Bloom Twins
(Picture: Dave Benett)UKRAINIAN pop duo The Bloom Twins have launched an excoriating attack on their fellow musicians for failing to speak out on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Why are we witnessing the world on the streets standing up for democracy and unity when those who have a reach and the voice aren’t even acknowledging what is going on?” Sonia Kuprienko of the Bloom Twins told us.
“How about Coldplay who shot the music video called Trouble in Town in Kyiv only two years ago… where is this support now?” Kuprienko went on: “How about Harry Styles, whose love is on tour, [Styles’s Love on Tour concerts are currently playing] but not with Ukraine. Well, not even on his socials.
“Calvin Harris whose [latest music] Love Regenerator might be generating clicks and streams, but definitely no word on war in Ukraine, not even a peep.”
The Bloom Twins, who live in London, say they are worried for their family in Ukraine. Their father and other relatives are in the country but cannot leave. “They’re feeling like it’s better just to hide. It’s just very tricky because… you don’t know where the bomb is going to go”.
Blanc’s tête-à-tête causes a headache
RAYMOND BLANC recalled his friendship with the Queen Mother at a food preview for Royal Ascot at the Underground Cooking School near Old Street. The two formed a friendship, with Blanc regularly cooking for her. Blanc told us how the Queen Mother came into his restaurant kitchen to chat for an hour after lunch in fluent French. This was to the despair of her daughter, the Queen, who came in and asked: “Mum, it’s four o’clock, can we go home?” That’s a good review.
Le Pen’s timing off over Putin leaflet
MARINE LE PEN doesn’t have the best luck when it comes to campaigning. The far-Right French politician once flirted with coming to London to campaign for Brexit in 2016 and now a 2017 trip to Moscow has landed her in hot water. The French presidential hopeful recently revealed her new eight-page electoral leaflet which features an image of her shaking hands with now international pariah Vladimir Putin. They printed 1.2 million copies. How awkward — our heart bleeds for her.
Greig’s audience with Dacre drama
THE LONDONER spotted Geordie Greig at the Riverside studios in Hammersmith last night at the premiere of new play Bloody Difficult Women, about the legal row over Brexit. Greig, the former editor of the Daily Mail who suddenly left his post last November, was a notable presence, unlike his predecessor Paul Dacre, above. Perhaps it was not surprising that Dacre did not attend to hear the actor playing him deliver four-letter word rants. Greig — in the drama at least — was foul-mouthed by Dacre as “that effing Remainer”. Sitting with his son in the audience, the man himself smiled wryly.
Liam’s sons are here for the beer
LONDON was all go last night. Actresses Morfydd Clark and Ellie Bamber were among those at the EE Rising star awards on the Strand. They were joined by Aisling Bea, Nicola Roberts and Lauren Lyle. Over at Bafta Piccadilly, Sir Lenny Henry made the Visionary Honours Award. And at Picturehouse Central, Liam Gallagher’s sons Gene and Lennon channeled their father as they turned up to the Batman premiere clutching cans of lager.
SW1A
Sir LINDSAY HOYLE is not mild mannered — when it comes to kebabs. At last night’s Kebab Awards in Westminster, the Speaker told us his favourite order, order was a triple meat option: “A shish kebab, a lamb kebab and a chicken.” In his speech he added: “I don’t do much with the salad, I just stick to the meat.” Hat-trick.
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JAMES CLEVERLY MP asked people not to link the war in Ukraine to Brexit, writing online: “This is about us helping Ukraine, not your childish point-scoring.” Sir Christopher Meyer, our former man in Washington, replied, attacking the “frothing Remainiacs still trying to strain everything through the Brexit mesh”. Sigh.
