As ITV dramatises the life of the Great Train Robber, the wife he left behind breaks her silence

As ITV dramatises the life of the Great Train Robber, the wife he left behind breaks her silence Charmian Biggs is adamant. ‘I didn’t want to be known as someone else’s wife. I’m somebody in my own right. I am more than just a wife. I’m not a shadow in the background. I have a mind of my own.’ And yet it is as the ex-wife of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs that she will forever be defined in the public consciousness. To that end, ITV1’s new five-part drama, unambiguously titled Mrs Biggs, will both reinforce this image and help to add a third dimension to a woman often presumed to have been little more than a gangster’s moll. Biggs was sentenced to 30 years for his part in the robbery, in which £2.6 million ( the equivalent of £40 million today) was stolen from the hijacked Glasgow-to-London mail train during the early hours of August 8, 1963. His share of the loot was £140,000 (£2.5 million today). He escaped from Wandsworth prison in 1965 and went on the run, finally surfacing in Brazil before giving himself up and returning to jail 36 years later. In London from her Melbourne home for the launch of the TV series, Charmian, now 74, is clearly not a woman to be messed with. Intelligent, articulate and, despite it all, with a twinkle in those watchful eyes, she is at pains to explain why she cooperated over the dramatisation of a much-told story. ‘I did an interview with Australian TV in 2001,’ she says, ‘and I made it quite clear that was to be my last word on the subject.’ So what changed her mind? ‘I was approached by ITV and became increasingly impressed by the homework they’d done. They’d read all the books, watched all the documentaries. And they convinced me that it would make an interesting story if it were told from my point of view.’ Writer and executive producer Jeff Pope, the man responsible for Appropriate Adult (the story of Fred West), The Moors Murders and The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence, then sat down with Charmian and a tape recorder. ‘I was effectively Michael Parkinson for a month,’ he says. Happier times: The Great Train robber Ronnie Biggs with his wife Charmian in 1974 ‘And I told him much more than I’d ever intended,’ adds Charmian, with a wry smile. There has already been criticism that a drama about Biggs is even being made, in particular from the family of Jack Mills, the train driver who was badly beaten with an iron bar during the robbery and was unable to return to work. He died seven years later of leukaemia. But Daniel Mays, who plays Biggs, insists the drama isn’t making light of what happened. ‘If there was ever a story that shows crime doesn’t pay, this is it,’ he says. ‘It doesn’t glamorise what happened. It shows that, quite rightly, the gang didn’t get away with anything — the money was almost like a curse and brought them nothing but trouble. ‘I know a lot of people were disgusted when Biggs was released on health grounds three years ago because they feel he should have been locked up for the rest of his life. As it is, his relationship with his sons from Charmian is fractured; they have totally disowned him. But no one should feel sorry for him because he has no one to blame but himself.’ Charmian, who is portrayed by Sheridan Smith, was the eldest of five children of an unbending headmaster and his browbeaten wife (played by Adrian Scarborough and Caroline Goodall). As an 18-year-old bank clerk, she met the roguish Biggs on a train. Legend: Ronnie Biggs at the London launch of his Autobiography Odd Man Out: The Last Straw in 2011 ‘He was extremely good company,’ she says, ‘self-educated, with a great sense of humour, an intelligent man — and he was exciting. I realise now that I was looking for love. ‘I certainly didn’t feel very loved at home. My nose had been put out of joint when my younger brothers and sisters appeared in rapid succession. But, suddenly, Ronnie put me on cloud nine, floating on air.’ But, as he quickly confessed to her, Ron had form. His mother died when he was 12, he didn’t get on with his stepmother or her 12-year-old son and so he began living rough, eventually winding up in borstal. ‘I thought he needed a family,’ says Charmian, ‘people who cared about him.’ When they married — against the wishes of her father — they set up a building and decorating business. ‘He promised me faithfully he wouldn’t go back to crime. He’d been fairly unsuccessful as a criminal and he was a very good tradesman.’ That might have been that had it not been for the owners of their rented house telling them they’d have to move unless they wanted to buy the property. And that would require a £400 deposit — money they simply didn’t have. Ron approached career criminal Bruce Reynolds, a man with whom he’d served time in Lewes Prison. Reynolds didn’t have the money, either, but he was prepared to cut Ron in on the mother and father of all heists — something that would set him up for the rest of his days, said Bruce. Ron battled with his conscience and his conscience lost. ‘He told me he was going to Wiltshire to earn money felling trees,’ says Charmian now. ‘When I heard about the Great Train Robbery the day after it happened, I suspected Bruce Reynolds might be involved, but not Ron because I didn’t think he’d betray me.’ She was stunned when Ron arrived home with his share of the stolen money. ‘I felt as if I were glued to the wall up near the ceiling somewhere, watching it all happen. My immediate thought was that we should get it out of the house.’ Biggs’s role in the robbery was to recruit a replacement driver to move the mail train from the point where it was hijacked, on the Bedfordshire-Buckinghamshire border, to an unloading point half a mile away. ‘It was naive of the gang to think they could get away with so much money,’ says Daniel Mays. ‘We show how — deservedly — their life changed because they were constantly worried about a knock on the door, about their faces being in the paper.’ Biggs was quickly caught, along with most of the rest of the gang. Charmian was shocked by the severity of the 30-year sentence at a time when parole wasn’t an option. Unsuccessful criminal: Ronnie Biggs, one of the masterminds of Britain's 1963 Great Train Robbery, holding up a poster of himself during promotions for his book Odd Man Out She’d visit him in prison, unbuttoning her coat to allow him a glimpse of her naked breasts. ‘That was the only quibble Ron had when he was shown the TV series in advance,’ she says. ‘Sheridan is seen wearing a black bra when, as he pointed out, I didn’t wear a bra at all.’ After his escape, Biggs and Charmian were reunited in Paris before he was smuggled to Australia under a new identity. Six months later, she joined him with their two sons. ‘I had brought the remains of the money — about £9,000 — with me and we bought a station wagon and took three weeks to drive to Adelaide. It was like another planet, just beautiful. We felt pretty safe.’ When rumours of their true identity eventually began to gather force, they relocated to Melbourne. But there, too, the law was closing in, with Ron making his escape just hours before the police swooped. Charmian was left to bring up their three sons — the third had been born in Adelaide — by herself, but not before being arrested. ‘I told the police nothing. But they took the children away and placed them in care for a weekend while I was being questioned. I was hysterical.’ Worse, much worse, was to follow. Crossing an intersection in the family car, she was hit broadside by another vehicle, her eldest son, Nicky, taking the full force of the impact. The ambulance took half an hour to arrive — it was too late. Nicky was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. Ask Charmian now if she regrets her helter-skelter life and she pauses. ‘The only thing I regret,’ she says, ‘is something I could do nothing about and that’s losing my son.’ She also had to break the news to Ron, now holed up in Rio de Janeiro because there was no automatic extradition treaty between Brazil and the UK. In character: Sheridan Smith and Daniel Mays as Charmian and Ronnie Biggs in the new TV series Mrs Biggs Daniel Mays says the popular perception of Biggs’ time in Rio is that he led a carefree life on the beaches and in the bars, surrounded by gorgeous women. ‘Losing Nicky brought out the darkness in him. He was a flawed character anyway, so nobody should feel sympathy for him. The reality was it was quite a desperate existence. He didn’t have any money and he couldn’t even comfort his wife in their grief.’ In 1974, Charmian went to visit him — by this time he was in a Brazilian prison because he’d been tracked down and Scotland Yard was trying to extradite him — and was in for a further shock. He’d taken up with a young nightclub dancer, Raimunda, who was pregnant with his child. ‘I couldn’t see him the day after my arrival from Australia because Raimunda was visiting. When we did meet, he suddenly said: “I want you to divorce me, Charm.” ‘I was totally flabbergasted. But Brazil was a Catholic country. If he married Raimunda, he stood more chance of being allowed to stay there — and particularly if the baby was a boy. ‘I was in shock, in tears and then, all of a sudden, the doors to the room in which we were sitting were flung open and about 30 press photographers and reporters were ushered in. It must have been arranged with the authorities, but that didn’t stop it from being the most terrible invasion of my privacy at such a very difficult moment.’ Charmian felt utterly betrayed. ‘I’d been through a great deal for Ron. Was this how I was to be rewarded? And yet, the other half of me knew that my granting him a divorce would probably save him. He’d be able to stay in Brazil. So my emotions were very mixed. In the end, my decision was governed by my desire to put my children first. ‘Later on, Ron tried to persuade me to come and live with him and Raimunda and their son, Mike. To be blunt, I didn’t want to be Number One wife in a harem. ‘And I think it’s fair to say that my sons felt abandoned by their father in favour of this new boy. They used to say that Ron could reel me in, like a fish, and that’s partially true. But then he remains the father of my children, something that never goes away.’ She now lives alone in Melbourne, having built a new life for herself under another name. She studied for an honours degree in English and then worked, first as a journalist for the government, helping to promote Australia’s image overseas, then at Melbourne University Press as an editor and ultimately on the internal publications produced by the Australian Wheat Board. To this day, Charmian cannot damn Biggs out of hand. ‘I admit to still being concerned as to what happens to him, yes. He was the love of my life.’ But she’s learnt some harsh lessons along the way. ‘Crime doesn’t pay in any way, shape or form. But then I’m conceited enough to think that I have enough brains to get by without doing anything illegal.’

Ashley Greene channels old-Hollywood in backless gown as she sparkles at The Apparition premiere

Ashley Greene channels old-Hollywood in backless gown as she sparkles at The Apparition premiere She is more usually spotted lounging around in tiny shorts and torn shirts. But when it comes to the red carpet Ashley Green pulls out all the stops. The star channeled old Hollywood in a bright pink backless gown tonight, at the premiere of her new movie The Apparition. Twilight's biggest star? Ashley Greene is a picture of old Hollywood glamour as she poses on the red carpet at a screening of her new movie Apparition in Hollywood In perfect shape: Ashley looks at ease in the spotlight, with her dress highlighting her perfect figure And Ashley looked very inch the movie star, with her brown hair tumbling down her back, a large blue cocktail ring on her finger. The horror flick which also stars Harry Potter‘s Tom Felton is set to hit the big screen August 24. The movie tells the story of a couple haunted by a supernatural presence that is unleashed following a college experiment. While in Twilight Ashley plays supporting actress to Kristen Stewart, career-wise she is fast overtaking her co-star. From drab to fab: Ashley was house hunting in her normal shorts and shirt combo, left, before getting glammed up for her big night out in Hollywood With Kristen and co-star Robert Pattinson currently dealing with the fallout from the failed romance, Ashley has seized the opportunity to shine. The 25-year-old has taken the former couple's place at a series of conventions celebrating the hit franchise. The hit franchise's devoted fans were hoping to see at least one of the stars at the gatherings to celebrate the end of the hit vampire film franchise. But the movie's producers announced neither Kristen nor Pattinson will attend, following the breakdown of their relationship. Ready for their close ups: Juilanna Guill and Alex Lombard arrive for the premiere Ashley is ready to step up to the plate. She told Lucky magazine in March: 'I'm so laser-focused on my career, because when you're dealt these cards you'd be stupid not to.' 'What's most attractive to me is someone who has the same amount of drive as I do, someone who's equally busy.' With a dating history that boasts Joe Jonas, Chace Crawford, Jared Followill and Broadway's Spider-Man, Reeve Carney, Ashley has certainly tried hard to find that special someone.

