Zendaya: I'm very grateful for intimacy co-ordinators

Zendaya attends the UK Premiere of "Challengers" at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square (Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/WireImage)
Zendaya attends the UK Premiere of "Challengers" at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square (Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/WireImage)

Zendaya was the talk of the town, or more accurately, the scream of Leicester Square last night at the premiere of her film Challengers. The Hollywood star plays the lead alongside The Crown’s Josh O’Connor and US actor Mike Faist. The film follows a love triangle between three tennis players, so how did Zendaya prepare for the more intimate scenes? “We had a lot of time together, we worked out together and it created this safety and this camaraderie between each other,” she said.

Zendaya attends the UK Premiere of
Zendaya attends the UK Premiere of "Challengers" (Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/WireImage)
Josh O'Connor attends the UK Premiere of
Josh O'Connor attends the UK Premiere of "Challengers" (Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/WireImage)
Mike Faist attends the UK Premiere of
Mike Faist attends the UK Premiere of "Challengers" (Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/WireImage)

“And then we had intimacy coordinators which was really important. I’m very grateful that I came up in the industry when that job already existed.” Zendaya’s Marvel actor boyfriend Tom Holland was watching from the cinema bar above the red carpet in support. We asked Zendaya if she was looking forward to watching him in Romeo & Juliet. “I’m extremely excited. I can’t wait to watch what they come up with.”

Susan Hall and Sadiq Khan in petty leaflet spat

Sadiq Khan and Susan Hall (Dan Kitwood / Carl Court)
Sadiq Khan and Susan Hall (Dan Kitwood / Carl Court)

The London mayoral race is turning nasty three weeks before polling day, with Sadiq Khan and Susan Hall sparring about every issue — including the quality of their leaflets. One of Hall’s latest campaign flyers declares “the Mayor of London is planning to introduce a pay-per-mile scheme. This means Londoners could be charged for every single mile they drive.” Khan has called this a direct lie and repeatedly denied any plans for pay-per-mile, despite some newspaper reports that it has been considered. So who is telling porkies? A spokesperson for Hall told us the Mayor’s denials are “about as much use as a waterproof teabag.” Play nice!