Glee star Matthew Morrison (aka Mr Schuester) is such a gent. He took me out for a spot of lunch this week as he flew into London promoting his debut solo album and nationwide tour. So what did we learn from him? Well, he has a terrific sense of humour, is utterly charming and worries like a girl when it comes to those topless scenes in Glee!
In fact, Matt worried so much about a recent Details magazine cover that he spent three days eating nothing but sweet potatoes. Matt, who tours the UK in June and releases his self titled album on May 30, told me: “That was horrendous. I had to look all svelte and have a six pack on show. So my trainer told me about this sweet potato diet. You eat nothing apart from sweet potato – breakfast, lunch and dinner. And very little water. And the potato just acts as a sponge and you literally shrink and your body gets ripped and tight.
“I did the shoot with no fear then and afterwards ordered two pizzas and pasta and God knows what else.”
He also wanted to point out that he’s not quite as ripped as people think he is when he’s got his shirt on. “People expect me to be ripped all the time,” he laughed. “But I’m not at all. I stopped eating for the topless scene in Rocky Horror in Glee. I was so nervous. I’m not like that now.” With his tongue firmly in his cheek he added: “I mean, I’m still really hot. But I’m not like that.”
Matt, who duets with Gwyneth Paltrow and Sir Elton John on his debut record, certainly sounds like he’s enjoying London – in fact he’d love to tread the boards of the West End. He said: “Glee’s put me in this amazing position after nearly ten years of doing Broadway shows where I am now well known and people are interested in what I do. I feel very privileged to be in this position.
“It is crazy walking down the street and seeing people’s reactions. I went for a jog in Hyde Park yesterday and this woman jogged past and you could see her looking at me thinking ‘is that him?’. And it was.
“I’ve not spent that much time in London but it would be a dream come true to perform in a show on the West End. I was actually offered something at the Donmar Warehouse recently. But I couldn’t do the run due to Glee. One day.”
And Glee fans fear not about Mr Schuester disappearing now that he’s got a solo career on the verge of taking off. He added: “I’m not going anywhere. I love everything about Glee and I intend on being there for many years to come. It’s the job of a lifetime for me.”

Matthew Morrison’s self-titled debut album is due for release on May 9, the album is available to pre-order now. Matthews UK tour kicks off in June, tickets are available to buy from April 1st. For more information visit www.aeglive.co.uk

Guy Ritchie’s pregnant girlfriend Jacqui Ainsley is truly stunning in real life and clearly loves the limelight. I caught up with the model, who stars in the brand’s adverts, at Theo Paphitis’ Boux Avenue lingerie launch at Sketch this week. She laughed: “I didn’t realise on the shoot that I was pregnant, in fact it was before I knew. We were going to do an extra filming day but that’s now on hold until after I give birth.”

And it sounds like she’s equally as addicted to working out as Guy’s last Missus, Madonna. Jacqui added: “I got nervous about posing in my underwear at the beginning but it feels like such a long time ago that I can’t remember. It’s just one of those things where I don’t really think about it too much. As long as I’m working out and looking after myself and feel confident it’s just the same as wearing a dress for me. In a lot of ways it’s actually easier because it’s your body that you have to know whereas with a piece of clothing you don’t know if it is going to fall a certain way. You learn what the best angles are for your body. I go to the gym a lot. I like running outside and the countryside. I love a run plus healthy eating as much as I can. There’s no secret to my figure really. I haven’t really got into the yoga thing really yet but I’m striving to be more that way.” Considering Jacqui and Madonna don’t get on I doubt she’ll be asking Madge for yoga tips!

Pearl Lowe (above with hubby Danny Goffey and model daughter Daisy Lowe) is one of those people you just love talking too. She’s intelligent, charming and has an amazing aura. Natalie Edwards caught up with her at the Wrigley Extra Ice: Eat Drink & Chew Banquet at Smiths Of Smithfield this week.

Do you and your family chew gum?
I don’t really like my children having chewing gum that much. It’s only my little five-year-old because she just seems to stick it everywhere. The only day I sat on it in my lovely 1940′s crepe dress which was pretty annoying. But then I got a really good tip of Twitter as someone told me to put it in the freezer and luckily it literally just peeled off.

What are your plans for Mother’s Day?
I’m going to be spending mother’s day with Daisy and my mum. We moved house at Christmas and it is just amazing. We’re in the country and Somerset and I just have to pinch myself because it is so beautiful. I don’t think we’ll start a farm or anything though – I can’t farm in my heels!

