During his heyday, he indulged himself in extravagant spending sprees, splashing out on 40 undershirts or 68 pairs of Calvin Klein underpants, his mind fogged by marijuana, cocaine or heroin.
But not only has 1980s icon Boy George forsaken drugs, he has also, I can disclose, ditched his fixation with his Calvin Kleins in favour of a fresh obsession — a stunning £100,000 revamp of the gardens at his £10 million pound, part Gothic Grade-II listed mansion in London’s exclusive Hampstead.
Grass — and space of any kind — was in short supply at George’s childhood home in Eltham, South London, where he and his parents and four brothers and one sister crammed into three bedrooms.
But not only has 1980s icon Boy George forsaken drugs, he has also, I can disclose, ditched his fixation with his Calvin Kleins in favour of a fresh obsession — a stunning £100,000 revamp of the gardens at his £10 million pound, part Gothic Grade-II listed mansion in London’s exclusive Hampstead
But there are no such constraints in Hampstead where the singer-songwriter has merged two neighbouring properties to form his current home, which is dominated by a Hammer House Of Horrors tower and which now boasts a glazed extension.
Demonstrating that he’s blessed with chameleon fingers, 59-year-old Culture Club star George is turning his attention to the grounds.
He’s removing small ‘low quality’ trees and shrubs, and replacing them with ornamental versions, and inserting pleached trees and new hedging, as well as introducing a mixture of perennials and ‘an evergreen backbone’. Boy George needed consent to re-landscape the gardens because the pad is listed and lies in a conservation area.
Grass — and space of any kind — was in short supply at George’s (pictured in 1985) childhood home in Eltham, South London, where he and his parents and four brothers and one sister crammed into three bedrooms
But there are no such constraints in Hampstead where the singer-songwriter has merged two neighbouring properties to form his current home (pictured), which is dominated by a Hammer House Of Horrors tower and which now boasts a glazed extension
His planning agent says: ‘The proposals have been developed to provide a scheme sympathetic to the historic fabric and character of the property and to the broader conservation area.’
But the splendidly acerbic George, who once unforgettably summarised Madonna as ‘a living, breathing cash register’, ups his own spending in the rear garden, in which he is installing a hardwood deck and a chain of natural stone stepping-stones on the lawn.
Guests can then join George at the must-have addition to any celebrity’s outside space — a ‘stepped water feature with reflection pool’. But viewing will definitely be for friends only: the addition of a new trellis to the rear garden’s boundary wall will see to that.
But the splendidly acerbic George (pictured in 1983), who once unforgettably summarised Madonna as ‘a living, breathing cash register’, ups his own spending in the rear garden, in which he is installing a hardwood deck and a chain of natural stone stepping-stones on the lawn
They say the first cut is the deepest as Jane Seymour can no doubt testify. The actress has rediscovered her old teenage love letters sent to her first husband, director Michael Attenborough, son of the late Lord Attenborough, after finding them in storage in her boxes of memorabilia during lockdown.
The pair began dating when Jane was a teenager and had a small role in the Richard Attenborough film, Oh! What A Lovely War, her movie debut.
They married in 1971 when she was 20, only to divorce two years later, when Jane found fame as a Bond girl.
She says: ‘I found my old love letters from when I was 15. I just spoke with my first husband and sent him the letters. The family got to see what their life is about and about my life when I was their age. We loved every second — it strengthened our bonds.’ Seymour, 69, who married and divorced a further three times, has said her first marriage failed because they were ‘simply too young’.
They say the first cut is the deepest as Jane Seymour can no doubt testify. The actress has rediscovered her old teenage love letters sent to her first husband (pictured together in 1970), director Michael Attenborough, son of the late Lord Attenborough, after finding them in storage in her boxes of memorabilia during lockdown
Expect more raised voices in Davina McCall’s household in the new lockdown. ‘On a positive note, I did get to spend a lot of time with my three kids, which was wonderful,’ the TV presenter says of last year’s lockdown.
‘I think we’ll all look back and cherish that time together — even if I did end up shouting at them to put their dishes in the dishwasher every now and again. They would usually just laugh at me when I got angry.’
Oscar-winner Emma Stone is enjoying a bumpy start to the year. Just a few months after the La La Land star, 32, married American comedian Dave McCary, she has revealed her growing baby bump while on a walk in Los Angeles wearing a figure-hugging black top and matching leggings.
Emma admits her views on starting a family changed after meeting Dave, 35, on the set of U.S. sketch show, Saturday Night Live, in 2017.
‘As a teenager, I was like, I’m never getting married, I’m never having kids.’ she says. ‘And then I got older and I was like, I really want to get married, I really want to have kids.’ From La La Land to Ma Ma Land.
Oscar-winner Emma Stone is enjoying a bumpy start to the year. Just a few months after the La La Land star, 32, married American comedian Dave McCary, she has revealed her growing baby bump while on a walk in Los Angeles wearing a figure-hugging black top and matching leggings
Prince Charles takes his duties as patron of the Campaign for Wool seriously — he even keeps a sheep called Harriet in his sitting room at Highgrove.
Not a real one, but a life-size model, which acts as a seat and is loved by his grandchildren when they are allowed in.
Now you, too — or should that be ewe, too — can have your very own royal sheep-seat, for the bargain price of £445, reduced by £50 in the New Year sale at Charles’s Highgrove shop.
It says: ‘Our larger than life ‘Harriet’ Sheep seat is a unique way to add character and comfort to any home.
‘Each one is handmade using traditional skills including a beautiful hand-carved English lime face and a sumptuously soft sheepskin cover.
‘With a sturdy pine body topped with a calico wrapped foam pad, ‘Harriet’ is perfect for perching or simply resting your feet on.’
BBC radio presenter Fearne Cotton says she’s building a studio in her garden after using her stepson’s bedroom to work from home. ‘He’s gone to uni so I’ve overtaken his whole room,’ she explains.
‘I’ve got a desk with a laundry basket on top with a duvet that goes from there to a chair that I use as a desk.’
Fearne, 39, who lives in London with her musician husband Jesse Wood — son of Rolling Stones’ Ronnie — and their two young children, adds: ‘I’m in the middle of building a studio. I’ll make it look all Nordic and pretty. It’ll be nice.’
Having got engaged to British art dealer Alex Gilkes last month, Wimbledon champ Maria Sharapova is wasting no time showing off her sparkler
Having got engaged to British art dealer Alex Gilkes last month, Wimbledon champ Maria Sharapova is wasting no time showing off her sparkler.
Sharing a new picture, the 33-year-old Russian reveals the emerald-cut diamond with a gold band on her ring finger.
Maria — who started dating Princes William and Harry’s millionaire pal Alex, 41, two years ago — was once engaged to basketball player Sasha Vujacic.
Happily, she’s more optimistic this time as she reflects on 2020: ‘You gave me the gift and commitment of a lifetime waking up next to my best friend every morning. Incredibly inspired for what’s to come.’