And then we saw Grant on Oprah last week. Finally, we agreed. Hugh Grant is a bitch.

The British actor appeared on Oprah to promote Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and, in the process, managed to bag former Notting Hill co-star Julia Roberts. When asked his thoughts on Roberts, Grant said: "Very big mouthed! Literally, physically, she has a very big mouth. When I was kissing her, I was aware of a faint echo." Winfrey jumped to Roberts' defence and said: "She's one of the nicest people I ever met." Grant replied: "I wouldn't go that far."

So Grant doesn't like girls with big mouths? That's funny, because I don't recall him complaining about the size of Divine Brown's cakehole back in 1995.

While I'm a little surprised by Grant's willingness to openly insult fellow actors on international television (he later called Emma Thompson a man), it seems like 2004 is the year for celebrity sledging.

In August, AFI award-winning Australian actress Kerry Armstrong launched a verbal attack on Kylie Minogue and Nicole Kidman saying that Minogue couldn't sing, then implying that Kidman couldn't act. Meanwhile, that lovable rascal John Safran went one step further by attempting to put a fatwah on Rove McManus during his television series John Safran vs God.

Still - the odd fatwah aside - this is small fry compared with what's been going on overseas.

Last month, when accepting a songwriting award, Elton John took a public swipe at Madonna, ridiculing the fact that she had been nominated for Best Live Act. Standing at the podium, John said: "Since when has lip-syncing been live?" Since it became acceptable to crochet fake hair on to your scalp, Elton?

Not that this is the first time Madonna has been bagged in public. Acid-tongued comedian Joan Rivers once said of Madonna, "She's so hairy - when she lifted up her arm I thought it was Tina Turner in her armpit."

Of course, Madonna barely bats an eyelid at public criticism. Possibly because she's a sledger from way back. In the 1990 Madonna doco Truth or Dare (a behind-the-scenes look at Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour), Madonna caused a stir when she openly bagged Kevin Costner. Costner came backstage after a concert to tell Madonna that he thought her show was "neat". When Costner was out of sight, Madonna stuck her fingers down her throat and pretended to puke.

Which is perhaps a little more subtle than what legendary actor Sir John Gielgud had to say about Casablanca star Ingrid Bergman: "She speaks five languages and can't act in any of them."

So what drives a celebrity to bitch about his or her contemporaries in public? Because they can. And if you can't think of anything controversial to say, you can always get your kit off and call it a "wardrobe malfunction".

One of the most famous "fake feuds" was between Robbie Williams and the boys in Oasis. Bitter chart rivals, their slanging match was played out with glee by London tabloid newspapers. When guitarist Noel Gallagher was quoted as calling Williams "that fat dancer from Take That", Williams responded by sending a wreath to Gallagher. The card on the wreath said, "To Noel Gallagher, R.I.P. Heard your latest album - with deepest sympathy, Robbie Williams".

Not that sledging is limited to actors and musicians.

Lady Nancy Astor once said: "Mr (Winston) Churchill, if you were my husband I'd put poison in your tea." To which he replied: "Madam, if you were my wife, I'd drink it."

There was a lot to admire about Astor. A fierce debater, she was the first female MP in the House of Commons and she championed women's and children's rights. But best of all? She had a smile so wide you could fit a coathanger in her mouth.