*Don’t worry boys, Saturdays star Frankie Sandford is still young, free and single!
I got to the bottom of rumours the star has been shacked up with hunky JLS wee-man Aston Merrygold by asking the lady herself to reveal the truth.
And not only does she says her ‘union’ with Aston is a load of cobblers she also spoke about her sadness over splitting with McFly dish Dougie Poynter.
Frankie told me at the Lee Jeans launch party this week: “It’s inevitable that Aston and me do get pictured because Rochelle is dating Marvin from JLS. It’s already happened with all this stuff about us dating – it’s false. It’s crap. And the stuff about me and Calum Best was crap too. Calum literally sent me a Tweet and that’s where that story came from.
“He’s a nice guy but I’m not going there – I’m not stupid! I’m just friends with Aston, he’s a nice guy. It can be really annoying being falsely linked to other people.”
And seeing as Frankie was in the mood to talk she admitted she’s yet to get over her split from Dougie after their split last month. “I didn’t think anyone would care about Dougie and I splitting up,” she revealed. “I was so surprised by the reaction to it. We are staying good friends. I know that’s what everyone says but I don’t bulls**t. We need time apart and that’s what were doing now. I needed to get away from everything so that’s why I took myself off Twitter and had a holiday.” “It’s hard enough splitting up with someone but when you’re in the public eye it’s so much harder. I had no idea and I’m learning about it. If you split up with your boyfriend you wouldn’t then see him pictured out with other girls in the paper. He’s going to start dating other girls, and I’m fine with it, but I don’t want to see it and learn about it in the papers. It’s going to be hard when it does.”
The star, currently in the studio with the rest of the Saturdays recording new material for a repackaged summer version of their album Wordshaker, sounds desperado for a relationship of some kind. She added: “I haven’t been out any dates since we split. But I really want to be taken out on a date! I’m not good at the whole dating scene and I just want a boyfriend. I don’t go out on a date for the sake of it as first I need there to be a spark and hint that it may turn into a relationship.”

*Shhh
WHICH ageing rocker needs to lay off the bongs these days. My spies spotted this man in the street last week in his boxer shorts saying to a friend: “Look how cool the moon is, man.” Bizarre!

*Could Lorraine Kelly’s pretty daughter Rosie, 16, be appearing on a catwalk wearing the latest trendy designs sometime soon? I only ask because the wee lass was spotted by a top model scout at the launch of the GMTV stylist Mark Heyes’ new book Get The Look at London’s uber trendy Sanctum Hotel this week. Lorraine told pals she was “undecided” about whether Rosie should go for a meeting or not. Go for it, Rosie!

*There’s only one single you should be downloading or purchasing this week. Ben Montague’s Haunted is a classic ballad – something that any Take That fan would love to have on their iPod. It’s the first track from Ben’s album Overcome, out May 3. Get involved people – Ben writes his music himself, is a great live performer and is easy on the eye too.

*Los Angeles venue Soho House is pulling in the Hollywood heavy weights as expected since opening just a handful of weeks ago. My spies have spotted Cameron Diaz, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gordon Ramsay and Penelope Cruz over just the past two weeks. Oh to be a fly on the wall….

*Former Playboy bunny Kendra Wilkinson is fessing up to some major dark days in the new series of her reality show on E! This weekend. In scenes to be screened tonight she talks about her drug abuse at the age of 13 and how her family ended up sectioning her during her crazy partying days. Watch Kendra spill the beans on the E! Entertainment Channel at 10pm tonight.

*Christina Aguilera looks cute and healthy these days. We’ll be seeing an awful lot more of Chrissie now she’s unveiled new single, Not Myself Tonight. I can’t get enough of it. This is one girl that continually pushes buttons and the new sound is ace. I hear the star can look forward to being lent some amazing Stephen Webster jewels when she comes into London in the coming weeks. Assia Webster, Stephen’s wife, tells me: “Christina can always borrow whatever she needs and we’re making her some bespoke pieces too.” Lucky weasel.

*So they didn’t walk down the aisle last weekend – but David Walliams and Lara Stone did manage to enjoy date night this Thursday. The pair popped into Vue in Leicester Square to see the movie of the moment, Kick-Ass. Even the film’s soundtrack is amazing – featuring the likes of The Prodigy and Ellie Goulding.

*Rumours started floating about this week that the Sugababes were to be dropped by Island Records. This isn’t the case I hear. In fact a source tells me Heidi Range, Jade Ewen and Amelle Barrabah will be busier than ever despite a disappointing charting for their latest album Sweet 7. My source reveals: “The girls are off to do promo in India  – and have a huge gig out there. Then they’ll begin recording new material. This isn’t the end of them. Thing may not have worked out with this album but they are still positive about making things work.” Good luck to them.

