Akiko has sent me some cool pics of REG from Codename: Kyril. As we’ve never had any shots previously from this early film it’s nice to have them now. A few other pics from Warlock, Hudson Hawk, Hard Times and one or two miscellaneous shots were also sent to me, but for now you can find all of the new Codename: Kyril pics here.

Rosemary informs me that there are three REG films on next week on Sky TV – Hildegarde, Warlock, and Gosford Park. Set those VCR’s on “ready” (for research purposes only, of course).

SueW. has sent me some screen captures that she’d previously recorded on VHS. They are from the US talk show “The Charlie Rose Show” which aired way back in 1996. Richard was mainly promoting Jack & Sarah. Other topics of discussion were the directors he had worked with – Altman, Coppola, Scorsese and Campion. You can see those here.

Denise informs me that REG has a “tiny mention” in an article about Cate Blanchett that appears on the This Is London website. Follow this link and it will surely take you there.

Joan has spotted the latest Argos advertisement featuring REG. He is inside a helicopter hovering near his “stately” home and is saying “I will take it”!! Apparently funny stuff indeed!

And last, but not least, Gary reports that as he was drifting off to sleep the other night he thought he heard a familiar voice during the James Whale program on the Talk Sport radio station. Apparently it was REG doing the voiceover for a mysterious charity (which we at the Temple believe – at this stage – to be the Waterford Charity Shoot). We’ll keep you posted if we hear more.

I’ve finally finished setting up Joan’s & Denise’s reports on the “Talking Stones” Exhibition – A month ago to the day! Some of you might remember that this was an exhibition of stone sculptors from Zimbabwe and that some of the proceeds from sales would go toward the Waterford-Kamhlaba School Bursary Fund.

You can read Joan’s account here and Denise’s account here. If you want to you can also check out some of the pages from the catalogue here.

The new BBC series “Restoration” begins on Friday 8th August and it seems that Richard’s “project” is the first one up. REG hopes to save the Manchester Victoria Baths from demolition and is appealing for help in a “Big Brother” kinda deal type program.

The historical architecture series is presented by Griff Rhys Jones. Loyd Grossman, Richard E Grant and Martin Bell each champion a building in need of conservation, and viewers vote for which one they think should be restored.

The journey begins in the North West of England, visiting the romantic ruin of Bath Hall, the art nouveau Victoria Baths and the historical Brackenhill Tower.

The show can be seen on BBC2, Friday 8th August at 9:00pm.

Thanks to Joan, Denise and SueW. for the info and reports.

I’ve uploaded some extra pieces to the “Charity” section of the site. These pieces have already been mentioned in previous news items so I won’t repeat myself here – except to say thanks again to Nikki and SueW. who contributed the items.

I’ve also been changing a few links here and there. If anyone has been experiencing difficulties with the site then I apologise and I assure you that I’ll fix up any broken links as soon as possible.

UK People Magazine – Sunday 27th July, 2003

Filthy rich rocker Zak (aka Richard E Grant of the Argos ads) shows us his mansion. As NOT told to Ktima Johnstone

How would you best describe the style of your new home?

Zak – Totally avant garde and modern, created by the Lithuanian legend Arr Ghoos with all the latest gadgets and gizmos.

So what was your home like when you first moved in?

Zak – Old brown furniture, books in Latin, scabby raggedy rugs, cracked blue Chinese vases, loud ticking old clocks, paintings of ugly dead people and statues of blokes with marble beards and big noses. Dumped the lot.

How do you spend your days now?

Zak – Game Boy, helicopter, reading the Beano, texting myself, phoning for a vindaloo takeaway, speaking to my manager, giving orders to my PA, Pam, chanting with my crystals. You know, the usual stuff of filthy rich rock stars.

How do you relax when you’re at home?

Zak – All the stuff I just told you about! Oh yeah – and also playing darts. And watching all the latest movies on my marvellous home entertainment system, of course. As well as practicing my dance moves on my PlayStation dance mat. Great fun.

What’s your favourite room in the house?

Zak – Well, if I am eating I like the kitchen best. And if I am aching, I like the sauna best. So if I’m sleeping, I like the bedroom and the bed especially. But I never, ever go in the cellar because it’s all old stuff down there and I don’t do old.

Who usually decides on the home decorations?

Zak – Apart from the legendary Arr Ghoos, I’ve got a really great lifestyle advisor and co-ordinator who shows me stuff and tells me what I will like and what I want and it really works for me. But I won’t tell you her name right now, otherwise everyone will try to copy mine.

What’s your daughter’s room like?

Zak – It’s full of all the very latest girlie toys with a really cool and funky metal bed. Will she be staying with you long term?

Zak – Until she’s grown-up, yeah……

How do you impress the ladies when they come to visit you?

Zak – I squirt myself all over with Aramis, put on my greatest hits…..and you know…..get in touch with my feminine side. Never fails. See, I know the meaning of metrosexy….take ‘em shopping and just hang out, man……hmmmm!

Do you ever lavish gifts on your PA, Pam?

Zak – Don’t be stupid, what for? She’s got everything, except a private life, but she doesn’t need one for herself ‘cos she’s got mine to sort. Know what I mean?

Does she live with you? What’s her room like?

Zak – Man, that’s way out of line and way too personal and you know that. Didn’t you read the contract that Pam gave you? Pam lives in um…….You’d better ask Pam, OK?

Is there a special lady in your life at the moment?

Zak – My banjo Malibut, of course, and Beulah, my scarlet Ferrari.

Do you get mobbed when you visit Argos?

Zak – You mean Arr Ghoos right? No way – he’s based over in Lithuania. So Pam speaks to him on the phone and it’s all delivered straight to the front door. I’m pretty big in Lithuania so I would be mobbed if I did visit. Genius, though…..absolute genius! He is really big now. Since doing my place everybody wants a piece.

You lavish gifts on your mates – what’s been your most expensive item?

Zak – Game Boys, all round and some mountain bikes.

What’s the dearest household item?

Zak – Definitely the helicopter pad.

Do you have any pet names for your place?

Zak – Yeah, the Platinum Disc Dome.

Would you ever move?

Zak – No. This pad is totally cool, man.