Facts Of The Day

Actor JAMES MARSDEN donned his trainers to participate in the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon on Sunday (03Oct10) in Venice Beach.

The 2011 Glastonbury festival sold out in four hours even though the event is eight months away (Jun11) and no headliners have been announced.

JAMES FRANCO will be putting all of his film training into use when he writes, directs and stars in the movie adaptation of The Adderall Diaries: A Memoir of Moods, Masochism, and Murder. The story chronicles a murder trial from the viewpoint of a drugged-up author suffering from writer’s block. Franco, who studied filmmaking at New York University, will also produce the film.

Visionary WATCHMEN and 300 moviemaker ZACK SNYDER has signed on to direct the new Superman film. Batman Begins screenwriter David S. Goyer is working on a new script based on a story conceived by Goyer and Christopher Nolan. Nolan is producing the film with his wife and partner Emma Thomas and Snyder’s wife Deborah.

WINSTON CHURCHILL became the first British Prime Minister to enter the pop charts at the weekend (03Oct10) when the Central Band of the Royal Air Force debuted Reach For The Skies at four in the nation’s album countdown. The military band put some of Churchill’s most famous speeches to music as part of its 70th anniversary tribute to the Battle of Britain.

BILLY JOEL’s ex-wife KATIE LEE is swapping cookbooks for novels. The chef has written her first fiction book, Ground Swell, about a young woman who learns to surf.

Hollywood veterans MORGAN FREEMAN and ERNEST BORGNINE made a surprise appearance on hit U.S. comedy show SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE this weekend (02Oct10), teaming up with funnyman Kenan Thompson for his What Up With That segment. This week’s episode featured performances by Kanye West and was hosted by actor Bryan Cranston.

Eight black and white films featuring NEIL YOUNG performing each song from the deluxe version of his new album Le Noise have been posted on YouTube.com. The full Le Noise Film - a 38-minute performance movie - was shot by filmmaker Adam CK Vollick. The project was filmed at director Daniel Lanois’ home studio in Silverlake, Los Angeles, where Young recorded the album.

Actor JESSE EISENBERG hasn’t let his Hollywood career derail his academics - the Zombieland star is studying anthropology at New York City university The New School.

AEROSMITH have scored a concert record in Peru after selling 10,000 tickets for their 22 May (10) concert in Lima in one day. Tuesday (16Mar10) sales marked the biggest first-day sales made by any band in the country.

Rockers GUNS N’ ROSES are to perform at a 100-capacity bar in New York as part of the city’s Fashion Week. Dates and details about the surprise Rose Bar show have not been released.

Pop star NICK JONAS is set for a guest role on former FRIENDS star MATTHEW PERRY’s new TV show MR. SUNSHINE. The Jonas Brothers pin-up will play a demanding pop singer called Eli White in the series, which features Perry as the boss of a sports arena.

Boxer MIKE TYSON stunned pal BOBBY BROWN during a recent TV spoof of the R&B star’s Every Little Step video - by sporting a copy of the star’s costume. Tough guy Tyson donned a black suit and danced around shirtless with his name on the sleeve of his jacket, just like Brown did in the original promo. And the singer was impressed: “You actually know the steps.”

POISON rocker BRET MICHAELS has stripped off for the latest issue of Billboard magazine. The singer appears naked on the cover.

Comedian BOB MARLEY has broken a new stand-up record in Portland , Maine by performing a marathon 40-hour routine. Marley sailed past Aussie comic Lindsay Webb’s record of 38 hours and six minutes on Thursday night (24Sep10).

Black-and-white film footage of the deciding baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees in the 1960 World Series has been found in the wine cellar of BING CROSBY’s San Francisco, California home. The sports fanatic and part-owner of the Pirates reportedly hired a company to record the critical Game 7 of the competition because he was too nervous to watch it live.

Superproducer MARK RONSON has had a love tattoo inked on his right arm - it bears the first name of his girlfriend JOSEPHINE DE LA BAUME.

DAVID WALLIAMS has sponsored his TV presenter pal DENISE VAN OUTEN $1,500 (£1,000) for her upcoming hike along the Inca Trail in Peru. Singers ALEXANDRA BURKE and GABRIELLA CILMI are also part of the challenging trek, which will benefit the Breast Cancer Care charity.

R&B sensation BRUNO MARS appeared in 1992 movie HONEYMOON IN VEGAS as a child Elvis impersonator.

REO SPEEDWAGON star KEVIN CRONIN is to hit the Broadway stage on Monday (27Sep10) to belt out his band’s CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING as part of hit musical ROCK OF AGES. The singer will be backed by the production’s house band, Arsenal, and he’ll conduct a question-and-answer chat with audience members at Brooks Atkinson Theatre after the show.

Supermodel KAROLINA KURKOVA has a new bodyguard - THE INCREDIBLE HULK! The original Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, will play the Victoria’s Secret stunner’s security in an upcoming episode of hit U.S. TV show Chuck.

Animal lover BETTY WHITE has been named chairwoman of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association.

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT will join YOKO ONO’s Plastic Ono Band for shows at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on 1 and 2 October (10). LADY GAGA and IGGY POP will also be a part of the concerts.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD’s new video, MAMA’S SONG, features her mum Carole and new husband Mike Fisher.

Busty JERSEY SHORE star JENI FARLEY, aka J-Woww, has been offered $400,000 (£266,600) to bare all for Playboy.

Scottish singing sensation SUSAN BOYLE has claimed three Guinness World Records - her first release I Dreamed A Dream has landed her titles for the fastest-selling album by a U.K. female, most successful first week for a debut U.K. album and oldest artist to reach number one with a British or American debut. She says, “I never dreamt one day I’d appear in the Guinness Book of Records. I only ever wanted to sing and perform. It’s fantastic.”

Soccer ace DAVID BECKHAM has hired STELLA MCCARTNEY’s husband ALASDHAIR WILLIS as his new creative consultant in a bid to overhaul his image.

Former New York City mayor RUDY GIULIANI’s daughter CAROLINE completed a day of community service on Friday (17Sep10) - the 21-year-old’s punishment for shoplifting from a Manhattan store last month (Aug10).

The fourth PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN movie is being shot with the latest 3D technology.

MARY J. BLIGE, actresses KRISTIN CHENOWETH and KELLY RUTHERFORD, IMAN and radio DJ HOWARD STERN’s TV host wife BETH OSTROSKY have been named among the 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers by Us Weekly magazine.

THE HILLS star AUDRINA PATRIDGE will open her bid to win U.S. TV contest DANCING WITH THE STARS by cha-cha-ing to KATY PERRY’s CALIFORNIA GURLS. Las Vegas bookmakers are offering odds of 6-1 on the actress.

YOKO ONO has scored her fifth consecutive number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the U.S. with Wouldinit (I’m a Star).

Actress and mum MARCIA CROSS has signed up as the new face of American fruit juice company Mott’s.

JOHN MALKOVICH has been cast as historical womaniser Casanova in a new Austrian theatre production. He’ll lead the cast in The Giacomo Variations. The actor jokes, “It’s the closest I’ll ever get to realising my boyhood dream of being in the Vienna Boys’ Choir.” The production will debut in January (11).

CHER stunned the audience at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (12Sep10) when she stepped onstage to present the Best Video award to multiple winner Lady Gaga - wearing the revealing costume she donned for her If I Could Turn Back Time promo. She joked, “So far I’m the oldest chick with the biggest hair and the littlest costume. Back in the day I used to get thrown off MTV for wearing things like that, which seems so tame now and that was when Lady Gaga was Baby Gaga and Marshall Mathers (aka Eminem), I guess his biggest thing was whether he should buy peanut or plain M&Ms. Actually I have shoes older than most of these nominees.”

Actor JARED LETO and his 30 Seconds to Mars bandmates arrived at the MTV Video Music Awards on bicycles. The group was joined by a group of colourful two-wheeler fans, riding all manner of crazy bikes. One was wearing nothing but body paint.

Colourful R&B star NICKI MINAJ went pink for her MTV Video Music Awards pre-show performance in Los Angeles on Sunday evening (12Sep10) - she donned a pink beehive wig and a skin-tight, futuristic purple outfit for her space-age anthem Check It Out with will.i.am.

LADY GAGA made a stand for gay heroes at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night (12Sep10) by inviting a group of former U.S. Air Force members and soldiers, who had been discharged from the military for being gay, along as her guests. Asked about her choice of date, the pop star said, “No one person is more valuable than another person.”

KATY PERRY’s carefully manicured nails at the MTV Video Music Awards featured images of her absent fiance Russell Brand.

MICHAEL CAINE is to journey to the centre of the earth as the star of the sequel to BRENDAN FRASER’s 2008 3D film. DWAYNE JOHNSON will replace Fraser in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and Caine will play a grandfather role. Shooting begins next month (Oct10) in Hawaii.

A lost graphic novel created by late cult writer WILLIAM BURROUGHS is to finally be released next year (11). The author penned AH POOK IS HERE with MALCOLM McNEIL in the 1970s, but the duo failed to find a publisher. Now the project will be released to accompany McNeil’s memoirs.

RIHANNA is set to wow the crowd at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night (12Sep10) by teaming up with EMINEM for a live performance. The R&B star was spotted rehearsing Love the Way You Lie with the rapper on Sunday afternoon.

Actress EMMA STONE has found the perfect gift for her 20-year-old brother - she’s taking him to the MTV Video Music Awards as her date. Stone will present LINKIN PARK at the event on Sunday night (12Sep10).

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER’s daughter Katherine has written a book aimed at helping girls confidence. The 20 year old student’s Rock What You’ve Got: Secrets to Loving Your Inner and Outer Beauty is released next week (begs13Sep10).

JUSTIN BIEBER takes up three per cent of all Twitter.com servers. The popular teen has got over five million followers, who hang on his every tweet.

Country star REBA McENTIRE has recorded a version of BEYONCE’s IF I WERE A BOY for her new album All The Woman I Am.

“I’m a single mother so my son takes most of my time but recently I got a gig on The Young and the Restless, so we’ll see where that goes.” Former Brady Bunch star SUSAN OLSEN is planning a TV comeback on the U.S. soap opera.

Acting legend OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND was awarded France’s Legion of Honor accolade by President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday (09Sep10). The 94-year-old Gone With The Wind star has lived in Paris since 1953.

A Folgers coffee commercial radio jingle country legend JOHNNY CASH recorded in 1994, called Waking Up at Home, is now available as a ringtone.

Funnyman JERRY LEWIS’ 2010 Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon raised $58.9 million (£39.2 million) for the charity. Barry Manilow and Michael Feinstein were among the stars who joined the comic for the 45th annual fundraiser, staged in Las Vegas.

Former DEBARGE star EL DEBARGE will relaunch his solo career by joining MARY J. BLIGE on tour next month (Oct10). The Rhythm of the Night singer will support Blige on four of the R&B superstar’s upcoming Music Saved My Life tour dates.

Pregnant pop star LILY ALLEN debuted her baby bump at the London premiere of her producer mum ALISON OWEN’s new movie TAMARA DREWE on Monday (06Sep10). The Smile singer is expecting her first child with her partner Sam Cooper next year (11).

HARRY POTTER star RUPERT GRINT is set to appear in British comedy duo DAVID WALLIAMS and MATT LUCAS’ upcoming spoof series COME FLY WITH ME, which takes place in a busy airport.

KORN star-turned-born-again Christian rocker BRIAN WELCH has penned a Bible study guide.

Supergroup CROSBY, STILLS & NASH have teamed up with music mogul RICK RUBIN to record an album of classic covers. Graham Nash tells Billboard.com the quartet are a third of the way through the album, which will feature CSN renditions of songs by the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead.

GLEE star MATTHEW MORRISON thrilled students at his old school in Orange County, California last week (ends29Aug10) when he showed up in person to donate $15,000 (£10,000) to the drama programme. The actor, who plays a stubborn drama teacher in the hit show, returned to the Orange County High School of the Arts, where he met his old teachers and chatted with students.

Actress SELMA BLAIR has injured his wrist in a horseriding accident. The Hellboy star has been spotted sporting a bandage on her left wrist after taking a tumble during a recent gallop.

DAME JUDI DENCH, KENNETH BRANAGH and MICHELLE WILLIAMS are to team up to bring Colin Clark’s memoirs to the big screen in My Week With Marilyn. Clark was responsible for looking after Marilyn Monroe while she was in London visiting acting legend Laurence Olivier in 1957.

Scottish singing sensation SUSAN BOYLE used the British bank holiday weekend (28-29Aug10) to move into her new $450,000 (£300,000) home in West Lothian, Scotland.

BATMAN superfans can now buy a replica of the Batmobile made from the original moulds from Batman Begins. Only 500 of the keepsakes have been made. Each one will cost $2,000 (GBP1,330).

Movie action man JASON STATHAM’s parents perform as a double act in Spanish bars and clubs.

TRAVIS star FRAN HEALY will donate the proceeds of a special issue of his solo album WRECKORDER to the Save The Children organisation.

THE SCRIPT star MARK SHEEHAN is celebrating after becoming a father - little LILA RENEE SHEEHAN was born over the weekend (27-29Aug10).

CHRIS MARTIN’s childhood home in Devon, south-west England is on the market for $2 million (£1.35 million). The COLDPLAY rocker’s parents, Anthony and Alison, are planning to downsize.

LAURENCE FISHBURNE’s daughter MONTANA is bidding to follow up her controversial sex tape with an appearance in men’s magazine Playboy. The 19 year old recently posed for a nude ‘test’ photoshoot for the iconic publication, reports TMZ.com.

PUSSYCAT DOLLS star NICOLE SCHERZINGER is such a sweetie - the pop star has just launched her own custom lollipop, available through online candy store SugarFactory.com.

JAY-Z and ROLLING STONES star KEITH RICHARDS are to give lectures at the New York Public Library this autumn (10). The guitarist will speak on 29 October to promote his memoir Life, while rapper Jay-Z will offer extracts from his new autobiography Decoded two weeks later (15Nov10). Nobel laureate Toni Morrison and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin are also on the library’s list of upcoming speakers.

TRUE BLOOD star STEPHEN MOYER once performed in a band called Bulging Pants. The group’s symbol was the BP logo wrapped in a pair of boy’s underwear.

EELS’ frontman MARK EVERETT turned ice-cream man for the day at the V Festival in Stafford, England on Saturday (21Aug10) when he handed out free frozen treats to fans during his set at Hylands Park.

Actress CATHERINE BELL has become a mum again - the BRUCE ALMIGHTY star gave birth to a baby boy on Saturday (21Aug10). Little Ronan Bell Beason is Bell’s second child with husband Adam Beason. The couple has a seven-year-old daughter, called Gemma.

Former WARRANT and QUIET RIOT star BILLY MORRIS has opened a cafe, called the Breakfast Club Cafe in Berea, Ohio.

EASTERN PROMISES stars VIGGO MORTENSEN and VINCENT CASSEL and director DAVID CRONENBERG have reunited for new film A Dangerous Method, which revolves around the relationship between psychologists Freud and Jung.

The daughter of BLACK SABBATH star TONY IOMMI is engaged to HIM guitarist MIKKO ‘LINDE’ LINDSTROM. Toni-Marie Iommi announced plans to marry the rocker last Friday (13Aug10).

RIHANNA chose to have the French words ‘rebelle fleur’, meaning rebel flower, inked onto her neck because “that’s how her mum sees her”, according to her favourite New York tattoo artist Bang Bang. He branded her skin with the phrase during the singer’s recent visit to the Big Apple.

Supermodel BROOKLYN DECKER’s acting career is beginning to take off - she has landed her second major movie role opposite ALEXANDER SKARSGARD and RIHANNA in upcoming action film BATTLESHIP. She will make her big screen debut in romantic comedy JUST GO WITH IT.

Rapper DRAKE lent his support to a fellow Canadian on Thursday (12Aug10) when he joined JUSTIN BIEBER on stage in Indianapolis to perform the teen pop sensation’s hit song BABY.

Actor DONALD FAISON showed his support for his former SCRUBS co-star ZACH BRAFF on Thursday (12Aug10) when he attended the opening night of his off-Broadway play Trust.

ONEREPUBLIC frontman RYAN TEDDER has named his first-born child Copeland Cruz Tedder. The singer/songwriter and his wife Genevieve welcomed their son in Denver, Colorado last week (02Aug10).

Former OASIS singer LIAM GALLAGHER sat on the judging panel of a ‘Pup Idol’ competition in London on Saturday (07Aug10). The rocker, who recently backed a campaign to end puppy farming, cuddled up to canine contestants and helped pick a top dog in the contest.

Rap icon JAY-Z will release his book DECODED, explaining the thinking behind some of his most famous lyrics, on 16 November (10). The collaboration with hip-hop writer Dream Hampton will include interviews with the star and his friends and family.

British actor DOUGLAS HODGE will dress in drag for Broadway audiences for another six months - bosses of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES have extended his contract through 13 February (10), when he will take his final bow alongside co-star KELSEY GRAMMER.

Mexican composer and record producer MARCO ANTONIO SOLIS was honoured with the 2,415th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during an unveiling ceremony on Thursday (05Aug10).

Country star KENNY CHESNEY has produced a documentary about high school football, called The Boys of Fall. The short film will debut on U.S. sports network ESPN later this year (10).

Singer KATY PERRY has her own nickname for her fiance RUSSELL BRAND - she calls the British funnyman Rusty Braunstein.

Rocker STING has launched his own farm shop in Figline Valdarno, Italy, where he will sell organic olive oil, wine and salami produced on his estate in Tuscany.

Actress JANE LYNCH has been honoured at the Madame Tussauds waxwork museum in Hollywood - she unveiled her own lifelike figure, dressed as her GLEE character SUE SYLVESTER, on Wednesday (04Aug10).

Rapper K-OS’ new video is a star-studded production - the promo features a cameo appearance from HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN. The Star Wars actor plays a bodyguard in the clip alongside model/actress Tassja Dawn.

LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS stars JAMES CORDEN and MATHEW HORNE have seen off competition from LITTLE BRITAIN’s DAVID WALLIAMS and MATT LUCAS to be named the best comedy duo in Britain, in a new poll by online TV service www.SeeSaw.com.

The BLACK EYED PEAS wowed thousands of fans in New York City on Friday (30Jul10) when they shut down Central Park for a free show as part of U.S. breakfast programme Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series.

BLACK EYED PEAS star TABOO delighted hundreds of fans in New York on Friday (30Jul10) when he launched his latest shoe collection, Taboo Deltah Sneakers, at a special meet-and-greet event at the Footaction store.

Rapper KANYE WEST joined the celebrity ranks on Twitter.com on Wednesday (28Jul10) when he set up an account on the social networking site and began tweeting for the first time.

Former THE SOPRANOS star TONY LIP will celebrate his 80th birthday with a star-studded bash on Sunday (01Aug10). Lip, who played New York crime boss Carmine Lupertazzi on the hit U.S. TV drama, will be joined by friends, family and celebrity pals VINCENT PASTORE, former New York Yankees baseball star JOE PEPITONE and former heavyweight champion boxer JOE FRAZIER at the Portobello Restaurant party in Oakland, New Jersey.

RAMONA AND BEEZUS child star JOEY KING got an early birthday surprise on U.S. TV on Tuesday night (27Jul10) - a squealing piglet. The actress, who turns 11 on Friday (30Jul10), was given the baby pig by late show host JAY LENO after King explained she had been begging her parents for the pet.

STAR TREK fans will be able to enjoy an official Klingon language tour of a cave in Australia which inspired an episode of spin-off show STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. The Jenolan Caves in New South Wales now have an audio guide in the show’s fictional language.

GLEE stars CHRIS COLFER, KEVIN MCHALE, CORY MONTEITH and MARK SALLING will co-host the upcoming Teen Choice Awards with pop star KATY PERRY.

Broadway hunk CHEYENNE JACKSON is to join the cast of GLEE as fellow thespian IDINA MENZEL’s replacement. The 30 Rock star will play a talent coach who lands the job Menzel’s character quit at the end of the first season of the TV hit.

SPIDER-MAN 2 and THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE villain ALFRED MOLINA has signed up to play a tough Deputy District Attorney in the new LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES cop drama. The Brit will star opposite Skeet Ulrich in the new series, which launches later this year (10).

ROBBIE WILLIAMS is to play a character is his own karaoke video game. We Sing Robbie Williams will feature 25 Williams hits accompanied by all the original videos. The release of the game will coincide with the star’s greatest hits album, In And Out Of Consciousness: The Greatest Hits 1990-2010, in October (10).

GRACE JONES ended her set at the Lovebox festival in London on Sunday night (18Jul10) by performing Slave to the Rhythm while spinning a hula-hoop around her waist.

Shock rocker PEACHES performed her Sunday (18Jul10) set at the Lovebox festival in London from a wheelchair after injuring her foot in a fall earlier in the week.

The world’s oldest opera singer, LUO PINCHAO, has died, aged 98. The Cantonese Opera star passed away at his home in Hong Kong on Thursday (15Jul10).

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’s brother-in-law is a former rodeo bull rider.

One lucky ENRIQUE IGLESIAS fan got the chance to kiss the pop star on live TV on Friday morning (16Jul10) when the Latino hunk invited her to join him onstage during his performance of Hero on New York-based breakfast programme The Today Show.

M.I.A. had an identity crisis when she performed Born Free on America’s The Late Show With David Letterman on Tuesday night (13Jul10) - she took to the stage with nine look-alikes who aped her every move.

Newlywed country singer CARRIE UNDERWOOD wore a tiara containing more than 40 carats of diamonds when she exchanged vows with ice hockey star MIKE FISHER last weekend (10Jul10). The sparkling crown was a wedding gift to the blonde beauty from her new husband.

Hollywood stars DUSTIN HOFFMAN and NICK NOLTE are teaming up for a new TV drama set in the world of horse racing. LUCK, for U.S. cable network HBO, will be directed by Ali filmmaker Michael Mann and also star Dennis Farina and Gary Stevens. An air date has yet to be announced.

Singer DONNY OSMOND is celebrating after becoming a grandfather for the third time at the age of 52. His photographer son Brandon welcomed little Daxton Michael Osmond with his wife Shelby on 18 June (10).

LADY GAGA is splashing out $25,000 (£16,670) a month to rent a luxurious $5 million (£3.3 million) mansion in a gated community in Bel Air, California.

A KISS-themed lottery scratch card has gone on sale in New Mexico - and has become one of the most popular games in the draw’s 14-year history. The Kiss Scratcher, which features a top prize of $50,000 (£33,333), has been stocked in 83 per cent of the lottery’s stores in its first week alone. Fans can also enter a second-chance draw to win tickets to see the band on their The Hottest Show on Earth tour.

SIMON COWELL has become the first patron of the Katie Piper Foundation for burns victims, launched by a former model who was left disfigured in an acid attack. The music mogul says of Piper: “She is one of the most inspiring people.”

Scandinavian action man DOLPH LUNDGREN once captained the Swedish national karate team.

Former LED ZEPPELIN star ROBERT PLANT has been honoured with a star on the Orpheum Theater Sidewalk of Stars in Memphis, Tennessee. The rock legend unveiled the star on Monday (12Jul10).

Rapper LIL’ KIM celebrated her 35th birthday on Sunday (11Jul10) by launching a personalised drink at the Millions of Milkshakes store in Hollywood. The star used bananas, raspberries and Nutella in her concoction.

CELINE DION is expecting twin boys this November (10). The singer and her husband Rene Angelil announced her pregnancy in May (10) and her rep has now confirmed the sex of the babies. They are already parents to nine-year-old Rene-Charles.

Former GOLDEN GIRLS star BETTY WHITE is releasing her own calendar for 2011. The memorabilia item will go on sale in September (10) and all profits will be donated to the Morris Animal Foundation, of which White is a trustee.

Rocker NIKKI SIXX’s career as a DJ has received a big boost - the Motley Crue star’s The Side Show With Nikki Sixx has been added to the line-up at Los Angeles’ KYSR-FM. The two-hour music and chat show will debut on Saturday morning (10Jul10).

U.S. TV star RACHEL DRATCH is set to become a first-time mum. The former SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE comedienne, 44, is due to give birth in September (10). The identity of the baby’s father had not been released as WENN went to press.

TWILIGHT star CHARLIE BEWLEY sold stripper poles for a living before embarking on an acting career.

Actress GLORIA STUART celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday (04Jul10) with a star-studded gathering at Ace Gallery in Beverly Hills, California. One hundred family members and friends including Shirley MacLaine, Tom Arnold and James Cameron - who directed Stuart as Old Rose in TITANIC - were present for the festivities.

Former AMERICAN IDOL star KIMBERLEY LOCKE is reportedly in talks to return to the small screen to search for the next plus-sized, all-girl music group. Locke went public with her weight loss battle with a stint on Celebrity Fit Club in 2007 and she is now looking to turn the spotlight onto other full-figured singers, according to the New York Post.

SHREK is heading to London’s West End - a Broadway stage show based on the lovable green ogre is crossing the Atlantic to wow British audiences next year (11). Shrek The Musical will open in May (10).

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE has shattered midnight screening records in America, grossing an estimated $30 million (£20 million) from early morning shows on Wednesday (30Jun10). It has also become the first film to pass $1 million (£666,600) from midnight IMAX screenings.

THE X-FILES star DAVID DUCHOVNY is to make his Broadway debut in Neil LaBute’s The Break of Noon in October (10). The play, which follows the aftermath of a shooting incident, will open at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

French group THE GYPSY KINGS were hired to perform at CSI: MIAMI star EVA LA RUE’s weekend (26Jun10) wedding reception in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Teenage martial arts fan and TWILIGHT star BOOBOO STEWART is a Junior Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee.

Former Miss California CARRIE PREJEAN is to wed her American footballer boyfriend KYLE BOLLER in San Diego, California on Friday (02Jul10). The controversial beauty queen was stripped of her crown last year (09) after she violated her contractual obligations by failing to make a string of public appearances.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE has already broken cinema records in the U.S. hours before it’s official release - the sequel will debut at 4,416 theatres across the nation on Wednesday (30Jun10) - 36 more than the previous record held by Iron Man 2. The previous Twilight sequel, New Moon, holds the record for the biggest opening day tally, with $72.7 million (£48.5 million).

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN director GORE VERBINSKI has signed up to remake beloved 1947 DANNY KAYE fantasy film THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY.

British rapper TINCHY STRYDER will host the African Music Awards in London in October (10).

LADY GAGA will announce the title of her next album at midnight on New Years Eve (31Dec10).

Actor ROB LOWE is to pen an autobiography, called Stories I Only Tell My Friends. The book will hit stores in May (11).

DR. WHO MATT SMITH wowed revellers at the Glastonbury festival in England on Sunday night (27Jun10) when he joined ORBITAL onstage to perform the revamped version of his TV show theme. The British actor donned the duo’s famous light-glasses to play keyboards and synthesisers on the darkened stage as the 40th Glastonbury came to a close.

LA ROUX paid tribute to the 1980s onstage at the Glastonbury festival on Friday by teaming up with HEAVEN 17 frontman GLENN GREGORY. The Come Live With Me singer duetted with La Roux’s Elly Jackson on a revamped rendition of 1983 hit Temptation.

JOE JACKSON used a TV news appearance in Cleveland, Ohio to promote a rapper he’s managing - on the first anniversary of his son Michael’s death. The family patriarch spoke about his son’s legacy and then introduced a new artist, who performed over a sample from the King of Pop’s hit Smooth Criminal.

TWILIGHT star PETER FACINELLI sent crowds into a frenzy on Wednesday (23Jun10) when he joined hundreds of fans camped out in Los Angeles ahead of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE premiere. The actor met and chatted with devotees huddled together in the Twilight tent village and posed for photos ahead of the big screening on Thursday night (24Jun10).

DUPLICITY star CLIVE OWEN is the new face of fashion house Bulgari’s men’s fragrance Bulgari Man. The scent, which features notes of violet leaves and lotus blossom, will be available in August (10).

BOB DYLAN and JOHN MELLENCAMP are to take over the Las Vegas venue built for CELINE DION for one night only. The two troubadours will perform at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on 18 August (10).

Father’s Day was extra special for veteran actor ALAN THICKE - he enjoyed a family barbecue with his singer son ROBIN and his new grandson JULIEN on Sunday (20Jun10). Soul star Robin Thicke and his actress wife Paula Patton welcomed their first child in April (10).

