SMASHING NEWS

Who can toss their hair highest? Kelly Brook and Amanda Holden battle it out to be Britain's Got Talent's most glamorous judge

2009-01-14T01:51:00.000-08:00

You could be forgiven for thinking they are in a competition, rather than judging one.

Kelly Brook and Amanda Holden had the hairdryers out and the high heels on this week - even though it was just a rehearsal for their show, Britain's Got Talent.

The pair, both judges on the ITV programme, seem to be vying for the title of prettiest on the panel.

Miss Holden, 37, wore a very short skirt by an Australian designer, Yeojin Bae, and a pair of skyscraper heels designed by singer Jessica Simpson.

Miss Brook chose a slashed black frock - and had given herself a full head of curls.

There has already been talk of rivalry between the pair, though model and presenter Miss Brook, 29, only joined the show on Monday.

Simon Cowell

Fresh from Barbados: Simon Cowell is back in England after a month in the Caribbean

'The rehearsals looked as if they had turned into a fashion show,' an onlooker said.

'Both Kelly and Amanda looked perfectly groomed. There was not a hair out of place.'

Miss Brook was brought in by judge Simon Cowell to sit alongside him, Piers Morgan and Miss Holden.

Her appointment is bound to draw comparisons to when Cowell signed Cheryl Cole as the fourth judge on the
X Factor.

Much was made of possible jealousy between the Girls Aloud singer, 25, and older judge Dannii Minogue, 37.

Miss Brook signed her contract late on Monday night just hours before she started filming.

ITV producers flew the brunette to Manchester on Tuesday morning to start work on the set, her agent confirmed.

A source told MailOnline former Strictly Come Dancing star Brook was 'excited' about her newest venture.

The model-turned-actress is no stranger to television - she's previously presented The Big Breakfast, Celebrity Love Island and, more recently, Dirty Dancing: The Time Of Your Life on Living TV.

Miss Holden also arrived in Manchester on Tuesday after returning from her honeymoon in the Maldives with Chris Hughes, who she married on December 10 at Babington house in Somerset.

The third series of Britain's Got Talent is due to air from May.

The winner will take home a £100,000 prize and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.

2009-01-14T01:43:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears' latest CD "Circus" is the No. 1 album after selling half a million copies last week, according to the AP:

The singer's comeback CD — actually, make that her second comeback CD — will top the album charts next week, according to her label, Jive. Though Nielsen SoundScan does not release its official figures until Wednesday, estimates have the record selling as many as 500,000 copies in its first week of release. "This is going to reinforce her icon status," said Barry Weiss, chairman and CEO of the BMG Label Group, which includes Spears' label. "It's not just a No. 1 album."

Britney's handlers already have a two-month tour planned starting in March, but is she ready? Sources for OK! Magazine say "Are you shitting me?":

"It is too much for her," an insider tells OK! of the star. "They packed her schedule too tight and now they're trying to find free time."
"She has the talent and the musical chops top pull it off, emotionally speaking, it's a little too soon," psychotherapist Dr. Jenn Berman, who does not treat Britney, tells OK!. "I don't think Britney will hit rock bottom, but it does leave her vulnerable to stress and burnout."

We're going to hear the "Is Britney ready to tour?" narrative ad nauseum until the thing launches in March, so let me just answer it definitively once and for all: HELL FUCKING NO. Unless, of course, the point of the tour is to make Britney think she's Mary Poppins again then be found days later using her children as boxing gloves in an underground cock fight. In which case, okay, yeah, start the bus.

Britney Spears' CD hits No. 1

2008-12-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

Pamela Anderson arrives at prestigious art show wearing just her underwear

2008-12-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

Classy and elegant are not words you would typically use to describe Pamela Anderson - but surely she would know that at a prestigious art show, underwear is inappropriate attire.

The former Baywatch star caused a stir when she arrived at one of the most important art exhibitions in the U.S., Art Basel Miami Beach, wearing a pair of orange and black patterned underpants.

