EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Strictly claims have triggered Clarence House jitters

The BBC‘s meltdown over Strictly bullying allegations has caused jitters at Clarence House

Queen Camilla is a proud superfan, having hosted a palace tea party for the show, been in the audience, and filmed a video message for a final. 

Hoofer Craig Revel Horwood suggested she join the judging panel and Tess Daly revealed she has voted for contestants. 

Sophie Wessex and Zara Tindall have been spotted at recordings, and a royal Strictly mini-show for Children In Need had been discussed. 

But as the BBC battles to save one of its most lucrative cash cows, Camilla will be keeping a discreet distance.

Quick step this way, Ma’am: Queen Camilla, pictured with professional dancer Brendan Cole in 2017, will be keeping a discreet distance from BBC’s beleaguered Strictly

Queen of the ballroom: Hoofer Craig Revel Horwood suggested she join the judging panel

One, Tea, Three: Queen Camilla is a proud superfan, having hosted a palace tea party for the show, been in the audience,

Tall order

Diminutive Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, 5ft 3in, has been awarded 5,000 euros (£4,210) after successfully suing over derogatory comments about her height. 

Now that Rishi, 5ft 7in, has some time on his hands, might he seek legal revenge on all those who mocked his height?

Diminutive Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, 5ft 3in, (pictured with Prime Minister Keir Starmer) has been awarded 5,000 euros (£4,210) after successfully suing over derogatory comments about her height

Baddiel says it with a smile

Having chronicled his mother’s affair in a memoir, David Baddiel insists that his tome is superior to Prince Harry‘s autobiography Spare, telling Radio Times: ‘My book is celebratory. 

‘It’s the excruciating truth, but I believe seeing people properly, truthfully, is an act of love. 

‘I don’t think Harry’s interested in the truth, only in his truth – which is angry.’ 

He adds: ‘Maybe the problem is that Harry tried to work through his issues via literature when he should have tried comedy.’ 

My Royal Family: The Sitcom? Keep digging Baddiel!

David Baddiel insists that his tome is superior to Prince Harry ‘s autobiography Spare

Rhodes rage

Zandra Rhodes is on the warpath over the Gianni Versace safety pin dress worn by Liz Hurley at the Four Weddings And A Funeral premiere in 1994. 

She claims Versace stole the idea from her 1977 Conceptual Chic collection. 

Promoting her memoir Iconic, she rages: ‘I did the outfit and we put it in our shop window. 

‘Then 15 years after Versace did the dress, [journalist] Suzy Menkes said it was influenced by me and was banned from his shows.’

Pin up girl: Zandra Rhodes is on the warpath over the Gianni Versace safety pin dress worn by Liz Hurley at the Four Weddings And A Funeral premiere in 1994

Mogul’s megalomania

Robert Maxwell’s personal assistant Pat Hartridge, who died last month, recalled being ordered out of Maxwell’s limousine with the chauffeur on the motorway at West Wycombe.

She was told to make her own way back to Oxford, while he would drive himself to London. 

‘There were no mobile phones then, so we trudged back along an unlit A40. 

‘It would make a good film: how to survive a megalomaniac.’

Read all about it: Robert Maxwell’s personal assistant Pat Hartridge, who died last month, recalled being ordered out of Maxwell’s limousine with the chauffeur on the motorway at West Wycombe and having to trudge home in the dark

Fergie’s early bath

The Duchess of York shares her wake up routine at Windsor’s Royal Lodge with readers of Woman & Home. 

‘I go into my bathroom, lock the door and sit on the floor for 40 minutes, completely silent. It’s a meditation moment. Then I have a bath.’ 

She draws a veil over whether her ex-husband Andrew, brandishing a loofah, ever immerses himself at the tap end, waiting to scrub her back.

The wife of bath: Fergie has shared her wake up routine at Windsor’s Royal Lodge with readers of Woman & Home.