*I have so much in common with Mollie King of The Saturdays. To start with she’s blonde and she hates camping. The girls play the Isle of Wight festival in June and Mollie tells me: “It’s going to massive for us. We may stick around and see the other bands but maybe not if it’s rock because that’s not for me. I’m not sure if I’d camp. If we did I’ll be traipsing around the festival in my massive heels!” Get yourself some Hunters, girl!

All the gossip from the Marie Claire bash!

*The amazing thing about Sarah Brown is her ability to connect when she speaks in public. She nails it every time. I caught up with her after yet another powerhouse speech at the Claire Inspire & Mentor event in association with The Prince’s Trust this week and we talked fashion and mentors. “I think this campaign is amazing – everybody in life needs some sort of mentor, even me,” she said. “I do lots of work with charities and I it is a task sorting out outfits for them all. I guess I’ve enjoyed wearing some different outfits lately but I do laugh when people say I have style. I know what works for me.” Indeed she does!
Other stars at the event included Jenni Falconer, Keeley Hawes and my favourite emerging stage actress Hayley Atwell.

*Mama Said singer Dionne Bromfield was in no doubt of who her mentor in life was when I bumped into her at the Marie Claire event at London’s snazzy Ivy Club this week. Step forward Amy Winehouse. Dionne, 14, told me: “Amy is my mentor in life – she means the world to me and I learn so much from her. She’s doing well now. She’s been clean for 18 months and she’s doing great. It makes me laugh when people say she’s crazy – she’s really not. She’s just Amy.” Righty ho!

*It doesn’t sound like Naomie Harris would be that enamoured to be enjoying the next instalment of Pirates of the Caribbean – especially because it’s supposedly being filmed in the not so sunny St Ives in Cornwall this time around. Naomie told me: “I’m really not sure yet whether or not I’m going to be involved. I have heard about it – but I’m really not sure yet. And if it is actually filming in Cornwall then it’s possibly not quite so appealing.” I hear you!

*I have to give it to Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe, she’s got a great sense of humour. The star, who plays Mercedes McQueen, tells me she barely works out to keep her figure in check for all the glam shoots she does for the likes of FHM and the infamous annual Hollyoaks calendar. “I tend to work out at 7am for five days in a row and then give up for the rest of the month and that’s all I need to do,” she laughed. “I don’t try and trim down at all to get into my bikini in the summer. I just tell them to airbrush my belly and my eye bags out. I don’t have enough time to work out properly and I get bored.
“I eat a balanced diet like the next girl and have a lot of treats and probably drink too much alcohol.” Jen and fellow Hollyoaks girls Claire Cooper and Leah Hackett have joined forces to open a new dress rental scheme for women to bag red carpet gowns as worn by actual celebs (including Tess Daly, Alicia Keys and Cheryl Cole) for their night out – with a percentage going to Christie’s Children’s Hospital in Manchester. Log onto www.theclosetliverpool.com.

*Has Ricky Whittle got worms? The former Strictly star must have gobbled down 20 mini burgers in front of my very eyes at The Closet bash this week at Circo in Liverpool. His relationship looks to be back on track with Carly Stenson – the pair sloped off via separate entrances trying to fool waiting paps before returning to Carly’s pad for a cosy night in together. I wish they’d just step out and be happy together – it’s not like they’re Posh and Becks for crumbs sake!

*Drew Barrymore is due a holiday – she’s not had one for THREE years! The actress, who’s making her directorial debut with the new flick Whip It, says: “My flaw that I’d like to make peace with is to take a vacation. So, if I do that this Fall, you’ll know that I’ve done something for the first time in three years that I have not done.” She must be one tired young lady!

*Edith Bowman gave me a bell this week to talk about her brand new live music show Evo Music Rooms. The star will introduce four live acts per episode and can’t wait to get cracking at bringing live music onto our screens once more. “It’s all about the evolution of music,” she told me. “There’s six episodes and we’ll have everybody from Faithless to the Specials performing. Once Jonathan Ross goes there’ll only be Jools Holland left to show off live music.
“We really need Top of the Pops back. The only outlet for live music is Alan Carr or Jonathan. And then it’s just one type of music. The Rihannas or the Mariah Careys and half the time it’s not live. We’re going to have six headliners – relevant and current just now.”
It doesn’t sound like Edith and her partner Tom Smith of The Editors will be adding to their brood anytime soon. They have far too much on their hands it would appear. Edith, whose show Evo Music Rooms premieres on April 8, Channel 4 at 12.05am, added: “I think at some point we’d have more children – but right now I have the festivals coming up, the show and we’re moving house too. We’re hoping to exchange in the next couple of weeks. I don’t have anytime to breathe let alone fornicate.” Thanks for setting the record straight Edith!

