This week: Tin hat time at the BBC and Duchess has a ball with Judy

SOLDIER ON TRIAL

The trial of former soldier Simon Buckden is due to start today at Leeds Crown Court. The 42-year-old, from Bramley in Leeds, is accused of making false claims about having post-traumatic stress disorder and cancer. Mr Buckden, who has denied seven counts of fraud by false representation, became a high-profile fundraiser and public speaker. In 2012 he was chosen to carry the Olympic torch after becoming a leading campaigner for victims of PTSD. He also planned to run 100 marathons in 100 weeks for charity.

GRIMSBY ON SCREEN

All eyes will be on Grimsby this week – but it could be more a curse than a blessing, The town’s name has been borrowed by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen for his new film telling the story of two mismatched brothers – one a super spy, the other a layabout from Grimsby. Though actually filmed in Essex, the town is not overjoyed by the link (see feature above), but is trying to turn the situation to its advantage as Grimsby goes on general release this week.

TEST FOR TRUSS

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss endured a tricky time as the Government and her department in particular came in for criticism in the wake of the recent floods that ravaged parts of Yorkshire. And now the Minister, who was raised in Leeds, has the small matter of winning over the nation’s farmers when she speaks at this week’s National Farmers’ Union Conference, which starts in Birmingham tomorrow.

A BRIT OF ALRIGHT

Live television doesn’t always run smoothly and that seems to be never more true than at the Brit Awards. The annual celebration of homegrown music takes place on Wednesday night and will be broadcast live on ITV – gaffes and all. Once again hosted by Ant and Dec, performances come from the likes of Coldplay and Justin Bieber. Expect Adele to walk away with a hatful of silverware and look out for a star-studded send-off for the Starman himself, David Bowie.

ACTION CATHERINE

She has sailed a boat, brandished a hockey stick and answered stockbrokers’ phones in the City. This week the Duchess of Cambridge will continue to impress the nation with her versatility when she joins Andy Murray’s mum on the tennis court. Judy Murray created her Tennis on the Road initiative to grow the game at a grassroots level and capitalise on the success of her sons. The Duchess, who has been described as a “keen tennis player” is to take part in a class at a high school in Edinburgh.

BEEB UNDER FIRE

It’s likely to be tin hat time at the BBC on Thursday when Dame Janet Smith’s review into Jimmy Savile will be published. The review focuses on the Beeb’s culture and practices during the years that Savile – and fellow shamed presenter Stuart Hall – worked at the corporation. A draft document was leaked in January which was scathing in its criticism of the BBC and claimed that a predatory child abuser could be lurking undiscovered in its ranks even now.

Friday

HARROGATE GOES GREEN

Who can forget Green Party leader Natalie Bennett’s brain fail on live radio during the run-up to the last election? Quizzed about the party’s policy of creating an additional 500,000 new social homes and how they would pay for them, Ms Bennett drew a blank. She later admitted that the experience was “absolutely excruciating”, adding: “All I can say is occasionally one just has a mind blank.” Members will hope for a more assured performance at this week’s Green Party spring conference, which gets under way at the Harrogate International Centre on Friday.