SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE: Mike Tindall scrums down for High Court battle over rugby podcast

The Royal Family usually avoids the bruising scrums of legal action, but ex-England rugby star Mike Tindall, who is married to the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips, has found himself embroiled in a High Court battle.

I can reveal that World Cup winner Tindall — whose uncompromising style of play earned him a broken nose at least eight times during his illustrious career, not to mention a lacerated liver and punctured lung — is being sued for damages over a rugby podcast he recorded with his former England team-mate James Haskell.

Presented by Old Etonian broadcaster Alex Payne, and featuring expert analysis by Tindall and fellow man-mountain Haskell, House Of Rugby speedily established itself as Britain’s most popular podcast of its kind after its launch in 2018. It attracted lucrative sponsorship from brewing giant Guinness.

England rugby stars James Haskell (left) and Mike Tindall (right) on House of Rugby podcast

England rugby stars James Haskell (left) and Mike Tindall (right) on House of Rugby podcast

But the trio’s success was in glaring contrast to that of the company which had set up the podcast, Joe Media, which went into administration in May.

Two months later, Joe Media was acquired by a newly formed firm called Greencastle, which confidently presumed it had thereby secured the services of Tindall, Haskell and Payne.

However, according to Greencastle’s High Court claim, Tindall and Co were by then thundering towards a try-line of their own, by ‘assert[ing] and represent[ing] to potential sponsors... and others that they were continuing the House Of Rugby podcast... and owned the right [to do so].’

Additionally, they were allegedly ‘prepar[ing] and distribut[ing] a PR campaign’ which indicated that they were ‘continuing the podcast’ and ‘rebranding [it] “The Good, The Bad And The Rugby”’.

Haskell, the claim alleges, even posted a message on social media showing him and Tindall wearing House Of Rugby T-shirts, and declaring: ‘The King is dead!...long live the king!!!...same choir, different cathedral. Get ready!’

But Greencastle — which is suing the trio for what is known as ‘passing off’ and is seeking injunctions against them — has now felt the force of Tindall’s counter-attack.

Claiming that Joe Media owed them £75,000 in unpaid fees, he, Haskell and Payne allege that Payne ‘made it clear’ to Greencastle in July that they were ‘pretty far down the line with [their] own plans’.

Ex-England rugby star Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Phillips is being sued for damages over a rugby podcast he recorded with his former England team-mate James Haskell

Ex-England rugby star Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Phillips is being sued for damages over a rugby podcast he recorded with his former England team-mate James Haskell

Greencastle’s ‘real complaint’, they claim, is that it ‘overpaid’ for Joe Media — while failing to retain their services and, in consequence, Guinness’s continuing sponsorship.

Greencastle partner David Sefton tells me: ‘Despite our best efforts to resolve this situation amicably, the continued actions of the defendants has left us with no choice but to act to protect House Of Rugby.’

 

 Why The Crown's Claire really is a golden wonder

She portrayed the Queen in the first two series of The Crown with such unerring poise that she picked up an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

But star Claire Foy assumed a less regal guise while out near her North London home.

Sporting a beanie hat and a handful of autumnal leaves rather that a crown and sceptre, she looked lost in thought — perhaps about her impending role in Louis Wain, a period drama in which her on-screen husband will be Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch.

Claire Foy as the Queen in the Crown TV series
Claire Foy out with what appears to be her mum in Hampstead

Claire Foy, who played the Queen in the Crown TV series (left), picks up beautiful autumn leaves while out with what appears to be her mum in Hampstead earlier this week (right)

 

 Game of Thrones makes Harrington royally rich

Looking forward to the birth of his first child with fellow Game Of Thrones star Rose Leslie, Kit Harington can afford an opulent nursery.

I can reveal that Harington, who played hero Jon Snow in the hugely popular sex and dragons drama, saw his fortune rise to more than £3.1 million last year.

Newly published accounts disclose that Kit Harington Ltd, through which he channels his earnings, made a profit of £600,000 in the 12 months to March. The period covers the final series of the hit show.

A source said: ‘Famed for his character Jon Snow’s catchphrase “winter is coming”, he could just as well have said “cash is coming” too.’

As well as his business, Harington has a £2.8 million North London house, a nearby flat and a Suffolk mansion reported to be worth £1.7 million.

 

She's an Up-Tree Girl! Christie branches out! 

In the video for Eighties classic Uptown Girl, Christie Brinkley arrives in a chauffeured Rolls-Royce as her soon-to-be second husband, Billy Joel, and a gang of mechanics dance with her. These days, Brinkley’s more of an up-tree girl.

The American model, 66, could easily pass for a woman 30 years younger as she poses in a swimming cossie for a magazine.

Christie — whose fourth marriage to architect Peter Cook ended in 2008 — says the picture, which she shared with fans this week, shows she can ‘branch out’, and proves ‘the numbers don’t dictate to us’.

 

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt is sending people to sleep

Jeremy Hunt is sending people to sleep. Boris Johnson’s former Tory leadership rival has informed parliamentary officials he plans to provide his services for free one day a month to Soak And Sleep, which sells pretty much all you need to get 40 winks.

The company, originally known as the Duvet & Pillow Warehouse, might seem an odd career move for the multi-millionaire former health secretary.

But a closer look shows that it belongs to his brother, Charlie.

 
Dame Joan Collins, 87, will find herself in period costume as she is appearing alongside Jane Seymour in an upcoming series Glow and Darkness, about the life of St Francis of Assisi

Dame Joan Collins, 87, will find herself in period costume as she is appearing alongside Jane Seymour in an upcoming series Glow and Darkness, about the life of St Francis of Assisi

Joan, Queen of the Screen

She made her Hollywood debut 65 years ago in the lavish historical drama The Virgin Queen, and it’s very much a case of plus ça change for Dame Joan Collins, who finds herself in period costume once more for her latest project.

The evergreen Dynasty star is appearing alongside Jane Seymour in the forthcoming medieval series Glow And Darkness, about the life of St Francis of Assisi.

Joan shared a picture of herself as Queen Adelaide of Savoy, second wife of King Louis VI of France, explaining: ‘My first day on set.’

The Queen was no older than 62 when she died.

 

 Dame Harriet Walter is convinced she looks royal

Despite an absence of blue blood, Dame Harriet Walter keeps being cast as a noblewoman — and she’s convinced it’s because of her looks.

The actress, whose father was a legal consultant, played a countess in Julian Fellowes’s costume drama Belgravia and Lady Shackleton in his ITV hit Downton Abbey. Says Harriet: ‘I know that I’ve been given aristocratic parts simply because I’m tall and I’ve got a large nose.’ 

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