It’s been a lifelong ambition for Jedward to be on stage at with their idol Britney Spears. And I’m delighted to see it finally happened yesterday at the O2 Arena in London.

The boys look besides themselves to have been sharing the stage with the Princess of Pop. Good for them!

So the critics have been sharpening their nails when it comes to Madonna and her directorial debut W.E. What a surprise, not.
I met the lady herself this week at a London Film Festival screening of the movie and you can tell she’s excited and nervous about the project that she describes as her “baby”.
So, you want the truth?
The film – a two-tiered drama focusing on the affair between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson and a contemporary romance between a married woman and a Russian security guard – isn’t bad. It’s actually beautifully shot and visually attractive and features the most mesmerising performance from Andrea Riseborough who plays Wallis. If she doesn’t pick up award nominations for the performance I’d be surprised.
It’s very easy to walk into any film project associated with Madonna and immediately write it off. But don’t follow the crowd. This is one film that Madonna can be extremely proud of.

Catch W.E. in cinemas from January 20.

It’s always a pleasure to chat to Pearl Lowe.

Natalie Edwards caught up with the fashion designer last week at the launch of her candle range for DP London and she opened the lid of family life. We chatted about becoming the new Osbourne family, the success of her clothing range and what she thought about ‘those’ pictures her model daughter Daisy shot for Playboy.

Hi Pearl, so tell me all about your collaboration with DP London for your first candle range…
I was sent a candle last Christmas by DP London and put it in my bedroom and was like ‘This is gorgeous’. When it ran out I cheekily rung up the press officer to ask for another one and she was like ‘Pearl, the owner of the company would like to meet you to speak about possibly doing something.’ On the spot I was like ‘Oh my god, yes!’ I’m such a candle lover anyway but this was a particularly amazing one. We’re going to have a whole range but this one is just primarily for Christmas so it’s all about spices and things that make you feel homely and remind you of Christmas.

What is your house in the countryside like?
I know we keep moving but we moved a year ago after finally finding a really lovely house. It’s really pretty and surrounded by a river and when you look out the window it’s like being in the woods. I have got lots of candles and a log fire. I have been really hands on with this house and so has my husband Danny. We are about a week away from finishing our recording studio. I think we might do an album together as a result. We have been writing songs for the last ten years which are just for ourselves but we’ve never had the space to put them down. You never know we may release it but I think it’s more for ourselves as we’ve been singing together at unplugged nights. As much as I love what I’m doing I can’t not sing as it’s a big passion of mine. The kids are also really excited as it’s a place they can hang with their mates.

Have you ever considered doing a fly-on-the-wall documentary ala The Osbournes?
Funnily enough we did a pilot for MTV but it went really, really horribly wrong. It was so intrusive that we pulled the plug. I just had my daughter Betty and they were there all the time. I know we are the perfect family for it with Alfie and Danny being musicians and Daisy being a model but it’s a really weird thing as they want you to argue. Nothing is sacred and the kids need to grow up. It’s a nice idea but when we tried it we realised it didn’t work. I’m all up for things that have a meaning and I love documentaries. It can become a bit shallow when you’re like ‘Look at me in my fabulous house’. I watched the Kardashians and was like ‘Oh my God.’ I just don’t get it. I know she has got loads of money but there is no talent there.

Your clothing range for Peacocks continues to sell-out with each new collection. Have they renewed your contract?
I’ve just signed for next year and I went the other day to look at the Spring collection and was honestly so blown away. We had a few teething problems at the beginning as sometimes I’d design a dress and it would be too expensive for them to make and they’d be dropped at the last minute. I am also doing my first girl’s range with Betty. She is fashion mad to the point where she changes up to five times a day! She has a suitcase and will put different outfits into it if she’s going to someone else’s house. It must be in her genes. She loves her dresses.

Will Daisy continue to model the range?
I don’t know actually as there have been loads of different changes. I’m going to try and get her in somehow as I can’t not work with her. I love working with her. I’m not just saying this but I have a vision of how the dresses should look and how she wears them is it. She is perfect.

Would you like to work on other projects together?
I don’t know what we would work on because she is a model and she is acting as well at the moment. We live three hours away from each other so when we do work together it’s so nice as we know that we’re going to get to spend a couple of days together. I’m sure if another project came up then we would love to. The other thing that I’m aware of is that I don’t want us to do too much as people get sick of you. I don’t want them to be like ‘Oh there they are again – the mum and daughter!’ We do love working together and really get on but you do have to be careful.