Known for wearing as little as possible, Anderson at least covered the top half of her modesty, with a grey off-the-shoulder t-shirt.

Anderson enjoyed playing up to the cameras as she seductively bent over paintings, with her bottom and pink high heels in the air.

But when it came to accessories, the 41-year-old was in keeping with the art theme, as she held a Campbell's Soup handbag clutch - a hint to the work of art produced by Andy Warhol in the 1960s.

Anderson was joined by Paris Hilton at the annual week-long art fair to view the work of fashion photographer and film director David LaChapelle.

LaChapelle's exhibition 'Jesus Is My Homeboy' featured a series of surreal and sometimes humorous images of models posing with Jesus.

The American artist, with his characteristic boyish cap tilted to the side, was yesterday eager to show the bare-legged Anderson around Art Basel at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

During the tour, the ex-Playboy covergirl reached out to hug a photograph of herself.

Anderson recently signed a six-figure deal to be the new face of British designer Vivienne Westwood and will front her spring/ summer outfits campaign next year.

She met the designer at a party last year, and it is believed Westwood loves her 'quirkiness'.

Art Basel is an exclusive selection of more than 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

EXCLUSIVE: 'What Angelina did was very uncool,' says Jennifer Aniston as she slams love rival in new interview

2008-11-11T13:42:00.000-08:00

For years, Jennifer Aniston has maintained a dignified silence about the woman who famously stole her husband.

Now she has decided to share with the world her utter contempt for Angelina Jolie.

In the forthcoming issue of U.S. Vogue, Miss Aniston, 39, gives a searing condemnation of her notorious nemesis.

In an outburst that will lift the lid on their four-year feud, Miss Aniston icily told the publication: 'What Angelina did was very uncool'.

The brief yet explosive comment marks the first occasion that the former Friends star has spoken out publicly about her love rival.

It comes just a fortnight after Miss Jolie, 33, revealed that she and Pitt had 'fell in love' during the making of Mr and Mrs Smith in 2004, despite previously claiming their romance only started after filming.

A source said: 'This interview shows that Jennifer is no longer afraid of Angelina,' adding: 'It's hugely significant.'

In the magazine's December issue, Miss Aniston is said by industry insiders to have given her most candid interview yet, offering countless details about her new Beverly Hills estate, her unusual relationship with her parents, and intimate secrets about her romantic life.
Enlarge Star of the film Brad Pitt and his wife Jennifer Aniston arrive for the premiere of Troy, at the Palais de Festival during the 57th Cannes Film Festival in France. Thursday 13 May 2004

'She's never been this honest or brave in an interview before,' said the source, who has seen the completed, lengthy package, due on sale in the U.S. in a few days.

The source added: 'This certainly raises the bar on celebrity profiles. Jennifer opens up about her sex life, her career, and her feelings about life after her divorce.

'She must have had a lot on her mind, because she lets go on everything.'

MailOnline has learned that Miss Aniston's new Vogue appearance features the actress posing in erotic designer swimsuits and bearing her toned body on the sun-kissed beaches of Malibu.

'This thoroughly re-establishes her credibility as a sex symbol,' the source went on, adding: 'Her body has never looked tighter or more fit.'

But her thoughts on Miss Jolie, who famously started a family with Pitt, will indubitably attract the most attention.

The cover prominently blares: 'What Angelina did was very uncool', which appears to be a direct jab at Miss Jolie's 2007 interview with the same magazine.

During that interview, Miss Jolie condescendingly offered to meet with Miss Aniston to hash things out and resolve their feud.

'If she wanted to [meet] then I would be open to it,' she famously told the publication.

Meanwhile Miss Jolie, currently promoting a new film, revealed yesterday that she and Pitt plan to have more children together.

Speaking in Hollywood alongside Dustin Hoffman, she told reporters: 'I have a great partner. He's the best daddy and we have fun, so whenever it gets hard we can just look at each other and find a way to laugh about and just appreciate that they're only little once, and we should enjoy every minute.