Are Kasabian our last real rockers? Forget TV talent show crooners - the guitar heroes are fighting back

Are Kasabian our last real rockers? Forget TV talent show crooners - the guitar heroes are fighting back Guitar music might be fighting a rearguard action against the double whammy of electronic dance hits and DIY solo stars. But, for the hordes descending on the Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend, rock is still alive and kicking. With Glastonbury taking a year off, and last weekend’s V Festival dishing up a more eclectic mix of sounds, Reading is the last bastion for rock ’n’ roll fans — as well as party central for thousands of students letting their hair down (or drowning their sorrows) after their GCSE results. Still cutting it (from left): Kasabian's Chris Edwards, Serge Pizzorno, Tom Melghan and Ian Matthews Launched in 1961, as the National Jazz Festival, and expanded in 2001 to include a second site at Leeds, it is the oldest open-air rock jamboree still going. And for headliners Kasabian, playing there is ‘an honour’. The band have crept, almost unnoticed, up to music’s top table since forming at school in Leicester 15 years ago. They sell out the UK’s biggest arenas, and won the best group award at The Brits in 2010. Topping this weekend’s bill, however, is the icing on the cake. ‘This is something we’ve worked for,’ says guitarist and songwriter Serge Pizzorno. ‘The first time we played Reading was in 2004, when we were in a small tent. Now we’ve got the know-how to hold a crowd of 90,000. Rockin' it: Kasabian's Tom Meighan performing at Brixton Academy earlier this month’ But, while Kasabian will be joined by seasoned heavyweights such as The Cure and Foo Fighters in the next three days, they could well be the last of a dying breed. Guitar bands are no longer the cornerstone of British pop music — a fact not lost on Kasabian. When they topped the charts in 2006 with their second album, Empire, it seemed as if they were just the latest link in a chain of great British bands stretching all the way back to The Beatles. But the chain, it seems, is coming to an end. ‘New bands don’t seem prepared to put in the hard yards,’ Serge says sadly. ‘Where are the boys and girls who form bands at school and buzz off each other in dingy rehearsal rooms?’ Singer Tom Meighan agrees. ‘These days, record labels find out about new music on the internet. In the old days, you had to play gigs. We were 16 when we formed. We were a bunch of scrappy kids and we were happy to go out and play to 20 people.’ Sitting in their publicist’s office, the guitarist and his singer are contrasting characters. Both 31, they were born a month apart and raised two miles from one another. But while Serge is thoughtful and reserved, Tom, who sports Bradley Wiggins sideburns, is a real live wire. The guitarist said he knew at once that Tom (whom he touchingly describes as ‘Bowie, Jagger and Freddie Mercury rolled into one’) was the right man to front the band. ‘We were on a park bench, drinking beer, and he started singing Under The Bridge by the Red Hot Chili Peppers,’ Serge recalls. ‘My ears popped. I knew he was charismatic, but I didn’t know he could sing.’ Back then, at Countesthorpe Community College on the outskirts of Leicester, their idols were Oasis. To Serge, the Gallagher brothers had ‘a punk attitude that showed you could play rock ’n’ roll, wherever you came from’. Musically, Kasabian were never restricted by the Britpop blueprint. After the million-selling Empire, the band — whose line-up includes bassist Chris Edwards, drummer Ian Matthews and touring guitarist Jay Mehler — began to experiment. They added psychedelic undertones and cinematic moods on their third album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, before performing another about-turn on last year’s Veloci-raptor!, combining the turbo-charged riffs of Led Zeppelin with passages of striking melodic beauty. Early days: Rock band Kasabian first played Reading in 2004 in a small tent ‘There’s a risk of losing people when you change direction,’ Serge says ‘But I’ve always reacted against our previous record. A shark has to keep moving.’ The past two years have seen other changes, too, with Serge and Tom both becoming dads. Serge is the proud father of a two-year-old son, Ennio, while Tom welcomed a baby daughter, Mimi, in May. ‘I feel blessed to have a family, and my son is an amazing little man,’ says Serge. ‘He’s really into music, always playing his little plastic guitar. ‘A family changes things. As you get older, you realise how odd the life of a rock band is. Being on the road means detaching yourself from normal life, and I don’t want to do that so much now. We love gigging, but I can’t leave home for six months to chase a dream.’ Kasabian fans need not panic, though. Reading and Leeds will be the group’s last UK gigs for a while, but Pizzorno is already contemplating their next record. ‘I want to put rock music to the sword and make it more futuristic, like David Bowie did in the Seventies,’ he says. ‘There’s still so much you can do with guitars. Being in a band isn’t about having the right leather jacket. It’s about giving people a lift and putting on a great show.’

