I’ve been a big fan of William Baker’s work over the years. His vision has shaped the career of Kylie Minogue ever since he put her in THOSE gold hotpants. And he’s a great chap in real life. I caught up with Will at Terry Ronald’s Becoming Nancy book launch this week and he told me Kylie and him have a habit of sneaking into other theatre shows undercover. “We went to watch Joan Collins in panto last year and it was the most amazing show,” he told me. “We’re both huge Joanie fans and we met her afterwards. Kylie was shaking she was so nervous about meeting her. She’s a legend to us.”
Will also says the Pop Princess has effectively banned him from joining twitter as he’s too rude. “Kylie’s banned me from twitter,” he revealed. “She says I’m a liability and I’d be too rude – which is true. There are lots of people pretending to be me which is weird. I don’t do twitter or facebook.”

Recently I sat down with my favourite X Factor judge Dannii Minogue. I published some of it – but lots of our chat didn’t make the cut. So here it is…..

Are we going to want more babies soon?
I said recently that we had just bought a seven-seater car and I wanted to fill it with babies. I liked being pregnant, I really did. I could definitely see myself having another one at some point. I’m not sure about filling the car. They can just bring their friends!
It is really great now though. My brother’s got two boys and I have Ethan so they will be great buddies. I can’t wait to get back to Australia for the family time.

What’s your plans for Christmas and the New Year then?
I’ll be back in Australia after the show but I’ll be back and forth for Project D throughout the year. I’ll have a month off – I literally have to. I haven’t stopped this year and need to. I just can’t wait to be at the new house, pool in the back yard and sunshine and BBQs and by then maybe a little martini!
I’m visualising sitting by the pool and teaching Ethan to swim and the family all over.

Are you hoping Matt Cardle wins for you at this weekend’s final?
If Matt were to win then I hope they’ll let him grow. At the moment its hard. I asked him he felt knocked down as it was Aiden and then Paije to go. He said losing Aiden was the biggest shock for him. They were very close. Great mates. Obviously he wanted him to stay in the competition. Fortunately it’s making him strong. He’s a good hope for Team Minogue.

Who else are you backing?
I see something special with One Direction. They are amazing. They remind me of the early days of Take That. They were all naughty and crazy and had the different personalities. A boyband needs a good lead.

And what about the style battle between you and Cheryl Cole each week – I’m obsessed!
I’ve heard people do pause the TV when Cheryl and me walk out. That’s funny. This year I’ve changed the entire way that I work my X Factor wardrobe. In previous years I’ve been prepared for every show – so I know what I’ll wear in December at the start of the live shows in September.
This year I arrived with two dresses and a baby. And that was it. A week before the first show I just thought I’d wear a cream dress – because it fit well. I’m still not back to my pre-baby body so I had that to deal with too.
It’s a tricky time of year to get dresses for a show like X Factor. The fashion shows are going on and the samples are flying around everywhere so it’s difficult to get anything at that time. I’ve got my girl Angie Smith that I work with with styling. I brought a few Australian things over and I’ve had Project D  stuff too. Time wise I don’t have the time to worry about dresses. It’s been very chilled. In previous years I’ve been freaking out but the baby has made me chill out. I’m such a different person. I’d be freaking out usually on my blackberry and going bananas. But I just can’t be bothered. I’m happy. I guess it’s my hormones, doll.

Do you ever check with Cheryl to make sure you don’t clash?
We never confer on what we are going to wear. This weekend is the first weekend where I have three options. Every other week it’s that or that. I love wearing the Victoria Beckham dresses. They are seriously amazing. I’m absolutely loving other people wearing my own dresses.

Who else would you love to see wearing Project D?
I love Heidi Klum – always have. I would have killed to have had Heidi in my black sequin dress – with a pregnancy bump. She’s is the most beautiful amazing woman when she’s pregnant and she would have looked divine. I would love Kate Hudson and the other Kate. You know, Kate Middleton. That would be a dream come true. Maybe I could work on a little something in ivory? Could you imagine that? Kate Middleton chooses a Project D wedding dress.
Oprah Winfrey is coming over to Australia to do a TV special soon. I’m desperate to dress her. So I’m going to try. I’d love to do Michelle Obama too.