On adding to their brood, she said: 'Anything could happen. We're open to anything, we love kids and we're having a great time. It's chaos in our house but it's so much fun. We'll definitely have more.'

Amy Winehouse shows off a curly-haired new look as she ditches her matted beehive

2008-11-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

Amy Winehouse has become world-famous for her musical talent and her infamous beehive.

But as a fresh-faced Amy opened her door to snappers, she revealed a head of lush, glossy curls, showing for the first time in many years just how the singer looks without her trademark matted beehive.

Amy unveiled the glossy, curly locks, as she came to the door of her north London home.

But later a coy Amy stuck on her headscarf as she stepped out with friend 'good Blake'. Amy was seen leaving her north London home with the American photographer Blake Wood.

She then met up with a few friends to go for a drink in a local pub.

Looking more filled out than before, and showing off a pretty rounded stomach, Amy came to her door to in a string vest, under which she wore a nude coloured bra, and bizarrely offered the waiting snappers slices of cheese on toast.

But aside from her healthier-looking appearance, it was her glossy curls which caught the eye, as she looked even more like her mother Janice with her new mumsy look.

She happily posed for pictures and showed photographers her hospital tags when she opened the door of her north London home to ask a photographer to use their mobile.

She then went back into her home with the phone and returned a short while after with the phone in hand and slices of cheese on toast for the photographers.

Amy then chatted to photographers updating photographers on her recent movements revealing she was getting medical treatment for the rash which could be seen on her stomach.

Later on Amy went to a pub in Kentish Town, where she met a few friends including DJ and TV presenter Nick Grimshaw.

After enjoying a few afternoon shots a smiling Amy headed for home.

The singer's appearance in public comes the day after husband Blake Fielder-Civil denied claims he has been dumped by the singer.

Blake, 26, boasted that the pair are still very much in love and that he is expecting a visit from Amy 'at any time now.'

He declared: 'We will be together for the rest of our lives.'

But as he made his comments, Amy's mother Janis has said that she is praying that Blake stays away from her daughter.
Janis, 53, told Closer magazine that Amy was devastated that he didn’t tell her he was getting out of prison before his release into rehab last Wednesday.

She said: 'What sort of husband doesn’t tell his wife that he’s being released? That says it all really, doesn’t it?'

Blake has been staying at a rehab clinic in Woking, Surrey, since he was released from prison last Wednesday.

He was locked up for a year for his part in a vicious assault on a pub landlord.

He allegedly asked Amy to pay the £30,000 fee for his treatment, but she refused.

Amy has not yet visited her freed husband, sparking rumours of a rift between the couple.

She is said to be livid that she did not know her husband was leaving Edmunds Hill jail in East Anglia for a seven-week course to cure his heroin and crack cocaine addiction.

'We'll be together forever,' declares Amy Winehouse's husband from rehab (but she STILL hasn't visited him)

2008-11-10T13:10:00.000-08:00

Amy Winehouse's husband has denied claims he has been dumped by the singer.

Blake Fielder-Civil, 26, defiantly boasted that the pair are still very much in love and that he is expecting a visit from Amy 'at any time now.'

He declared: 'We will be together for the rest of our lives.'

Blake has been staying at a rehab clinic in Woking, Surrey, since he was released from prison last Wednesday.

He was locked up for a year for his part in a vicious assault on a pub landlord.

But Amy has not yet visited her freed husband, sparking rumours of a rift between the couple.

Amy is said to be livid that she did not know her husband was leaving Edmunds Hill jail in East Anglia for a seven-week course to cure his heroin and crack cocaine addiction.

But Blake denied their relationship was in any doubt.

He said: 'We are not breaking up. She hasn't dumped me.

'We both love each other very much and will be together forever.'

He also hit back at Amy's father Mitch who said the couple had not spoken to each other in months.

Mitch is said to be spearheading talks with lawyers in an effort to guard the star's £10million fortune from her husband.

Huddling from the rain in a red and white T-shirt and smoking a cigarette at the £4,000- a-week centre, he said: 'We have spoken on the phone and I'm expecting a visit from her at any time now.