You were once the face of Agent Provocateur – would you consider doing some more modelling?
Not unless they want an old bag to do something! I hit forty last year and I’ve changed a lot. I know that I can wear something and I won’t go into Topshop because it’s too young for me. It’s the whole dressing for your age thing. It’s a weird age. I think it’s such a shame that you aren’t born old and get younger because you get so wise and I really know who I am now as opposed to when I was twenty but it’s just a shame I don’t look like that anymore! As long as there are no mirrors around it’s fine. You get used to looking a certain way for so many years and you always think you are going to look like that. It’s a funny thing. It would be weird to get Botox as no-one in the countryside does that. It’s all about natural beauty there and then you come to London and I find it really weird as everyone starts morphing in to each other. I like the lines around my eyes because they give me character.

Do you get recognised in the countryside?
We are in such a rural place that I don’t think people realise we are famous. We’re not that high profile anyway. Although the other day Daisy came round with Matt [Smith] and he said that he’d really like to pick the kids up from school. We didn’t really think anything of it and suddenly there was this massive scrum around them with phones in their faces but it was mainly all the mums! It was absolutely mental.

Would you like to write a follow-up to your autobiography All That Glitters?
I’d love to because that was written when I was in a really dark place and it was quite depressing. I definitely want to do a follow-up but I don’t know when. I’ve been seven years sober now so it would be nice to write something more light-hearted and a spiritual book. I really feel that I’m not there but I’m definitely on my way to peace and happiness. They are making a movie about it. I feel like it’s been going on for a few years now but really and truly it’s now happening and it’s at the script stage now. The director sees it more as a love story than a downfall.

Now Daisy is taking acting lessons would you like her to play yourself in the film?
I think she would feel uncomfortable and so would I as it’s a bit of a horrible story. I think I would like to go for an unknown actress but I don’t actually any say about the movie. Though I’m allowed to say if I really hate someone as I have script control. I think I’m allowed to be at castings which will be fun. I originally thought it was going to come out a couple of years ago but the director John McKay has been working on the new Jean Shrimpton movie so has been busy. Everyone probably thinks I’m lying as it has taken so long! I’ll have to hurry him along by butting a bullet up his a**e!

What did you think about Daisy’s shoot for Playboy – were you supportive of her doing it?
I think I saw a toned down version on the internet where there were Daisy’s strategically placed. She has got an amazing body and I have that attitude that if you have that kind of body isn’t it great to be able to look back and be like ‘That’s what I looked like’. The other part of me does think that she’s so intelligent and has got so many other assets that I hope people don’t judge her and think that’s all she is good for. She is twenty-two and I can’t tell her what to do – she wouldn’t listen to me anyway! I just hope that the public don’t think that she is airhead and that’s all she is good for because she is worth so much more than that. She is so amazing – she’s very sweet, naturally beautiful and intelligent. She asked me what I thought and I told her to always go with her gut feeling on things. If said that if she thought that it was the right thing to do in her gut then she should do it. Only we know what is right for us and as long as she thought that was the right decision then it was the right decision.

Have you got a copy of Playboy pride of place in your house?
Sadly I had to look at it online and there were only the ones with the daisy’s all over her. But that was lucky as Danny her stepdad had to look at them too and at least she was covered in all the appropriate places as he doesn’t want to see that – he used to bath her when she was a kid! I would never, ever have done that myself as I’m such a prude. She definitely doesn’t get her body confidence from me as I hate my body and I always have done. I’ve never even gone topless on holiday and I’m so different to her as I’m very shy. I’ve always shied away from anything like that. I did Agent Provocateur years ago but I was covered. If they told me  that I had to wear nipple tassles then it would have been an instant no!

In a creative collaboration, DP London has partnered with British designer Pearl Lowe to create a range of limited edition collectors’ edition candles. The Pearl Lowe for DP London Candle range is available exclusively from ASOS.com, Selfridges and www.dplondon.com.

Best known for being one fifth of Girls Aloud, Kimberley Walsh has stepped out into the spotlight to become Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical.
Having taken over from Amanda Holden to star alongside Nigel Lindsay as Shrek and Nigel Harman (below with Denise Van Outen) as Lord Farquaad, Kimberley made her debut two weeks ago to rapturous reviews. At the press night for the production at The Princes Theatre Natalie Edwards caught up with Kimberley to talk on-stage smooches, plans for a Girls Aloud musical and elocution lessons from Michael Bublé.