Hey Denise – good to see you looking so well! And you’ve hardly put on any pregnancy weight at all!
It is quite a neat little thing isn’t it. I’m lucky because I haven’t put weight on my legs and bum – it’s just my big old boobs and belly.

Tell me about your new maternity range for Very.co.uk – how did it come about?
I got involved with Very partly because of Fearne Cotton – when we were up Kili in a two-man tent.  And she was telling me about her range and I got to meet the people. She said I should do it and we had a chat. I love clothes and I was surprised when she said she actually designed all the pieces herself. I was like: “Come on, surely not.” But we actually do. It was through her that I met the team. Initially I was going to talk to them about doing something else and then I got pregnant. I want an ongoing relationship relationship with them. I’d like to do mums on a school run.

Now you’re married to Lee Mead – your life couldn’t be more different to the last time we met.
My life has changed in every way possible. I’ve gone from being a single woman to being a pregnant married lady. And it’s been quick.

Did you think you’d fall pregnant so quickly?
I honestly thought it would take a long time to get pregnant. That’s what I was told and it happened quite quickly. It was a bit of a shock but a nice surprise. Hopefully I’ll have this baby and we’d then like to pop out the second one straight away afterwards. I’m going to do two and stop. I feel like I have to consider my age.
The only reason I felt my biological clock is ticking is because I went and had a full body MOT and I was told that and it panicked me. I just went for a check up and they said after: “Have you thought about this.” I mean I’ll be 36 when the baby comes in five weeks and now did feel like the right time.

Nowadays you can afford to wait a little longer though…..
My mum had my sister when she was 21 and that was normal in the 60s but these days you leave it later. I didn’t want to leave it too late and it’s stressful. The older you get the more problems you risk with your pregnancy. With all sorts of problems like the tests for downs and the chances are increased.

Did you get nervous going for your scan?
I was worried going for a scan each time – like anybody is. It was so nerve wracking hoping that everything was OK.  It’s a nice time to have a baby because so many of my friends are having them.

And you’ve been eternally broody!
Honestly though, if I’d have met the right person 10 years ago I would have done it then. I’ve been eternally broody. I always felt the guys before were not the right ones to have a kid with. There was always something wrong with the relationship. A lot of women do this – you try and make things right and you create this thing in your head that things will get better or change. It doesn’t. You just know when you know.

And how’s the pregnancy been?
I’ve really enjoyed being pregnant. I’ve not been sick – I’ve had the odd little cold. I’ve been in good health. I’ve not had spots or sickness or anything. I’ve been really lucky.
I was worried about it of course. I’m sure every woman worries. I’ve been really really lucky with pregnancy. But it seems to suit me. I’ve carried on as normal – I’m still working and running around to meetings and training with Nicky. I’m doing power walking – 50 minutes or half hour. Three times a week.

And how’s your weight doing?
I’ve weighed myself and I’ve only got five weeks to go and I’ve probably put on just under two stone. Now I’m at the stage where the bump is going to go mad. I’m covering myself in Bio Oil non-stop and making sure there’s no stretch marks. Lee’s been touring so he’s only home every Sunday and we sit down and watch Pineapple Dance Studios and then he’s off again. He’s joining the cast of Wicked in the West End for nine months.

Above: Fearne Cotton – also a designer for www.very.co.uk shows up to show Denise some support!

And you know the sex?
Yes, we’re having a girl. We call it Shakira right now. I thought it would be funny and have been winding Lee up saying we’d call her Beyonce or Shakira. We’ve chosen the name already – it’s quite traditional and not too crazy at all.

Have you changed your name to Denise Van Mead?
I haven’t changed my name to Denise Van Mead – people know me as Outen so it would be too difficult. Ion my private life I’m Mead. It’s easier when you have to query a house bill – they don’t rip me off now. I love being called Mrs Mead.

And will you be working with Very.co.uk again after the birth?
I’m going to be doing my next range with Very two weeks after the baby is due and I’ll be a working mum. And I have a TV project for July with Channel Four. One of the teatime shows.

