Boris Yeltsin (67), whose health concentrates the minds of world financial markets, confessed yesterday he had been in hospital. "Yes, I needed to spend 30 minutes to have a crown changed," he said. "And that means the President's ill. It's a joke, isn't it? I've never been fitter."
The Spice Girls flew to Highgrove in Gloucestershire by helicopter yesterday afternoon to take tea with Prince Charles and Prince Harry (13).
With Prince William preparing for a new term at Eton, Harry played host to the band, whom he first met in South Africa last year.
Rik Mayall (39) is recovering in hospital in Plymouth from head injuries suffered in a quad bike crash. He asked his wife yesterday: "Why are those bastards always sticking needles into me?"
"So we know he is on the mend," said Barbara Mayall.
Sean Connery (67) is to be presented with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' Fellowship Award on Sunday night. Previous recipients include Charlie Chaplin, Sir Alec Guinness, Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud.
