EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: TV star Kirstie Allsopp's father claims he was misled over ... trends now

Widowed a decade ago and now aged 83, he might now reasonably hope to be spending time with his grandchildren and indulging in other gentle pleasures. 

But I fear that that's now little more than a pipe-dream for the urbane Lord Hindlip, former chairman of Christie's auctioneers and father of unstoppable Location, Location, Location presenter, Kirstie Allsopp.

He has, I can reveal, steeled himself for a gruelling courtroom battle after undergoing what he alleges was 'negligently' performed heart surgery.

In a blistering attack against private healthcare company HCA International – which, as I recently disclosed, accuses him of leaving a £321,000 bill unpaid – Hindlip states that he was 'induced to sign' an agreement, after being told, at 'very short notice', that 'a time slot had become available for [his] operation'.

In newly submitted court documents, Hindlip claims that HCA's employees told him that his insurer had approved the operation – and 'post operative care' – and would meet all costs. 

That was why, claims Hindlip, he signed the agreement while 'very ill' and 'subject to [HCA]'s and [his] surgeon's influence over him'.

Worse followed – according to Hindlip. His operation, which included the replacement of his aortic valve and the repair of two other valves, was 'performed negligently' – it is alleged – with the result that he was 'subjected to an extended post-operative recovery period as an in-patient in [HCA]'s hospital'.

The documents indicate that Hindlip also intends to take action against his insurer and his surgeon.

HCA has submitted a detailed response to Hindlip's attack. Denying that its employees said that the peer's insurer had approved the operation – and post operative care – it alleges that it was Hindlip 'or his family' who said the insurer 'had authorised treatment'. 

It also alleges that Kirstie informed staff that her father's insurer would be 'responsible for 60 per cent [of costs]' and her father for 40 per cent.

Kirstie – alleges HCA – told staff, by telephone, that her father 'had a dispute with [his insurer] and not with [HCA]'. 

The company adds that Lord Hindlip had 'plenty of time to read and understand' its terms and conditions.

Am I alone in thinking that the bewigged ladies and gentlemen of the legal profession must be rubbing their hands in glee?

There can't be many teenage boys who enjoy partying with their mothers — but Eva Herzigova's son appears to be an exception.

George, 16, put on a dinner suit and joined the Czech-born model and actress, 51, at an event in Milan.

Eva shared a bathroom selfie of her getting ready with her eldest son for the Dolce & Gabbana 40th Anniversary celebration. 

'Party with mum,' she wrote next to the snap of her and George — one of

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