Oh to be Simon Cowell! What better way to welcome in the New Year than with an exciting new project building a dream house in the Caribbean designed to his personal specifications... although I would have probably given the mirror-lined bedrooms a miss...

He's worked hard to earn his estimated £130-million fortune and knows how to have fun with it. He also seems really generous, having invited ex-girlfriend Sinitta and her two kids to join him for a month over Christmas at his current home on Barbados. I don't seem to recall any generous offers like that from any of my old flames - but then I am not sure I'd want to stay with any of them for four weeks either!

Speaking of houses, I just read Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall are no longer up for buying that fabbie converted barn in Upper Kilcott they had their eye on, reportedly because of security concerns.

I understand that as one of our more 'normal' royals she prefers to stay out of the spotlight, but am not sure how smart a move backing out of that deal was. Judging by the pictures it looked like a perfect first home for the couple - it has 43 acres, is close to 'equestrian' locations and even had planning permission for stables - which is surely going to make it hard to beat.