Pandora: Patsy's tale has them queuing up

Patsy Kensit might not be everyone's idea of a literary genius, but she's about to become a major player in the publishing world.

The former rock chick turned yummy mummy recently decided to cash in on her appearance on BBC's Who Do You Think You Are (which detailed her family's murky connection to London's underworld) by touting an autobiography.

Since then, her agent, literary shark Simon Trewin, has revealed he's already had interest from 12 publishers for the book, and is expecting a "significant deal" – which some experts reckon could be worth as much as £1m.

On top of that, he also plans to tout Kensit's unexplored talents as a fiction writer.

"That is very much in our thinking," says Trewin. "This is not a one book proposition – Patsy is a whole publishing brand just waiting to happen."

Osborne's family ties make him worth a bet

Whenever George Osborne launches a new policy initiative, the shadow Chancellor's detractors on the other side of the house invariably accuse him of "gambling" with public finances.

Apt, then, that Osborne's younger brother, Theo, has decided to set himself up as a bookmaker.

Osborne minor, 23, who is a business graduate from London's European Business School, has just launched a new bookmaker's service called Parnassus Sports.

"My partners and I have set up a UK licensed sports bookmaker service based around the principles of providing market leading prices on all events and the availability of credit facilities to our clients," he writes in an email to chums.

"I am sure you can appreciate that very few bookmakers offer both of these services and hence we have built up an extensive list of loyal customers.

"I do hope you will take this opportunity to open an account with us and join a new and exciting bookmaking service, which will add a new dimension to sports betting."

Perhaps gambling is in the blood. Up until last year, Ozza's uncle, James Osborne, ran the upmarket Mayfair gambling haunt Aspinalls.

A historical drama

Self important commentator Douglas Murray, baby-faced pin-up for scary neoconservative types everywhere, has reacted angrily to comparisons between George Bush and Hitler. At a History Channel debate on history lessons in our schools, he wailed: "Why do people make such ridiculous assertions? Why don't people liken him to Henry V?"

Snowdon's follow-up

It's fair to say that Princess Margaret's reputation took a slight battering earlier this year with the release of Anne de Courcy's steamy (but very much authorised) biography of her former husband, Lord Snowdon. Interesting, then, to spot Snowdon in Chelsea last Friday dining a deux with the writer and literary PR Gwyn Headley.

Surely the old boy isn't planning a follow-up?

Poorly Sir Dai goes under cover

Sir Dai Llewellyn's recent bout of ill health appears to have forced the famously priapic bon viveur into uncharacteristic exile.

The notorious "bouncing baronet" checked himself out of hospital last week, but so far all attempts to contact the great man have been in vain.

"Dai appears to be incommunicado right now," says his good friend and long-suffering restaurateur, Michael Proudlock.

"He's definitely out of hospital but none of us can get hold of him – his mobile has been cut off and he's not answering his house telephone.

"At the moment, I just think he wants to be left alone."

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