Bollywood diva charges £20,000 for a chat

As befitting of her role as one of Bollywood's leading stars, Shilpa Shetty donned her sari and posed with the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone last week to help promote India Now, London's three-month celebration of Indian culture.

"Cultural respect and encouraging a deeper understanding of Indian traditions through a celebration of diversity, art, dance and food is obviously an issue close to my heart, which is why I am delighted to be a part of these events," gushed Shetty.

Well-intentioned as the actress's motives no doubt were, her services didn't exactly come cheap. When journalists following the event enquired after interviews with the comely star to speak about her noble cause, they were informed by organisers not only would their publications have to pay for the pleasure, but it was likely to cost them somewhere in the region of £20,000.

Leaving aside the sums involved, hacks were stunned that Shetty wouldn't be champing at the bit for the exposure. Despite winning Celebrity Big Brother - and some News of the World scandal yesterday over her private life - Shetty could hardly be considered a household name.

When questioned about the matter, organisers of India Now, however, were unmoved. "Sorry, but we've been told by her people that this is the usual sort of fee she'd ask for," I'm told.

"But I am certain it is something that could be negotiated."

Daniel has Hitler in his sights

You wait ages for one film about the plot to assassinate Hitler, and then two come along at once.

Tom Cruise is in Berlin filming Valkyrie, in which he plays the 1944 plot's ringleader Claus von Stauffenberg.

Now, plans are afoot to bring the British novelist Justin Cartwright's acclaimed tome The Song Before It is Sung to the big screen.

A mole recently spotted Cartwright in Los Angeles enjoying a meal with moody actor Daniel Day-Lewis.

I'm reliably informed that Cartwright is keen for the reclusive British thespian - star of The Last of the Mohicans - to play the book's protagonist Adam von Trott, one of Stauffenberg's main accomplices.

"The book has been very well received in the States and got a cracking write-up in the LA Times recently," I'm told. "As you can imagine, once that happens the producers usually spring into action."

When Kirsty's pupils dilated

Kirsty Young's recent interview with Yoko Ono on Desert Island Discs proved to be something of a marmalade dropper.

During the course of the programme, Ono revealed to Young she had strongly considered aborting her son by John Lennon, Sean.

"When something like that happens, you just have to sit on your hands and hope your guest doesn't spot your pupils dilating," Young told me at the recent Grazia magazine awards. "I suppose the trick is to behave like you're at a dinner party, and act natural.

"As soon as Yoko said it, though, I could just sense her publicist turning towards my producer in absolute horror."

Prezza punt

Whoa there, hold your horses Prezza! John Prescott's online entry in political bible Dod's Parliamentary Companion has him down as "Leader, UK parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe".

It's a little premature, since the election for the council's vacant leadership isn't until tonight. And while a number of Labour delegates aren't best pleased at the way Prescott reckons he's a shoo-in for the job (and are hoping for an upset), the former deputy prime minister isn't to blame.

Says a spokesman for Dod's: "Honestly, it's our fault it's there, not Prescott's. We are aware the election isn't until Monday night, but we thought putting it in now would be a pretty safe punt."

Please - not so coy, Vanessa ...

It's backs against the wall over at the BBC, where Mark "Mad Dog" Thompson is cracking down after a string of recent embarrassments. At a recent function for Rosé d'Anjou, I asked Vanessa Feltz about Boris Johnson standing for Mayor of London, but the usually rambunctious blonde was somewhat vague. "I couldn't possibly say anything. I'm not allowed," she said. "I'm strictly forbidden. Really, I'm a BBC reporter, I can't say anything."

Feltz kept her cards so close to her chest it was almost impossible to guess who she'd be backing. "All I really will say is that I'm absolutely delighted Boris is running and it will add to the gaiety of nations," she added. "I can't comment on Ken as I am a Beeb reporter, but, God, it's great Boris is running. But I mustn't say anything at all."