A 50 CENT concert in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday (17Jun10) was axed at the last minute - although fans were given no reason for the cancellation.

More than 81,000 rock fans attended the first BIG FOUR concert in Warsaw, Poland on Wednesday night (16Jun10), making it one of the biggest music events ever staged in the city. METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX played together on the same stage for the first time ever when they co-headlined the Sonisphere festival at Bemowo Airport.

Funnyman JONAH HILL boasts a tattoo tribute to his grandmother on his left forearm - it reads, ‘Nanny Rules’.

British heavy rock icon IAN GILLAN has been awarded the Icon of Our Lady of Vladimir from Russian missionary Hegumen Sergy. The Deep Purple star was presented with the accolade at the recent Rock on the Volga festival.

Rapper DRAKE is keeping late R&B star AALIYAH’s music alive - he samples the singer’s 1994 rendition of AT YOUR BEST (YOU ARE LOVE) on the track UNFORGETTABLE from his new album THANK ME LATER. Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash in 2001.

Teenage box office champ JADEN SMITH celebrated his Karate Kid success by going camping over the weekend (11-13Jun10).

Rapper SHAWTY LO is putting an end to his bachelor days - he proposed to his longterm girlfriend in Atlanta, Georgia over the weekend (12-13Jun10).

Rapper SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS’ new album has been delayed once again. LAST TRAIN TO PARIS, featuring his new group DIRTY MONEY, was expected to be released later this month (Jun10) but it’s now been pushed back to September (10). The disc was originally scheduled for September, 2009.

BEYONCE’s sister SOLANGE KNOWLES has ditched her shaved look for a wild new Afro. The singer debuted her new style while DJing at Tao in Las Vegas on Saturday night (12Jun10).

LADY GAGA shocked onlookers at the New York Mets baseball game on Thursday (10Jun10) when she locked lips with a female friend while sitting in the crowd, reports TMZ.com. The same-sex kiss wasn’t the singer’s only headline-grabbing action at the match - she also stripped down to her underwear, swore at photographers and made a series of rude hand gestures to the paparazzi.

The creators behind TV musical GLEE have landed a publishing deal to release a series of books based on the hit show. Little Brown Books for Young Readers will print five Glee novels, with the first - a prequel book titled The Beginning - set to hit retailers in August (10).

Art is imitating life for former FAMILY MATTERS actor JALEEL WHITE - the actor has launched a web series about a former child star called Fake It Til You Make It. White, who serves as writer, producer and star of the shows, calls it a “more realistic” version of life in Los Angeles inspired by hit U.S. TV show ENTOURAGE.

The producers of Broadway musical HAIR are giving away 500 free tickets on Friday (11Jun10) to give New York theatre fans a special opportunity to see the show before it closes later this month (Jun10). The free passes will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis when the box office opens on Friday morning.

MTV censors missed 12 of 62 curse words uttered during the MTV Movie Awards live telecast on Sunday night (06Jun10).

The Elvis Presley estate has signed a deal with Hasbro Inc. and PPW Toys to release an Elvis version of Mr. Potato Head.

BRADLEY COOPER’s father, CHARLES, has a cameo in his new movie THE A-TEAM - he makes a brief appearance as Admiral Cooper when his son’s character is court marshaled.

Pop star-turned-American Idol judge PAULA ABDUL was honoured with the Icon Award at the NewNowNext Awards show in Los Angeles on Tuesday night (08Jun10).

Former U.S. Vice President AL GORE’s daughter Karenna has separated from her husband of 12 years, Andrew Schiff. The news comes just days after ex-politician-turned-environmental activist Gore announced he had split from his wife Tipper after 40 years of marriage.

LADY GAGA returned to the all-girls New York high school she once attended, the Convent of the Sacred Heart, to watch her little sister Natalie graduate last week (04Jun10).

KANYE WEST will make his first awards show appearance since he stormed the stage at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards to protest TAYLOR SWIFT’s Best Female Video win when he performs at the BET Awards on 27 June (10).

British hardman VINNIE JONES has inked a $10.5 million (£7 million) deal with U.S. network NBC to star as a villain in a new TV series based on comic book hero The Cape.

GLEE star JONATHAN GROFF, the SCISSOR SISTERS, ANDREW W.K. and KELIS have landed on gay magazine Out’s summer 2010 Hot List.

Pop superstar PRINCE celebrated his 52nd birthday on Tuesday (08Jun10) by premiering a new single on his favourite Minnesota radio show The Current. The singer/songwriter debuted Hot Summer the day after his official birthday.

KATY PERRY has signed up to host the Teen Choice Awards 2010 in August. The singer will also perform.

Former KISS guitarist ACE FREHLEY will release his tell-all autobiography No Regrets next summer (11), detailing his wild past from the band’s heyday. The rocker was one of the original members of the group, joining KISS in 1972 before quitting a decade later (82). He rejoined in 1996 for a reunion which lasted until 2002.

SIR CLIFF RICHARD is backing a campaign to raise $150,000 (£100,000) for a U.K. children’s hospice. The Congratulations hitmaker has urged sport-lovers to join a 24-hour tennis marathon to be staged in Chester, north west England on Saturday (12Jun10).

GLEE star MARK SALLING was ordered by TV bosses to lose 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) after landing the role of Noah ‘Puck’ Puckerman on the hit musical drama. The actor now weighs around 175 pounds (79 kilograms).

GLEE star MATTHEW MORRISON will spend part of his summer (10) in London, where he will record his debut album. The actor, who plays teacher Will Schuester in the hit series, reveals the disc will be “dance heavy” and backed by an orchestra.

STANLEY TUCCI has joined the all-star cast of the upcoming CAPTAIN AMERICA movie. The Lovely Bones star will play scientist Dr. Abraham Erskine alongside Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving.

SIR MICHAEL CAINE is to look back over his life again for a second memoir. The Elephant to Hollywood will follow the actor’s 1991 autobiography What’s It All About?

Conservative U.S. talk show host RUSH LIMBAUGH reportedly paid ELTON JOHN a cool $1 million (£666,600) to perform at his wedding ceremony at the weekend (05Jun10). The broadcaster wed his longtime girlfriend, 33-year-old Kathryn Rogers, at the Breakers hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.

RIHANNA wowed fans in Spain on Saturday (05Jun10) by rocking a new bright red hairdo onstage at the Rock in Rio Madrid festival.

Actor DON CHEADLE was sworn in as the United Nations’ latest goodwill ambassador for environmental issue at the weekend (05Jun10) during a ceremony in Rwanda.

Pals ASHTON KUTCHER and DIDDY have placed bets on the success of their rival films, which opened in U.S. cinemas on Friday (04Jun10) - if Kutcher’s Killers beats Diddy’s Get Him To The Greek at the box office, the rapper has agreed to give the actor a guest spot on his next album. Kutcher tweets, “If Killers beats Greek this weekend I get a track on the next @iamdiddy Album.”

SNOOP DOGG, NOEL GALLAGHER, DAVID BECKHAM and IAN BROWN are all set to appear in a new STAR WARS-themed commercial for sportswear label Adidas. The celebrities will recreate a famous scene from Star Wars Episode IV. In the clip, which is to be launched during England’s World Cup soccer game against the U.S.A. next Saturday (12Jun10), Snoop Dogg can be seen waving Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber.

SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS shut down New York City’s Central Park on Friday (04Jun10) for hundreds of fans who flocked to see the hip-hop mogul perform a free televised gig with his new group DIDDY-DIRTY MONEY, as part of the Good Morning America programme’s Summer Concert Series.

Millions of glass beakers used to promote the latest SHREK movie have been recalled by bosses at fast food chain McDonald’s in the U.S., because they are covered in a toxic paint.

GLEE star KEVIN McHALE, who plays disabled singer Artie in the hit show, was once a member of boy band NLT. He auditioned for Glee a month after the group, who toured with the Pussycat Dolls, split.

Hit late-night U.S. TV show LOPEZ TONIGHT is filmed on the same soundstage as long-running drama THE WEST WING.

Rap mogul RUSSELL SIMMONS was awarded a lifetime achievement honour by the organisers of the National Arts Club in New York on Wednesday (02Jun10) in recognition of his work in the music industry.

Former SCRUBS star ZACH BRAFF is heading to the New York stage - he’s set to star in new off-Broadway comedy Trust. Previews for the show will begin on 23 July (10) at the Second Stage Theatre.

ROBERT DUVALL is set to be honoured with the Compass Rose Award at the Nantucket Film Festival in Massachusetts. The award is given to actors who inspire screenwriters. The Oscar winner will be presented with the accolade during the event, which takes place from 17 to 20 June (10).

GLEE star AMBER RILEY auditioned for TV talent show AMERICAN IDOL when she was 17 but was rejected by SIMON COWELL and his fellow judges.

WATCHMEN star JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN collects crucifixes from every country he visits - and has the crosses displayed on his walls at home. He says, “I love the symbolism.”

Singer LENA MEYER-LANDRUT flew the flag for Germany on Saturday night (29May10) when she won the Eurovision Song Contest with her pop song Satellite. Entrants from Turkey and Romania took second and third place respectively in the popular European competition, which was held in Oslo, Norway.

Actress JOANNA GARCIA, who stars in U.S. TV series Privileged, is engaged to wed New York Yankees baseball star NICK SWISHER.

Hip-hop duo SALT N’ PEPA are to support FATBOY SLIM at London’s South West Four Weekender on 29 August (10).

Hip-hop supergroup the WU-TANG CLAN will perform their 1993 debut album, Enter the 36 Chambers, in its entirety on this summer’s (10) Rock the Bells tour in America. Rakim, KRS-One and Slick Rick will join the band on the road and each will perform a classic album.

Punk star TRAVIS BARKER has joined RIHANNA’s band for the R&B star’s new video ROCK STAR 101. The bare-chested Barker plays drums in the promo, which features Rihanna dressed up as rock star Slash.

MEL BROOKS and TIPPI HEDREN were among the stars who paid tribute to late actor JOHN FORSYTHE at the Hollywood Park racetrack on Sunday (23May10). Racing fan Forsythe died on 1 April (10) and his famous friends showed up at the races in Los Angeles for the day’s second race meeting, which was dedicated to the former Dynasty star.

LOST superfan MARILYN MANSON was among the audience for a post-finale JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! special, which aired on Sunday night (23May10). Prior to the show, Mason gifted Lost stars Emilie De Ravin and Terry O’Quinn with a lucky skull and a portrait, respectively.

Singer/songwriter JACK JOHNSON played guitar in a punk covers band when he was in high school.

The cast of LOST, including MATTHEW FOX, TERRY O’QUINN, NAVEEN ANDREWS, YUNJIN KIM and EMILIE DE RAVIN, reunited for one last time on Sunday (23May10) for a special episode of TV talk show JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!, which aired in the U.S. straight after the hit programme’s highly anticipated series finale.

RIHANNA’s baseball beau MATT KEMP is to be turned into an action man - Los Angeles Dodgers fans will receive a limited edition action figure inspired by the batsman at the 3 June (10) home game against the Atlanta Braves.

Rap queen LIL’ KIM is expected to announce she has joined JAY-Z’s Roc Nation label later this week (beg24May10). Sources close to the hip-hop star tell website Bossip.com Jay-Z will executive produce her upcoming album.

NUMB3RS star DAVID KRUMHOLTZ and actress VANESSA BRITTING married in a New York City ceremony on Saturday (22May10). The couple became engaged in July 2008 during a visit to Paris.

NAOMI CAMPBELL’s 40th party celebrations will be a star-studded affair - the supermodel’s billionaire boyfriend VLADIMIR DORONIN has hired GRACE JONES and the BLACK EYED PEAS for the weekend-long (22/23May10) bash on the French Riviera.

Movie veteran BURT REYNOLDS is already back at work just three months after major heart surgery - he will play a retired spy in the upcoming season of U.S. TV series Burn Notice. The 74 year old was diagnosed with clogged arteries after a routine check-up earlier this year (10) and underwent heart bypass surgery in February (10).

CHER’s longtime best pal and choreographer, DORIANA SANCHEZ, was an extra in Dirty Dancing.

Eccentric singer/songwriter TOM WAITS has signed up to guest edit the upcoming 200th issue of British music magazine Mojo.

GANDHI star SIR BEN KINGSLEY is to be honoured with the 2,410th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Recent Walk inductee Jerry Bruckheimer will pay tribute to his Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time star next week (27May10).

Hundreds of teenagers descended upon New York’s Central Park on Friday (20May10) to see the JONAS BROTHERS and DEMI LOVATO in concert. The free televised gig was part of the Good Morning America programme’s Summer Concert Series.

An artist has fashioned an image of LITTLE BRITAIN stars DAVID WALLIAMS and MATT LUCAS in a 10-foot (three-metre) tall sand statue. The work was created for the Sand Sculpture Festival in Somerset, England.

A codpiece worn by ROWAN ATKINSON in British TV series BLACKADDER is going under the hammer on Sunday (23May10) as part of an auction of TV and film costumes in Berkshire, England.

British singer WILL YOUNG has landed a cameo as a TV reporter in RALPH FIENNES’ upcoming film CORIOLANUS. The LEAVE RIGHT NOW hitmaker is also producing a behind-the-scenes documentary of the big-screen adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy, which is set for release next year (11).

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE rocker FRANK IERO has offered basketball star LeBRON JAMES concert tickets for life if the sportsman signs for his beloved New York Knicks. The Cleveland Cavaliers player is currently weighing up options for next season and beyond.

CHARLES DICKENS’ NICHOLAS NICKELBY is SIR PAUL McCARTNEY’s favourite book.

RUSH HOUR singer JANE WIEDLIN has turned herself into a comic book superheroine for a new graphic novel series, called Lady Robotika. The Go-Go’s star will launch her new comic book at the Comic Con International festival in San Diego, California in July (10).

LADY GAGA stunned revellers kicking off Gay Pride Week in Long Beach, California on Wednesday night (19May10) - without even being there - she was the subject of FLASH MOB AMERICA’s latest dance tribute. Almost 100 Flash Mob followers gathered to perform a synchronised dance to a medley of Lady GaGa’s hits as a drag queen impersonator hit the stage during the Pink Party launch of the gay festival.

MAD MEN star CHRISTINA HENDRICKS plays an android in BROKEN BELLS’ new video for THE GHOST INSIDE.

British singer WILL YOUNG is lending his support to a U.K. charity which helps disadvantaged youngsters. The Leave Right Now hitmaker is teaming up with Catch22 to become a mentor to young, disadvantaged Brits.

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY is taking part in his first ever webchat with fans on Thursday (20May10).

Rap superstar JAY-Z enjoyed an early morning meeting with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday (19May10) when the politician invited the owners of the New Jersey Nets basketball team to his mansion for breakfast. The Empire State of Mind star bought stakes in the NBA team in 2004.

Comic book movie adaptation CAPTAIN AMERICA will be shot in London this summer (10).

TOM SELLECK, DONNIE WAHLBERG and BRIDGET MOYNAHAN are teaming up to fight crime on the small screen - for new U.S. police drama BLUE BLOODS. The series, about a family of New York City cops, is scheduled to premiere later this year (10).

Tony Awards bosses will deliver an unexpected tribute at this year’s (10) ceremony in honour of the New York Police Department after they helped to thwart an attempted terrorist attack in Manhattan’s Theater District earlier this month (01May10). The event will take place in the Big Apple on 13 June (10).

Actor JORGE GARCIA surprised Oscar winner and LOST fanatic WHOOPI GOLDBERG with a special gift during an appearance on her U.S. talk show THE VIEW on Tuesday (18May10) - he presented her with a limited edition photo of the TV cast posing in character onset, alongside the wreckage of the doomed Oceanic flight 815.

Superproducer TIMBALAND will be honoured at the upcoming VH1 Hip Hop Honors for his contributions to the rap industry. The Virginia native will be hailed alongside his peers in a special ceremony focusing on talent from ‘The Dirty South’, which will air in the U.S. on 7 June (10).

NICK JONAS has signed up to trick fans as part of an upcoming TV prank show, where he will pretend to be a shoe salesman in a department store. The pop hunk will join lifestyle queen Martha Stewart, among other celebrities, for the candid camera show I Get That A Lot.

Arab-American beauty RIMA FAKIH was crowned Miss USA 2010 on Sunday night (16May10).

An Oklahoma farm that was used in the 1996 movie TWISTER was destroyed by a real tornado at the weekend (15May10).

Pop star KE$HA celebrated a bandmate’s birthday onstage at the KIIS-FM (102.7) Wango Tango concert on Saturday (15May10) by presenting him with a cake inspired by bare breasts.

JOHN LENNON biopic NOWHERE BOY will open in America on 9 October (10) - the day before what would have been the late BEATLE’s 70th birthday.

Former SPICE GIRL GERI HALLIWELL dressed as a fairy princess for her daughter BLUEBELL’s fourth birthday party on Friday (14May10).

Rocker STING shut down New York City’s Rockefeller Center on Friday (14May10), when hundreds of fans crowded the streets for a free show. The former Police frontman performed a string of hits, old and new, for a live broadcast on morning news programme Today.

British funnyman EDDIE IZZARD is to replace JAMES SPADER in hit Broadway play RACE, according to the New York Times. Dennis Haysbert and Richard Thomas will remain with the show when Izzard hits the stage next month (Jun10).

MARILYN MANSON has posted his portrait of LOST character JOHN LOCKE, played by actor Terry O’Quinn, on his Facebook page. The rocker reveals he was inspired to tackle the mysterious character by his bandmate Twiggy Ramirez, who is a big fan of the desert island TV drama.

POPE BENEDICT XVI lost out on the coveted Album Of The Year prize at the U.K.’s Classical Brit Awards - to a reality TV show choir. Only Men Aloud, who won BBC talent contest Last Choir Standing last year (09), picked up the top trophy at the event in London on Thursday (13May10).

Singer/songwriter SARAH MCLACHLAN is calling on fans to select which of her hits she will perform for the 2010 Lilith Fair, when the all-female summer shows kicks off on 27 June (10) in Canada. The Angel hitmaker has set up a poll on her website, allowing fans to vote for the songs they want her to perform until 14 May (10).

SEX & THE CITY star CHRIS NOTH underwent an intense holistic vegetarian diet at a Brazilian retreat to lose weight for the movie’s sequel.

Jolly green ogre SHREK is to receive the 2,408th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next week (20May10).

A pre-teen from Oklahoma has become a YouTube.com sensation after he was videotaped performing LADY GAGA’s PAPARAZZI on the piano at a church concert. The footage of talented Greyson Chance has had more than seven million hits online.

MICK TAYLOR returned to the studio with the ROLLING STONES for the first time since quitting the group in 1974 - to work on the band’s remastered Exile on Main Street album. Frontman Mick Jagger invited the rocker to join him for a revamp on the track Plundered My Soul because he needed, “those Mick Taylor lead lines”. Taylor was a Stones star when the band recorded Exile on Main Street in France in the early 1970s.

Rapper/actor LL COOL J flexed his big muscles on U.S. TV on Thursday (13May10) when he used each of THE VIEW co-hosts ELISABETH HASSELBECK, SHERRI SHEPHERD and JOY BEHAR as weights, completing a number of reps before putting them back on their feet.

QUEEN LATIFAH’s mother’s RITA is engaged to the musician who played saxophone in the hip-hop star’s Grammy-winning 1994 video for hit single U.N.I.T.Y.

Veteran actress JOAN COLLINS will take to the stage this Christmas (10) - to star in a traditional British pantomime. The Dynasty legend will take on the role of Queen Rat in a seasonal run of family show Dick Whittington in Birmingham, England.

Native Hong Kong director JOHN WOO will lead the jury at the Shanghai International Film Festival when the Chinese event takes place next month (12-20Jun10).

A painting of a train by HARRY POTTER star ROBBIE COLTRANE, which was expected to fetch $6,000 (£4,000) at auction in Scotland, has failed to sell.

Late singer and acting icon LENA HORNE will be laid to rest in New York on Friday (14May10). A private service will be held in her memory at St. Ignatius Loyola church in Manhattan, where friends and family will pay their last respects to the star, who died in the Big Apple on Sunday (09May10).

JERRY SEINFELD is digging deep to aid the flood relief efforts in Tennessee - the TV star is donating all the proceeds from his Nashville show on Friday (14May10) to help the clean-up operation.

Hollywood icon KATHARINE HEPBURN was immortalised on a U.S. stamp on Wednesday (12May10), on what would have been the actress’ 103rd birthday.

Former UGLY BETTY star ERIC MABIUS is to star in a new U.K. sci-fi TV show called OUTCASTS.

A self-portrait by ANDY WARHOL has sold for a record $32.5 million (£21.6 million) in New York.

A portion of the sales from every copy of METALLICA star JAMES HETFIELD’s upcoming unauthorised biography, The Wolf At Metallica’s Door, will be donated to charity Cancer Research - to honour the rocker’s parents, who both succumbed to the disease.

PUBLIC IMAGE LTD.’s Washington, D.C. concert on Wednesday night (12May10) will be streamed live on America’s National Public Radio outlets. The broadcast will also be available as a download.

Former SEINFELD star JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS’ actor brother-in-law, PATRICK FISCHLER, was a LOST castaway.

Actor RYAN PHILLIPPE used to teach kids tae-kwon-do. The Crash star is a former competitive martial arts master.

Actor CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY plays ALICIA KEYS’ love interest in her new video for UN-THINKABLE (I’M READY).

OZZY OSBOURNE is reluctantly releasing a festive album in 2011. Black Christmas will accompany an odd holiday TV special. The rocker’s manager/wife Sharon says, “He’s trying to forget that it actually exists.”

JAMES CAMERON’s epic blockbuster AVATAR has been named the best-selling international home release since the launch of the DVD. The sci-fi picture has sold 13.5 million DVDs worldwide since its release last month (Apr10) - breaking the record set by the fifth Harry Potter movie - 2007’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Veteran rockers THE ROLLING STONES turned out in New York City on Tuesday night (11May10) to launch a documentary about the making of their classic 1972 album Exile on Main Street. Stones In Exile, which contains never before seen footage, will air on U.S. TV next week (beg17May10). The album will be rereleased in June (10).

Songwriter DAVID FOSTER choked back tears during an appearance on U.S. TV show OPRAH on Tuesday (11May10) when his latest teen protege, SHANICE, asked him to be her godfather. The young singer has been working with Foster on her debut album.

90210 actor MICHAEL STEGER will put his clean-cut image to the test with a guest appearance in vampire series TRUE BLOOD - as a gay prostitute. The star will join the hit TV show for one upcoming episode, with the possibility of returning for further appearances.

Golfer ERICA BLASBERG was found dead in her Henderson, Nevada home on Sunday (09May10). The 25 year old had been a member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour for five years. The cause of death is being withheld pending an investigation.

Hip-hop superstar T.I. will open up about his time behind bars to U.S. newsman LARRY KING on Thursday (13May10) after the veteran CNN presenter landed the LIVE YOUR LIFE hitmaker’s first post-prison TV interview for his talk show LARRY KING LIVE. The rapper was incarcerated for nine months for weapons charges and was released from a Georgia jail in March (10).

Oscar winner HELEN MIRREN is the latest celebrity to be honoured by Madame Tussauds - a waxwork of THE QUEEN star was unveiled in London on Tuesday (11May10). The actress attended the unveiling ceremony with her husband, TAYLOR HACKFORD.

Rapper KID CUDI has changed the name of his sophomore album from CUDDER: THE REVOLUTION OF EVOLUTION to MAN ON THE MOON II: THE LEGEND OF MR. RAGER. The disc is expected to be released this autumn (10).

Soul legends SMOKEY ROBINSON and JAMES BROWN and R&B and jazz great ELLA FITZGERALD are to be among the first stars to be inducted into the Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame in New York. The trio will be joined alongside Little Richard, Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight as part of the fabled venue’s 75 anniversary celebrations.

Tea-loving HARRY POTTER star BONNIE WRIGHT collects tea-pots.

The New York town house where iconic author TRUMAN CAPOTE wrote BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S is on the market for $18 million (£12 million). The mansion, in Brooklyn Heights, boasts 11 bedrooms, a wine cellar and a spacious garden and is expected to break local property records as one of the most expensive town houses in the borough.

DAVIEL DAVISON has been appointed as rockers UNDEROATH’s new drummer, following the recent departure of AARON GILLESPIE.

Pop star sisters ALY & AJ MICHALKA have formed a new band, called 78 Violet.

JAMIROQUAI frontman JAY KAY and PINK FLOYD star NICK MASON were celebrating this weekend (08-09May10) after completing the Mille Miglia 2010 race in Italy, which sees 375 classic cars clock up 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) on a drive to Rome.

A second telethon event is set to be held in the U.S. to raise money for the victims of the recent flood disaster in Tennessee. A local broadcast last Thursday night (06May10), featuring performances from Keith Urban and Alison Krauss, raised almost $2 million (£1.25 million) in three hours, and now a national event titled A Benefit for Flood Relief, featuring Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and Rodney Atkins, will take place on 16 May (10) to help boost relief efforts.

A celebrity basketball game in California on Saturday (08May10) became a battle of the action men - SUPERMAN RETURNS star BRANDON ROUTH played alongside DEAN CAIN, who starred as the hero in TV show LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN.

British filmmaker KIM LONGINOTTO was handed an outstanding achievement award at Canada’s 2010 Hot Docs documentary film festival on Friday (07May10). In The Name of the Family by Shelley Saywell won the best Canadian feature award, while Israeli director Yael Hersonski’s A Film Unfinished was named best international feature at the Toronto ceremony.

Comic book legend STAN LEE was honoured with a tribute in Las Vegas over the weekend (08-09May10). The Marvel Comics boss was presented with a Brenden Celebrity Star at The Palms resort, kicking off three days of celebrations for the superhero creator, including the Sin City premiere of IRON MAN 2.

MEGADETH star SHAWN DROVER had an extra special birthday on Wednesday (05May10) - his grandson was born.

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY star BETHENNY FRANKEL has given birth to a little girl - almost a month before her due date. Frankel and husband JASON HOPPY welcomed “healthy baby” Bryn into the world on Saturday (08May10).

A telethon held to raise cash for the victims of the Tennessee floods raised almost $2 million (£1.25 million) in three hours on Thursday night (06May10). Keith Urban, Alison Krauss and Vince Gill were among those who performed during the hastily-arranged local broadcast in Nashville.

British crooner JAMIE CULLUM held a free concert earlier this week (beg03May10) at London’s Clapham Grand to an all-star audience including actor Kevin Spacey, singers Will Young, Natalie Imbruglia and Emma Bunton, as well as his wife, model Sophie Dahl. Cullum held the $45,000 (£30,000) gig instead of handing out complimentary passes to his regular concerts.

DWAYNE ‘THE ROCK’ JOHNSON is to star in the fifth FAST & THE FURIOUS film.

MICHAEL BOLTON’s rock band, BLACKJACK, once opened for OZZY OSBOURNE. The group featured future Kiss star Bruce Kulick.

British rockers MUSE’s new song, Neutron Star Collision (Love is Forever), has been selected as the first single from the soundtrack of the upcoming THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE movie. The trio also appeared on the soundtracks of the previous two Twilight films. Muse are Twilight author Stephenie Meyer’s favourite band.

MUSE’s track NEUTRON STAR COLLISION (LOVE IS FOREVER) has been revealed as the first single to be released off THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE soundtrack. The song is scheduled for a worldwide release on 17 May (10).

Country sweetheart TAYLOR SWIFT is digging deep to help victims of flooding in Nashville, Tennessee - the star has donated $500,000 (£333,000) to relief efforts in the city where she launched her music career.

CHARLIE’S ANGELS director McG and LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD star MAGGIE Q are teaming up to revamp cult action film and TV series LA FEMME NIKITA. The actress will play the titular character in the upcoming TV drama, taking on the assassin role previously played on the big screen by Anne Parillaud and by Peta Wilson in the late 1990s spin-off TV series.

RASCALL FLATTS stars JAY DeMARCUS and JOE DON ROONEY were once singer CHELY WRIGHT’s backing singers.

Scenes of KIM CATTRALL in a wedding dress were shot in New York to throw movie gossips off the scent of the real plot of SEX AND THE CITY 2.

PEARL JAM star MIKE McCREADY has created the score for hit U.S. sci-fi show Fringe’s upcoming Northwest Passage episode, which airs in America on Thursday night (06May10).

