DAVID LEAFE: Tally ho-no! Packs of hounds are now chasing humans in the latest country sport

With their long faces and mournful eyes, bloodhounds are known for lugubrious expressions.  But there’s nothing sad about the pack bounding joyously towards me on a November morning in rural Northamptonshire. There are 19 of them and only one of me. And with their strong build — they stand around two feet tall at the … Read more

DAVID LEAFE looks back on the life of Bobby Ball following the funnyman’s death aged 76 

Although not known for cracking jokes in public, Her Majesty the Queen could not resist a light-hearted exchange with the comedy duo Cannon and Ball after the Royal Variety Performance of 1987. The previous week they had been introduced to the Duke of Edinburgh at a charity dinner. ‘We were told to address him as … Read more

DAVID LEAFE: From Miranda Hart to Olympic heroes, how I got the stars to wish me happy birthday

Dick Van Dyke will do it for £385, and former Charlie’s Angel Cheryl Ladd is available for £125. Closer to home, Miranda Hart is a snip at £80. And if you’re really on a budget, then Lee MacDonald, better known as Zammo from Grange Hill, will oblige for £15. Forget autographs and selfies, this is … Read more