TALK OF THE TOWN: Sherlock star Benedict and the mystery of the vanishing photographs
The actor who played the eccentric but brilliant detective on TV, recently spent an evening mixing margaritas at Trejos Tacos, a Mexican bar on Portobello Road, Notting Hill, after he auctioned off his time for a good cause.
The highest bidder put him to work in the trendy West London eatery, serving cocktails and shots of tequila to her and her friends.
Insiders tell me everyone was enthralled by the attention of their celebrity mixologist, who took to the role exceptionally well.
I hear he doted on his starstruck customers and shook hands with fans.
But news of the actor's good deed was supposed to be kept under wraps, with a strict 'no photographs' policy in place at the restaurant, which is owned by fellow Hollywood actor Danny Trejo.
Despite the ban, pictures of Benedict the Barman did emerge from the night and find their way on to Instagram.
But I hear the over-excited punter responsible for the leak was given a terse telling off and the images removed.
The Doctor Strange star – soon to be seen with Olivia Colman in a remake of the comedy War Of The Roses – had sold off his services at a gala dinner raising money for the London Academy Of Music and Dramatic Art, of which he is president.
Perhaps, Cumberbatch, 58, did not want to be pictured with booze as he's long valued his 'near sobriety', preferring yoga to alcohol.
That explanation would be elementary, my dear...
Nepo babies assemble!
Nico Parker, the daughter of Mission: Impossible actress Thandiwe Newton, made her name in post-apocalypse drama The Last Of Us.
Now I can reveal she is dating actor Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The pair have been cast in Poetic License, with Jake Bongiovi, son of singer Jon Bon Jovi.
It's being made by Maude Apatow, daughter of director Judd.
You're just like your ex's mamma, Mia
Is Romeo Beckham's ex following in the illustrious footsteps of his fashion designer mother Victoria Beckham?
Model Mia Regan has set up a company called Mr Designs Ltd, listing herself as a designer.
Last week she unveiled a new collection with high street chain H&M, but the launch party for her collaboration was not, shall we say, 'Posh'.
I'm told the low-key affair was hosted at a cafe next to the Woodberry Wetlands in North London, which costs up to £4,000 to hire.
Jazzy has landed a film role to dye for
Socialite Jazzy de Lisser recently made a dramatic change when she dyed her hair from her natural brunette to a bright blonde and now I think I know why.
The 33-year-old daughter of fashion designer Serena Bute has been cast in a new film called Pretty Ugly alongside Nicola Peltz Beckham.
De Lisser will play a woman obsessed with social media beauty while Peltz Beckham, 30, will play 'a provocative make-up influencer'.
Their characters will face a murder and learn the real meaning of the American Dream.
Expect it to be, well, pretty ugly.
Make Ellen a De Generes offer...
A new life in the Cotswolds has not been without its challenges for ex-US chat show host Ellen De Generes and her actress wife Portia de Rossi, as their house suffered flooding which led to them buying a second home nearby.
Now their first mansion, which they bought for £15million, is up for sale – not on the open market but only to the 'right buyer should they approach'.
I think the biggest draw is that the house has its own pub. What's not to love?
Clangers on air
Poor Woody Cook is paying the price for having a famous broadcaster for a mum – everyone gets to know about his howlers.
In her new podcast, Radio 2 star Zoe Ball reveals how Woody forgot to pay his car insurance, an error that somehow resulted in bailiffs knocking on the door.
Zoe also discloses Woody's nicknames for her. 'He calls me Mum and Bass, because I like drum and bass. But also, we're Mumford and Sons. I'm Mumford, he's Sons.'
Sheeran's old togs
Want to dress like Ed Sheeran? I'm told the pop star donates his old clothes to the East Anglia Children's Hospice shop in Framlingham, Suffolk.
Ed's no style icon but if you fancy jeans, hoodies or checked shirts, you know where to go!
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