'We can't wait to be back together again.'

Blake was released from prison looking pale and with his arms covered in red scars.

He has fought a long battle with drug addiction and was not due to be set free until next month - but was released after agreeing to attend rehab.

And despite only being there for less than a week, Fielder-Civil insists he was now free from his drug shackles.

He said: 'I'm over the worst of it. I won't be going back to that lifestyle.

'After being in prison the only drug I need is the smell of free air - that and my beautiful wife Amy.'

Fielder-Civil was sentenced to 27 months in prison in July after assaulting barman James King, 36, outside a pub in East London and plotting to bribe him with £200,000 not to testify.

He had already spent nine months in custody after his arrest in November last year.

It is believed Fielder-Civil will be assessed at the rehab clinic for several weeks before being released.

Panic as Britney Spears rushes her toddler son to hospital following 'seizure'

2008-11-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears rushed her two-year-old son to hospital after he suffered a suspected seizure during a family trip to her hometown.

Jayden James was raced to the emergency ward after lapsing into a 'vague and unresponsive' state.

The toddler fell ill yesterday afternoon at the family home in Kentwood, Louisiana.

The entire Spears clan made the 25-mile dash to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Centre, Mississippi.

Doctors were unable to pinpoint the problem straight away and kept the toddler in for overnight observation.

Distraught Britney, 26, refused to leave his side and asked for a bed next to him in the ward.

Her ex-husband, rapper Kevin Federline, is now believed to be making plans to jet out of Los Angeles to be at Jayden's bedside.

It's the first time Britney has been allowed to leave California with sons Sean Preston, 3, and Jayden since their dad K-Fed was given full custody in July.

She flew them into Louisiana on a private jet with her dad Jamie on Friday, the morning after her surprise appearance onstage with Madonna in Los Angeles.

The special week-long visit was to steal some family time ahead of Britney's forthcoming promotional tour of her new album 'Circus'.

She was also anxious to be reunited with her little sister Jamie-Lynn, 17, who recently gave birth to daughter Maddie-Briann.

Sources say chaos erupted when Jayden suffered a suspected seizure out of the blue, at about 3pm yesterday.

'One minute Britney and her sons were relaxing and enjoying their first visit to Kentwood in months, and the next minute Jayden had fallen ill,' said a source.

'He was vague and unresponsive so Britney dialled an ambulance. But she was told it would take half an hour to arrive, and she was best trying to get Jayden to the hospital herself.'

Minutes later, two cars tore out of the Spears' 'Serenity' residence.

The first, a Lincoln Navigator, carried Britney, her mum Lynne and dad Jamie as well as the poorly toddler. A Range Rover driven by Jamie-Lynn also carried their brother Brian.

When the convoy reached the motorway, Jamie-Lynn reportedly thwarted following photographers by refusing to let them pass.

She drove slowly alongside another vehicle to keep them back while her sister accelerated away.

When snappers arrived at the hospital, which is now being manned by police, Britney and her son had already dashed inside.

'Jayden James had to be kept in hospital overnight for observations,' said the source. 'We don't yet know what's wrong with him.

'Britney was insistent that wouldn't leave him. She asked for a bed to be made up in the same room so she could be there at his side.'

Is that meant to be the YMCA? Paris Hilton shows off her moves on the dancefloor

2008-11-08T00:50:00.000-08:00

Paris Hilton showed off her dance moves last night, throwing her arms in the air as she partied in Las Vegas.

At one point, it appeared the blonde socialite was attempting the moves to the ultimate 80s track - YMCA by the Village People.

But if that was her intention she was missing the Y, so perhaps Paris was just showing off her toned arms to her fellow party goers.

Paris has just returned to the US after spending time in Britain filming her new TV show My New Best Female Friend.

Last night, she was joined by boyfriend Benji Madden for the nightclub party.

But while Paris hit the dancefloor and was quickly surrounded by fans clicking photos, her guitarist boyfriend stayed at the bar, where he watched the crush from a safe distance.

