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Meet Steve Mafi: The Tigers’ Tongan hitman

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

How's this for an accolade? "He was arguably the best No 8 in the world. The Welsh No 8 Mervyn Davies was of course much better known, and when Ireland's Ken Goodall sadly went to rugby league, Davies earned his top ranking among the major countries. But as Mafi showed in Britain, he was good enough to jump anywhere in the line-out... and he was quick enough to hold off the fastest of the Welsh backs in a 30-yard sprint. He was strong enough to scrummage well as a lock and he was a devastating tackler. He was almost a one-man team, and although that inevitably placed unfair pressures upon him, he was good enough to withstand them."

Tanni Grey-Thompson: Paragon of the Paralympics

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

There is no greater champion of the Paralympic movement than Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, nor is there a more articulate spokesperson for the rights of disabled people. In an uncomplicated world, these two compartments of her life would exist in perfect harmony. That they now cannot is largely a consequence of this week's announcement that the Paralympics are to be generously sponsored by the IT services multinational Atos, reportedly to the tune of $100m.

My Secret Life: Jo Whiley, 47, radio DJ

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

My parents were... at the heart of everything wherever we lived; they were the ones organising the Jubilee party, the toy library, swimming clubs, fundraising...

Is Ridley Scott the most macho man in movies?

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Sir Ridley Scott starts his day like a CEO. Wherever he is in the world, he's on the phone at 6am, to his offices in London, Los Angeles, New York and/or Hong Kong. If he's in LA, he talks to London for two hours. If he's in London, say, making a movie, he calls LA for an hour in the morning from the back of his chauffeur-driven car, customised to contain the essential fixtures of an executive suite.

Actress Keira Knightley to marry rocker

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Hollywood star Keira Knightley is to marry her rock star boyfriend, James Righton from Klaxons. The couple have become engaged after dating since early last year.

Diary: Crossed wires make a splash out of Letwin's bin dumping

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Henry Macrory, the former tabloid hack and much-liked spinner for the Tory Party, told a tale of classic misunderstanding at his farewell party in Downing Street.

Being Gary Lineker: The clean-cut anchorman is this summer's Mr Sport

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

A cold wind blows across the concrete desert of the new BBC TV centre that taxi drivers know as MediaCityUK. On the edge of the Salford Docks, the Corporation has leased three big adjacent buildings – Bridge House, Dock House and Quay House – whose reflective skin of glass, chrome and steel reflect the chilly sunlight with a hard glitter.

The Clinton charity gala? It was the worst party ever...

Fri, 25 May 2012 17:12:26 GMT

It was billed as the chance to exchange small-talk with Bill Clinton and rub shoulders with glamorous celebrities. But angry guests who attended a London fundraiser for the former US president are to receive refunds after the hosts admitted that the event, described as the “worst party ever”, was a total shambles.

Keira Knightley engaged to rock star boyfriend James Righton from Klaxons

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:42:06 GMT

Hollywood star Keira Knightley is to marry her rock star boyfriend, James Righton from Klaxons.

Diary: MPs are silenced by a masterpiece of mandarin-speak

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

To be a successful Whitehall mandarin you need to learn never to lose your cool or rise to provocation, and to make your point without exaggerating. Sir Jeremy Heywood, who has reached the very pinnacle of the civil service, as Cabinet Secretary, exhibited these qualities to the full when questioned by MPs yesterday about Steve Hilton, the recently departed Downing Street adviser and friend of David Cameron, whose farewell gesture was to suggest that 90 per cent of civil servants should be sacked. "The way Steve operates is to challenge, he is a very challenging person," said Sir Jeremy, in classic mandarin speak.

Novak Djokovic: Patriot's game

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Novak Djokovic will stand on the brink of history when the French Open begins on Sunday. It is 43 years since one man held all four Grand Slam titles – Rod Laver won a pure Grand Slam in 1969, claiming the four majors in the same year – and Djokovic, the champion of Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open, is now just one win away from that goal.