What happened with the BBC and the Wizard of Oz show – were you axed for being preggers?
The one thing I will say is that I was in talks about doing it and so was John. And literally the last minute it was off – and it wasn’t my choice. I would have been able to do it. If you feel in good health then it can work. Myleene Klass presented the One Show and went into labour on air. Holly Willoughby was back doing the X factor a week after or two weeks whatever. Anyone could have an accident or something or be ill and miss one show. That’s just one of those things. Being pregnant isn’t something that can hold me back.
I got a really nice letter from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber this week actually and the thing is that a lot of it’s been blown out of proportion. I have to be very careful about what I say. I have a very good relationship with the BBC and working with them in the future is something that I want to happen. I’m meeting them soon about something else.
My side of it went like this; I was in talks with them about doing it, it was at the final hurdle that something went wrong and they changed their mind and got a new panel with a new line-up. We were definitely talking to them about doing it and I actually found out that I wasn’t doing it through the press. I wasn’t spoken to. You know what though; things happen for a reason and the other good thing is that I am having a baby and I do have other things lined up.
Andrew sent me a lovely letter saying he was supporting me and these things happen. It’s a shame because I love the show and I am gutted. I won’t lie, I love that show more than anything. They offered me a lesser role in the end that obviously wasn’t right for me to take. I must say Charlotte is a great choice for that show. She looks amazing and she’ll be outspoken as a judge. And a great mentor to the girls. It could have probably been handled better.

OK, back to birthing. Are you scared?
I’m petrified about the birth. I’m going to try to go naturally with the birth but I want the epidural and the drugs. Everything they have and I’ll push as hard I can.
If you do have a caesarean then they say to rest for six weeks but you are back on your feet then you are fine.

And how excited is your husband Lee Mead about the baby arriving?
Lee’s so excited about the birth and having a baby. We actually already know what she looks like because we’ve had so many 3-D scans. I’m obsessed with the scans. I keep going to have another one. I want to see how she’s grown by the day. He finishes his current play a week before my due date and then he goes straight into Wicked. So the week that I’m due to give birth he opens in Wicked.

And how will it work with your private life and work lives? You’re both busy people!
Our baby will fit into our lives and I’ll never be one of those women that stays home all day watching Alan Titchmarsh and Loose Women. I’m out and about and will be a working mum. I’ve spent a long time building up this career and I enjoy it. A baby isn’t the end of the world and we can carry on doing a job like TV. It will be a juggling act but it’ll be fine.

Have you already planned how you will drop the pounds after the birth?
I’ve thought about losing baby weight. Nicky Waterman is my trainer and she has a plan for me to get back into shape. But there’s not a rush. I’ll just get on with it. I’ll be working out within a couple of weeks of birth. I’ve not pigged out hugely. I’ve not had huge cravings – apart from Nandos. Oh, and hot chocolate. I can’t wait to take Shakira Beyonce Mead to Nandos for a Peri-Peri chicken. Ha ha.

Is your diet super healthy anyway?
My diet is pretty healthy. Breakfast is bran flakes with skimmed milk to keep me regular – so many women suffer with constipation in pregnancy. Then for lunch I now have my biggest meal of the day and I have a jacket potato or a bowl of pasta. I tend to have all my carbs then. And then in the evening I have something smaller and have a Covent Garden soup or some pitta and dips or some grilled fish and loads of salad. Two pieces of fruit every day too. Occasionally I have a treat – a Nandos.

Did you want a little girl? Or a boy?

I’m not worried about having a boy and then a girl. I really thought I was having a boy and they say they come out front and everyone said I was. My friend’s single at the moment and she is obsessed with psychics and I knew what I was having and she went: “Oh, you’re having a boy.” And we walked out and she’d been telling my friend she was going to be meeting the man of her dreams and I was like: “I hate to break it to you but oh no you’re not!”

Will you be showing off your child with a photo shoot?
I won’t be doing mag deals for the newborn. The last thing I want is for her to be plastered on a mag cover in a shoot. So we’ll do one shot of the three of us to put out to the papers and if they want to use it then we’ll donate money to charity.

Would you ever do a fly on the wall show like Jordan’s TV show?
I’d never do a show like Jordan’s TV show. I’m obsessed with watching them and love them but I couldn’t do it. She doesn’t like me though – she thinks I fancy Peter for some reason. It’s really weird but I really don’t. I’ve loved her show since it begun too so it’s annoying.

Log onto www.very.co.uk to see Denise’s new maternity range.

American Idol runner up Adam Lambert popped into my office this week for a natter. We talked Gaga, Madonna and how he coped with the controversy surrounding his appearance at the American Music Awards when the US public was in uproar over his saucy performance.
In the States Adam’s known for being a fearless gay man with a powerhouse rock voice. Think Jon Bon Jovi crossed with Freddie Mercury and with a dash of Pink and Gaga.

Adam, who’s debut album For Your Entertainment is out May 3, tells me: “People took offence to the simulated fellatio dance move I did – but let’s be honest Madonna did worse on stage how many years ago. Madonna is somebody I look up to and made me appreciate raw sexuality in performance. I think it’s funny that there are so many people in the States that are so ashamed and fearful of sexuality. It is just sex. We can glorify violence and have films with murder and guts and gore but we can’t have sex. I don’t get it.” The guy has a point!

