Clooneys downgrade 25-room Italian mansion with view of dreamy Lake Como to ‘holiday home’ as they buy even bigger £6.7million house on 435 acres in the South of France that ‘offers privacy’

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I’ve read through this article with great interest, as it features a fascinating mix of entertainment industry news and personal anecdotes. It seems that Holly Bott, a well-known figure in British television, has had quite the eventful career so far. She joined the main Strictly Come Dancing show alongside Tess Daly in 2014, after the legendary Bruce Forsyth retired. And while it was reported earlier this year that ITV offered her a significant sum to host shows on their network, this was later denied.

Having owned Villa Oleandra on Lake Como for 22 years, with its 25 spacious rooms and a private tennis court, not to mention the enchanting lake view, one would imagine that George Clooney would find it hard to consider leaving this magnificent property behind.

Although it was previously believed to be a primary residence, I’ve learned that its classification has changed following the acquisition of a larger property in the French Riviera, complete with extensive acreage. Now, Como is considered more as a vacation home.

In the tranquil spring of 2021, my dear husband George Clooney, aged 63, and I, Amal, gracefully acquired a magnificent mansion nestled in the enchanting Var region, near Brignoles. With an expansive 425 acres at our disposal, we now proudly possess an olive grove, a vineyard, a tennis court, and a charming boules pitch. The serenity and seclusion that this spacious paradise affords us have made it our most cherished sanctuary in the world.

According to a French source, the family’s intendened itinerary involves staying at their Lake Como home with their 7-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, exclusively during the August month when the heat in France becomes intolerable.

In the charming countryside between Marseilles and Cannes, nestled in what’s fondly called ‘Green Provence,’ lies my new £6.7 million, 18th-century French abode. A local friend enlightened me: “Alexander and Ella crave more than Como can offer. They yearn for ample space to indulge in their passions such as horseback riding, which isn’t feasible there.” In France, they’ll have the freedom to explore their hobbies fully.

Clooney has formed a close relationship with Brignoles mayor, Didier Bremond. In the new year, he recorded a message for the townspeople which started: “Hello Didier!” He expressed, “I’d like to extend my best wishes for a prosperous new year to all of you. I trust each one had an enjoyable holiday season. We are deeply appreciative of the warm reception and friendship extended to us in the Var and Brignoles.”

Recently, the actor and filmmaker have been spotted in Cotignac, a nearby town, strolling with Amal and their newly acquired St Bernard puppy named Nelson. additionally, Clooney generously donated €20,000 to Le Val, a neighboring village, following the devastating floods in October 2021. The funds were instrumental in providing temporary housing for residents as they rebuilt their homes.

Last year, he funded a project whereby children at local schools received fruits and vegetables from land adjacent to his, for their lunches. This act has earned him the nickname “George the Eco-Friendly One” or “George the Environmentalist” within the community.

Additionally, the family owns an apartment in New York City. Amal, a renowned human rights lawyer, teaches as a visiting faculty member at Columbia Law School in this city. They also possess a property along the Thames River close to Henley. Previously, there were rumors last year about Clooney selling his Como residence, but he refuted these claims. This grand estate on Lake Como is among the largest private properties and has been estimated to be worth $100 million.

 

Will the buzz surrounding baby reindeer in Richard Gadd’s show impact his chances of winning the Best Actor Emmy? Although Gadd has been promoting his Netflix series prior to the award announcement in September, Andrew Scott from Ripley is currently considered the front-runner.

 

Sue Barker serves up her Wimbledon secrets 

Sue Barker says the famous BBC Wimbledon theme music ‘still fills me with fear’.

From the years 2000 to 2022, she hosted the show. back in 1977, she made it to the semi-finals during a tournament. Yet, last year, she delighted in being a spectator instead.

“The experience was new to me. On the first day, I found myself at a loss, yearning to enter the studio and engage in heated debates with McEnroe and Tim Henman.” However, a more lighthearted and relatable version would be: “On our first day, my husband and I waited in line for some hot dogs before continuing with our activities.”