Spotlight On... Adrian Wyatt, Quintain founder and chief executive

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Who's Adrian Wyatt?

Protests in Thailand over provocative shows by Lady Gaga

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:30:12 GMT

Lady Gaga's provocative lyrics and costumes have angered Christian groups in South Korea and the Philippines and Islamists in Indonesia, where the show may be banned.

Alec Baldwin launches foul-mouthed tirade at producer Harvey Weinstein

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:30:28 GMT

Calling the all-powerful film mogul Harvey Weinstein a “douchbag” at a party packed with his movie peers is not a recommended formula for anyone wishing to thrive in Hollywood.

Alec Baldwin launches foul-mouthed tirade at producer Harvey Weinstein

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:30:28 GMT

Calling the all-powerful film mogul Harvey Weinstein a “douchbag” at a party packed with his movie peers is not a recommended formula for anyone wishing to thrive in Hollywood.

Eddie Izzard halts 27-marathon challenge

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:31:13 GMT

Eddie Izzard has had to abandon his gruelling challenge to run a marathon each day for 27 days in South Africa due to "medical complications".

Lady Gaga angers Thai fans with fake Rolex comment

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:34:12 GMT

Lady Gaga has upset fans in Thailand by saying she wants to go shopping in Bangkok - for a fake Rolex.

Andy McSmith's Diary: Ed Balls's joy, Campbell's debut at the Bridge, and a game of two halves

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

David Cameron is worried that his displays of bad temper in the Commons are damaging his reputation. He knew he had made a mistake yesterday even before the Speaker, John Bercow, ticked him off for calling Ed Balls a "muttering idiot". That explains the unexpected and graceful apology he offered to Dennis Skinner not long afterwards, for having suggested during their previous exchange that it was time for Skinner, who is 80, to collect his pension.

'I don't want it to be boring': Former circus producer reveals plans for Diamond Jubilee river parade

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

There was a time during his circus days when Adrian Evans was more than happy to test the boundaries of health and safety with a couple of chainsaws or a motorcycle wall of death. He needs to be a little more cautious now the Queen has been entrusted into his care.

Mining tycoon beats Wal-Mart heiress to title of richest woman

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

In the half-hour it took you to get ready for work this morning, Gina Rinehart earned more than $1m. Her gross pay today will be nearly US$50m (£32m). The Australian mining tycoon is not just seriously rich – she has been crowned the world's wealthiest woman.

Jessica Ennis: Olympic hope faces new hurdles

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Jessica Ennis is sitting at a table next to a deserted dance floor in the Olympian Suite at the Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre. She is happily chewing the cud in Cudworth, the mining village on the outskirts of Barnsley that gave the world both the king of the chat show, Michael Parkinson, and Hyman, who took 100-metre Olympic silver behind America's Wilma Rudolph in Rome in 1960.

Diary: Ed Balls is thrilled by Prime Minister's flash of temper

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Cannes Film Festival charges Canadian journalists to interview stars such as Brad Pitt

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:11:24 GMT

Interviews with Hollywood’s top stars can be staid affairs. Reined in by a host of publicists and PRs, very rarely do they let slip anything of great interest. But now Canadian journalists at the Cannes Film Festival have been told they must pay for the privilege.

Didier Drogba: Striker's parting shot - my blood will stay Chelsea blue

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

When Didier Drogba arrived at Chelsea eight years ago he recalls in his autobiography that he spent the journey from Heathrow to Stamford Bridge wishing he had worn something warmer than the T-shirt and jeans he had left Marseille in. He wondered why owner Roman Abramovich was not there to greet him personally. He checked into his suite at the Millennium Hotel that adjoins the stadium full of foreboding. He would later write: "It wasn't my team... I just didn't have any desire to be part of it."

Diary: What price to dine with the Prime Minister?

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Donations of £250,000 a year will buy you dinner with David Cameron, the Conservative Party co-treasurer Peter Cruddas told undercover reporters in March. He had to resign as soon as his words – which Mr Cameron described as "completely unacceptable" – appeared in The Sunday Times.