EDEN CONFIDENTIAL Tim Henman serves up an ace to save

EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Tim Henman serves up an ace to save the local pub

What to do if you’re worried your favorite pub is closing? Well, if you’re the former British tennis no.

Henman’s local pub, The Checkers, which has been struggling with the impact of the pandemic, was on the verge of closing its doors forever.

I can reveal that the 48-year-old bought the pub in the village of Aston Tirrold, Oxfordshire, which is set in a beautiful 15th-century listed building.

Grateful for Henman’s help, the venue, which had been closed since last year, is back in operation as a gastropub with just a small change of name. It is now called Olivier at The Checkers and long-serving and renowned French chef Olivier Bouet continues to oversee the pub’s kitchen.

I can reveal that the 48-year-old bought the pub in the village of Aston Tirrold, Oxfordshire, which is set in a beautiful 15th-century listed building

I can reveal that the 48-year-old bought the pub in the village of Aston Tirrold, Oxfordshire, which is set in a beautiful 15th-century listed building

Bouet’s wife, Stephanie, confirmed Henman’s and his wife Lucy’s involvement in the establishment: ‘A small group of investors, including the Henmans, bought the pub’s land holdings. Olivier and I are doing the surgeries.’

Henman’s career highlight was becoming the first British male to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon since Roger Taylor in the 1970s. He was also UK No. 1 from 1999 to 2005 and World No. 4 from 2002 to 2004.

Today, Henman enjoys a successful career as a professional and leads his charitable foundation.

But it seems the former sportsman is a bit more of a wildcard off the pitch, recently celebrating a birthday with a 12-hour drinking session, saying: “I hosted a large group of friends in a private dining room on Saturday night. We started drinking champagne in the garden at 5pm – and continued until 5am.

Grateful for Henman's help, the venue, which had been closed since last year, is back in operation as a gastropub with just a small change of name.  It is now called Olivier at The Checkers and long-serving and renowned French chef Olivier Bouet continues to oversee the pub's kitchen

Grateful for Henman’s help, the venue, which had been closed since last year, is back in operation as a gastropub with just a small change of name. It is now called Olivier at The Checkers and long-serving and renowned French chef Olivier Bouet continues to oversee the pub’s kitchen

King Charles told me that he plans to abdicate the throne.

“I want to take the best advice, but now I’m considering retiring,” says indie-folk musician Charles Costa, who has built a fan base that goes by the moniker King Charles.

“The Queen’s death came as a great shock.”

He controls the official King Charles Instagram and Facebook domains. “I was actually introduced to him as King Charles at a reception at St James’s Palace,” he adds. “He thought it was funny and didn’t ask me to change my name.”

No one would dispute the authenticity of Ruth Jones’ South Welsh accent. But the Bridgend-born star – Nessa Jenkins in Gavin & Stacey – knows she would have trouble posing as a New Zealander.

When she recorded the audio version of her third novel, Love Untold, which required a Kiwi accent, she knew exactly who to turn to – Warren Gatland, the New Zealander who coached Wales to three Grand Slams, and his wife, Kiwi Trudi . ‘I ask[ed]: ‘Do you want to make a WhatsApp message and record these lines for me?’ ‘ Ruth said. Of course Trudi agreed.

Bumping along with Downton’s Jessica…

Downton Abbey star Jessica Brown Findlay is gearing up for her biggest role yet — as a real-life mother.

The heavily pregnant actress, known for playing Lady Sybil Crawley on ITV’s hit drama, was spotted with her husband, Harlots actor Ziggy Heath, on their way to a cafe in east London.

The couple, who wed in a private ceremony in September 2020, were also co-ordinated and wore matching open-toe sandals.

Jessica kept her pregnancy under wraps until revealing her bump at the Venice Film Festival. Earlier this year, on International Women’s Day, she announced that she was undergoing IVF treatment.

“IVF has made me even more aware of what women are capable of and what we can achieve while going through pain and heartbreak,” she said.

Delevingne: That’s a tongue twister…!

Little sister Cara is usually the center of attention, but here’s Poppy Delevingne showing that she’s more than capable of participating in even a fairly rowdy evening.

The 36-year-old actress shared a kiss with Australian male model pal Jordan Barrett, 25, on a night out in the capital.

Poppy’s eight-year-old husband, James Cook, needn’t worry: Jordan was married to male model Fernando Casablancas last year, although the couple are said to have now split.

Paul O’Grady never says no to an autograph, but even his patience has a limit. “I was in panto costume as the Evil Queen and put on sweatpants to get some food,” he says. “But the rubber band went and they fell. So I’m standing in the middle of the street with my pants tied around my ankles when this guy yells, ‘Hey Paul, can I have your autograph?’

“I gave it to him but he had to wait until I got my sausage rolls first!”

Georgia May Benefits (future)

She once memorably remarked that she “refused to think about the future,” stating that she loves to “live in the moment.”

However, I suspect model Georgia May Jagger – the second of Sir Mick’s four children with Jerry Hall – is a little less carefree about Catfish Soup.

This is the name she chose for the company she founded five years ago to develop a skincare line. Accounts just filed show total debt has accumulated to £355,956 – £100,000 more than last year.

A note said Georgia, 30, the sole director, “is pleased she can continue to support the company until… [it] begins to make sufficient profits from product sales.

OK for some.