LONDON GOSSIPS

 

MY NIGHT UNDER THE STARS

Tony Blair once slept rough on a park bench on the streets of London as he chased his failed dream of becoming a teenage rock star. Mr. Blair's wife Cherie revealed the incredible story to guests at a recent Downing Street reception for homeless charity Centrepoint. One guest told the Sunday Mirror that Mrs. Blair wasspeaking to people about the work of the charity when she appeared to break away from the prepared text of her speech to tell them about Mr. Blair's experience when he first came to London as a teenager before going to Oxford University. "She said the charity was very close to Tony's heart because he was forced to sleep rough on a park bench. "We just couldn't believe what we were hearing. Can you imagine that the Prime Minister used to sleep rough on a bench? "Mrs. Blair reportedly told guests her future husband was forced on to the streets near London's Euston station during his gap-year in 1971-72.Downing Street later confirmed the incident, saying "After he left school the Prime Minister came down to London. He spent a night on a park bench before he sorted out somewhere to stay." But a Conservative party spokesman said: "Rather than pretending to be all things to all people the Prime Minister should focus on solutions to the problem of homelessness."

JADE HAS HOSPITAL TESTS

Former Big Brother contestant Jade Goody is due to be released from hospital on Sunday following her dramatic collapse on the set of the TV show Back to Reality. The 23-year-old was taken to hospital after suffering severe stomach cramps and blacking out in the bathroom of the mansion where the Channel 5 show is being filmed. She has since had a series of tests at Central Middlesex Hospital in west London, where a spokeswoman said: "She has abdominal pain and we are carrying out routine tests that we would do with anybody else." It is not yet known whether Jade will return to the show or go home when she is discharged. Her agent said she was determined to return to the mansion if given the go-ahead. The show's winner will scoop £75,000 for a charity of his or her choice. Jade, who is among the favourites to win, has pledged to split the cash between Tommy's, Scope and NCH. Her collapse was watched by about a million viewers, who saw housemate James Hewitt first on the scene to help. Her boyfriend Jeff Brazier had been giving an interview with host Richard Bacon about his 24 hours in the mansion. He was summoned to the studio and has been at her bedside in hospital ever since. The celebrity housemates entered the house on February 14. The winner will leave on March 5.The other remaining housemates are Josie D'Arby, Craig Phillips, Maureen Rees and Rik Waller.

AH HAA! BEN LOVES ALAN

Ben Stiller has owned up to being a huge fan of television's Alan Partridge. The American, who plays Starsky in the new-look Starsky and Hutch crime caper series, said he had even managed to spend time with creator Steve Coogan. The Meet the Parents star cited Coogan's jumper-wearing radio alter ego as his inspiration. He told the Daily Star he had met up with Coogan during a recent stay in London. The pair spent the day exchanging Partridge anecdotes. He told the paper: "I don't think many people in America get the whole Alan Partridge thing, but I think he's a genius." The actor now has plans for an Alan Partridge film project. He said: "We've been talking about working on a movie together."