What’s it like having to burp and fart on demand?
It’s actually really, really fun because I was like ‘when am I ever going to get the chance to do something like this again?!’ I’m absolutely milking it dry. Whatever kind of audience you’ve got, farting will always work. I think it’s brilliant that I get cheers and wolf-whistles just for farting! It’s the easiest thing ever.

Do you ever fart in front of your boyfriend?
I tried not to for a long time – I managed it for about seven years! He’s still going strong and has never done it in front of me. It’s very impressive. He’s like, ‘oh no – you’ve brought the ogre home!’

Did you have to record your own flatulence sounds?
No. I think when Amanda did the role she chose to record it herself – the burps and the farts! I was like ‘no it’s fine! I’ll go along with whatever sound effects you’ve got’.

I heard the whole ‘pull my finger’ fart joke was dreamt up by you…
That is true. I just wondered ‘How do we make it a little bit funnier?’ I’ve got a little brother so I blame him for the inspiration.

Did your boyfriend Justin get excited by you wearing a wedding dress on-stage?
Not really. He’s like ‘oh well it’s not really a real wedding dress is it?’ I’m like, ‘you’re not supposed to think like that’.

Did Amanda send you any good luck gifts?
She sent me a gorgeous bunch of flowers and some champagne for the first night which was really, really nice of her. She also decorated the dressing room really lovely in lilac and pink. She just told me to enjoy it and have an amazing time. It is so much fun and everyone in the cast is so lovely you do leave on a high every night which is quite nice.

What did Cheryl Cole and Nicola Roberts think of Shrek when they came to see you in it?
They loved it. They were so funny as they were so excited to come and watch. I was like ‘God, the pressure is seriously on!’ But they both loved it and also text me tonight, bless them.

Was it more nervewracking performing in front of them as they’re your close friends?
No. You would think but because they are so much on my side and just willing me to do well it actually felt nice having them there.

Have you ever practised any of your lines with the Girls Aloud ladies. Did Cheryl play Shrek?
No! It’s a nice thought but no.

Is it scarier performing on-stage in Shrek or at the O2?
Do you know what, it’s a funny one. Theatre is really intimate and you cannot get away with anything so in that respect it’s probably more nervewracking to do this. Even though with the O2 it’s 20,000 people you’re with the girls and have each other and if anything goes wrong then someone will cover it up and it’s not a big deal. This is more nervewracking.

Did seeing you play the role make Cheryl and Nicole think they might like to do something in the West End?
I think that really see it as something I enjoy doing and something that I have always wanted to do. I don’t think that they would want to do it themselves but they loved watching it and really got into it. I think I’m the musical queen!

Is this the direction you want to take now?
It felt like the perfect thing to do and the perfect time to do it after our time apart. You get to be a princess but with a bit of an edge. I don’t know really. I would like to do something else in the future but I don’t know what and I’ve got nothing planned. We’ll see – there’s plenty of time!

You been doing eight shows a week – are you knackered yet?
It is really, really tiring but I’ve managed to do two weeks of eight shows a week with extra rehearsals and I’ve survived! Plus I’ve had a cold and still managed to get through it. I’m from Bradford so I think I’ll be alright.

Has there been any mishaps on-stage yet?
There have been loads of dramas already with little things going wrong which can be quite amusing. When I do my little levitation as an ogre and come back down my veil got caught in the alter and got attached. Nigel who plays Shrek just ripped it off and you just carry on. There have been a few moments but you just get on with it and it makes you laugh. Shrek’s helmet also fell in the orchestra bit right before the helmet scene.

How nervewracking was it for you to come out and take a West End show?
It was really nervewracking but I enjoyed the rehearsals so much that I was in my element. They approached me and I came to watch it and thought, ‘yeah I’d love to do that’. It was a big undertaking as it is a big part and it’s a really big challenge but I’ve enjoyed it.

Did you watch Amanda in the role before taking it?
Yeah she was brilliant. I loved it.

Has she given you any tips?
She was really good at the burping and farting. She just said to enjoy it as it’s such a brilliant part to play.

Was it hard to perfect the accent?
I kind of had what I thought was an alright American accent and I did see a dialect coach a couple of times which helped to tweek it. Hopefully I’m alright – Michael Bublé said it was good. He was like ‘Oh my God I can’t believe you’re not American!’ He came and watched it the other night and really loved it.

With a Spice Girls musical imminent does it make you think that one day you would like
Girls Aloud The Musical?
I do think a Girls Aloud musical would be pretty amazing as our songs really lend to that big extravaganza. You never know!

