BBC star Emily Maitlis once said she never felt sexier than when emerging from the icy waters of the lake in London’s Hyde Park.
But dog walkers in the Royal Park apparently don’t feel quite the same way about members of the Serpentine Swimming Club.
I am able to confirm that Alan Mitchell, club president, has issued Maitlis and other swimmers a harsh reprimand for their public nudity.

BBC star Emily Maitlis (pictured) once said she never felt sexier than when emerging from the icy waters of the lake in London’s Hyde Park

But dog walkers in the Royal Park apparently don’t feel quite the same way about members of the Serpentine Swimming Club

RICHARD EDEN writes that Maitlis and other people who rise at dawn to dive into murky lakes have received stern reproach from club president Alan Mitchell.
The missive, sent yesterday to members including Tony Blair’s former right-hand man Alastair Campbell and ex-Olympic champion Linford Christie, was given the headline, in capital letters for emphasis: ‘WARNING: DRESS CODE & PUBLIC NUDITY’.
The letter reads: ‘We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly swimming club and observe the rules and regulations of Swim England as far as safeguarding, health and safety. Please dress in appropriate attire when you are at the Serpentine during Club Hours.
‘Unfortunately, we have received complaints about intentional public nudity around the showers and on the beach, which is not acceptable and might show our club in a negative light . . . It also makes other members uncomfortable, which is not conducive of a pleasant swimming experience.’
This may alarm Maitlis, 51, who recently said of her chilly routine: ‘I feel at my sexiest when I look my worst — after a run and a swim in the Serpentine. The older I get, the more I prioritise fitness over beauty.’
Many swimmers will complain about how difficult it is to not commit public nudity right after swimming.
‘They’ve shut the changing rooms due to Covid,’ my man in the Speedos tells me. ‘There has been nowhere to change except in public since the pandemic started.’
Those who go to the lake must change as the people walking by pass them have to do so outside. My mole says those who want to change in privacy, particularly certain BBC stars, invest in costly £160 ‘dryrobes’ — large poncho-style towels — to change under.
Let’s hope the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are known to walk their spaniel around the Serpentine, don’t have to reach for the smelling salts.
Natasha’s books are over the rainbow
Fashion designer Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs is happily married to the Duchess of Cambridge’s ex-boyfriend Rupert Finch — but occasionally he brings her to book.
The Marquess of Reading’s daughter, 38, admits Finch strongly disapproved of her decision to display their books by the colour of their sleeves.

Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs (pictured left) is happily married to the Duchess of Cambridge’s ex-boyfriend, Rupert Finch (Right)

This is the Instagram Story of the fashion designer who posted an image of her “rainbow bookshelf” on Instagram.
He asked her: ‘Why on earth are you turning our bookshelves into a rainbow? It looks really naff.’ She replied: ‘Because it’s pretty.’
Finch (39) is a lawyer.
Let’s forget all about the speculation surrounding IdrisElba being the next 007.
His real goal is to transform his character, Luther from BBC’s crime drama Luther, into an iconic big-screen figure.
‘James Bond is a great character,’ says the 49-year-old star, who is shooting the first cinema version of Luther.
‘I’m trying to make my John Luther character fit into that space.’
Elle walks on eggsshells – Why
Some people say that Hollywood life is like living on eggshells. Elle Fanning clearly has it.

Elle Fanning from the United States (pictured, 23) has shared a pair of unique heels via social media.

On her Instagram account, she showed the white heels that she wore. They are from Spanish designer Loewe
This 23-year old star was a child actor and wore these crazy stilettos by Spanish label Loewe.
Fanning, who is currently starring opposite British actor Nicholas Hoult in the second series of historical TV drama The Great, about Catherine the Great, describes her eccentric footwear as being part of ‘an egg-cellent outfit’.
It’s no surprise that Bill is a fan of Oddie.
Wildlife presenter Bill Oddie reveals he’s still battling the disastrous effects of lithium poisoning, which left him ‘nigh on comatose’ for 12 months last year.
‘I had a relapse,’ he tells me. ‘I thought I’d got better, but last weekend I took a complete dive. I felt really ill, and it was immediately identified as this horrible poisoning.’
Oddie, 80, disclosed last year that he was suffering from ‘lithium toxicity’ — an excess of the medication commonly used to treat bipolar and depression, both of which he has.
Speaking at a friend’s book launch party in Hampstead, he adds: ‘I’m just working on staying alive. I’m amazed I’ve turned up tonight and that I can talk.’
Celebrated West End haunt Langan’s attracted famous names including Sir Rod Stewart to its relaunch party, but rival chef Pierre Koffmann warns: ‘The prices may give you indigestion.’ Langan’s is selling sausages for almost £40 a time.
‘I’d be interested to meet the accountant who thought that £37 for bangers and mash was a bright idea,’ Koffmann remarks.
However, Langan’s insists: ‘The sausages are made with rare-breed pork, stuffed with a slice of fresh Foie Gras and wrapped in Caul fat.’
It’s certainly the wurst price for sausages I’ve ever seen.
Perry gets a little agitated at the station
What do you travel with? You might choose to travel in a comfy tracksuit or your favourite pair of jeans.
Grayson Perry, a cross-dressing potter prefers something more extravagant.

Grayson Perry (pictured), shared the photo taken at Paddington station via social media
This garishly pink ensemble was worn by the Turner Prize-winning artist when he arrived at Paddington Station, London. As a reply to someone who told him previously that great painters were more focused on their art than their clothes, he suggests that he did this because a fellow passerby had suggested it.
Perry, 61, recalls: ‘Man comes up to me and says, “Caravaggio didn’t have to dress like that because he was a great painter”. That’s told me!’