William Hickey

-Bringing the gossip since 1933

- By Robert Meakin

HAVING come to the aid of struggling thespians since 1882, the Actors' Benevolent Fund has now been renamed the Actors' Trust following a particularly fraught few years.

The London-based charity, which boasts the King as patron, became embroiled in controversy in 2022 when hostilities in the ranks led to then president Dame Penelope Keith, pictured, being ousted from the board.

Matters turned more sinister when both Keith and fellow veteran actress Dame Sian Phillips received poison pen letters from a mystery foe, warning they were "done" should they dare attend last November's AGM.

The revamped Actors' Trust now talks of "modern evolution reflecting the needs of the industry today". But are the "luvvie wars" really at an end?