Rita Ora signs to supermodel’s new Kate Moss Agency after falling out with rival firm Next Model Management

IF you want to be a model, you can’t do much better than having Kate Moss as your mentor.

Which is a boost for Rita Ora, who has just signed to the supermodel’s new Kate Moss Agency — although who knows how long that partnership will last.

I’ve learned the Anywhere singer fell out with rival firm Next Model Management after turning up late to shoots and running over budget on campaigns that she was involved with.

Speaking exclusively, Rita — pictured performing at a charity event in Monaco on Tuesday — said: “Kate has always been a mentor and life-long friend. It’s a real honour to be working with her.

“I have watched her career and business grow, and establish itself as one of the most important and recognisable brands.

“She is a real inspiration, and when we discussed going in to business together, it seemed natural.” Rita had been on Next’s books for six years, alongside big names including Ellie Goulding, Alexa Chung and Dua Lipa, but split with them a few weeks ago.

An industry insider said: “This is a great career move for Rita and is sure to bring in loads more work for her. But it hasn’t come from the best situation.

“Things with Next weren’t great and they really weren’t too disappointed about her moving on, because it was a difficult working relationship.

“She could be a handful, so if it doesn’t work out with Kate, she’s unlikely to be heading back there.”

Last year Rita hosted several episodes of America’s Next Top Model, despite not having much experience of the industry.

But now that she is working with one of Britain’s top supermodels, Rita could be set for the big time — and it should do wonders for Kate’s ego to have her on the roster.

Speaking about Kate in 2015, Rita gushed: “She’s one of the most normal, nicest, motherly, caring people on the planet.”

If Rita takes after Kate, this modelling lark should be a doddle.

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ELLIE Goulding has thanked well-wishers after she announced her engagement to Caspar Jopling. She tweeted: “Thank you for all your lovely messages. Sending a lot of love and big hugs to my fans. I promise I’ll be back soon.”

Sir Tom is going for Gold

HE was forced to pull out of several tour dates after taking ill, but following a tough month I can reveal there’s some good news about Sir Tom Jones.

I’m told he’s grown close to socialite Lady Annabel Goldmith, who became such an icon on the London party scene of the Sixties that her first husband named the now-infamous Annabel’s private members’ club after her.

Friends say the pair, both widowed, have hit it off famously in recent months.

Tom’s wife Linda sadly passed away two years ago after a battle with cancer while Lady Annabel’s second husband Sir James Goldsmith died in 1997 – leaving a £1.6billion fortune to his wife and her youngest three children – TV producer Jemima, Tory MP Zac and financier Ben.

A source said: “They appear to be enjoying each other’s companionship but things are obviously getting more serious.

“Tom decided to sell his home in LA and spend more time back in Britain after his wife died and it has allowed him to build some new relationships.

“This one looks like it is becoming increasingly meaningful to both of them.”

Ladies’ man Tom, 78, was previously linked to Elvis Presley’s widow Priscilla after they had dates in LA.

Still got it.

Instaglam

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DRAKE has been knocked off the No1 spot on the iTunes video chart by classical singer Carly Paoli and the Invictus Games Choir. Their moving track ­Liberty is raising funds for injured soldiers’ charity Help for Heroes.

Dua's L of a motor

MOST youngsters who have just passed their driving test can only dream of owning a sports car – I certainly did when I was cruising around in a battered Vauxhall Corsa.

But less than four months after taking to the road, Dua Lipa has splashed more than £50,000 on a convertible Jaguar F-type.

She posted videos of her fancy new wheels online on Tuesday.

Mind you, with her ongoing tour, her No1 track One Kiss with Calvin Harris and upcoming track Electricity – her collaboration with Mark Ronson and Diplo’s band Silk City – she could probably afford a whole fleet.

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COUNTRY star ­Carrie Underwood and husband Mike Fisher are expecting a sibling for their son Isaiah, three. She said: “Mike and Isaiah and I are excited to be adding another little fish to our pond.”

JUSTIN Bieber and Hailey Baldwin look far from being blissfully happy just a month in to their engagement.

Biebs was seen crying in the street as they shared a heart-to-heart during a bicycle outing in New York on Tuesday.

After the emotional discussion he looked grim-faced. And later in the day both of them appeared to wipe away tears at a cafe.

The pair have been inseparable since the singer proposed to the model in the Bahamas in July with a ring estimated to have cost £2million.

Here’s hoping they can help each other through their low point.

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ONE-MAN Bon Jovi musical We’ve Got Each Other has been driving audiences wild at the Edinburgh Fringe despite having no costumes or band, and only one actor. At least the Paul O’Donnell parody will be cheap to tour.

DOMINIC Cooper’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a smash – but the same can’t be said for his latest movie.

He stars opposite former Bond girl Gemma Arterton in heavy marriage drama The Escape, which made just £21,797 in its first weekend of release.

Mamma Mia 2 made 446 times that amount over its opening weekend with £9.7million.

Perhaps if the film was about something which wasn’t quite so depressing, they might actually get some bums on seats.