Rob

Rob McGibbon interviews Felicity Kendal at Cadogan Hall Chelsea, in 2012. Photo © Hattie Miles/RobMcGibbon

Citizen Fame

Les Hinton Interview: ‘Every editor and publisher turned down my novel. It was crushing’

by Rob McGibbon | Dec 9, 2025

As Rupert Murdoch’s loyal lieutenant for 52 years, Les Hinton controlled the key levers of power in a global media corporation and was comfortable in the corridors of powers. He made and broke the careers of some of the sharpest operators in journalism, as well as any number of political leaders. In more recent years, he has enjoyed an altogether calmer existence and has reinvented himself as an author. First came his 2018 memoir The Bootle...

Felicity Kendal Interview: My 60 years of the good life in Chelsea

by Rob McGibbon | Dec 3, 2025

If you have ever wondered who might qualify as a stand-up citizen of Chelsea, then Felicity Kendal can take a bow. In the past few years alone, she has lent her celebrity name to give publicity oxygen to multiple worthy local battles: the houseboat owners’ fight against their “predatory” landlord, the M&S development, road safety on Cheyne Walk, save the fire station, save Tite Street, save Battersea Bridge. And these are just the battles...

Legend Salomon Kalou: ‘I can’t wait to play at The Bridge again. It is the place I love’

by Rob McGibbon | Oct 10, 2025

Former Chelsea star winger Salomon Kalou has revealed how deeply he misses the life of a professional footballer and how he can't wait to relive his dream to play at Stamford Bridge again. Kalou, who won the Champions League and the Double during six stand-out years at Chelsea, returns to The Bridge this weekend to play in the Chelsea Legends charity match. He will head to Chelsea's training ground today at Cobham, Surrey, for a session to...

John Simpson: ‘I would sit in the pews at Chelsea Old Church and think of the people who had come before me here – Thomas More, Anne Boleyn – and my problems did not seem too important’

by Rob McGibbon | Sep 24, 2025

Distinguished journalist and broadcaster John Simpson CBE has a lasting love for Chelsea. He lived in the area for many years, until some uncertainty about his career at the BBC forced him to move. He returns this week for an Author’s Talk as part of the Chelsea Book Festival. Here, he shares a few memories of his former Chelsea life - and he wonders if anyone has somewhere for him to rent when he visits in the future! Where is home now for you...