RYAN GOSLING is set to narrate a documentary about today’s youth disinterest in social and political issues. Rapper TALIB KWELI will also appear in Phillip Montgomery’s ReGENERATION.

Rockers PEARL JAM have launched their own online radio station. Pearl Jam Radio, which is available on the group’s official website, will feature the group’s music, cuts from live shows and rarities.

Rap mogul SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS has signed a deal to sell his new sportswear range exclusively at New York-based department store chain Macy’s. The line will include woven sportshirts, knits, sweaters, tees, denim, vests, shorts, outerwear, jackets and sportcoats.

AN EDUCATION star ELLIE KENDRICK collects suitcases.

KICK-ASS filmmaker MATTHEW VAUGHN has been put in charge of directing X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, which is due in cinemas next summer (Jun11).

AMERICAN IDOL judge RANDY JACKSON has launched his own record label. His first signing is the talent show’s former contestant Kimberley Locke.

BRAD PAISLEY, VINCE GILL and RICKY SKAGGS have formed a new one-off country music supergroup to celebrate the 85th birthday of Nashville, Tennessee’s Grand Ole Opry. The trio will join bluegrass star Steve Wariner when they launch seven months of birthday events at the fabled venue on 25 May (10).

BILL MURRAY served up a literary treat to construction workers in New York on Monday morning (03May10) when he donned a hard hat and joined them on the site of the New Poets House to read poetry.

Former UGLY BETTY actor MICHAEL URIE has been honoured for his off-Broadway debut in THE TEMPERAMENTALS - he won the Outstanding Actor prize at the annual Lucille Lortel Awards in New York on Sunday (02May10).

Latin singer JUANES is to be honoured for his humanitarian efforts as he receives the Al-Rashid Hope Award at the eighth annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala on 15 May (10). The event will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be held in Miami, Florida.

PEARL JAM’s headlining performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in Louisiana on Saturday (01May10) will be broadcast live online to Louisiana National Guard soldiers serving in Iraq.

Vogue magazine contributing editor ANDRE LEON TALLEY is mentoring COURTNEY LOVE on her style for her HOLE comeback.

Rapper/actor LL Cool J is to release his health secrets in a new book. LL Cool J’s Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle, which contains a work-out program and meal plans, is the second fitness guide the star has published.

Actor BRANDON DIXON has landed the coveted role of RAY CHARLES in new Broadway musical UNCHAIN MY HEART, which will open in New York in October (10). The show’s producer, Stuart Benjamin, was one of the brains behind the biopic Ray, for which Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his portrayal of the blind R&B legend.

ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. and his wife of five years, producer SUSAN LEVIN, partly owe their successful marriage to regular therapy sessions - the couple meets with a psychologist twice a week.

Country trio RASCAL FLATTS teamed up with SHAKIRA for a rendition of her new single GYPSY on U.S. TV talent show AMERICAN IDOL on Wednesday night (28Apr10).

The producers of hit series LOST spent $228 million (£152 million) filming in Hawaii from 2006-09, according to official state figures. An average of 973 people were employed to work on the show during its run, which comes to a finish when the finale airs next month (May10).

TAYLOR SWIFT gets snap happy in a new campaign for the latest Sony camera. The singer can be seen onstage photographing a crowd of fans in the ad.

Former ROSEANNE star SARA GILBERT and actress LISA RINNA are in talks to front a new U.S. panel discussion show aimed at mums.

NINE INCH NAILS star TRENT REZNOR has formed a new band with his wife, Mariqueen Maandig. How To Destroy Angels will debut material this summer (10).

Dancer-turned-actress HEATHER MORRIS was originally hired by GLEE producers to teach the cast the choreography to BEYONCE’s SINGLE LADIES hit - but she landed a permanent role as a cheerleader after impressing creator RYAN MURPHY.

AC/DC rocker BRIAN JOHNSON has recorded solo songs for the soundtrack to upcoming indie movie DOONBY.

JUSTIN BIEBER escaped the chaos of his New Zealand trip with a bungee jump on Wednesday (28Apr10). The teen sensation, who has been chased by fans since his arrival in the country on Tuesday (27Apr10), took the plunge off the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

JASON STATHAM’s THE TRANSPORTER movies are set for a small-screen reboot. The action franchise is being transformed into a new TV series. The British actor is not expected to reprise his role.

RASCAL FLATTS guitarist JOE DON ROONEY and his model wife TIFFANY FALLON are expecting a baby girl. The tot, a little sister for 22-month-old Jagger, is due in September (10).

Goth rockers MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE have commissioned Oscar-winning costume designer COLLEEN ATWOOD to create the band’s new look. Atwood also created the group’s The Black Parade army uniforms.

The wife of WEEZER bassist SCOTT SHRINER has opened up about her life as a member of Brunei Prince Jefri Bolkiah’s harem in a new book. Jillian Lauren’s memoir, Some Girls: My Life in a Harem, will hit stores on Tuesday (27Apr10).

SUPERBAD star CHRISTOPHER MINTZ-PLASSE showed off his drumming skills on America’s The Tonight Show on Friday (23Apr10) when he sat in with the late-night show’s band. The actor plays in a band called The Young Rapscallions.

STEVIE WONDER, STING, USHER and BEYONCE are among the acts whose tunes feature on U.S. First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA’s iPod playlist.

PIERCE BROSNAN’s nature blockbuster OCEANS was an apt box office hit in the U.S. on Earth Day (22Apr10) - the film, which the former James Bond narrates, made $2.4 million (GBP1.5 million) on its release day. The film beat both Kick-Ass and How To Train Your Dragon, which grappled for the top spot on the box office countdown last weekend.

Former SEINFELD star JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS is to be honoured with the 2,407th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 4 May (10).

Rapper/actor ICE CUBE is bringing his ARE WE THERE YET? film franchise to TV - the new show will debut in America in June (10). Terry Crews will take on the role Cube made famous on the big screen. The rapper will be the executive producer of the project.

AVATAR star ZOE SALDANA was sacked from her job behind the drive-through counter at fast food chain Burger King after the store manager caught her giving complimentary food to her grandmother.

Acting legend MARIAN SELDES is to receive a lifetime achievement honour at this year’s (10) Tony Awards. The 81 year old will receive the prize at the annual ceremony, which recognises achievements in American theatre, in New York on 13 June (10). Seldes previously won Tony gold in 1967 for her role in the original production of Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance.

SONIC YOUTH have scored the music for French director Fabrice Gobert’s new thriller Simon Werner a Disparu.

A lost fight scene between JAMES DEAN and RONALD REAGAN in a televised 1954 play has been unearthed from vaults in Hollywood. The General Electric Theater episode, The Dark Dark Hour, aired just once the year before Dean died.

Actor DAVID HYDE PIERCE is to receive a special humanitarian honour at this year’s Tony Awards. The former FRASIER star will pick up the Isabelle Stevenson award at the annual ceremony in New York on 13 June (10), for his work in fighting Alzheimer’s disease and his longtime involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association.

RYAN PHILLIPPE had his childhood dreams come true this week (begs19Apr10) when he met his wrestling idol Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat backstage at the WWE Monday Night Raw event, which he was hosting, at the Izod Center in New Jersey.

Legendary British playwright ALAN AYCKBOURN is to receive a lifetime achievement honour from the organisers of the Tony Awards. The 71 year old will receive the prize at a special ceremony in New York on 13 June (10). Ayckbourn’s trio of plays The Norman Conquests won a Tony last year (09) after a recent Broadway revival.

PAUL WELLER was joined by former OASIS rocker NOEL GALLAGHER on stage at a gig in London on Wednesday night (21Apr10). The pair played Oasis track Mucky Fingers and Weller’s Echoes Round The Sun, which he originally recorded with Gallagher.

ADAM ANT has named his comeback album ADAM ANT IS THE BLUEBACK HUSSAR IN MARRYING THE GUNNER’S DAUGHTER.

The Tribeca Film Festival in New York kicked off on Wednesday night (21Apr10), with movie bosses rolling out a green carpet for the world premiere of the fourth, and final, SHREK film.

Former OASIS star NOEL GALLAGHER surprised PAUL WELLER fans at a show in London on Wednesday (21Apr10) when he showed up unannounced to jam with the rocker. The two stars teamed up for two tunes, including Weller’s Echoes Round The Sun - which Gallagher recorded with his hero.

LIBERTINES rocker CARL BARAT is heading to England’s prestigious Oxford University to take part in a panel discussion on 27 April (10). The guitarist will be joined by Reverend And The Makers’ Jon McClure and Babyshambles’ Drew McConnell for a debate in the Oxford Union.

HANSON are playing a five-night residency in New York from Monday (26Apr10) - and they’ll play an entire album from their back catalogue during each show.

K.D LANG will replace SUSAN BOYLE at the upcoming Logie Awards in Australia next month (May10). The Constant Craving singer has stepped in to perform in Boyle’s place after the Scottish star scrapped her planned promotional trip Down Under.

Rockers LCD SOUNDSYSTEM have cancelled two shows in Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday and Wednesday (20/21Apr10) because of the travel chaos across Europe following Iceland’s volcanic eruption.

U.S. soap star CHRISTEL KHALIL has given birth to a baby boy. The Young and the Restless actress and her husband Stephen Hensley welcomed little Michael Caden, who weighed in at six pounds, six ounces (2.9 kilograms), on Saturday (17Apr10).

ALL MY CHILDREN star REBECCA BUDIG has filed for divorce from her husband of five years Bob Guiney. The couple announced their split in January (10) after five years together. Papers filed in Los Angeles cite irreconcilable differences for the break-up and reveal the couple separated back in September (09).

Hip-hop producer SWIZZ BEATZ is cashing in on his love of leathers - he’s launching his own range of high-end jackets. The rap star’s first collection will go on sale this autumn (10).

WEDDING CRASHERS star JANE SEYMOUR is to get a taste of funeral crashing in her latest film - as professional mourner BIJOU PHILLIPS’ estranged mother in WAKE. The Almost Famous star spends her life attending strangers’ funerals in the odd new comedy, directed by Ellie Kanner, a former casting director for beloved sitcom Friends.

Canadian rockers DANKO JONES have been given a big video boost - their latest promo for FULL OF REGRET features LEMMY, SELMA BLAIR and ELIJAH WOOD. In the video, Motorhead star Lemmy plays a mob boss, who hires actors Blair and Wood to kill the band members.

KEVIN JONAS will help to raise money for charity when he becomes a contestant on U.S. game show MINUTE TO WIN IT. Winnings from the TV appearance, which will see him tackle a series of 60-second challenges for cash, will benefit the Change For The Children Foundation.

Country music legend WILLIE NELSON has expanded his collection of horses - he’s added a further six mammals to his previous count of 68 since December (09).

Veteran British broadcaster SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, 83, has triumphed in his bid to reach the North Pole for his new U.K. BBC show, Frozen Planet.

Veteran rockers KISS are auctioning off a ‘meet and greet’ session to benefit a Brazilian children’s charity. The band is offering tickets and a behind the scenes meeting at their 12 May (10) Wembley Arena gig in London to the top bidder on website eBay.co.uk.

Socialite KIM KARDASHIAN and actress JOY BRYANT have stripped nude for a revealing new photoshoot for Harper’s Bazaar magazine. The images depict the stars completely au naturel, with their limbs tactfully placed to preserve their modesty, without the use of any digital retouching.

A limited edition of the all-AC/DC soundtrack for IRON MAN 2 will feature a reprint of the 1968 comic The Invincible Iron Man and a cartoon drawn by rocker Angus Young.

Funnyman MEL BROOKS is to be honoured with the 2,406th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The man behind cult films Young Frankenstein, The Producers and Blazing Saddles will unveil his star in front of the Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard on 23 April (10).

COURTNEY LOVE is to perform a free HOLE gig for 200 lucky fans later this month (26Apr10) to celebrate the launch of the band’s new album Nobody’s Daughter. The first 200 fans to purchase the CD at a special signing at U.S. retailer Best Buy in Union Square, New York will receive access to the gig.

LADY GAGA’s BAD ROMANCE promo has become the most-watched video ever on YouTube.com. It beat the previous record holder - cute footage of two young brothers, titled Charlie Bit My Finger.

Dresses worn by late movie icon and Princess of Monaco GRACE KELLY in classic films such as HIGH SOCIETY and REAR WINDOW are set to be put on display at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Grace Kelly: Style Icon is set to open on Saturday (17Apr10).

Oscar winner MARISA TOMEI has become the latest celebrity to help women get fit after launching a new workout DVD. The My Cousin Vinny star fronts the Core & Curves fitness film.

Revered moviemaker MARTIN SCORSESE is to make his first 3-D film - The Invention of Hugo Cabret will be filmed using the latest filmmaking technology.

Rockers AC/DC have started 2010 with a blast - the quartet has scored the biggest-grossing tour of the year so far, according to Billboard magazine. Angus Young’s band has already claimed $93 million (£58.1 million) from ticket sales on their ongoing Black Ice tour.

EMINEM fans are celebrating again - after ‘tweeting’ there will be no Relapse 2 album, as anticipated, on Wednesday morning (14Apr10), the rapper has announced he’ll release an album called Recovery in June (10). In a follow-up tweet, he wrote, “I had originally planned for Relapse 2 to come out last year, but, as I kept recording, and working with new producers, the idea of a sequel to Relapse started to make less and less sense to me, and I wanted to make a completely new album.”

SLASH will rock the U.S. National Anthem at Los Angeles’ Dodgers Stadium on Friday (16Apr10) when he performs the tune on his electric guitar.

Actor BALTHAZAR GETTY’s sister and mum are celebrating literary feats - sibling Anna has just released an organic cookbook and his photographer mum, Gisela Zacher’s new tome of snapshots is currently available in her native Germany.

JOHN GOODMAN’s return to U.S. television has been such a smash success network executives at cable channel HBO have already picked up his new drama TREME for a second season after just one episode aired last week (11Apr10). Goodman plays a college professor in New Orleans coping with the aftermath of 2005’s devastating Hurricane Katrina.

Country singer LEANN RIMES and hip-hop star WILL.I.AM both had starring roles at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseball game of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday (13Apr10) - Rimes sang the National Anthem, while will.i.am threw the opening pitch.

Former WESTLIFE star BRIAN MCFADDEN celebrated his 30th birthday on Monday (12Apr10) with a fancy dress party in Sydney, Australia. The singer dressed as Buddy Holly, while his fiancee DELTA GOODREM wore a pink Barbie outfit

.JANE’S ADDICTION star PERRY FARRELL has put his bachelor pad on the market for $1.6 million (£1 million). The Venice, California home was designed for him by architect Stephen Ehrlich.

Oscar nominee VERA FARMIGA is to make her directorial debut by turning born-again Christian Carolyn Briggs’ memoir, This Dark World: A Memoir of Salvation Found and Lost, into a movie. The adaptation will be called Higher Ground.

British singer LEONA LEWIS celebrated her 25th birthday last Wednesday (03Apr10) with a night out in Las Vegas. The Bleeding Love hitmaker was photographed at Sin City’s Pure nightclub with a group of friends, belting out her hits on a karaoke machine.

Movie mogul HARVEY WEINSTEIN is set to be a father for the fourth time - he’s expecting his first child with his second wife, British fashion designer GEORGINA CHAPMAN. The film studio boss already has three daughters from a previous marriage.

Rocker SLASH stole his trademark top hat from a Los Angeles store called Retail Slut in 1986.

Pregnant reality TV star TILA TEQUILA is launching a career as a singer under her new moniker Miss Tila. She will release her first single, I Love My DJ, next week (13Apr10), followed by her debut EP, Welcome To The Darkside, in May (10).

JUSTIN BIEBER joined THE ROOTS’ AHMIR ‘?UESTLOVE’ THOMPSON on the drums for a jam session on Thursday (08Apr10) during U.S. talkshow LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON.

Lifestyle guru MARTHA STEWART is to make a Christmas appearance in animated TV hit THE SIMPSONS. Stewart’s Yuletide episode is slated to air in the U.S. in December (10).

Actress TARAJI P. HENSON has landed a judging spot on her favourite TV cooking show, IRON CHEF AMERICA.

Comedian BYRON ALLEN is a dad again - his wife Jennifer Lucas gave birth to the couple’s second daughter, Olivia Rose, on Wednesday (07Apr10).

Irish movie star COLIN FARRELL spent St. Patrick’s Day (17Mar10) filming an episode of SESAME STREET with Elmo.

Soul star ROBIN THICKE and his actress wife PAULA PATTON have named their newborn baby boy JULIAN FUEGO. Patton gave birth to the couple’s first child on Tuesday (06Apr10).

American soap star JONATHAN JACKSON is to be a father for the third time - the General Hospital actor’s wife, Lisa Vultaggio, is expecting another child in October (10).

GLEE star LEA MICHELE has joined the army of celebrities trying to stamp out fur by filming a new PETA public service announcement, titled If You Wouldn’t Wear Your Dog, Please Don’t Wear Any Fur. In the ad, Michele urges her fans to leave fur where it belongs - on animals.

Grammy-winning producer PHIL RAMONE is to be honoured with the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award at the upcoming Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards in recognition of his work with artists including Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. The prize will be presented to Ramone at a ceremony in New York on 17 June (10).

The release of rapper DRAKE’s debut album THANK ME LATER has been pushed back. The record was due to hit shores on 25 May (10) but fans will now have to wait until 15 June (10).

ADAM LAMBERT is returning to AMERICAN IDOL to mentor the latest round of contestants. The former talent show runner-up will work with the wannabe pop stars in the run-up to their live performances on Tuesday (13Apr10).

Tuesday night’s (06Apr10) production of Broadway’s JERSEY BOYS musical was cancelled due to a nearby fire scare. An underground explosion rocked Times Square in New York when a transformer burst into flames. Theatre buildings on 52nd Street were evacuated as firefighters investigated the blast and blaze.

CELINE DION, LEANN RIMES and GLORIA ESTEFAN are all performing as part of a TV special honouring the career of singer/songwriter DIANE WARREN. The Grammy-winning writer penned Dion’s Because You Love Me and Rimes’ How Do I Live. The special will air in U.S. on 8 June (10).

BRADLEY COOPER’s actress ex-wife JENNIFER ESPOSITO is moving - she’s sold her New York City apartment for $700,000 (£466,667). Esposito is engaged to Australian tennis ace Mark Philippoussis.

Funnyman ROWAN ATKINSON is to reprise his bumbling spy JOHNNY ENGLISH for a sequel to the 2003 comedy. The Mr. Bean star’s first film as English was a global phenomenon. The sequel will be directed by Oliver Parker.

Oscar-winning Argentine director JUAN JOSE CAMPANELLA is set to make the country’s first 3D cartoon. The EL SECRETO DE SUS OJOS (The Secret in Their Eyes) filmmaker’s METEGOL (Foosball), about a Foosball team trying to reunite after their table is dismantled and scrapped, is expected to be released in either 2012 or 2013.

LILY ALLEN will debut her new fashion venture at the Vintage at Goodwood festival in Sussex, England on 13 August (10). The Buzzcocks and Sandie Shaw will perform at the event.

SEX & THE CITY star KRISTIN DAVIS is to host the seventh annual More/Fitness Women’s Half-Marathon in New York City’s Central Park at the end of the month (25Apr10). More than 10,000 runners are expected for America’s biggest women-only run.

AEROSMITH are in talks to play two big hometown shows at Boston’s Fenway Park in Massachusetts. The reunited rockers are close to signing a deal for two dates at the hallowed home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team in August (10). The band has already announced plans to tour Europe and South America this summer (10).

Tennis ace ANDY RODDICK has joined new wife BROOKLYN DECKER’s modelling world by becoming the new face of Lacoste. The sportstar will appear in Lacoste’s Challenge fragrance ads. He’ll replace actor Hayden Christensen.

HUGH HEFNER’s ex BRIDGET MARQUARDT is following in the footsteps of her former GIRLS NEXT DOOR co-stars KENDRA WILKINSON and HOLLY MADISON after landing her own follow-up reality TV series. The model will star with her film director boyfriend NICHOLAS CARPENTER in the series, about life after living at the Playboy mansion.

Rap legend DR. DRE has teamed up with hip-hop superstar JAY-Z to work on his long-awaited album, DETOX. The pair has previously worked together on the 99 Problems hitmaker’s albums The Blueprint 2 and Kingdom Come, while Jay-Z co-wrote the lyrics to Dre’s Still D.R.E. in 1999.

STAR TREK star CHRIS HEMSWORTH was a contestant on Australia’s DANCING WITH THE STARS TV show.

Rockers ZZ TOP are set to appear on CHARLIE SHEEN’s hit TV sitcom TWO AND A HALF MEN. The band will make their cameo in a fantasy sequence, which is being taped on Thursday (01Apr10).

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL’s mum is tired of living in the basketball star’s shadow - the matriarch has written a new tell-all memoir about herself. Lucille O’Neal has put pen to paper for Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go: From Mental Welfare to Mental Wealth, which will hit bookstore shelves this week (ends04Apr10).

British acting couple OWAIN YEOMAN and LUCY DAVIS will appear onscreen together for the first time when she appears as a murder victim’s girlfriend in an upcoming episode of U.S. drama The Mentalist. Yeoman is a regular on the hit show.

KASABIAN frontman TOM MEIGHAN and PEARL JAM’s EDDIE VEDDER performed onstage with THE WHO at a charity concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday (30Mar10). The gig marked the end of a series of live shows raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

ERIC CLAPTON turned 65 on Wednesday (30Mar10), but he’s showing no signs of slowing down. The veteran guitarist celebrated the milestone by announcing he’s to play the world’s largest music festival - the 11-day Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - on June 28 (10).

Wealthy fans of MATTHEW BRODERICK’s 1986 comedy FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF can now bid on the Ferrari 250GT Spyder California specially created for the movie - a replica of the sports car is going up for auction at a Bonhams Collectors’ Motor Cars and Automobilia sale in the U.K. on 19 April (10). The Ferrari is expected to attract bids between $45,000 and $60,000 (£30,000 and £40,000).

Rap superstar SNOOP DOGG owns 25 classic cars.

SIR ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER has scooped $3 million (£2 million) after his horse Dar Re Mi won the Dubai Sheema Classic race on Saturday (27Mar10).

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY star BETHENNY FRANKEL has married her boyfriend JASON HOPPY. Frankel, who has been dating Hoppy for a year, walked down the aisle on Sunday (28Mar10) at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan, New York. The pair is expecting its first child in June (10).

Rapper VANILLA ICE will perform at legendary U.K. music festival Glastonbury in June (10). The ICE ICE BABY hitmaker will take to the stage at the annual event at Worthy Farm in Somerset, England on 24 June (10), according to his MySpace page.

LIAM GALLAGHER has two reasons to celebrate - he’s been named the Greatest Frontman of All Time in a new magazine poll on the same day his Pretty Green clothing line launched in the U.S. The former Oasis star, who is currently in America promoting his fashions, has beaten John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and Bono to claim the rock ‘n’ roll title in Britain’s Q magazine.

GERARD BUTLER has been named GQ Man of the Year in Germany.

Director ROBERT RODRIGUEZ has confirmed a fourth SPY KIDS movie is in the works. SPY KIDS 4: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD is due for release in 2011.

Colombian actress SOFIA VERGARA trained to be a dentist before pursuing a career in acting.

Hollywood star JOHN CUSACK went to high school with STEVE PINK, the director of the actor’s new comedy HOT TUB TIME MACHINE.

JOSEPH ‘REVEREND RUN’ SIMMONS’ rapper son DIGGY received an extra special present for his birthday this week - he signed a record deal with Atlantic Records on Monday (22Mar10), a day after turning 15 years old.

Supergroup THEM CROOKED VULTURES will release a vinyl single in support of Record Store Day on 17 April (10). The track will be supplied to independent record stores as part of the campaign to support small music shops.

PIERCE BROSNAN will narrate upcoming Disneynature documentary OCEANS, which explores the seas and what lies beneath them.

TWILIGHT star KELLAN LUTZ has landed the role of sea god POSEIDON in MICKEY ROURKE’s new epic WAR OF THE GODS. The TV and movie hunk joins Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto and British actor Henry Cavill in the ambitious Tarsem Singh film.

The JOHNNY RAMONE statue at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is modelled after a small bust ROB ZOMBIE designed to remember his friend.

Tragic ADAM ‘DJ AM’ GOLDSTEIN will be immortalised in a special range of T-shirts by the Fluent clothing line. The shirts will be sold at $28 (£17.50) with all proceeds going to the DJ AM Memorial Fund. The star died from an accidental drug overdose in August (09).

British singer WILL YOUNG is trying his hand at moviemaking - he’s producing a behind-the-scenes documentary of RALPH FIENNES’ upcoming film CORIOLANUS. The big-screen adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy is set for release next year (11).

Celebrities including DAVID WALLIAMS, CHERYL COLE and DAVID BECKHAM have helped to raise $44 million (£29 million) for Britain’s Sport Relief charity. The BBC hosted a telethon event for the cause on Friday (19Mar10), which saw Girls Aloud star Cole perform. Meanwhile Walliams carried out a charity cycle and Beckham designed special t-shirts along with his wife Victoria and three sons to raise funds for the charity, which aims stamp out global poverty.

Actor TY BURRELL and his wife Holly have adopted a baby girl. The Modern Family star, 42, confirmed the news to People.com but has opted to keep further details about the new addition to his family private.

THE DOORS star ROBBIE KRIEGER had a special treat in store for STONE TEMPLE PILOTS fans at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas on Thursday night (18Mar10) when he joined the band onstage for an encore rendition of Roadhouse Blues.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star KYLE MacLACHLAN showed off his fitness level on national TV in America on Friday (19Mar10) when he joined PUSSYCAT DOLLS founder ROBIN ANTIN to demonstrate the dance troupe’s workout routine. The exercise session took place during the actor’s stint as a guest host of morning show Live With Regis & Kelly.

British group MUSE stunned music fans at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas on Friday night (19Mar10) with a surprise show at the industry event. The band hit the MySpace Music stage at the outdoor amphitheater of Stubb’s BBQ for an unannounced hour-long showcase.

Soul singer ROBIN THICKE was joined by his celebrity pals JAY-Z and BEYONCE, music mogul RUSSELL SIMMONS and KIM KARDASHIAN’s boyfriend, American footballer REGGIE BUSH, at New York hotspot 1OAK on Wednesday night (17Mar10) to celebrate his 33rd birthday.

IRON MAIDEN are to perform a historic Italian show at Napoleon Bonaparte’s former residence, Villa Manin near Udine on 17 August (10). The palace was built in the 17th century.

JOSEPH FIENNES is the latest star to team up with coffee company Carte Noire for a new literacy scheme. The British actor has been filmed reading extracts from novels by Charles Dickens, Nick Hornby and Marian Keyes to help introduce more people to famous works. Former THE WIRE star DOMINIC WEST was previously involved in the campaign.

San Francisco, California Mayor Gavin Newsom is actor ED ASNER’s nephew by marriage.

Brazilian supermodel GISELE BUNDCHEN is set to share the secrets of her flawless skin with her own eco-friendly beauty line. Bundchen’s Sejaa Pure Skincare products are set to hit shelves on 15 March (10).

ROSARIO DAWSON sealed her credentials as a green campaigner by taking part in an environmentally-friendly open day at a school in Venice, California on Saturday (13Mar10). The actress, who is an Environmental Media Association spokesperson, helped kids plants trees at the event.

KINGS OF LEON and DAFT PUNK are the latest stars to contribute to the Crafts For A Cause charity auction in aid of earthquake-ravaged Haiti. The two acts have both donated customised artwork for the sale, while Norah Jones, superproducer Mark Ronson and film director Spike Jonze have also contributed. The auction goes online on 15 March (10) at BiddingForGood.com and proceeds go to the Artists for Peace and Justice campaign.

Former THE RUNAWAYS lead singer CHERIE CURRIE is now a professional chainsaw artist - she uses the power tool to carve wood sculptures.

The father of AMERICAN IDOL judge KARA DIOGUARDI is to run for a vacant U.S. Senate seat in New York.

JOHN MALKOVICH is bringing his controversial play The Infernal Comedy to London’s West End. The actor plays real-life Austrian serial killer Jack Unterweger, who was convicted of murdering a string of prostitutes in Austria and the USA between 1974 and 1992 before committing suicide in prison in 1994. The play, which previously ran in California and Austria, will open at London’s Barbican theatre next year (11).

