TV UPDATE : THE SECRETS OF PINEWOOD .. COMING SOON!

Joan with Jonathan Ross

Jonathan Ross is gearing up to host a new documentary on one of the country's most iconic movie studios; The Secrets of Pinewood.
The show will go behind the scenes of the long running establishment, revealing to audiences the story behind the renowned UK based studio. Ross will also be joined by a group of well-known celebrities, who will aid in opening up the studio's secrets and past... as well as sharing some of their own stories.
 Pauline Law, executive producer, said: “The BBC wanted to put more money into arts programming and BBC Arts has a long-standing connection with Jonathan. Plus, with Pinewood coming up to its 80th anniversary since construction, we felt like it fit.”
The doc, made in partnership with the BFI, will have excerpts from Pinewood’s history and could even feature some behind the scenes footage of films currently shooting at the studio. Law added: “Some great filmmakers and projects have shot there, from Bond and Carry On to Hitchcock. It’s such a rich story of filmmaking in Britain.”

PHOTO OF THE DAY : SAY HELLO! TO THE DAMES!

Check out the latest issue of Hello! magazine UK out today which features Joan's big day as she was made a Dame.. Here is a photo of Joan with friend Esther Rantsen who was also recently made a Dame..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN ENJOYS A DAME GOOD LUNCH!

Joan looking stunning as she enjoys lunch with friends including Jackie who is off to New York after her busy week in London ... Thanks to Jackie for sharing this super shot...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN'S A GEM IN JACKIE'S EYES!

As Jackie is currently in London for Joan's Damehood ceremony, here is a super 80's shot taken at the launch of Joan's 'Beverly Hills Collection' of Jewellery....

EVENT UPDATE : CONGRATULATIONS TO DAME JOAN! MARCH 26TH 2015 ..

Joan during the ceremony with Prince Charles

Joan with Tara & Sacha

Joan with Tara at The Wolsely

Joan finally became a Dame today as she received the honour from Prince Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace... Joining Joan at the Palace was daughter Tara and Son Sacha and of course Percy... Joan enjoyed lunch at The Wolsely to celebrate with family and friends including Jackie... Congratulations to Dame Joan!



Joan with Jackie after the ceremony

                                                                                                                           

    

 

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN HAS TAMARA FOR SUPPORT!

Joan looking sensational as ever with friend Tamara Beckwith earlier at a party to celebrate her Damehood Investiture.. The party held at London's Mayfair member's club LouLou's ....

TV ALERT : THE ROYALS ... E! CHANNEL UK .. MARCH 25TH 9:00PM ...

Just a reminder that 'The Royals' will premiere tonight on E! Channel UK at 9pm... Watch out for a special guest appearance by Joan in an upcoming episode... 
E! UK is on Sky Channel 151 ..

PRESS UPDATE : IN STYLE .. MARCH 2015 ..

Did Elizabeth Hurley Channel Queen Elizabeth for Her Role in The Royals?

By: Samantha Simon

On The Royals, Elizabeth Hurley plays a ruler unlike any you’ve ever seen before. “She’s not a cookie-cutter queen,” Hurley told InStyle about her character, Queen Helena, at the show’s premiere party in New York City this week. “She’s her own self and she’s out there, so I got to make a lot of it up.”
While it’s certainly clear that Hurley is bringing her own glamorous twist to the new monarchy, she did take a bit of inspiration from the actual royals for her role. “Even though she’s a different generation, I watched the real Queen of England a lot on tape to see how dignified she was when she met her subjects,” Hurley said. “I looked at how she conducted herself, how she stood, and how she shook hands.”

And Queen Elizabeth isn’t the only royal that Hurley channeled when prepping for the part. “I like to think about how Princess Diana could have looked and dressed, had she ever become Queen of England,” Hurley said. “She looked very modern, very fresh.”
See Hurley’s regal look in the show’s trailer below, and tune in for the series premiere tonight (Wednesday, March 25th) at 9 p.m. ET on E!.

PRESS UPDATE : DAILY EXPRESS .. AGE IS JUST A NUMBER FOR BARBARA!

