Guy Ritchie’s big-budget TV set robbed by daring thieves who stole camera equipment
GUY RITCHIE rewound 24 years to a real-life Snatch this week after thieves targeted his new big-budget set.
The British director was working in London on his Paramount+ project The Associate, starring Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan.
Insiders told me all hell broke out on the Isle of Dogs when two men in a Toyota Prius swooped after spotting camera equipment in the street.
My mole explained: “Guy had shut roads for the shoot and the production was teeming with security and crew.
“Out of nowhere, two blokes arrived in a Prius and started asking for directions.
“Their questions distracted people and at that moment, the other bloke jumped out and grabbed a bag of camera equipment that was on the side of the road.
“He jumped back in the car and they sped off. The security guards started going bananas because they’d basically been robbed in broad daylight.
“It was pretty embarrassing and a costly mistake. The kit on those films isn’t cheap.”
Plans for Guy’s new show were first revealed this year, with the Lock Stock director signing up Tom, Helen and Pierce to star in it.
The series will focus on a set of elite London “fixers”, basically gangsters, and wheeler-dealer businesses they run.
Guy, who directed the 2000 crime comedy Snatch, will be counting on the show to be a hit — and given the success of his Netflix series The Gentlemen, I’ve got high hopes.
The series was watched more than 45million times in the first month and now a second season is in the works, with characters Eddie Horniman and Susie Glass getting another run out.
As long as Guy tightens up his security from now on, hopefully the dramas will only be on screen.
Lippy birthday to Hailey
HAILEY BIEBER lounges around for a photoshoot as she celebrates her first birthday since becoming a mum.
She turns 28 today and posed in a series of pictures for her cosmetics brand Rhode Skin.
Hailey, who had son Jack Blues with husband Justin Bieber at the end of August, said: “I love launching something special at Rhode every year for my birthday.”
The model, who did her make-up while lying on the sofa in her pants in one of the pictures, has had a whole week of birthday treats already.
At the weekend she went to see Sabrina Carpenter in concert and then on Wednesday went out for dinner with one of her mates.
Many happy returns, Hailey.
Cher keeps movieing
SHE might be two years away from 80, but Cher is already lining up her next film role.
The singer, who last appeared in 2018’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, made the revelation during a talk in New York while promoting her new memoir.
She said: “Francis Ford Coppola sent me an email the other day.
“He wants us to do a movie that we talked about 20 years ago. He got me into movies. He once said to me when I was at Vegas, ‘Why are you not doing movies?’.
“Singing and dancing is like having a party at someone’s house. Acting is like having a party at your house and one is more fun.”
But Francis needs to get in fast, as Oscar-winner Cher is already batting off deals to turn her two-part memoir – the first of which came out this week – into a biopic.
She added: “It could make a good movie. It could be like an eight or nine-parter.
“That is true. I have not read the book as I wrote it. I thought, ‘Well, if I wrote it, I don’t have to read it’.
“I have another book that is coming out next Christmas. I guess I will read it when I am old.”
I hope I have this attitude when I’m 78.
Shabby chic at awards
SHABOOZEY has had a pretty good year after a global hit single, collaborating with Beyonce and being nominated for five Grammy Awards
The man behind A Bar Song (Tipsy) wore a natty green suit with embroidered detail as he toasted his achievements at the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville on Wednesday – although he left empty handed.
Despite being nominated for New Artist and Single of the Year, Shaboozey was beaten on both fronts.
At least he had an excuse to wear the suit.
James in ode to his ADHD
JAMES ARTHUR revealed he has ADHD – and has written a song named after the disorder which affects attention span and self-control.
The singer, below, said of the tune, out today: “It is about being loved in the way you want to be loved.
“When you experience that, it’s something truly special, especially if you tend to be self-deprecating or have trouble receiving love due to issues or conditions that others might not understand.
ADHD is one of those conditions – but when someone accepts you for all your flaws, it can feel like your dreams are a reality.”
Other new releases include Tiny Habit’s Lizzy McAlpine collaboration For Sale Sign, Ashaine White’s I Sing To Myself and Rose’s Number One Girl.
South London choir Libera have released their album Dream and will go up against new records from Joan Armatrading and Michael Kiwunaka.
Bastille have dropped a video for track Eve & Paradise Lost, featuring Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley.
Poppy’s bud
POPPY AJUDHA hit it off with Raye years before they became famous – and the singer-songwriter is now keen to link up in the studio.
She has known the six-time Brits winner for years and reckons her fellow soul performer is an inspiration.
Poppy, whose eponymous second album, is out today, said in an exclusive chat: “I’ve known Raye for a long time. She’s become so huge as an artist. She’s so incredible. I’ve never written with her but would love to.
“Raye would be a huge inspiration for the way she does her live show, and to play with orchestras.”
She added: “I think I’ve gained so many skills making this album. Now I want to take those skills and make something even bigger and better.”
She said the album is “uplifting” and the result of her being a “meticulous control freak”. But it was clearly enjoyable because she is raring to make more music.
Poppy explained: “Being in the studio is my favourite part of being an artist. I’m really missing it at the moment. I’m planning to go to LA in January to write my next album.
“Songwriting is what makes me feel like a human with purpose in the world.”
Addison: Brit role a no go
MUSICIAN and TikTok star Addison Rae has ruled herself out of playing Britney Spears in the singer’s biopic – and says others should avoid it too.
She told iHeartRadio: “I honestly don’t think anyone deserves to play her. She’s such an enigma and icon.
“I don’t even think it’s right to compare me to her at all.
“I support anything and everything Britney Spears ever wants to do in her life and career, and I think she’ll have the best opinion on who she thinks that should be.”
DANCE duo Sigma will headline the Casa Bacardi night at Boxpark Croydon, tomorrow.
The South London venue is being transformed into a club space with a huge lighting rig.
Meanwhile, Boxpark Wembley in North West London will host A Very Noughties Christmas on December 14 featuring Lemar, Blazin’ Squad, Big Brovaz and Booty Luv.
BILLIE EILISH has been named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year after her third album Hit Me Hard And Soft.
It soared to No1 on the streaming site’s album charts in 138 countries and she later teamed up with Charli XCX for a hit reworking of the British singer’s song Guess.
Billie said: “Since day one, Apple Music has supported my music and artistry, and I am both honoured and humbled to receive this recognition.”