*Leona Lewis has taken a cool pill lately. She’s been spotted out with Mel B partying in Vegas and now she’s taken another step into the A-List – by picking up a big fat cheque to host a bash at Pure Nightclub in Vegas to celebrate her birthday. The night will feature a performance by the lady herself and sources tell me she’ll pick up a cool six-figure sum for showing face.
I’m told the X Factor winner of yester year is rehearsing for her UK tour in sin city and has been having a blast out there, A source tells me: “She’s being partying, doing a bit of gambling and letting her hair down at weekends. During the week she’s flat out with tour rehearsals. But it’s coming along nicely.”

*People have speculated for years about what trim Victoria Beckham actually eats and this week the star took things to a whole new level at a swanky bash in Russia.
VB, who’s fast becoming one of my favourite celebrities, decided that when in Russia you should do as they do – so she hit the vodka shots and the caviar instead of having a full sit down meal.
The Spice Girl was at top Russian restaurant Nedelnee Vostok following her clothing line this week partying after her clothing launch when my spies spotted her knocking back more than a few shots of voddie with only “spoonfuls” of black caviar. My perfectly placed source tells me: “It was a case of ‘When in Rome’ for Victoria. She just seemed to do shot after shot of expensive vodka. She could handle her booze though.
“The kitchen staff were shocked at how many shots she was able to put away. The other guests all sat down and had full-on meals. She just sat there eating spoonfuls of expensive black caviar. She was really enjoying herself and was definitely in the mood to let her hair down.”
Victoria spent much of the night socialising with guests including her pal Naomi Campbell, Russian Vogue Editor Alyona Doletskaya and according to my spies at the bash she has formed a close friendship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s wife Dasha Zhukova. “They were nattering away like old friends and seem to have lots in common,” says my mole. “Dasha only recently gave birth to her first child so they really clicked. They were talking about motherhood and seemed to get on like a house on fire.”
That Absolutely Fabulous Patsy Stone diet of vodka and caviar was even naughtier than I first thought!

*Social Services at the ready. I hear Rehab singer (and reformed druggie) Amy Winehouse is talking about having a baby with her good-for-nothing former husband Blake Fielder-Civil. I hear now that the pair’s tragic union is back on track the star’s desperado to have a child as quickly as she can. A source says: “She wants to be pregnant in the next few months. She’s cleaned herself up and is ready to be a mum.
“She mentioned it to her mother Janis this week and she hit the roof. Janis thinks it’s the worst possible thing for her to do and it’ll ruin her life. But Amy will do what she wants to do.”
Another star who could be welcoming a baby soon is Isla Fisher - I hear the Aussie actress and Sacha Baron Cohen have been trying for a baby for the past few months. It would be the icing on the cake for the couple – who secretly wed two weeks ago!

Shhh
WHICH star can’t work out whether he’s a fan of Arthur or Martha? This guy was spotted making out with a female recently in an LA strip joint.

Irritant
Nadine Coyle
Despite her skinnier than skinny frame this girl continues to speak total drivel wherever she goes about her fat heavy diet. Mash potatoes, fry-ups and chocolates?? Give me a break. You don’t get skinny on that sort of diet. And don’t even get me started on the fact this girl claims to be friends with all the girls in Girls Aloud. Deluded.

*Politics are hot to trot in fashion these days. First Posh wants to dress Michelle Obama – and now Frost French design duo Sadie Frost and Jemima French want to dress SamCam. Jemima told me this week as she launched her pop-up store at Whiteleys: “Admittedly most of the people I would really like to dress are dead. Sarah Brown would be good. Although I would like to dress David Cameron’s wife Sarah actually. Sadie even said she wants to dress her good pal Nick Grimshaw from Radio One. She laughed: “I would quite like to dress Nick but I don’t think he will let me.” Jude Law’s former missus tells me she’s starting work on her first film for quite some time – and it’s a musical! All I can say is that it is a musical film,” she revealed. “I will do some singing lessons but I actually started out as a singer so I should be fine.” Good for her.

*Kelly Osbourne tells me she’s splashed out the cash recently. She proudly showed off a new pair of heels that cost a whopping £2,000. “They’re Alexander McQueen diamante shoes and they were the most expensive thing I’ve ever bought,” she confided. “I really don’t want to tell you how much they cost because it makes me sick just to think about it. I don’t really have money to spend like that but I knew I had to have them as soon as I saw them. They cost £2000. They kill my feet but they are worth it. When I first bought them I spent a week just looking at them and I couldn’t bring myself to wear them. I think when I retire them I will put them in a cabinet with a revolving plate and spotlight. I’ve just retired another pair of Alexander McQueen shoes which are from the 90s and have light up heels. I’m too scared they are going to break so can’t face wearing them anymore.” Kelly also revealed she’s not planning to head down the aisle anytime soon with fiance Luke Worrall. She said: “There are no wedding plans at the moment.” Come on Kel – I’ve bought the hat!

