PARTY OF THE WEEK: P Diddy couldn’t get off his yacht to attend because the weather was so horrendous but that didn’t start me dancing the night away at the Ciroc sponsored CAA agency party at Le Baron. Gemma Arterton (above) sat engrossed in conversation with Gael Garcia Bernal and busted moves with hubby Stefano Catelli later on. Supermodel Karolina Kurkova worked the room and hung out with Gerry Butler and randomly celeb BB’s Bobby Sabel was there too.

THE HOTNESS: Zac Efron sounds like he enjoyed getting up, close and personal with Nicole Kidman in love scenes for new movie Paperboy. “It’s literally the best movie I’ve ever done,” he said at the Ciroc Erno Laszlo after show. “The love scene with Nicole was the highlight of my career.”

YAWN: Rent-a-boob Kelly Brook was out at blooming everything in Cannes. If there was a party (or an ill fitting swimsuit) then she wanted to be involved. She launched her role in Keith Lemon The Movie on the croissette before staying on to prance along the red carpets in various gowns. She was even overheard trying to persuade Keith to stay with her and attend to plush Vanity fair and Gucci party. That would have gone down well, Kel!

WEIRD FACT: Benecio del Toro STINKS of cigars. I bumped into him twice at the snazzy Martinez Hotel and the odour was overwhelming. Not cool.

THE BUZZ: Rita Ora was whizzing around Cannes. She performed on the Croissette for Le Grand Journal and the following night partied her socks off at the Replay Jeans part at the Martinez where Simple Minds warmed up for their world tour. Slick. I hear Rita will be a guest judge on X Factor this week. Not bad for a girl who hasn’t even had an album out yet.

UNLIKELY GUEST: Ronan Keating worked the Cannes crowd to promote debut acting role in new movie Goddess. He also hooked up with pal Jim Kerr of Simple Minds at the Replay bash.

THE PRODUCER TO KNOW: Avatar actress Michelle Rodiguez stayed with Saudi film producer Mohammed Al Turki on a super yacht in the French Riviera. Mo is making wave sin Hollywood right now with flicks including Arbitage, starring Richard Gere, Tim Roth and Susan Sarandon, and what Maisie Knew starring Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgard and Steve Coogan.

TALK OF THE FESTIVAL: Chris O’Dowd’s new flick The Sapphires went down a storm with a standing ovation. The film’s been picked up by Harvey Weinstein to distribute and received a standing ovation after it’s screening. It tells the story of an Aborginal Australian girl group and there dream to make it big. Chris told me: “It’s an amazingly cute film and to receive that sort of reaction was pretty incredible.” It’s out in the winter!

THINGS I LEARNT ABOUT BRAD PITT (above with Ray Liotta):
1. One of his favourite drinks is Kahlua and milk. FACT.
2. When Brad borrows clothes he never allows people into a fitting. He wore Gucci in Cannes and just requested clothes be sent over and he’d sort himself out.
3. He requested that he had to know all 100 guests personally at his Killing Them Softly after party sponsored by Johnnie Walker Blue Label at Villa St. George.

THE CUTENESS: Kylie (above with Harvey Weinstein) told me at the Killing Them Softly after show that she was extremely unprepared for her red carpet moment to following evening – she couldn’t decide what to wear! She said: “I’m petrified about the carpet – purely because I can’t find anything to wear. I’ve tried so many dresses on.” She eventually went for an amazing gold number. Above she’s in Cavalli. Natch.

Sarah Jessica Parker was on great form introducing a clip of her brand new Weinstein film I Don’t Know How She Does It – a comedy about the life of Kate Reddy, a finance executive who is the breadwinner for her hubby and two kids! Decked out in a white Dolce and Gabbana dress the actress made a speech to the 200 people at the Glaceau vitaminwater party at the Martinez Hotel. Afterwards she told me she was nervous as hell. SJP said: “I’m not a public speaker – that was terrifying speaking infront of all those people. Especially with this movie. I’m proud of it and I want it to do well so I was happy to come to Cannes to promote it.”

Ever wondered how Pirates of the Caribbean star Penelope Cruz stays looking so super sexy and hot? Well I now know. Since giving birth to her first son, Leo, with hubby Javier Bardem in January she’s been taking Ballet Barre work out sessions after being recommended them by her buddy Madonna. “She can’t get enough of the work outs,” says my mole. “She studied ballet when she was young and she’s found it great for posture and shape. She wanted to keep her curves and it’s enabled her to do that perfectly.”