AS her latest novel comes out, Barbara Taylor Bradford explains why she and her close friend Joan Collins regard age as just a number

By KATHRYN SPENCER

PUBLISHED: 00:01, Mon, Mar 23, 2015

PR

Taylor Bradford displays a few of the jewels she hasn’t auctioned

Forget the erotic scenes in 50 Shades Of Grey, veteran best-selling author Barbara Taylor Bradford wants you to know she writes them better. “My books are quite sexy, you know,” says the writer, 81, best known for her fi rst novel, the rags-to-riches period blockbuster A Woman Of Substance from 1979.

“I get women coming up to me all the time saying specifically, ‘Barbara, I love your sex scenes!’”

The indomitable Taylor Bradford is in the UK for the publication this month of her 30th novel: aristocratic family story The Cavendon Women. “It doesn’t seem possible I have written so many books, nearly a novel a year,” muses the Leeds-born, New York-based author from her luxury suite at London’s Dorchester hotel, her base on visits back here.

“But Sir Terry Pratchett wrote twice as many books as me so compared to him it’s not very much at all. It was so very sad he got a form of Alzheimer’s, that is such a terrible thing to happen to a writer. I was a great admirer.”

Taylor Bradford has worked since she was an ambitious 15-year-old typist at a Yorkshire newspaper and by 18 she was women’s editor before heading to Fleet Street aged 20. “Yes I’m 81 but I feel 49. I know I look much younger too,” she declares with no false modesty.

“I’ve no plans to retire, why should I? I don’t know anything else but writing books and what else could I do? I’m not a big shopper, I’m not a fan of lunch dates with other women. I just like to work and writing keeps my brain active and alert.”

REX

A TV version of A Woman Of Substance starring Jenny Seagrove

Her advice to budding novelists is simple: lie. “Basically, as a novelist, I’m inventing people,” she says. “When people tell me they want to write novels, I say, ‘Can you tell lies?’ A novel is a monumental lie but it needs the ring of truth if is going to succeed.”

Taylor Bradford’s “lies” have served her well. Her debut novel sold more than 30million copies and is among the top 10 bestselling novels of all time. Her work has netted her a reported £188million fortune.

Her youthful peaches-and-cream appearance is due to a mixture of good genes and looking after herself. She compares herself to her friend Joan Collins. “Joan and I have a lot in common – we are both 81 but we don’t look it and are lucky to be in good health.

“Joan has this saying, which I agree with, ‘Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant unless of course you happen to be a bottle of wine’.

“It’s true some of us don’t wear as well as others but I work at it. I do it for myself and I like to look nice for my husband. I look after myself. I don’t take pills other than vitamins. I look after my skin. I always take off my make-up at night.

“I have never been a big drinker. I might have the occasional glass of champagne. I stopped smoking 40 years ago. I eat carefully. I keep fit. “I use various creams on my face and I do have Botox in my forehead. I started frowning a lot from when I worked in newspapers. Now I have a nice smooth forehead.

GETTY

Barbara with husband Bob and Joan Collins

I am also a fan of being kind and nice to other people. Smile and be nice

“I like to see people who are well groomed. Other people respond to you better if you are looking neat and well turned out. I am also a fan of being kind and nice to other people. Smile and be nice.

“As for exercise I bought a book called Get Up! by a doctor and it frightened me because it says sitting down is very bad for you and of course I sit down all day writing. So now I go out for a walk every day and I eat my lunch standing up.”

She has lived in New York since her marriage to fi lm producer Bob Bradford 52 years ago. Her new book, the second in a trilogy, is based on stately home Cavendon Hall, occupied by the Earl of Ingham, his family and their retainers the Swanns. The fi rst book was set in 1913, the current one in 1926 and the as yet untitled fi nal one in 1938.

Comparisons to Downton Abbey have been made but Taylor Bradford isn’t happy about them. “I don’t want people to think I’ve copied Julian Fellowes. I haven’t,” she says fi rmly.

“I wrote family dynasty stories long before him with A Woman Of Substance and its sequels, plus my Ravenscar books. The only similarity is that it’s a family saga set in a big house.”

One thing the Cavendon books do have in common with Downton is that they are set to be televised – produced, like previous BTB small screen ventures, by Taylor Bradford’s husband.

The Cavendon series also features the return of A Woman Of Substance heroine, the servant-turned-retail-magnate Emma Harte. Emma is mentioned in passing in the fi rst two books but will become a fully rounded character in the fi nal part of the trilogy.

“People have been begging me for years to bring back Emma and now she will be in the third book and in a bigger way. Readers can’t get enough of her.”

