The missing Saudi sheikh who’s refusing to pay his £4 million Mayfair gambling debt – as furious casino boss blasts him for ‘disappearing’, we reveal his extraordinary wealth: RICHARD EDEN’S DIARY

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During her uninhibited youth Princess Margaret considered it her second home. 

Prince Philip gained considerable attention from a single evening where he danced with actress Pat Kirkwood, rather than his then-fiancée, Princess Elizabeth. Kirkwood was famously admired for her legs, which one person even called ‘the eighth wonder of the world’.

Les Ambassadeurs, a famously lavish club in London’s Mayfair, has remained a popular and talked-about spot ever since its opening, famously hosting the last party thrown by Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh before their divorce.

Or where Sir Philip Green and fellow retail tycoon Mike Ashley played the tables in the 1990s.

However, the recent developments regarding Les A – often referred to by that name – are quite unfortunate. I can reveal that the matter is now headed to the High Court.

Sheikh Hassan Enany, as stated on his company’s website, is still actively involved in Saudi Arabia’s development. This includes funding and constructing the Hassan Enany Mosque in Jeddah.

Sheikh Hassan, now 82, enjoys relaxing and having fun. He first experienced the city’s attractions when he worked at the Saudi embassy in 1968, six years after the iconic Aston Martin DB5 appeared in the first James Bond film, Dr. No.

He joined Les A in 1994 and, by 2018, was granted a £3 million line of credit at their casino, which was later increased to £4 million.

Considering he owns a palace in Saudi Arabia, a large £15 million yacht called Il Vagabondo, and reportedly a mansion in Marbella with six swimming pools, this didn’t seem like an unreasonable expense.

Sheikh Hassan attempted to cover significant losses with a cheque that bounced, leaving a debt of £4 million, according to court records. Les A recovered £200,000, but was unable to recoup any further funds. As a result, they took the matter to court in 2020 and obtained a judgment against Hassan in 2021.

Apparently, the Sheikh has become unreachable since then. However, Les A is determined to pursue the matter, and the case will be back in the High Court in two weeks. Someone familiar with the situation notes that if the Sheikh were to sell his yacht, Il Vagabondo, he would not only cover the debt but still have more than £11 million left over.

Attempts to get a response from the Sheikh’s company have been ignored. It’s possible he’s currently focused on constructing a new mosque.

 

F1 presenter opens up on neck surgery 

Natalie Pinkham, known for her work with Sky Sports covering Formula 1, is taking time off after a frightening health issue arose unexpectedly.

The 48-year-old TV personality, once linked to Prince Harry, recently had surgery to relieve pressure on her spinal cord. The procedure, called an anterior discectomy, involves accessing the spine through the front of the neck.

She described the surgery as unpleasant, explaining, ‘They had to remove my voice box.’ She added that it’s been difficult to speak ever since, due to significant scarring.

She adds: ‘I have been very teary. I’m learning to love the scar.’

 

James Stunt, the ex-husband of Formula 1 heiress Petra Ecclestone, faced financial difficulties after declaring bankruptcy in 2019. He may have seen a positive turn this year when he was found not guilty on charges related to a £266 million money laundering case.

I can now reveal that his company, Stunt Acquisitions, was recently liquidated by a judge due to an unpaid debt of £173,000 in business rates owed to Westminster City Council. They refused his attempt to offer Rolex watches as collateral.

 

Crime writer’s respect for Louvre heist crooks 

Peter James, the crime novelist favoured by Queen Camilla, surprisingly feels a certain sympathy for the thieves who stole France’s crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris.

He explained at the launch event for his new Roy Grace book, ‘The Hawk Is Dead,’ held at the Palm Court Restaurant on Brighton Palace Pier, that he finds a strange respect for certain villains – a sentiment even the police share.

As a crime writer, you have to have a grudging respect for that.’ 

 

Esther: Death helped me 

Esther Freud, the author of her new novel My Sister And Other Lovers, explains that she could only write the autobiographical story after her father, the renowned artist Lucian Freud, passed away.

Honestly, at first I just didn’t get why I should even bother writing anything down. It sounds silly now, but I kept thinking, ‘Who would I share my accomplishments with if not my parents?’ They were always my biggest supporters, and the thought of not having them to celebrate with… it just didn’t feel right. It was like, what was the point of succeeding if I couldn’t share it with them? It all started with wanting to make them proud, you know?

Esther’s upbringing, marked by a free-spirited and unconventional childhood, heavily influenced her celebrated novel, Hideous Kinky, which was later adapted into a film in 1998 starring Kate Winslet. She believes that experience allowed her a unique creative liberty she might not have had otherwise. ‘I don’t think I could have written my recent books with the same openness,’ Esther explains, ‘and they would have been very different stories.’

 

Elton lacked acting chops 

Ben Elton, famous for co-writing hit comedies like Blackadder and The Young Ones, admits his short time as a film actor didn’t go well.

You know, looking back at my brief film career, I remember landing a small role in Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ back in ’93. I played Verges, one of the comedic characters. And, honestly, Kenneth – a wonderful director and friend – gently pulled me aside and let me know I was laying it on a little too thick. It was a good lesson in subtlety!

‘He said: “Stop acting!” I’m afraid I was mugging away, I didn’t even know,’ Ben explains. 

To be honest, that was the only acting role I ever had. I haven’t received another offer in the three decades since.

 

Now that John McFall is leaving his position as Speaker of the House of Lords, sources suggest that independent peer Deborah Bull is actively seeking the role.

As someone who really appreciates grace and poise, I’m not surprised to hear her movements are beautifully delicate – especially considering her background as a ballet dancer! And it’s interesting to note that Michael Forsyth, a former cabinet minister, is also reportedly interested in the role, which is mostly ceremonial at this point.

Lady Bull’s main challenge might be her relative youth. At 62, she’s considered quite young for the House of Lords.

An elder warns that giving something to someone too young could mean they’ll never give it back.

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2025-10-23 02:49