The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is not a great place for celeb spotters to lurk.
Diary has spent many an hour wandering up and down Marsham Street in the hope of catching sight of famous folk – only to inevitably trudge back to MJ Towers disappointed.
But our spies have reported that we would have been in luck recently, with the confirmed appearance of Loose Women presenter Gloria Hunniford at MHCLG.
Diary could sense the almost palpable excitement of MHCLG officials in the run-up to Ms Hunniford’s visit to interview local government minister Rishi Sunak on the Parking Bill for an episode of the BBC’s Rip Off Britain due to air in the summer.
But the ministry was understandably slightly unprepared for celebrity visits, with Ms Hunniford reportedly delayed by Marsham Street’s rigorous security protocols before being ushered to Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry’s office to get her makeup done.
Mr Sunak’s high-flying career in business, finance and politics has meant his exposure to daytime TV has been limited, which meant aides had a difficult conversation when he asked them to explain Loose Women.