Meryl Streep commanda so much attention. She was the only star who brought a bodyguard to the Baftas. He stopped me getting close the first time but I leapt on the winning actress the second time. She told me she can’t wait for next weekend’s Oscars. “You just never know,” she laughed. “But to win would be amazing.” My money’s on her winning (again) for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

Top girl award: Tilda Swinton (above) has always been my favourite red carpet star during award’s season. You never know who she’ll wear and it’s always out there. For the Baftas it was Celine and she had a special St. Tropez tan before walking the red carpet. Did you all know she was 51 years old too? She also gave me her glass of champagne because she said I looked like I was thirsty. Divine.

Michael Fassbender had all the ladies swarming around him at post-award dinner but he snubbed them all and brought his dad along as his date for the evening.
He told me he’d think carefully about stripping for another role. Anyone who has seen Shame will agree when I say “WOAH”. He told me: “I was very nervous about getting naked. It was really nervewracking and a big challenge to do. I don’t know whether I would take a role that involves getting naked again – it would all depend on the script. I’ll take it on board that people want me to! The director Steve McQueen is brave and very open and very honest. He really encourages that and demands that off everyone on set. It’s obvious that Steve changed my life so I’m forever indebted for that.” Go ch-ch-ch-check it out at your local VUE cinema soon.

Who would have thought Dame Judi Dench could have been so much fun? My spies caught her wearing a framed picture of a dog around her neck from one of The Artist themed tables as she dined at the post-bash dinner. Barking mad! She revealed that she’s loving having new Bond girl Naomie Harris on set. “I think Naomi is a great addition – she’s a very lovely girl and beautiful – but sadly we don’t have any scenes together.” And when I dared to call Dame Judi a legend she gave me a ticking off. “No no, none of that! I don’t think I’m a legend. I’m only a legend in my lunchtime.” Ha ha!

The Help’s Octavia Spencer is a hoot. My spies caught the actress – who bagged the Best Support gong – confided she would need flats because she had big plans for a certain Mr Brad Pitt. “I’m getting starstruck every time I see a face,” she giggled. “I’m going to dance with everybody I see tonight. I might maul George Clooney and Brad, Michael Fassbender and Jim Broadbent. I did say I’d run naked down the road if I won tonight but I won’t hold myself to that as it’s really cold outside.” What a gal.

So every year without fail Helena Bonham Carter wears Vivienne Westwood to the Baftas. Well actually every award’s do. But this year it appeared the star was moved aside for Meryl Thatcher (natch) and Mad Men star Christina Hendricks (above with me). Helena told me: “I’m in Giles Deacon.” Whereas Christina – who’s an utter delight btw – told me Westwood pulled out all the stops for the star. She revealed: “They made it specially to my measurements. They only had 24 hours to do it and spent all day Saturday measuring me and making it fit.” The star’s here in London now for a month filming new flick Bomb where she plays an east London girl. Nice to have you here, love.

Star of The Help Jessica Chastain needs a gong for most down to earth star. When I caught up with the super-sweet actress she was brimming with excitement about the Oscars where she is up for Best Supporting Actress. “Oh my gosh – for the rest of my life it is going to say ‘Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain!’ but it’s not going to say winner,” she said. “Maybe at some point in my career it will say that but it won’t say it this time but that’s OK because I want a long career. I’m hoping I get to go to the party and just see what it’s like.”
And there are big plans for ramping up the style stakes come the ceremony too. “I know it sounds strange but I see my style as like a storyteller. I like to put on clothes where I feel like I am participating in the story of the designer’s creation. I never in a million years thought that I would have these great designers actually offering to let me wear anything. I normally have a sweat pants and no-make day every day!”

Massive congratulations to Adam Deacon on winning Orange’s Rising Star Award who bar far the biggest outsider to scoop the award.  And he now wants to make the leap from Hackney to Hollywood.
“It feels crazy to have won this award. It feels like a sign of acceptance and a real pat on the back. I bet I’m the only one here though that is going back to a council flat tonight! Brad Pitt is more than welcome to join – he’d love Hackney!” For realz, Bruv?

I’ve loved Michelle Williams for quite some time. But after meeting her briefly I’m over it. She stormed past me at the Bafta dinner and shrieked: “Not now I’m absolutely starving.” The My Week With Marilyn star stormed off with aides apologising profusely at her stroppy behaviour. Nevermind, Michelle. Oh but by the way….Carey Mulligan called – she wants her look back.

