Jodie Marsh & Jordan feud, plus Keaton Henson

Michael Rosen chooses book for Young City Reads, Jodie Marsh & Jordan feud, plus Keaton Henson

Detective work
Michael Rosen, Brighton Festival and Collected Works CIC (the organisation behind Brighton & Hove’s City Reads) have announced that Rosen’s favourite childhood read – Emil And The Detectives by Erich Kästner – has been chosen as the book for the first ever Brighton Young City Reads. Continuing on from the success of Brighton’s Annual City Reads event – which encourages adults all over Brighton and Hove to read and engage with one book for a month each year – it’s now the kids’ turn!

Young City Reads launches on World Book Day (7 March) and will finish on 24 May with a very special closing event for schools as part of the project from poet, writer, broadcaster and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, the Guest Director for Brighton Festival 2013. Rosen commented: “I think it’s wonderful that a whole city is going to read the book at the same time. I think this will build up a great sense of everyone exploring the book together. I think it’ll make more and more people eager to find out what the book is like, and everyone will have ideas about it.”

The novel follows country boy Emil Tischbein as he visits the big city and unexpectedly falls into a game of cat and mouse with a thief.

Primary school classes are being invited to register as a group; to get involved schools need to sign-up to register and simply agree to read Emil And The Detectives together in class between 7 March and 24 May. Visit www.cityreads.co.uk for more information.

Katie, Kieran, Pete & Jodie
So Brighton’s very own Katie Price has married. Again. And (again) a war of words has been played out across the media between her, Pete and, err, Jodie Marsh.

We’re not sure who actually asked for Miss Marsh’s take on the whole performance but we’re not complaining! Jordan’s long time rival divulged to Heat magazine that Pricey’s latest clinch tried it on with her first. She insisted: “Kieran was obsessed with me. I followed him back [on Twitter] but only for a very short time, because his private messages became so incessant. I started to believe that he was just one of these ‘party boys’ – boys who just want to get with somebody famous. I was worried about his intentions.” The one-time stripper (Mr Price that is – keep up!) apparently also sent the painfully shy Jodie raunchy photos of himself in his underwear. Marsh explained: “There were a lot of people saying to me, ‘Oh, he really likes you Jodie, why don’t you follow him and give him a chance?’ And I felt a bit pressured to follow him back.” – The poor love!

Katie has remained tight lipped on this one, focusing her attentions instead on ex-husband and father of her children Peter Andre. In a statement released on her website Katie explained: “I know my marriage to Kieran is going to attract criticism and that there will be people selling stories on the back of their perception of me and my decision. I will take that criticism on the chin and argue my corner where I feel it is necessary.

“What I won’t do is get dragged into a tit for tat argument with Pete about the children to be played out in public – they are old enough to read these things. I know he has people around him that would want him to do an article running me down if I took up stamp collecting let alone get married quickly but I believe him to be a bigger man than that. If Pete has an issue or concerns, he has my number. Pete is a good father – everyone knows he loves our children. So do I. Our children are happy and healthy as he knows. I discussed with them at length what I was doing and why. I wish Pete nothing but love and luck with his relationship with Emily who seems delightful.”
So… are we all on top of this now?

Keaton’s got talent
Emma and I attended the fantastic private view of indie singer/songwriter and (sickeningly!) talented artist Keaton Henson last week. Taking place in Soho’s Pertwee Anderson and Gold gallery the event was attended by the likes of actors Sir Derek Jacobi, Jim Carter, Sophie Thompson and Samantha Bond as well as music types such as DJ James Lavelle. Keaton’s ‘Hithermost’ show runs until 2 February and has proven to be a big hit already, being recommended by the likes of Tatler and Vogue. We highly recommend!