EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Where is the canvas by Rolf Harris of Queen Elizabeth II?

Criticism of the Mrs Doubtfire-like sculpture of the late Queen at Antrim Castle focuses attention on Rolf Harriss 80th birthday painting of the monarch in 2005. Where is the BBC-commissioned Harris canvas?

Initially hung in the Queens Gallery at Buckingham Palace for six months, it was later displayed at Liverpools Walker Art Gallery in 2012. After Rolfs 2013 arrest, it vanished.

Its not in the Royal Collection and the Beeb insist they dont have it.

The portrait has been acknowledged as mediocre and described by art critic Richard Dorment as uninspired and lacklustre... who would want to admit possession of disgraced Harriss daubs?

Rolf Harris poses with his portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at The Queens Gallery at Buckingham Palace in 2006

 A statue installed in Antrim Castle Gardens to commemorate the late Queen has been described as Mrs Doubtfire-esque

Walsh in a huff at the NTAs

Sour grapes from The Chases Bradley Walsh at Ant and Decs 23rd annual triumph as best TV presenters at Wednesday nights National Television Awards.

Bradley, nominated in the same category, couldnt disguise his fury. He and the victorious gurning duo declined to take post show questions from journalists.

Bradley Walsh watches on at the NTAs at the O2 Arena on September 11, 2024

ITV executives were equally annoyed that none of their stars was chosen to present an award on the show, despite it being transmitted by ITV. Where was the long-time anchor of the awards ceremony, Sir Trevor?

Winslets Grammy-winning favour for Thompson

Kate Winslet did a favour for mate Emma Thompson by standing in when she lost her voice and couldnt narrate a short story in childrens audiobook Listen To The Storyteller.

The Titanic star won a Grammy for it.

Its totally bonkers, wails Kate, pictured. One thousand per cent I shouldnt have this Grammy at all.

Thats showbiz, Kate!

Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet pose together at the BAFTA awards

Starmers pet Prince

Writer Julie Burchill will be tickled to learn that Sir Keir Starmer intended to install a German Shepherd dog seemingly called Prince for his two children in No 10.

In the event, he has been persuaded to make do with a cat of the same name.

Julies 1991 BBC film Prince featured Sean Bean playing her communist father who is besotted with his German Shepherd by the name of Prince.

What does this tell us about our new Prime Minister?

Larry the cat sits outside 10 Downing Street in March this year. The Chief Mouser has now been joined by a cat called Prince

Woe for Wilcox at her first BBC job

Dame Esther Rantzens TV presenter daughter Rebecca Wilcox reveals resentment at the BBC when she started her first job there as a researcher. One of the editors was so nasty to me and I couldnt quite work it out, she recalls.

Its because you used to f*** up my edits, he told me.

You used to come in as a child and you used to get white pencils – because it was all film – and you used to rub them over everything. Youd chop all the film. And your mum thought it was great. 

Thats life, Rebecca!

Rebecca Wilcox (left) is joined by her mother Dame Esther Rantzen (right) on the Good Morning Britain couch in 2018

Lord Kirkhope looks back in anger

Conservative peer Lord Kirkhope, 79, complains in the House of Lords that he was very disappointed at failing to secure a ticket to see Oasis.

Surely the old booby should be queuing for the Proms?