KEY POINTS:
They may have been armed with the delicate badge of a daffodil illustrating their support for the Cancer Society, but don't let that fool you. TV rivals were out to be seen on Thursday night, and it was friendly rivalry at its best.
The Chandon Supper Club is
an annual event on Auckland's social calendar. Intimate dinner parties took place at various top restaurants around town, before everyone converged together at the secret after-party at the MonteChristo Room on Nelson St.
That's where the fun began.
Dominic Bowden and Simon Dallow did their utmost to make Mark Sainsbury feel insecure about his height. Who wouldn't next to those two giraffes? Later, Sainsbury could have had his own fun, if he'd spotted Bowden, a bottle of fizz in one hand, dancing by himself in the cloakroom cupboard, looking a little too worse for wear. It was his pretty new bride, Claire Robbie, who discovered him. "Look, that's the man I married," she said dishearteningly.
The Bowdens are a seriously cute couple. They're a younger Ali and Simon, only on opposing networks.
April Ieremia, looking sensational in a sexy little black dress, came armed with her new beau - soccer player Chris Morris. That wasn't all that was new. Ieremia's hot toned body had all the women whispering in that pea green I-want-what-she's-got sort of way. The yellow flower plunged deep into her bosom drew winks from the lads.
Ieremia's gal pal Julie Christie drew gasps of her own. Her thigh-high black patent leather boots were tres chic, as were her moves on the dance floor.
Kerre Woodham marched herself home quite early (for her) after being propositioned by too many men, apparently. One well-known Mr X was overheard saying: "Woodham and her rack are [his] favourite celebrity couple." Thanks to Tanya Carlson. The frock was plunging but pretty.
Rochelle Henderson's table at the Eden Park changing rooms with its jacuzzi was the dinner party anticipated to be the most talked about. But it was a bit of a fizzer, according to guest James McOnie. No one stripped off and jumped in, apparently.
TV star juggles sugar mama and sweet tooth.
Photo at top: Chandon Supper Club after-party at Toto's. From left; Simon Dallow,Mark Sainsbury and Dominic Bowden. Photo / Norrie Montgomery.
To see more from the Chandon Supper Club, click here.
DOM'S WEDDING NIGHT WASN'T ALL THAT
Just when you thought you knew everything there was to know about Dominic Bowden, think again. The loveable rogue TV presenter hit the airwaves on The Edge's Morning Madhouse on Tuesday to the delight of the listeners, but leaving his new bride cringing. Bowden was asked a few leading questions and he answered honestly. Too honestly. Like revealing his last happy dream (wink, wink) was a week ago, and on the night of his honeymoon he blamed the bevvies for a big lack in libido. "I shot, but I did not score," he winced. Good on him for sharing with the nation.
THE PRODIGAL SON RETURNS
Mike Hosking was back on the box on Friday night, filling in for Mark Sainsbury on Close Up. The Walrus had departed for Sydney to interview Gordon - f***ing - Ramsey.
TVNZ publicist Rachel Lorimer told Spy the network were thrilled to have the Hosk back on board, though she wasn't going to be dragged into a discussion as to whether his bud Kate would be returning to the network with him as well.
She did say Paul Henry, the man who is responsible for all the upheaval in male co-hosts at the mo, is set to return to GodZone in a couple of weeks to meet up with his daughters, before they embark on their much-discussed Fijian Island boat trip. He's currently ensconced in London with girlfriend Diane Foreman.
PONSONBY BUSINESS NEWS
The faces and names behind Ponsonby's most successful businesses will be revealed in a lavish three-course dinner hosted by Jaquie Brown, who despite hailing from London, has spent 13 years living in Ponsonby. The dins, produced by community rag Ponsonby News, is being held at Hopetoun Alpha on July 11. If you fancy a ticket to the do contact (09) 361 1000 or www.iticket.co.nz. Spy will be there and we'll bring you all the juicy goss from that suburb that's never dull.
Rachel Glucina
To see more from the Chandon Supper Club, click here.