Academy Award nominee, critically acclaimed author, and now, the face of Charlotte Tilbury’s Holiday Campaign, Richard E Grant is officially a certified Darling. The 67-year-old actor and former Dazed cover star appears in the campaign alongside Kylie Minogue, Amelia Dimoldenburg, Jourdan Dunn and Kate Moss, clutching a twinkling pot of the ever popular Magic Cream. 

The brand’s ‘Beauty Show’ imitates the Royal Variety Show – in partnership with the King’s Trust – showcasing the stars’ secret skills, with Dimoldenburg as the Caesar Flickerman-style talk show host. Though the casting might seem peculiar, it makes more sense to remember that last year’s holiday campaign featured fellow national treasure, Elton John. Grant also follows in the footsteps of other older gentlemen who have fronted beauty campaigns – Mick Fleetwood for Pleasing – or tried their hand at beauty influencing – Jeff Goldblum.

What’s more, in the run up to World Kindness Day on November 13, Charlotte Tilbury has announced that 100 per cent of the profits from its Magic Cream will go directly to the King’s Trust, which supports 11-to-30-year-olds who are unemployed or struggling at school. Grant has supported a number of charities over the years – including Save the Children, WWF and several cancer charities – so really, fronting this particular beauty campaign is another philanthropic notch on Grant’s belt.

”Having been an ambassador for the Trust for over two years now, this is a cause that is very close to my heart and I am incredibly proud to continue to support its mission to empower young people, while nurturing and supporting their talent,” Tilbury says in the press release for the collection. ”Just like the King’s Trust, I share the belief that life is about confidence and confidence creates a virtuous circle of positivity. Every young person should have the chance to succeed, and the King’s Trust offers the opportunity to create a better future through employment, education and enterprise, helping their dreams come true.”

The London Gay Men’s Chorus also features in the campaign (Europe’s largest gay male chorus), while Tilbury herself says its purpose is to “shine a light on the magic of confidence.” We may not have had Richard E Grant fronting a beauty campaign on our 2024 bingo card, yet somehow, it suits him.