*T4 host Jameela Jamil has the looks, the talent and the fashion sense. But she’s incredibly self deprecating – either that or blind. Talking about her style at the launch of the flagship Malene Birger store in London she told me: “I don’t think I’m stylish. I had absolutely no idea about style a year ago as I was English teacher. Although I was a model that doesn’t mean you have style because you are just getting clothes put on to you. I don’t have a stylist and I’m quite hot on not getting a stylist. I’ve just tried to figure it out for myself as I’ve gone along. There’s no way I’m taking Alexa Chung’s style crown put it that way.” I’m not so sure.

*I actually thought Mariah Carey had a chance at acting in the future after her great performance in Precious. But news reaches me that Mimi is on the hunt for a romantic comedy to star herself and hubby Nick Cannon. Brace yourselves.

*I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall this week when Kevin Spacey (above with Tracey Emin) invited an exclusive crowd of celebs to party with him to celebrate the first birthday of the W Doha Hotel. Kate Moss (below) and Jamie Hince dined on a risotto of sake and morels and Kevin Bishop did David Bowie impressions on the dance floor.

*Dannii Minogue is preparing to return to the UK to launch her clothing label Project D. She’ll make a brief two-week stop before returning to give birth in July. I hear Dannii’s currently staying fit and healthy in Australia – where she’s judging Australia’s Got Talent – by having power walking sessions of an evening.

*Next week sees the launch of Edith Bowman’s new TV show Evo Music Rooms. Think Top of the Pops but trendy and cool. One big named act will feature, a couple of chart musicians and a brand new unsigned artist. The show starts on Channel 4 on April 8 – and the line-up features The Specials, Doves, The Drums and unsigned talent Cathy JJ.

*Robert Pattinson fears he’s going to go deaf from all the screaming girls the turn out to his movie premieres. The Twilight star said: I’ve always been slightly deaf. So I worry it’s going to get worse!
“It’s incredible how loud girls can scream and they’ll do it right in my face so I do worry about my ears and going even more deaf but I’ve never worn ear plugs.”
The actor also said he worries about his famous locks falling out in the future. “I’m an incredibly nervous and self conscious person and I’ve got this really bad habit of always playing with my hair and running my hands through it,” he says. “I worry it will all fall out one day because I’m always playing with it!  I think it kind of annoys people too so I should try and stop doing it really. It’s not true that I go for days without washing my hair though – I wash it every day!” Good for you, Rob.

*Listen up Simon Cowell, Mary J Blige doesn’t want a job offer to be part of X Factor USA. She tells me: “No way would I be a judge on American Idol full time, or the X Factor – its too hard telling people that they’re no good and I don’t need that negativity in my life.” On the plus side Mary revealed she would sing at Cowell’s wedding to Mezghan Hussainy. She said: “If Simon asks me then I would sing at his wedding, hell yeah!  I love the man and it would be an honour.” Now that’s what I call a wedding singer!

Keira Knightley may be the queen of the costume drama but it seems like there’s a new British rose that’s spoiling her thunder.
Step forward Oscar nominated actress Carey Mulligan – who’s bagged the role of Eliza Doolittle in the Hollywood remake of My Fair Lady. And from what I hear from my sources Keira’s far from happy about being sidelined in favour of Carey – especially because she’d been taking singing lessons to get herself in tip top vocal shape for what would have been the role of a lifetime.
My mole tells me: “Keira wanted to play the role. She’s been linked to the production for nearly four years. She’s always loved Audrey Hepburn and had spent the last year working her backside off with private singing lessons. She knew she didn’t have a huge voice but she was willing to put the effort in for the role. It would have quite literally have been a role of a lifetime for Keira and she’s gutted that it hasn’t worked out.”
Keira was quoted a year ago expressing just how much she wanted to bag the part in the film – which originally went on to win eight Oscars. She said: “I auditioned for it about two years ago, and I think it’s been a matter of trying to assemble the correct team to do it that is going to make as interesting a movie and as good a movie as possible. There are good whispers going around, you know, and hopefully they’ll come to fruition.”
She may have failed to clinch the role of Eliza – but I doubt she’s going to worry too much. After all she has three films that have completed production, she’s just finished a sell out run on the West End and is about to start filming The Beautiful and the Damned opposite Leonardo DiCaprio before starting work on The Emperor’s Children alongside Richard Gere.
The actress seems to have made a conscious effort of late to get involved with her art rather than settle for the big-budget commercial movies. And having met Keira on many occasions, after all she did grow up in Teddington near my own family home, I know she’s not one for cashing in. She recently said: “I did films like The Edge Of Love and The Duchess and there were no big pay days – you do them because you want to do the work, and to work with certain directors. My ambition isn’t to buy loads of property.”
And if proof were needed, then look no further than the news that broke last week. Keira has turned down over £5 million to star in the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Jumping into her shoes as the buxom deck girl onboard the Black Pearl? None other than Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz. Shiver me timbers, boys!

