CHIPPENHAM NEWS: TORY Big Brother contestant Derek Laud is a friend of the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess, from Reybridge, near Lacock, is believed to have befriended the 40-year-old reality TV show contestant through their shared love of fox hunting.

Laud became the first and only black master of hounds in 1999.

According to The Sun newspaper, the pair have holidayed together in Tuscany, Italy.

A Clarence House spokesman said: "They may well have come across each other."

He added: "They certainly haven't been on holiday."

Laud worked as a political researcher and speechwriter in the House of Commons and The Lords. He has written speeches for Margaret Thatcher, Michael Heseltine and Alan Clark.

He had to withdraw his candidature from the 1997 general election after being convicted of drink driving in the US.