Celebcity: Simon Cowell comes home to Sussex

Simon Cowell comes home to Sussex, Madonna’s new look, ‘Wills & Kate’ snapped on Brighton Pier, & Brighton Downton Abbey star on the show’s success

Introducing mum
We loved the news this week that father-to-be Simon Cowell is about to introduce his pregnant girlfriend to his Ovingdean based Mum. Julie. The music mogul is currently enjoying a romantic getaway with Lauren Silverman in the South of France where they were seen sharing a tender kiss. The Mirror reported that the loved-up pair are said to be flying back to London and Simon has been telling friends that he is hopeful Lauren will meet his mother Julie, 87. A pal said: “Simon is staying for a short time in the UK and he really wants Lauren to meet his mum properly.

“Lauren has to go back to the US before Simon so time could be against them on this occasion – but he really hopes there’s a window of opportunity and he has made it a priority. It means the world to have his mum’s approval and is delighted about the idea of giving her a grandkid.” Thirty-six-year-old Lauren apparently met Julie previously at a party a few years ago in Barbados but they do not know each other.

The source added: “It’s important, therefore, they have the chance to spend some time together as Lauren is set to become a very important person in Simon and her family’s life.” One onlooker in St Tropez said: “Cowell is normally quite discreet when it comes to shows of affection with the women in his life. But on this holiday he’s been quite the opposite.
“He can’t keep his hands off Lauren – and she is equally smitten. For those saying Cowell might have run a mile after she announced she was pregnant, the reverse is true. It seems they’re closer than ever and 110% an item.”

I wonder if he will take Julie and Lauren for a nice Ploughman’s lunch at The Plough Pub in Rottingdean, my favourite, although not quite St Tropez!

A mini royal visit
‘Wills and Kate’ enjoyed a trip to the seaside last week, minus HRH baby George, but complete with candyfloss, sunbathing and a trip to the local. The professional lookalikes posed for photos as part of a campaign from Mini Cooper. Enjoying fish and chips and trip on the pier, the royal doppelgangers went to show that Brighton really is fit for a (future) King – whatever The Daily Mail might say!

Pirates, vampires & Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey’s Mrs Hughes has been giving her much-offered opinion on the show’s success ahead of it’s latest comeback. Paisley-born Phyllis Logan, who plays Mrs Hughes in the ITV period drama and now resides in Brighton, proclaimed that Downton had been such a hit because people were bored of ‘car chases, zombies and vampires’. Quite. When she isn’t filming Logan enjoys living in our fair old city with husband Kevin McNally of Pirates Of The Caribbean fame, a man who surely knows his way around the seascape. The star was un-surprisingly tight-lipped about the up-coming series although did divulge that there wouldn’t be any hanky panky between her character and butler Mr Carson. Boo! Keep your eyes peeled for series four – starting very soon!

Madonna’s bling king
Ever since Madonna started flaunting a grill we knew this bad boy fashiuon statement was here to stay. The gangster-style tooth coverings, favoured by everyone who’s everyone, from twerkin’ pop-star Miley Cyrus to rapper Drake, have become the accessory du jour – and Brighton has been taking a big bite of the trend pie. Speaking to The Evening Standard recently, Daniel Leff, proprietor of Brighton-based online retailer Bling King, says he’s been selling hundreds a month, explaining: “Celebrities like Rihanna and Madonna are taking grills into the mainstream. Before them, our target audience was hip-hop followers.” He added” “We’re seeing a growing trend in women buying grills, too. We find that plain gold chrome designs are the bestsellers, followed by one or two rows of stones.” None of us are sporting gold teeth in JBPR yet, but surely it can only be a matter of time!

Jo Brooks is director of Brighton-based PR company JBPR Ltd, 01273 622555, www.jb-pr.com
Send celebrity spots, gossip and pictures to job@jb-pr.com
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