BBC cosmetics.

Byline: VALEIRE HILL

IF YOU'VE seen Tony Blair, above , in The Blair Years documentary about his Premiership, then you're probably impressed at how relaxed he's looking these days after giving up the heavy burden of state. However, his unfurrowed brow and unlined face are possibly not only due to leaving British politics.

BBC cosmetics boffins have created a new sprayon make-up, nicknamed Pollyfilla by staff, which fills in all the facial lines and wrinkles to meet the advent of high-definition television. What's the point of spending billions developing digital TV to transmit "more real"

pictures if money is then spent to subvert it?

AFTER watching the antics of comedy odd-ball Russell Brand with his gimmicky hair and camp manner, it was a relief to view fellow stand-up, the very normal looking, sounding and behaving Marcus Brigstocke, above, on Saturday Night Live. Yet what do I later read? Young Brigstocke also had to attend rehab for drug and drink addictions - at the age of 17! He seemed such a dependably nice boy, but turns out to have a history more Lenny Bruce than Lenny Henry.

THE award for cheeky question of the week that gets to the heart of the matter must go to journalist Quentin Letts, who, at a Prime Ministerial briefing, was the seventh person to ask a prevaricating Gordon Brown if he supported his deputy Harriet Harman in Labour's secret donations row.

Letts helpfully gave the PM a multiple choice, asking: "Prime Minister, how much do you back Ms Harman? Is it 100%?

50%? 10%? Or do you wish she'd just jump off a cliff?"