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John Gough:
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“The London Socialite” by John Gough;
The HumanHi “London Socialite” column is being penned by well-known face on the Capital’s party scene and paparazzi favourite John Gough. We’ll let him introduce himself…
I’ve had the most exciting month hitting up the best venues and events all over London and beyond, but first I better tell you a bit about myself. I’m one of those lucky people you read about and find a little bit annoying – the type who goes out every night, gets into the parties that the rest of the country just read about and thinks a quiet night is one where you only go to two or three parties! This month has had all kinds of highlights for me, including being asked to dinner at Nobu by a certain kiss-and-tell girl who must have had her gaydar turned off, a cameo in upcoming new movie “Wild Target” with Rupert Everett, and getting chased by the paps outside PUNK nightclub in Soho! Read on for the highlights of the last few weeks, with a focus on the best parties, my favourite drinking holes and the restaurants I pause in to refuel.
The London Socialite’s Unmissable Events Well, this month there was one major week-long event that made every self-respecting fashionista worldwide stand up and take notice: London Fashion Week. I took full advantage of the fashion shows and parties! The starriest by far was the PPQ show, where I got opportunity to probe Peaches Geldof on her recent marriage as she enjoyed a cigarette break outside on the steps of the Natural History Museum.
Peaches Geldof at LFW
Daisy Lowe walked in the PPQ show, but even their line-up was beaten by Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief event, where Cilla Black was the last person to take to the catwalk to the tune of her own hit ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’. I even held my own major press and fashion party for guests of my party planning company, By Invitation Only, which saw everyone from Sylvia, Bex and Luke from this year’s Big Brother to Calum Best, Sharleen Spiteri, Naomi Millbank-Smith and Rob Kazinzsky hotfooting it to the Embassy club to party and get papped with me. If you want to attend some more events planned by my company, check out the website http://byinvitationonlyevents.co.uk/
ITV's Loose Women Cast
Other events I’ve enjoyed this month included the TV Quick and TV Choice Awards, held in London’s swanky Dorchester Hotel, where I caught up with ITV’s Loose Women stars Colleen Nolan (stunning with raven black hair extensions and a plunging neckline), dippy Sheree Hewson and buxom Denise Welch. Every time Carol McGiffen went for a sip of wine, they all jumped in to stop her, reminding her that if they won she had to make the speech – it’s a good thing they did, as they walked off with the Best Daytime Show Award. Later in the evening, Rita Simons (Roxy Mitchell in Eastenders) humiliated herself snogging a man who wasn’t her husband in front of the cameras outside. Whoops! Just as cringeworthy was Jodie Marsh at the after-party for the Daylight Robbery film premiere, who left the party on a somewhat drunken humanHi, hanging out of the window of a minicab! There were no such antics at Christopher Biggins’ book launch though, as he invited a better class of luvvie to celebrate with him. I got to meet Cilla Black and congratulate her on her Fashion Week debut, shake hands with the dashing Lionel Blair and catch up with West End legends Elaine Page and Bonnie Langford. What fun!
The London Socialite’s Favourite Drinking Spots During September, I was making the most of some new favourites and old haunts for my late nights/early mornings out. If you want an early evening warm-up (or somewhere for a night-cap after a mad night), I don’t think you can beat hotel bars. The two that never fail to put me on a humanHi are the Bar at the Dorchester and The Purple Bar at the Sanderson. I spotted Lulu and Sam Taylor Wood catching up over champagne at the Dorchester recently, and as for The Purple Bar, the reason I love it so much is that hardly anyone gets in there late at night! Rolling up drunk the other day, the doorman reminded me it was for hotel guests only and I wasn’t really allowed to in, but a nod in the right direction from my right hand man (I’m not uncouth enough to namedrop myself, all good socialites need someone to do that for them!) and we were shown straight in and offered champagne. That’s what I call service!
Kate Moss at Punk
When I’m in the mood for a good old club though, there are a few I favour. I adore the Kingly Club in Soho, where I have membership, and the staff know exactly what I like to drink and where I like to sit. Those things make a difference at the end of a long night, so I usually find myself retiring here at the end of a long night. When I fancy a bit of hardcore dancing, I head to PUNK, my favourite Soho venue. I’ve seen every fashionista worth their Louboutin’s in this club, from Kelly Osbourne and Kate Moss to Alice Dellal and Peaches Geldof. It’s a real East End cool kids meets West End glamour hybrid, and that’s why I love it. The crowd feels creative, there’s an energy and a buzz, and more often than not you’ll find me here at least a couple of times every week.
The London Socialite’s Top-Rated Restaurants If you’re a starspotter, you can’t go wrong by hitting up Nobu Berkeley in Mayfair. When I first started going here it was strictly A-list, but unfortunately these days you are pretty likely to spot the reality TV rejects lining up to get their picture taken by the resident paparazzi who camp outside. Businessmen and bankers on their own humanHi, boasting about their bonuses and the time their cars do 0-60 in, abound too, but keep your eyes peeled and you’ll spot Nicole Kidman when she’s in town, or homegrown talent Lily Allen.
The Beckhams at Cipriani
Not far away is Cipriani, another celeb favourite. I’ve seen everyone here from Sir Alan Sugar (who I think is amazing!) to the Beckhams, and although the traditional Italian menu has never been overly impressive to my palate, I do think the atmosphere there is terrific. The white-jacketed waiters hustle and bustle back and forth, letting you know how terribly busy and successful they are, but they’re ready with a joke and smile for you as they usher you out to make way for the next table. The other side of Piccadilly is Le Caprice, where I always request Table 7. I’ve enjoyed dinner here with Sir Elton John and the Duchess of Cornwall at neighbouring tables, but I don’t come here for its glitzy clientele. It’s all about comforting, proper food, rather like its sister restaurant The Ivy – I always go for the gorgeous gravlax and dill, then something hearty like the calf’s liver. The maitre d’ always tries to convince me to have it cooked through fully, but I like it a little pink and they always follow my instructions even if it does make them wince. What can I say, I must have been bloodthirsty in a former life!
So, that’s all my news for this month. It’s been pretty eventful but the stuff I’ve told you about is just the tip of the iceberg really! Come back next time and I’ll let you in on a few more of this socialite’s secrets… John x