Would you also like to go to Hollywood?
I don’t I feel like ‘oh I want to do Hollywood’. I just feel that I always take whatever comes my way and try to make the best decisions for what I feel that I really want to do and that’s why I’m doing this and why I’ll choose whatever I do next.

What about going into soaps as you were up for the role of Maria in Coronation Street before getting into Girls Aloud?
That was a long time ago. I don’t really watch any of the soaps now. Cheryl and Nicola are obsessed with them and are always watching so I have to watch them sometimes because of them.

Do you believe in fairytale romances?
I think I do but I do like the ogre romance in Shrek as I think it’s quite sweet.

What’s on your rider?
My dressing room is full of sweets and chocolate. If anyone came in they would be like ‘how are you even getting on that stage?’ But it’s what you need for an energy rush. All the fans are so amazing as there is a little sweet shop right beside the theatre and they go there and bring me sweets everyday so I’m going to get fat basically. But I’m burning it off so I’m enjoying it!

Amanda said she lost a lot of weight doing the role – has the same happened to you?
Not yet but I have only just started out. I am eating a lot though and getting away with it! It’s all thanks to the tap number – surely that’s my work-out for the day!

How did you feeling doing your first on-stage kiss?
It was actually weird. Even though it is just a little peck it did feel very odd! I don’t know whether it’s because I’ve been with Justin for so long that it was really weird. It’s not too strange when it’s Shrek as it’s just the character but it was during rehearsals! I have got used to it now though and I don’t think about it now. Justin’s like, ‘I’m sure a hug would be fine.’

What does Justin think of your green make-up?
I think he thinks I’m more on the ogre than the princess when I come home anyway! It really soaks into your skin and I always feel like now I have a green tinge. We use hot flannels to try and get it all off. I’ve got it down to a fine art now and it takes me about 15 minutes. I actually really like the fat suit though, is that wrong? It’s nice to let it all hang out at the end of the show!

Will you doing Shrek hamper plans for the Girls Aloud reunion?
Not at all. We are still looking to plan something for next year and I finish early next year so that’s fine.

Has Nadine been in touch and sent you a good luck message?
She is hopefully going to come and see it before the run is over in February. And Sarah too. Hopefully they will both come at some point. That’s the good thing about doing something for a while as they can all come and see you.

With the Girls Aloud reunion plans how far down the line are you?
I feel like I can’t give too much away but there will be something next year. It’s too early to give any proper information. It’s really exciting for us all to be getting back together.

Are you worried Steps have stolen some of your reunion thunder?!
Aaaaaw I’m really happy about Steps. I really like Steps back in the day and I’m glad they are doing well.

Were you upset about Westlife splitting?
I didn’t know they had split up! I do like Westlife but I didn’t actually think they would ever split up. It’s been so long I thought they’d always stay together and see what how they felt.

Have you definitely halted plans for recording any solo material?
It’s not like that. I just feel in this break I’ve been very free and I’ll be like ‘I’ll do this’ or ‘I’ll do that’ and I haven’t really planned anything. For me it’s strange to do that. I’m just going with my gut. I haven’t put a full stop to plans but we’ll see.

Are you watching the X Factor?
I haven’t really seen much of it. I saw the first few before I started but I haven’t seen it since starting here.

What do you think of Tulisa as an X Factor judge?
I think she is really good. I loved Tulisa anyway and I’ve met her a few times and she’s really funny. I think she is doing really well and I really like her in it.

You must be really pleased Sarah is sorting herself out in rehab. How is she?
She’s good. I’ve been in touch with her and she’s doing really, really well. We are all there for her.

Mick Jagger’s leggy squeeze L’Wren Scott hosted a private preview of her new Spring 2012 collection last night at London’s exclusive Harvey Nichols store. The event, co-hosted by Sydney Finch, attracted a talented and beautiful crowd including Dustin & Lisa Hoffman, Mariella Frostrup, Margo Stilley, Andrea Dellal, Poppy & Cara Delevigne and Mary Charteris.

M·A·C VIVA GLAM spokesperson Lady Gaga and Nicola Formichetti, Gaga’s stylist, premiered a short film directed by Ruth Hogben, last week. Nicola unveiled The Masterpiece (the stunning dress featured in these snaps) that Gaga wore as part of the VIVA GLAM social awareness campaign.

