FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw prepared for a weekend with one of the world's most famous women by meeting up with another.

For the Blackburn MP enjoyed a chat with Nancy Dell'Olio, the girlfriend of England football coach Sven Goran Eriksson.

He rubbed shoulders with the Italian at a House of Commons reception preparing for Liverpool to be City of Culture 2008.

His meeting was days before he entertains US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice during a tour of Blackburn and Liverpool at the weekend.