Was it important that you were taken seriously and didn’t just lend your name to a brand?
Anyone that knows me knows I would never have just given my name to some company’s brand and said sell those clothes as “Dannii” endorsed clothing. That’s just not me. Last year was so crazy I had Project D, the show, being pregnant, filmed the show Style Queen and a book. I was adamant to have it all documented because I wanted people to know how involved Tabitha and me were. We worked our arses off.
To be doing this Project D and doing it with credibility is a dream come true. To have the fashion editors coming in to me and giving me feedback. We’ve just done the second season now. We’ve just done our first year. It will take five years for something to settle in. It’s not been overnight for Victoria – she’s worked hard and she’s got there. And I want to do that too.

Dannii Minogue’s a hawt new mumma, in a great relationship with boy toy Kris Smith and back on UK telly screens with X Factor. And this week she’s been speaking out about, well, her general happiness.

“I love being a mum. I loved the whole pregnancy actually – I didnt feel sick once. I loved seeing my belly grow and grow – and I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been.  Some one said to me the other days how is your skin so clear and your eyes so white and I’m like: “Well I have been on a detox for the past year!”
“And all these crazy stories about me being on this diet and that diet are not true. I have only just started to do exercise now I’m back on the telly every week. But I’m not rushing anything – I’m breast feeding for one and that is helping. It’s amazing to watch my tummy growing smaller all the time.” I bet.

But from the sounds of it Dan ought to get used to this pregnancy malarkey. “Kris really wants a big family, he’s already brought a seven seater people carrier and keeps asking when we’re going to fill it,” she squealed. “I’m like hold on a minute, give me a break! But we would like more …we’ve been very spoilt with Ethan because he’s such a good baby, he’s really chilled, sleeps through the night and never cries – how lucky are we?” Very lucky!

Dannii also said she’s pleased that both her and big sister Kylie (who’s happily settled with Andres Velencoso) have settled down…..finally! Dannii added: “Kylie and I have found our soul mates! It takes a certain type of man to be able to deal with it – they have to be prepared to take the back seat, and sit at the sidelines, while we do our thing. It takes a very strong man and lucky for us we have found those men.  And the best thing is they get on, they play golf together whilst Kylie and I are working – but then they are prepared to be at home while me and Kylie go out to play.”

Lucky, lucky, lucky ladies!

*People have speculated for years about what trim Victoria Beckham actually eats and this week the star took things to a whole new level at a swanky bash in Russia.
VB, who’s fast becoming one of my favourite celebrities, decided that when in Russia you should do as they do – so she hit the vodka shots and the caviar instead of having a full sit down meal.
The Spice Girl was at top Russian restaurant Nedelnee Vostok following her clothing line this week partying after her clothing launch when my spies spotted her knocking back more than a few shots of voddie with only “spoonfuls” of black caviar. My perfectly placed source tells me: “It was a case of ‘When in Rome’ for Victoria. She just seemed to do shot after shot of expensive vodka. She could handle her booze though.
“The kitchen staff were shocked at how many shots she was able to put away. The other guests all sat down and had full-on meals. She just sat there eating spoonfuls of expensive black caviar. She was really enjoying herself and was definitely in the mood to let her hair down.”
Victoria spent much of the night socialising with guests including her pal Naomi Campbell, Russian Vogue Editor Alyona Doletskaya and according to my spies at the bash she has formed a close friendship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s wife Dasha Zhukova. “They were nattering away like old friends and seem to have lots in common,” says my mole. “Dasha only recently gave birth to her first child so they really clicked. They were talking about motherhood and seemed to get on like a house on fire.”
That Absolutely Fabulous Patsy Stone diet of vodka and caviar was even naughtier than I first thought!

