Branson's ego island: How the Virgin boss uses his private paradise to lure the famous and powerful

Take a hot tub, an effervescent blonde and recently dumped teen boy-band heart-throb Harry Styles. Add Richard Branson and a flash of global of publicity, and there you have a classic Necker moment. Earlier this month, a picture of the billionaire entrepreneur and the young pop star emerged as they basked in the sunshine together on Branson’s private Caribbean island with a hand-picked group of friends. At the same time, an extensive photo-shoot in Hello! magazine showed Branson and tennis mega-stars John McEnroe and Novak Djokovic lounging on a Necker beach during a charity tennis tournament. Then, this week, Branson posted a picture of himself on Twitter, with David Hasselhoff, Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, Kate Winslet, Natalie Imbruglia and other celebrities. Indeed, the island, Branson’s own speck of paradise, has never been more in fashion. Since he acquired it in 1979 for about £180,000, he has spent years inviting the great, the good and the famous. It has become renowned as a place where celebrities and the very wealthy can go and have fun with each other — and no one need find out too much about it. And such is the breadth of his circle that it has witnessed an international rock star giving swimming lessons to an eminent archbishop. As Sir Richard says: ‘It’s a wonderful magnet to attract wonderfully interesting people.’ There have been plenty of royal visitors over the years — notably Princess Diana, his first royal guest, and Prince Harry, just before his scandal-hit jaunt to Las Vegas last year. There have also been famous honeymooners, such as actress Geena Davis, and comedian Eddie Murphy — though neither of their marriages ran the distance. However, Necker is also renowned for having a certain kind of sexual alchemy. Two summers ago, it was on the island that actress Kate Winslet clapped eyes on Sir Richard’s nephew, Ned RocknRoll. Her male model boyfriend of the time was promptly dumped, and she and RocknRoll, who has a part-time job with Sir Richard’s space tourism programme, were married last month. So far, so showbiz. Look at me! This week Sir Richard (back, orange T-shirt) tweeted this photo of himself at Necker with guests including Ronnie Wood, David Hasselhoff, Natalie Imbruglia and Kate Winslet Look at me! This week Sir Richard (back, orange T-shirt) tweeted this photo of himself at Necker with guests including Ronnie Wood, David Hasselhoff, Natalie Imbruglia and Kate Winslet But who knew that political giants Kofi Annan, the former UN boss, Nelson Mandela and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter have all enjoyed the Virgin tycoon’s spectacular hospitality — featuring ice-cold sushi served in the swimming pool via canoe, and beach-side fridges stocked with Veuve Clicquot champagne? If you are a friend of Richard’s, then it will cost you nothing. Mere mortals, however, will need to shell out £34,000 a night to hire the island. So who’s who in the Necker Nexus? Why did they visit — and what was in it for the island’s grinning potentate? David Hasselhoff and his Welsh girlfriend Hayley Roberts are enjoying a holiday on Necker right now David Hasselhoff and his Welsh girlfriend Hayley Roberts are enjoying a holiday on Necker right now KATE WINSLET The actress visited the island in August 2011 on a freebie along with various other friends of Sir Richard and his family. She was with children Mia and Joe, and male model Louis Dowler. She carried Sir Richard’s mother Eve to safety after the Great House burned down following a storm. Somewhere among the drama, she fell in love with Ned RocknRoll, Branson’s nephew. She is now on Necker again with Ned for a post-honeymoon holiday following their recent marriage. RONNIE and SALLY WOOD Ronnie has chosen Necker for his honeymoon with third wife Sally, who is 34 to his 65. The couple married last month at the Dorchester. He has known Sir Richard for years — the Stones were signed to Virgin Records from 1992 and Virgin Live promoted their 50th anniversary concerts. DAVID HASSELHOFF and HAYLEY ROBERTS Hasselhoff is on Necker right now for a post-panto relax with his Welsh girlfriend Hayley Roberts. The Baywatch star got to know Sir Richard last year through the Virgin Active Triathlon, saying: ‘I run really well in slow motion, but I have never competed before.’ Seems to be having a lovely time, tweeting: ‘Hangin’ with Ronnie Wood in Necker! What a cool guy.’ RACHEL HUNTER Sir Richard has known the Kiwi model Rachel Hunter for years, and in 2011 she helped to promote a charity dinner which he held in Auckland. Formerly Mrs Rod Stewart, she is on Necker at the moment, too. What Were They Doing There.jpg NATALIE IMBRUGLIA The actress/singer is a close friend of Sir Richard’s daughter Holly, who is also on Necker this month. Rumours five years ago that Natalie was dating Branson’s son, Sam, were denied. KATE MOSS After the ‘cocaine Kate’ scandal and a spell in rehab, supermodel Kate Moss was in need of somewhere private to recharge her batteries and get away from on-off boyfriend Pete Doherty. In 2005, Branson invited her to Necker, where she had a fling with a friend of Branson’s son, Sam — male model Jamie Burke, 11 years her junior. PETER GABRIEL Branson calls the former Genesis star a ‘good friend’, and Gabriel was on Necker with Sir Richard last Christmas. He plays the piano for late night sing-alongs and shares environmental concerns with his host. MICK JAGGER The Stones were signed to Virgin Records (see Ronnie Wood) and Mick has been seen on brief holidays in Necker — which is a short hop from his holiday home on Mustique. GEENA DAVIS The Hollywood actress came here with her second husband, film director Renny Harlin, on their 1993 honeymoon. Inspired by island life, they discussed plans for pirate adventure film, Cutthroat Island. It was a huge flop and their marriage limped on for only a year afterwards. KEVIN COSTNER Dances With Wolves star Costner came here in the dying days of his marriage to first wife Cindy, and apparently had a miserable time. HARRY STYLES One Direction star Harry popped over to Necker for a couple of days this month after his romantic break with singer Taylor Swift on nearby Virgin Gorda ended with them breaking up. Branson apparently extended a personal invitation to party. Harry Styles pictured with UK TV Presenter Harmione Way at Richard Branson's private Necker Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands Harry Styles pictured with UK TV Presenter Harmione Way at Richard Branson's private Necker Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands RUBY WAX Comedian Ruby Wax is one of many to have received a personal invitation to Necker from Sir Richard. She wrote in the visitors’ book: ‘For this kind of luxury, you can beat me to a pulp.’ HARRISON FORD The actor came for a holiday here in the mid-Nineties when his children with second wife Melissa Mathison were teenagers. I’m told they paid, and did lots of sports like sailing. Royal Ravers.jpg HEATHER MILLS McCARTNEY Held a ‘divorceymoon’ party in 2008. The group of 20 included people who had been there for her as her marriage to Sir Paul crumbled, including her vegan shoe designer, the owner of a local B&B and an estate agent. It cost £250,000 for the week. MEL GIBSON Came to Necker in the mid-Nineties as a guest of Sir Richard’s. Was so impressed that he bought his own island, Mago, in Fiji, in 2005. ROBERT DE NIRO Actor Robert de Niro is remembered for partying all night around 15 years ago. He later had a handsome wooden Buddha shipped over as a token of his gratitude. Sadly this was destroyed in the fire. GEORGE MICHAEL The singer holidayed on Necker in 2005 and had a very private birthday party on the island more recently with family and friends. MARIAH CAREY Singer Mariah Carey, once briefly signed to Virgin Records, has been to Necker several times as a guest of Sir Richard. In 2004, she was the star turn on a TV show about Necker, and was seen having a glass of wine and flirting with her host on a four-poster bed. DEMI MOORE The actress visited several times at the height of her Hollywood fame, although nowadays she prefers the Turks and C aicos islands because former husband Bruce Willis lets her use his house there. But no room at the inn for... Brad and Jen Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston wanted go there for their honeymoon in 2000, but it was fully booked. And it is said that Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich wanted to holiday there recently, but Sir Richard put the kybosh on the idea. Perhaps he didn’t fancy someone richer than him looking over the soft furnishings. Your villa awaits... The Great House may have burned down — its eight- bedroom replacement is due to open this summer — but guests are still welcome. When Sir Richard is not about, his private home, Temple House, is available to rent, as is a smaller property, the Love Temple, next-door. Nearby there are six Bali villas, each with a private outdoor dining area. You could also stay on his catamaran, the Necker Belle, in four luxury cabins. The island is considered to be ‘full’ when there are 28 guests. There is a large new entertainment complex, the Beach House, with a bar and cinema, plus a dining area and viewing deck overlooking tennis courts. Visitors can try their hand at water skiing, kite-surfing and parasailing, and the 60-strong staff includes three five-star chefs. After he bought Necker, Sir Richard blasted the top of the island flat to create the resort. He has also introduced wildlife to the island, including 200 flamingos, lemurs, a pair of iguanas and tortoises.