British actress and socialite Jaime Winstone slipped into Auckland a few days ago to belatedly celebrate the 40th birthday of her best friend, X Factor judge Melanie Blatt.
The sultry star with the sexy voice joined Blatt's parents, David and Helene, and friends Rupert Fowler and James Suckling, on theMangere set of X Factor on Monday night to cheer on Blatt. They sat in the audience wearing matching white T-shirts and huge smiles.
Winstone sat behind the judging panel during rehearsals. Later, she visited windswept Piha beach.
It's a far cry from the jet-set London party scene where Winstone is a familiar presence. Last week the 29-year-old daughter of screen legend Ray Winstone walked the red carpet at the BBC Films 25th anniversary gala and posed at a star-studded exhibition honouring Alexander McQueen.
Blatt turned 40 last week and celebrated the milestone with a private dinner. Guests included her parents, and co-stars Stan Walker and Shelton Woolright. Fellow judge Natalie Bassingthwaighte had hightailed it back to Oz, as her contract allows. Blatt's 16-year-old daughter Lilyella Zender is flying in to see her mum in a few weeks.
Blatt's hippie parents Helene and David, who, like the X Factor judge, live on the Spanish island Ibiza, have had a wonderful time visiting their daughter in New Zealand, a rep for the show said.
Dominic Bowden talks to Helene and David Blatt.
David Blatt, a teacher and football fan, penned the book Manchester United Ruined My Wife. He is sure to have appreciated this country's recent obsession with all things cricket.