Your clothing line is doing so well these days – you must be thrilled with the reaction you’ve had to your Peacocks range?
I’m really happy. Pretty mentally some of my designs for Peacocks that went on sale today have already sold out. I think it’s my best collection yet as it’s the most flattering for everybody. I’ve signed up for as long as they will have me. Daisy has got her swimwear next, then I have a childrenswear line and two more collections – A/W and Christmas and I’ve done them all!

Have you got plans to expand?
I would like to branch out but I can’t do a mainline range as it’s just so expensive and I haven’t got backing. I would like to do high-end but also keeping the long end stuff because I love Peacocks so much and I’m really enjoying the experience. I like the fact that all of my friends can afford it. It’s a dream job actually. I suddenly have a lot of friends…ha.

Did you watch Lily Allen’s documentary about Lucy In Disguise?
Do you know what it’s so weird that you’ve just mentioned Lily Allen’s vintage shop because I went to a vintage warehouse the other day and they only rent out to the likes of filmsets. They showed me their 1940′s collection and I was thinking ‘I’ve got a bigger 1940′s collection than that’. I’ve been collecting from such a young age and my mum said to me ‘Why don’t you rent out to films and stuff like that?’ I’m not sure though – I think I just want to keep it for Betsey and Daisy. I’ve got so much head-space that all I want to do is create.

Have you ever designed a wedding dress?
I’ve done quite a few wedding dresses but only bespoke ones through word of mouth and people contacting me through other people.

What about designing one for your friend Kate Moss?
I’ve never, ever, ever done it for anyone I’ve ever known. I think it would be really weird actually because what if it went wrong? So I’ve only ever done it for people that have contacted me. But I would like to do a wedding dress range one day. But I’ll get the childrenswear range off the ground first!

What about designing one for Daisy when she walks down the aisle?
No, she’s already said to me that ‘Mummy you won’t be designing my dress for me’. But it’s a long way off at the moment.

You don’t hope that you’re mother’s day present is going to be a son-in-law then?
I hope not. Not like that but Daisy is so young.

What age would you like to see her walk down the aisle?
I don’t know really. Just when she has done everything. There’s no rush is there? I waited until I was…38! I just liked to be sure after sixteen years! We just did it for the party to be honest. The dress was a whole other thing…

Supermodel turned TV presenter Jodie Kidd is blooming right now since getting pregnant with her Argentine polo playing boyfriend Andrea Vianini. She just couldn’t stop talking about how happy she was at the OneForOne club launch on Park Lane this week. Jodie beamed: “I’m so over the moon at the minute. My baggy clothes disguise the bump but it’s definitely there – thank God for the big boobs! I’m really enjoying the changes to my body but I get so tired now that I have to be tucked up in bed by 10pm. I still haven’t found out the sex of the baby yet but I will soon.
“I’ve just come back from Uraguay as that’s where Andrea is from. We spent six months over there because it’s their summer and we are definitely going to make that a regular thing. But I will be definitely be giving birth in the UK. I’ve got a few TV projects coming up but I’m going to be taking a step back now and just enjoy being a mum which is a great option to have.” Good luck, Jodes.

I’ve always wondered just how much of a stage school mum Jada Pinkett Smith actually is. After all, Willow is a global singing star at the grand old age of 10 and son Jaden is a movie star aged 12. But Jada insists her kiddies are in charge of their own destiny. I asked the star if it’s all too much too young and she told me: “I understand how people would see it like that – and why they would say that. I think it’s very difficult for people to understand what it’s like to be raised in a family like ours. To our kids this is all they know – and so you might look at your 10 year old and think no way would they cope with what Willow’s doing – or Jaden but what seems to be pressure for one child is not for ours because of how they’ve been brought up and the people they’ve been surrounded by.
“We would never stop our kids from being kids. And most children in this situation don’t have that because they very quickly end up being the breadwinners so all the pressure is on them! Where as it will be a very long time before Willow and Jaden are earning as much money or more money than their parents! So they don’t have to worry about this – they can still be children.  And if at at any point they don’t want to do it any more it’s over. If Willow turns round tomorrow and says she’s had enough….it’s over…end of!” That settles that then…..
Meanwhile Jada sounds like she’s quite enamoured with the Beckhams. She even gets free dresses from VB! Jada: “Victoria is so sweet because she’s always sending me dresses – she sends a dress with a note saying ‘this one would would look great on you’. She’s so lovely!
“The last time we saw them was Willow’s birthday last year – it was Halloween and they all came over – their boys are quite something you know, so handsome and so well behaved. And they are a wonderful family!
“I am so glad she is having a girl!  I was praying pleeeeease give her a girl please, coz I knew how much they wanted it and and now she’s getting her little Princess – we’re so happy! That little girl is gonna get soooo much attention – it’s gonna be crazy!” No s**t sherlock!

