Anti-Hilton - August 04
Stephen Fry has told press that the Hilton sisters make him want to cry. Promoting his movie Bright Young Things in the US, Fry was asked what he thought of socialites Paris and Nicky Hilton "they have the dim and glazed eye of a dead mullet." Comparing the sisters to the kind of socialites featured in his film he said "Back in the ’20s the set had a style and dash about them."

Absolute Fry - 24/10/03
Can Stephen Fry do no wrong? Of course not, especially when he has ’Absolute Power’ - the name of his new comedy for BBC2.

Stephen and John Bird star as spin doctors in this adapted for television Radio 4 satirical comedy. It has been described as casting a witty eye on the machinations of PR guru’s, as the pair find their work brings them into conflict with politicians, celebrities and newspaper editors.

Stephen Fry says of his character Charles Prentiss: "There’s not much to say that’s nice about him, except that there is some pleasure in watching a natural born killer at work and knowing whatever happens he will win."

Fry’s balls! - 12/06/03
West Hampstead is to direct his second movie, a film version of his novel The Stars’ Tennis Balls.

Tennis Balls, is described by Fry as a modern-day retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Fry defends Angus - 17/04/03
Actor and comic Stephen Fry has attacked Have I Got News For You, and has said he will not appear on the show again unless Angus Deayton is reinstated as presenter.

Fry said it was ’greasy, miserable, British and pathetic’ to fire Deayton over revelations about his drugs-and-easy-women lifestyle.

’I wouldn’t do [the show] any more because I’m very, very, very cross with the BBC and Paul Merton and Ian Hislop for allowing Angus to go,’ said an upset Fry.

BBC execs will be upset by Fry’s comments, as the actor had been tipped to take over hosting the satirical quiz, though it seems unlikely to persuade them to rethink their decision.

ITV have reportedly offered Deayton a significant amount of money to defect to a show similar in format to HIGNFY on the rival channel.


Fry lights up - 27/02/03
West Hampstead thespian Stephen Fry has received the Pipe Smoker of the Year Award 2003.

He has become the 39th recipient of the award which is voted for by The Pipe Smokers’ Council, to honour distinguished enthusiasts and raise cash for charity.

Fry said: "It is a singular and distinct honour and I’m entirely delighted. It makes me feel all grown up because pipes are very grown up. I am the most famous puffer in Britain - and you can take the ’er’ off that."

The 45-year-old who has just completed directing Bright Young Things, his adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s Vile Bodies, revealed he first began puffing away not at tobacco but at tea.

He said: "I was about 14 and used to borrow my father’s pipe and smoke tea. I had read somewhere it gave you a buzz.

"I really started smoking properly before university while teaching at a prep school, Cundall Manor in North Yorkshire."


Stephen Fry fined £300 - 23/12/02
Stephen Fry has today been fined £300 after admitting speeding. 45-year-old Fry pleaded guilty in court to travelling at 99 mph on a dual carriageway near Cambridge in April.