With thanks to Jon Furniss for pictures and my friends at Dolce and Gabbana for the threads….

Neve Campbell is preparing to scream once again when Scream 4 hits cinemas in April. But the star tells me she’s nervous about the prospect of returning to the franchise. “It was fantastic to be back on the Scream films but I’m nervous about the film,” she revealed. “I’ve not seen it yet. I know a few test audiences have and it seemed to go down well.
“From what I know it’s going to be a return to form – more like the original film. Which is fine by me. Making another Scream film wasn’t an easy decision – but I’m pleased I did it. I just hope the fans enjoy it.” I literally cannot wait….

Inception star Tom Hardy (above) finally got his mitts with his Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award this week when funny man Alan Carr presented him with the gong. On Alan’s Chatty Man (on C4 tomorrow), Tom says he was gutted to have missed the awards. He revealed: “I’m about to go away to Georgia for 6 weeks and start a new film I had a choice whether to go away with the people I love or going to the BAFTAs. I’d booked to go away with my missus and see my little boy and then we watched it on TV and I was like ‘oh no’! I never expected to win so thank you, thank you very much,”
The Orange Wednesdays Rising Star award, the only BAFTA voted for by the British public, recognises an actor or actress who is predicted to go onto be an internationally recognised movie star. The public voted on a final list of five nominees selected by a jury including Tom Ford, actor Peter Sarsgaard and BAFTA jury chair Fionla Dwyer.

Boat That Rocked hottie Talulah Riley’s life has changed so dramatically in the past few years, She’s gone from being a super young new actress on the scene to the wife of internet billionaire Elon Musk and step-mum to his five kids – and she’s only 25. But she sounds like she’s taking her life changes in her stride right now. “I never thought my life could change so dramatically in just one year,” she laughed. “But it has. I get on with the children really well – they’re young so that’s made it a little bit easier. I’m blissfully happy though and things couldn’t be better.”

There I was thinking Mad Men’s curvy star Christina Hendricks had flown into London to hang with the A-Listers at the Baftas. I was wrong. I can reveal the star was actually on a personal visit to see her co-star on the hit US show Elisabeth Moss on the West End with Keira Knightley in new hit show The Children’s Hour. My mole tells me: “Everyone thought she was here to work – but she just wanted to visit Elisabeth and see her show. It was a quick trip in and out.” Good on her.

*Rachel Stevens (above) is trying to make her mark in the TV field these days. Today she’ll make a start on that new career by working on the red carpet interviewing the stars at the film Baftas. And she told me she couldn’t wait to meet the stars: “It’s incredibly exciting and my first red carpet working. I’m looking forward to the challenge and I really hope it leads to more opportunities.”
But it doesn’t sound like the former S Club 7 singer, who three months ago gave birth to first daughter Amelie, is just sticking to one genre in the showbiz world – she has lots to achieve. She added: “I’m getting back into the studio and want to sing again so that’s high on the agenda and I’m going to be doing lots more TV presenting. Historically ladies in pop have done well on TV – so if I can join the likes of Myleene Klass then I’d be thrilled. I’d also love to be a judge on a panel show. My dream job would be filling in on the panel of X Factor. I’d love to give the guidance to the contestants and I’m not afraid to speak my mind.” Over to you Mr Cowell….
Rachel is hosting the Orange Wednesdays red carpet coverage from the 2011 Orange BAFTAs today – the show will be available to view on Monday 14th February at www.orange.co.uk/bafta.

Shhh
WHICH star once dabbled in acid. This young lady spazzed out so much so objects started melting into the floor ala Terminator 2. WOW!

*The female cast members of The Only Way Is Essex had better keep their filthy little mitts off of Mark Wright on the new series – because the diamond geezer’s girlfriend Kayla Collins isn’t going to let any other lady sink her claws in. I bumped into the I’m A Celeb star at the MTV Jersey Shores bash at Mahiki this week and she told me: “He’s with me now. We’re getting on so well and he’s so adorable. I’ve honestly never been happier. I’m not sure if I’m going to be in the show yet but he’s not going to be seeing any other women on the show. I’m popping back to LA for a quick trip to see my cat and then I’ll be back. I’m hoping there could be something special with Mark.” I’m sure Lauren Goodger and Sam Faiers are sharpening their claws in anticipation.