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at the Hotel Du Cap last Friday evening. I’m reliably informed Hollywood heavyweights Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson and Bradley Cooper spent much of the evening knocking back rose wine and nattering to guests at the hotel. My source tells me: “Robert insisted that everyone called him Bob throughout the night and was super friendly with everyone.” What a legend.

Alexa Chung was at the festival as an ambassador for jewellery company Chopard and it sounds like she was having a right jolly time swanning around the croisette and getting paid for it! The presenter and fashion-icon-in-the-making was wearing a £4 million necklace at a special screening of her buddy Emily Browning’s creepy new movie Sleeping Beauty. I’m told Alexa had two security staff following her around for dear life. A mole tells me: “Alexa couldn’t be out of sight of the security team all evening. Chopard want to be a bit more trendy and not so stuffy – so employed her for the coolness factor.” Lucky bitch.

Jude Law loves his football – possibly a bit too much. I hear the star hosted a special Cannes celebrity football five-a-side game yesterday with Eric Cantona. The pair both captained teams at the special game and the pair’s friends showed up in their droves to watch them play footie. How very Robbie Williams of Jude.

Duran Duran were the big draw at the European launch of Belvedere Red at Cannes club VIP last week. I partied with the boys on the clubs infamous revolving dancefloor as they sang seven of their biggest hits ahead of their UK tour kicking off in Newcastle this week.
And from what Simon Le Bon tells me there’s plenty more years of Duran to come – as well as a few possible collaborations. Simon said: “We are having the best years of our life right now performing all around the world. We’re all about live music and the new album reflects that.
“Tinie Tempah did come up to me at the Brits and say he wanted to do something with us. I’m not sure if it was just all talk – but we’d love to. Put it out there and get him to call us. Obviously Lady Gaga would be one we would love to work with too. She’s definitely pushing the boundaries of pop.”

Cheryl Cole has found a new celebrity fan in the shape and form of style queen Diane Kruger. I hear Troy star Diane bumped into the X Factor US judge at the Martinez and was full of admiration for her. My source tells me: “Diane was so sweet and ran over to say hello to Cheryl wishing her well in America and saying to stay focused and relaxed. It was very sweet of her and Cheryl was chuffed.”
The Girls Aloud star has been staying at the Martinez out here taking a break before returning to the US for X Factor and fulfilling her commitments to L’Oreal doing some European promo. Contrary to rumours the star leaves France at the end of the weekend….missing out on seeing her manager will.i.am in Cannes when he performs at the Grisogono jewellery event later this week.

Let’s face it David Walliams isn’t the butchest of men. The Little Britain star had me howling with laughter at the Calvin Klein Honor Women of Independent Film bash at the Martinez Hotel in Cannes.
David – who had his hand permanently fixed to wife Lara Stone’s backside throughout the night – had been somber throughout the evening but quite literally exploded into a dance off with his wife when Baccara’s Yes Sir I Can Boogie came on the speakers. The comedian was flinging his arms around in the air and Lara was twirled around non-stop. You literally couldn’t make it up.

Vanessa Hudgens (above with me) is on a mission to ditch her High School Musical image. And starring in a new movie opposite Michael Caine sounds like the perfect tonic. The pair join forces for Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and are currently shooting and Vanessa told me the pair have formed an unlikely friendship. “He’s amazing,” said Vanessa. “I walked in to film with him the other day and he was sitting in his chair and blasting out a song. He was singing Katy Perry’s Firework at the top of his voice. He’s truly one of a kind – and for a gentleman of 77 he’s so cool.”
The star was experiencing her first Cannes trip and said she couldn’t wait to return with a movie to promote. She added: “I’m not doing the whole red carpet film thing this year. I’m literally with a friend and we’re enjoying all the festival has to offer. It’s a low key trip this year.”

Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson were out and proud as a couple in Cannes. Not only were they both individually promoting movies, the pair are set to sit side by side at a Haiti benefit on Wednesday that Sean’s organised with socialite and charity campaigner Ella Krasner. They make a hot couple! The bash will definitely be the hottest ticket in town this week….

The new girl of the moment is officially Jessica Chastain. She plays Brad Pitt’s other half in new flick The Tree of Life and I caught up with the actress at the slick calvin Klein bash. She told me: “Working with Brad was great. I guess it feels like things are starting to take off for me and it’s great to have such an amazing response ahead of the film’s release.” Trust me, this girl will be huge next year.

