Simon Henderson, headmaster of Eton
(Picture: MURRAY SANDERS)They occupy some of the most elite positions in society, but Old Etonians complain they still feel like schoolboys at their reunions. The meet-ups, often hosted by headmaster Simon Henderson, are a chance for Eton to get donations from its well-paid former students.
“The problem with the reunions is that he treats it like a classroom, sort of shushing the tables at the back,” one Old Etonian tells The Londoner. “But they’re trying to get money out of us. We’re the donors now!” Another says, “I love my friends, but I hate my teachers.”
Sources claim Henderson was booed at a recent reunion. His mission to make the school “more socially aware” has earned him the label “woke” from ex-pupils.
Eton boys have long tittered at Henderson’s nickname, “Trendy Hendy”. Eton says he has never been booed by Old Etonians.
Imran smashes Britain for six
Imran Khan hit out at British politics this week. Speaking at the Oxford Union, the former Pakistan cricket captain who became PM of his country quipped: “When the last great Mughal emperor died, in the next 17 years there were six different Mughal emperors: something like what is happening in Britain right now!” He says countries with quick successions of inadequate leaders tend to have little to no meritocracy. Howzat!
It venue returns
Dust off your dirndls! The Tiroler Hut, the legendary Austrian-themed restaurant once frequented by the likes of Kate Moss and Hugh Grant, is returning to Westbourne Grove. The “it” hangout was gutted by a fire in 2019 but now the family owners, who set up the place in the Sixties, are preparing to reopen. The Tiroler’s mix of traditional hearty dishes and steins of beer will grace Notting Hill again soon.
Ye should watch Cabaret, says Russell T Davies
We caught up with writer Russell T Davies at a special performance of Cabaret At The Kit Kat Club. “I wish Kanye West could sit in the audience and watch this,” he said of the play, set in Germany in the 1920s. “The rubbish he is spouting to young fans!” West recently went on an anti-Semitic tirade. “And then this audience being so alive, and so receptive to this play. It gives you hope for the world.”
Last night in town
Former Radio One DJ Nick “Grimmy” Grimshaw held a launch for his book Soft Lad last night at the NoMad hotel in Covent Garden. Teetotal supermodel Kate Moss took centre stage while pals Sadie Frost and Alexa Chung caroused with presenter Davina McCall and Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge. Also there was Moss’s old frenemy, Fran Cutler — we wonder how that played out. Poldark star Aidan Turner, meanwhile, looked crisp and casual at Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.