*Tamsin Egerton gained a lot from appearing in new flick Chalet Girl – she even bagged a NBF (new best friend for those of you over the age of 13). Tamsin told me at the film’s premiere this week: “You can see the chemistry between Felicity and I in the film. We got really close by the end, because we’re around the same age and we’re both from the UK. I guess we are NBFs.” Bless.

*Olivia Palermo sure has come a long way since her days on The City. Nowadays she’s a bonafide style icon. So that might explain why my spies in Gstaad, Switzerland, saw the clothes horse strolling in the sunshine with iconic fashion designer Valentino this week. My mole tells me: “She was carrying a Birkin bag and they were arm in arm – with a hot male model on the other side.” Good for her.

*You won’t catch Irish songstress Imelda May stripping off like naughty Lady GaGa or Rihanna. Instead of flaunting the flesh the singer – who’s album Mayhem is out now -  will be sticking to her 50s wiggle dresses. “I love people who have their own style but I don’t know if I’d have the nerve to wear leotards on stage as I like to keep myself a little more covered,” she giggled. “It’s nice to leave more to the imagination I think. You have no-where really left to go after everyone has seen what you had for breakfast!”

*Peter “Voice Of The X Factor” Dickson has a bizarre effect on Leona Lewis these days. Speaking at this week’s Chortle Awards hosted by Al Murray he revealed: “I have this affect on people who work on the show and I spoke to Leona Lewis about it not too long ago. She told me that every time she heard my voice ‘I have palpitations, can’t breath, my stomach tightens and my nipples pop out’. I said my God love, I’m going to be phoning you up every day. It doesn’t take a lot to work out why I get her nervous though because I am the last thing they hear before the doors open and they walk out in front of 20 million people. And then poor Leona gets palpitations and nearly dies of a heart attack. For anyone men out there now thinking of recording my voice and playing it to Leona, please don’t do that to her. She’s nervous enough already.” Ha!

*Any other husband wouldn’t be complaining about having lots of sex. But I guess when you’re trying to impregnate your wife it could become a chore. Just ask Richard Bacon. “I’ve been married now for three years and we’re trying to have kids at the moment,’ he told me at the Chortle Awards. “It’s another way of saying that we are having a lot of sex. And we’re working really hard at it. It does become a little bit routine after a while as it doesn’t feel the same as it did when you were a teenager. You’re more likely to say ‘Really? I’ve got another chapter in my book I want to finish’. But I imagine, like most people on Valentine’s Day we’ll be having sex. Not for romantic reason – it’s purely functional.” Good luck with that Richie!

*Ashton Kutcher didn’t sound ready for Valentine’s Day with wife Demi Moore at all when I caught up with him this week. Promoting new flick No Strings Attached he told me: “I’m getting back to LA just in time for Valentines Day but unless I manage to get a card and a gift some one is not going to be happy and its all gonna be very unromantic! I was in Paris and should’ve done something then but failed.  And now I’ve probably got an hour to go up to Bond Street, so let’s hope I can find something there…there’s always Topshop right?!” I fear Demi may require diamonds…

*Kristin Scott Thomas may face the wrath of Twi-hards after admitting she didn’t enjoy having a romp with Robert Pattinson. The British actor may have women falling at his feet but Kristin was unimpressed with the British actor on the set of their upcoming film Bel Ami. “See I don’t have an amazing crush on Robert Pattinson. He’s not my type,” she told me at the 31st London Film Critics’ Choice Awards . “I played one of Rob’s three love interests – he was very busy – but it was just the same as playing the love interest of any heartthrob.” Such a hard life, eh?

*Pierce Brosnan may need to get himself a restraining order against Olivia Williams who played his wifey in recent flick The Ghost Writer. Something tells me The Sixth Sense actress rather enjoyed working with the former Bond hottie. “The obvious attraction to the role was that I’d be married to Pierce. He’s the nicest man in the world and is phenomenally good-looking – breathtakingly so,” she said. “He would have had every right to be arrogant and impatient with someone like me who is a bit of a fan but he was kind, funny and self-effacing.” And scared-stiff too, probably!

*Ladies, prepare yourselves because Colin Firth has promised to pose in just his dressing gown if he scoops the Best Actor Oscar for The King’s Speech.
“I have a feeling that whatever happens in the next, whatever years I have to live, that I will find a pretext for re-enacting Faye Dunaway’s morning after pose,” he tells me
And it seems far from being the quintessential Englishman, Colin’s actually hiding a desire to pump out his lips and unleash his inner rockstar.
“I haven’t improved on playing the guitar since I was younger, even if I did play it for an hour or two yesterday,” he said. “I’d have been in The Rolling Stones if I could be in any band. But who says I haven’t already set up my own.”