Alice in Wonderland star Mia Wasikowska is going place. The star was in cannes promoting new Gus Van Sant movie Restless with co-star Henry Hopper. But I hear the star had an entire team from LA flown over to attend to her every need. A source told me: “Her hair and make-up team alone cost £50,000 to get to France from LA and pay for their time.” Alright for some.

Uma Thurman caused a stir arriving at the Hotel Martinez beach party on the croissette for the Calvin Klein bash. While all other stars – including Rosario Dawson and esteemed fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth – walked around with no security, Uma had two burly bouncers following her every move. I spied her talking at length with model Natalia Vodianova at the party and the two gorillas wouldn’t let anybody interrupt – including her team! Wow.

And if you didn’t know any better you’d think that Uma Thurman and Jude Law were a couple. Uma Thurman – supposedly back together with Arpad Busson after a brief split – was all over Jude like a rash at the plush Chopard party in Cannes on Monday evening.
My spies watched aghast (and gave me these exclusive pictures above) as the pair spent all the night whispering into each other’s ears and nattering. But I’m told Uma wasn’t letting anybody nestle alongside Jude – and went to extraordinary lengths to make sure it didn’t happen. My source says: “They didn’t want anybody else interrupting, that’s for sure. They spent the whole evening sat together and looked totally into each other.
“At one point Uma popped to the loo and a blonde girl made her move to sit next to Jude. Uma was furious when she got back and told her to sling her hook when she returned. She looked like the catch that got the cream.” They would make a hot couple!

I’ve heard horror stories about Kirsten Dunst (above) so was a bit nervy about nattering to her in Cannes. But she’s pleasant as can be and funny too. The star arrived a couple of days early for her Melancholia premiere on the croisette and I caught up with her at the Glaceau vitaminwater party at the Hotel Du Cap. “I’ve had a blast,” Kirsten told me. “It’s the first time I’ve been able to enjoy Cannes and not be frantically busy. I went in the sea swimming today – although I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s bloody freezing.” Noted. Also at the party was Mad Men’s Jon Hamm (below) – in town trying to find a distributor for his new flick Friends with Kids. He happens to be one of the politest actors I’ve ever met….

There was only one place to be in Cannes – the Nobu Berkeley Street pop-up restaurant at the hotel 3.14. David Walliams and Lara Stone were spotted slurping on wonderful Iceberg vodka cocktails, Jonathan Ross dined there alonside Robert De Niro one evening and new bosom buddies Vanessa Hudgens and Rosario Dawson dined with four American ice hockey players.

Jonathan Aitken’s daughter Victoria is finally starting to make some waves in the music industry after years of trying. Her new single Queen of the House is stupidly catchy – and proper Euro pop. Vic’s signed a record deal now in Germany and the new single has entered the dance charts at No.5. I bumped into her at snazzy restaurant Eden Roc and she told me: “I’m glad things are taking off for me. I’ve been working hard on it all.” Good for her.

Naomi Campbell knows how to throw a good knees up! And the supermodel partied the night away with her billionaire boy toy Vladimir Dororin this week following her Fashion For Relief event in Cannes. Naomi was dancing pretty much non-stop until 5am at Jalouse members club Baoli. “She was sat behind the DJ booth and was ordering huge bottles of champagne all night – at one point she was dancing on the table,” says my party spy. Get her.

Don’t mess with Faye Dunaway – or she’ll elbow you in the ribs! Lizzie Cundy came face to face with the screen legend at the Chopard bash and faye snapped: “You look far too glamorous for me.” And proceeded to literally elbow the presenter out the way to get past her. Lizzie tells me: “She has the sharpest elbows in the business. I was

That bump is gonna be a biggun by the end of her pregnancy! Nobody knows exactly when she’s due but from the looks of it we have a couple of months of ‘big Ange’ left before she squeezes out the new members of the Brangelina brood.

She wears a gorgeous little Dolce and Gabbana number. Pure class.

Jade was on flying form by all accounts. Her other half, Dan Williams, was on the decks at the start of the evening and later on Mark Ronson took over at VIP to play for the crowds. Although Mark’s normally the hottest thing out there, he wasn’t exactly made to feel welcome at the event. In fact he was thrown off the decks after just an hour because the club’s bosses weren’t happy with his indie inspired tunes. Read Mr Showbiz next week to find out what he had to say about it!