TAYLOR BRADFORD is very much a woman of substance herself. As well as the millions amassed from her novels, her German-born New Yorker husband is wealthy in his own right and has shown his love for her by showering her with gifts of precious jewellery.

“I’m not the kind of woman who has ever had to buy her own jewellery. Before Bob there was my father. It gives Bob pleasure and I’m very lucky.”

Her husband has in fact given her so much jewellery that at the end of 2013 she auctioned off 40 items of the more outré 1980s pieces which raised more than £1million – to go in trust for two of her (unnamed) female heirs. The couple have no children.

“Bob told me, ‘Do what you want to do with them if you don’t wear them’,” she explains. He still buys her jewellery nevertheless. Clearly it is a happy marriage.

“Bob is the apple of my eye. He is a good person. I am lucky. He has always supported me.

“Of course we have our little spats and disagreements but we don’t carry grudges. Other women love Bob too, they really do. He is a champion of the independent woman warrior. Emma Harte was one and so am I, I hope. I’m that kind of woman.” She certainly is.

To order The Cavendon Women by Barbara Taylor Bradford (HarperCollins, £16.99) call the Express Bookshop on 01872 562310.

PHOTO OF THE DAY : COLLINS GIRLS NIGHT OUT IN LONDON!

Joan enjoyed a wonderful night at The Wolseley with Jackie who has just arrived in London to help Joan celebrate her visit to the Palace on Thursday for her Damehood ceremony...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : FOR TIMELESS BEAUTY YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNTER ON JOAN!

This shot features Joan checking out the brand new 'Timeless Beauty' counter, now open at Urban Retreat at Harrod's Knightsbridge... Check out the following...
http://www.urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique/brand/joan_collins_timeless_beauty.aspx

PHOTO OF THE DAY : THE COLLINS GIRLS HAVE THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES!!

Joan attended a cocktail party organised by Sir Tim Rice to invite backer's to invest in the upcoming film 'The Time Of Their Lives' in which Joan will star with Pauline Collins and is set to begin filming at the end of September...

EVENT UPDATE : TIMELESS BEAUTY AT HARROD'S URBAN RETREAT .. SHOOTING STAR CHASE AUCTION MAKEOVER! MARCH 13TH 2015

Joan with Shooting Star's Karen Sugarman, Makeup artist Peter Camburn among others..

 



Joan with Urban Retreat PR Marie Fischer

As part of the Shooting Star Chase Ball Auction, along with a high tea with Joan and Julian Clary.. One lucky bidder also had a makeover at 'Harrod's Urban Retreat', where Joan's highly successful 'Timeless Beauty' is now available in store..



Timeless Beauty counter at Harrod's Urban Retreat..



PHOTO OF THE DAY : TEA FOR TWO SHOOTING STARS!

Last year Joan donated an afternoon high tea with friend Julian Clary to raise funds for Shooting Star Chase Hospice, which was auctioned off at the charities Annual Ball held at The Dorchester.. Joan & Julian joined the highest bidders at The Wolsely yesterday..
About the auction.. Shooting Star Chase's Director of Fundraising Karen Sugarman commented...
"The Shooting Star Chase Ball is such a fabulous night and we are thrilled that we have raised an incredible £205,000. This will make a significant difference to families whose lives are turned upside down and need the vital care and support of our hospice service,"

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN'S A REAL GEM IN THIS CAPER!

This glamorous promo photo was taken for the 1984 crime caper 'The Cartier Affair'....

EVENT UPDATE : THE 17TH ANNUAL OLD BAGS LUNCHEON .. THE BREAKERS .. PALM BEACH ..MARCH 5TH 2015

JOAN WITH EVENT ORGANISERS JANET LEVY & DEBBIE PORRECO

Joan was recently in Palm Beach as guest speaker at the 17th Annual Old Bags Luncheon in aid of The Center For Family Services.. The luncheon also held an auction of designer handbags donated by their previous owners!

PHOTO OF THE DAY : TIMELESS JOAN IS ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT!

Joan made another appearance on QVC UK to celebrate one fabulously successful year of 'Timeless Beauty' with Pippa Gordon... Joan will be back on QVC UK in May.. Watch this space for dates!

QVC ROUNDUP ... JOAN'S GOT THAT TIMELESS BEAUTY ....

