Redknapp is desperately trying to save his marriage, and hopes estranged wife Louise will attend a makeor-break family holiday. The 44-year-old former England footballer is planning a trip to Barbados in a bid to woo her back. A source said: “Jamie really wants Louise to come to Barbados. They have had their best … Continued
Louise Redknapp is refusing to give up on her marriage to her soccer pundit hubby Jamie, telling pals: “it’s not over for good.” The Strictly star was pictured returning to the UK last week for showdown talks – still wearing her wedding ring. The couple have yet to comment on reports their 19-year marriage is … Continued
TV soccer pundit Jamie Redknapp enjoys a night out on the town – as wife Louise assures pals: “Our marriage is not over for good”. The couple have been struggling to piece their 19-year marriage back together after being torn apart by the former Eternal singer’s gruelling stint on Strictly Come Dancing. Friends say the … Continued
Publishers are desperate to offer George Michael’s former lover Fadi Fawaz a £1million book deal to tell all about the star’s final days. Random House publishing is believed to be one of the book giants who hope to sign Fadi. But a source close to photographer Fadi dismissed any prospect of a book soon. The … Continued
Daniel Craig has changed his mind and is set to sign up for his fifth Bond movie – with Adele lined up to join him. The actor, 48, claimed he would “rather slash my wrists” than play 007 again but his U-turn came after a host of British stars were tipped to replace him. The … Continued
During a month’s sojourn in Venice, one writer is not just seduced by the food but lets the physical beauty and rich history of one of the world’s most alluring cities, capture her heart. There is a new wave of travelling that bears a resemblance to The Grand Tour of 18th century Europe, an educational … Continued
