Londoner's Diary: American in Paris Leslie Caron salutes Emmanuel Macron's victory

In today's Diary: Caron says she fled Le Pen | Ed Balls waists away | Sexy Brunch - a Sunday kind of love | Tears for Piers Corbyn | David Miliband son has US accent | Gemma Arterton goes posh at the polo
Dave Benett/Getty Images
8 May 2017

VIVE la France! Last night The Londoner was glued to the TV as the French election came to a riveting conclusion. Buoyed by the news that former banker Emmanuel Macron had defeated Marine Le Pen, we made a beeline to Chelsea to raise a glass of champagne with Franco-American actress Leslie Caron who, she told us, fled France in fear of Le Pen’s rise.

“I left France four years ago,” she said. “I didn’t vote, I was too afraid. I stayed away from France. I was scared of Marine Le Pen winning. I was running away.” Caron (pictured with interior designer Nicky Haslam), who starred in Gigi and An American in Paris, couldn’t be more pleased at Macron’s victory. “It’s wonderful,” the 85-year-old added. “I am relieved and thrilled — well done the French!”

Caron was among the guests at The Pheasantry on King’s Road last night, where Haslam performed his cabaret show Wherever There’s Love. But despite the new sense of amour in the air, Caron is still hesitant about returning to Europe. “I won’t move back but I feel much, much better,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of hope for France. I hope they will change the working laws and become more realistic. In the last government all the great fortunes moved to London: they were punishing people for doing well.”

Caron, who also praised Macron’s wife, Brigitte, will stay put in London for now. “I don’t expect an invitation to the Elysée Palace,” she says. “The French think I’m American, and the Americans think I’m French — I’m a bit of both.” It seems she’ll always be an American in Paris to our friends across the Channel.

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One person who probably isn’t best pleased about the French election result is Jeremy Corbyn’s older brother, Piers. “Macron would have been great for Vichy France,” he tweeted last week, referring to weak Second World War leadership. He also shared positive articles on Marine Le Pen and predicted a win for her. The Londoner called to ask who he backed. “If you have any political questions, ask my brother’s Labour Party press office”, he said. They’re with a different election.

Miliband puts the accent on Britishness

Patrick McMullan via Getty Image

SOME Labour voters’ hopes for the party’s future seem to depend on the return of David Miliband. But his integration in New York, where he is CEO of the International Rescue Committee, finally seems complete. The former Foreign Secretary is in this month’s BA High Life magazine and explains that his son, Jacob, now has an American accent. “Actually, he puts it on a bit,” he says. “On his first day at school he said, ‘Here’s my friend Grant’ (to rhyme with ‘ant’). ‘No it isn’t,’ I said, ‘It’s your friend Grant’ (to rhyme with ‘aunt’). And he said, ‘No, it isn’t, it’s Graaaant.’ And it’s gone downhill from there.” Better get back here sharpish, David, if only for the children’s sake.

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Quote of the day: 'One thing we know is, we can’t lose seats. We have no seats’

Ukip MEP Patrick O’Flynn sees the bright side to the party’s election prospects on Radio 4’s Westminster Hour last night.

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Brunch is on the menu for you Sexy things

Richard Young

Sushi and spritzes galore at Sexy Fish in Mayfair yesterday, which launched its new Sexy Brunch event. Hosted by model and actress Suki Waterhouse and DJ Fat Tony, the party kicked off an eight-week programme of music at the Berkeley Street restaurant. Guests, including acting couple Jack Whitehall and Gemma Chan, feasted on sashimi and waffles, with Fat Tony looking on with envy as he manned the decks. A member of staff kindly brought him an ice cream to ward off the hunger: it wouldn’t do to let him get too slim, after all.

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Ed Balls: the eyes have it

(David Newens)

In the age of Photoshop, it’s never been easier to control your image. So hats off to Ed Balls, who has gone back to basics for a new portrait in the Mall Galleries by editing the old-fashioned way.

A picture of a lithe Balls by artist David Newens has pride of place at the new Royal Society of Portrait Painter’s annual exhibition, with arm resting on his beloved piano. Balls even treated Newens to a tickling of the ivories during the sitting. The former Labour MP is looking fighting fit, as he was painted soon after his participation in Strictly Come Dancing last year. But there is another reason for his trimness.

Last week, Newens told The Londoner that he’d made a slight adjustment to the eyes, at Balls’ and wife Yvette Cooper’s request. Now we hear of another alteration. We understand that on seeing the image, Ed asked for his waist to be tucked in.

Never let it be said that he’s no oil painting.

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Tweet of the day: ‘This is the first time the French version of anything has had a happier ending’

Comedian Kumail Nanjiani applauds a first in the French election result.

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Chukkas away for the A-listers

Dave Benett/Getty Images for Aud

Actors Stefanie Martini and Gemma Arterton horsed around at Ascot yesterday, enjoying the Audi Polo Challenge at Coworth Park. Martini, who has stepped into Helen Mirren’s shoes in Prime Suspect 1973, looked blooming lovely in florals and was left stirred, not shaken, by the riveting match.

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Hidden talent of the day: Iain Duncan Smith recited Eminem’s rap Lose Yourself on ITV’s Good Morning Britain this morning. Stick to the day job, we beg of you.

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