When Big Sam Met Little Wills: New England manager takes tea at the palace

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As England's football team try to recover some pride after their woeful performance in this summer's European Championships, Prince William is taking a very close interest.

I learn the Duke of Cambridge held private talks at Kensington Palace this week with Sam Allardyce, the colourful figure who has been appointed as England's new manager.

'His Royal Highness is President of the Football Association and takes the role very seriously,' a courtier tells me. 'He was keen to meet Mr Allardyce.' A royal watcher jokes: 'It's Big Sam meets Little Wills.'

Kensington Palace refuses to disclose what is discussed at private meetings held by the Royal Family, but how fascinating it would have been to be a fly on the wall.

I learn the Duke of Cambridge (right) held private talks at Kensington Palace this week with Sam Allardyce (left)

'His Royal Highness is President of the Football Association and takes the role very seriously,' a courtier tells me

Outspoken Allardyce is one of the most colourful characters in football. While William grew up in a palace before attending £37,000-per-year Eton College, police sergeant's son Sam was raised in a council house in the West Midlands and went to a comprehensive school after failing his 11-plus.

Known for his bluff manner, Allardyce was accused of having a huge chip on his shoulder because of his complaints that he was being overlooked for big managerial jobs in favour of foreign coaches who were seen as more sophisticated.

Big Sam's habit of chewing gum is unlikely to have left Wills discombobulated. After all, the Prince's mother-in-law, Carole Middleton, was criticised for masticating throughout his passing out ceremony at Sandhurst. Her friends insisted it was nicotine gum.

Past controversies — such as the 2006 BBC Panorama documentary in which Allardyce and his son, Craig, were accused by the BBC documentary of taking 'bungs', or bribes — will have been overlooked. The Allardyces vehemently denied the claims and have never been charged.

The decision to use William as the spearhead for England's failed 2018 World Cup bid came under scrutiny after a controversial inquiry ruled that the FA used corrupt tactics.

He was reported to have objected to having to fawn to FIFA officials who had assembled in Zurich to decide which countries should host the World Cup finals of 2018 and 2022. The Prince was quoted as having said: 'I don't see why we have to suck up to these people.'

Outspoken Allardyce is one of the most colourful characters in football

John Nettles enjoyed strapping on his breeches to play wealthy landowner Ray Penvenen in the latest series of Poldark. 'Period costumes are designed to cover up the horrors of middle age, and those in Poldark successfully concealed a lot of fault,' admits the 72-year-old Bergerac actor.

'The high turtleneck disguises a crooked neck and a handsome waistcoat cuts the body shape nicely.' Poldark was something of a busman's holiday for Nettles, who starred in Midsomer Murders for 14 years. 'I've always fancied myself playing in a Cornish drama because I'm from Cornwall and I now live on the borders of Cornwall and Devon.

'When I go there, I indulge in familial approximation, which means adopting the accent of people I am talking to in the hope that they will love me a little more.

WILL JUDY BE TEMPTED BACK FOR MORE BOTOX?

Raising two British tennis stars doesn't do wonders for your skin, according to Judy Murray, the mother of Wimbledon champions Andy and his older brother Jamie.

The 56-year-old tennis coach, who swore off having any more Botox last year, laid bare her insecurities by posting this picture online, which shows creases around her eyes and the bridge of her nose.

Raising two British tennis stars doesn't do wonders for your skin, according to Judy Murray

She captioned it: 'When u wish someone would invent a facial iron . . .'

When she publicly turned her back on cosmetic surgery, she claimed she would 'grow old gracefully'.

Is she having a change of heart?