*Up In The Air star Melanie Lynskey told me she wasn’t fully comfortable on the red carpet – despite starring opposite Hollywood hotties George Clooney and Matt Damon recently. She joked: “I’m so bad at red carpet. I don’t mind doing chats with intelligent people who have good questions but I get uncomfortable with photographs. I need to be taught. I guess at least I have a light load on my shoulders and don’t have to go to all the awards.
The poor thing was even nervous about meeting other fellow film stars at the Critics Choice Movie Awards. She laughed: “I didn’t meet anybody I wanted to because I’m too shy but I stood next to Meryl Street and Quentin Tarantino.”

*Remember this name – Luke Evans. He’s the hot new Welsh hunk taking Hollywood by storm. He’ll be seen in new blockbuster Clash of the Titans playing Apollo (Liam Neeson plays his father Zeus). He’s charming and told me he’s loving life at the Bafta LA British Tea Party last week: “Clash of the Titans was my first film venture. So it’s been crazy. Liam’s playing my father which is so funny. I was acting even better because I was alongside him and Sam Worthington and Ralph Fiennes.
“I was literally terrified on the first day. Once you see a reflection of yourself in the mirror and you have 22 carat gold armour on and you look mean you relax a little.”
After Clash Luke has four movies coming out. Blitz with Jason Statham, the Stephen Frears flick Tamara Drewe opposite Gemma Arterton not to mention  Sex & Drugs and Rock & Roll and a cameo in the Russell Crowe Robin Hood movie.

*St Trinian’s star Talulah Riley has moved out to LA full time to try and carve a movie career – but she misses cheese! She revealed: “I live here now and I’m bereft of all English people. I miss Cheddar cheese so much – it’s plastic and rubbish out here.” That it is!
Talulah added that she hopes for another St Trinian’s film sometime in the future. “It’s great to have had so much success with the films,” she said. “It was a great film to hang out with the girls on. I think they’re plans for 20 more.” I have to say another one of those movies is a hellish thought!

*Step aside Johnny Vegas – Maggie Gyllenhaal could replace you as the face of PG Tips if you don’t watch it. She tells me: “I love PG Tips. I love that tea so much. I was in the UK for four months shooting the new Nanny McPhee in the summer and I loved it.” The star was elegant as usual and said it didn’t take her long to dress for the plush Bafta event. “This time for the Globes I got one dress and that’s what I wore but if I’m nominated it’s different ball game and I’ll literally try 30 dresses on,” she added.

*The Young Victoria star Emily Blunt is backing fellow Brit Carey Mulligan all the way when it comes to awards glory. The star, who sadly failed to be nominated for a Lead Actress Bafta this week, said: “I think it’s a good year for the Brits and we’re thrilled. It’s tough for young British actresses to come over to the US and be in a film and be appreciated and for the role to do well. So I’m pleased for people like Carey Mulligan – she took my breath away in An Education.”

*Irish The Lovely Bones star Saoirse Ronan kept it real on the red carpet in LA. “I’m wearing a Warehouse dress actually,” she said despite being the toast of Hollywood with her Critics Choice win. “It’s crazy out here – I got to meet people like Meryl Streep – that’s been the highlight.”

*Precious star Gabourey Sidibe remains calm about her chances of an Oscar nomination for her role in the flick that everybody’s talking about! She told me: “For this film to have been recognised means so much to me. I’m enjoying going to all these shows and meeting people. I’m not even thinking about the Oscars yet – it’s just too much to handle.” I reckon she’ll lift the famous statuette on Oscar night!

