Baywatch star AJ Langer reveals moving to a castle was ‘a bit overwhelming’

Some American actresses struggle to adapt to life among the aristocracy, but former Baywatch star A. J. Langer has successfully managed the transition.

She became the Countess of Devon after husband Charles Courtenay’s father died in 2015, and now she’s spoken about the challenges of moving to Powderham Castle, set in 3,500 acres near Exeter.

‘It can be a bit overwhelming,’ admits Lady Devon, 46.

‘I was never anyone that imagined living in a big house with fancy things. I like camping and nature.

‘You see this beautiful nature outside, but you’re in a fortress. Everything is falling apart.

‘My husband won’t let us fix the doors because it has always been broken and he finds it sweet.’

Tory grandee splits with wife of 37 years

While Boris Johnson looks forward to making Carrie Symonds his third wife, one of the PM’s key backers has called time on his own marriage.

Tycoon Jonathan Marland tells me he’s split up with his wife, Penny. ‘We are in the process of separating after 37 years,’ he says.

‘It is a testament to her tolerance that she has put up with me for so long. No one else is involved.’

Remarkably, the former Tory Party treasurer spent lockdown with Penny, even though they’d already to agreed to end their marriage.

‘It occurred before lockdown, which we spent with the family at our home in Wiltshire,’ he confirms.

Divorce could be costly as Lord Marland boasts a reputed fortune worth £100 million.

Baby joy for £60m divorce tycoon and royal designer

Ordered to pay his former wife £60 million, businessman Bhanu Choudhrie is already embarking on the next exciting chapter in his life.

The 41-year-old is to become a father with Tamara Ralph, 38, co-founder of Mayfair fashion house Ralph & Russo, which created the transparent £56,000 dress that Meghan Markle wore for her engagement photos.

‘I am excited to be welcoming my first child with Tamara,’ Bhanu tells me. ‘We are very much looking forward to being parents.’

Sally’s ready to fuel the great return to work

On your Clarke’s, get set, go! The organic restaurateur Sally Clarke has fired the starting gun on getting her staff back to work at Prince Harry and Meghan’s favourite dining room.

‘Everyone, in theory, should be getting back to work now, so the timing couldn’t be better,’ she tells me.

Her Kensington restaurant is re-opening next Wednesday for the first time since March, allowing for social distancing.

‘We’ve taken out a couple of tables in the main dining room. It’s still Clarke’s, but there will be a safety element as well.’

She’s also fuelled workers’ return to the office with the recent launch of a coffee shop across the road.

(Very) modern manners

Spare a thought for our luvvies during this pandemic as they’re finding social distancing particularly difficult.

Downton Abbey star Samantha Bond admits: ‘I haven’t held another human being since March and I’m an actor – we like holding and kissing each other, so all of that has been really tough.’

Bond, who played Lady Rosamund Painswick in the drama, has two grown-up children with fellow thespian Alexander Hanson.

She adds: ‘I don’t know what I’d have done without my family, I really don’t.’