EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Mogul who sold off his classic cars to build an empire is now facing a High Court fight

He's the recruitment tycoon who sold off almost everything he owned, including his country home and a fleet of expensive cars, to build a business empire.

But David Spencer-Percival is now facing a High Court battle against bankruptcy.

Spencer-Percival, 55, created the recruitment giant Huntress from scratch, turning it into a £100million-a-year business before making a seven-figure sum when he sold his stake.

But he needed more to start his next venture, so sold his home, antiques, watches and a collection of classic cars, including a Ferrari, Bentley and two Aston Martins, in an extraordinary gamble 16 years ago.

The entrepreneur used the proceeds to help launch the recruitment firm Spencer Ogden, which became a global success before he sold his stake in 2020. But his latest recruitment venture, Life Science People, was compulsorily wound up last summer after HMRC petitioned the courts over money it was owed.

Less than three weeks later Alexandra Vintila, who business records show was a recruitment consultant at the firm, launched proceedings seeking Spencer-Percival's personal bankruptcy.

The precise nature and value of the debt claimed by Vintila is not disclosed in publicly available court records.

Her creditor's bankruptcy petition was filed at the High Court in August last year before the case was transferred to Central London County Court.

Spencer-Percival, who appears to be representing himself, has now taken the fight back to the High Court by launching an appeal against Vintila. The Chancery appeal was filed in July and remains open, court records show. 

In a 2014 Forbes interview, he said his car collection included a vintage Ferrari GT, Bentley, Aston Martin DB6, Aston Martin DB7 and another three classic cars, joking that there was 'one for each day of the week'.

Amelia's a carnival queen! 

Despite a massive police presence and hundreds of arrests, Lady Amelia Windsor had a ball at the Notting Hill Carnival.

The Duke of Kent's granddaughter, who lives in the west London area, looked delighted to be among two million revellers at the annual celebration of West Indian culture over the weekend. Lady Amelia, 31, who has been described as 'the most beautiful royal' by Tatler, wore a two-piece outfit by PH5 and carried an Orla Kiely printed handbag to what she said was a 'joy-filled carnival'.

Earlier this year, her elder sister, Lady Marina Windsor, 33, married Nico Macauley in a Roman Catholic ceremony at Ampleforth Abbey Church in North Yorkshire.

Just as the Duchess of Sussex returns to Britain, her favourite private members' club has lost its social cachet.

That's the verdict of Call The Midwife star Helen George, who suggests Soho House has turned into a soulless chain akin to an unfashionable hotel group. 'We used to go to Soho House before it became the Hilton,' sniffs the actress, 42. 'I sound like such a snob, but it was back when there was only the one Soho House, this small members' club, and it wasn't expensive – it's now very expensive. There was a lady who used to do tarot cards.'

Meghan has stayed at Soho Farmhouse, its Oxfordshire branch, and her first date with Prince Harry was at Soho House in London.

Wife of Luther star: This is a fat-phobic era

Sir Idris Elba's wife Sabrina is dismayed by the return of ultra-thin models – and claims we've become 'fat-phobic'.

The Canadian, a former Miss Vancouver, 37, says she has noticed a dramatic change in women's bodies thanks to the boom in GLP-1 weight-loss jabs.

'I feel like there's this massive flux of really, really thin people,' Lady Elba says. 'Let's just be honest. Everyone is so skinny. We are living in this weird fat-phobic era.'

The skincare entrepreneur adds: 'The [GLP-1] pen is going to be the biggest conversation. They've just released a pill... we have to be very careful.'

With taxes expected to soar under Andy Burnham, Oasis star Noel Gallagher is in a pugnacious mood.

When asked at Saturday's O2 Arena heavyweight boxing bout whom he would like to fight, the 59-year-old rock star replied: 'The f***ing taxman.'

He has been lying low since earning an estimated £50million from last year's reunion tour with his brother Liam. As his heroes The Beatles sang: 'If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet, 'cause I'm the taxman...'

Prosperous Pugh's got stellar cash Flo

Oppenheimer actress Florence Pugh recently said she was ready for a break after back-to-back starring roles.

Well, she can certainly afford a holiday. Latest accounts for Flo Pug, the business into which the Oxford-born star pays her earnings, show it banked £6million in profit last year.

Flo Pug's takings work out at £116,000 per week, increasing its ongoing riches to £9.9million.

Florence, 30, holds £10.8million in the firm before bills. Her stellar takings follow roles in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Thunderbolts.

Sharron Davies wants fellow Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty to reconcile with his family.

He fell out with them over engagement party invitations before he wed Holly Ramsay, daughter of TV chef Gordon.

Posting online, Sharron told Adam, who has since changed his name to Ramsay-Peaty: 'Drop the double barrel... make up with your family. They were there through ALL the tough years on the way up.'