Playing no less than 23 characters in a one-woman production of Dracula at London's Noël Coward Theatre, Cynthia Erivo dismisses her critics. With the ambitious show receiving mixed reviews in the media and from audiences, she defiantly declares: "I'm not paying attention to any of them, because no one knows the experience except for me."

The London-born Wicked star, criticised for initially using an autocue during her performance, adds: "I don't let that take the energy that I should be spending on the stage." Formidable Cynthia didn't get this far being the thin-skinned type...

There's one thing you shouldn't expect from Alan Cumming

Hosting this weekend's BAFTA Film Awards, Alan Cumming claims to be scaling down work commitments after being left exhausted jetting between America and the UK.

"It's in my plan to do less," insists Alan. "We have a house near Inverness that is being renovated. I have this vision of me baking gluten free scones and warming my bum on my Aga."

Don't expect the old show pony to stay out of the spotlight for very long!

I'm assured there wasn't a bitter custody battle here...

While Earl Spencer enjoys life with girlfriend Cat Jarman on his Althorp estate in Northants, ex-wife Karen isn't too far away.

With her bitter divorce from Princess Diana's brother recently finalised, the Canadian beauty celebrates "new beginnings" while still living in the same county as her former spouse. She cheerfully reports: "All the animals are settling in our new home so nicely. Everyone so happy in the quiet Northamptonshire countryside."

Raised inside the Althorp residence as orphaned lambs, the ex-couple's pampered sheep Lucky and Minty are now with Karen. I'm assured there wasn't a bitter custody battle!

Sir Ian McKellen admits he doesn't quite 'get it'

Legendary thespian Sir Ian McKellen's sniffy assessment of hit film Hamnet - the tear-jerking story of the Shakespeares coping with the death of their 11-year-old son - raises eyebrows among theatrical comrades.

"I don't quite get it," the old boy critically remarked. "I'm not very interested in trying to work out where Shakespeare's imagination came from, but it certainly didn't just come from family life."

I'm awkwardly reminded this is the very Sir Ian who prominently starred in pal Sir Kenneth Branagh's (so-so) Shakespeare family drama All Is True in 2018 - also telling the story of Hamnet.

Leicester legend claims he's outpacing his younger rivals

Still crooning around the world as he prepares to turn 90, Leicester lad Engelbert Humperdinck claims to have more stamina than younger rivals, announcing: "I never leave the stage. Some people have a little break - I just carry on."

Alas, the Hump has however decided to retire from speeding about on his beloved Harley-Davidson.

Kenneth Williams came to despise one kind of person

Born 100 years ago this weekend, late Carry On star Kenneth Williams is honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque on his London flat at Farley Court - situated near Madame Tussauds. Regrettably, sharp-tongued Ken came to despise the endless sight of queuing tourists during his lifetime, hissing: "How I loathe them and Madame Tussauds."