He launched a high-profile "programme of deep cleaning" of the House of Commons lavatories in March, but apparently that hasn't saved Major General Peter Grant Peterkin from a farewell ticket. His contract as serjeant at arms for the house is not going to be renewed after three years running the unruly place. Gossipy MPs refer in Beatrix Potter tones to "extreme prickles" in Gen Peterkin's relationship with the overall boss, Michael Martin, the speaker.
Kevin Spacey has persuaded Lesley Manville and Diana Rigg to head his world premiere of All About My Mother at the Old Vic, with rehearsals starting for a September opening. It's another good cross-cultural exercise, testing how Pedro Almodóvar's Oscar-winning film adapts to the stage. Dame Diana's skill with sinister roles, including Mrs Danvers in Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, has endeared her to the Spaniard. Telling Spacey "I've been a fan of her for all these years", he reckons that the role of Huma, the Barcelona actress encountered by Manville along with a lovesick nun and a transvestite, will flourish in her hands.
Bill Bryson is handing out awards for once, rather than receiving them. As chancellor of Durham university he's done the honours for celebrity graduands George Alagiah of the BBC - a former student - and retired chief schools inspector Sir Mike Tomlinson.
Yorkshire poet Ian McMillan has a South Bank Show devoted to his work next month. He'll tell Melvyn Bragg how it's all down to the late Sir Alec Clegg - "the God-like genius who ran the West Riding education authority with the motto: All children are creative".
The diminutive artist again known as Prince confirms that gigs in August and September at the 02 Arena will be Europe's only look-in for his grandly named Earth Tour.