*Social Services at the ready. I hear Rehab singer (and reformed druggie) Amy Winehouse is talking about having a baby with her good-for-nothing former husband Blake Fielder-Civil. I hear now that the pair’s tragic union is back on track the star’s desperado to have a child as quickly as she can. A source says: “She wants to be pregnant in the next few months. She’s cleaned herself up and is ready to be a mum.
“She mentioned it to her mother Janis this week and she hit the roof. Janis thinks it’s the worst possible thing for her to do and it’ll ruin her life. But Amy will do what she wants to do.”
Another star who could be welcoming a baby soon is Isla Fisher - I hear the Aussie actress and Sacha Baron Cohen have been trying for a baby for the past few months. It would be the icing on the cake for the couple – who secretly wed two weeks ago!

Shhh
WHICH star can’t work out whether he’s a fan of Arthur or Martha? This guy was spotted making out with a female recently in an LA strip joint.

Irritant
Nadine Coyle
Despite her skinnier than skinny frame this girl continues to speak total drivel wherever she goes about her fat heavy diet. Mash potatoes, fry-ups and chocolates?? Give me a break. You don’t get skinny on that sort of diet. And don’t even get me started on the fact this girl claims to be friends with all the girls in Girls Aloud. Deluded.

*Politics are hot to trot in fashion these days. First Posh wants to dress Michelle Obama – and now Frost French design duo Sadie Frost and Jemima French want to dress SamCam. Jemima told me this week as she launched her pop-up store at Whiteleys: “Admittedly most of the people I would really like to dress are dead. Sarah Brown would be good. Although I would like to dress David Cameron’s wife Sarah actually. Sadie even said she wants to dress her good pal Nick Grimshaw from Radio One. She laughed: “I would quite like to dress Nick but I don’t think he will let me.” Jude Law’s former missus tells me she’s starting work on her first film for quite some time – and it’s a musical! All I can say is that it is a musical film,” she revealed. “I will do some singing lessons but I actually started out as a singer so I should be fine.” Good for her.

*Kelly Osbourne tells me she’s splashed out the cash recently. She proudly showed off a new pair of heels that cost a whopping £2,000. “They’re Alexander McQueen diamante shoes and they were the most expensive thing I’ve ever bought,” she confided. “I really don’t want to tell you how much they cost because it makes me sick just to think about it. I don’t really have money to spend like that but I knew I had to have them as soon as I saw them. They cost £2000. They kill my feet but they are worth it. When I first bought them I spent a week just looking at them and I couldn’t bring myself to wear them. I think when I retire them I will put them in a cabinet with a revolving plate and spotlight. I’ve just retired another pair of Alexander McQueen shoes which are from the 90s and have light up heels. I’m too scared they are going to break so can’t face wearing them anymore.” Kelly also revealed she’s not planning to head down the aisle anytime soon with fiance Luke Worrall. She said: “There are no wedding plans at the moment.” Come on Kel – I’ve bought the hat!

*T4 host Jameela Jamil has the looks, the talent and the fashion sense. But she’s incredibly self deprecating – either that or blind. Talking about her style at the launch of the flagship Malene Birger store in London she told me: “I don’t think I’m stylish. I had absolutely no idea about style a year ago as I was English teacher. Although I was a model that doesn’t mean you have style because you are just getting clothes put on to you. I don’t have a stylist and I’m quite hot on not getting a stylist. I’ve just tried to figure it out for myself as I’ve gone along. There’s no way I’m taking Alexa Chung’s style crown put it that way.” I’m not so sure.

*I actually thought Mariah Carey had a chance at acting in the future after her great performance in Precious. But news reaches me that Mimi is on the hunt for a romantic comedy to star herself and hubby Nick Cannon. Brace yourselves.

