DUA Lipa’s attempts to create her own Grand Designs-style home have run into problems.
The superstar singer has been slapped down by locals who raised concerns about some of the proposed changes to her £6.75million manison in London.
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As a result, Dua has been forced to fork out a hefty sum in an attempt to convince the council to give her permission to make the changes.
Her plans include creating a mega-basement with swimming pool and a recording studio.
A source said: “Dua put in her application for the work in August last year.
“She’s almost a year down the line and nothing is happening.
“Concerns were raised by conservationists which, while it isn’t unusual, does slow things down.
“She has since paid for specialists to look into the impact the basement will have on the connecting properties, and other little niggling points.
“Dua has now had three reports back and it’s hoped she can finally get moving this summer if no more spanners get thrown into the works.
“Most of her work seems low-risk but she has been told that if she gets permission, her swimming pool must be quieter than a whisper.
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“Dua just wants to get the renovation under way because it is her dream home.
“As well as the studio and the pool, she plans to put a gym in the basement. It will be incredible when it is finished.”
Dua is not the only celebrity who has had to jump through hoops to get major work done on a London property.
Robbie Williams is also having his Grade II-listed £17.5million mansion in the capital renovated.
Because of the council — and his neighbour, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page — some of the work is having to be done using hand tools to stop it being so noisy.
I’d hate to be the labourer having to dig out that basement by hand.
LIAM PART OF TRIBUTE GIG FOR TRAGIC TAYLOR
THEY are among music’s most loved bands – and that is evident in the huge names the Foo Fighters have recruited for their tribute concert for late drummer Taylor Hawkins.
Liam Gallagher, Mark Ronson, Supergrass and Chrissie Hynde are some of the acts who will perform at the show, taking place on September 3 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
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There will also be a special appearance from comedian Dave Chappelle, with other names on the line-up including Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, The Police’s Stewart Copeland and Josh Homme from Queens Of The Stone Age.
The Foos will also perform in what is expected to be their first set since Taylor died.
He was part of the group from 1997 but died in March, aged 50, while on tour in South America.
The London show will be followed by a concert at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles on September 27 with another list of top artists.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow, with proceeds going to charities in both the UK and US which have been chosen by Taylor’s family.
KNOT A TOP LOOK, JESSICA
JESSICA CHASTAIN rarely puts a foot wrong.
But I imagine the actress will be wondering whether she should sack her stylist after appearing on the red carpet in this unflattering outfit.
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She wore a cream tie – which looked like it could have come straight from my kids’ dressing-up box – over a black halterneck dress for the premiere of her latest film, The Forgiven, at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
Apparently it was a custom-made dress from Ralph Lauren and is not available to the public.
Perhaps that’s just as well, as I can’t see it flying off the shelves.
If this is the new trend, I have plenty of ties to look fashionable – but I won’t be in a dress anytime soon.
KSI: MY THERAPY TO SETTLE DOWN
SETTLING down and starting a family is a big decision for most people.
But KSI, posing here in a shoot for the new issue of Wonderland Magazine, is finding that prospect so daunting that he’s had to seek some help.
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The British rap star told the mag: “I do want a wife and kids and I do want all these things.
“I don’t want to work until I’m 50 and then realise I want all these things.
“I have been through a lot and I have come through the other side.
“I’ve seen a therapist for the past few months just to be sure that I’m in the right place, and I’m ready for the year ahead – and even several years on.”
ROMEO HOT ON BOWLE’S HEELS
ROMEO BECKHAM is following in the footsteps of David Bowie.
For a new Yves Saint Laurent campaign the young model wears a pair of high-heeled boots identical to ones David, who died in 2016, used to wear.
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They were worn by the pop maestro at the Brit Awards in 1996 to collect the Outstanding Contribution award.
While they looked great on David, and are equally hip on Romeo, I’m not sure they’d suit me . . . and neither would the £1,105 price tag.
CHARLI’S READY TO REVIVE
CHARLI XCX and Paolo Nutini are leading the line-up at a special series of gigs in small venues.
The pair are part of the National Lottery’s Revive Live Tour that covers 200 grassroots concerts nationwide this summer.
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Other acts on the bill include Sleaford Mods And Lianne La Havas.
Singer James Skelly, who will play the Blackpool Bootleg Social with his band The Coral, said: “Grass-roots venues are the real beating heart of the music industry.
“The first time we sold out a 200-capacity venue was when we really thought, ‘We’re on to something here’.
“A venue like this isn’t just important to artists and fans, it can be a focus for the whole community.”
Tickets go on sale from June 17 – and if you play the Lottery, you will get two-for-one entry.
Given the soaring price of tickets to decent gigs these days, that seems like a bargain to me.
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MEGAN THEE STALLION has slammed fellow rapper Tory Lanez, claiming he should go to jail after she alleged he shot her in the foot.
She said: “I thought we had a real connection. I thought he knew me.
“I never did anything to him. There was an argument.
“People argue every day. Friends argue every day. I could not walk.
“I still have bullet fragments in my feet right now.”
Megan, who claims the incident happened after a party in July 2020, told Rolling Stone it feels like she has been made out to be the villain.
She added: “I want him to go to jail.”
Tory has denied assault and weapons charges relating to the incident and is expected to face trial in September.
HARRY UP FOR A 1D REUNION
HARRY STYLES is flying high on his stadium tour but insists a One Direction reunion is not off the cards.
The As It Was singer, who was in the group from 2010 until they went on hiatus at the end of 2015, said there is still “a lot of love” between him and bandmates Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne And Zayn Malik.
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Asked if they would reunite, he said: “I don’t know. I mean, I think the thought of it is really nice.”
Speaking to the Spout Podcast, Harry added: “I think we all went through something really special together and there’s a lot of love there.
“So yeah, I think if there’s a moment for us to do it in the right way, I think it would be great.”