Medical drama Hawthorne starts this week on the new UK Sony Entertainment Channel

Professor Green has spoken for the first time about his scare with testicular cancer. Understandably the rapper was still very shaken-up when I spoke to him this week.
“I didn’t really want to put my business out there like that and it was hard for me. A lot of men just avoid going to the doctors and I think it’s important for people to take care of themselves,” he said promoting Alcatel One Touch for Phones 4U. “People think cancer is an old man’s disease but, as rare as it is, you never know. All those things I was worrying about are really not that important anymore and it’s made me decide not to drink for the time being.”
Fortunately the Professor is moving forwards from the scare and getting on with the follow-up to his huge debut. And he’s planning an exciting collaboration.
“I really want Adele and I’ve told her that,” he said. “That’s the one person I want to sing with but obviously she has got her plate full being number one in about 17 countries! I want it to happen when it happens.” So do I!

Professor Green has teamed up with ALCATEL ONE TOUCH and Phones 4u to launch the One Touch 802 mobile phone. He’ll perform at a secret London gig on April 12. To win tickets go to www.facebook.co.uk/alcatelonetouchUK from April 1.

Corrie legend Julie Goodyear made a fairly rare appearance this week at the launch of Virgin Media’s TV powered by TiVo, at Virgin Media’s private members club, Our House. And she told me she thinks she’s to blame for pretty much all the celebrity style out there right now. “Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga and the chef Gizzi Erskine,” she began. “They all learnt from me. I’d love to do an exhibition of Bet Lynch’s clothes one day.” Sounds like a plan to me.

Oh, and talking of plans…..Ben Drew aka Plan B turned out to the event too. See!

If you’re a fan of Florence & The Machine then you’ll love fellow spellbinding songstress Keren Ann. I’ve fallen in love with her blend of melodic pop and Keren’s new album 101 – out April 4 – is going to be perfect to pop on during chilled summer nights. I sat down with the Israeli singer to find out more about her recently.

I love your album 101 but it seems crazy to think that it has taken you six albums to finally emerge?!
I know but with the UK it’s really not that easy! I’ve always been pretty underground and had some nice feedback from the press but have never really had a proper release until now. I’m really excited that I finally can!

It probably makes things a lot easier to have gradually built up to this point?
Definitely – there’s definitely something very solid about it. I’ve toured for years and had some really great crowds. I also produce records for other people so it’s nice to do a solo project and get credit for it.

How would you describe your album 101?
My style of writing is very melancholy and laid-back. It’s definitely very atmospheric and I pay a lot of attention to aesthetics.  I love writing and have a very classic approach to it.

Blood On My Hands is a pretty dramatic song – where do you get inspiration from for tracks like that?
I normally keep it away from real-life. This is the life of a singer and she’s the one who commits mass murder. But she does it in heels in a very fashionable way! People ask me why I would justify the singer being a mass-murderer but I say as long as she does it in high heels…!

You pose with a pistol on the front of your album cover. Do you worry that in the past some artists have been criticised for glamourising guns?
You know what, I’m a very realistic person and I love cinema and aesthetics. I love film noir, Westerns and Hitchcock and I think a gun is a part of the art. I’m into aesthetics and not vulgarity. I know where to draw the line and that’s important. I think it’s OK to make it very sexy for a minute if you are a pacifist. Writing is about making things beautiful.

What do you think about British singers like Adele, Florence & The Machine and Cheryl Cole?
I’m not familiar enough with Adele’s music but I’m very pleased for her as I hear she’s been doing very well. She has a great voice and is a fantastic songwriter too. To be honest I don’t really know what is going on in the pop world. I haven’t heard of Cheryl Cole! I kept seeing Florence’s name everywhere but I haven’t heard anything yet.

You recently composed a score for a French film starring the legendary Jane Birkin. What was that like? I love her, she was great! She has also covered some of my songs in the past. She is a typical English rose.

Who or what inspired your amazing femme fatal look on the cover of 101?
It’s very inspired by Joanna Lumley. She’s such a woman and so inspiring. Even though her character in The New Avengers wasn’t the most heroic one she had this glamorous gangster feel to her. I would love to meet her.