*I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall this week when Kevin Spacey (above with Tracey Emin) invited an exclusive crowd of celebs to party with him to celebrate the first birthday of the W Doha Hotel. Kate Moss (below) and Jamie Hince dined on a risotto of sake and morels and Kevin Bishop did David Bowie impressions on the dance floor.

*Dannii Minogue is preparing to return to the UK to launch her clothing label Project D. She’ll make a brief two-week stop before returning to give birth in July. I hear Dannii’s currently staying fit and healthy in Australia – where she’s judging Australia’s Got Talent – by having power walking sessions of an evening.

*Next week sees the launch of Edith Bowman’s new TV show Evo Music Rooms. Think Top of the Pops but trendy and cool. One big named act will feature, a couple of chart musicians and a brand new unsigned artist. The show starts on Channel 4 on April 8 – and the line-up features The Specials, Doves, The Drums and unsigned talent Cathy JJ.

*Robert Pattinson fears he’s going to go deaf from all the screaming girls the turn out to his movie premieres. The Twilight star said: I’ve always been slightly deaf. So I worry it’s going to get worse!
“It’s incredible how loud girls can scream and they’ll do it right in my face so I do worry about my ears and going even more deaf but I’ve never worn ear plugs.”
The actor also said he worries about his famous locks falling out in the future. “I’m an incredibly nervous and self conscious person and I’ve got this really bad habit of always playing with my hair and running my hands through it,” he says. “I worry it will all fall out one day because I’m always playing with it!  I think it kind of annoys people too so I should try and stop doing it really. It’s not true that I go for days without washing my hair though – I wash it every day!” Good for you, Rob.

*Listen up Simon Cowell, Mary J Blige doesn’t want a job offer to be part of X Factor USA. She tells me: “No way would I be a judge on American Idol full time, or the X Factor – its too hard telling people that they’re no good and I don’t need that negativity in my life.” On the plus side Mary revealed she would sing at Cowell’s wedding to Mezghan Hussainy. She said: “If Simon asks me then I would sing at his wedding, hell yeah!  I love the man and it would be an honour.” Now that’s what I call a wedding singer!

First thing’s first – Happy Birthday to Dannii Minogue! She’s 21 again today!

I’ve been wondering lately whether or not Dannii will get a big fat rock on THAT finger from her hunky boy Kris Smith sometime soon. Hell, they’ve been rumoured to be engaged five or so times this year alone. But the X Factor judge tells me marriage is going to happen – but not yet. Dannii reveals: “We’re happier than ever. We’re obviously close and living together. He’s definitely the one for me. But it’s not about rushing into marriage. We’re sorting out the reality of which country are we living in and more logistical things. It’s only been a few months since we came home from Australia. Everyone’s been like rush, rush, rush but we’re just enjoying each other. Watch this space!” Let me know when you buy a hat, Missy!

Check out Dannii’s blog by clicking here!

PS. Hope you like the shot of me with Miss D and her three Team Minogue girls in X Factor – good luck to Rachel, Lucie and Stacey this weekend!

My pal Dannii has given Simon and co sleepless nights by refusing to commit to the new series, but after frantic 11th-hour negotiations I’m told she will sign on the dotted line this week. The 37-year-old star will fly to London with boyfriend Kris Smith next week ready to start filming on June 8.

A source close to Dan tells me: “After the end of the last series Dannii didn’t want to return. She was beaten down to a pulp being made the baddie of the show, thanks to Simon – and Louis Walsh was continually bullying her backstage. But she doesn’t want to turn her back on the show that she’s worked so hard on.

“Her friends have rallied round her to get her to sign again, and she’s ecstatic to be returning.”

But the negotiations have been tough – with Dannii laying down the law to producers saying this season will be done on her terms. The source adds that Simon was desperate not to lose her, saying: “The panel works with the current line-up, and after the Kelly Brook debacle on Britain’s Got Talent he didn’t want to risk any sort of failure.

“Simon’s given Dannii his word that he won’t fuel infighting rumours between her and Cheryl Cole and has said he won’t take any nonsense from Louis Walsh if he starts his usual snidey remarks backstage.”

