Vanessa Feltz expresses heartfelt admiration for Peter Phillips and his new wife, Harriet Sperling, in a touching opinion piece. Feltz declares Peter Phillips the luckiest man alive, having found love with Harriet, a stunning NHS intensive care paediatric nurse and devoted single mother. The couple's wedding at All Saints Church marked the beginning of a blended family, with Peter's daughters Savannah and Isla already close friends with Harriet's daughter Georgina.
Harriet, in an article for Christian magazine Woman Alive, poignantly described her journey as a single parent: 'My daughter and I journeyed ten years with only each other. I liken us to an island, and it has often felt hard to imagine anyone joining that island.' Feltz relates deeply to this sentiment, noting that single parents across Britain will identify with every word. She praises Harriet for making space on her island for her new husband and his children, exuding common sense, compassion, and quiet happiness. Princess Anne, she suggests, must be delighted with her son's choice.
Summertime Ball Highlights
Feltz also shares her experience at the Capital Radio Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium, a perk of her LBC presenting role. Despite arriving late, she enjoyed performances by Niall Horan, Myles Smith, Calvin Harris, and Raye, who dazzled in scarlet satin. She gives special mention to 20-year-old Sienna Spiro for her smoky torch songs. The standout act, however, was Mis-teeq, who reunited after 20 years, with all members now mums in their 40s, proving they are still at the top of their game.
Jon Snow's Alzheimer's Battle
Feltz reflects on former Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow, 78, who revealed his Alzheimer's diagnosis in a documentary with his wife Dr. Precious Lunga. Initially, she helped conceal his condition, but when it became impossible, they decided to raise awareness. Snow's courageous statement, 'If I don't speak out, who will?' highlights his determination to remain a valuable member of society. Feltz notes that their honesty will comfort other families navigating this tough terrain.
Nicola Walker on Parental Loss
Actress Nicola Walker, starring in Alice and Steve, identifies the strange experience of outliving a parent. Feltz, now seven years older than her mother Valerie was at death, relates to feeling 'grateful but adrift' without a maternal frame of reference. She agrees with Walker that the path feels precarious when your mum hasn't walked it first.
High Society at the Barbican
Amid deepening divisions and frightening world events, Feltz craves elegance and escapism. She recommends High Society at the Barbican Theatre, starring Helen George, Felicity Kendal, Freddie Fox, and Nigel Lindsay. Cole Porter's sophisticated lyrics and the glamour of the production lift the heart and soothe the soul, offering a welcome respite from dystopian dramas.
