Celeb City: Patti Smith Dermot O’Leary & Emmy for composer Paul Englishby

Congratulations to Dermot O’Leary who got married last week at Chiddington Castle in Kent. The TV personality, whose love of Brighton saw him open restaurant Fishy Fishy in Brighton several years ago, finally got hitched to his girlfriend of 10 years – the lovely Dee Koppang. The fabulous pair were watched up the aisle by celebrity pals including James Corden, Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby, Keith Lemon, Caroline Flack, Chris O’Dowd and his new wife Dawn Porter. Clearly the Ordinary Boys’ Preston wasn’t invited though, as we spotted him dining at Dermot’s restaurant without them!

Birds, Balls & Brighton

Our very own Brighton and Hove Albion are set to become the latest stars of the small screen when Birds, Balls and Brighton hits Channel4 this month. The show promises ‘a rare glimpse behind the scenes of a professional football club’. What with a new stadium and a recent place at the top of the league our Seagulls seem to be the latest celebs on the football block.

The programme follows BHAFC as they prepare to fight for a spot in the Premier League, taking in not only the plight of the players but also those who work around them: from boot cleaners to Gully’s Girls. We’re more than happy at the prospect of getting to see the likes of El-Abd in closer detail and the fact that it’s a First Cut documentary ensures our intellect will get a seeing to as well. The programme started Monday 24 September on More4 but is shown again on Ch4 on Friday 28 September (set the Sky+ though as it’s on at ridiculous o’clock: 2am!).

Talking of the Seagulls, on Friday 14 September, I was lucky enough to go to the Brighton vs Sheffield Wednesday game at The Amex, and what a fantastic game to witness.
There was a slight kerfuffle with our tickets, and in the end we ended up sitting with the Brighton reserves, just behind the Brighton substitutes bench! We felt like last-resort reserve players that might’ve been called up! Watching the magician that is Gus Poyet at work was quite an experience as we watched him lead his men to victory. Brighton won 3–0 on the night.

Composer to the stars

Well done to local composer Paul Englishby who has won an Emmy award for his title theme track in David Hare’s film Page Eight. Paul’s orchestral thriller score interspersed with jazz provided the soundtrack for a star-studded cast including Rachel Weisz, Michael Gambon and Bill Nighy. It doesn’t seem Paul was too star-struck however, having already taught Hugh Grant guitar and helped Nicholas Cage to play the piano – only in Brighton!

The Godmother of punk

It was great to have the “Godmother of Punk” – the inimitable Patti Smith – in town recently as she played old and new material at the Brighton Dome. The singer-songwriter hasn’t lost any of the passion she had all those years ago and pulled off a great gig for her Brighton fans. ‘Redondo Beach’ is one of my favourite tracks ever – long live the Godmother!

Jordan & Peter not quite over…

Jordan and Peter’s split looks set to run and run with new allegations from both claiming that the other party tried to sell false claims in order to tarnish reputations. The newly filed reports are so far being kept from prying eyes – but you can be sure we’ll have ours peeled for more information.