Dannii has always denied there’s ever been a problem with Cheryl. I even spotted the pair last year have a heart-to- heart in Dannii’s dressing room after contestant Daniel Evans was thrown out by the public vote.

But it’s no surprise that she’s been keen to skip the show if you ask me – as she’s exploring other work avenues.

She wants to return to acting, is still recording solo music material with the Freemasons and is blissfully happy with her model boyfriend Kris. There’s even talk of an engagement in the near future. It’s good to have you back on X Factor, Missy!

My favourite Australian pop diva, Dannii Minogue, is due to sign any day now to return as a judge for the 2009 edition of The X Factor. My mole reveals: “Contracts are being signed and negotiated within the next few days. Dannii’s over the moon to be returning!”

There’s been all sorts of rumours boundering around of late about Cheryl Cole “demanding that Dannii comes back or she would walk” and Simon wanting to ditch her. It’s all tosh! The truth of the matter is simple – Simon and the producers of the show always did want Dannii back on the show as soon as the final ended just before Christmas last year.

It’s great news – the current line-up of Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii and Cheryl works just perfectly!

One person who won’t be returning to the show anytime soon is Sharon Osbourne – who felt the need to slag off Dannii yet again in an interview with Piers Morgan recently. Dannii’s obviously been asked to respond to Shazza’s snide comments and she responded via her blog saying writing an open letter which read:

Greetings from Australia

I have been informed that there has been a press conference in London for the launch of Piers Morgan’s new TV show (Piers Morgan’s Life Stories), where edited footage was shown of an interview he has done with Sharon Osbourne. I believe there are discussions about me in this interview and I have had many press requests to respond. I have not seen the footage, nor the TV show to be aired, so am not in a position to make any comment.

Dannii

Perfectly to the point – it’s been two years! Time to move on Mrs O!

For the last few months I’ve been thrilled to work with Dannii Minogue on her Closer Magazine column in the UK. In fact, I’ve known the Aussie star for eight years or so now. We’ve partied in Ibiza, walked down many a red carpet and sipped lychee martinis in LA!

Not only is she smart and sophisticated –she’s a great girl and has her feet firmly on the ground. It’s refreshing in the celebrity world nowadays!

Anyway, a couple of things…..

Firstly Dannii’s started a brilliant new blog (www.danniiminogueofficial.blogspot.com) where she’s going to be filling everyone in on her everything Dannii – hopefully including her return to X Factor later this year. Contracts are due to be signed for this year’s show any day now. Oh, and just because she’s not in the UK until the end of April doesn’t mean she’s not busy! She’s currently on the panel judging for the Number One Australian telly show Australia’s Got Talent.

Right now Dannii’s going through a tough time, like all Australians, with the devastating Bush fires on the outskirts of Melbourne. Over 300 people have died already. The star has spoken out about the awful fires and says: “It’s unbearable to think that people were trapped and unable to escape the deadly blazes. The loss of lives is devastating. I have family that live in the Dandenongs, so we are always worried for them. I have been to many of these beautiful country towns. It is hard to believe whole towns like Marysville are no longer there.”

“My thoughts go out to all the families affected by these devastating fires. I am awe struck by the bravery of the fire fighters and extended emergency services. The generosity of the local community is inspiring. There is an endless supply of love and support for everyone who has been affected by these terrible fires.”

Terribly sad…..

On the plus side – follow Dannii’s great new blog by clicking here!

What a treat it was to be taken out by Dannii Minogue last week to see her favourite Aussie comedienne Pam Ann live at the Hammersmith Apollo. Denise Van Outen sat nattering with X Factor winner Leon Jackson just behind me, H from Steps made an appearance to watch the show and Same Difference hung out at the after party trying furiously to plug their new album Pop. Pam told me after: “I f***ing love London – it’s like coming home performing here.” It was an awesome show!  Busy, busy, busy!!