Grizzled country music legend KRIS KRISTOFFERSON wrote his hits ME & BOBBY McGEE and HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT during lonely nights on oil rigs when he was a helicopter pilot flying personnel from rig to rig.

Moviemaker OLIVER STONE’s WALL STREET sequel has been pushed back to a September (10) release to allow the director to make a splash at the Cannes Film Festival in May (10). The film, starring Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf, was slated for a 23 April (10) release - but now film fans will have to wait until 24 September to see Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, according to Variety.

ALEXANDER McQUEEN’s final collection was unveiled in Paris on Tuesday (09Mar10), a month after the tragic designer was found dead in his London apartment.

MATT DAMON shared a freshman dormitory with Oscar-winning screenwriter GEOFFREY FLETCHER at Harvard University.

The Oscars were a big hit among U.S. TV viewers - Sunday night’s (07Mar10) telecast scored a five-year high as more than 41 million film fans tuned in to watch THE HURT LOCKER romp to victory.

JEFF BRIDGES had a lucky charm wrapped around his wrist at the Oscars on Sunday (07Mar10) - he wore the gold Rolex watch his father Lloyd wore on the set of 1950s TV show Sea Hunt.

RADIOHEAD star JONNY GREENWOOD is to score director Anh Hung Tran’s movie adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s bestselling novel Norwegian Wood. The musician, who is currently the composer-in-residence with the BBC Concert Orchestra in London, won acclaim for music he created for 2007 film There Will Be Blood.

British funnyman DAVID WALLIAMS has helped raise more than $1.6 million (£1 million) for charity on Thursday (04Mar10) after completing a 875-mile (1,408 kilometre) bike ride from Scotland to the southern tip of Cornwall, England.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA star SIMON BAKER has narrated a surfing film, called GOING VERTICAL, which chronicles the sport’s “shortboard revolution”.

DONALD TRUMP’s businesswoman daughter IVANKA is to be the first spokesperson for Girl Up, a new United Nations campaign to aid underprivileged girls around the world.

For her first 15 years, COURTNEY LOVE had dual nationality in America and Britain.

British singer LEONA LEWIS is the new face of American cotton goods firm The Fabric Of Our Lives.

Top chef WOLFGANG PUCK plans to send Oscar winners and losers on their way with a hearty meal after the Academy Awards on Sunday (07Mar10) - he’ll be serving up lobster, sushi, pizza and spring rolls at the Governors Ball, which follows the big event. Puck will also be cooking up chicken pot pie with black truffles for the feast.

The 21 March (10) episode of cop drama COLD CASE will feature nothing but Pink Floyd songs. The show has previously used Bruce Springsteen songs as the soundtrack for an episode.

Actress HELENA BONHAM CARTER has a special keepsake to remind her of the time she spent playing The Red Queen in new film Alice in Wonderland - her husband and director Tim Burton presented her with a clutch purse embroidered with her character’s likeness and the inscription ‘Off with their heads!’ as a wrap gift.

KATY PERRY’s engagement ring has the inscription ‘The one I’ve been waiting for’ - a reference to the Nick Cave tune (Are You) The One That I’ve Been Waiting For, which the pop star and fiance Russell Brand have claimed as their song.

Curators at America’s Smithsonian Museum have rejected the donation of the suit O.J. SIMPSON was wearing when he was acquitted of the murders of his wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1995.

AVATAR actress ZOE SALDANA is set to be honoured by fashion house MaxMara as the brand’s Face of the Future. She will be presented with the award at the Women in Film Crystal & Lucy gala in June (10).

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER star NEIL PATRICK HARRIS is set to make his musical directorial debut when he helms a production of RENT at the Hollywood Bowl this summer (10). The actor, who previously performed in a U.S. tour of Rent, will be in charge of three performances beginning on 6 August (10).

BLACK EYED PEAS star will.i.am is recording a new song for HIV/AIDS charity Massive-Good. The singer/rapper will head to a New York studio on Tuesday (02Mar10) to lay down his vocals for the as-yet-untitled track.

Former supermodel-turned-reality TV star JANICE DICKINSON will document her search for love on a new dating show. The outspoken star, who was last dating Los Angeles county fireman Alex Abdalla, is teaming up with Wikked Entertainment producers to film the as-yet-untitled pilot, reports TMZ.com.

KANYE WEST has launched a new blog - and his first post online is a near-nude photo of his model girlfriend AMBER ROSE. The controversial rapper announced in January (10) he would be switching the address of his KanyeUniverseCity.com/Blog and he’s now set up a new official blog at KanyeWest.com.

Rocker JOEL MADDEN has been called on to entertain guests at the Academy Awards as the house DJ at next month’s (07Mar10) ceremony. The Good Charlotte star was invited by show producer and pal ADAM SHANKMAN to provide the Oscars with a “party atmosphere”.

Late rocker JOHNNY CASH’s track GUESS THINGS HAPPEN THAT WAY has become the 10 billionth song downloaded on Apple’s iTunes music program. The download giant announced earlier this year (10) that the customer who bought the milestone tune would be handed a $10,000 (£6,250) iTunes gift card. The lucky winner was named as 71-year-old Georgia resident Louie Sulcer.

TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS are set to release their 12th studio album this spring (10), marking their first new music in eight years. Mojo is the rocker’s first new record since 2002’s The Last DJ.

TV hunk JESSE WILLIAMS was a high school teacher before becoming an actor and landing a role on hit medical drama GREY’S ANATOMY.

Rocker ANDREW W.K. will return to the New York stage for his first headlining public concert in more than five years next month (Mar10) when he performs at Irving Plaza on 16 March (10).

RADIOHEAD rocker THOM YORKE has finally settled on a name for his new side project. Yorke debuted the then-untitled group, which features the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ guitarist Flea, in Los Angeles last October (09), and he has now decided to call the band ATOMS FOR PEACE.

Soul singer AL GREEN will swap the concert arena for a tennis club on Saturday (27Feb10) - he’s been invited to swear in new board members at the African-American Rancho Cienega Tennis Club in Los Angeles.

A sale of DOCTOR WHO memorabilia has raised more than $104,000 (£65,000) at auction in London. One fan paid $8,060 (£5,040) for a suit worn by DAVID TENNANT, while another devotee paid $4,990 (£3,120) for the outfit donned by KYLIE MINOGUE in the 2007 Christmas special.

AEROSMITH is back in business - the band has announced a full arena tour in addition to a handful of festival dates over the summer (10). The trek kicks off at the Sweden Rock Festival on 10 June and will include gigs across Europe, before winding up in Italy on 3 July (10). Frontman Steven Tyler has confirmed he will be taking part.

ASHLEY JENSEN was snapped with her baby son on Tuesday (23Feb10) for the first time since his birth in October (09). The UGLY BETTY star and her husband Terence Beesley took Frankie for a walk in the Hollywood Hills.

A rare copy of the first comic book to feature Superman has sold at auction for the record price of $1 million (£625,000). The 1938 edition of Action Comics No. 1 was snapped up by a private collector on Monday (22Feb10).

Indie rock couple THURSTON MOORE and KIM GORDON, of SONIC YOUTH, have formed a new trio with YOKO ONO.

KINGS OF LEON’s Hyde Park summer (10) gig in London is a very hot concert - all 65,000 tickets for the 30 June (10) show were snapped up in seconds on Friday morning (19Feb10).

DEPECHE MODE fans had a flash from the past at the band’s Teenage Cancer Trust charity show in London on Wednesday night (17Feb10) - ex-band member ALAN WILDING joined the trio onstage. The keyboard player, who replaced founding member Vince Clarke in the group, quit the band 14 years ago, but was happy to join his former bandmates for their hits set at the Royal Albert Hall.

Cult rockers PRIMAL SCREAM are planning to perform their landmark album Screamadelica in its entirety on tour.

SHARONA ALPERIN, the teen who inspired rock group THE KNACK’s smash hit MY SHARONA, is now a top real estate mogul, who buys and sells homes for the stars.

SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS has taken his off-screen creative talents home to his native Britain - the movie star has opened an exhibition of his artwork in London. The veteran actor launched an exhibit featuring 50 of his acrylic and ink paintings at the British capital’s Gallery 27 on Tuesday (16Feb10). He has previously exhibited his work in the U.S. and Canada.

British singer ADELE has landed a little heavyweight help in the studio as she starts work on a new album - Grammy-winning producer PAUL EPWORTH and music mogul RICK RUBIN. The Producer of the Year and Def Jam co-founder Rubin will work side by side on Adele’s new project.

British funnyman ALAN CARR paid a special tribute to ALEXANDER MCQUEEN at the BRIT Awards - he wore a pair of the late designer’s shoes to the event.

The nominees for this year’s (10) Best Song Oscar have been told to leave their instruments at home - they won’t be performing at the Academy Awards. In a break from tradition, Oscars producers Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic have decided not to showcase the five hopefuls for the big prize, lead by T-Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham’s clear favourite The Weary Kind from Crazy Heart, according to Deadline.com.

LADY GAGA performed a sombre tribute to ALEXANDER McQUEEN at the BRIT Awards in London on Tuesday night (16Feb10). Shrouded in white lace, the fashion-conscious pop star sang in front of a huge statue of her wearing the late designers’ bizarre Armadillo shoes. McQueen died after reportedly taking his own life on Thursday (11Feb10).

American rockers LUNA MORTIS have cancelled their spring (10) tour with PRIMAL FEAR and announced plans to disband. The female-fronted five-piece, formerly known as The Ottoman Empire, will bid farewell to fans with one final concert in their hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, later this year (10).

ARCH ENEMY guitarist CHRISTOPHER AMOTT is set to show off his singing talents in his first “proper” solo album. The rocker, who co-founded the band in 1996, will showcase his vocal skills on side project Follow Your Heart - set for release later this year (10).

Veteran actress MARLO THOMAS is set to bring together the childhood memories of stars including JERRY SEINFELD and U.S. talk show host JON STEWART for a new book. The 72 year old is putting together a memoir of her own early years, titled Growing Up Laughing, and she’s also including contributions from the “star entertainer friends” of her father, comedian Danny Thomas.

Rap superstar JAY-Z is returning to the U.K. this summer (10) to headline London’s Wireless festival for the second time since 2008. The Empire State of Mind hitmaker will close the three-day festival with Kanye West’s protege Mr. Hudson on 4 July, while Pink is set to kick off the event on 2 July (10).

Moviemaker JIM JARMUSCH will curate New York’s All Tomorrow’s Parties festival later this year (10). Sonic Youth, the Breeders and Explosions In The Sky are among the first acts to sign up for the event.

Rocker BILLY JOEL has offloaded one of the ocean front estates he shared with his estranged wife KATIE LEE. Two properties in Sagaponack, New York were put on the market in September (09) and one has now sold for close to its $12.5 million (£7.8 million) price tag. The other house is still up for sale at $22.5 million (£14 million).

Actress ANNE HATHAWAY experienced her first kiss while on a movie date to see Disney movie POCAHONTAS.

BENICIO DEL TORO gave U.S. TV audiences a giggle on Friday (12Feb10) when he sucked on a helium balloon and joked around with comedian JIMMY FALLON on his late night talk show. In a high-pitched voice, THE WOLFMAN star laughed and said, “This is good helium, this is really good helium, I really like it!”

Hollywood hunk RYAN REYNOLDS is the latest celebrity to lend his face to a fragrance line. The actor has been named the new spokesmodel for Hugo Boss Fragrances.

Soul legend STEVIE WONDER has been confirmed to close England’s Glastonbury Festival this summer (10). Irish rockers U2 will headline the opening night on 25 June (10), while British rockers MUSE will be the big draw on 26 June (10), before Wonder brings the annual event to an end on 27 June (10).

Fans of late country icon JOHNNY CASH have launched a Facebook appeal urging their peers to wear all black to honour the ‘Man In Black’ on what would have been his 78th birthday on 26 February (10).

Rocker PETER GABRIEL will perform at Los Angeles’ fabled Hollywood Bowl with a 54-piece orchestra on 7 May (10).

SNOOP DOGG went over to the Dark Side on Thursday (04Feb10) as he launched his new shoe collection inspired by GEORGE LUCAS’ STAR WARS films. The rapper showed up with Darth Vader and a team of Stormtroopers to unveil his Adidas Originals X Star Wars Collection at Foot Locker in New York’s Times Square.

Three of the four guys in NICK JONAS’ new band, The Administration, were part of Prince’s New Power Generation.

The Super Bowl will be THE WHO star ROGER DALTREY’s first American football game - the rocker has never been to a match before. He and bandmate Pete Townshend will perform at half-time during the clash between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. The Brit says he’s rooting for the Saints because, “New Orleans could use a little bit of luck.”

Country music icon WILLIE NELSON was forced to cancel a second concert in North Carolina last week (30Jan10) after a hand injury prevented him from playing his guitar. The singer is expected to reschedule the scrapped Asheville show, as well as the Kenansville gig which was pulled at the last minute last Thursday (28Jan10).

BEYONCE’s new fragrance, Beyonce Heat, is the number one scent in America.

Cult rockers ARCADE FIRE will donate the money they make from a new licensing deal with the National Football League in America over the Super Bowl weekend (06-07Feb09) to the Haiti relief effort. NFL bosses have agreed to pay the band handsomely for the use of its Wake Up tune and the group plans to donate all the cash it makes to charity Partners in Health.

Veteran singer TONY BENNETT has painted the official poster for this year’s (10) New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival. The star’s design, which shows his late friend Louis Priam, will be sold during the annual event, which runs during April.

LIL WAYNE’s Cash Money record label will relocate to New York while the rapper is serving time behind bars on gun charges. Lil Wayne is expected to start a 12-month stint behind bars at Rikers Island prison this month (Feb10).

Rockers KISS have teamed up with their vertically-challenged tribute group, Mini Kiss, to shoot a new Dr. Pepper TV commercial, which will debut during Sunday’s (07Feb10) Super Bowl.

COURTNEY LOVE’s estranged daughter FRANCES BEAN COBAIN is to appear on DRESDEN DOLLS star AMANDA PALMER’s new album. The teenager will join MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE frontman GERARD WAY, ‘WEIRD’ AL YANKOVIC and TEGAN & SARA on the track My Space, which will feature on Palmer’s new Evelyn Evelyn album.

Oscar-winner PAUL HAGGIS has shot the video which will accompany the new WE ARE THE WORLD charity anthem. The director and Artists for Peace and Justice charity co-founder will use the latest 3-D technology to capture the historic star-studded recording session, which took place in Los Angeles on Monday night (01Feb10).

PAUL WELLER, KT TUNSTALL and KANYE WEST’s protege MR HUDSON are among the stars teaming up for a Haiti fundraising concert in London. All money raised through ticket sales will benefit the Action Aid and Doctors Without Borders charities, which are helping the relief effort following last month’s (Jan10) earthquake. The concert will take place at the Camden Roundhouse on 25 February (10).

The star-studded new We Are The World anthem will debut during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Canada on 12 February (10).

AVATAR star GIOVANNI RIBISI’s father was a member of one-hit wonder band People.

THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS co-stars AMBER TAMBLYN and AMERICA FERRERA have teamed up for a new article in feminist magazine Bust - Tamblyn plays interviewer to cover girl Ferrera.

Boxing legend MIKE TYSON took to the floor for a twirl on the Italian version of hit U.S. TV show DANCING WITH THE STARS. The former heavyweight champ swept choreographer Elena Coniglio off her feet and raised a fist to the crowd.

HOUSE star LISA EDELSTEIN’s mother and father have both appeared as extras in the actress’ hit TV medical drama.

RIHANNA has had her 13th tattoo inked across her chest, backwards - so she can read it in the mirror. It reads ‘Never a failure always a lesson.’ She says, “It’s basically saying that it’s OK to make a mistake, just don’t make them twice.”

Funnyman DAVID SPADE is revamping his JOE DIRT character for a new TV cartoon series. Spade’s 2001 movie was a box office flop, but the film has become a cult comedy on DVD, and now the comic is developing an animated series based on his creation.

Reality TV star SPENCER PRATT found himself in trouble with police on Wednesday night (27Jan10) when he was pulled over in Los Angeles for failing to fit his truck with mud flaps - a legal requirement in California. Pratt, who appears on U.S. show The Hills, escaped with a ticket ordering him to correct the oversight by 15 March (10), reports TMZ.com.

GIRLS ALOUD star CHERYL COLE is set to support the BLACK EYED PEAS on their upcoming U.K. tour in May and June (10). Cole previously worked with will.i.am on her debut album 3 WORDS.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD and QUEEN LATIFAH will provide the entertainment before the Super Bowl on 7 February (10) - Underwood will perform the U.S. National Anthem, while Latifah will sing America the Beautiful.

Singer/actress OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN is set for another movie musical role after signing up to play a hockey mum in an indie film. The Grease star will be a big part of Score: A Hockey Musical. She’ll play songwriter Marc Jordan’s wife in the film and the duo will collaborate on a song for the project’s soundtrack.

UP IN THE AIR director JASON REITMAN once directed a TV commercial for U.S. restaurant chain Outback Steakhouse.

British singer PIXIE LOTT is turning fashion designer - she’s creating a summer clothing range for U.K. line Lipsy.

AC/DC will provide the music for the IRON MAN sequel. The rockers’ Thunderstruck, Let There Be Rock and War Machine will appear on the soundtrack album AC/DC: Iron Man 2.

RINGO STARR will become the first BEATLE To turn 70 in July (10).

Comedian and stoner icon TOMMY CHONG owns the first medical marijuana card ever handed out in the state of California.

Rock veterans KISS rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday (25Jan10) to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Dr Pepper, America’s oldest major soft drink.

Former THE WEST WING star STOCKARD CHANNING is heading back to the theatre - she’s signed up to star in a production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest in Dublin, Ireland later this year (Jun10).

Former QUIET RIOT drummer FRANKIE BANALI thrilled heavy rock fans at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on Friday night (22Jan10) when he performed Led Zeppelin’s Over The Hills And Far Away with tribute band Led Zep Again.

MARY J. BLIGE and will.i.am will honour music mogul DOUG MORRIS when he unveils the 2,399th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday (26Jan09). The chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group is considered “the most influential music executive in the industry”.

SAMUEL L. JACKSON has landed his own iPhone application. For $2.99 (?1.90) fans can download 150-plus obscenity-laced sayings the movie star uses in everyday life.

U.K. supermarket chain Tesco is branching into movies - bosses at the company have teamed up with author JACKIE COLLINS to produce a film called Paris Connections, based on one of her books. The movie is set for release in May (10).

Singer JORDIN SPARKS returned to her sporting roots on Sunday (24Jan10), to sing the national anthem at the American Football Conference Championship game between the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts. Sparks’ father Phillippi used to play for the Jets’ hometown rivals the New York Giants.

SHARON GLESS and TYNE DALY, the women behind beloved TV cops CAGNEY & LACEY, have teamed up to play sisters on hit drama BURN NOTICE.

SIMON COWELL’s charity single to raise funds for the Haiti earthquake appeal will be a cover of REM’s EVERYBODY HURTS, according to U.K. reports.

MAD MEN star JOHN SLATTERY will open the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday (23Jan10) with the traditional Champagne Taittinger toast. The prizegiving will be held at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. Slattery and his castmates are nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Mad Men.

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH director DAVIS GUGGENHEIM is the toast of the Sundance Film Festival in Utah - his new documentary Waiting For Superman has become the first independent film picked up at this year’s (10) event, a day before its world premiere there.

Actress/model AMBER VALLETTA has formed a mixed soccer team in Los Angeles with her nanny’s husband and son.

JEFF BRIDGES collects comedy album covers and shows them off on his website.

British singer ESTELLE celebrated turning 30 with a star-studded birthday bash in Manhattan, New York on Monday night (18Jan10). The American Boy hitmaker was joined by pals TYSON BECKFORD and JOHN LEGEND at hotspot Abe & Arthur’s, where she hopped into the DJ both and sang a special rendition of the Trey Songz hit Say Aah.

NICK JONAS treated fans to a parking lot jam session in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday (19Jan10), when he pulled out his guitar to strum country hits ROSE GARDEN and WHO I AM for thrilled devotees.

LADY GAGA has teamed up with rap pioneer GRANDMASTER MELLE MEL to record inspirational songs for multimedia children’s fable The Portal in the Park, a story about an 11-year-old boy who confronts good and evil in New York’s Central Park.

Memphis, Tennessee rocker JAY REATARD’s trademark white Flying V guitar was buried with the tragic 29 year old on 17 January (10).

The 600th Screen Actors Guild award will be handed out at Saturday’s (23Jan10) 2010 prizegiving. In the 14 years of the ceremony, 597 ‘Actor’ statuettes have been awarded.

Rapper WALE has hosted a fundraising concert to benefit WYCLEF JEAN?s Yele Haiti charity in the wake of the massive earthquake which devastated the country last week (12Jan10). The gig, which took place in Washington, D.C. on Monday night (18Jan10), featured local artists including Tabi Bonney, D.C. Don Juan and Phil Ade.

Actor/rocker JARED LETO snapped up CNN newsman LARRY KING’s elastic braces during the broadcaster’s Haiti: How You Can Help special on Monday night (18Jan10) - adding $1,000 (?625) to the appeal to help the devastated nation following last Tuesday’s (12Jan10) earthquake.

U.S. TV star ALEX O’LOUGHLIN has emerged as the frontrunner to play DET. STEVE McGARRETT is a remake of hit cop show HAWAII FIVE-O. The WHITEOUT star is in talks to front a new U.S. show, which is based on the hit 1970s series, which starred JACK LORD.

SEAL will sing The Impressions’ People Get Ready during newsman LARRY KING’s Haiti benefit special on CNN on Monday night (18Jan10).

Actress ANJELICA HUSTON is to be honoured with the 2,398th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her actor half-brother Danny Huston and filmmaker Wes Anderson will pay tribute to The Witches star at the unveiling next week (22Jan10).

Canadian rocker BRYAN ADAMS is to be honoured with the 2010 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at the Juno Awards in April (10). The Run to You hitmaker will be feted for his fundraising and awareness efforts for organisations like Greenpeace and PETA.

90210 star ANNALYNNE McCORD has found the perfect occasion to wear her beloved Lloyd Klein couture gown - the Golden Globes InStyle Party on Sunday (17Jan10). The actress was fitted for the Grecian Goddess ivory gown, created especially for her by Klein, last year (09), but has yet to wear it. The dress was created with that over 80 yards of silk jersey and took 200 hours to make. McCord has enjoyed a long relationship with Klein - he gave her her big modelling break.

KEVIN BACON, who was honoured with the Joel Siegel Award at the Critics Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles on Friday (15Jan10), won the Best Actor prize at the very first Critics Choice prizegiving 14 years ago for Murder In the First.

Cult singer-songwriter DEVENDRA BANHART’s new album, What Will We Be, features a ballad sung in the language of California’s Pit River Indians.

LADY GAGA is to donate all the proceeds from her Monster Ball show in New York on 24 January (10) to the Haiti earthquake relief effort. Also money from merchandise bought on her website on the same day will go to Haiti charities.

DIXIE CHICKS sisters EMILY ROBISON and MARTIE MAGUIRE will release new music under the name COURT YARD HOUNDS.

If SAOIRSE RONAN, 15, lands an Academy Award nomination for THE LOVELY BONES next month (Feb10) she’ll become the youngest actress to score two Oscar nods. The Irish star was also nominated for her role in Atonement when she was 13.

Rockers BLINK-182 have released a special edition t-shirt to help raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake. The shirts, which feature the band’s trademark rabbit mascot holding a Haitian flag, are available from the band’s official website, www.blink182.com. All proceeds go to the Red Cross’ Haiti appeal.

HUGH HEFNER’s ex-girlfriend HOLLY MADISON has landed her own TV show. The former Playboy Playmate will be followed by cameras for E! Entertainment Television to document her life as she works in Las Vegas.

Illusionist DAVID BLAINE has teamed up with the Red Cross to stage a 72-hour magic marathon to raise funds for the Haiti earthquake relief effort. The magic man will perform tricks in New York’s Times Square from 9am on Friday (15Jan10), while encouraging New Yorkers and tourists to donate money to the Red Cross.

Movie star EDWARD NORTON’s father has been working on reef conservation projects in Bali, Indonesia for the past decade.

The stage musical adaptation of WHOOPI GOLDBERG’s movie SISTER ACT has broken THE SOUND OF MUSIC’s record at London’s fabled Palladium theatre. The spectacular, which features Sheila Hancock and Dad’s Army star Ian Lavender, has broken the record for the highest-grossing single musical performance at the venue.

Moviemaker JAMES CAMERON fell ill with the swine flu while shooting new movie AVATAR but insists he didn’t let illness halt the film: “I took a half day off for that.”

Actor LINUS ROACHE met his wife ROSALIND BARRETT when she was playing his sister onstage in a British production of SEAN O’CASEY’s JUNO & THE PAYCOCK.

SIR ELTON JOHN is selling his luxury car online for $64,000 (?39,995). The Rocket Man’s Maserati Quattroporte S boasts massage chairs, an entertainment system and picnic tables.

Socialite IVANA TRUMP has resigned from her job as U.S. tabloid the Globe’s advice columnist after 14 years. In her parting article, which appears in the new issue of the weekly publication, the former Mrs. Donald Trump states, “I have personally grown immensely from this experience.”

A memorial fund has been set up in CASEY JOHNSON’s honour at the U.S. centre Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The heiress, who died earlier this month (Jan10), had a history of diabetes.

CARNIE WILSON has re-recorded WILSON PHILLIPS hit Hold On with lyrics about her personal weight battle for new reality TV show Unstapled.

NCIS: LOS ANGELES stars LL COOL J and CHRIS O’DONNELL share nine kids between them.

Actor BRUCE DERN’s godmother was former U.S. First Lady ELEANOR ROOSEVELT.

BEYONCE and JAY-Z have been named the celebrity world’s top-earning couple on finance Forbes magazine’s new rich list. The pair pulled in an estimated $122 million (GBP76 million) in the past 12 months.

Late rock legend ROY ORBISON is to be posthumously honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The widow of the Crying hitmaker, who died in 1988, will unveil his star on 29 January (10).

SIMON & GARFUNKEL are to reunite to headline the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in Louisiana on 24 April (10). It’s the legendary duo’s only planned appearance in their native America in 2010.

Heavy rocker-turned-moviemaker ROB ZOMBIE is to direct an upcoming episode of hit TV drama CSI: MIAMI. Production on Zombie’s slice of CSI began this week (beg11Jan10) and the episode is set to air at the beginning of March (10).

Movie stars CHARLTON HESTON, BRUCE DERN, ROCK HUDSON, RICHARD WIDMARK and ELIZABETH PERKINS all attended the same high school in Illinois. They all studied at New Trier High School in Winnetka.

Country singer CLAY WALKER became a dad for the fourth time before the New Year (10) - his wife Jessica gave birth to a baby girl named Mary-Elizabeth in Houston, Texas on 27 December (09). The couple is also parents to son William Clayton, 17 months, while Walker also has two teenage daughters from a previous marriage.

M.I.A.’s new song I’M DOWN LIKE YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION features a phone chat with members of her internet service provider. She says, “I basically got Filipino Verizon workers to sing the hook.”

COURTNEY LOVE has posted topless photos on Twitter.com showing the HOLE rocker getting tiny flowers tattooed all over her torso.

British model DAISY LOWE is lending her star-power to Swarovski to create her own jewellery collection. The range will feature the brand’s signature crystals as well as celestial symbols, including stars and moons.

Rapper VANILLA ICE is teaming up with talent show rejects JOHN & EDWARD for a new version of his 1990 hit ICE ICE BABY. The Irish twins, who competed in the U.K.’s THE X FACTOR last year (09), are set to release the track as their debut single.

KAISER CHIEFS drummer NICK HODGSON has launched his own record label, called Chewing Gum, with his girlfriend.

Movie star PETER SARSGAARD is about to go bad - he’s in negotiations to play villainous Dr. Hector Hammond, opposite Ryan Reynolds, in the movie adaptation of comic book series The Green Lantern.

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE star HUGH JACKMAN has signed a multi-million dollar three-year deal to become the new face of popular drinks brand Lipton Ice Tea.

