Londoner’s Diary: Boris’s ex-wife not short of memoir material

BORIS Johnson’s ex-wife Marina Wheeler, mother of four of his children, says she may write a memoir. Speaking at the launch of Philippe Sands’ book, The Last Colony, at Daunt’s in Marylebone, she said it would be hard to know “how much to include”. Wheeler was married to the former PM for 27 years. They divorced in 2020, after his affair with now wife Carrie.

The barrister said she was keen to write more but “I have a short attention span and it’s hard getting everything together”. Her first book tracks her Sikh mother’s experience of Partition, and was spotted in the PM’s office. The Londoner asked what she was celebrating. “Am I celebrating Philippe’s book or am I celebrating other events?” she laughed. “I’ll let you guys decide”.

TV should do more on diversity, says Sir Lenny

Lenny Henry says TV can improve its diversity. At a Fane event at Alexandra Palace, Sir Lenny said he loves Idris Elba’s Luther but “the fact he has no black friends is freaky”. While some small-minded fans were upset by diverse casting in his new Lord of the Rings series, Henry thinks the genre can go further: “Where are the black people in fantasy? Frodo never showed up in the ghetto like ‘yo!’”.

Rap blunder from new deputy PM

New Deputy PM Thérèse Coffey proved a wildcard on LBC today when rap music emanated from her bag. “Just realised my alarm is going off on my phone,” she said, fumbling to switch it off. “I apologise. You’re getting a bit of Dr Dre.” The song was Still D.R.E. with its refrain: “I’m representing for them gangstas all across the world”. We’re sure the Cabinet feels represented.

Keir Starmer’s night off

Sir Keir Starmer seemed relaxed before his first PMQs bout with Liz Truss today. Instead of swotting up last night, he hobnobbed at the launch of Harold Wilson: The Winner, a new biography of the former Labour Prime Minister written by MP Nick Thomas-Symonds. Starmer says Wilson is the former Labour leader he admires the most. But can he be a winner too?

Dinner with Kate Moss

Londoner’s Diary 7th September

FORMER caner Kate Moss held a dinner for her new wellness brand Cosmoss at The Twenty Two last night. Goddaughter Iris Law was there in support. Elsewhere, Ruth Wilson watched her new whodunnit See How They Run at Picturehouse Central, Naomie Harris was at label Mithridate’s show at Battersea Arts Centre, and Marvin Humes and Joe Wicks went to a book launch for coach James Davies.