Joan with Maverine Cole on the afternoon show...

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Joan enjoyed two more highly successful appearances on QVC UK earlier to celebrate the 1st anniversary of 'Timeless Beauty'.. Here a couple of shots from both shows.. Joan will be back on air tonight at 7:00pm .. Don't miss it!

Joan with Jackie Kabler on the evening presentation..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : ON AIR IS ALWAYS TIMELESS WITH JOAN!

Don't forget to tune into QVC UK today from 1:00pm and then again at 8:00pm as Joan celebrates the first anniversary of her highly successful 'Timeless Beauty' line of fabulous products.. You can also catch Joan on Monday evening from 7:00pm.. Here is a shot from March 2014 featuring Joan with the models from the on air presentation..

Watch live here! .....

http://www.qvcuk.com/Live+Channel.content.html?sc=LTVMH

PRESS UPDATE : QVC EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW... TIMELESS BEAUTY ANNIVERSARY! ... MARCH 12TH 2015 ..

Can you believe it’s been a year since the glamorous Joan Collins graced our screens with her Timeless Beauty range?

We caught up with the lady of the hour herself in Los Angeles, to have a chat with her ahead of the anniversary show…

So it’s been a year since your brand launched with us here on QVC. How has this year been for you?

It has been wonderfully exciting whirlwind year of QVC appearances in the UK, Italy and Germany. I have been totally immersed in Timeless Beauty, and even been able to share it on my filming projects – the range is proving to be a big hit with make-up artists.

Congratulations on being awarded a damehood! How did you feel when you found out you were on the New Year’s Honours List?

I was beyond thrilled when I heard I was being made a Dame and am really looking forward to again meeting The Queen or Prince Charles in the spring to have the honour formally bestowed upon me.

What have been your highlights of being on QVC?

It took several years of hard work with the team developing my beauty experience and ideas

to create my Timeless Beauty range and it’s been a real privilege to launch it on QVC. Definitely a highlight has been sharing my beauty tips and tricks with the QVC audience and seeing how positively they, and the QVC presenters, have reacted to my new products. We have regular sell-outs, which is so exciting.

Do you have any backstage gossip for us?

No, things have run very smoothly behind the scenes, with my stylist Alyn Waterman on hand to deal to with any smudges or stray hair. Unlike on the Dynasty set – when we were throwing punches in the now famous fight scene in the lily pond, Linda Evans accidentally knocked me out and I came to in the emergency ward!

Glad to hear you’ve been taken care of. How do you feel people have responded to your beauty range?

I have loved being able to engage with the QVC shoppers and get their genuine feedback on the products, which has generated so many 5* reviews across the range. Especially the heroine products, which include the Lash Treatment Gel, the First Base Foundation and my I Am Woman fragrance, have been a real hit. I am delighted.

If you have one tip for our beauty junkies what would it be?

Looking good makes you feel good, which is great for your confidence. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself, experiment and play around with colour. Blusher and lipstick can bring your face alive.

What are your make-up bag and skincare must-haves?

My Sun Hat Day Cream, which contains SPF15, goes on every morning, and I believe using foundation gives another layer of protection, especially my First Base Foundation which is a skin treatment as well as a base. Without fail I carry my handbag favourite, the Paparazzi Ready Compact Duo, which makes it so easy to check my face, touch up my powder and lipstick, all in one convenient compact – it’s so clever.

And finally, what can customers look forward to from you in this next year?

We have some very wearable summer bright and nude lip and nail shades coming up and also super new products in the I Am Woman fragrance, including a fabulous gift idea for next Christmas – I can’t believe I’m even thinking about Christmas already!

You can talk about Christmas, we don’t mind! We simply cannot wait to see the new treats from the Timeless Beauty range!

In the meantime, browse Joan Collins Timeless Beauty or visit our beauty department, and don’t forget to tune in for more from Joan at 1pm and 8pm on 15th March, and 16th March at 7pm

PHOTO OF THE DAY : BRAVO FOR ANDY.. DINNER WITH JOAN WITH TOM AS A SPECTATOR!!

Joan now back in London to prepare for her upcoming QVC appearances this weekend and other exciting events, enjoyed dinner at Mayfair's 'The Colony' and met up with Bravo! presenter Andy Cohen and actor Tom Hollander.. Joan looking fabulous as ever..