Tom Hiddleston reveals why he stayed out of the spotlight after Taylor Swift relationship

Tom Hiddleston has explained why he decided to slink off into the shadows in the wake of his high-profile romance with Taylor Swift.

After taking a breather from movies — he suggests he had ‘danced far too much in the public eye’ — Hiddy is soon to return as Marvel character Loki.

At one stage during his 2016 fling with Tay Tay, he famously splashed among the Rhode Island waves wearing an ‘I heart TS’ tank top.

Now in a far more low-key romance — with Fresh Meat actress Zawe Ashton — the 40-year-old admitted he knocked back work as he tried to re-establish his former, quieter life. ‘A few things crossed my path and I thought carefully about them, but they didn’t feel quite right, so I didn’t do them,’ The Night Manager star said of his movie hiatus.

‘I’d been playing so many different people in so many different parts of the world, and it’s very important to distinguish what’s real and in one’s own life, and look after those things.

‘Because if you don’t look after them, they can be lost, or they can be marginalised, and then you come home one day and they’re not there any more.’

Hiddy met 36-year-old Zawe in 2019, when they co-starred in a West End production of Betrayal.

He told Empire his new, publicity-shy path was inspired by a quote from Tilda Swinton’s character in their 2013 film Only Lovers Left Alive.

‘She says life is about surviving things, appreciating nature, nurturing kindness and friendship, and dancing,’ he said. ‘I should have danced more. But I’m sure there are some people who’d say I’ve danced far too much.’

Pubs? Weed rather go shopping

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Can o’ beer? No, it was cannabis for Stormzy and Wretch 32.

As revellers around the country made a beeline for beer gardens once the pubs reopened, Stormzy emerged in east London for some retail therapy.

The Own It rapper and his chart pal headed for the Green Machine, which sells health items derived from cannabis at its branch in Boxpark, an outdoor shopping mall in Shoreditch.

Green Machine uses CBD oil in a wide range of products, covering everything from beauty to a good night’s sleep.

Stormzy and Wretch certainly weren’t worried about keeping under the radar as they took a bunch of selfies with fans, all enjoying a taste of freedom. Clearly eager to get out of the house, 27-year-old Stormzy was clocked the day before handing a Big Issue seller a bunch of cash.

More Guilty Pleasures…

Sarah Harding is taking cannabis oil to ease the pain in her battle with cancer

The Girls Aloud singer has advanced breast cancer which has spread to other parts of her body. Sarah, 39, was encouraged to try the oil by her friend Duncan James, who used it to ease the pain of wearing heels for his role in Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert. Writing in her memoir Hear Me Out, she said: ‘He’d used it after he suffered a massive back injury, while he was doing drag and wearing heels in Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert. I figured I should definitely give it a go.’

Man with the bolder mum

The person causing Idris Elba the most stress about endless James Bond rumours is his mum.

While he is chuffed with his current line-up of screen projects, he says mum Eve is determined he will make history as the first black 007.

‘I know the rumours about Bond have always chased me,’ said Idris, 48. ‘My mum, my poor mum, she’s like, “One day you’re going to get it! Don’t mind them!”.’ Confirming to Capital Xtra there will be a movie version of Luther, he added: ‘I’m like, “Mum, it’s all right man, I’m good, I’ve got Luther!”.’

He also said he was ‘really excited’ about The Suicide Squad, out later this year.

Phoebe gives Pete the heebie-jeebies?

Bridgerton siren Phoebe Dynevor’s rumoured new squeeze Pete Davidson is doing nothing to kill off the buzz that they are now an item.

The 27-year-old US comic has notched up some impressive conquests in the past — including Kate Beckinsale and Ariana Grande. Asked in a Zoom chat with university students to name the girl of his dreams, Pete didn’t mention Phoebe, 25, who plays Daphne in the Netflix hit, but he admitted: ‘I’m with my celebrity crush.’

Striking a posy… It’s sexy Dua

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Dua like my flowers? It was a case of ‘I just woke up like this’ for Dua Lipa, sexing up the mornings in a silky black negligee from Versace.

Make-up free, the triple Brit Award nominee turned up in Italy to shoot some selfies, greeting fans with the caption ‘buongiorno’.

Dua, 25, appears to be joining in with her music pal Sir Elton John’s famous splurges on fresh flowers as she posed beside a huge floral arrangement.

Family of DMX deny JAY-Z buyout

DMX’S family have shut down claims that Beyoncé and JAY-Z bought the star’s master recordings for $10million (£7million). The rapper, real name Earl Simmons, died last week aged 50. His family said they wanted to ‘clear up a few rumours’, adding: ‘No one has bought Earl’s masters.’

Britney thanks fans for concern

Britney Spears is touched that people are so concerned about her life in the wake of Framing Britney Spears. Brit, 39, posted on Insta: ‘The world is empathetic and concerned… what can I say I’m FLATTERED!!!’

£14m Weeknd home for Madge

Trust a Material Girl to succeed in slashing millions off a mansion. Madonna, 62, has splurged £14.6million on The Weeknd’s Los Angeles home — a bargain price as the nine-bedroom property was first listed for around £18million.

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