A Day in the Life with Diddy

British gossip columnist spends the day with Diddy.

AS I step out of the chauffeur-driven Merc into the lobby of the opulent, five star hotel on the Champs-Elysees, Diddy strolls forward to greet me.

“How you doing baby?” he asks as he kisses both cheeks. “Welcome to Paris!”

And what a welcome he gave me. Over the next 48 hours, I was treated to a glimpse into the secret life of the £400million rap tycoon. Love, sex. marriage and babies.

Why David Beckham makes him broody and Russell Brand makes him laugh.

I also learn how to wipe the smile off Diddy’s face – mention Simon Cowell.

He tells me: “I won’t work with Simon Cowell on X Factor or Idol.

“Simon has a good ear, but his Idol and X Factor acts don’t dominate the charts in the States. Hip-hop does.”

The rapper, record producer, fashion designer and actor has whisked me across the Channel to talk about his new album, Last Train To Paris, with new group Diddy Dirty Money.

Sean “Puffy” Combs, 41, grew up in Harlem, New York. His father Melvin was killed when he was a child. Then his best pal Biggie Smalls was murdered in 1997.

But Diddy went on to become a Grammy award-winning artist with his own record label, Bad Boy, the Sean John clothing line and Unforgettable fragrance. He also launched Ciroc vodka and Diddy Beats diamanté encrusted headphones.

No time to waste, we jump into Diddy’s limo heading for a Paris Fashion Week show and, in the back seat away from his 28-strong entourage, I have Diddy’s full attention as we drive through Paris.

So what’s an average day on Planet Diddy? “No two days are the same. I have no routine. But when I’m not working, I like to sleep… and have sex.”

Diddy, who has romanced a string of stunning women including J.Lo and model Kim Porter, has never married.

Close friends with fellow rap mogul Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce, Diddy said: “I’d love to have what Jay and Beyonce have.

“My ideal woman has to have intellect and soul. I don’t woo them with flowers, I need to know they like me for real.”

Despite never having wed, Diddy has five children by three partners and is stepfather to another child.

But he wants more – and says hearing David Beckham and Victoria are expecting again has made him more determined. He said: “I last saw Beckham a couple months ago. We are both proud fathers. That’s what our friendship is about, not being stars or artists.

“We ask how are kids are doing. I’m so happy he’s got another on the way. I hope he has as many as me. I want more.”

Diddy also struck up a firm friendship with Russell Brand when they starred together in Get Him To The Greek.

He laughs: “When the cams were rolling we were focused. But otherwise we had fun.
“We would wonder what was going on in each other’s mind. I’d usually win that game and guess right!” We pull up outside Raf Simons fashion show and Diddy jokes that the chauffeur has driven so slowly we have missed it.

He sends his bodyguard inside to check, but the designer has delayed the show until Diddy arrives to make his grand entrance.

Slipping on his sunglasses, Diddy gets out and offers me his hand to help me out. Like Diddy’s life, it’s been a fascinating ride.

Jacked from The Mirror