DAME HELEN MIRREN will be immortalised in wax - experts at London’s Madame Tussauds are sculpting a $240,000 (?150,000) version of the Oscar-winner to go on show in the summer (10).

Guests at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on 23 January (10) will dine on Roasted Winter Vegetables with Cous Cous, Pomegranate Salsa and Green Harrissa, Slow-Roasted King Salmon with Cucumbers, Yogurt and Ginger-Mint Chutney, Chopped Chicken with Endive, Bacon, Appland Roaring Forties and Sliced Lamb with French Feta Salsa Verde, all cooked up by award-winning chef Suzanne Goin.

MARY J. BLIGE’s favourite karaoke song is PAT BENATAR’s LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD.

Soccer superstar DAVID BECKHAM has added another saintly tattoo to his body art collection - he has had a version of iconic painting Man of Sorrows - depicting Jesus on the cross - inked on his torso. The sports hunk already has a crucifix and angels tattooed on his back.

Supermodel CINDY CRAWFORD is using her style credentials to create a line of fashionable furniture. The beauty’s furnishing line is available this month (Jan10).

TAYLOR SWIFT has been named the top-selling digital artist in history. According to U.S. Nielsen SoundScan, the country music star has sold more than 24.3 million tracks.

Former model and make-up artist JEMMA KIDD is a first-time mother after giving birth to twins last week (ends10Jan10).

MARY J. BLIGE has her own line of sunglasses.

REBA McENTIRE will host the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas in April (10). It will be the 12th time she has taken charge of proceedings.

Alaska’s former Governor and U.S. vice-presidential candidate SARAH PALIN is to become a TV news journalist - she has signed a new deal to become part of the Fox News Channel’s team. Palin will be a contributor on the channel and she’ll host the network’s Real American Stories series.

Twenty-one of South Africa’s top heavy metal bands are setting out to break the official Guinness World Record for most people headbanging simultaneously. Rockers including AGRO, ALL FORLORN, JUGGERNAUGHT, NIGHTHAWK and STIGMATA DAWN are among the bands performing at the MotherFUDD festival at Malonjeni Guest Resort, where the head-thrashing event will take place on 13 March (10).

Eighties pop stars THE HUMAN LEAGUE are set to make a comeback after signing a new record deal. The Don’t You Want Me hitmakers - who haven’t released any new material since 2001 - have agreed a new contract with independent label Wall of Sound.

MICHAEL CERA’s first ever audition was for 1999 thriller THE SIXTH SENSE. The SUPERBAD actor lost out on the role to fellow child star HALEY JOEL OSMENT.

Soccer star DAVID BECKHAM gave fans an eyeful during a match in Turin, Italy on Sunday (10Jan10). The sportsman, currently on loan at AC Milan, was in the middle of a game with Juventus when he changed his shorts on the pitch - showing off his underwear to thousands of fans.

QUEEN LATIFAH’s new women’s fragrance Queen by Queen Latifah boasts an intoxicating ingredient - the potion is scented with tequila.

GOSSIP GIRL star BLAKE LIVELY has been cast as the female lead in upcoming comic book movie THE GREEN LANTERN. The action film, starring RYAN REYNOLDS in the title role, is due in cinemas next summer (11).

Former pop star SINITTA was reduced to tears after becoming the first contestant to be voted off U.K. celebrity ice-skating competition DANCING WITH THE STARS on Sunday (10Jan10). The singer tore her partner’s trousers with the blade of her skate when a lift went wrong during her final performance on the TV contest.

TRIVIUM frontman MATT HEAFY has wed his fiancee in Orlando, Florida. The rocker exchanged vows with Ashley Howard on Saturday (09Jan10) in a small ceremony in front of family and friends.

Original A-TEAM star DIRK BENEDICT has a cameo role in the new blockbuster movie adaptation of the TV show. Bradley Cooper plays the role Benedict made famous in the 1980s series.

Supermodel GISELE BUNDCHEN will debut her post-baby body at the end of January (10) when she poses for new campaign shots for Brazilian fashion house Coccli. The catwalk beauty gave birth to baby Benjamin last month (Dec09).

When country star CARRIE UNDERWOOD weds fiance, ice hockey star MIKE FISHER, her legal name will become Carrie Fisher, a moniker she’ll share with the Star Wars actress.

Actress SARAH CHALKE was a Christmas mum - her first child was born on 24 December (09). The Scrubs star and her fiance Jamie Afifi welcomed baby boy Charlie Rhodes Afifi on Christmas Eve.

DAME JUDI DENCH voiced a parrot in the sequel of period TV drama CRANFORD when the bird wouldn’t squawk on demand. Dench plays Matty Jenkyns in Return to Cranford.

Veteran singer PATTY GRIFFIN has swapped her country roots for gospel music on her upcoming album DOWNTOWN CHURCH. The star recorded the project at the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee and recruited harmony group the Fairfield Four to join her on vocals.

Actress SARAH MICHELLE PRINZE has publicly debuted her first child with husband FREDDIE PRINZE JR. - almost four months after giving birth. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star, who welcomed little Charlotte Grace on 19 September (09), was photographed carrying the tot bundled up in a pink blanket on Thursday (07Jan10) in Santa Monica, California after months of hiding out from the media.

AL GREEN is keeping his current world tour in the family - his three daughters, Alva, Ruby and Cora, are providing backing vocals for the star during the concerts.

The BLACK EYED PEAS have been forced to postpone their upcoming concert in Hampton, Virginia due to a scheduling conflict. The I Gotta Feeling hitmakers were due to play the Hampton Coliseum on 19 January (10) but they will now hit the stage a month later, on 22 February (10).

Rockabilly legend WANDA JACKSON has covered AMY WINEHOUSE’s YOU KNOW I’M NO GOOD for her upcoming JACK WHITE-produced album.

THE HURT LOCKER star JEREMY RENNER was a champion ten-pin bowler as a child.

Hollywood action hero HUGH JACKMAN wowed late night U.S. TV audiences on Wednesday night (05Jan10) by showing off a hidden talent - fire juggling. The X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE star juggled three flaming clubs on The Jay Leno Show, 20 years after he had retired his circus stunt.

British singer MICHELLE HEATON, a former member of reality show rejects LIBERTY X, is engaged to her new boyfriend Hugh Hanley - just 18 months after splitting from her husband, boyband singer ANDY SCOTT-LEE.

Fans of SEX AND THE CITY will soon be able to get their hands on jewellery inspired by the hit TV show and movie franchise. California-based firm Dogeared is set to create an official collection to accompany the series, including charm necklaces. The range will be available this spring (10).

QUEEN LATIFAH kicked off the People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday (06Jan10) with her own rendition of I DREAMED A DREAM from Les Miserables, which propelled Susan Boyle to fame in 2009. During her cover, the event host poked fun at Steve Carell.

The stars of hit U.S. TV comedy GLEE served up free pizza to the audience at Wednesday’s (06Jan10) People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles. Show sponsors DiGiorno agreed to hand out hundreds of pizza slices to seat fillers at the prizegiving as the cast of the show celebrated its Favourite New TV Comedy prize.

DIANE KRUGER will star opposite her boyfriend JOSHUA JACKSON in an upcoming episode of U.S. sci-fi show FRINGE. The German actress filmed her scenes on Wednesday (06Jan10).

Socialite-turned-reality TV star KIM KARDASHIAN’s 14-year-old sister KENDALL JENNER is taking a turn in the spotlight - as a model. The daughter of KRIS and BRUCE JENNER has signed on to the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency, and has already landed a campaign with U.S. discount retail chain Forever 21.

Zany DAVID ARQUETTE and former tennis ace JOHN McENROE teamed up for a duet of Steve Miller Band’s The Joker at a Hollywood karaoke party on New Year’s Eve (31Dec09).

PETE WENTZ and his wife ASHLEE SIMPSON-WENTZ have found a novel way of avoiding the paparazzi - they were photographed wearing Halloween masks during an outing in New York City on Tuesday (05Jan10).

TRAINING DAY star ETHAN HAWKE is directing an off-Broadway revival of Sam Shepard’s play A LIE OF THE MIND. The actor will unveil his production, about a man who thinks he murdered his own wife in a jealous rage, at New York’s Acorn Theatre on 29 January (10).

Notorious former drugs baron HOWARD MARKS has a cameo role in the upcoming movie of his life story. Marks plays the owner of an Amsterdam cannabis cafe in MR NICE. The film is scheduled for release in February (10).

Country veteran MERLE HAGGARD has postponed an upcoming concert in Arizona due to a “scheduling conflict”. The singer was due to play a gig at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa on Thursday (07Jan10), but the performance will now take place on 9 May (10).

THE MAN WITH THE IRON FIST, WU-TANG CLAN star RZA’s debut as a movie director, will be produced by moviemaker and Inglourious Basterds star Eli Roth. The duo has secured financing for the film and a shooting draft has been completed.

AVATAR has become only the fifth film in movie history to rake in over $1 billion worldwide. It’s the second of director James Cameron’s films to break the top five - his romantic epic Titanic is the world’s top-grossing film; it made $1.8 billion at the global box office.

MORGAN FREEMAN has replaced late newsman WALTER CRONKITE as the voice of CBS Evening News in America. Cronkite, who died last year (09), recorded the introduction of the newscast in 2006. His voice was heard even after his death in July (09).

DAVID HASSELHOFF’s ex-wife PAMELA BACH has become the latest celebrity to create a yummy treat at Hollywood’s Millions of Milkshakes. The singer’s New Vision Shake features peanut butter, chocolate syrup, vanilla low fat yoghurt, almonds, kiwi, bananas and whipped cream.

RIHANNA is documenting her upcoming Rated R tour with an accompanying photo-book. The UMBRELLA superstar is teaming up with the tour’s creative director Simon Henwood for the publication, which is set for release on 29 June (10).

Shareholders at entertainment powerhouse Walt Disney have finalised a multi-billion dollar deal to buy Marvel Entertainment. The $4.24 billion sale, which was agreed on Thursday (31Dec09) will give Disney the rights to superheroes including IRON MAN, SPIDER-MAN and the X-MEN.

Controversial U.S. broadcaster RUSH LIMBAUGH was released from hospital in Hawaii on Friday (01Jan10), two days after he was admitted with severe chest pains. The radio personality was given the all clear after undergoing tests, but doctors failed to find the cause of his pain, insisting he had not suffered a heart attack or had heart disease.

Shamed golfer TIGER WOODS has lost a second massive sponsorship deal following his alleged infidelity scandal - U.S. telecommunications giant AT&T has dropped the sportsman from their advertising campaigns. No official reason was given for the move. Woods lost his endorsement deal with global management services firm Accenture in December (09) as a result of his tabloid scandal.

Hollywood actor MATT DAMON will ring in 2010 with his loved ones in Sydney, Australia. The family is currently enjoying a luxury cruise Down Under.

MAMMA MIA! director PHYLLIDA LLOYD has been awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) award in the Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s Honours list. Meanwhile, composer CRAIG ARMSTRONG - who created the scores for MOULIN ROUGE! and LOVE ACTUALLY - was handed an Order of the British Empire (OBE).

U.S. TV personality ROSIE O’DONNELL is about to expand her family by six - her new girlfriend, artist Tracy Kachtick-Anders, has six children. O’Donnell, who split from wife Kelli Carpenter in 2009, has four kids.

SLIPKNOT bassist PAUL GRAY had an extra reason to celebrate this Christmas (09) - he is to become a first-time father with his wife, Brenna.

Scottish singing sensation SUSAN BOYLE has made chart history in Australia after going eight times platinum. The Britain’s Got Talent star has sold 450,000 copies of her debut album I DREAMED A DREAM Down Under so far.

Rocker JOEL MADDEN paid tribute to AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer JIMMY ‘THE REV’ SULLIVAN on Tuesday (29Dec09) when he donned a T-shirt bearing the words ‘R.I.P. The Rev’. The musician was found dead on Monday (28Dec09) at his home in Huntington Beach, California.

Former Big Brother Australia castmember MICHAEL CRAFTER has formed a quirky new rock band, called GUANTANAMO BAY CITY ROLLERS.

Singer and thespian MICHAEL CRAWFORD has written the foreword to children’s book The Bravehearts of Bluebell Woods. Sales from the book, which is released next month (Jan10), will benefit the Bluebell Wood’s Children’s Hospice in England.

Scottish singing sensation SUSAN BOYLE will ring in the New Year in Japan - the 48 year old will make a guest appearance on Japan?s premiere variety show, which will be aired live on New Year?s Eve (31Dec09). She is scheduled to sing her trademark tune I Dreamed a Dream.

Guests at KEVIN JONAS’ 19 December (09) wedding to DANIELLE DELEASA were treated to a special dance performance by JOE JONAS - the Jonas Brothers frontman showed off the dance moves he learned for a spoof of Beyonce’s hit song Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) when guest DJ Ahmir ‘?uestlove’ Thompson played the tune at the reception.

Rap mogul SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS will ring in the New Year (10) a day late by hosting the grand opening of Vanity nightclub at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Newlyweds KEVIN JONAS and DANIELLE DELEASA shared their first dance as husband and wife to the tune of KEITH URBAN’s ONLY YOU CAN LOVE ME THIS WAY. The happy couple wed on 19 December (09).

THE KILLING FIELDS and LAW & ORDER star SAM WATERSTON is to become the latest celebrity honoured on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - and the first of 2010 - when he unveils the 2,397th star on 7 January (10).

Legendary rap producer DJ PREMIER is teaming up with sports giant Nike to release his own limited line of sneakers next month (09Jan10). The DJ Premier X. Nike Air Force 1 Low features the star’s name emblazoned across the back of the heel, while an image of a Technique 1200 turntable will also feature on the shoe.

KEVIN JONAS made new wife DANIELLE DELEASA feel like a real princess on her wedding day on 19 December (09) - the pop star had a pair of Cinderella-esque glass slippers designed for his bride-to-be.

Actor MORGAN FREEMAN plays solitaire to unwind on movie sets.

U2 star BONO hit the streets of Dublin, Ireland on Christmas Eve (24Dec09) to busk with singer/songwriters Damien Rice and Glen Hansard. The Irish trio stunned shoppers on Grafton Street with their tunes and donated tips to a local homeless charity.

Actress SISSY SPACEK had two reasons to celebrate on Christmas Day (25Dec09) - the Carrie star turned 60 the same day.

IRVING BERLIN’s WHITE CHRISTMAS is the most recorded holiday song of all time with over 500 versions in several languages.

Oscar-winning TITANIC director JAMES CAMERON has picked up another accolade to add to his impressive collection. The filmmaker, who received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame earlier this month (Dec09), has been tapped by movie publicists to receive their Motion Picture Showmanship Award. The honour will be presented at the International Cinematographer Guild’s 47th Annual Publicists Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on 5 March (10).

Revellers in New York City on New Year’s Eve (31Dec09) will have the chance to see COURTNEY LOVE ring in 2010. The former HOLE frontwoman will be playing a special show at Manhattan’s Standard Hotel - for $250 (?156) per ticket.

Characters from the STAR WARS films were on hand to ring in the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday (22Dec09). Darth Vader, several Storm Troopers and R2-D2 represented GEORGE LUCAS’ Lucasfilm company at the ceremonial ringing of the bell.

BLUR bassist ALEX JAMES is to become a fifth-time father. The British rocker is expecting a baby girl with his wife Claire. The couple is already parents to three sons and one daughter.

Bespectacled singer LISA LOEB is trading in on her signature style by designing a range of glasses. The star has teamed up with Classique Eyewear to create the LL Collection, which will be available early next year (10).

Rapper DIZZEE RASCAL and FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE are set to take over U.K. airwaves in the New Year (10). The stars will host their own shows on the BBC’s Radio 1 station in January (10).

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY’s ex-wife HEATHER MILLS and BOYZONE singer MIKEY GRAHAM are among the celebrities taking part in British reality show DANCING ON ICE, which sees stars learn to skate and compete against each other. The new series begins on 15 January (10).

British funnyman RUSSELL BRAND treated his girlfriend KATY PERRY to a festive outing on Sunday (20Dec09) - he took her to watch his favourite soccer team play in London. The celebrity couple was spotted in the stands as West Ham United took on Chelsea at Upton Park. Singer-turned-reality show judge CHERYL COLE, whose husband Ashley plays for Chelsea, was also in the crowd to watch the teams scrape a 1-1 draw.

Classic rockers DEEP PURPLE, WISHBONE ASH and URIAH HEEP are teaming up to tour South Africa next summer (10). The three acts will make up the Masters Of Rock tour with three shows confirmed and more planned for next May and June. Dates include the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg and the ICC Arena in Durban.

JAIMEE GRUBBS, the first woman to come forward and claim to be TIGER WOODS’ mistress, will appear scantily clad in the upcoming issue of men’s magazine Maxim.

RACHEL McADAMS and her sister and brother all used to work at a hometown McDonald’s. Her younger sister was the fast food restaurant’s manager.

THE NOTEBOOK star RACHEL McADAMS’ first paying role was in an Italian film, even though she couldn’t speak the language.

THE LION KING became the ninth longest-running musical in West End history on Friday night (18Dec09) when its 4,265th performance hit the stage. The Lion King, which is also the ninth longest-running musical on the Broadway stage in New York, is also one of only five musicals in history to play for 10 or more years both on Broadway and in the West End.

TORI AMOS’ daughter NATASHYA sings a duet with her mum on Amos’ Christmas album Winter Graces. Mother and daughter perform Holly, Ivy & Rose together.

TONY SHALHOUB and ANTHONY LaPAGLIA are to team up for the 2010 Broadway revival of opera comedy Lend Me a Tenor. The production, which will open in April (10) at the Music Box Theatre in New York, will be directed by Shalhoub’s Big Night co-star STANLEY TUCCI.

Rockers DEFTONES are set to release their first album in four years with an as-yet-untitled disc to hit shelves on 26 April (10). The Drive hitmaker’s last offering was 2006’s Saturday Night Wrist.

Tycoon-turned-reality TV king DONALD TRUMP is to front a new show on America’s Golf Channel. The businessman will play a round with celebrities on Donald J. Trump’s Fabulous World of Golf.

Actress JULIE BENZ’s boyfriend turned her trailer on the set of TV drama DEXTER into a fake morgue, and placed a tombstone outside on the day she filmed her death scene for the show’s finale.

LADY GAGA’s upcoming tour dates will be sponsored by online dating site PlentyofFish.com.

Toymakers Hasbro have created a one-off G.I. JOE character based on comedienne ELLEN DeGENERES to thank her for her support of children’s charities. The talk show host was presented with her action figure by G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra star DENNIS QUAID on her daytime show on Wednesday (16Dec09).

Legendary U.S. TV evangelist ORAL ROBERTS has died, aged 91. The minister passed away in Newport Beach, California on Tuesday (15Dec09) of pneumonia complications.

Actor JOSHUA JACKSON answered a call from his girlfriend DIANE KRUGER halfway through a taped interview on THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON on Monday night (14Dec09) after forgetting to turn his cell phone off before the U.S. TV appearance.

British singer LILY ALLEN’s foray into interior design has proved successful - the cocktail bar she designed for SIR ELTON JOHN’s charity ball raised $160,000 (?100,000) at auction on Sunday night (13Dec09).

WIZARD OF OZ spin-off musical WICKED will become the 20th longest-running show in Broadway history on 15 December (09) when the 2,535th performance takes place in New York.

The final of U.K. TV talent contest THE X FACTOR attracted a high-calibre audience on Saturday (12Dec09) - British royal PRINCE HARRY was one of the revellers enjoying performances from ROBBIE WILLIAMS, MICHAEL BUBLE and GEORGE MICHAEL in the studio.

MATT DAMON showed off his circus skills on U.S. TV on Thursday (10Dec09) when he juggled three tennis balls on THE JAY LENO SHOW in exchange for the host showing a clip of his new movie, INVICTUS.

CYNDI LAUPER and LADY GAGA have posed together in lacy lingerie for a glamorous 2010 ad campaign for cosmetics brand MAC, shot by ELLEN VON UNWERTH.

GAVIN ROSSDALE’s daughter DAISY LOWE, 20, spent time bonding with her three-year-old half-brother KINGSTON on Thursday (10Dec09). The model was spotted hand-in-hand with the toddler, whose mother is GWEN STEFANI, while walking her pet pooch in London.

PORTISHEAD have released a new tune to mark International Human Rights Day (10Dec09). Chase the Tear is available as a paid-for download and all proceeds from the sale of the track will go to Amnesty International.

British supermodel JOURDAN DUNN has given birth to her first child. She welcomed a baby boy to the world on Tuesday (08Dec09).

TAYLOR SWIFT has caused a stir after swapping her trademark perfect ringlets for straight hair and shaggy bangs, leaving the country singer nearly unrecognisable after a photoshoot with the high fashion T Magazine.

Producers of controversial U.S. reality TV show JERSEY SHORE are airing a domestic violence public service announcement during next week’s (beg14Dec09) show, which features a man punching a female castmember in a bar.

The YEAH YEAH YEAHS’ track ZERO has been named the best song of 2009 by British music magazine NME. Rockers THE HORRORS claimed the honour for the year’s best album with PRIMARY COLOURS.

MARY STEENBURGEN is to become the 2,395th celebrity to unveil a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - the Back to the Future still will be honoured next week (16Dec09).

HUGH LAURIE is to step behind the camera to take charge of an upcoming episode of his hit medical drama HOUSE. The British actor will shoot the episode in January (10) and it’s due to air in March (10).

ROLLING STONES rocker RONNIE WOOD is planning to release his first solo album since 2001. The guitarist’s I FEEL LIKE PLAYING is due to hit shelves in the New Year (10).

SIR MICK JAGGER’s 17-year-old daughter GEORGIA MAY was named Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in London on Wednesday (09Dec09).

“He’s amazing. He’s a fascinating guy. You know, he does his own clothes, he designs his own clothes.” JOSH BROLIN is impressed at his JONAH HEX co-star JOHN MALKOVICH’s versatility. The IN THE LINE OF FIRE actor launched his Italian fashion range for men, Uncle Kimono, in 2002.

Relatively unknown singer-songwriter ELLIE GOULDING has won the Brit Awards Critics’ Choice prize for the act most likely to break through next year (10). The 22-year-old Brit follows in the footsteps of acts including FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE and ADELE who have previously picked up the honour.

RIHANNA has a new tattoo. The singer has added to her body art collection by having the words “Never a failure, always a lesson” inked backwards on her chest.

Rapper WYCLEF JEAN surprised U.S. lifestyle queen MARTHA STEWART with an early Christmas present when he appeared on THE MARTHA STEWART SHOW on Tuesday (08Dec09) - he presented the TV personality with a pair of Timbaland boots, which were identical to the pair he was sporting.

Scottish artist and muralist RICHARD WRIGHT has been presented with the 2009 Turner Prize at London’s Tate Britain gallery. The honour is Britain’s best-known art award.

A nude portrait of director ROMAN POLANSKI and his late wife SHARON TATE has sold at auction for $11,250 (?7,031). The picture was taken by legendary photographer David Bailey in 1969 just months before Tate was murdered by the infamous Charles Manson cult.

JOELY RICHARDSON is moving to New York for two months to be nearer to her late sister NATASHA’s teenage sons, Michael, 14, and Daniel, 13. The boys lost their mum after she suffered a brain injury in a skiing accident in March (09).

VIVICA A. FOX, comedian PAUL RODRIGUEZ, U.S. broadcaster RUSH LIMBAUGH and musician DAVE KOZ have been appointed judges for the 2010 Miss America Pageant, which will take place at the Planet Hollywood resort in Las Vegas at the end of January (10).

Rolling Stone magazine is branching out into the food business. Bosses are set to launch a themed chain in Hollywood - starting with a restaurant, bar and lounge next to the famed Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre.

TAYLOR SWIFT was once so inspired by a song idea, she ran into the wrong bathroom at an airport. The country singer had no paper to scribble the new idea down on and so dashed to the loo to write on a paper towel - and it was only when she looked up that she realised she was in the men’s room.

Moviemaker PETER JACKSON has named the Oscars he won for his LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy Gary, Trevor, Muzza, Neville, Brent and Lysander.

KILL BILL star VIVICA A. FOX stirred up a milkshake honour on Sunday (06Dec09) when she served up a Cougar Crunch at Hollywood’s top malt shop. The actress was the latest star to land a dairy accolade at Millions of Milkshakes. Her Cougar Crunch will be added to the menu from Monday (07Dec09).

TWILIGHT hunk TAYLOR LAUTNER can add superhero to his resume after landing the lead role in MAX STEEL. The teenage actor will portray the extreme sports star-turned-secret agent in an upcoming blockbuster.

JURASSIC PARK star JEFF GOLDBLUM will ring in 2010 from behind the piano - the part-time jazz musician has landed a headlining spot at hip Hollywood club Cafe Was’ end-of-the-year party.

The HARRY POTTER movies have made almost $5.4 billion around the world - the equivalent of every person on the planet spending 88 cents (55 pence) on the franchise, according to Entertainment Weekly magazine.

JOHN STAMOS and GINA GERSHON have had their Broadway stints in BYE BYE BIRDIE extended by two more weeks. The New York revival failed to win over critics when it opened in October (09), but the show has proved to be a hit with theatre-goers, prompting bosses to add a string of performances to the stars’ schedules. The show will now run until 24 January (10).

Rapper JAY-Z’s basketball team, the New Jersey Nets, have landed one of sports’ most shameful records after losing 18 games in a row. It’s the worst start to any National Basketball Association season for any professional team. The record was cemented with a 117-101 drubbing at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night (02Dec09).

Acclaimed singer/songwriter FEIST is set for a jubilant return to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in February (10) when she performs as part of the festivities surrounding the sporting tournament. Feist was a dancer in the opening ceremonies for the 1988 Calgary Winter Games.

TAYLOR SWIFT has just scored another chart landmark in the U.S. - her 2006 debut has been named the longest-running album on the Billboard 200 this decade.

Over 110 movies from 38 countries around the world have been selected to compete at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Utah in January (10).

AC/DC are giving millions of fans the chance to watch their sold-out Buenos Aires, Argentina concert series later this month (Dec09) - the band is set to launch a DVD of the highly-anticipated shows. The Highway to Hell hitmakers arrived in Argentina’s capital on Sunday (29Nov09) to start filming the project, which will culminate with the band’s three sold-out shows this week (02-06Dec09) at the city’s 65,000 capacity River Plate Stadium.

Def Jam Records chairman ANTONIO ‘L.A.’ REID is to be honoured by UNICEF for his children’s charity work. The label executive will be recognised for his philanthropy at the 7th Annual UNICEF Snowflake Ball in New York on Wednesday (02Dec09).

MEGADETH frontman DAVE MUSTAINE is preparing to rock one fan’s Christmas. The former METALLICA rocker’s creative fans will have until 06 December (09) to submit designs for a Christmas card contest, and win the top prize from the hitmaker - a festive phone call during the holiday.

LADY GAGA’s colourful life has been turned into a new comic book. Pop culture artist Brian Einersen has turned the pop star into Lady Saga for his new collection, which is available exclusively at Marc Jacobs stores.

A letter written by novelist J.D. SALINGER, in which he vows never to sell the stage and screen rights to his classic THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, is on sale for $54,000 (?33,750).

CHRIS BROWN has followed ex-girlfriend RIHANNA’s lead and revealed all about their infamous bust-up in an interview with popular U.S. news show 20/20. The Umbrella hitmaker previously opened up about the former couple’s relationship, and the February (09) fight which ended the romance, on the programme with legendary journalist Diane Sawyer earlier this month (Nov09).

British girl group the SUGABABES have lent their support to a new cervical cancer awareness campaign. The trio is backing the Fight Cervical Cancer In Style drive, launched by the Jo?s Trust charity, which encourages women to have regular smear tests.

DAVID BECKHAM’s flagship soccer academy in the U.K. is closing in January (10). The project, based in London, is set to tour around Britain.

Actress TIPPI HEDREN incorporates her most famous film role into her signature - THE BIRDS star has feathered friends flying around her name when she signs autographs for fans.

Rockers THE WHO have been confirmed as the star attraction at the 2010 Super Bowl half-time show in Florida in February. Reports leaked to the media earlier this month (Nov09) and, as promised, the National Football League in America, has served up the official announcement in an online ad on Thanksgiving Day (26Nov09).

