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Leslie Ash wins record £5million payout from NHS
Campaigners' outrage at record payout over her 'ruined career'
By Emily Cook, Mark Jefferies Emily.Cook@Mirror.Co.Uk
Men Behaving Badly star Leslie Ash has won an incredible £5million payout for catching a superbug while in hospital.

Leslie, 47, had been expected to pick up around £500,000 after contracting MSSA - a variant of MRSA.

But the NHS compensation body yesterday announced it was forking out 10 times that amount - and setting a new record for superbug awards - because of Leslie's potential loss of earnings. Leslie yesterday said she was "delighted" - but the huge payout was blasted last night by campaigners.

Neil Manser of National Concern for Healthcare Infections, whose father died from MRSA, said: "I am totally shocked.


"This money will be coming out of the NHS where it is desperately needed to pay for things like the prevention and treatment of superbugs like MRSA."

Derek Butler, of MRSA Action UK, said: "There are an awful lot of people out there that have lost family to MRSA or have suffered themselves who have received far less than that. And in most cases nothing at all."

But Leslie's lawyer Janice Gardner said the actress's career had been wrecked by the bug. She added: "This is a significant settlement which recognises that Leslie has been seriously injured.

"She is delighted the legal action is now over. It's been an incredible strain."

Leslie almost died after catching MSSA while being treated for a punctured lung and two broken ribs at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

She was briefly paralysed from the chest down and still walks with a stick.
Mirror

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Pop star Lily Allen loses baby


Pop star Lily Allen has had a miscarriage, it was revealed last night.

The singer, 22, was said to be “distraught” after losing the infant on her return from a romantic Maldives holiday with boyfriend Ed Simons.

Lily admitted last month that the pregnancy was a huge surprise. But she said she was looking forward to settling down with Chemical Brothers star Ed, 37, and ditching her party lifestyle.

[url]Her spokesman said: “We can confirm that Lily suffered a miscarriage. She and Ed will be making no further comment.
[/url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/2008/01/18/pop-star-lily-allen-loses-baby-89520-20289644/]Mirror

Mistresses Sarah Parish's baby joy


She plays a man-eating, homewrecking mistress on TV - but in real-life Sarah Parish is thrilled to be starting a family with her first baby.

A spokeswoman for the 39-year-old actress said last night she is "delighted". And the mum-to-be has been happily showing off her "little bump" while out shopping for maternity clothes in London.

Sarah, who married Cutting It co-star James Murray, 33, in December, will give birth in the summer. The news will surprise five million viewers who tuned in to see Sarah play sex-mad GP Katie in BBC1's new, red-hot series Mistresses.

However, Sarah has made no secret of her long-held desire to have children - but feared she'd never meet Mr Right after a string of disastrous relationships.
She once said: "In my dreams, I'd love to meet somebody who I fall in love with and have a baby."
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Stephen Fry breaks his arm in jungle fall


Stephen Fry has broken his arm after falling over while making a wildlife documentary in Brazil.

The QI presenter was filming Last Chance To See, which focuses on the world's endangered species, when he hurt himself.

Stephen, 50, was treated at a local hospital before being flown to the US for further treatment and then back to the UK.

A bbc spokesman said: "Unfortunately, Stephen has broken his right arm after slipping while filming in Brazil for a new BBC Two series.
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"He will have further treatment and hopes to be recovered to continue filming later in the year."

Fry was on location in Tefe to film the release of an endangered manatee into the wild.
Mirror

Auf Wiederse-hen Pet star Jimmy Nail splits with wife


Actor Jimmy Nail has split with wife Miriam Jones, it was revealed last night.

But the couple are still friends despite the break-up.

The Auf Wiederse-hen Pet star's spokesman said: "Jimmy Nail and Miriam Jones are no longer an item.

"They remain the best of friends. There will be no further comment."
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The couple met in 1980 and have two sons Tom and Fred.

Miriam is credited with persuading Jimmy, 53, to audition for Auf Wiedersehen Pet as beer-swilling bricklayer Oz.

The role turned him into a household name. He also appeared in police show Spender.

In 2004 he won £30,000 over claims he cheated on his wife.
Mirror

Amy Winehouse shouts out to husband in court

"I love you handsome.. love you gorgeous one"


Frail Amy Winehouse was led from court yesterday after an emotional outburst in which she professed her love for her husband as he stood in the dock.

The troubled 24-year-old appeared to slur her words when she yelled at Blake Fielder-Civil: "I love you handsome, love you gorgeous one."

Amy turned up at the court five minutes before the end of a routine hearing in the case involving her husband and four other men who are accused of perverting justice.

Looking unsteady on her feet, she and her 25-year-old husband mouthed "I love you" to each other while smiling and winking.


Blake asked: "Are you all right?" She replied: "I'm OK." The display of affection seemed to quash rumours their marriage is on the rocks.

Amy, her new blonde hair wild and unkempt, was ushered out of Snaresbrook crown court in East London by her mother-in-law Georgette. She barked at reporters: "I'm not talking to you lot."

Despite the cold, the singer arrived in a sleeveless black T-shirt, pink ballet shoes and a pink needlecord mini-skirt that appeared to have red ink smudged across the back of it.

During the short time Amy was at the hearing, Georgette whispered in her ear and patted her hand as Blake stood behind bulletproof glass in Number Two court.

She was driven away in a silver BMW. Amy said nothing when asked how she was, but Georgette replied: "She's fine, thanks"

Blake allegedly tried to bribe publican James King not to give evidence against him and co-defendant Michael Brown after they were accused of beating him up in his East London pub.

His lawyer Jeremy Dean, QC, told the court: "Mr Fielder-Civil will be pleading not guilty."

Fielder-Civil, of Canonbury, North London, and Brown, of Carshalton, Surrey, have already denied assaulting King in June 2006.

Brown, King, 36, and Anthony Kelly, 25, of Chalk Farm, North London, denied conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Fielder-Civil and 19-year-old James Kennedy, of Hatfield, Herts, will enter their plea on that charge next month. Kennedy is on bail. The others were remanded in custody. They are due to stand trial in June.
Mirror

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Brand eyes up island home


Russell Brand has been spotted house-hunting on the Isle of Wight.

The comedian 32, toured the coastal town of Ventnor before indulging in clay pigeon shooting and a horse ride.

Lady Rebecca Thompson, owner of Rocklands Manor Hotel where he stayed, said: 'He is a perfect gentleman.'

Metro