I’m standing at the epicentre of the celebrity world. A-List stars surround me. Somehow I’m inside the party on the showbiz calendar – the Vanity Fair Oscars party. It’s small and exclusive – Jeff Bridges is on the dancefloor, Cameron Diaz whizzes by and Kathryn Bigelow holds court with The Hurt Locker colleagues on a luxurious white leather seat.
Magnums of Moët et Chandon champagne are being poured by waiters dressed in the finest uniforms ever made. Real trees and bushes have been shipped in to transform the venue into a forest, and lit with flickering candles it’s like being in a glitzy Garden of Eden.
Clipboard Nazis are at every inch of the entrance scanning the crowd for ­interlopers, cameras flash at the arrival of each big name and hundreds of movie fans line the streets of Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles trying to get a glimpse of their heroes.
The combined wealth in the room is probably close to £20billion as every big name in Hollywood stops by.
I can’t believe I’m here. Never in a million years when I touched down in Tinseltown seven days earlier to cover the 82nd ­Academy Awards did I imagine I’d be mingling with the big winners on the night at the ­Vanity Fair bash.
You’ll be stunned to find out how I did it.
Admittedly I’ve always prided myself on being able to blag my way into any event. I’ve partied with Mariah Carey at her private Halloween bash, climbed aboard P Diddy’s yacht on more than one occasion and danced till dawn with Paris Hilton following the Brit Awards.
But the Vanity Fair party is in a whole different league. It’s the crown jewels of the celebrity party circuit – something every showbiz journalist aspires to be invited to.
So I decide right there and then that – by hook or by crook – I’m going to crash that bash.
“You goooo for it, you only live once,” yells Spice Girl Mel B as I leave her at another party, leap into a cab and head for the Sunset Tower Hotel.
My first mistake is pulling up to the door in a yellow taxi. Nobody gets a yellow cab to the Vanity Fair bash. Nobody.
There are screams as I get out of the car and look up at the entrance. They’re not for me…they’re for Alec Baldwin who is immediately in front of me nattering to Hilary Swank. This is my big chance – and I seize it with both hands.
“Hi Alec,” I say, offering a handshake to the actor, who had been master of ceremonies at the Oscars. “You did such a great job this evening. Funny, to the point and you reeked of old Hollywood up there. You’re a great host.”
He looks at me as if I’m a deranged stalker – but I don’t stop there.
“You know, I’m from London. You ought to come over there more. People like you over there and you should visit.”
He replies: “Well thank you so much – are you going in?”
“Yes, of course,” I say nervously. “Well, you enjoy it.”
And that is it, my golden opportunity. My chance liaison with Hollywood royalty has been witnessed by a clipboard Nazi and a gorilla-sized security guard.
I walk in with my head held high – saying hello in a hugely obnoxious way to radio reporters and GMTV’s Carla Romano as I trot along. Four more steps and I’m in. I’ve just bypassed two lines of security and name checkers.
It’s easy to see why this party is THE bash to get into. It isn’t crowded – it’s exclusive.
So exclusive that everywhere I look there are Oscars standing on the side.
I spot Sandy Powell, the winner of costume design for The Young Victoria, congratulate her and politely ask if she would mind me holding her trophy.
And wow – those bad boys are heavy – like a brick!
I quickly move on to nattering to The Hurt Locker star Guy Pearce, who was congratulating the woman of the evening – Best Director and Best Picture winner Kathryn Bigelow.
I wait patiently before moving forward to congratulate her myself.
She tells me: “I’m still in shock to be honest – but a few drinks is helping me settle.”
Kathryn is low key at the party compared to some.
Best Actor ­winner Jeff Bridges ­nearly drops his Oscar twice – and I steady him on his feet as he twirls Crazy Heart co-star Maggie Gyllenhaal around the dancefloor.
Unusually humble for the hottest star of the moment, he tells me that his Oscars evening has been “out of this world”.
It’s certainly one of those parties that I want to be in – but, for once, I don’t really want to be noticed.
So I just take in the sights…Peaches Geldof curled up with Inglourious Basterds star Eli Roth, Rachel McAdams looking bored as she mingles with studio execs, Cameron Diaz with a glass of champers in her hand and ready to party.
And then there’s Russell Brand cuddling his bride-to-be Katy Perry.
The party fare doesn’t quite live up to the star quality – mini Krispy Kreme doughnuts are offered stacked high on trays.
But the luxurious red velvet cupcakes make up for them – each of the teeny weeny cakes has a nominee’s first name emblazoned on top.
I gobble down a Jeff, a ­Sandra and a Carey and realise I’ve certainly had my cake and eaten it.
I’d started my Oscars night partying by swanning down the red carpet at Elton John’s fabulous Academy Award Viewing Party, which is put on to raise awareness and funds for his AIDS ­Foundation.

