EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: I loved my gay past, says Who legend Peter Townshend
His grandmother, in her dotage, was given to running down the street naked – which perhaps explains, in part, the inspiration behind his most famous lyric: I hope I die before I get old.
Given that he's now in his 80th year, it seems safe to assume that Pete Townshend, co-founder of The Who, has accepted that that youthful ambition expired some years ago. Instead, he's decided to talk more candidly than ever about other desires – specifically those he once had for men.
Referring to what he describes as 'a couple of homosexual affairs', Townshend reflects: 'I tried them out, and I very much enjoyed them.'
Emphasising that he's at ease with this, Townshend adds: 'I've made a couple of really close friends that I'm still friendly with today. But it wasn't what worked for me, sexually speaking – and didn't fit into my life, somehow.'
It's a marked contrast to the impression he gave 30 years ago, when he corrected what he saw as a misinterpretation of his song Rough Boys and his comment – from the previous decade – that he 'understood what gay sex was about'.
Peter Townshend, (left) who had three children with his first wife, Karen, to whom he was married for more than 25 years, and who is now married to composer Rachel Fuller, 51, has long been content to acknowledge his feelings for Sir Mick Jagger (right)
Pictured: Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, Mick Taylor, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf Astoria, New York in January 1989
What he meant, he said, when talking about his 'gay life', was 'the friends I've had who are gay'. The interviewer, he added, had 'assumed that this was a coming-out, which it wasn't at all'.
Townshend, who had three children with his first wife, Karen, to whom he was married for more than 25 years, and who is now married to composer Rachel Fuller, 51, has long been content to acknowledge his feelings for Sir Mick Jagger.
'I was very sexually attracted to him,' he reiterates in Record Collector magazine, before adding: 'And possibly to a few other people in my life.'
These appear to have included Kit Lambert, The Who's co-manager, who died from heroin addiction. '[He] was gay, bisexual,' says Townshend.
'Such an important man in my life that I possibly had secret sexual feelings about him. But I don't know that they were expressed. It was more about the fact that in a way there was part of me that longed for him to want me sexually. But he didn't.'
Still talkin' 'bout his generation. Were they all bi before they got old?
Ejiofor: Filming in London is a 'love song to the city'
He stars in the forthcoming Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, having also appeared in the hit romantic comedy Love Actually.
And Chiwetel Ejiofor says there are remarkable similarities between the two films.
'There are some tonal crossovers, which is always fun,' says the 12 Years A Slave star, who plays a PE teacher who goes on dates with Renee Zellweger's character.
Ejiofor adds: 'It's a wonderful world to be in, the way that these films celebrate life, love and cities. Shooting in London is a love song to the city.'
Chiwetel Ejiofor (pictured) stars in the forthcoming Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, having also appeared in the hit romantic comedy Love Actually
An ice birthday for Emilia at 50
Laurence Fox has been stoking tensions this week with provocative posts online such as one branding Sir Keir Starmer a 'traitor' for 'siding' with 'immigrant barbarians'.
His cousin, Emilia Fox, meanwhile has been quietly celebrating her 50th birthday in one of London's most idyllic spots.
The Silent Witness star could be found enjoying her favourite almond ice cream with a candle stuck in it at the Michelin-starred River Cafe in Hammersmith, the borough where she was born.
'It really has been made so memorable by the kindness and thoughtfulness of so many people,' she says of her landmark birthday.
Laurence Fox (left) has been stoking tensions this week with provocative posts online such as one branding Sir Keir Starmer a 'traitor' for 'siding' with 'immigrant barbarians'. His cousin, Emilia Fox, (right) meanwhile has been quietly celebrating her 50th birthday in one of London's most idyllic spots
Sophie is a bright spot for Starlight
After quitting the Royal Marines in the 1980s, the Duke of Edinburgh was given a job by Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful theatre company, where he worked as a production assistant on musicals including Starlight Express.
This week, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, attended the revival of Starlight at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London for a special performance of the show, performed on rollerskates, in support of The Orpheus Centre, a disability charity of which Edward is a patron.
Sophie wore a £280 silk gold 'Gelato Dress' from Spanish brand Matelier but looked underdressed next to cast member Jeevan Braich.
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh attend a special performance of "Starlight Express" in support of The Orpheus Centre, a disability charity and college in Surrey for young disabled adults to learn and develop through the arts, at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre on August 7, 2024 in London
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh pictured with Starlight Express cast member Jeevan Braich at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre on August 7
King's Foundation in search of two new trustees
King Charles's former right-hand man, Michael Fawcett, was known for his gifts in the arts of persuasion – but now he's gone, there's a need for skilled fundraisers.
Despite predictions to the contrary, the monarch has retained his charities after succeeding to the throne, and now the King's Foundation has been advertising for two new trustees.
Fawcett resigned as chief executive of the foundation nearly three years ago after allegations that he had discussed securing British citizenship – and a knighthood – for a Saudi tycoon who ultimately donated more than £1.5million to . . . the foundation.
In an advert, the foundation said its new trustees should 'bring experience and skills in support . . . of our charitable activities . . . Particular areas of interest include: representation in Scotland; charity governance; and fundraising, particularly internationally'.
King Charles's former right-hand man, Michael Fawcett, (right) was known for his gifts in the arts of persuasion – but now he's gone, there's a need for skilled fundraisers
A loser for Winner
Late bon vivant and film director Michael Winner's controversial 1974 vigilante film Death Wish is receiving retrospective screenings at New York's Museum of Modern Art.
But I fear the director, who died in 2013, would not have enjoyed its damning description on its website: 'Winner's choice to blur the film's stance on the character's trauma as justification for an incessant vengeance spree led to accusations of immorality and racism from critics...
Death Wish resonates with (mis)perceptions of communal safety and the exploitation of fear for political purposes that remains endemic in 24-hour news channels and social networks.' Ouch!
Michael Winner's controversial 1974 vigilante film Death Wish is receiving retrospective screenings at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Pictured is Stuart Margolin as Ames Jainchill in the 1974 film Death Wish
Michael Winner, (pictured) who died in 2013, would not have enjoyed its damning description on its website
Council approves plans to turn office at Paul O'Grady's home into holiday let
Comedian Paul O'Grady's widower has had the last laugh over the neighbours after overcoming opposition to turning an office building at their home into a holiday let.
Planning officers at Ashford Borough Council in Kent have approved Andre Portasio's plans despite objections from some who feared the 'inappropriate' scheme would spark a 'constant stream of visitors'.