TWILIGHT star PETER FACINELLI had a double celebration on Thanksgiving Day (26Nov09) - the holiday fell on his 36th birthday.

COLDPLAY star GUY BERRYMAN has formed a new group with A-HA keyboard player MAGNE FURUHOLMEN. Apparatjik will release their first album next week (30Nov09).

Even Volturi vampires have to work out - British actor MICHAEL SHEEN, who heads the sinister bloodsucker sect in the new TWILIGHT movie, was spotted sweating on the cross trainer at L.A. Fitness gym in Universal City, California on Tuesday night (24Nov09).

Veteran movie star TIPPI HEDREN has a pet cat named after her son-in-law ANTONIO BANDERAS. The Birds star poses with the puss in a Thanksgiving newsletter sent to friends of her California big cat sanctuary the Shambala Reserve.

RIHANNA’s new album RATED R will be available to download in the U.S. for just $0.99 (?0.62) on Friday (27Nov09) - just five days after its release. The marketing move, by the singer’s record label Def Jam, will be part of online retailer Amazon.com’s price slashing sale, which kicks off this week.

It took JAMES CAMERON two years to figure out how to film the 20-minute action scene that concludes his highly-anticipated new movie AVATAR.

AMY WINEHOUSE has splashed out on $28,000 (?18,000)-worth of Christmas decorations. The singer went on a shopping spree at luxury British retailer Selfridges and came home with singing Santas, musical lights and animated reindeers to deck out her London home.

Puppet heroes THE MUPPETS have recorded a new version of QUEEN’s rock anthem BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. The accompanying video has been posted on YouTube.com.

RIHANNA is set to receive a New Year’s bonus - the superstar is reportedly cashing a $500,000 (?312,000) cheque to perform at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on 31 December (09).

Director JAMES CAMERON worked with a linguist to create a whole new language for the natives inhabiting his imaginary world in upcoming sci-fi epic AVATAR.

Actress/singer CARRIE ANN INABA, who serves as a judge on U.S. reality TV show Dancing With the Stars, will undergo surgery in Los Angeles on Wednesday (25Nov09) to heal her stiff neck. The star has been suffering from a crippling pain in her neck as a result of her arthritis.

U.S. electronics superstore chain Best Buy was all the rage on Monday night (23Nov09) after hosting New York and Los Angeles signing sessions by RIHANNA and LADY GAGA. Rihanna signed copies of her highly anticipated new album Rated R at New York’s Best Buy headquarters, while Lady GaGa staged her signing at a Best Buy in Los Angeles.

“I felt we’ve only just started to pick up steam. Why would we want to stop now? We all know we have so much more in us yet.” Rocker JOSH HOMME confirms supergroup THEM CROOKED VULTURES, which also features DAVE GROHL and JOHN PAUL JONES, has plans to make a second album.

Italian prime minister SILVIO BERLUSCONI has been named Rock Star of the Year by Italian Rolling Stone magazine, as a tribute to his “lifestyle worthy of the greatest rock star”. The 72 year old, who is set to divorce his wife of 19 years, has hit headlines for his womanising ways and publicly admitted he is “no saint”.

Rock superstars U2 will headline the 40th anniversary of Britain’s Glastonbury Festival next year (10) - marking the Irish band’s first ever appearance at the iconic music event. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN made his Glastonbury debut when he hit the stage this summer (09).

Colombian pop star SHAKIRA is heading to England’s prestigious Oxford University to speak about her charity, The Barefoot Foundation, which aims to improve education for impoverished children. The singer will address the Oxford Union on 7 December (09).

The American Music Awards telecast on Sunday night (22Nov09) was a big hit in the U.S. - more than 14 million music fans tuned in making the show the highest rated since 2002.

LEONA LEWIS has splashed out $2.9 million (?1.8 million) on a four-bedroom house in Los Angeles.

GREEN DAY are to re-record their 21 GUNS hit with the cast of their AMERICAN IDIOT musical. The song will be available to download at the end of November (09).

LADY GAGA is to play a show to a royal audience - the singer will take to the stage in front of Britain’s QUEEN ELIZABETH II at the Royal Variety Performance in London next month (Dec09).

Novelist COLUM McCANN has picked up the 2009 National Book Award for Fiction for Let the Great World Spin. McCann was honoured in New York on Wednesday night (18Nov09).

British girl group SUGABABES have recorded a Christmas single. Their cover of Eartha Kitt hit Santa Baby will be available online over the festive season.

A model of movie ape King Kong, which featured in the climax of the classic 1933 film, is to be auctioned off. The skeleton, which lost its fur over the decades, is estimated to fetch up to $240,000 (?150,000) when it goes under the hammer in London on Tuesday (24Nov09).

THE HILLS star LAUREN CONRAD will add fashion guru to her resume in 2010 - she has written a new style guide which will be released at the end of next year. She says, “This guide will offer simple, practical tips to help anyone look fabulous.” The book won’t be Conrad’s first - her novel, L.A. Candy, was a number one bestseller on the New York Times list and the follow-up, Sweet Little Lies, will hit stores in February (10).

Colombian-born pop star SHAKIRA listened to BOB DYLAN and LEONARD COHEN lyrics to learn English.

Supermodel-turned-photographer HELENA CHRISTENSEN has launched an exhibition of photos she snapped in Peru documenting the locals’ struggle to cope with climate change. The star’s show, Meltdown, will be displayed in London’s Proud Gallery until 29 November (09).

Basketball giant SHAQUILLE O’NEAL is hoping to score a slam dunk in the art world by curating his first exhibition, Size DOES Matter, in New York in February (10). The sports star has selected a number of pieces from top contemporary artists relating to the theme of scale.

GOSSIP GIRL star LEIGHTON MEESTER has been named GQ magazine’s Obsession of The Year.

TWILIGHT hunk KELLAN LUTZ declined a $5,000 (?3,125) donation to his favourite charity, the Humane Society, because he refused to take his shirt off on national TV for the cash. The offer was made by Ellen DeGeneres on her U.S. chat show.

Singer/songwriter CAROLE KING’s sprawling Idaho ranch was once owned by the state’s one-time governor Chase Addison Clark. The King of Sweden and movie icon Clark Gable were among the guests to stay at the historic Robinson Bar Ranch, which now houses King’s recording studio.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON has surpassed Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and film franchises including Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings as leading online ticket seller MovieTickets.com?s number one pre-release.

Australian artist/singer ROLF HARRIS has teamed up with STATUS QUO’s RICK PARFITT in a bid to land the U.K.’s Christmas number one single. They’ve recorded festive song CHRISTMAS IN THE SUN.

WHITNEY HOUSTON will perform on the finale of U.S. reality show DANCING WITH THE STARS on 24 November (09).

MORRISSEY’s scrapped show in Liverpool, England won’t be rescheduled. The former Smiths frontman fled the stage just two songs into his gig earlier this month (Nov09) when he was hit on the head with a large plastic beaker of beer.

LEONA LEWIS has recorded the signature song for upcoming science fiction film AVATAR. The British singer’s track I SEE YOU runs over the credits of the much-hyped JAMES CAMERON epic, which hits movie screens in December (09).

Scientist DR. BROOKE MAGNANTI, from Bristol, England has been unmasked as the former hooker behind hit TV show SECRET DIARY OF A CALL GIRL. Dr. Magnanti, who hid behind the pseudonym ‘Belle de Jour’ to write the original blog on which the show is based, confesses she worked as a vice girl when she was a student in London in 2003.

Australian electro DJ duo the PRESETS are set to share another life experience - they both set to become first time fathers. Longterm music partners JULIAN HAMILTON and KIM MOYES both found out about the impending parenthood earlier this month (Nov09).

JACKSONs JANET and RANDY played percussion on late brother MICHAEL’s 1979 hit DON’T STOP ‘TIL YOU GET ENOUGH.

Rap mogul DIDDY made pal JIMMY KIMMEL’s 42nd birthday extra special on Friday (13Nov09) by presenting the TV chat show host with a signed portrait of himself and toasting him with his very own cocktail, made from Diet Snapple iced tea and Diddy’s Ciroc vodka. The rapper served up the treats as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Friday night.

Actor TERRENCE HOWARD once lost his driving license for nine months after he was clocked speeding through Pennsylvania at 114 miles per hour.

Former BLOSSOM star JOEY LAWRENCE is to become a dad for the second time. He is expecting a baby girl with his wife CHANDI YAWN-NELSON. The couple’s second daughter, who they have already named Liberty Grace, is due in April (10).

Actress BRIDGET MOYNAHAN has signed up as the new face of Garnier Nutritioniste skin care.

STING will help raise funds for the restoration effort at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the end of January (10) when he performs hits from his career with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

British actor CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON has taken on the role of JOHN LENNON for a new BBC drama. The ELIZABETH star plays the late BEATLE in NAKED, which tells the story of Lennon’s life.

Reality TV star KIM KARDASHIAN hosted a baby shower for her pregnant sister KOURTNEY on Saturday (14Nov09). More than 80 guests, including BRITTNY GASTINEAU, attended the party held at the family home in Hidden Hills, California.

JON BON JOVI’s birth name, Bongiovi, means good fisherman in Italian.

Rocker STING has teamed up with blind Australian singer GURRUMUL for a special version of his hit EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE. The performance will air on French TV show Taratata on 16 December (09).

Former DALLAS star VICTORIA PRINCIPAL has donated $25,000 (?15,600) to environmental group Tree People to help officials restore areas of California’s Angeles National Forest recently destroyed by wildfires.

Rocker JON BON JOVI’s mother, Carol, was one of the first Playboy bunnies.

R&B singer CASSIE has lent her support to disgraced CHRIS BROWN by appearing as his love interest in his new video. The promo for CRAWL premiered on U.S. TV on Friday’s (13Nov09) Wendy Williams Show. It’s his first official single since his violent bust-up with ex-girlfriend RIHANNA in February (09).

Fans can bid for an ALICE COOPER signed guitar at a charity auction in New Zealand on Saturday (14Nov09). All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust.

British actor JOE MCFADDEN and Irish star NIAMH CUSACK slept on the streets of London on Thursday night (13Nov09) as part of an initiative to raise awareness of youth homelessness.

Former B2K boyband members LIL’ FIZZ and J-BOOG are launching their own clothing lines. Fizz is designing fashions for Nightlife and Boog is working on his F&B range.

THE OFFICE creator RICKY GERVAIS is returning to the workplace - he’s helped create a new TV sitcom set in a mobile phone shop. PHONESHOP debuts in the U.K. on Friday (13Nov09).

METALLICA star LARS ULRICH and colourful TWISTED SISTER frontman DEE SNIDER have landed cameo roles in RUSSELL BRAND’s new comedy GET HIM TO THE GREEK.

QUEEN LATIFAH’s pals call her ‘Naked Girl’ because “I like to be in the nude at home - I let it all hang out.”

LEONA LEWIS will be embarking on her first tour next year (10). The BLEEDING LOVE hitmaker will start the gigs in Britain on 28 May in Sheffield, England and wrap up on 27 June in Dublin, Ireland.

MARTIN SCORSESE will give budding directors a chance to quiz him on his filmmaking skills as part of the The Rolex Mentor And Protege Arts Initiative. The talk will take place in London on 3 December (09).

QUEEN LATIFAH’s new fragrance, Queen, has a hint of tequila.

British singer JAMIE T has rescheduled his U.K. tour after cancelling a string of gigs when he fell ill with laryngitis. The performances, which were due to kick off on 1 October (09) will now take place in the New Year (10) with the first date in Nottingham, England slated for 19 January (10).

JOHN TRAVOLTA and his daughter ELLA BLEU have filmed a new video, featuring Bobby Brown’s hit Every Little Step You Take. The Travoltas sing and dance in front of a massive ‘Ella Bleu’ as clips of their new family film Old Dogs flash onto the screen.

Actor GEORGE HAMILTON is headed to the Australian outback to compete in U.K. reality TV series I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE!

Actor MATT DAMON is showing off his humanitarian side by narrating a video about global hunger for the U.S. State Department.

U.S. cult rockers MY MORNING JACKET are about to get animated for an upcoming appearance on cartoon show AMERICAN DAD. The group will play themselves opposite superfan Zach Galifianakis in a 22 November (09) episode of the hit show.

Action man ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, the California Governor, is heading to Iraq to visit U.S. troops next week (beg16Nov09). He had to scrap a trip to the warzone in July (09) because of the state’s budget crisis. His exact schedule has not been released for security reasons.

Pop star AARON CARTER has written a new song about his experience on U.S. TV show DANCING WITH THE STARS - called DANCE WITH ME. The singer was voted off the programme on Tuesday night (10Nov09).

Oscar favourite UP will compete with ASTRO BOY, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS, CORALINE and DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL for next year’s (10) Best Animated Film Academy Award. The 20-strong submissions list, which will be whittled down to five by February (10), also includes Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Mary and Max, Ponyo and Monsters vs. Aliens.

WARREN BEATTY will receive the Art Directors Guild’s coveted honorary Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery Award in February (10).

GIRLS ALOUD singer CHERYL COLE is to team up with SNOW PATROL for charity. THE X FACTOR judge and the band will perform track SET THE FIRE TO THE THIRD BAR at the Children In Need benefit concert on Thursday (12Nov09).

Music mogul SIMON COWELL, pop stars LILY ALLEN and DIZZEE RASCAL, and fashion designer STELLA McCARTNEY are among the most influential celebrities in London, according to the Evening Standard newspaper’s annual list of the U.K. capital’s most powerful people.

ENTOURAGE actor KEVIN CONNOLLY auctioned off two walk-on parts on the hit U.S. TV series for $58,000 (£36,250) this month (Nov09) at the Magic Foundation’s Texas Hold ‘Em tournament. Proceeds from the winning bid will benefit the Entrepreneur Foundation of Central Texas - a local non-profit organisation promoting entrepreneurship within the community.

U.S. TV actor JENSEN ACKLES is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, ONE TREE HILL star, DANNEEL HARRIS.

SPANDAU BALLET singer TONY HADLEY has won the outstanding achievement honour at the BT Visit London Awards for his contribution to the U.K. capital’s cultural heritage.

The brains behind acrobatic circus troupe Cirque du Soleil have created a new tribute to ELVIS PRESLEY, which will open in Las Vegas in December (09). Viva Elvis will debut at the Aria Resort & Casino at MGM Mirage’s CityCenter complex.

The chief executive of Universal Music, LUCIAN GRAINGE, ‘bought’ music mogul SIMON COWELL for an hour as part of a charity auction in the U.K. on Thursday night (05Nov09) - for a whopping $30,400 (£19,000).

TRANSFORMERS moviemaker MICHAEL BAY has signed on to direct the new Victoria’s Secret holiday ad.

ASHTON KUTCHER is expanding his online empire. The actor’s popular Twitter.com blogs are now being translated into French, Spanish and Japanese to gather more fans from around the globe.

Former EURYTHMICS star DAVE STEWART has teamed up with Oscar winner A.R. RAHMAN to create the music for a new high-energy movie about an urban dance competition. HONEY filmmaker BILLE WOODRUFF will direct the film, which will reportedly star newcomer CINDY GOMEZ.

BEYONCE proved her superstar status at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin, Germany on Thursday (05Nov09) - a body double performed her raunchy routine during the soundcheck.

BLINK-182 star MARK HOPPUS can add music journalist to his resume after signing on to pen a weekly online blog for America’s Spin magazine. Each week the rocker will pick a new act he has discovered and write about them in his Hopp On Pop column.

Rapper 50 CENT’s new cologne, Power, features hints of black pepper, coriander and oak-moss. It hits stores on Friday (06Nov09).

THE PIXIES opened their latest reunion tour in Hollywood on Wednesday (04Nov09) with a showing of LUIS BUNUEL’s 1929 surrealist movie short Un Chien Andalou - the inspiration behind their fan favourite Debaser - which opens the band’s cult 1999 album Doolittle. The group is performing the album in its entirety on a sold-out tour of America.

Boxer and singer MANNY PACQUIAO youngest daughter is called Queen Elizabeth. She’s named after Helen Mirren’s character in The Queen - one of the fighter’s favourite films.

Singer ALICIA KEYS will debut her new jewellery line, the Barber’s Daughters, at a two-day retail event at New York’s Collette Blanchard Gallery later this month (23-24Nov09).

The cast of U.S. TV hit GLEE’s rendition of JOURNEY’s DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ has become a big hit - the tune has been downloaded over 500,000 times.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY actress KATIE FEATHERSTON was paid $500 (£313) for her breakout role in the low-budget horror film - which has grossed $85.8 million (£53.6 million) at the U.S. box office since its release on 25 September (09).

Rockers WEEZER are keeping fans warm this winter by launching their own Snuggie, a blanket with sleeves. The official Weezer Snuggie, manufactured by Allstar Products Group, features the band’s logo and comes with a free copy of their new album RADITUDE.

Troubled singer AMY WINEHOUSE’s dad MITCH is filming a new documentary for U.K. TV about families struggling to support a relative with a drug addiction.

LAUREN LAVERNE, former frontwoman of cult British band KENICKIE, is writing a series of novels about a 15 year old girl dreaming of rock stardom.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE child star AYUSH MAHESH KHEDEKAR is well on his way to escaping the slums of Delhi, India after landing the lead in a new Swiss film. The young star, who famously appeared to jump into excrement in the Oscar-winning film, will lead the cast in Shyam’s Secret next year (10).

Folk rocker DEVENDRA BANHART’s middle name is Obi - after STAR WARS sage OBI-WAN KENOBI.

THE STROKES frontman JULIAN CASABLANCAS is getting in the Christmas spirit by releasing I Wish It Was Christmas Today as a holiday single seven-inch record in December (09).

JIM CARREY and his A CHRISTMAS CAROL co-stars BOB HOSKINS and COLIN FIRTH teamed up to switch on Central London’s Christmas lights prior to the world premiere of their festive 3-D film on Tuesday (03Nov09).

The home in San Francisco, California where hit 1990s teen drama PARTY OF FIVE was set is up for sale. The 19th century townhouse boasts seven bedrooms and five bathrooms, and is listed for a cool $7.2 million (£4.5 million).

Three members of SYSTEM OF A DOWN gave fans a Halloween treat on Saturday night (31Oct09) with a reunion show in Los Angeles. Drummer JOHN DOLMAYAN, guitarist DARON MALAKIAN and SHAVO ODADJIAN performed three songs together as part of the bass player’s Halloween party at The Roxy in West Hollywood.

U-571 and PAY IT FORWARD star JON BON JOVI is to be the subject of JAMES LIPTON’s indepth U.S. chat show INSIDE THE ACTOR’S STUDIO. The rocker says, “He (Lipton) made us sit there for four hours! He wouldn’t stop asking questions. But it worked. I think it’s gonna make for an interesting programme.”

Czech model PAULINA PORIZKOVA has landed a role in U.S. soap AS THE WORLD TURNS.

POISON star BRET MICHAELS and SHARON OSBOURNE will work out with fans in New York on Tuesday (03Nov09) as part of a charity push. Rock’s odd couple will hit the 24 Hour Fitness gym on 5th Avenue from 10am to 1pm.

A Texas BATMAN fan has put an exact replica of ADAM WEST’s Batmobile up for auction online. Fred Grout fashioned a rear fire-spitting jet and red bat hubcaps on the frame of a 1970 Lincoln Continental but has so far refused a bid of $30,152 (£18,845) on eBay.com.

ALANIS MORISSETTE performed the U.S. National Anthem before Monday night’s (02Nov09) World Series baseball clash between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies in Pennsylvania. The singer dashed to Philadelphia after completing the New York City Marathon on Sunday (01Nov09).

BEYONCE is serving up a Thanksgiving treat for her U.S. fans - a TV special featuring the R&B superstar in concert during her recent Las Vegas residency will air in America on 26 November (09).

Las Vegas is the place to be on New Year’s Eve (31Dec09) if you’re a 50 CENT or BLACK EYED PEAS fan - the rapper will be hosting an end-of-the-year party at Sin City’s Pure nightclub, while the Peas will perform at a rival Hogmanay bash at the late DJ-AM’s venue LAX.

ALANIS MORISSETTE completed the New York marathon in an impressive time of four hours, 28 minutes and raised nearly $4,000 (£2,500) for her chosen charity - the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Former E.R. star ANTHONY EDWARDS, actor EDWARD NORTON and illusionist DAVID BLAINE also donned their running shoes to compete in the event.

The cast of hit musical TV series GLEE performed the American National Anthem to thrilled baseball fans during the World Series clash between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night (31Oct09).

GIRLS ALOUD singer SARAH HARDING has bought her own London nightclub with boyfriend DJ TOM CRANE. It is due to open in November (09).

BOYZONE are to pay tribute to their late bandmate STEPHEN GATELY’s rise to stardom in new film. The Irish singer died from a build-up of fluid on his lungs at his home in Majorca, Spain on 10 October (09), aged 33.

British reggae rockers UB40 are holding a benefit gig in their home town of Birmingham, England on Tuesday (03Nov09) - to raise funds for their favourite local bar, which is under threat of closure.

JACK WHITE’s band THE DEAD WEATHER will be playing a free show in London on Saturday night (31Oct09) to celebrate Halloween. The rockers will don fancy dress and are urging fans to attend covered in fake blood, with White insisting the most imaginative outfit will win a prize.

Outlandish British singer PATRICK WOLF is heading back to school - he will give a lecture to brainy students at Britain’s prestigious Oxford University. He will lead a discussion with academics on 10 November (09).

Former GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist SLASH teamed up with ALICE COOPER on stage in Los Angeles on Wednesday night (28Oct09). The VELVET REVOLVER star joined the shock rocker for a rendition of classic track SCHOOL’S OUT, with the pair taking to the stage in matching top hats.

France’s First Lady CARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY’s childhood home is up for sale for a massive $28 million (£17.5 million). The castle in Turin, Italy has 40 rooms and comes with 175 acres of land including vegetable gardens, ancient greenhouses and a caretaker’s residence.

“It started to come in like peach fuzz… It was great. I always wanted to shave.” CHER’s former daughter CHAZ BONO on the highlights of becoming a man.

MARC ANTHONY became the first National Football League (NFL) club owner to sing America’s National Anthem on live TV when he performed before the Miami Dolphins clash with the New York Jets earlier this month (Oct09). Anthony is a co-owner of the Dolphins.

Rockers FOO FIGHTERS are hitting the social networking scene - the band will broadcast its Studio 606 gig live from California via Facebook. The session will be streamed on Saturday (31Oct09) and fans will able to watch by clicking on the group’s official page.

Sex-change celebrity CHAZ BONO is chronicling his gender reassignment in an upcoming book, which will feature photographs of his gradual transformation from woman to man. Cher’s former daughter, Chastity, began treatment to become Chaz in March (09).

JAMES CAMERON’s much-anticipated new movie AVATAR is set to break records when the trailer airs before the Dallas Cowboys’ home game with Seattle Seahawks on Sunday (01Nov09). Not only will the teaser land the largest live viewing in history when 80,000 American football fans see it at Cowboy Stadium in Texas, but the venue’s giant HD screen is the world’s largest, according to Guinness.

AMERICAN IDOL pin-up ADAM LAMBERT was a chorus boy in the U.S. touring production of stage musical WICKED for two years.

DONALD TRUMP and his daughter IVANKA picked the same wedding planner to create their perfect nuptials - PRESTON BAILEY.

“I’m too lazy to get the costume and all that. A couple of years ago I was so lazy I just bought a O.R. scrubs and went as Zach Braff to a party - no make-up. Some people legitimately thought Zach Braff was at a party.” DAX SHEPARD’s likeness to SCRUBS star Zach Braff is a big plus at Halloween.

Pretty hitmaker COLBIE CAILLAT’s new album was produced by the man behind FLEETWOOD MAC’s epic RUMOURS - her dad KEN CAILLAT.

R&B hitmaker NE-YO has been unveiled as the spokesmodel for U.S. clothing brand Alfani Red. The So Sick singer/songwriter signed a one-year deal with department store Macy’s to front their designer men’s wear and launched the campaign at its flagship store in New York City on Tuesday (11Aug09).

JAMES McAVOY is battling cancer for his next role - he will play a young victim who fights the disease throughout his 20s. The untitled movie is based on the life of screenwriter WILL REISER, and will be produced by SETH ROGEN.

BROTHERS & SISTERS star SARAH JANE MORRIS is pregnant with her first child by musician husband NED BOWER. The actress is due to give birth early next year (10).

Actor RICHARD GERE is selling his Long Island, New York farmhouse for a reported $6.5 million (£4.3 million) - $3.8 million (£2.5 million) more than he paid for it in 2001. The seven-bedroom home is set in 1.2 acres and boasts a heated pool, guest house and artist’s studio.

MTV is abandoning its famed studio in New York’s Times Square - executives at the TV station’s parent company Viacom have chosen not to renew their contract after the lease agreement expires at the end of the year (09). The studio, located in the heart of the Big Apple, was the home of their music video chart show TRL: Total Request Live, which went off air last year (08).

Beverly Hills’ famous Hugo Boss building on Rodeo Drive has been sold for a whopping $28 million (GBP18.6 million). Investors from Hong Kong paid $2,471 (GBP1650)-per-square-foot for the prime real estate.

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN star BILL HADER is to be a dad. The funnyman’s wife Maggie Carey is expecting the couple’s first child at the end of September (09). The couple wed in 2006.

World renowned architect FRANK GEHRY, the man who designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain has teamed up with BRAD PITT’s Make It Right Foundation to come up with the layout for the charity’s new set of duplex houses for displaced families in New Orleans, Louisiana, who were left homeless by 2005’s Hurricane Katrina.

LIZ HURLEY’s producer ex STEPHEN BING provided his own private jet to fly the two U.S. journalists, who had been held captive in North Korea, home on Tuesday (04Aug09). Euna Lee and Laura Ling were granted a special pardon during former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s visit with Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

Taiwanese pop star JAY CHOU is preparing to fight crime as SETH ROGEN’s sidekick in MICHEL GONDRY’s upcoming film version of THE GREEN HORNET. The singer will play Kato after STEPHEN CHOW pulled out of the role last month (Jul09).

G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA stars CHANNING TATUM and SIENNA MILLER helped to kick off a day of trading on Tuesday (04Aug09) when they rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The actors were accompanied by co-star Rachel Nichols, director Stephen Sommers and producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Brian Goldner as they swapped Hollywood glamour for the hustle and bustle of Wall Street to promote the new action movie.

Rocker JOHN MAYER has allowed cameras into his New York City home. The singer’s luxurious loft apartment is featured in the new issue of Elle Decor magazine and shows off his private chambers, which include furnishings designed by fashion brand GEORGIO ARMANI and prints of legendary artists including JIMI HENDRIX and MILES DAVIS.

Fashion designer TOM FORD will premiere his directorial debut at this year’s Venice Film Festival in Italy. A SINGLE MAN, based on a book by author CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD, will compete for the event’s prestigious Golden Lion award when it is unveiled in September (09).

Hip-hop legend JAY-Z has teamed up with quirky electronic duo EMPIRE OF THE SUN for his latest album THE BLUEPRINT 3. He is reportedly set to release the duet with singer LUKE STEELE, WHAT WE TALKING ABOUT, as the next single from the highly-anticipated record, after the RIHANNA and KANYE WEST collaboration RUN THIS TOWN.

BEYONCE and THE BLACK EYED PEAS will be headlining a concert in Singapore next month (Sept09) to coincide with the country’s Formula 1 Grand Prix and the first F1 Rocks Event. N.E.R.D, ZZ TOP and SIMPLE MINDS will also perform over the three-days from 24 September.

Former SPICE GIRLS star MELANIE BROWN is heading back to her native Britain for her next TV job. The Los Angeles-based star is set to join the presenting panel of U.K. TV show LOOSE WOMEN - the British version of America’s THE VIEW - for a week-long guest slot next month (Sep09).

Rocker JACK WHITE opens new guitar documentary IT MIGHT GET LOUD by constructing a one-stringed instrument using wood, an amplifier and a Coke bottle.

THE WHITE STRIPES rocker JACK WHITE is releasing a solo song later this month (Aug09). White wrote and recorded Fly Farm Blues during the filming of DAVIS GUGGENHEIM’s upcoming music documentary IT MIGHT GET LOUD.

Veteran U.S. comic BILL CROSBY will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on 26 October (09). He will be handed the honour by fellow sit-com legend JERRY SEINFELD.