During this year’s tournament on July 1st, I’ll be privileged enough to attend and witness history in the making. The men’s final, an electrifying encounter between Alcaraz and Djokovic, had me completely engrossed. I didn’t even notice who was seated next to me; the thrill of the moment left me speechless. Can you believe it? Sir Ian McKellen was sitting right beside me! What a surreal experience!

In the heat of the third set, Carlitos became increasingly enthusiastic, gripping me tightly and before I knew it, he was leaping around and shouting in triumph. By the finale of the third set, I too found myself joining him in a triumphant leap, encouragingly cheering, “Come on Carlitos!”

During an interview about her latest publication, Wimbledon: A Personal History, Barker shared that women from her time in tennis are supportive of one another. Notably, Chris Evert, who revealed last year that her ovarian cancer had come back, is receiving assistance from her former rival Martina Navratilova. Barker explained, “I’ve learned that Martina is preparing meals and delivering them to Chris’s house.”

 

Stephen Merchant, known for his humor, takes great pride in keeping his house neat and tidy. At his London residence, there’s a strict rule against eating in the home cinema located in the basement. He emphasized, “In my home cinema downstairs, no one is allowed to eat or talk. They must even drink from sippy cups – it’s not a joke.”

 

Maika hunts down devilish serial killer

As a devoted fan and follower, I’m thrilled to share that Maika Monroe, the terrifying scream queen from the chilling horror sensation It Follows, is set to star in an upcoming film titled Longlegs. This new project has been compared to Silence of the Lambs, but with a dark and sinister Satanic twist.

A Santa Barbara-born actress, now in a relationship with Dalton Gomez, who was previously linked to Ariana Grande on Instagram, stars as an FBI agent in the movie. Meanwhile, Nicolas Cage delivers an exceptional performance as the deranged serial killer whose past intertwines with hers.

As an obsessed fan, I can’t contain my excitement for the upcoming movie that hits theaters on July 12! This chilling production is being hyped as “the most terrifying film of 2024,” but little do they know, they’ve got some serious competition on their hands. The summer of 2024 is shaping up to be a season of scares, and I can hardly wait!

Coming soon are two highly expected films: “Trap,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan with Josh Hartnett in the cast, and “Maxxxine,” the third installment of Ti West’s trilogy featuring Mia Goth as the lead actress.

Osgood Perkins, the elder son of renowned actor Anthony Perkins, who famously portrayed Norman Bates in Psycho, is the writer and director of Longlegs.

 

Emma girl’s Lord of the Rings role 

Gaia Wise, acted children of Emma Thompson and Greg Wise, secures her largest part to date in an anime adaptation of “Lord of the Rings” produced by New Line Cinema. In this production, she portrays Princess Hera, the offspring of Helm Hammerhand, Rohan’s monarch, whose voice is brought to life by Brian Cox from “Succession.”

As an obsessed fan, I can’t contain my excitement when I hear that Lorraine Ashbourne, the remarkable woman behind the scenes, has joined the cast. She’s not just any actress; she’s the beloved wife of Andy Serkis, who brought Gollum from The Lord of the Rings films to life! Can you imagine the magical energy she’ll bring to the set? I can hardly wait to witness her talent unfold on screen!

The upcoming film “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” which is a prequel to the original trilogy, is slated for release by Warner Bros in December. This movie takes place 183 years prior to the events of the classic series.

 

Adele has enjoyed every moment of her 19-month stint in Las Vegas. Yet, despite the allure of gambling, she assures us that she hasn’t given it a try. Her massive £165 million fortune is a treasure she wants to preserve.

“I find the penny slots quite appealing, but as a germophobe, handling all those coins makes me uncomfortable.”