Desperate housewives UK

Desperate housewives UK Every afternoon at 4pm, shiny 4x4s line up outside an exclusive private school. Super-toned women with perfectly highlighted hair and manicured nails loiter by the gates, flicking their hair and chatting. Their attire — skyscraper heels, figure-hugging jeans, designer tops and diamond jewellery — would not look out of place on the catwalk. But these body-conscious yummy mummies have all the time and money in the world to make themselves look beautiful. Welcome to Tandridge, Surrey, the housewife capital of Britain. Here in this privileged pocket of suburbia, two-thirds of women are stay-at-home mothers, compared with an average of 30  per cent nationwide. Mum's the word: Tandridge housewives, from left, Sammy Chute, Melissa Mitchelson, Agi Dewberry, Jo Ward and Faye Pearce So is life for the women in this leafy corner of affluent Surrey as glorious as it seems on the surface? Or do they yearn for excitement away from their perfect suburban homes? Femail went to meet the real-life desperate housewives . . . 'MY LIFESTYLE IS SIMPLY AMAZING' Sammy Chute, 44, is married to car maintenance businessman Gary, 48. They have three children, Becci, 19, Jake, 17, and Layla, eight. Sammy says: Woman's work: Sammy says looking after her family is her duty It made me laugh to see Tandridge come top of the housewife survey, but I wasn’t surprised. I’ve lived here almost all my life. Everyone knows everyone’s business, but it’s a lovely place to live — perfect houses and amazing neighbours. I have lots of friends and we fill our days with prosecco and gossip-filled lunches, which can start at coffee time and go on until the school run. I work hard to eat what I like, spending four mornings a week in the gym at martial arts and yoga/Pilates classes — it’s not luck I’ve stayed slim. Every week, my friends and I go to Bluewater shopping centre near Dartford, where I might come back empty-handed, blow £200 on casual fashion at Topshop or, as a special treat, a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. My friends’ company is important because Gary works 12-hour days. He may not be around much but we have a close relationship. I think he prefers me being at home, as it gives him peace of mind everything here is taken care of. It must be horrible to work at a job you hate and juggle it with kids, so I’m sure there are women who would be very jealous of my amazing lifestyle. And at the same time, working mums who love their careers probably think my life is boring. But I pinch myself sometimes, I feel so lucky. I grew up in a council house a few miles away and, after my parents divorced, my mum worked full-time for a travel company. I remember letting myself in to an empty house after school, and I never wanted that for my children. Before I got pregnant, I had an exciting life as a stewardess for Virgin Atlantic and enjoyed trips to Tokyo, San Francisco and Florida. Then I worked in marketing for two days a week while my first two were little, but I gave up work completely in 2002, six years after Gary and I got married. WHO KNEW? Nearly nine in ten British women plan to quit their jobs to look after their children Looking after my family is my duty. The children all went to Oxted School, a fantastic state school, but now my elder two are older, there’s less running around. The housework is down to me, apart from the help I get from my fortnightly cleaner. I put dinner on the table, at least in the loose sense of the word. I’m not much of a cook and only really go into the kitchen to make coffee, but you’d be amazed how much you can do with mince. And I always make sure I look nice and made-up — for Gary’s sake and mine. The one downside of being a kept woman is I have to ask permission for big purchases. I have been known to spend £500 on a Mulberry handbag — though I do try to wait until the sales. Gary loves to spoil me, so he doesn’t mind. A couple of weeks ago, he surprised me with a £50,000 BMW X6. But my X3 is only 18 months old, so I made him take it back. My friends thought I was mad, but I’ll always be a bargain-hunter at heart. 'I WAS LONELY AND I'D CRY MYSELF TO SLEEP' Agi Dewberry, 28, is married to John, 48, who owns several tour companies, and they have a four-year-old son, Tomas. Agi says: Adjustment period: Agi took time to settle in to her new life I live in a pretty town with the man I love, our beautiful son and a purple Aga in which I bake cheesecakes and make preserves. But while it sounds the perfect life, for a year after Tomas was born, I mourned the career I had planned before falling head-over-heels in love with my husband. I was the only child of Polish middle-class parents and I spent years with my head in a book at Warsaw University. Then, five years ago, I met John on an academic trip to London. I moved my life to the UK to be with him. Within months, I got pregnant unexpectedly. John was overjoyed, but a baby wasn’t part of my plan. I’d dreamed of an academic career as a university lecturer. In 2007, we moved to Tandridge, and while it is chocolate-boxey on the surface, underneath it can be intimidating. At mother-and-baby groups, it was hard to be an outsider with a foreign accent and I felt judged because I didn’t have stories to share of the high-flying job I had before becoming a mum. Many nights I cried myself to sleep and I was diagnosed with postnatal depression. I’d been used to big cities and felt lonely when John wasn’t around. I also hated not earning my own money. But as Tomas grew and developed, my confidence as a mother grew, too. And in 2009, I was accepted to study at the Institute of Education in London. It was hard to juggle academia and looking after Tomas — I was in London one day a week, so John arranged to be at home with him — but it was an amazing feeling when I graduated in my gown last April. Now I’m part of the community. I’ve helped at youth clubs, taught Spanish and started painting. It helps get me through the days, which would otherwise be dull. John and I had a beautiful wedding last year at a National Trust property. I love him as much as when we first met. Tomas may not have been planned, but he’s very much wanted, and I look after him full-time. My dream for the future is to stop feeling restless and find contentment. And maybe my career will come along one day, too. Yummy mummies: The cast of TV's Desperate Housewives 'I'M SO BUSY I COULD NEVER FIT IN WORK' Jo Ward, 31, lives with her husband Linton, 38, managing director of four recruitment companies, and their two children Sam, three-and-a-half, and Sophie, 22 months. Jo says: Old-fashioned values: Jo is happy to be a stay-at-home mum I love being a stay-at-home mother, which to me, if done properly, is a full-time job. I’m not sure how I’d fit in work around the play centres, tennis clubs and ballet classes where the children and I spend our days. I’ve been brought up to believe the male’s role in a relationship is to go out to work, while the mother stays at home, keeping house and looking after the kids. It might sound old-fashioned and it wouldn’t work for everyone, but it worked for my parents and it works for me and my husband. I was always destined to be a mum. I was probably the least career-driven of my friends, and loved my job as a primary school teacher. But after I had Sam, I knew I never wanted my child brought up by someone else. I do have friends who work part-time and love it, but it would be pointless for me, as my teacher’s salary would barely cover the childcare costs. Linton’s salary is our only income. The downside is my husband has taken on a more demanding role at work, so Sam and Sophie don’t really see their dad during the week. He leaves the house at 6am and is not usually back until 8pm, but he makes a huge effort to get home a couple of nights a week to put the kids to bed. I know he’d love to see them more. But he’s driven, and wouldn’t be happy in a less-influential job. Linton and I struggle to spend time alone together, but we’re trying to improve that. For our anniversary this year, we had a romantic night together in a country hotel. It was lovely to be away from the house, not worrying about the chores. I feel lucky to be around for the most important years of my children’s lives, but I’ll have way too much time on my hands when they start school — I’m planning to go back into part-time teaching. 