BRAD PITT’s kids served up the perfect Father’s Day gift for their biker dad back in June (09) - they scrawled all over his all-white helmet. Eldest son Maddox wrote ‘DADDY’S HELMET’ in permanent black marker pen above the visor.

Award-winning playwright DAVID MAMET is adapting THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK for a new Disney film. The book details young Holocaust victim Anne Frank’s daily struggle to remain hidden from the Nazis during World War II.

METALLICA, TOOL and the FOO FIGHTERS are among the heavy rock acts contributing to a new KILLING JOKE tribute album.

Hong Kong director JOHNNIE TO will be honoured for his career achievements at South Korea’s Pusan International Film Festival in October (09). Moviemaker To will hold a master class during the eight-day event, while 10 of his films will also be screened throughout the festival.

Singer JAMES TAYLOR plans to donate his $500,000 (£334,000) earnings from upcoming performances at a Massachusetts music festival to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The Fire And Rain hitmaker begin five days of gigs at the Tanglewood Music Festival on 27 August (09).

Dutch DJ TIESTO’s new album, KALEIDOSCOPE, is to be a star-studded affair - the release will feature guest appearances from Sigur Ros star Jonsi, Kele Okereke of Bloc Party, Nelly Furtado, Calvin Harris, Tegan & Sara and Metric star Emily Haines.

Fallen rap mogul MARION ‘SUGE’ KNIGHT is selling off his Las Vegas mansion. The four bedroom, seven bathroom property, which was used as the home of ROBERT De NIRO’s character in 1995 crime classic CASINO, is on the market for $1.5 million (£1 million), reports TMZ.com. Knight filed for bankruptcy in 2008.

British soul singer BEVERLEY KNIGHT is launching K Cosmetics, a make-up range for black women.

The WHITE STRIPES, DEAD WEATHER and RACONTEURS star JACK WHITE’s Third Man Records company is to launch a ‘pop-up record store’ in Los Angeles next week (26-28Aug09). The store, located at 448 South Main Street, will boast all things relating to White’s three bands. A similar venture in New York recently included a surprise Dead Weather gig.

WALL-E director ANDREW STANTON’s movie adaptation of EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS’ JOHN CARTER OF MARS is becoming a star-studded affair - British trio SAMANTHA MORTON, POLLY WALKER and DOMINIC WEST have been added to the cast. The threesome will join TAYLOR KITSCH, LYNN COLLINS and WILLEM DAFOE in the Disney film, which chronicles a Civil War veteran’s mysterious transportation to Mars.

The crypt above movie icon MARILYN MONROE’s final resting place was sold for $4.6 million (£2.9 million) on Monday (24Aug09). Bidding for the site at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, where Monroe was laid to rest in 1962, started on auction website eBay.com on 14 August (09).

Country star TAYLOR SWIFT is holding an online raffle for fans - the lucky winner will get a personal audience with the singer when she travels to New York for a show on Thursday (27Aug09).

RONNIE WOOD’s estranged wife JO and former tennis ace MARTINA HINGIS are set to don their dancing shoes as they join the celebrity line-up of U.K. TV talent contest STRICTLY COME DANCING.

BOB DYLAN’s first Christmas album, scheduled for release in October (09), will be called CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART. The collection will feature holiday standards including Little Drummer Boy and Here Comes Santa Claus. Proceeds from the album will benefit hunger relief organisations.

BRAD PAISLEY and CARRIE UNDERWOOD have been recalled as the hosts of the Country Music Association Awards in November (09). The couple teamed up to present the awards show in 2008. Between them, the pair has 16 CMAs.

ED WESTWICK’s manipulative GOSSIP GIRL character is going gay - in a bid to win his girlfriend a place at university. Rich kid CHUCK BASS will have a same-sex smooch with actor NEAL BLEDSOE in the show’s upcoming third season.

Cult rockers MORPHINE are planning to release a new album of unreleased studio and live material in October (09) to mark the 10th anniversary of singer MARK SANDMAN’s death. The remaining members of the band will also perform a memorial gig in Massachusetts on 27 September (09).

California Governor ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER has his sword from 1982 move CONAN THE BARBARIAN on display in his office in the state capital, Sacramento.

The bosses at vodka firm Grey Goose will debut an orange-flavoured beverage at the Emmy Awards on 20 September (09).

Oscar nominated Mexican singer LILA DOWNS has been forced to pull the plug on a free show in Santa Monica, California on Thursday (27Aug09) after failing to recover from an appendectomy in time. The star, who provided music for Salma Hayek’s Frida film and performed at the 2003 Academy Awards, was booked to play at the Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series.

Rock ‘n’ roll legend JERRY LEE LEWIS is set to mark his 75th birthday next month (Sep09) by releasing a new single. MEAN OLD MAN, which Lewis recorded with KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, was made available for download on Tuesday (25Aug09).

The father of Hollywood’s new scream queen, SCOUT TAYLOR-COMPTON - the star of both HALLOWEEN remakes - is a mortician.

DAVE GROHL’s new supergroup THEM CROOKED VULTURES made a surprise appearance in London on Wednesday night (26Aug09). The band, which also includes LED ZEPPELIN’s JOHN PAUL JONES and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE’s JOSH HOMME, made their U.K. debut supporting the ARCTIC MONKEYS at the O2 Brixton Academy. They are also rumoured to be making a surprise appearance at this weekend’s (29-30Aug09) Reading and Leeds Festival in Britain.

Country star JACK INGRAM has set a new world record by sitting for 215 radio interviews in 24 hours. The fun-loving singer decided to promote his new album, Big Dreams & High Hopes - which was released on Tuesday (25Aug09) - by chatting to radio stations around the world.

BILLY BRAGG will stage the North American premiere of his revamp of Ode to Joy, the chorale finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, in Santa Monica, California on Saturday (29Aug09). Bragg rewrote the lyrics to the choral favourite - originally based on Friedrich Schiller’s 1786 poem An die Freude. The piece debuted at London’s Royal Festival Hall in 2007. This will be it’s third performance.

Hollywood actor HUGH JACKMAN has thrown his support behind a dance organisation in his native Australia. The X-MEN star has become patron of the Bangarra dance company.

A movie telling the story of THE BEATLES manager BRIAN EPSTEIN and his early years with the band is in the pipeline. A LIFE IN THE DAY was written by Tony Gottelson and will be produced by David Permut, reports Variety.

Country singer GAVIN DEGRAW and hip-hop band THE ROOTS are among a list of musicians who have signed up to perform a free concert in New York next month (11Sep09) on the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, marking the first annual U.S. National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Country singer GAVIN DEGRAW and hip-hop band THE ROOTS are among a list of musicians who have signed up to perform a free concert in New York next month (11Sep09) on the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, marking the first annual U.S. National Day of Service and Remembrance.

MARY J. BLIGE has teamed up with designers at GUCCI to create a watch that will benefit her charity The Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN). A portion of the proceeds from each watch will go to the organisation, which helps women get on their feet after traumas and aids in career advancement and education.

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE star FLORENCE WELCH proved her daredevil credentials at the U.K.’s READING FESTIVAL on Friday (28Aug09) - she climbed 30 feet (nine metres) up a stage support and dangled from the girder by one hand during her set.

PINK wrapped up her record-breaking tour of Australia on Saturday (29Aug09) at Sydney’s Acer Arena. The singer has spent more than three months travelling the country, playing her FUNHOUSE roadshow 58 times for more than 660,000 fans.

HARRY POTTER star DANIEL RADCLIFFE attended Britain’s Reading music festival over the weekend (29-30Aug09) in disguise. The young actor covered his face with a Batman mask to make sure he wasn’t recognised in the crowd.

DAME VERA LYNN has become the oldest living artist ever to appear in the U.K.’s top 20 album chart. The 92 year old’s WE’LL MEET AGAIN - THE VERY BEST OF VERA LYNN beat off competition from the likes of U2 and BLUR to score the number 20 slot - 70 years after her Second World War heyday.

Action man-turned-California Governor ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER has scored a Twitter.com milestone - he passed the one million followers mark over the weekend (29-30Aug09). Among politicians, only President Barack Obama and his one-time presidential rival Senator John McCain have more followers

MADONNA’s boy toy, JESUS LUZ, has a cameo in the pop superstar’s new CELEBRATION video.

The singer is seen stripping her man, who plays a DJ in the promo, before planting an open-mouthed kiss on his lips.

ERIC CLAPTON has boosted U.S. comedian JAY LENO’s star power as he returns to TV this month (Sep09) - the rocker will perform with Bruce Hornsby and his band the Noisemakers during the inaugural week of the new Jay Leno Show. The premiere of the hotly-anticipated programme on 14 September (09) will feature Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will be Leno’s first guest.

Country duo SUGARLAND will join BOB DYLAN and STING on the musical wish list this Christmas (09) - they will release their first holiday album, Green and Gold, on 6 October (09). The album will include five original songs co-written by band members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, as well as classics like Winter Wonderland and Silent Night.

The Muppets have got talent - Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog will make a guest appearance on an episode of AMERICA’S GOT TALENT on Wednesday night (02Sep09). The puppets will perform to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jim Henson’s Sesame Street.

DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY’s teenage granddaughter is trying her hand at fame - by auditioning for British TV talent show THE X FACTOR. TATJANA, 17, sang country star FAITH HILL’s hit THERE YOU’LL BE in front of judge SIMON COWELL.

British socialite TARA PALMER-TOMKINSON has contributed a song to the soundtrack of new thriller movie THE HEAVY, which stars CHRISTOPHER LEE, VINNIE JONES, and SADIE FROST.

Celebrity chef GORDON RAMSAY has got a roasting from clients - four of his restaurants in the U.K. have been named among the country’s ten most disappointing eateries in a survey by respected Harden’s Guide. Complaints from diners included poor dishes and sky-high prices.

Anticipation for the TWILIGHT sequel is so great in America, online tickets for the first midnight shows have gone on sale two months early. Fans who can’t wait to see The Twilight Saga: New Moon on 19 November (09), can now book their seats through website Fandango.

GLORIA ESTEFAN was rocketed into space on her 52nd birthday (01Sep09). Her hit MI TIERRA was transmitted to the Discovery space shuttle by NASA as a special tribute to the Cuban star.

The music of JOHNNY CASH, ELVIS PRESLEY, JERRY LEE LEWIS and CARL PERKINS is heading to Broadway. A new show, titled Million Dollar Quartet, is set to hit New York City in the spring (10). The stage spectacular is inspired by a 1956 jam session between the four legendary musicians and will feature classic hits like Presley’s Blue Suede Shoes and Cash’s I Walk The Line.

Rapper LIL WAYNE will kick off a new season of VH1’s biography show BEHIND THE MUSIC. He’ll open up about his upbringing and past marriage, as well as his financial woes on the show, which relaunches in America on 10 September (09).

MADONNA’s daughter LOURDES wasn’t the only one to join her mother on stage in Israel during the last concert of her Sticky & Sweet tour. The singer’s nine-year-old son ROCCO was also part of Wednesday night’s (02Sep09) performance - taking to the DJ decks during her rendition of MUSIC.

MADONNA’s daughter LOURDES recreates her superstar mother’s infamous wedding dress pose in the video for the singer’s new track CELEBRATION. The Queen Of Pop toted the look in the promo for her 1984 track LIKE A VIRGIN and again at that year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

Rap superstar JAY-Z counts Ancient Greek poet Homer’s The Odyssey, author James Redfield’s The Celestine Prophecy, Gary Zukav’s The Seat of the Soul, and American comedian and social activist Dick Gregory’s autobiography N**ger among his favourite books.

NOEL GALLAGHER is reportedly set to give his side of the OASIS split in an interviewer to journalist-turned-talent show judge PIERS MORGAN. The chat will take place on the AMERICA’S GOT TALENT star’s LIFE STORIES series on British network ITV1 later this year (09).

Fans of Brit pop band BLUR are fuming after a council in London accidentally painted over a famous graffiti cartoon by street artist Banksy which was featured on the cover of the band’s 2003 single Crazy Beat.

Veteran singer TOM JONES has agreed to perform a one-off concert in Dublin, Ireland later this month (Sep09) to celebrate the 250th anniversary of drinks brand Guinness. The star says, “I hope I don’t consume too much of it before I start singing.”

The London house where JOHN LENNON and YOKO ONO shot their nude cover for the TWO VIRGINS album is set to be given a commemorative plaque. The BEATLES legend will be one of only a few people to be honoured twice with a blue plaque, placed on homes or buildings of cultural significance in the U.K. - his childhood Liverpool home also bears the prestigious honour.

NOEL GALLAGHER has headed to the Italian isle of Sardinia to escape the fallout from the OASIS split - while his brother LIAM holidays just miles away on the Italian mainland at Lake Como.

MICK JAGGER and JERRY HALL’s 17-year-old daughter, Georgia May Jagger, has signed on as the new face of Hudson Jeans.

Dancers hired for MICHAEL JACKSON’s This Is It dates served as ushers at the King of Pop’s funeral at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California on Thursday (03Sep09).

METALLICA stars JAMES HETFIELD and LARS ULRICH have turned reporters for the day to interview ALICE IN CHAINS for a special U.S. radio broadcast. The rockers questioned the band for the upcoming Inside Alice In Chains: Black Gives Way to Blue programme, which will air on radio stations across the U.S. on 25 September (09).

Rapper T-PAIN is sharing Auto-Tune technology with the masses - the hip-hop star’s I AM T-PAIN iPhone application allows fans to record their own songs using his trademark sound.

Beloved comedian JERRY LEWIS raised $60.5 million (£40 million) for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which funds research to find a cure for the disease, at his annual Labor Day telethon on Monday (07Sep09).

Rocker LENNY KRAVITZ is embarking on a U.S. tour later this year (09) - including a six-night stint in New York. The trek will kick off in the Big Apple on 11 October and conclude in Tunica, Mississippi on 30 October, ahead of his appearance at the Voodoo Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. on 1 November.

America’s DANCING WITH THE STARS professionals MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY and KARINA SMIRNOFF have split just two months after postponing plans to wed. The reality TV couple announced its engagement last December (08).

TYRA BANKS is launching her own online fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazine on her official website.

Actor VIGGO MORTENSEN is preparing to hit the stage in Madrid, Spain for a Spanish-language production of Ariel Dorfman’s Purgatorio. The bi-lingual star can speak fluent Spanish.

Jazz musician DAVE KOZ is to be honoured with the 2,389th star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Barry Manilow will be among the guest speakers when Koz’s star is unveiled in front of Capitol Records on 22 September (09).

OPRAH WINFREY had to ask MICHAEL JACKSON’s mother KATHERINE for permission to re-air her 1993 interview with the King of Pop as part of an upcoming tribute to the late star on her daytime talk show.

Pop star LADY GAGA took pity on an over-excited teenage fan during an appearance at a record store in London on Tuesday (08Sep09). The singer hugged the boy after he burst into tears when he met her.

JIMMY BUFFETT, GEORGE CLOONEY’s journalist father NICK and spaceman BUZZ ALDRIN joined
presidents BARACK OBAMA and BILL CLINTON and top U.S. broadcasters to pay tribute to revered newsman
WALTER KRONKITE in New York on Wednesday (09Sep09). The beloved news anchor died in July (09), aged
92.

A 1966 magazine signed by late BEATLES legend JOHN LENNON and containing an interview in which he famously claimed the band was more popular than Jesus has
sold at auction for $12,713 (£8,475). A New York-based surgeon purchased the issue of Datebook.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame bosses have lined-up an all-star list of honourees including BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, U2, STEVIE WONDER, METALLICA and ARETHA
FRANKLIN to perform at the organisation’s 25th anniversary concert in New York next month (Oct09).

Singer REGINA SPEKTOR is collaborating with playwright Tina Landau on a Broadway musical. BEAUTY, set to open in 2011, is a new take on the classic Brothers Grimm
fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.

RADIOHEAD are the kings of U.K. festivals - they were voted Best Band of the Summer in a poll by British rock magazine NME for their performances at the Reading and
Leeds festivals this year (09).

Opera star KATHERINE JENKINS will join tenor ANDREA BOCELLI for a duet on his upcoming TV special Andrea Bocelli And Friends Christmas Special, set to air in the

U.S. in December (09). Other acts scheduled to perform are NATALIE COLE, MARY J. BLIGE and THE MUPPETS.

JOHN LENNON’s widow YOKO ONO is donating $390,000 (£260,000) to the John Lennon Awards Scheme to give scholarships to disadvantaged students attending
Liverpool John Moores University in the Beatles legend’s hometown

Pop star CYNDI LAUPER will play a psychic in U.S. TV cop show BONES.

MATT DAMON staged a slow-motion fight sequence as part of a skit to promote his new movie THE INFORMANT on U.S. late night show JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! on
Tuesday (15Sep09)

The title track of WHITNEY HOUSTON’s hit comeback album I LOOK TO YOU was written for the singer by R. KELLY 10 years ago.

Former DUKES OF HAZZARD star JOHN SCHNEIDER will lead the parade and festivities at the 20th Annual World Chicken Festival in London, Kentucky later this month (24-27Sep09).

CARLETT JOHANSSON, U2 and COURTNEY LOVE are to team up at AIDS benefit (RED)Nights in New York next month (04Oct09).

Former S CLUB 7 singer RACHEL STEVENS has a perfect derriere - she has been voted Rear Of The Year in the annual British contest.

Pregnant supermodel GISELE BUNDCHEN is selling her two Manhattan homes for a whopping $18.45 million (£12.3 million). The Brazilian beauty has listed one downtown
penthouse triplex for $4.5 million (£3 million) and a townhouse in New York’s star-studded West Village for $13.95 million (£9.3 million).

EMINEM appeared in a series of comedy skits at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night (13Sep09) with funnyman TRACY MORGAN, playing the comedian’s
trainer as he fought to become a VMA winner.

KATY PERRY joined namesake rocker JOE PERRY for a rendition of QUEEN’s WE WILL ROCK YOU anthem at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night (13Sep09).
The pair of Perrys made way for British funnyman Russell Brand, who was hosting the prizegiving for a second successive year.

Rockers the ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS arrived at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York on the back of a truck with a marching band.

TAYLOR SWIFT performed her hit YOU BELONG WITH ME on the platform of the 42nd Street subway station in New York as part of the MTV Video Music Awards on
Sunday night (13Sep09). The country star raced up the stairs to street level and concluded the song from the roof of a Big Apple yellow taxi.

SARAH JESSICA PARKER’s mole is back for the SEX AND THE CITY movie sequel. The actress had her chin mole removed after playing Carrie Bradshaw in the first film,
but her character’s still exists, and has been recreated with the help of make-up.

RUMER WILLIS showed off her pie-making skills on late-night TV in America on Friday (11Sep09) when she presented TV host JIMMY KIMMEL with a coconut
banana-cream pie she had made before his show. The comedian made Willis try a slice first, fearing her prankster stepfather Ashton Kutcher had filled the pie with “Vaseline
and shaving cream”. Kimmel was so impressed, he quipped, “I’m going to finish this in the car on the way home.”

MADONNA’s best pal, actress DEBI MAZAR, has a secret olive empire - she and her husband GABRIELE CORCOS are writing a cookbook and planning a skincare line
inspired by olives they grow at their home in Florence, Italy

Spaceman BUZZ ALDRIN, who inspired the MTV Video Music Awards ‘Moonman’ prize, announced Sunday night’s (13Sep09) first honour on the red carpet before this year’s
prizegiving - for Breakthrough Video. Lessons Learned by Matt & Kim won the award.

TAYLOR SWIFT arrived at the MTV Video Music Awards in a horse-drawn princess carriage, confessing, “I really like fairytales.”

LADY GAGA showed up at the MTV Video Music Awards sporting a gold Phantom of The Opera mask, with Muppet frog Kermit as her date. The singer kissed the puppet
as she stepped out of her limousine. She joked, “This is our first date. We’ve been eyeing each other for some time… You’re so handsome tonight, Kermit!”

PINK and her husband CAREY HART scored the best arrival at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night (13Sep09) when they showed up on the back of a fire engine.

Actress RUMER WILLIS was born on the set of dad Bruce’s In Country, but has never seen the 1989 film.

Acting twins MARY-KATE and ASHLEY OLSEN turned cocktail waitresses for the night on Thursday (10Sep09) at Manhattan’s Bergdorf Goodman designer store to celebrate the city’s Fashion’s Night Out event, which kicked off New York Fashion Week.

DENNIS QUAID was offered the role of LUKE DUKE in the DUKES OF HAZZARD TV series but turned it down. TOM WOPAT eventually landed the part.

A life-long BOB DYLAN fan paid $4,500 (£2,700) for a harmonica once owned by the folk legend at an auction in Norwich, England on Thursday (10Sep09).

COMMON is proving to be a supportive boyfriend to lover SERENA WILLIAMS - the rapper/actor was snapped carrying the tennis superstar’s racket bag, handbag and snacks as she prepared to face off against Melinda Czink at the U.S. Open in Queens, New York on Wednesday (02Sep09). Williams went on to crush her competitor, winning the match 6-1, 6-1.

Artist-turned-director SAM TAYLOR-WOOD’s JOHN LENNON biopic NOWHERE BOY will debut as the closing movie of the London Film Festival on 29 October (09).

PATRICK SWAYZE’s 1989 movie ROAD HOUSE played 45 times on U.S. cable channels AMC, A&E and CMT in the past 12 months.

FALL OUT BOY’s PETE WENTZ and PANIC! AT THE DISCO stars SPENCER SMITH and BRANDAN URIE formed a one-off supergroup, called the Decaydence All-Stars, for the Warped Tour 15th anniversary party in Los Angeles on Sunday night (06Sep09). The trio and pals performed Blink-182’s Dammit and Journey’s rock classic Don’t Stop Believin’. Katy Perry, Ice-T and punk acts NOFX, Bad Religion and Rise Against also performed.

Officials in West Hollywood have declared Thursday 10 September (09) OZZY OSBOURNE Day - in honour of the veteran rocker’s long music career and his decision to perform at Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip Music Festival on Saturday (12Sep09).

Scottish singing sensation SUSAN BOYLE is set for another talent show appearance - but this time she won’t be competing. The Britain’s Got Talent star, who wowed the world with her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables, is set to take a break from recording her debut album to fly to America for a performance on the season finale of America’s Got Talent on 16 September (09).

OASIS are set to battle it out against rival Britpop group BLUR at the forthcoming Q Awards, despite announcing their split last month (Aug09). The WONDERWALL hitmakers will go head-to-head with the PARKLIFE stars for the Best Live Act honour, alongside U2, ARCTIC MONKEYS, THE PRODIGY, KASABIAN and TAKE THAT.

Veteran singer TONY BENNETT will open up his own performing arts school in New York on Monday (21Sep09). He’s named it the Frank Sinatra School in tribute to his late friend.

Singer TORI AMOS is getting in the Christmas spirit early - she’s recording an album of holiday tunes. MIDNIGHT GRACES, which will feature traditional carols and seasonal songs, will be released in November (09).

SACHA BARON COHEN is bringing his alter ego BORAT to THE SIMPSONS - the comedian will voice his comedic creation on an upcoming episode of the long-running TV series.

Pregnant supermodel GISELE BUNDCHEN has been appointed a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme.

The executive producer of medical drama E.R. and THE WEST WING has been elected president of the Writers Guild of America for a second term. John Wells won a tight race at the end of last week (ends18Sep09). He defeated former M*A*S*H and Frasier writer Elias Davis, the union’s secretary treasurer who had been endorsed by the outgoing president, Patric M. Verrone.

Irish actress ELAINE CASSIDY has become a first-time mum after giving birth to baby daughter Kila. The Others actress and her husband Stephen Lord welcomed the tot last Wednesday (16Sep09).

Top BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN tribute act the B STREET BAND will perform a marathon gig at B.B. Kings Blues Club and Grill in New York on Wednesday night (23Sep09) to mark the rocker’s 60th birthday.

Singer ROBBIE WILLIAMS is set to play his first concert in Britain in more than three years, with a gig at this year’s (09) BBC Electric Proms. The London show will take place on 20 October (09).

All 16 items in the BEATLES remastered catalogue hit the Amazon.com top 20 within a day of going on release on 9 September (09). More than 235,000 copies of albums like Abbey Road and Let It Be were sold around the world in the first two days.

The Hollywood home actor CHARLIE SHEEN renovated and is now selling was built by silver screen hunk RUDOLPH VALENTINO and features bathroom tiles from JOHNNY DEPP’s home.

AEROSMITH will perform as part of the Formula One racing season’s final weekend on 1 November (09). The rockers will take to the stage in Abu Dhabi to play for race fans.

LA TOYA JACKSON has landed a role as a TV reporter on U.S. TV news show Access Hollywood - her first job will be to cover talent contest Dancing With the Stars.

Hip-hop heavyweights EMINEM, KANYE WEST and LIL WAYNE have joined forces to record a tribute track to basketball player LEBRON JAMES. The tune, Forever, will feature in the upcoming James documentary More Than A Game.

GEORGE HAMILTON and ALANA STEWART’s son ASHLEY HAMILTON has become the first celebrity to be voted off the new season of U.S. talent show DANCING WITH THE STARS.

Aussie rockers WOLFMOTHER are planning a free show in Sydney to promote the release of their latest album COSMIC EGG. The gig will take place at Playing Moore Park’s Entertainment Quarter on 2 October (09).

MACY GRAY was voted off the new season of DANCING WITH THE STARS on Wednesday night (23Sep09), shortly after ASHLEY HAMILTON learnt he was leaving the U.S. talent show.

Former BAYWATCH star DAVID HASSELHOFF reported for jury duty on Thursday (24Sep09) when he turned up to a Los Angeles courthouse for a selection procedure. The actor/singer will have to wait to see if he has been chosen as a juror in an upcoming civil case.

MOULIN ROUGE! and AUSTRALIA director BAZ LUHRMANN is to sit in for absent dancing expert Len Goodman when the Dancing With The Stars judge takes a week off from the U.S. show next week (beg28Sep09).

JAKE GYLLENHAAL has been immortalised in Lego to mark his upcoming turn in Disney movie PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME. The miniature action figure will be released next year (10) to coincide with the film’s release in May, 2010.

U.S. TV mogul LES MOONVES and his wife, presenter JULIE CHEN, have become parents - the couple’s baby son, Charlie, was born on Thursday morning (24Sep09).

ALICE COOPER, MOBY, HENRY ROLLINS and MALCOLM McDOWELL have teamed up to star in new vampire movie musical SUCK.

EDDIE MURPHY’s 19-year-old daughter BRIA, with ex-wife NICOLE MURPHY, has made it to the final fashion show for the latest season of TYRA BANKS’ hit reality show AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.

NATURI NAUGHTON won the lead in the FAME remake by singing Whitney Houston’s One Moment In Time at her audition.

ASHLEE SIMPSON-WENTZ turned 25 on Saturday (03Oct09) at the Wet Republic pool at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Her husband Pete Wentz and sister Jessica were among the guests.

MICHAEL BEARDEN, the musical director for Michael Jackson’s This Is It tour, has landed a new job as the band leader for comedian George Lopez’s new U.S. late night talk show, Lopez Tonight.

Model KATHY IRELAND became the latest celebrity to be voted off U.S. TV talent show DANCING WITH THE STARS on Tuesday night (29Sep09).

MINISTRY and REVOLTING COCKS star AL JOURGENSEN has added his name to the list of stars celebrating Christmas musically this year - the rocker is releasing a new holiday single, which will be available as a download on 20 October (09). The untitled track is a collaboration with The Mission guitarist Mark Thwaite.

Rocker JACK WHITE can add video director to his impressive resume after taking charge of his band the DEAD WEATHER’s new promo for I CUT LIKE A BUFFALO.

More than 550 screenings of MICHAEL JACKSON’s THIS IS IT concert rehearsal movie have sold out, four weeks before the film hits cinemas. Tickets went on sale on Sunday (27Sep09).

LILY ALLEN is set to work with rapper DIZZEE RASCAL next year (10). The star will play two concerts with the BONKERS hitmaker in the U.K. in March.

Rocker RYAN ADAMS has auctioned off a collection of his own artwork to raise funds for AIDS and homelessness charities. The exhibits will be on display at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York until 15 October (09).

