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He suffered a blow in his latest High Court battle, it emerged, after which he was accused of “vengefully” pursuing a 70-year-old grandfather through the courts, and received a legal bill of £196,008.
But that, it seems, does not mark the end of Chris Packham’s current problems.
I can reveal that the BBC presenter has just suffered the publication in the United States of a trickle-down book which has been privately published but which is partly financed – its editor claims – by some of Packham’s BBC colleagues. , with elements of research even provided by Superior Court staff.
Offering a blow-by-blow account of Packham’s confrontation with Dominic Wightman, editor of an online magazine called Country Squire, and one of the magazine’s contributors, Nigel Bean, he pulls no punches, even alleging that Packham, 63 years, is ‘narcissistic’ and ‘manipulative’.
The court case followed the publication in Country Squire of an article by Bean which wrongly accused Packham of tricking people into donating to a tiger rescue charity. The BBC star was later awarded £90,000 in compensation.
The BBC presenter (in the photo) has just suffered the publication in the United States of a book with a jam dropper.
Dominic Wightman, editor of Country Squire online magazine
An article by Nigel Bean (pictured) which wrongly accused Packham of tricking people into donating to a tiger rescue charity.
Paul Read (pictured), a retiree who proofread the article.
But Packham’s case against a third defendant, Paul Read, a pensioner who was the article’s editor, was not as successful.
Dismissed by the judge, it resulted in Packham being ordered to pay Read’s costs, which, at just under £200,000, were more than double the damages he had suffered as a result of his victory over Wightman and Bean.
Read, a Yorkshireman, who said he felt “violated” at being dragged into the court battle, has observed that “it appears to have been something of a pyrrhic victory for Mr Packham”, adding that he feels relieved that ” all this is behind us.” now’.
It seems that Dominic Wightman may consider it just the end of the beginning. The book portrays him as a loud, combative and articulate character who, during his initial court appearance, repeatedly drank from a bottle of Evian water, which, it emerged, when he handed it to his two co-defendants at the end of the day, it was not full of Evian but of peach schnapps…
Packham’s lawyers tell me: “Our client was fully vindicated in the court ruling, which is a strong deterrent to anyone who sets out to wantonly defame someone’s character simply because they disagree with their views.”
The Nike star reveals his struggle
Dylan Mulvaney, 27 (pictured), says the fallout has forced her to seek mental health treatment.
Nike shares have continued to fall since its controversial decision last year to hire transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney to promote its women’s sportswear, including bras.
Now, Dylan, 27, says the fallout has forced her to seek mental health treatment. “I have the best friends in the world and if I hadn’t had them, my doctors and my family, who still support me a lot, I don’t think I would have survived,” he tells me.
In illness and in duende for the beloved Georgina
Christmas has come early for West End star Georgina Castle. (Georgina Castle attends press night after ‘Elf The Musical’ party)
The actor, 38, got down on one knee in front of Georgina, 31, daughter of BBC Wimbledon commentator Andrew Castle, at the weekend.
Georgina’s father jokingly told me earlier: ‘She’d better behave herself’ (Engagement ring pictured)
Christmas came early for West End star Georgina Castle, who accepted an engagement ring from Simon Lipkin, whom she met while playing his girlfriend in Elf The Musical.
The actor, 38, got down on one knee in front of Georgina, 31, daughter of BBC Wimbledon commentator Andrew Castle, at the weekend.
“I really didn’t have words right now to convey how excited I am to be marrying this man who has made me the happiest woman alive,” says Georgina, who can be seen wearing her sparkler in a video of the happy moment.
He adds: “When he asked me the question, my exact words were ‘Yes, please.'”
Georgina’s father jokingly told me earlier, “She better behave.”
Reaction to Miranda’s book
The star has disabled comments on her social media channels after a backlash from angry followers.
Comedian Miranda Hart says she hoped to “help others” with her new book, I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You, which explores her battle with a chronic illness that left her bedridden.
Now the star has disabled comments on her social media channels after a backlash from angry followers, who accuse her work of being “dangerous” and “pseudoscience.”
The book suggests that the causes and solution to conditions such as long Covid, MS and chronic fatigue syndrome lie in “the brain’s heightened stress response”. One critic says, “This pseudoscience is worrying,” while Vikings star Jennie Jacques says, “80 to 90 percent of this narrative is dangerously outdated.”
Miranda responds: ‘I don’t claim to have medical answers for ME. My learning was how to reduce stress in all aspects of my life… The lack of understanding and lack of answers is just terrible for all of us.’
The rocker’s real little faux pas
Princes William and Harry are among those who played at Hurtwood Park Polo Club, which was rock star Kenney Jones’ pride and joy.
But the former Small Faces, Faces and The Who drummer, 76, admits he didn’t always show enough respect to the royals. “We had played a game and I was urinating,” he says. “I said to my son, ‘Has Prince Charles gone?’
“I hear a voice say: ‘No, he’s still here’. It was Prince Charles. I was so surprised that I turned around and peed on his boots.” And he adds about the King’s shoes: “He still has them.”
Graham Norton tells stars to ‘get over yourselves!’
Graham Norton said he still watches himself on TV even though he doesn’t like doing it
Stars often claim that they don’t like watching themselves on screen, to which Graham Norton tells them: “Get over yourself!” The BBC chat show host says: “I always feel it’s very rude… if you ask other people to watch it and say you’re not willing to watch it yourself.” It’s not that Norton likes seeing himself on screen.
“It’s embarrassing to watch yourself do anything, but I think you need to bite the bullet and do it.”
Royle Family star discovers real link
Sue Johnston (pictured) stars in the upcoming ITV1 documentary, DNA Journey.
Royle Family star Sue Johnston has discovered she is related to King Charles’ racehorse trainer Sir Mark Prescott.
“This year you will receive a Christmas card from a member of your family,” the actress, 80, is seen telling her in the upcoming ITV1 documentary, DNA Journey.
The couple are related through Sir Mark’s grandfather, the campaigning Conservative MP Sir William Prescott.
Elton John’s first boyfriend makes a surprise appearance
Sir Elton John was so angry with his manager and first boyfriend John Reid after a letter from the singer’s accountants about his lavish spending was leaked, that he fired him and cut him out of his life.
However, Reid, 75, couldn’t resist attending a gala screening of the Disney+ documentary about Sir Elton, Never Too Late, at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. “Afterwards he seemed worried and unhappy,” another guest tells me.
