EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Hi-de-Hi! Star Su Pollard recalls the shocking moment the Duchess of York launched a bread roll at her head during The Grand Knockout
Let’s hope that negotiations with King Charles over Prince Andrew’s continued residency at Royal Lodge don’t get out of hand.
Because Sarah, Duchess of York, who shares the Windsor mansion with her ex-husband, knows how to wield a missile.
‘Fergie threw a bread roll and it landed on my head,’ recalls Hi-de-Hi! star Su Pollard, who appeared on much-criticised 1987 TV game show The Grand Knockout Tournament.
‘We had a fabulous time on Prince Edward’s Grand Knockout contest. There literally was a bun fight in the buffet area. The organisers were a bit fraught . . .”Oh, God, Fergie just had an iced bun hit her.” Princess Anne had lips of string. I think she was a bit taken aback.’
Royal: Sarah, Duchess of York (pictured), who shares the Windsor mansion with her ex-husband, knows how to wield a missile, writes Richard Eden
Row: Let’s hope that negotiations with King Charles over Prince Andrew’s continued residency at Royal Lodge don’t get out of hand
Launch: ‘Fergie threw a bread roll and it landed on my head,’ recalls Hi-de-Hi! star Su Pollard (pictured), who appeared on much-criticised 1987 TV game show The Grand Knockout Tournament
In 1987, 23-year-old Prince Edward was running a TV production company and wanted to stage an event to drum up global interest and benefit charities.
His idea: It’s a Royal Knockout, a regal version of the popular TV game show, where costumed contestants battled it out in silly obstacle races.
Teams of celebrities, including John Travolta and Meat Loaf, were led by himself, Princess Anne, the Duke of York and his then wife the Duchess of York, each supporting a different charity.
Meanwhile, the disgraced Duke of York has previously told friends he will not be able to afford the upkeep at Royal Lodge in Windsor when his annual £249,000 grant is slashed this month.
There has been mounting speculation he will be forced out by the King as part of his plan to cut royal costs.
Andrew indicated he will not leave without a fight – but he has been called ‘selfish’ by critics.
Family: Prince Andrew, Duke Of York, is pictured with Sarah Duchess Of York leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor
From left: The Duchess of York, Prince Edward, the Duke of York and Princess Anne in the television programme ‘It’s a Royal Knockout’
Stuck: The disgraced Duke of York previously told friends he will not be able to afford the upkeep at Royal Lodge (pictured) when his annual £249,000 grant is slashed this month
Stubborn: Andrew indicated he will not leave without a fight – but he has been called ‘selfish’ by critics
He has an incredible 60-plus year lease on the 30-room property, and reportedly pays £250-a-week for it, which former MP Norman Baker, an expert on royal finances, said ‘wouldn’t get you a cupboard in London’.
Mr Baker said: ‘It’s time Andrew started living within his means rather than expecting other people to subsidise his luxurious lifestyle.
‘If he can’t pay a commercial rent for the property with his own money, he should be evicted and relocate to somewhere much smaller. The taxpayer is subsidising him.’