WHOOPI GOLDBERG and JOY BEHAR turned up the heat on U.S. TV show THE VIEW on Thursday (24Sep09) when the red-headed comedienne planted a big kiss on the Oscar winner’s lips. Behar’s same-sex kiss occurred as she demonstrated the do’s and don’ts of appropriate friendly greetings.

Filming on the set of SETH ROGEN’s new comic book caper THE GREEN HORNET had to be temporarily halted on Tuesday (29Sep09) due to a bomb scare. The crew found an unidentified metal object in a parking lot and called bomb squad experts, who blew up the object with a robot. It was determined the item was not an explosive.

Funnyman RICKY GERVAIS has entered the Guinness Book of Records because his podcasts are so popular. 170 million people have downloaded his cyber musings, making them the most downloaded podcasts.

MEGADETH frontman DAVE MUSTAINE is working on an autobiography, titled HELLO ME… MEET THE REAL ME. It will be published in late 2010 and is being co-written by New York Times journalist Larry Layden.

A TV commercial for LEONA LEWIS’ upcoming album has been banned by the U.K’s advertising watchdog - because it claims the record is “new” when, in fact, six of the 13 tracks are already available online.

U.S. First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA is returning to kids show SESAME STREET to urge America’s youth to grow their own vegetables on the iconic series’ 40th anniversary episode on 10 November (09).

LADY GAGA is to be honoured as Billboard magazine’s Rising Star at the publication’s annual Women in Music event on Friday (02Oct09) in New York. Singer BEYONCE will also be named Woman of the Year at the ceremony.

HARRY CONNICK JR. has recorded a French and Italian version of the BEATLES’ AND I LOVE HER with former model and French First Lady Carla Bruni. The U.S. crooner says, “She’s the First Lady of France (and) I’m probably not allowed to say how sexy it was, but it was pretty sexy.”

KYLIE MINOGUE will appear on SIMON COWELL’s U.K. TV talent show THE X FACTOR on Saturday (03Oct09). The pop star will join sister DANNII, who is a judge on the show, as she mentors contestants.

STELLA McCARTNEY has shrugged off the global economic downturn - her fashion line posted profits of $2.7 million (£1.8 million) last year (08), up 70 per cent on the previous 12 months.

SEX & THE CITY: THE MOVIE hunk GILLES MARINI has bought his wife her dream house as a 32nd birthday gift.

KATY PERRY is to host this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards for the second consecutive year - the first star to present the show two years in a row. The I KISSED A GIRL hitmaker will host the bash in Berlin, Germany on 5 November (09). GREEN DAY and LEONA LEWIS are slated to perform at the event.

THE OFFICE star ANGELA KINSEY spent her childhood in Indonesia after her father landed an engineering job in Jakarta when she was just two years old. Her family stayed there for 12 years before returning to her native U.S.

MOTORHEAD star MIKKEY DEE has finished third in the Swedish version of reality TV show I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! The drummer was forced to sit out most of the band’s current North American tour in order to take part in the show, Kandisdjungeln.

Rap icons DIDDY and DR. DRE have teamed up to create a new iPod earphone line, called Diddy Beats.

Newlyweds KHLOE KARDASHIAN and basketball star LAMAR ODOM were serenaded by soul star BABYFACE at their Los Angeles wedding reception on Sunday (27Sep09).

TILDA SWINTON was crowned the most stylish woman in Scotland at the 2009 Scottish Woman of the Year awards on Sunday (04Oct09). The actress, who lives in the country’s highlands, recently learned she’s a direct descendant of 14th century Scottish king ROBERT THE BRUCE.

British actor DOUGLAS HODGE will reprise his Laurence Olivier-winning role as boisterous drag queen Albin in the hit London musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES next month (30Nov09). He will star in the show for five weeks, before jetting to New York to rehearse for the 2010 Broadway revival of the show.

Over 500,000 bluegrass fans attended investment banker WARREN HELLMAN’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in San Francisco, California over the weekend, making the three-day event one of the largest free festivals in America. Tom Morello, Emmylou Harris and Robert Plant were among the big names on the bill.

Funnyman RICKY GERVAIS has recreated boxing legend MUHAMMAD ALI’s iconic 1968 Esquire magazine cover for the publication’s latest issue - donning just a pair of white shorts and boxing boots with arrows piercing his body.

PARAMORE singer HAYLEY WILLIAMS has had the words ’shave me’ tattooed on her ankle - after her bandmates repeatedly wrote the phrase on her hairy legs.

AMY WINEHOUSE will appear on British celebrity TV talent show STRICTLY COME DANCING - singing backing vocals for her 13-year-old goddaughter DIONNE BROMFIELD.

British actor STANLEY HOLLOWAY - who appeared in classic movies including MY FAIR LADY and BRIEF ENCOUNTER - is to be honoured by English Heritage. The home in east London where he was born has been given a commemorative blue plaque, placed on buildings of cultural significance in the U.K.

LADY GAGA is set to appear in an upcoming episode of hit TV series GOSSIP GIRL. The POKER FACE singer will perform on the show as herself.

Tennis ace SERENA WILLIAMS is baring all for the new issue of ESPN magazine. The sporting star strips off for the publication’s upcoming Body Issue.

SINEAD O’CONNOR has recorded new vocals for live renditions of U2’s YOUR BLUE ROOM tune from their 1995 Passengers album.

Previously unheard JACKSON 5 tracks are to be released on an upcoming greatest hits compilation. I WANT YOU BACK! UNRELEASED MASTERS will feature 12 songs by the band and is set to hit stores next month (Nov09). One new track, THAT’S HOW LOVE IS, will be released as a single to download on iTunes.

BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB star OMARA PORTUONDO has been given permission to tour the U.S. for the first time since 2003. The U.S. Treasury Department has allowed the 78-year-old Cuban singer to perform at the San Francisco Jazz Festival on 20 October (09) and in Los Angeles on 23 October (09).

French electro-pop duo DAFT PUNK will make a cameo in Disney’s Tron remake. The act is providing the soundtrack for the film, which is set for release at the end of next year (10).

SIMON COWELL is planning on giving most of his 50th birthday presents to the Battersea Dogs Home in London. The pup-loving music mogul threw a lavish bash at the weekend (03Oct09), but actually celebrates his big day on Wednesday (07Oct09).

MADONNA’s best pal DEBI MAZAR is the latest celebrity to be voted off U.S. TV competition DANCING WITH THE STARS on Tuesday night (06Oct09). U.S. politician Tom DeLay also hung up his dancing shoes after doctors diagnosed him with stress fractures in his feet.

LILY ALLEN made her runway debut at the Chanel fashion show on Tuesday (06Oct09) - she popped out of a bale of hay to perform her hit NOT FAIR for fashionistas at the barnyard themed extravaganza in Paris, France.

Rock legend DAVID BOWIE is set to be a hit with a new generation - he has been transformed into a Lego character. The LET’S DANCE singer will appear in toy form on the new Lego Rock Band computer game.

New mum JENNIFER HUDSON uses LET IT BE ME, a song she has just recorded with ROD STEWART, to calm ber baby son down before a nap - the two-month-old tot loves the track.

FOOTLOOSE star KEVIN BACON performed the National Anthem prior to Game One of baseball’s National League Division Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday (07Oct09).

Acting couple GOLDEN BROOKS and D.B. WOODSIDE have become parents to a baby girl. Dakota Tao Brooks-Woodside was born on 1 September (09).

Hit U.S. TV musical/drama GLEE is a big hit on iTunes - 16 of the show’s songs have already sold over one million downloads on the website and 10 of the tracks are in iTunes’ top 200.

Singer JASON MRAZ’s green credentials will be honoured by The Environmental Media Association in a ceremony on 25 October (09).

American TV presenter DREW CAREY has promised to donate $1 million (£666,670) to a cancer charity if he reaches a million followers on his Twitter.com account by the end of the year (09). Carey currently has just under 60,700 followers.

German writer HERTA MUELLER has been selected as the 2009 Nobel Prize literature winner. She’ll receive $1.4 million (GBP933,300) at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden in December (09).

Between them, new couple KATY PERRY and RUSSELL BRAND have over 1.8 followers on Twitter.com

THE SIMPSONS matriarch MARGE is to bare all for a three-page pictorial in Playboy magazine. The yellow cartoon character will appear ‘naked’ on the November (09) cover of the men’s publication

VINCE VAUGHN met his fiancee at a pal’s nuptials. The WEDDING CRASHERS star proposed to KYLA WEBBER on Valentine’s Day (14Feb09).

Singer/songwriter BEN HARPER and actor JACK BLACK teamed up to perform QUEEN and DAVID BOWIE’s hit UNDER PRESSURE on America’s The Jay Leno Show on Thursday night (08Oct09).

Rapper JAY-Z has set another record - his upcoming show at London’s Alexandra Palace next month (Nov09) has sold out in just 15 seconds.

Veteran crooner BARRY MANILOW will join NEIL DIAMOND, BOB DYLAN and STING in the race for a festive number one - the singer is releasing a Christmas album. In The Swing of Christmas will feature traditional tunes like Silver Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

Reality TV star KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN is expecting a baby boy. The star announced her shock pregnancy to on/off partner SCOTT DISICK in August (09)

Former LIBERTINES star CARL BARAT plans to shoot a movie with REVEREND AND THE MAKERS singer JON McCLURE. Barat will act in the film, while McClure will direct.

Australian pop star NATALIE IMBRUGLIA has agreed to make a special appearance at a charity gig in London to benefit a 20-year-old girl who is suffering from cystic fibrosis. The singer will headline the SaveJess event to help raise money to fund a lifesaving operation for Jessica Wales.

THE GRADUATE filmmaker MIKE NICHOLS has been selected to receive a Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute at a gala in Los Angeles next summer (10).

CHRISTOPHER LLOYD is set to play The Grinch in a special holiday production of Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Los Angeles’ Pantages Theatre. JOHN LARROQUETTE also joins the cast as Old Max in the live show, which debuts in November (09).

An explicit modelling shot of STEPHANIE SEYMOUR has been sold for $46,875 (£32,000) at New York’s Sotheby’s auction house. The racy snap, which shows Seymour wearing a see-through dress and flashing the camera, was won by an unknown bidder on Friday (09Oct09).

Veteran crooner ANDY WILLIAMS is set to become one of the oldest performers to play at Britain’s legendary Glastonbury Festival. He has been booked to appear at the 2010 event, just months after his 82nd birthday.

MADONNA’s brother CHRISTOPHER CICCONE will unveil his new paintings at the Avant Gallery in Miami, Florida during the Art Basel event in December (09).

Glam rockers KISS are getting their own personalised M&Ms. Each piece of candy will bear the image of a bandmember’s face.

Cult heavy metal act ANVIL are to make their movie debut as themselves in new comic book caper THE GREEN HORNET, starring SETH ROGEN.

TWILIGHT hunk TAYLOR LAUTNER showed his support for good pal TAYLOR SWIFT at the weekend (09-10Oct09) when he attended both of the country star’s gigs in Chicago, Illinois. The actor was spotted in the crowd and later shared a lingering embrace with Swift onstage. The two Taylors have previously denied reports they’re dating.

Former schoolfriends who topped the U.K. charts in 1980 are reuniting to record their hit song for charity. Members of the ST WINIFRED’S SCHOOL CHOIR - now in their 30s and 40s - will re-make THERE’S NO ONE QUITE LIKE GRANDMA in aid of Age Concern and Help The Aged.

British actress ALICE EVE has signed up for nanny duty in the new SEX & THE CITY movie sequel - she’ll play character Charlotte’s child minder in the film.

PULP star JARVIS COCKER will receive an honorary doctorate at Sheffield Hallam University in England, where he studied as a teen. The rocker will collect the degree at a ceremony next month (Nov09).

Stars including COLIN FIRTH, JIM CARREY and BOB HOSKINS will light up London this Christmas. All three actors, who star in a new animated version of A Christmas Carol, will take part in the ceremony to switch on the holiday lights in the British capital on 3 November (09).

Fans of LINDSAY LOHAN’s on-off girlfriend SAMANTHA RONSON can now live like the star - the DJ is renting out her Hollywood Hills mansion. The spacious three bedroom, two bathroom property is available for a cool $4,395 (£2,930)-a-month.

THE SIMPSONS creator MATT GROENING is set to curate Britain’s All Tomorrow’s Parties music festival next year (10). The cartoonist will be responsible for selecting the entire line-up for the event, which will take place in Minehead, England in May (10).

KATY PERRY and DITA VON TEESE have sparked a run on stockings and suspenders in the U.K. - sales figures have soared since the pair was pictured wearing the sexy lingerie at Paris Fashion Week earlier this month (Oct09).

SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS and DR. DRE are teaming up to release their own line of headphones. The ‘Diddy Beats’ will be available in 2010.

Punk icons SUBLIME will play their first show since the death of frontman BRAD NOWELL in May, 1996 at the Smokeout Festival in California on 24 October (09). The surving members of the group last performed together on the day before the Nowell tragedy. The band are now fronted by vocalist-guitarist Rome.

Sexy WATCHMEN star MALIN AKERMAN shaved off her eyebrows and donned a bald cap to portray a woman suffering from hairloss disease alopecia universalis in new film HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE.

90210 star ANNALYNNE McCORD is planning a very special Halloween costume party in Las Vegas this year (09) - she’ll host sister Rachel’s 21st birthday bash at the Tabu Ultra Lounge inside the MGM Grand on 31 October (09).

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, U2 stars BONO and THE EDGE and SHERYL CROW will be among the guests joining ELVIS COSTELLO for the second season of his Spectacle: Elvis Costello With… TV show, which debuts in December (09).

The four surviving members of BOYZONE will act as pallbearers at STEPHEN GATELY’s funeral on Saturday (17Oct09). RONAN KEATING, SHANE LYNCH, KEITH DUFFY and MIKEY GRAHAM will carry the late star’s coffin along with two members of Gately’s family.

The members of Britpop group BLUR have been turned into LEGO versions of themselves for the upcoming music video game LEGO Rock Band. Blur join Iggy Pop and David Bowie, whose LEGO avatars have already been revealed.

U.S. reality TV star MELISSA RYCROFT has become the latest celebrity swine flu victim. The 26-year-old former The Bachelor star has been diagnosed with H1N1.

MADONNA’s 2005 megahit HUNG UP hit the top of the charts in 45 countries.

Comedian/singer ERIC IDLE teamed up with acclaimed hip-hop group THE ROOTS for a performance of his song ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE during an appearance on U.S. TV’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday (14Oct09). The Roots, the show’s house band, provided musical backing for Idle and whistled along during the tune’s chorus.

PINK FLOYD legend DAVE GILMOUR will be handed a honorary doctorate from his hometown’s Anglia Ruskin University. The guitarist will be made a Doctor of Arts at the ceremony, which will take place in Cambridge, England in November (09).

The original members of QUEEN have been turned into LEGO versions of themselves for the upcoming music video game LEGO Rock Band. FREDDIE MERCURY, BRIAN MAY, JOHN DEACON and ROGER TAYLOR join IGGY POP and DAVID BOWIE, whose LEGO likenesses have already been revealed.

Filmmaker and producer JOSS WHEDON will direct an upcoming episode of hit U.S. TV musical series GLEE. Whedon was the man behind the musical episode of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT will take the stage with stars including BOY GEORGE, ED HARCOURT and ELBOW frontman GUY GARVEY at his upcoming Christmas concert in London. A Not So Silent Night will take place at the British capital’s Royal Albert Hall on 9 December (09).

U2’s concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California on 25 October (09) will be streamed live on the internet via YouTube.

A clump of hair believed to have been cut from ELVIS PRESLEY’s head when he joined the army in 1958 has sold for $15,000 (£10,000) at an auction house in Chicago, Illinois.

Fans of THE SIMPSONS have been asked to create a new character for the hit cartoon. The show’s website is asking the public to come up with a name, catchphrase and description of the role to air in an episode in January (10).

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY, LILY ALLEN, LEONA LEWIS, TAKE THAT and DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY will take to the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 20 November (09) to raise funds for BBC charity Children In Need.

Rapper VANILLA ICE is reviving his career in South Africa by signing on to appear in TV commercials for Castle Lite beer. The star scored a big hit in 1990 with his single ICE ICE BABY but has failed to replicate the same success in his latest ventures.

Former SPICE GIRLS MELANIE BROWN, EMMA BUNTON and GERI HALLIWELL are set to fight it out for Britain’s Celebrity Mum of the Year Prize.

RIHANNA unveiled her comeback single RUSSIAN ROULETTE on her official website on Tuesday (20Oct09). The track, written by NE-YO, is the first release from the R&B beauty’s upcoming album RATED R, which hits music retailers on 23 November (09). The disc is Rihanna’s follow up to 2007’s GOOD GIRL GONE BAD and her first new song since her highly-publicised fight with ex-boyfriend CHRIS BROWN in February (09).

LADY GAGA has given former AMERICAN IDOL runner-up ADAM LAMBERT a boost - she has written a track for his upcoming album.

R&B beauty KELLY ROWLAND is playing 50 CENT’s love interest in the rapper’s new video for BABY BY ME. The promo will also feature NE-YO.

Scottish actor GERARD BUTLER showed off his musical credentials on Thursday (15Oct09) when he jammed with THE ROOTS on U.S. TV. The Ugly Truth star joined comedian/presenter Jimmy Fallon on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon for a duet of The Doors’ classic Roadhouse Blues, backed up by the acclaimed hip-hop band.

A London theatre has scored record sales for KEIRA KNIGHTLEY’s West End debut. Ticket sales for The Misanthrope pulled in over $1.5 million (£1 million) in just four days. The play, an updated version of Moliere’s 17th century comedy, will open on 7 December (09).

A rare BEATLES album has been found in the attic of a late Capitol Record executive. Oregon collector John Tefteller found the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band record while sifting through vinyl at the request of the unnamed music boss’ widow. The album features executives’ heads replacing those of the celebrities on the original sleeve. Tefteller’s research suggests only 100 copies of the sleeve were produced - as 1967 Christmas gifts.

Bosses at leading concert agency Ticketmaster have risked the wrath of strict vegetarian MORRISSEY - tickets for the singer’s upcoming U.S. tour come with a coupon for a free burger at fast food chain Denny’s “after the show”.

British model AGYNESS DEYN is set to swap the catwalk for a movie set - she’s starring in a short film alongside LAW & ORDER actor LINUS ROACHE. The untitled project will be directed by artist PETER MCGOUGH.

Singer JEWEL is the latest star to land her own meal at U.S. diner chain Denny’s. The star has her own signature dish, Jewel’s Acoustic Smoked Chicken Quesadilla, featured on the restaurant’s Allnight Rockstar menu, joining Rascal Flatts and rockers Hoobastank, who share the culinary honour.

A dozen strands of MICHAEL JACKSON’s hair, which were collected after the star’s head was burnt during the filming of a Pepsi commercial 25 years ago, has been sold at an auction in London for $1,710 (£1,140).

THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND has sold more that 500,000 copies since it hit shelves last month (Sep09). The game has shifted 595,000 units, outselling GUITAR HERO 5 by almost 100,000 in the same time period.

Reality TV sensation SUSAN BOYLE is heading back to the small screen to film a Christmas special. The 48 year old will appear before a star-studded crowd to film An Audience With Susan Boyle, which is due to air in the U.K. in December (09).

GIRLS ALOUD star CHERYL COLE has invited fans to join her for a no-holds-barred live video webcast on Thursday (22Oct09) on her MySpace.com page. The singer has promised to answer any questions fans throw at her.

AIR star NICOLAS GODIN is a qualified architect.

Country star GARTH BROOKS’ new Las Vegas deal has earned him a new private jet - casino boss Steve Wynn will fly the singer from his Oklahoma home to Sin City for upcoming shows at the Wynn’s Encore Theatre, and once the residency is over, Brooks gets to keep the plane.

U2’s upcoming show at Pasadena, California’s Rose Bowl will be the biggest ever gig at the famous venue - more than 96,000 fans are expected to attend the sold out concert on 25 October (09).

Back To The Future star CHRISTOPHER LLOYD has become JIM CARREY’s festive stage double - the actor played Ebenezer Scrooge on stage in A Christmas Carol last Christmas (08) and he’ll be playing The Grinch in Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas in Los Angeles this holiday season. Carrey played The Grinch on the big screen in 2000 and this yule, he’ll portray Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come in Robert Zemeckis’ movie adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive story.

VINCE VAUGHN’s mum was so taken with her husband Vernon’s name, she decided to give all family members the V.V. initials. Vince has sisters called Victoria and Valerie, and even the family pet dog is part of the tradition - he’s called Vladimir.

Actor TAYE DIGGS has teamed up with THE MUPPETS for a new Disneyland TV commercial. The hunky star is part of MISS PIGGY’s dream sequence in the ad.

The fashion world will honour screen legend-turned-princess GRACE KELLY on Thursday (22Oct09) when she will posthumously receive the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award in Beverly Hills. Exclusive French jeweller Cartier will also be honoured at the ceremony.

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY is to tour Europe for the first time in five years. The gigs will kick off in Hamburg, Germany on 2 December (09), taking in cities including Paris and Berlin, before finishing up in London on 22 December (09).

ADAM STREISAND, the new lawyer hired by MICHAEL JACKSON’s mother Katherine, is BARBRA STREISAND’s cousin.

THE STROKES star JULIAN CASABLANCAS is set to become Mr. November in Los Angeles - he’ll perform solo shows at the Downtown Palace Theatre every Friday throughout the month.

Film composer ENNIO MORRICONE’s upcoming concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles has been cancelled. The 80-year-old composer and conductor was due to take the stage at the Bowl on Sunday (25Oct09). Details about the cancellation have not been released. Morricone was scheduled to conduct the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Angeles Chorale in works from his four-decade career in the movie business, including excerpts the scores to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Cinema Paradiso, Once Upon a Time in America and The Mission.

Hip-hop veteran TRAE is celebrating after welcoming a baby boy into the world on Wednesday (21Oct09). The identity of the tot’s mother has yet to be unveiled and it is currently unknown whether the newborn is the rapper’s first child.

EVA LONGORIA-PARKER is so impressed with the London Fog fashion photos which feature her and husband Tony Parker she has asked for a couple of portraits, so she can hang them up at home.

THE HOLD STEADY frontman CRAIG FINN has added screenwriter to his resume after signing up to adapt author CHUCK KLOSTERMAN’s 2001 memoir FARGO ROCK CITY as a movie.

MARY-KATE and ASHLEY OLSEN are designing a new line of kids’ clothes for U.S. chain JCPenney. The fashion-conscious pair will take a break from work on their high-end clothing ranges to put together Olsenboye, an affordable line for children.

Former OASIS singer LIAM GALLAGHER is set to face his fans via video link. The star will take questions from devotees and answer them online using a web-cam, but Gallagher is refusing to take questions about the band’s split - he will only talk about the launch of his Pretty Green clothing line.

R&B singer R. KELLY has broken a chart record set by NAT KING COLE. His new track NUMBER ONE became his 35th top ten single when it reached number eight on America’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song chart, surpassing Cole’s previous best.

Eighties pop icons FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD will be handed the Classic Track honour at London’s Q Awards ceremony on Monday (26Oct09) - for their controversial hit RELAX. The song topped charts across Europe and made number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984 after it was banned by the BBC for its sexually provocative lyrics.

Actor BENJAMIN BRATT is returning to the hit TV cop show which landed him an Emmy Award nomination. The star will reprise his character Det. Reynaldo Curtis on Law & Order. Bratt appeared on the show for four seasons in the 1990s.

Director TERRY GILLIAM was the stand-in for ROBERT DE NIRO’s hands during reshoots for BRAZIL.

All 15 shows on TAYLOR SWIFT’s 2010 U.S. tour sold out in minutes on Friday (23Oct09). Tickets for her four New York area concerts sold out in just 120 seconds.

BON JOVI are to become the latest group to appear on British TV talent show THE X FACTOR. The band will mentor the contestants and sing live on SIMON COWELL’s programme on 1 November (09). SHAKIRA has also been lined up to appear on the series, while LADY GAGA is in talks with producers to perform.

Oscar winning song JAI HO has claimed another prize in Belgium at the recent World Soundtrack Academy Awards. A. R. Rahman’s Slumdog Millionaire track was named Best Original Song Written for Film.

Marketing bosses at 20th Century Fox have come up with a way to turn upcoming Christmas movie ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL into a Halloween hit - they’re offering free pumpkin stencils of their rodent star in America’s newspapers, urging fans to ‘Munk Your Pumpkin’.

KATY PERRY turned 25 in style on Saturday night (24Oct09) with a CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY-themed party in Los Angeles. The I Kissed A Girl hitmaker was joined by boyfriend RUSSELL BRAND and pal TAYLOR SWIFT as The Beach restaurant on Sunset Boulevard was turned into a dessert dream for the night.

RIHANNA will set sail on the Royal Caribbean’s MS Oasis of the Seas to celebrate the cruise ship’s debut on 19 November (09). The Umbrella beauty will perform during a three-night preview journey before the vessel’s maiden voyage in December (09).

SLASH joined the BLACK EYED PEAS for a rendition of GUNS N’ ROSES anthem SWEET CHILD O’ MINE prior to U2’s record-breaking concert at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on Sunday night (25Oct09).

Bosses at film company Warner Bros. have threatened legal action after a restaurant owner in London announced plans for HARRY POTTER-themed dinner parties - complete with cauldron cakes, butterbeer, and pumpkin pasties. The executives are concerned the events will infringe their copyright.

Singer TIM McGRAW has upgraded the skeet shooting range at his Tennessee farm so a pal can train for the Olympics.

KATY PERRY gets all wet in the video for 3OH!3’s Starstrukk - the pop star performs her guest solo segment in the song while standing in a fountain, wearing a pink and black wetsuit.

Pop star LADY GAGA has a new pet - the singer has just taken charge of a black shiba inu dog.

More than 2.5 million U2 fans hit the web to watch the rockers’ Pasadena Rose Bowl concert YouTube.com on Sunday (26Oct09).

American football icon BRETT FAVRE bought country star TIM McGRAW a Hellcat superbike for his 40th birthday.

LADY GAGA signed up to guest on an upcoming episode of GOSSIP GIRL because her 17-year-old sister is a huge fan of the TV show.

Newlyweds KHLOE KARDASHIAN and basketball star LAMAR ODOM have sealed their love with new tattoos. The couple has had each other’s initials inked on their hands.

DAVID BECKHAM has received an apology on behalf of fans who turned on him earlier this year (09). Beckham was criticised by Los Angeles Galaxy supporters over his temporary move to Italian side AC Milan - but Greg Delgado, founder of the Galaxy supporters’ club, has said sorry after the soccer ace steered the team to the Western Conference title on Sunday (25Oct09).

AEROSMITH frontman STEVEN TYLER is going solo for an evening. The singer will host a charity event, titled Dream On, An Intimate Evening with Steven Tyler, in Concord, New Hampshire on 23 January (09). The night will see him perform and stage a question-and-answer session with the audience to raise money for good causes.

The lorry-driving license actress MICHELLE MONAGHAN studied for before shooting new movie TRUCKER has expired but she isn’t complaining. She explains, “I found out that if I get pulled over or get a ticket for any reason, the fine triples if you have a Class-A driver’s license.”

OZZY OSBOURNE and his manager wife SHARON will guest-host an upcoming edition of hit U.S. wresting show WWE RAW.

Fans are being offered a lock of LADY GAGA’s hair as part of a new $100 (GBP62.50) gift pack. The Lady Gaga Super Deluxe The Fame Monster Pack also features posters and dolls.

CREED star BRIAN MARSHALL owns a bed-and-breakfast guesthouse in Costa Rica.

Rockers PEARL JAM are the latest group to be immortalised in a video game. The ALIVE hitmakers are working on their own version of musical play-along ROCK BAND, which saw sales soar with the launch of a BEATLES version earlier this year (09).

The DEFTONES will play a benefit concert in Los Angeles on 19 November (09) to raise money for their seriously ill bassist CHI CHENG, who was left in a coma following a car crash last year (08).

SUSAN SARANDON showed off her ping pong skills on U.S. TV on Tuesday (27Oct09) when she teamed up with actress OLIVIA MUNN to challenge presenter JIMMY FALLON and American comedian ARTIE LANGE to a table tennis match on LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON. Sarandon, who co-owns table tennis club Spin in New York, and Munn won the game 3-1.