Nearly two and a half years have passed since “The Crown” seemingly concluded its run on Netflix, wrapping up a season that delved into pivotal moments for the British Royal Family. This included the tragic passing of Princess Diana, the marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla, and the budding relationship between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Since news broke in 2022 about discussions between Netflix and producer Left Bank Pictures for a £500 million series of prequels, anticipation among fans has been palpable.

It can now be confirmed that the production company has received approval to embark on this new venture, which will cover the era from Queen Victoria’s death in 1901 to Princess Elizabeth’s wedding in 1947.

An insider shares, “Netflix has been in discussions with the production company for quite some time regarding this spin-off series, but they have recently finalized the agreement.”

Josh O’Connor as the then-Prince Charles and Emma Corrin as Princess Diana for the fourth series of The Crown

Peter Morgan, the creative force behind the series, which has become one of Britain’s most celebrated TV dramas with 24 Emmy awards, is anticipated to return for the new project.

The source reveals, “Peter has already started drafting the script, and casting is expected to begin next year.”

By stepping further back in time, the show may sidestep the accuracy rows that eclipsed the later seasons.

This would align with what Morgan has previously said. ‘I sort of have in my head a 20-year rule. That is enough time and enough distance to really understand something, to understand its role, to understand its position, to understand its relevance.’

He added: ‘Often, things that appear absolutely wildly important today are instantly forgotten, and other things have a habit of sticking around and proving to be historically very relevant and long-lasting.’

Netflix and Left Bank Pictures did not respond to my request for comment.

Cowell’s fiancee: My hair loss woe 

Lauren Silverman and Simon Cowell. Silverman says her hair loss is one of her ‘biggest insecurities’

Simon Cowell was mocked online over his ‘unrecognisable looks’ in a Britain’s Got Talent video, and now his fiancee, Lauren Silverman, admits her own confidence has taken a hit due to major hair loss. 

‘It’s been one of my biggest insecurities,’ reveals the American socialite, who has a son Eric, 12, with Cowell. ‘I wear extensions and I’m so grateful I can because they help me feel like myself but underneath that, it’s something I think about far more than I’d like to admit,’ writes Lauren, 48, online. 

The former actress says: ‘I don’t want to feel ashamed of it anymore and neither should you.’ 

Is it Harry Potter and the spectre of Sturgeon?

Former first minister of Nicola Sturgeon appears to have yet again laid into author JK Rowling over transgender rights

Her world of wizardry Harry Potter books are global bestsellers, propelling her to a fortune of nearly £1billion, much of which she channels into philanthropic causes. 

But JK Rowling may also feel haunted by a fleshy spectre – Nicola Sturgeon. Scotland’s former First Minister, who was unable to say whether double rapist Adam Graham – sent to a female prison after self-identifying as ‘Isla Bryson’ – was a man or a woman, appears to have yet again laid into Rowling, who has been outspoken against transgender rights.

‘However rich and however famous some of the people who attack me might be, I’m not going to be silenced,’ says Sturgeon, adding that she’ll keep ‘fighting’ for the ‘marginalised’ community. Might Rowling feel ‘marginalised’ in SNP-run Scotland? 

Anna Friel may have once been the life and soul of the party alongside Kate Moss but times have changed. She tells me: ‘I’m just not comfortable at these things, I’m the kind of girl, I get home and put my pyjamas on.’

Lady Amelia Windsor finds pottery to be ‘wholesome’ and ‘therapeutic’

Once dubbed the ‘most beautiful royal’ by Tatler magazine, Lady Amelia Windsor is proving she has creative talents to match her looks. 

The Duke of Kent’s granddaughter has taken up pottery, which she says she’s found to be ‘wholesome’ and ‘therapeutic’. 

The model, 30, posted a cheerful photo online of her wearing an apron with a green cup she crafted with her name on it at the House Pottery London workshop. ‘[I have been] building and painting mugs and cups whilst having a lovely chat to the other guests and our fab teacher,’ says Lady Amelia. ‘I can’t wait to see my pieces after they’ve gone in the kiln.’ 

That mug would surely bring a tear to the eye of TV’s Great Pottery Throw Down judge Keith Brymer Jones. 

While King Charles charms our American cousins, Peter Rosengard has been taking full advantage of his absence. ‘You’ll never guess what he collects,’ the ever playful Rosengard, who founded London’s Comedy Store in 1979, tells me.

‘He collects lavatories. He has the greatest collection in the world,’ he claims at Claridge’s. As for the late Queen Elizabeth, adds Rosengard, she’d ‘pick up crispy bacon rashers and use them as a fork to scoop up scrambled eggs’. 

Rosengard is set to dish more secrets in his new book out next month – They Only Call Me When They’re Dead!.