Steve Coogan will be deflated by Dr Strangelove reviews

by · Mail Online

Steve Coogan will be deflated by the generally so-so reviews for the new West End version of Dr Strangelove, in which he attempts to follow in the late comic actor Peter Sellers's footsteps 60 years on. 

Coogan was previously disappointed to miss out on playing him in a 2004 film biopic, the part instead going to Geoffrey Rush. 

He admitted: 'Doing Sellers would have been special. It's not just because I've been compared to him. He's someone who fascinates me.' Be careful what you wish for.

Steve Coogan attends the press night after party for 'Dr. Strangelove' at The Londoner Hotel
Steve Coogan performing during a dress rehearsal for the production of 'Dr. Strangelove'
Penny Ashmore, John Hopkins, Steve Coogan and Giles Terera bow at the curtain call during the press night performance of 'Dr. Strangelove'

Promoting his new horror movie Heretic, Hugh Grant recalls a long-ago prank in his youth when packing Christmas hampers in a 'certain store in the Knightsbridge area. 

The worst thing we ever put in a Christmas hamper... was one of the packers. 

He was a little chap. We had him packed and delivered.' Hugh chuckles: 'It was the worst behaviour I've ever been guilty of in a job, I think.' What larks!

Hugh Grant as Mr Reed in his new horror movie Heretic directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

Currently touring Down Under, Eric Idle recalls late Beatle George Harrison giving him a 'beautiful package' prior to a previous Australia visit. 

Spiritually-minded George stipulated that Idle – whose first marriage had recently ended – could only open it when 'flying over India'. 

Opening the package during the allotted time, Idle found a little card with Harrison's handwriting instructing him: 'S**g a sheila for me!'

Eric Idle (pictured) on The Graham Norton Show on September 29, 2022

'Angela Merkel' solves fictional murders as Miss Merkel on her nation's MHz Choice TV show. 

Played by Katharina Thalbach it's said the retired chancellor's stern East German upbringing 'gives her the wherewithal to run rings around feckless local cops in the former West'. 

The German sense of humour is no laughing matter.

Prince William may need to launch a charm offensive if he hopes to succeed his father as head of the Commonwealth. 

Charles made it only after brisk lobbying by his mother. Harry and Meghan were made Commonwealth ambassadors by the late Queen. And they are keen to keep up their links. 

Meghan revealed this year she is 43 per cent Nigerian. Look out!

Prince William, Prince of Wales attends the Centrepoint Awards and Gala Dinner at The British Museum on October 16

Oxford alumni, voting virtually this week to elect a successor to retiring chancellor Lord Patten, have 38 candidates to choose from. 

In the last poll in 2003, Patten was up against two lawyerly peers as well as Sandi Toksvig, who managed just 14 per cent of the first-round vote and was knocked out.

Theresa May famously confessed the naughtiest thing she's ever done is run through a wheat field. 

What of aspiring Tory leaders Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch? Asked the question at party conference, Jenrick admitted to climbing Wolverhampton's Christmas tree.

Theresa May famously confessed the naughtiest thing she's ever done is run through a wheat field

Kemi declined to say. Failed candidate James Cleverly said it was taking part in John Pienaar's 'snog-marry-avoid' quiz. 

Cringingly, he opted to marry Yvette Cooper, snog May and (mysteriously) avoid acerbic journalist Isabel Oakeshott.