'IT WAS HARD TO LEAVE MY HIGH-FLYING CAREER' Melissa Mitchelson, 36, is married to City finance worker Rob, 33, and they have a son James, two. Melissa says: New challenge: Melissa misses her job in the City but loves being a mum We moved out here last summer from Greenwich, to swap the hustle and bustle of London for a quieter area with more space. We didn’t know anyone, but when we arrived it felt right. We have a lovely five-bedroom house and James and I wander to the station every day to meet Daddy from work and look at the trains. I see exhausted friends who have had to carry on working, so I feel grateful Rob is able to take on the burden of being sole breadwinner. But my decision to sacrifice the job I adored, working for a global finance company, to look after James was unbelievably hard. My career in the City had been my identity. I bought my first flat in Canary Wharf aged 26. And my ambition didn’t abate when I fell in love with Rob. By the time I was pregnant, a year after our wedding in 2008, I was earning a six-figure salary. I waddled into work until four weeks before my due date, and worked from home for another two until I could barely move. But when I had James, everything changed. As I looked down at my newborn, I realised I couldn’t leave him. I’m not an earth mother, and I felt totally unprepared for staying at home with a baby. But I don’t regret my choice. It did initially feel wrong not to make my own money — I had to remind myself that I had brought a lot financially to the relationship. I put a huge amount of pressure on myself to be a super-woman and keep a pristine house — I feel guilty if I’m sitting down, so I’m always cleaning, organising bills or planning playgroups. Rob urges me to relax and have a moment to myself. I haven’t really tapped into the yummy-mummy network yet, but I’m starting to meet more friends now James has started nursery two mornings a week, and they come round for coffee and lunch. It feels strange to be called a housewife; I do feel judged, and it conjures up images of a greying lady in a pinny. I read newspapers so I have something to talk to people about. James and I are starting to have proper conversations now, and I love teaching him about the world around us. Yes, I do miss work. But I love being a stay-at-home mum. 'BEING A HOUSEWIFE’S THE BEST JOB OF ALL' Faye Pearce, 37, is married to ex-Blackburn and West Ham footballer Ian, 38. They have four children, Harrison, 14, Jasmine, 12, Amber, ten, and Rafferty, seven. Faye says: Wag: Faye is married to ex-Blackburn and West Ham footballer Ian Pearce Women in town have been talking about how embarrassed they are that Tandridge has the highest proportion of housewives, but I think it’s great we’re getting some recognition for the important job we do. It’s easy for people to make assumptions about me because I’m married to a footballer and I’ve never worked. I’ve avoided the WAG label as we’re not caught up in that lifestyle, but I presume there are those who think Ian and I are shallow or stupid, and that everything has been handed to us on a plate. But Ian has worked hard for his success — now he’s retired, he’s still commentating and talent-scouting. And it’s not by accident our children are hard-working and well-behaved. I take my job seriously, and feel I’ve done my bit. I breastfed all four of my children, and spent years in baggy clothes with sick on my shoulder. I don’t care what other people think of me — first and foremost, I’m just a mum. No matter what our income, I would have liked to stay at home — you always have a choice, even if it means sacrificing holidays and bigger houses. Ian and I met at Oxted School, which our children attend. I was 16, he was 17 — afterwards I took a degree at university in Preston while Ian played for Blackburn. We then got married and moved back here to be close to both our families. We had no reason not to start a family young, as I didn’t need to work. It has sometimes been hard with Ian being away for birthdays and Christmas, and for weeks in the summer, but I’m quite independent. It’s nice to have him around more now, and he helps run the kids around and entertain them with tennis and football. Now the children are all at school, I have time to take the dog on long walks, have my nails done and see friends without having to justify it. We haven’t spent lots of money on silly cars — Ian has a Mini and I have a Mercedes 4x4. But we do have holidays to Sardinia and Portugal and I go on girlie Christmas shopping trips to New York — it’s my therapy. It’s a lovely life, but I keep busy. Last year, I trained as a doula to assist mothers through labour and after the birth, so hopefully I can help other people become mums in the future.

Spider-Man, save me! Emma Stone is a giggly damsel in distress as she's engulfed by waves boogie boarding in Malibu surf

Unlike many Hollywood couples Carey Mulligan and her new husband Marcus Mumford have managed the near impossible task of keeping the details of their relationship private. And showing a rare display of public affection the young couple were pictured last night (Thursday) as they touched at LAX. Marcus was seen reaching of for his wife's hand so he could lead the way as they journeyed out of the terminal. Affectionate: Carey Mulligan and her husband Marcus Mumford were pictured yesterday (Thursday) as they arrived at Los Angeles International Airport Mulligan clutched on to her 25-year-old's husband's hand as they waited for their car to arrive. Carey and Marcus were also seen sharing a conversation as they stood closely to one another. Never Let Me Go: Marcus was seen offering out his hand as Carey followed closely behind him Stylish newlyweds: The couple who wed in April were both dressed for comfort as they left the terminal Dressed for comfort, the 27-year-old actress wore a pair of loose fitting navy trousers with a black blazer and a black top. On her feet she donned a pair of black slippers shoes which were decorated with foxes. She wore her short blonde hair back in a ponytail and hid her eyes behind a pair of large nude rimmed sunglasses. Calm and collected: Carey donned a black and navy ensemble as Marcus went for double denim Marcus also opted to go for Hollywood glamour and covered his with a pair of blacked out glasses. Keeping it casual, he teamed a pair of dark jeans with an unbuttoned jeans shirt, a white T-shirt and a pair of camel coloured boots. He completed his look with a rust red leather bag which he wore over one shoulder, as Carey carried a khaki and patent black bag. An Education: Carey and Marcus have always been very private about their relationship In her latest feature film, Carey will star as Daisy Buchanan alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsy. The film is set for release next year is about Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio) a mysterious millionaire who becomes obsessed with Carey's character. It was recently revealed that many of the Drive actress' costumes in the film were designed by Prada and Miu Miu. 'When I worked on the costumes, I realized how many pieces would become very Twenties with a little intervention and another point of view,' Miuccua Prada told Vogue.