Despite being in town, Jade’s daddy Mick Jagger didn’t show up to support his little girl. Maybe he didn’t want to ruin his hair in the torrential rain! It was a smoker’s nightmare….
I caught up with GMTV’s Jenni Falconer at the bash but she quickly made for the exit after a couple of cocktails because she had to be up for 5am to prepare for her live Cannes report. She said she’s been struggling for the past day or so to stay awake. “I was doing great and totally up for it for the first few days,” she giggled. “But it’s tiring and I’ve hit the wall.”

I finally got to catch up with Kelly Brook and Billy Zane too. The pair, who got back together last week after splitting two months ago, looked lovey dovey sitting down in the club. Admittedly Billy did try and get into the clubbing spirit and danced with his hands in the air when Ronson started playing – but Kelly just doesn’t strike me as a clubber. She seemed confused by it all.
Hilariously the pair actually asked to pop along to the event after bumping into Belvedere organisers the day before. A mole tells me: “They were in a restaurant and overheard people saying there was a Belvedere party and asked if they could come.” Does that mean they had to beg for an invite then? I think it does…..

Mike Tyson turned up again at VIP and the crowd went insane when P Diddy arrived with a huge entourage and proceeded to hit the stage and get the crowd whipped up into a frenzy.

My favourite sight of the evening was when I stood near the entrance of the club at 2.30am. I could see camera flashes and out of the darkness came Goldie Hawn. She may be well into her sixties but the girl isn’t afraid of a packed nightclub. Her partying is becoming legendary this year – two nights before she’d been spotted snogging a guy on the dancefloor at one club. Kurt Russell who?

Jude Law’s been causing quite a stir out here too – he hit the Century club yesterday evening for a world peace event. Its his first outing since pictures surfaced of him snogging the face off of Kimberly Stewart at an Essex nightclub. How very random! Click here to read about that!

Yesterday was pure bliss in Cannes. The sun was shining, people were out and about and I kept bumping into incredibly random celebrities. Very random.

Firstly Sanjay from Eastenders (his name slips my mind) seems to be going wherever I go. I saw him on a boat party I popped too in the evening and then he appeared on the croisette too. Is he my stalker? That wouldn’t be cool would it!
My next random sighting came as I stumbled out of the Boujis party at 3am on the beach. Somebody asked me what time it was and a voice suddenly went: “It’s Chico time.” I looked round and it was X-Factor contestant Chico. How weird is that? I didn’t realise Chico the movie was launching at Cannes!

Then on the beach that morning I looked up from above my refreshing Fiji water and spied Abs from Five. Too second later he was perched on the end of my sunbed telling me he was staying with his pal Lisa Voice in Hotel Du Cap. Get him. He has a tattoo on his neck now that says Delicious…..

I had a phone call telling me Kelly Brook and Billy Zane were on the beach at the plush Century club around 3pm. I guess they are back together properly then…..

At about 6pm I popped over to see Lady Victoria Hervey and up and coming actor Tim Wade at a boat party to launch a new film called Catwalk. It was a small little affair – with lots of cool London people swanning around. Tamara Beckwith called Victoria as we sat enjoying the sun saying she was on Valentino’s boat five down from us and that she’d get changed and join us. I shot off for dinner at London’s exclusive Hospital club before that! The posh club in Covent Garden have set up shop in Cannes for a few days and they do a great burger!

Then it was over to the Boujis party where I caught up with DJ Sam Young (pretty much the world’s most in demand DJ of the moment, don’t you know), met the forever moaning journalist Liz Jones who seemed bored shitless and former EastEnders star Chris Parker. He’s a funny guy – so boyish and baby faced it’s almost annoying.

Something weird happened at Boujis though – I met a celebrity who I never ever really wanted to meet but I was always intrigued about. The boxer Mike Tyson. He’s in town launching a film and was in Boujis to party I guess. He shook my hand and it was the biggest hand in the world. Freakishly large actually and yet he had a surprisingly soft grip. We chatted for a few minutes and I eventually left him to it – he wanted girls on his lap, not a pretty blonde thing like me! It was very strange meeting him though – usually I try and hold my judgement back until I’ve met someone. I got an instant vibe from him that he was a scary and dodgy guy. His aura was intense.

Bring on another night of partying in 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!

In the meantime, here’s something to get your celebrity appetite turned on! Lucy Liu wearing a stunning Roberto Cavalli outfit on the red carpet with Dustin Hoffman at the Kung Fu Panda film premiere in Cannes. Is that a Kabbalah bracelet I see? I never thought she was in that club!