Former Skins star Nicholas Hoult continues to make an impressive bid to conquer Hollywood. He’s just landed a huge role in the new Mad Max film alongside Hollywood heavyweight Charlize Theron. Nicholas has landed a role in Mad Max 4: Fury Road and will start filming in the coming weeks for what could be his big break in Hollywood. Speaking to me this week he told me: “I’m petrified by Hollywood but I have lots coming up in Hollywood. Its odd at first out there because you have to get past a layer of fake-ness I guess, but you know, we filmed A Single Man out there and it didn’t feel like a big Hollywood production in that sense.” Nicholas has now been nominated for the Orange Rising Star Bafta Award – the only gong at the posh ceremony to be voted for by the public. He’s even up against Twilight star Kristen Stewart in the category! Ever the charmer he said on his nomination: “I don’t have any expectations about winning with the people that I’m in there with as they’re much better actors than me and they’re on a much higher incline than I am.” Don’t put yourself down Nicholas! Vote for Nicholas Hoult to win the Orange Rising Star Award at www.orange.co.uk/bafta

I had a blast at last night’s Orange BAFTA Awards at London’s Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. I was sat right above the glittering array of Hollywood superstars and literally 50 feet from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
It was the most amazing people watching of my life. The front row of the awards included Brad and Ange, Kylie Minogue and her manager Terry Blamey and Christian Slater and his girlfriend, Jimmy Choo head honcho, Tamara Mellon. Her face is kinda weird in real life…..I think something may have ‘gone on’ there!

It was hysterical when Christian got up and went over to say hello to Brangelina and left Tamara sitting there nervously looking on…..he didn’t even make an effort to introduce them to his missus….
But even more hysterical was when BAFTA competitors Kate Winslet and Angeline Jolie said hello. They were sitting just four feet away from each other but instead of getting up Jolie just gave a relaxed wave of her hand and turned straight back away from the British star. It was a frosty hello if ever I’ve seen one…

Kate, who brought her mother Sally and her dad Roger to the bash, seemed to be enjoying herself immensely by the end of the evening at the after party at Grosvenor House. She barged past me holding film guru Baz Bamigboye by the hand telling her friends: “She was off for a fag with Baz.” Hilariously movie boss Harvey Weinstein felt it necessary to warn Kate that Baz was a journalist and she snapped: “Don’t you think I already know that, Harvey. He’s a f***ing friend. We are going for a smoke.” Ouch. That told him.

The night was obviously a huge success for the Danny Boyle film Slumdog Millionaire – and quite right so. I caught up with the film’s star Dev Patel – who was so star struck at the bash. He told me: “I met Sharon Stone – how cool is that?” The former Skins star didn’t look miffed to have lost out to Hollywood hardman Mickey Rourke. In fact he couldn’t have been happier just to have been nominated alongside him. He’ll go far, that one.

I also met the gorgeous female lead from Slumdog, Freida Pinto. She was over the moon to be at the event and proudly told me her dress was Oscar De La Renta. It was the outfit everybody agreed was the top of the pile too….

Mickey Rourke was ready to party after winning his gong for Best Actor for his performance in The Wrestler. It’s real return to form and he looked ecstatic at the Soho House Grey Goose sponsored after party. He walked in with security and after briefly saying hi to supermodel Karolina Kurkova.

While all eyes and ears were on Ross for any swearing or gaffes during the transmission it was Mickey who turned the air blue with his Actor acceptance speech. He told the audience he had been “f****** up my career for 15 years”. He also paid tribute to co-star Marisa Tomei by saying she was brave to take her clothes off, adding: “I enjoyed looking at her.” I was cracking up watching his speech and it was all anybody talked about afterwards.

The surprise guest of the night was Twilight star Robert Pattinson who turned up around midnight wearing a scruffy jacket and jeans and a pair of fairly shiteous Nike Air trainers. It was a black tie dress code Robbie!

Fearne Cotton was on the red carpet covering the event for the Orange website and managed to talk to all the stars as they arrived. You can watch all of Fearne’s chats with the star at www.orange.co.uk/bafta. Bless Fearne, she was made up when after speaking to Mickey Rourke he said she was “hard core”. She is indeed Mickey!

I was especially pleased with the evening after Noel Clarke won the Orange Rising Star BAFTA. Having voted on the judging panel to whittle down the original 25 nominees to a final five to face the public vote, it was an extra special moment when he won. It was a very strong category this year – with Rebecca Hall, Toby Kebbell, Michael Cera and Michael Fassbender also on the short list. It was also great to meet Hayley Atwell at the after show bash. She’s a cool chick!

The real fright of the night was Sharon Stone’s scary appearance – she’s not half as fabulous looking close up. There were wrinkles a plenty! On the plus side she wore a fabulous Galliano gown – but it would have suited a 30-something year old actress a tad better. Her boobies were far too scrunched up for my liking.

It was easily the best night of the year……so far!

Pictures: With thanks to Jon Furniss