I’ve been to Uncle Elt’s bash four times now and each time it gets better.
I quickly realise it’s going to be a night to remember when Victoria Beckham tells me: “You make sure you go out tonight and party hard – get wasted.” She giggles and adds: “I can’t – so you will have to do it for me.”
After my Posh encounter I say “hello” to Simon Cowell, camped out in the smoking area with his fiancée Mezhgan Hussainy and pals Amanda Holden and Paul McKenna.
Then, as Grey Goose vodka and champers flow into guests’ glasses, the crowd parts to catch the star performer – legendary singer Grace Jones.
Earlier in the week at my hotel, Le Montrose in West Hollywood, I’d come to the rescue of milliner to the stars Philip Treacy.
I spotted him struggling to check in to the hotel with four huge boxes of hats for Grace to wear during her performance.
He was tired, jetlagged and fretting because he’d run out of dollars to tip the driver who’s whisked him there from the airport.
“Would you like to borrow $10, Philip?” I asked. “Oh my God, that would be amazing – I promise I’ll pay you back,” he replied.
And after Grace’s ­electrifying set I’m thrilled to find out Philip is a man of his word – he takes me and my pals Kelly Osbourne and Louis Walsh backstage.
“I’m so excited to meet her,” whispers Kelly nervously, “I hope we can get a picture with her.”
The star sweeps us into a huge dressing room with various friends and family where we watch her apply enough make-up to get into drag queen school.
“I won’t be ready for photos for some time,” she booms as she applies her blusher and lipstick.
When she finally deigns to pose with us, Kelly is in groupie hysterics and the picture – us laughing, the superstar singer barely looking into the lens – is caught perfectly by Louis.
And it’s then I realise the amazing Miss Jones perfectly sums up my Oscars experience: big, scary… and I needed the kind of balls she’s famous for to make it a totally unforgettable night.

Seeing as it was Mother’s Day this past weekend I thought I’d hand the reins of Chief Reviewer to my mum, Mrs Piper.

So I took her down to Ronan Keating’s final solo gig where he was joined on stage by Boyzone for a three-song finale.

Mrs Piper said: “It was brilliant to see the boys back on stage together for the first time since Steo died. I had the best evening – Ronan’s brilliant live and the set list was great. He’s easy on the eye too – so that was a nice treat.” Cheeky minx!

Anyway, Ronan told me before hitting the stage that he hopes to tour with the band by the end of the year as a four-piece.

He said: “We’ll be back. We thought it would be too hard to tour again but we’re more excited about being a band again than ever before. We will tour for the fans and in memory of Stephen.”

And it’s just as well really because the lads’ new album Brother has shot straight to Number One in the album charts. Congrats lads!

Sugababe Amelle Berrabah has been secretly seeing a new man – and she couldn’t help but confess all when we caught up this week.

Amelle, who has been single since splitting with her long-term beau Freddie Fuller a year ago, told me she’s thrilled to have found new boyfriend Tom Benn – a former model who now works in management. She gushed: “He’s absolutely lovely. We’ve only been official for the past few weeks but it’s great. Tom gets the industry and he gets me – which is a real bonus. He’s romantic and he even took me to The Ivy for a Valentine’s Day date. I’m glad I found him.”

It’s great to see Amelle moving on after a turbulent six-year romance with Freddie, who almost lost his arm in a savage machete ­attack outside a pub.

But it wasn’t just Amelle who opened up about her love life. Both Jade Ewen and Heidi Range were itching to talk about their fellas. New band member Jade says her union with ­EastEnders star Ricky ­Norwood, who plays Fatboy, is going from strength to strength. “He also understands the industry,” Jade revealed. “In fact the same day I found out I was the new Sugababe he found out he was in EastEnders.

“We grew up together in East London and I’ve known him for years and years, so it felt very natural when we got together.”