News Charles Spencer’s lover Dr Cat Jarman is to play a prominent role promoting the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society comes just months after her own condition became the cause of a bitter feud with the Earl’s estranged wife.

Having previously chosen to keep her MS diagnosis largely secret - even from Charles - archaeologist Cat made a high court legal claim against Spencer’s third spouse Karen, accusing the Countess of telling “a string of people”, including the Earl, about her private medical history.

Embroiled in bitter divorce proceedings with Princess Diana’s brother since news of their split last June, Canadian-born Karen has maintained her revelations about Jarman’s MS were “justified and legitimate” after the way she was allegedly treated.

Deep waters...

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More than five years after his death, Monty Python star Terry Jones will be the subject of an upcoming biography by established comedy writer Robert Ross. While the book, out this autumn, has the backing of Jones' pal Sir Michael Palin, won't the the Welshman's final years prove a minefield?

Terry made headlines back in 2009 after leaving his wife of four decades for Oxford graduate and Swedish belly-dancing enthusiast Anna Soderstom - 41 years his junior.

When Anna was reportedly left his entire estate following Terry’s death in 2020 aged 77 (his north London home later sold for £2.8 million) the star’s children from his first marriage challenged the decision, claiming he’d already had dementia when signing the will four years earlier. They settled out of court in 2022.

Will all parties have their say in Ross’s upcoming tome?

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Announcing he’s “giving up social media” for Lent, showbiz vicar and bestselling author Richard Coles’s online abstinence will be a welcome relief back home. I’m told publicity-obsessed Coles’s insistence on endlessly tweeting about himself has been the cause of tension with actor boyfriend Richard Cant...

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Despite her saucy turn at the recent Brit Awards, hosted by son Jack Whitehall, actress Hilary Whitehall claims to be anxious about her public image.

Having appeared at the Brits cheekily sending up Bianca Censori's controversial “nude” Grammys look alongside husband Kanye West, (posing with elderly spouse Michael, Hilary had only a fluffy black coat covering her modesty), she protests: “Jack very much portrays me as this cougar woman who's looking for endless interactions with lycra-clad men. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Married to grumpy retired theatrical agent Mr Whitehall - over 20 years her senior - since 1986, Hilary's at pains to add: "Never have I strayed."

Thank goodness that's been cleared up!

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Partner of late Countdown host Richard Whiteley, actress and broadcaster Kathryn Apanowicz, who died this week aged 64, mocked a bizarre story about her other half being an MI5 spy.

After left-wing Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson told the press he had evidence Whiteley was recruited by the intelligence services in the 1970s, Kathryn chortled: “Richard was the most indiscreet man I've known, he couldn't keep a secret...when I heard this I couldn't stop laughing."