I’ve been with my partner for quite some time now, and I’ve come to realize that he has a strong affinity for gambling. But let me tell you, it’s not something that appeals to me in the least. In fact, I find the whole concept rather terrifying.

According to reports, Bruno Mars accumulated a significant amount of debt while performing in Las Vegas. However, Adele, who is friends with him, assured that the media exaggeration is not accurate and Bruno is doing well financially.

 

Winkleman waltzes out of showbiz agency YMU 

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who present Strictly Come Dancing together, are planning to part ways professionally. Winkleman intends to leave their joint entertainment agency, YMU.

I’ve made a decision to part ways with my current company, where I have spent the last ten rewarding years. According to recent reports, later this month you’ll hear about my departure. Excitedly, I’m looking forward to joining forces with a new team at Little Arrow Management Limited.

An earlier-established company named, has two directors mentioned in its Companies House records. One is Kris Thykier, Winkleman’s movie producer husband, using the name ‘Svend Christoffer Stael Thykier.’ The other director is Holly Bott, previously Winkleman’s agent at YMU, but she parted ways with the company last year.

If she jumps on board, it will be a significant addition to her current endeavors. Winkleman is known for being one of the highest-paid presenters in Britain, reportedly earning around £150,000 per year from presenting Strictly Come Dancing on the BBC. Her annual income also includes earnings from The Traitors and Channel 4’s The Piano, with amounts exceeding that figure. Moreover, she has a profitable arrangement to endorse Head & Shoulders shampoo.

In the fiscal year up to April 2023, Little Owl Productions reportedly paid £174,000 as corporation tax. This amount implies that the company’s earnings before taxes exceeded £900,000.

I became a part of the Strictly main show alongside Daly in the year 2014, following Bruce Forsyth’s retirement. Rumors swirled in January of this year that ITV proposed to pay me a minimum of £500,000 to host their shows, but later it was clarified that this wasn’t true.

As a former talent agent with over a decade of experience at various agencies, I’ve seen my fair share of high-profile departures from talent management firms. Based on my professional background and understanding of the industry, here’s my take on the recent news:

 

Former Gogglebox star Rev Kate Bottley is no stranger to a wedding disaster. 

The Church of England vicar shared an intriguing wedding experience: “I’ve officiated over owl weddings with rings attached to their talons. I’ve had dogs serving as bridesmaids. I’ve even presided over a ceremony where the best man believed it would be quite amusing to secure the rings in a tiny toy safe.”

And then there was the mother of the bride, whose high heel snapped off on the way to the church.

Luckily, her shoe size matched mine, enabling her to don my high heels, while I had to make do with the only footwear available in the car – my trusty dog-walking wellies – for the wedding ceremony.

 

Why it runs in the family for Simon and Hugh

In the upcoming ITV comedy-drama “Douglas Is Cancelled,” Simon Russell Beale, a renowned actor in the thespian world, takes on the role of Bentley Cassock, who is both Hugh Bonneville’s agent and friend.

In real life, Russell Beale, 63, and the other man have been acquainted since they were young, as their fathers, who were both surgeons, frequently socialized. Beale shared, “Though we’ve never collaborated before, I’ve known him for a long time. I first learned of him when I was 17. Our dads were in the medical field, and I remember my father mentioning, ‘So and so’s son is an excellent actor.’ I recall feeling a pang of envy while riding in the car with Dad.”

Based on my personal perspective, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Sam Mendes for several years now. During this time, I’ve had the chance to cross paths with Hugh on various occasions. Given our professional connections, it’s only natural that we’ve built a rapport over the years.

Despite never having collaborated before, we hit it off right away. His kind and generous demeanor shines through in his expressions. There’s an undeniable warmth about him, and our interaction was filled with great chemistry. He had me laughing effortlessly, and he does this adorable bemused look that leaves you in stitches. He truly masters the art of bemusement.

The drama, in which Bonneville plays newsreader Douglas Bellowes, goes out on June 27.

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2024-07-19 13:48