We're not known for being slick... but it went perfectly': Mel C on Spice Girls' Olympic closing ceremony performance

When the Spice Girls danced on the roofs of those taxis at the Olympics closing ceremony they looked like they were thrilled to be back together again. But, says, Melanie Chisholm, they were actually terrified. ‘The band had rehearsed for a week-and-a-half but we were still absolutely petrified,’ says Mel. ‘The routine was quite technical, which added an element of danger. We still have a big fan base and we were determined not to let them down. ‘There was a huge roar as we entered the Olympic stadium, and that gave us an extra boost of adrenaline. We’re not known for being particularly slick. In fact, shambolic is more like it. But it went perfectly. 'Our biggest-ever show': Mel, second right, with Spice Girls Victoria, Geri, Emma and Mel B at the Olympic Closing Ceremony 'Our biggest-ever show': Mel, second right, with Spice Girls Victoria, Geri, Emma and Mel B at the Olympic Closing Ceremony ‘While we were performing, we each glanced at the others as if to acknowledge that we knew we’d nailed it. ‘Performing at the closing ceremony of the Olympics was the biggest show of the Spice Girls’ career. It was such an honour and a privilege to be invited to take part. ‘Then as soon as we came off-stage, we joined the big party in the green room. Everyone was there from The Who to Jessie J. We even had a bit of a mutual love-in with Liam Gallagher, which was nice because back in the Nineties there was rivalry between Oasis and the Spice Girls. But that’s all in the past now. ‘Then we went on to George Michael’s party until the small hours. I can honestly say that it’s an evening I’ll never forget.’ Stylish: Melanie Chisholm's trademark tracksuit bottoms are long gone Stylish: Melanie Chisholm's trademark tracksuit bottoms are long gone Perhaps performing together was so good an experience that Mel, along with Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Mel B and Emma Bunton might repeat it? ‘No,’ says Mel firmly, ‘we have no plans to get together again. We all lead such different lives, and Mel B and Victoria don’t even live in the UK any more.’ For all that, though, she and Emma Bunton do a highly creditable duet on Mel’s new album, Stages. Whichever way you slice it, 2012 has been a watershed year for Mel C, aka Sporty Spice, although the regulation tracksuit bottoms appear to have been consigned to history. Today, she’s the embodiment of understated chic in a navy blue culotte outfit and cream ankle boots. ‘Yes, it’s bizarre,’ she agrees. ‘At the beginning of the year, I had a few shows booked in Europe, and I’m appearing at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire on November 6. But, other than that, I didn’t have much of a plan. Then suddenly my diary filled up with other people’s plans for me.’ First was her role as mentor and judge on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV search for the singer who’d play the title role in the forthcoming arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. She’d never met fellow judge Jason Donovan before. ‘But we had a real connection from the first day,’ she says. ‘I adore him. He’s so much fun, and with no ego. You can totally take the mickey. ‘He’s had difficulties in his life but he’s worked really hard and he’s sorted now. I see him as a bit of a big brother. ‘And I have him to thank for the role of Mary Magdalene. I mentioned to him I could be interested and he believed in me. He gave me the kick up the bum I needed to approach Andrew. ‘I grew up in the Eighties loving musical theatre of which Andrew was the king. So it’s been quite surreal getting to work with him. ‘My admiration for him grew each day. He’s such a compassionate man. And he left the contestants with such confidence to carry on with their careers.’ 'Nailed it': The Spice Girls were delighted with their one-off reunion performance at the Olympics 'Nailed it': The Spice Girls were delighted with their one-off reunion performance at the Olympics Technical: The band rehearsed for a week-and-a-half to get the routine spot on Technical: The band rehearsed for a week-and-a-half to get the routine spot on The tour opens at London’s O2 Arena on Friday, September 21, and criss-crosses the UK and Ireland before finishing in Sheffield a month later. TODAY'S POLL What did you think of the Spice Girls performance at the Closing Ceremony? VOTE Spice Girls POLL RESULTS Close All polls Click to view yesterday's poll results Composer and comedian Tim Minchin will take the role of Judas Iscariot, former Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles makes his major stage debut as Herod (‘and yes,’ says Mel, ‘he can sing’) and talent show winner Ben Forster will play Jesus. ‘I’m going to have a lot of fun with Chris when we’re on the road together in Superstar,’ laughs Mel. Is he quaking in his boots at the prospect? ‘I sincerely hope so. He’ll be the new boy, so he should prepare himself for a little gentle teasing. I’m looking forward to seeing him panicking backstage.’ It’s also a new departure for Mel. ‘I know it’s a challenge, but in my heart I feel I can do it well. I also know from working in the musical Blood Brothers you’re in the hands of your director — and we have a first-rate one. ‘We’ll be performing in big arenas, but they don’t hold any fear for me after appearing in huge venues with the Spices.’ One-off: Despite their successful performance, the Spice Girls have ruled out getting back together One-off: Despite their successful performance, the Spice Girls have ruled out getting back together Different directions: Victoria Beckham no longer lives in the UK Different directions: Melanie Brown no longer lives in the UK Different directions: Spice Girls Victoria Beckham, left, and Melanie Brown, right, no longer live in the UK Mel has 11 prominent tattoos on her body, so will they be on show? ‘Possibly,’ she says coyly, then points to the large crucifix on her left arm. ‘That one wouldn’t be out of place, would it?’ Being on the panel of ITV’s Superstar reunited her with fellow judge Dawn French. ‘She’s so funny, a warm and wonderful person,’ she says. The Spice Girls have a relationship with Dawn and Jennifer Saunders which goes way back to when they first bumped into them while they were recording Wannabe in 1996. ‘It was in a studio in Richmond and we took a break for lunch,’ says Mel. ‘We saw them having a meal outside a pub. We went over and introduced ourselves and it all grew from there. ‘We did Comic Relief with them in 1997. Emma knows Jennifer well because she’s often featured in Ab Fab. And Geri’s a good friend of Dawn’s.’ And they’ve all been working with Jennifer on Viva Forever, the musical using the Spice Girls’ back catalogue for which Jennifer has written the story. Collaborators: Mel C and Superstar creator Andrew Lloyd Webber Collaborators: Mel C and Superstar creator Andrew Lloyd Webber When they were performing in their Reunion Tour in 2007 the girls came up with the idea for a stage musical. ‘They approached Judy Craymer, the producer of Mamma Mia! which uses the songs of Abba woven into an unrelated story. Geri and Emma met Judy first and sang her praises to the other three. ‘Victoria brought her along to see me in Blood Brothers,’ says Mel. She’s Girl Power personified. She also came up with the idea of Jennifer writing the story. ‘Jennifer was in Spice World: The Movie and she’s been in and out of our lives over the years. We five girls each have very strong opinions but made a decision to back off when it came to Viva Forever.’ She says of the storyline: ‘It’s about empowerment, friendship and relationships. ‘The story is of a four-piece girl group who win a talent show and the good and bad things that fame brings in its wake. There’s lots of comedy as well as some very moving moments and, of course, great music! The last thing we saw were the workshops when different people were tried for different roles — and we were all over the moon. ‘We did get involved in the casting — almost all of them are well-known in the business but not necessarily household names — and we all plan to be at the opening night on December 11, if we can.’ If you believe just a quarter of what you read, the Spice Girls can barely be in the same room together, five strong-willed young women ready to rip each other’s heads off at a moment’s notice. Melanie lets out a noise somewhere between a sigh and a smile. ‘I’ll tell you something: Viva Forever is the one thing we’ve all agreed on.’ And now she lets out a full-throated, raucous laugh. ‘I’m joking, I’m joking,’ she says. ‘So much is still written about us and it’s hilarious. We’ve had our moments, like all friends do, but basically we get on fine. These days, of course, we don’t see that much of each other. I’m probably closest to Emma and Geri because we all live quite near each other in North-West London. But whenever Victoria or Melanie is in town, we always try to hook up.’ I say that if you judge by her body language alone, Victoria feels least like a team player — but Mel jumps to her defence. ‘Victoria’s probably one of the most commented-upon people in the world and I’m sure that will go on forever and a day. But I really think she’s misunderstood,’ she insists. ‘Anyone who knows her will say she’s so much fun. I respect her and what she has achieved. ‘But that’s true of all of us. We have mutual respect because we know we wouldn’t have done what we’ve done if we hadn’t achieved what we did together. We’ve very grateful to each other. ‘And we love each other to bits — in the way sisters do. Sometimes, one of us might have a problem with one of the others. But it’s never a big drama. We have a policy that, if there’s something that one of us is unhappy with, then we talk about it. That’s what’s kept us such good mates.’ Heyday: The Spice Girls performing at the Brit Awards in 1997 Heyday: The Spice Girls performing at the Brit Awards in 1997 The early days: From left to right are Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm, Bbay Spice Emma Bunton, Posh Spice Victoria Beckham, Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell and Scary Spice Melanie Brown The early days: From left to right are Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm, Bbay Spice Emma Bunton, Posh Spice Victoria Beckham, Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell and Scary Spice Melanie Brown Melanie, now 38, is on record as having battled depression and issues of self-esteem. But all that changed in February 2009 with the birth of her daughter Scarlet by her long-time boyfriend, property developer Thomas Starr, 45, whom she met in Barbados in 2002. She says. ‘When Scarlet arrived, I found myself feeling much more confident and courageous, both in my life and in my career. For the first time, all the attention wasn’t on me any more and I found that very liberating. ‘I started brushing my insecurities aside because I want to be great for Scarlet. Then I was presented with the opportunity of starring in Blood Brothers, and it’s all sort of snowballed from there.’ Sadly, she and Thomas parted in July, a break-up necessarily lived out in the public spotlight. ‘I learnt about the downside of fame early on,’ she says. ‘The way I’ve tried to deal with it is to keep as much of my private life as private as I possibly can. I’m a performer, and that’s the bit of me I want to present to the world. ‘I don’t think people are that curious about my personal relationships. The public are much more curious about what’s going on in the lives of the people in The Only Way Is Essex and that gives the rest of us a bit of a break.’ Reunion: Spice Girls, from left, Melanie Chisholm,Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Brown and Emma Bunton perform at the O2 Arena in London, in 2007, as part of their reunion world tour Reunion: Spice Girls, from left, Melanie Chisholm,Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Brown and Emma Bunton perform at the O2 Arena in London, in 2007, as part of their reunion world tour She is currently working out the jigsaw puzzle (her description) of how to ensure Scarlet is looked after in the month Jesus Christ Superstar tours the country. ‘My mum, Joan, lives in Liverpool but that’s only a couple of hours away by train now. She’s amazing and she knows Scarlet really well.’ And after that? ‘I really don’t know. Let’s see how the album does. I’d love to get a live concert tour together.http://925uniquecharms.com/Tiffany-Rings-category-3.html http://925uniquecharms.com/images/20120810/original/Tiffany--Co-Square-Stacking-Ring_662_614.jpeg http://925uniquecharms.com/goods-615-Tiffany-Co-Square-Stacking-Ring.html ‘And I do have an ambition to work on Broadway in a musical. I’d love to play the role of Evita. But I also love my solo music, so I’m hoping to write some more next year.’ In the meantime, she’s keen to get behind the release of Stages on September 10. It was first conceived in 2010 while she was still in Willy Russell’s award-winningBlood Brothers; indeed, Tell Me It’s Not True, from the musical, is on the album. Other tracks include I Don’t Know How To Love him, which she sang in the final of Superstar and is out as a single. Then there’s Maybe This Time (from Cabaret), I Know Him So Well (from Chess) — her duet with Emma, which will be the second single released, and I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself, a hit for Dusty Springfield in 1964. ‘I’m a Capricorn,’ says Mel, ‘and, like the goat, we get to the top of the mountain eventually. I’ve been incredibly fortunate and had a wonderful career, but I’m always striving for something more.’ Can she ever imagine finding love again? A small cloud passes across her face. ‘It’s all too raw, too soon. It’s bottom of my list of priorities right now.’ * For tour and tickets, visit jesuschristsuperstar.com

Juliette Lewis, 40, nearly loses her top as she splashes around in a teeny black bikini

http://925uniquecharms.com/Tiffany-Bracelets-category-10.html http://925uniquecharms.com/images/20120810/original/Tiffany--Co-Round-Tag-Bracelet_662_567.jpeg http://925uniquecharms.com/goods-568-Tiffany-Co-Round-Tag-Bracelet.html http://925uniquecharms.com/Tiffany-Bracelets-category-10.html http://925uniquecharms.com/images/20120810/original/Tiffany--Co-Round-Tag-Bracelet_662_567.jpeg http://925uniquecharms.com/goods-568-Tiffany-Co-Round-Tag-Bracelet.html It is one of her favourite styles to wear and flatters her fabulous 40-year-old frame. However, Juliette Lewis nearly lost her teeny weeny black bikini top as she hit the beach in Mexico recently. The Kalifornia star took to the waves with a friend and after frolicking in the ocean was forced to hold her strapless attire up to avoid exposing her modesty. Careful! Juliette Lewis nearly lost her teeny weeny black bikini top as she hit the beach in Mexico recently Careful! Juliette Lewis nearly lost her teeny weeny black bikini top as she hit the beach in Mexico recently Fit and fabulous: Despite the near wardrobe malfunction, the actress looked trim and toned in the two-piece Fit and fabulous: Despite the near wardrobe malfunction, the actress looked trim and toned in the two-piece Fit and fabulous: Despite the near wardrobe malfunction, the actress looked trim and toned in the two-piece Despite the near wardrobe malfunction, the actress looked trim and toned in the two-piece. Featuring brief-cut bikini bottoms, the swimsuit also showed off her cheeky multicoloured tattoo located on her pert derriere. Pushing her red hair back with a headscarf and slipping on some cool sunnies, down-to-earth Juliette took the no muss no fuss approach for her beach outing. The incredibly fit actress kept active as she had her fun in the sun, running to and from the surf for regular dips in the water Run, don't walk: The incredibly fit actress kept active as she had her fun in the sun, running to and from the surf for regular dips in the water Run, don't walk: The incredibly fit actress kept active as she had her fun in the sun, running to and from the surf for regular dips in the water Cooling down: The actress kept hydrated throughout the day by sipping on some water Cooling down: The actress kept hydrated throughout the day by sipping on some water Cooling down: The actress kept hydrated throughout the day by sipping on some water Tatts cheeky: Featuring brief-cut bikini bottoms, Juliette's swimsuit also showed off her cheeky multicoloured tattoo located on her pert derriere Tatts cheeky: Featuring brief-cut bikini bottoms, Juliette's swimsuit also showed off her cheeky multicoloured tattoo located on her pert derriere The actress kept hydrated throughout the day by sipping on some water and indulged in some light magazine reading. This is the second trip to Mexico in a matter of months for the Juliette And The Licks frontwoman. Back in June she celebrated her 40th birthday at the idyllic destination. The actress arrived at Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico on June 7th with some friends. Looking good: Juliette has never looked better e Looking good: Juliette has never looked better Down-to-earth: Pushing her red hair back with a headscarf and slipping on some cool sunnies, Juliette took the no muss no fuss approach for her beach outing Down-to-earth: Pushing her red hair back with a headscarf and slipping on some cool sunnies, Juliette took the no muss no fuss approach for her beach outing On the flight to the luxury resort she tweeted, 'My birthday month has officially begun... Pina Colada ASAP:)... On our way!' Although Brad Pitt's former girlfriend's birthday wasn't until June 23, she was in full on celebration mode during her week-long stay at the resort. Juliette is about to be seen in drama/thriller Open Road alongside Camilla Belle and Andy Garcia. Home time: After a long day at the beach, Juliette packed up and retired from the sun Home time: After a long day at the beach, Juliette packed up and retired from the sun She is also getting ready to start filming August: Osage County with Academy award-winning Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. The drama is centered around the Weston family, who overcome certain differences when their alcoholic patriarch goes missing. The Firm, the television show in which she starred this year with Josh Lucas, was meanwhile not renewed for another season. Cover-up: Juliette used her sarong to cover-up as she made her way back from the beach Cover-up: Juliette used her sarong to cover-up as she made her way back from the beach