Apart from the sheer fact that it rained pretty much all day yesterday, my first night in the south of France was extremely successful. I attended the Usonian organised Partouche Celebrity Charity Poker event at the Palms Casino just outside of Cannes.

The rules were simple for the bash – eight A-Listers fly over on a private jet from LA and take part in a poker tournament whilst 50 or so cameras catch every moment for people at a cocktail party to be able to view on TV screens. It made for great television as Tim Robbins, Ed Norton, Salma Hayek, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Hopper, Goldie Hawn, Adrien Brody and Alice Taglioni sat down for a game.

In the end it was French actress Alice Taglioni who one by one took all the big players out – but Woody managed to take her out in the last few minutes! Woody won the cmpetition after the game reached 1am and he won £1 million for charity.

Naturally I managed to wangle my way into the A-List’s nest. I hung out where the friends and family watched the event. Each time a contestant was wiped out we clapped them in. Dennis Hopper sat with his wife and his entourage on the next table – despite there being a strict no smoking rule inside in France he freely sparked his cigar up! Well the Hollywood legend was turning 72 last night. And to celebrate the Palm Beach owner presented him with a cake themed on all the flicks he’s ever made. Hollywood stars with his hit films branded the outside of the monstrous 100kg strawberry sponge cake and a clapper board saying Easy Rider made of icing graced the top. It was truly spectacular – check it out!

Elsewhere it was interesting to see Ed Norton and Salma Hayek – who split up in 2003 – in the same room. Ed has a pretty new girlfriend nowadays. He sat munching pesto pasta next to me after he finished the game whilst Salma took a back seat squatting three tables back. The pair didn’t speak at all after the game – and when Salma left she slipped out not even looking his way.
I am assured the pair have remained very good friends since their break up though! They must be I guess, they spent hours sitting on the same poker table!
Salma is looking beautiful since giving birth to her first child too – she has an amazing figure and immaculate skin. Salma did go over to Ed Norton’s girlfriend and say it was “exhausting” playing the game. There was no bad blood between them….that’s for sure.

Tim Robbins sat down after his match on my table and said: “Triple vodka!” to the waiter. He looked relieved to have come out of the game a little earlier. Goldie Hawn was clearly tired out by the end of the evening. She’s been partying hard in Cannes – attending the Quintessentially bash the night before……

Goldie, who wore a stunning Roberto Cavalli gown, and Adrien Brody both kept their shades on for much of the poker game! On the way in Goldie told reporters: “My eyes are the window in to my soul and I can’t lie. I need them to keep a poker face.”

I also managed to catch up with Lady Victoria Hervey – who was responsible for much of the Partouche event’s celebrity organisation. She’s ready to party in Cannes so the rest of my trip is going to be a whole lot of fun!