Why Meghan's podcast has hit a snag before it even begins: Duchess's much-heralded new Archetypes audio shows are put on ice 'until next year at the earliest' while she focuses on her lifestyle brand, reveals RICHARD EDEN

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were damningly described as 'f*****g grifters' by a Spotify executive hours after the parting of the ways was announced between them and the audio giant last year.

So I'm sorry to hear that Meghan's new deal with a much smaller podcast company is struggling to get off the starting blocks.

Prince Harry's wife announced amid great fanfare in February that she had signed a deal with Lemonada Media, a female-founded company that wants to 'make life suck less'.

The Duchess, who produced only one series of her podcast Archetypes for Spotify before parting ways with the company, had signed with Lemonada to develop and host a new series.

However, a source tells me that there is not expected to be any work broadcast this year. 'The relaunch of Meghan's Archetypes podcast got pushed back to 2025,' the California-based source says.

The Duchess of Sussex (pictured) announced amid great fanfare in February that she had signed a deal with Lemonada Media, a female-founded company that wants to 'make life suck less', writes Richard Eden

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured, in May 2023) were damningly described as 'f*****g grifters' by a Spotify executive hours after the parting of the ways was announced between them and the audio giant last year

The Duchess, who produced only one series of her podcast Archetypes for Spotify before parting ways with the company, had signed with Lemonada to develop and host a new series

However, a source tells me that there is not expected to be any work broadcast this year. 'The relaunch of Meghan's Archetypes podcast got pushed back to 2025,' the California-based source says (pictured: the Sussexes in April) 

A spokesman for Meghan declined to comment, but sources claim she had a list of 'very high-profile guests' scheduled to participate in her new podcasts

It is understood that Lemonada did not want the podcast's launch to be overshadowed by the former actress's television series, which she began filming at a rented house in Montecito last week. Netflix said the show would 'celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining and friendship'.

Lemonada is said to be concerned that there would also be 'scheduling conflicts' between the launch of its podcasts and that of Meghan's lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.

A spokesman for Meghan declined to comment, but sources claim she had a list of 'very high-profile guests' scheduled to participate in her new podcasts.

Guests on her series of 12 podcasts for Spotify included Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, pop star Mariah Carey, and Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell.

Bill Simmons, Spotify's head of podcast innovation and monetisation, blasted the Duke and Duchess as 'f****** grifters' just hours after their reported £15million deal was axed last summer. The damning putdown is an American term for people 'who engage in petty or small-scale swindling'.

He ranted: 'I've got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It's one of my best stories.'

Meghan said in February that she was 'overjoyed' to be joining Lemonada, which describes itself as an 'award-winning, independent...podcast network, with a mission to make life suck less' 

Lemonada is said to be concerned that there would also be 'scheduling conflicts' between the launch of its podcasts and that of Meghan's lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard (pictured: strawberry jam from the new brand) 

Bill Simmons (pictured), Spotify's head of podcast innovation and monetisation, blasted the Duke and Duchess as 'f****** grifters' just hours after their reported £15million deal was axed last summer

It is understood that Lemonada did not want the podcast's launch to be overshadowed by the former actress's television series. Netflix said the show would 'celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining and friendship' (pictured: the couple in Los Angeles in 2020)

Guests on her series of 12 Archetypes podcasts for Spotify included pop star Mariah Carey, and Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell

Wimbledon champion Serena Williams also featured on the Spotify series

Meghan added: 'Our plan to re-release Archetypes so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast, are well in the works. I'm so eager to be able to share it soon' 

The couple produced less than 13 hours of content during the three-year partnership: 12 episodes of Meghan's Archetypes show, and a 30-minute Christmas special featuring both the Duke and Duchess.

Meghan said in February that she was 'overjoyed' to be joining Lemonada, which describes itself as an 'award-winning, independent...podcast network, with a mission to make life suck less'. She added: 'Our plan to re-release Archetypes so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast, are well in the works. I'm so eager to be able to share it soon.'

Just not that soon...

Archetypes, Meghan's original Spotify show, had around one million listens per episode and debuted as Spotify’s No. 1 podcast in 47 countries around the world when it launched in August 2022.

The series explored the labels that try to hold women back and included guests such as Mariah Carey, Jameela Jamil and Pamela Adlon.

It won a People’s Choice Award for The Pop Podcast of 2022 and the Duchess won best entertainment podcast host at the Gracie Awards.

In a statement about her new podcast, Meghan said previously: 'Being able to support a female-founded company with a roster of thought provoking and highly entertaining podcasts is a fantastic way to kick off 2024.

'Our plan to re-release 'Archetypes' so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast are well in the works. I'm so eager to be able to share it soon, and am overjoyed to be joining the Lemonada family.'

Cordova Kramer, from Lemonada, said at the time: 'We are beyond honored that Meghan has trusted us to help democratize access to Archetypes, and that so many more people around the world will have access to the series soon.

