rumpus.

Texan millionaire Mr. Johnny Bryan -- the man snapped frolicking with a topless Duchess of York -- was reported to be on the Island.

He was said to have slipped over here on Saturday on board a British Airways jet for a quick get-away break.

The rumours quickly whetted the appetites of Britain's scandal-hungry tabloids.

Several journalists rang The Royal Gazette yesterday to back them up.

And it is thought one paper, The Daily Mail, was preparing to carry a report in today's edition.

The Royal holiday snaps crisis has become a major talking point.

It was last Saturday that The Daily Mirror -- one of the country's largest selling down-market tabloids -- caused a sensation by publishing shots of the Duchess of York and Mr. Bryan.

The pair were shown canoodling by the pool at a villa in the south of France.

In one saucy snap the tall, balding Mr. Bryan is kissing the toe of Prince Andrew's wife, dubbed Fergie by the media.

Since the exposure Buckingham Palace has tried to dampen speculation that Fergie was planning to fly into exile from the Queen's estate at Balmoral.

Yesterday The Royal Gazette was unable to confirm reports of Mr. Bryan's arrival in Bermuda.

But several people reported seeing the 37-year-old on board the London-Bermuda plane.

One couple said, before embarking, they were told by a baggage handler "Fergie's boyfriend'' was on the flight.

They added Mr. Bryan, wearing silk cravat, dark glasses, and a Panama hat, sat alone in first class and seemed agitated.

After touch-down he was said to have nervously pulled the hat he was wearing over his face.

"I was staring at him, convinced it was him, and he kept looking away, and pulling his hat down,'' one passenger said.

Speculation increased last night he may be heading for a rendezvous with Fergie in Argentina where the Duchess plans to visit her mother.

Mr. Bryan -- last seen in Britain on Thursday -- has previously been described as the Duchess's financial adviser.