The film can be seen on VIVAGLAM.com and was a truly collaborative project inspired by the fans, for the fans. Additionally, it celebrates the success of Lady Gaga’s VIVA GLAM campaign, which has helped to raise $55 million for the M·A·C AIDS Fund over the past two years. In February 2011, Gaga set the goal of raising $250 million for the M·A·C AIDS Fund by the XIX International AIDS conference in July 2012.

As her time as a Viva Glam spokesperson comes to a close, Lady Gaga urges her little monsters and MAC fans to continue to help reach $250 million: “The M·A·C AIDS Fund has raised $224 million to date. Go out and buy a lipstick for your girlfriend, your boyfriend, your mom or your sister – $26 million to go, little monsters!”

Doritos and Pepsi MAX have teamed up to bring fans an interactive online comic book featuring two new superheroes, to celebrate the launch I’ve been transformed into a new superhero - The Piper Sniper! I love it!
The comic book is inspired by the launch of Doritos Jalapeño Fire and Pepsi MAX Citrus Freeze. To follow the journey of the dynamic duo visit www.doritosandmax.com.

The old saying goes “There ain’t nothing like a dame” and there’s certainly no one like Dame Edna Everage. The grande dame of showbiz has a career than has spanned 55 years and alongside Kylie and Dannii Minogue, she’s one of Australia’s most famous and glamorous exports.
And at 77, she has no plans to retire – in fact she’s got her sights set on Britain’s Got Talent.
“That panel needs upgrading,” Edna says. “I could be the new Amanda Holden. BGT would be perfect for me, Possum. I would do it if the approach was made.”
Meeting Dame Edna in the flesh is an extraordinary experience. Played by comedian Barry Humphries, 77, the Dame has mellowed somewhat – but she’s still keenly ambitious – even asking me to put in a word for her when it comes to the BGT job.
“I’ve never met Simon Cowell. I thought our paths would have crossed by now. He reminds me very much of my son, Kenny who spent a lot of time in San Francisco. There’s something about Simon Cowell… the sense that Simon could be passing through a bit of a phase, if you know what I mean.”
Dame Edna has three adult children, Bruce, Kenny, and Valmai. She claims her first daughter, Lois, was tragically abducted by a “rogue koala” during a family day in the outback whilst still an infant. Her surviving daughter, Valmai, assisted Dame Edna on her on her 2008–2009 live tour. She takes great pride in her two sons: Bruce, who is married to Joylene, and her youngest, Kenny, who designs all of her frocks.You will certainly never see Dame Edna behaving inappropriately in public, and she says that’s her secret to longevity in the industry.
She says: “I enjoy what I do and I convey that to the audience. I flatter myself that I’m a role model. And look at all these youngsters. I mean, Lady Gaga based herself on me and the poor thing has got it so badly wrong. She’s made my look grotesque. I’m a fan because if you’re as unattractive as she is then she’s done the best she could. She’s hidden her ugliness. She’s hiding behind Lady Gaga.”
And it’s not just the Papparazi singer, who feels the brunt of her sharp tongue.
“You certainly will never see me being inappropriate. I’ve never had a wardrobe malfunction. Never. Fortunately I am a bit of a Nicole Kidman when it comes to my bust. In Australia they call a white coffee a flat white –or a Nicole Kidman,” she says pointing to her chest and chuckling away.
Her style has always been truly unique – pink Margaret Thatcher-esque hair, wild bejewelled glasses and ridiculously sequin covered dresses.“I’m the Queen with a sense of style,” she announces. “Or a very youthful Margaret Thatcher. They are my style icons. “There should be a biopic of my life now. It’s time for that. I know Steven Spielberg and a few others are coming down to Wimbledon to see me in panto. It will no doubt lead to a lot of other roles too. Unfortunately they have definitely cast Meryl Streep to play Margaret Thatcher –otherwise I would have thought I would have been perfect for that. Or I could be in a film about Meryl Streep – playing the younger Meryl.”
She also seems to be a fan of Dame Helen Mirren – and even knows the secret to her much talked about bikini body. “I guess her secret must be filler and a very active romantic life,” she jokes. “People look good who are, how do I say it, active. Frankly my romantic life is on hold.”
There’s only one way to rattle the Dame – mention whether she’s going to retire at some point. “Darling, retirement doesn’t come into my agenda,” says the Dame. “And I’m disappointed that you should even think of it. I haven’t thought about it. I’ve thought about other people’s retirement though – whenever I see Bruce Forsyth I think I’ve retirement.”

Dame Edna appears at the New Winbledon Theatre and Studio in Dick Whittington this Christmas. Book at www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon