From Shiner to Star: Sharon Stone's Bruising Tale and Other Celeb Snippets

Sharon Stone's recent European tour saw the Hollywood icon sporting a rather unfortunate black eye, prompting concern from fans. The "Basic Instinct" star, 66, attributed the injury to a late-night fall in a hotel, where she bumped her face on a marble floor while searching for the lavatory.

Fortunately, the bruising was nowhere to be seen when Stone received the International Icon Award in Bodrum, Turkey, last week. Clever use of makeup may have contributed to the swift disappearance of the shiner, but her resilient spirit is clearly undeterred. "I've been in so many hotels and so many countries, I got up in the middle of the night to pee and didn't know where I was and smacked my face on the marble," she recounted. "It's getting better but it really is a good-looking shiner. You should see what I did to that marble floor."

A Title's Trouble: The Perils of Being a Lord in the Skies

For those accustomed to a life of privilege, a budget holiday flight might seem like an oxymoron. Yet, for those who happen to possess a title such as Lord, Lady, or Viscount, budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet pose an unexpected hurdle. Their online check-in systems only offer the standard Mr, Mrs, Ms, and Miss options, leaving titled individuals with no choice but to check in at the airport – a far cry from the online convenience enjoyed by mere mortals.

One anonymous aristocrat bemoaned the situation: "If we travel with an airline such as British Airways, even if we're not travelling first or business class, it's not a problem – we can check in online with ease. But with Ryanair and easyJet, it's a different story." They explained that the airport staff have to manually input their titles onto the boarding pass, ensuring it matches their passport.

"I once spent almost an hour in front of the computer getting increasingly irate that there seemed to be nothing I could do to remedy the problem," they continued. "We ended up having to go to the airport to check in, where we were informed there was no other option than to keep doing it that way."

"I was told if I'd put our names in as Mr and Mrs, it wouldn't correlate with our passports, so we would have been unable to fly," they added.

This seemingly minor inconvenience, the aristocrat pointed out, is "particularly painful" when returning from a holiday, as it necessitates arriving at the airport significantly earlier than everyone else, leading to an unsavoury end to a vacation. They questioned why budget airlines haven't implemented title options in their online check-in systems, especially considering full-service airlines like British Airways offer this functionality.

A Psychopathic Turn: Jack Whitehall Embraces Darkness

Jack Whitehall is known for his comedic wit and light-hearted persona, but he's embarking on a darker path with his latest role. The 36-year-old comedian has been cast as a psychopath in an Amazon Prime thriller called "Malice," described as a modern-day adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's classic "Psycho."

A source shared that Whitehall's character will bear striking resemblance to motel owner Norman Bates, showcasing a deceptive charm that masks a sinister intent. "This is the character Jack has been desperate to play for years. He wants to do more dark parts," the source revealed.

Emma Raducanu Aces Real Tennis

Emma Raducanu, a rising star in the world of tennis, is not just confined to the court. The 21-year-old US Open champion is exploring a different type of tennis – "real tennis," the medieval indoor game played with lopsided wooden rackets. She's honing her skills at Queen's Club in West London, joining a group of enthusiasts including Prince Edward, a passionate player, and Ben Ronaldson, son of former world champion Chris Ronaldson, who even teaches members of the Royal Family.

Zendaya's Driving Dilemma: Navigating Britain's Roads

Zendaya, the American actress known for her roles in Disney films and "Spider-Man," faces a unique challenge when visiting her boyfriend, Tom Holland, in London. Driving on the left side of the road, a British tradition, is proving to be quite a hurdle for the 27-year-old, who grew up driving on the right in California.

"It's very confusing. I have been able to drive, but on the other side of the road. I am working on it, though," she confessed. "The first step is getting in on the right side of the car – and then also being on the proper side of the road. Streets are also a worry. I'm so used to being able to have these massive streets and highways."

David Walliams' Donkey Controversy: A Comedy Faux Pas

David Walliams, the comedic actor, found himself in hot water after being photographed riding a small donkey while filming in Malta. The incident sparked outrage among animal lovers, as many found the sight of the towering 6ft 2ins Walliams astride the diminutive donkey distressing.

"I felt very sorry for the donkey. My feet were just about touching the ground," Walliams acknowledged on the podcast of Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch.

Elisa Allen, from PETA, expressed concern: "At tourist sites in Malta, donkeys are worked to death. We'll be writing to David."

Liz Hurley's London Liaison: Separating Love from Family

Liz Hurley and her son, Damian, have a unique arrangement when it comes to their romantic lives. While they share a Cotswolds mansion for close friends and family, they utilize their London flat for separate romantic encounters.

"We go to London for our social lives – not together, separately," Hurley explained. "I don't bring people to the country. The country is sacrosanct. No strangers allowed."

Victoria Beckham's 'B Frame' Ambitions: A Move Beyond Fashion?

Victoria Beckham, the fashion designer, is expanding her brand beyond clothing and accessories. She has applied to register her "B Frame" logo with intellectual property authorities in Britain, hinting at a potential move into household goods. This could see the former Spice Girl branching out into items like tablecloths, towels, and bed linen, potentially creating a lifestyle brand akin to Martha Stewart.

Jennifer Saunders' Lazy Alter Ego: Susan Slows Down "Absolutely Fabulous"

Jennifer Saunders, the comedic actress, is facing a creative hurdle. Her "Absolutely Fabulous" scripts are facing delays due to the influence of her alter ego, Susan.

Saunders, 66, revealed that a life coach has helped her identify this personality, which embodies a tendency to procrastinate and resist hard work. "I just can't get down to writing," she admitted. "The coach says one side of me is going, 'That sounds like a lot of hard work and failure'."

"He says give that other side of you a name. So I said as a joke, 'I'll call her Susan'. It's amazing how much in your life you realise Susan is operating, saying, 'Wouldn't you rather just sit here and have a cake?'"

Queen Camilla's "Birds Of A Feather" Wish: A Royal Revival?

Linda Robson, star of the iconic British sitcom "Birds of a Feather," revealed that Queen Camilla is a fan of the show and is keen for its return.

Robson, 66, recounted that during a visit to ITV, Camilla expressed a desire to meet the cast of "Birds of a Feather," and subsequently met them. "When she came to ITV, she said the people she most wanted to meet were the Birds Of A Feather cast – so she did," Robson shared.

She added that Camilla was particularly fond of Lesley Joseph's character, Dorien, who is known for her flirtatious and somewhat outrageous behaviour.

"She did, yeah. She's naughty," Robson revealed, when asked whether Camilla favoured Dorien.

Although the series concluded in 2020, Robson indicated that Camilla is keen for a revival, and both she and Lesley Joseph would be on board. However, Robson expressed uncertainty about the involvement of Pauline Quirke, another key member of the cast. "I don't think Pauline will agree," she added.