Meghan's podcast was not renewed for a second season with Spotify - but season one has now come to all streaming platforms

Meghan Markle's Archetypes podcast was launched with a new cover (pictured)

Meghan Markle 's close friend and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer is one of the lucky 50 to have received a limited edition jar of the Duchess' new American Riviera Orchard jam

Abigail, 42, was gifted the sixth jar in the batch, she revealed today in an over-the-top photoshoot that showcased her reclining in the grass with the precious preserve

'Meghan’s talent as host, creator and conversationalist is unparalleled and we are thrilled to co-create a new series with her that fosters her approach to creating art that matters.'

But now the focus seems to be on Meghan's strawberry jams launched earlier this month.

She sent the jam in baskets to 50 friends and influencers, each accompanied by a basket of lemons.

The chosen few included Delfina Blaquier, Suits co-star Abigail Spencer and fashion designer Tracy Robbins, who shared shots on Instagram.

Abigail, 42, was gifted the sixth jar in the batch, she revealed yesterday in an over-the-top photoshoot that showcased her reclining in the grass with the precious preserve.

The actress appears to still be a close member of Meghan's inner circle, while several of her former co-stars have since been notably cut from the royal's life as her stock soared in recent years.

Meghan, 42, and Abigail made headlines last week after the pair were seen beaming together in a series of Instagram pictures to support friend Kelly McKee Zajfen's new Mother's Day campaign for her charity 'Alliance of Moms.'

Kelly, 44, also received one of the coveted jams and gushed over it on social media, saying last week how she was 'so proud' of the Duchess.

Catherine's girl is a chip off the old frock as she turns 21 

Some women avoid dressing like their mothers, but not Carys Zeta Douglas. The daughter of Oscar winners Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas wore a vintage Emanuel Ungaro silk and lace dress to her 21st birthday celebrations at the weekend. 

Carys Zeta Douglas (pictured), daughter of Oscar winners Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, wore a vintage Emanuel Ungaro silk and lace dress to her 21st birthday celebrations at the weekend

It's the same dress worn by her mother, 54, to the MTV Movie Awards in 1999 (pictured)

It's the same dress worn by her mother, 54, to the MTV Movie Awards in 1999. 'The most perfect 21st I could ask for,' says Carys, who graduated from Rada last year. 

Paxman packs up pen for last time

He spent 25 years as the BBC's resident rottweiler on Newsnight, as well as writing many bestselling books and hosting University Challenge — but now Jeremy Paxman has hung up his pen.

The broadcaster, 73, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, declares: 'It's time, I think, to quit while I'm ahead.'

In what he says will be his last column for Saga magazine, he reflects on why he did not seek an honour, stating that he 'never wanted to be distinguished from other people'. He says: 'That's what Sir Keir Starmer and the rest of them are on about — distinction.

He spent 25 years as the BBC's resident rottweiler on Newsnight, as well as writing many bestselling books and hosting University Challenge — but now Jeremy Paxman has hung up his pen (pictured: Paxman presenting Newsnight in 2006)

This month Paxman went to Downing Street to present a petition calling for the Government to improve treatment for Parkinson's

'The honours system as it currently stands is a joke.'

This month Paxman went to Downing Street to present a petition calling for the Government to improve treatment for Parkinson's.

Bloom: I've got room to improve 

Orlando Bloom, who divorced top model Miranda Kerr in 2013, says he has had to learn to become less 'controlling' to have a harmonious relationship with his fiancee, the pop superstar Katy Perry.

The 47-year-old Lord Of The Rings star, who grew up in Canterbury, Kent, says: 'When you're in a deeply committed, loving relationship, you want to control or own [the other person].'

Speaking on the podcast On Purpose with Jay Shetty, the actor adds: 'I'm constantly learning to let go, because anything that I try to hold on to — whether it is good or bad — doesn't really serve me, not in a relationship, and it doesn't really serve either of us.

Orlando Bloom says he has had to learn to become less 'controlling' to have a harmonious relationship with his fiancee, the pop superstar Katy Perry (pictured: Bloom and Perry in 2021)

Bloom divorced top model Miranda Kerr in 2013 (pictured: Bloom and Kerr at the 2013 Vanity Fair Oscar Party)

'And that is really hard — to keep letting go and to keep letting her go.'

For Sloane Rangers, a visit to Pucci Pizza was as obligatory as Barbour jackets, silk scarves and loafers. So those West Londoners of a certain generation will be sorry to hear that Pucci Albanese, who owned the landmark restaurant in the King's Road, Chelsea, has died aged 81. His funeral was held yesterday in Brindisi, Italy.

'He was always a lovely host, which is why beautiful women and the owners of supercars would queue to get in the door,' recalls one regular. His son Rufus says: 'I will organise a celebration of his life in London.'

As Shakespeare devotees mark today's anniversary of the Bard's birth, and death, 'woke' theatre bosses are holding consent workshops to determine if his female characters should be allowed to say 'no'.

The Globe in London (pictured) is hosting a £12 workshop to examine if Shakespeare's female characters should be allowed to say 'no'

It has been argued that neither Henry V nor Richard III receive an actual 'yes' from Princess Catherine and Lady Anne respectively (pictured: Jamie Parker as Henry V at The Globe in 2012)

The plays have scenes where leading male characters force themselves on women and some theatres give audiences trigger warnings.

Now, The Globe in London is hosting a £12 workshop to examine the issues.

It has been argued that neither Henry V nor Richard III receive an actual 'yes' from Princess Catherine and Lady Anne respectively.