He has been convicted of fraud, handcuffed to a hospital bed, served two prison sentences and calls himself ‘Lord Edward’ despite lacking even a remote link to the aristocracy.
But it looks like Eddie Davenport isn’t ready to slip quietly into the shadows just yet.
In fact, I can reveal details of another unexpected chapter in Davenport’s eventful career, which has played out in the public eye since the 1980s, when he organized the ‘Gatecrasher Balls’, for thousands of alcohol-drinking public school students, to often celebrated in palatial splendor, including Longleat, the seat of the Marquess of Bath in Wiltshire.
Last weekend, ‘Fast Eddie’ Davenport, 57, entertained at another magnificent home, this time the 18th-century London mansion that was the setting for much of the 2010 Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech.
Davenport, who acquired this architectural gem under controversial circumstances more than 20 years ago from the Sierra Leone government, was looking after personal friends on this occasion. Among them was the exuberant former dancer turned London and Ibizan DJ Tommy Mack, 67.
Fast Eddie’ Davenport (pictured: left), 57, wrote on social media that he was with London and Ibiza DJ Tommy Mack, 67, “very late on Saturday night at a party in Portland Place”.
Eddie Davenport calls himself ‘Lord Edward’ despite lacking even a remote link to the aristocracy.
But it was a night too far for Mack. ‘Rest in peace to my dear friend Tommy Mac(k), who passed away on Monday morning.’
Davenport writes on social media. “I was with him very late on Saturday night at a party in Portland Place, so The King of Clubs really partied until the end. We’ll miss you.”
Mack is understood to have been the father of Tommy McDonnell, the actor who recently appeared in Channel 4 drama Alice & Jack. His previous film and television roles include Starred Up, Barbarians, Grantchester and Jericho.
I was unable to contact Davenport, who received a sentence of seven years and eight months for fraud in 2011.
However, an acquaintance of Mack suggests that the thought of missing the Davenport event was intolerable.
“Tommy had a heart attack on Friday,” he tells me, “but he still came to London (for the party).”
Sparkly bra top that’s fashion gold for RSC founder’s daughter
Normally dressed modestly, Rebecca Hall chose a daring new look for her latest red carpet appearance.
The 41-year-old daughter of Royal Shakespeare Company founder Sir Peter Hall and opera singer Maria Ewing wore a Bode bralette, with glitter and beaded details, to the Los Angeles premiere of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, in which she reprises her role as scientist Dr. Ilene Andrews.
The 41-year-old daughter of Royal Shakespeare Company founder Sir Peter Hall and opera singer Maria Ewing wore a Bode bralette, complete with glitter and beaded details.
She paired the bold top with black pants with sequin patches.
Hall, who is married to actor Morgan Spector, often wears long dresses in bright colors. She recently explained that she wore six different outfits in a single day and said: “Sometimes there are too many good clothes to wear.”
He has a much younger girlfriend, a £250m Mayfair mansion, 15 bedrooms with a ballroom and swimming pool, but there is one status symbol that John Caudwell lacks: a knighthood.
“I wouldn’t turn one down, but I think most people who are knighted probably don’t deserve it,” the billionaire founder of Phones 4u, 71, tells me at his charity Butterfly Ball @ Fantasia 3.
Billionaire Phones 4u founder John Caudwell, 71, has a much younger girlfriend, a £250million, 15-bedroom Mayfair mansion with a ballroom and swimming pool.
‘I would have a box to tick the knighthood which is: You pay your taxes in the UK; You have done something special in terms of business in Britain and do a lot of philanthropy. If you do not check all three boxes, you will not be considered.’
Liz reveals why she loves bikinis
Elizabeth Hurley, who still poses for bikini photos at the age of 58, says she is seen wearing very little clothing because it is good for business.
“The reason I do a lot of things on Instagram (in swimsuits) is because I have a beach company, Elizabeth Hurley Beach,” she explains.
Elizabeth Hurley, who still poses for bikini photos at the age of 58, says she is seen wearing very little clothing because it is good for business.
‘I’m always promoting my products; that’s the main reason I prance around in a bikini at my age.
“I should probably wear an ankle-length caftan with a net now…” She adds: “I want women to feel confident in their appearance and accept that any size can be beautiful, but I think it’s important to be.” fit. It doesn’t matter what size you are.
Sir Elton John underwent two unsuccessful hair transplants before deciding on wigs.
Veteran DJ Johnnie Walker, 78, tells BBC Radio 2’s Clash of the Pirates programme, which will be broadcast on Friday, how he once “walked into Elton John’s dressing room and looked at me and said: ‘Oh my God, Johnnie, What happened to the hair?’
Veteran DJ Johnnie Walker, 78, says he once “walked into Elton John’s dressing room and looked at me and said, ‘Oh my God, Johnnie, what happened to the hair?’
‘I said, ‘It’s called getting older, Elton. You have enough, lend me some of yours. He said no. For the amount this cost, you’re not going to get anything.’ ‘
The Who star Roger Daltrey once sang “I hope I die before I get old” while his bandmate Pete Townshend smashed guitars.
The Who star Roger Daltrey once sang “I hope I die before I get old” while his bandmate Pete Townshend smashed guitars.
Now, Townshend, 78, believes he and Daltrey, 80, have one last world tour ahead of them.
“It seems to me that there’s one thing The Who can do: a final tour where we play every territory in the world and then drag ourselves to death,” he says.
Some might say Callum is a little underdressed.
It’s A Sin star Callum Scott Howells appeared to have forgotten his pants at the London screening of his new film The Beautiful Game.
The 24-year-old actor, who stars alongside Bill Nighy and Micheal Ward in the sports drama, appeared on the red carpet at the Ham Yard Hotel wearing a gray jacket, white shirt and tie with striped shorts.
It’s A Sin star Callum Scott Howells appeared to have forgotten his pants at the London screening of his new film The Beautiful Game.
He was joined by his girlfriend, model Anais Gallagher, 24, who said: “My boyfriend forgot his pants, and I like him better that way.”
Before the Oasis star’s daughter Noel confirmed their romance this year, Callum identified as “queer”.
Does the gender pay gap extend to Christmas shows? Olivia Colman said last week that she would earn more working in film if she were a man.
“Olivia’s right,” pantomime Christopher Biggins tells me at Priscilla The Party’s gala night at Here at Outernet in London’s Soho.
“Producers think they can get away with paying (women) less.”
So does the panto pay gap exist?
He replies… (oh yeah) ‘That’s right.’