MEMOIRS OF A GOSSIP COLUMNIST

It’s impossible to dislike David Hartnell or to underestimate his remarkable achievement in making a career out of something as slight as being a gossip columnist in New Zealand before tabloid became king. Of course, Hartnell never really did gossip. His scuttlebutt was always along the lines of “And I’ll tell you another star who’s a really nice person…”

There are a few surprises in his background. As with many people who pursue glamour as a career, he came from a colourless background. Dad left home when David was three. School meant boredom and, for the gay teen, vicious bullying.

NORTH & SOUTH | JULY 2011