Eltham Palace now famous!

Yes, it's true. Never mind that this royal medieval Palace has been there for centuries, that kings and power-brokers have lived here, and that it has been the site of fashion and style history. The video for Cheryl Cole's latest solo single, 'Parachute', was filmed a few weeks ago in the Courtauld House at Eltham Palace (in Eltham, South-East London) and is bound to put the Palace on the map for a whole new audience. MTV will be airing on 27 February a programme about the making of the video at Eltham Palace.

I'm not sure how familiar non-UK readers are with Cole. Let me enlighten you - she is part of an all-girl pop band, is married to a well-known UK footballer and, more recently, was a judge on 'X-Factor', Simon Cowell's phenomenally popular TV singing talent contest. It would be fair to say that Cheryl Cole has the 'midas touch' at the moment, with every magazine, tv show and advertiser pursuing her. And she is making hay while the sun shines.

So, given Cole's vast popularity at the moment, and the attention which her video will attract, it's fair to say Eltham Palace will now come to the attention of a whole new audience. Although my seven-year old daughter has always been happy with a trip to the Palace, I think she will be even more thrilled knowing that her singing heroine had set foot in the same hallowed halls. My son won't care, he only has eyes, and ears, for Micheal Jackson. (As for hubby, well, the poor disillusioned man cannot understand why the not-unattractive Ms Cole didn't give him a call as she was in his manor...ha-ha).

Cynicism aside, the video's not bad if you like that sort of thing. I like the dancing and moody lighting. But the best thing is how prominently the clearly-recognisable grand circular lobby of the main house features in the video, as well as the art deco-styling for which the Courtauld-restored house is famous. You can watch the video here above and to the left, a picture of the circular lobby as it normally looks. You can read more about this English Heritage-owned property here.