Alert – EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Why Walking Dead star’s neighbours hit the roof

Why Walking Dead star’s neighbours hit the roof

Have David Morrissey’s neighbours spent too much time watching The Walking Dead, the American horror drama he starred in that was set after the collapse of modern civilisation?

I ask only because they seem to be convinced that the actor’s plans to extend a roof terrace at his £3.6 million London home could see him causing chaos by holding ‘noisy parties’ there.

The Liverpudlian cobbler’s son, 61, who has three children with his ex-wife, the novelist Esther Freud, wants to demolish part of the roof which he says is leaking and in danger of collapse. He has applied to the local council for planning permission to extend an existing terrace and put up a 5ft privacy screen with railings.

But conservationists in Camden, north London, have objected to the proposals. They cited overlooking of neighbours and say the proposed development is ‘out of character’ in the conservation area.

In a letter, they said: ‘Enlarging the size of the terrace would make it more attractive for groups to gather with the potential for noise. The opaque glass screen would be visible from [the avenue] and is out of character on the estate, as would be the railings.’

Bafta-nominated Morrissey played former prime minister Gordon Brown in The Deal and Stephen Collins in State Of Play.

Neighbours have expressed concerns about actor David Morrissey’s planning proposals

In a statement, his planning agent said: ‘The proposal involves modest and sympathetic alterations to enhance outdoor amenity while preserving the architectural character of the building and surrounding conservation area.

‘The extension of the rear terrace is intended to improve the quality of private outdoor amenity space for the owner occupants without impacting neighbouring properties.’

A decision on the plans is expected next month.

Nadiya bounces back after terrifying fall in Strictly rehearsal

Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova feared her career was over when she suffered a terrifying fall during rehearsals for the new series of the hit BBC show last month.

The Ukrainian dancer, 36, was rushed to hospital after landing hard on her back. She tells me at Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale world premiere in London: ‘So many things went through my mind, I thought, “This is it — I won’t be able to dance for a long time.”’ Fortunately, the injury wasn’t as bad as first feared. ‘Luckily, it turned out to be nothing too serious, and I’m already back in training,’ she says.

Nadiya Bychkova was injured during Strictly rehearsals last month

Now fully recovered, Nadiya, who wore a white dress by The Atelier to the screening, is more determined than ever to win the coveted Glitterball trophy, alongside her yet-to-be-announced celebrity partner: ‘There’s such a wonderful energy this year. I’m in a great place and ready to make 2025 my best year yet.’

‘Lucky’ Lord Lucan’s sister in law dies at age of 86 

Without her, the most notorious society murder of the 20th century might never have happened. But Christina Shand Kydd, who has died aged 86, had no way of knowing that when, in 1963, she and her new husband, Bill, gave a cocktail party.

It was then that Christina’s older sister, Veronica, captivated a dashing, moustachioed aristocrat. They were married within months; six weeks later, her husband became the 7th Earl of Lucan.

The murder of the Lucans’ nanny, Sandra Rivett, came in 1974. In its aftermath, Christina and her husband – to whom ‘Lucky’ Lucan had written a final, blood-smeared letter – were awarded custody of Veronica’s three children, George, Frances and Camilla.

This ended the sisters’ relationship but earned Christina the undying love of her nephew and nieces. Later still, separated from Bill, she nursed him devotedly after he was paralysed in a riding accident, stoically agreeing to alternate her visits with those of his younger mistress.

Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins is used to interviewing the great and good, but she was stumped by one question from her ten-year-old daughter. 

Ella Rose asked her: ‘How’s a baby made?’ Hawkins, 50, says: ‘I stuck to the biological terms, and was very matter-of-fact about it. And she looked at me with horror and said, “I’m not doing that!”  

‘Now, she’s apparently going to adopt.’

Gordon Ramsay’s disclosure that he underwent treatment to remove a non-melanoma form of skin cancer has provoked a wry reflection from Sarah Symonds.

She claimed in 2008 to have been involved in a seven-year affair with the married chef and is battling breast cancer herself. ‘I wasn’t surprised to hear about Gordon’s cancer “scare” as we always did have a lot in common,’ she tells me. ‘But, come on Gordy, it was just a scare. Try going through six months of intensive chemotherapy.’

On TV’s First Dates, Fred Sirieix eases the nerves of singletons looking for love. And the restaurant maitre d’ is swift to eject anyone who behaves unchivalrously. ‘I remember one day a guy touching a girl’s bum, and I put him out,’ he reveals.

Telly historian Lucy’s Worsley’s next chapter… as Mrs Blobby! 

Lucy Worsley was ‘very pleased’ with her new pink dress, until scientist brother Tom compared her to Mr Blobby, a character from 1990s BBC show Noel’s House Party

Historian Lucy Worsley, who likes to dress up in period costumes for her television programmes, is attracting almost as much comment with her outfits when the cameras stop rolling.

Worsley, 51, reveals that her latest frock tickled her scientist brother Tom, who compared her to a bulbous, swivel-eyed pink creature from 1990s BBC show Noel’s House Party.

She says: ‘I was very pleased with my new pink dress until my brother killed it for me in two words: Mr. Blobby.’