EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Play School icon's shock at Bergerac TV 'insult'

As a woman who has scaled the heights of the establishment – arriving in Britain aged ten as part of the Windrush generation in 1960 before becoming a life peer in 2010 – few understand this country’s troubled relationship with race better than Floella Benjamin.Now the former Play School presenter has revealed a shocking example of television prejudice from early in her career.The 77-year-old says the BBC dubbed her speaking voice with an American accent when she appeared in the hit crime drama Bergerac in 1981, because executives could not believe a black woman with a south London accent would be the partner of a wealthy businessman.Baroness Benjamin, who has enjoyed a five-decade career in television and theatre, played singer Juniper, opposite David Savile as her affluent husband, Christopher Gurney.But while the BBC retained her singing, it replaced her voice for her dialogue.Speaking at the Vue cinema in Leicester Square, she recalls being told: ‘The producer of Bergerac does not think a black woman with a south London accent would be the partner of a wealthy businessman.‘We need to change your accent to make you sound a bit more international. And we are going to dub you with an American accent.’She described the experience as humiliating, particularly given her previous acting credits, including Maybury, alongside the late Patrick Stewart, and The Gentle Touch.‘To be told that was really quite difficult to take. The only thing they did not dub was my singing voice,’ she says.‘Can you imagine the insult of having your voice dubbed when your audience know it was not you?’ Baroness Benjamin, who has enjoyed a five-decade career in television and theatre, played singer Juniper, opposite David Savile as her affluent husband, Christopher GurneyShe adds: ‘I thought that was completely out of order.’Lady Benjamin, who was born in Trinidad, said the director, who had cast her in the role and was a fan of her work, appeared ashamed to deliver the news.The producer, she recalled, was American and believed only a black American woman would be suitable for the part.Diva Danielle: I won’t tone downOpera star Danielle de Niese is refusing to bow to critics who claim she dresses more like a pop star than a traditional opera singer.The glamorous lyric soprano, 47, insists she has no intention of toning down her style to fit the mould.Danielle, left, tells me at a film premiere at White City House in London: ‘I would have not been able to look at myself in the mirror if I had changed myself to make a point, and I definitely had fantasies of like, oh well, if I’m going to do a recital, I’ll wear a turtleneck dress, and won’t wear any mascara or something, and that will show them.’She adds: ‘I’m so glad I didn’t because it would have almost been trying to be something that I’m not. I’m so proud that I don’t have a manufactured identity.’ Danielle, who is married to Glyndebourne Festival Opera chairman Gus Christie, adds: ‘Everything that you see about me, even in my recordings, is very true to myself.’ Opera star Danielle de Niese is refusing to bow to critics who claim she dresses more like a pop star than a traditional opera singerLady Alice shows off sparklerThe Duke and Duchess of Rutland’s middle daughter Lady Alice Manners was on bridesmaid duty last year when her elder sister Lady Violet married the now 17th Earl of Lindsay near her family seat, Belvoir Castle.The Countess of Lindsay may soon return the favour, for Lady Alice has just got engaged to her boyfriend, the tech entrepreneur Patrick ‘Patch’ Fordham, 33.‘Horses, a diamond and most importantly Patch… had to be a YES,’ writes Alice in an online post, showing off her engagement ring and her fiance during a day of horse-riding.Lady Alice, 31, runs the online channel Dukie Tours with her father, showing viewers insights into their Leicestershire estate.Patch is co-founder of the mobile betting app Chip In. Lady Alice has just got engaged to her boyfriend, the tech entrepreneur Patrick ‘Patch’ Fordham, 33Olivia Wilde has lifted the lid on the cash-strapped chaos behind her directorial debut Don’t Worry Darling. The Hollywood actress, 42, reveals she only cast herself opposite her ex-boyfriend Harry Styles because the production couldn’t afford anyone else.In the thriller, which had a £26 million budget, she appears as a housewife alongside Florence Pugh. She tells me at the BFI Southbank in London: ‘I only did it out of necessity because we ran out of money, and it was like no one else will do it for free.’Leomie looks licensed to thrill in jungleSupermodel Leomie Anderson, who’s bracing for the challenges of I’m A Celebrity, channelled her inner Bond girl before leaving Britain for Australia to compete in the ITV contest.‘It’s giving Goldfinger,’ said the 33-year-old of her shimmering gold bikini at a photoshoot.Leomie is not the first I’m A Celeb star to understand the power of a bikini. In 2006, the singer Myleene Klass cemented herself as a sex symbol by sporting a white bikini in the series, in which she finished runner-up.BAFTA-winning Naomi Ackie admits she struggles to contain her frustration when people make hurtful comments about her on social media. ‘I get a lot of comments like, “She needs to fix her teeth.” There was one day when I saw that underneath a picture of me and I wanted to say, “You need to shut your mouth and mind your business,” ’ growls the 35-year-old, who shot to fame playing Whitney Houston in I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Supermodel Leomie Anderson, who’s bracing for the challenges of I’m A Celebrity, channelled her inner Bond girl before leaving Britain for Australia to compete in the ITV contestLily James, 37, has all the mystique you might expect of an international movie star. But now her close friend and business partner Gala Gordon, 35, has offered a rare glimpse into the actress’s character.The pair first met while studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and went on to create TV and film production company Parados Films together. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, Gala said: ‘My business partner Lily is an unstoppable force and is a huge inspiration to me. We both strive for the same thing, to champion female stories of resilience.’ Edited by Chloe Thomas