Evergreen Liz Hurley shows off her stunning figure on yet another bikini shoot (the ones she claims to hate)

2008-11-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

For someone who claims to hate doing bikini shoots, Elizabeth Hurley looks pretty comfortable showing off her enviable figure.

Despite being a 43-year-old mother-of-one, Hurley looks more like a youthful twentysomething as she reclines on an Indian beach in a new sizzling photo shoot.

In an interview for this week's issue of Hello! magazine, Hurley reveals her stunning curves in a series of bikinis from her Elizabeth Hurley Beach collection.

The Austin Powers actress has often spoke of her disdain for bikini shoots, saying she has to put in months of hard work getting her body ready before going in front of the camera.

She said: 'Frankly, I've always disliked being photographed in a bikini.

'I remember being offered an American Vogue cover and then being horrified because it was the bikini issue.

'It actually turned out great, but I was gibbering with fear. I need to do a great deal of exercise and eat a lot less to feel comfortable on the beach now.

While few would deny she's in amazing shape, Hurley admits she doesn't mind a bit of digital-enhancement.

She said earlier this year: 'I like a certain amount of retouching, like anybody.

'We all like to get rid of spots and shadows under our eyes. I’ve always been quite particular - I don’t like my face to be retouched.'

In the Hello! interview, Hurley also responded to criticism of the tight-fitting pink bandeau dress she wore at an Estee Lauder breast cancer event at the Tower of London last month.

Despite her husband Arun Nayar and six-year-old son proclaiming their approval for the dress, some critics believed it was inappropriate for Hurley's cleavage to be so prominent during a breast cancer event.

She said: 'Well Damian and Arun liked it. It was actually a beautiful dress but I agree it looked insanely right.

'It didn't look quite so odd at home; something must have happened in the car on the way there.'

Diva Mariah Carey arrives with 20 suitcases ahead of X Factor performance... well, she is staying three nights

2008-11-06T12:30:00.000-08:00

Mariah Carey lived up to her diva reputation as she arrived in London for a three-night stay today... accompanied by 20 suitcases.

The singer and her husband Nick Cannon needed two huge trolleys to carry their bags. Porters pushing them through Heathrow airport seemed bemused by their haul.

When the newlyweds arrived at the Dorchester they were met by a crush of Mariah's fans, who held up banners saying 'Congrats MC and Nick'.

Mariah, who is 11 years older than her 27-year-old actor husband, dressed for comfort in grey leggings and open toe boots.

The 38-year-old kept warm with a long black cardigan, while Cannon dressed smartly in a pinstripe suit.

This week on the X Factor all the contestants will be performing a Mariah ballad - with the soul singer on hand to instruct them.

There are are plenty to choose from - with a career spanning 18 years, Mariah was named the best selling female artist of millennium in 2000 and has had more US number one hits than any other female in history.

The hopefuls have already covered one of Mariah's songs, Hero, currently at Number One in the British charts.

The track is raising funds for the Help For Heroes campaign and looks set to be one of the biggest selling British records of all time.

On Saturday night Mariah will join the remaining finalists on stage in a special performance of the track, as well as performing her latest single I Stay In Love.

Her X Factor debut comes after Simon Cowell personally stepped in to request her.
Mariah has also been tipped as a possibility to replace X Factor judge Dannii Minogue at the end of the series, when the singer is widely tipped to leave the show.

Following her X Factor performance Mariah and her husband will be flying to Monaco for the World Music Awards.

The couple, who originally met at the Kids' Choice Awards in 2005, married at her private estate in the Bahamas in April after a whirlwind six week romance.

They fell for each other when Cannon flew to Antigua at the end of March to play Mariah's love interest in the video for her single Bye Bye.

Has ex-Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon used sticky-back plastic to protect her modesty?

2008-11-05T12:04:00.001-08:00

Former Blue Peter Presenter Zoe Salmon appeared to be putting the skills she learned on the show to good use yesterday.

The former Miss Northern Ireland somehow managed to hold up her revealing red dress at a party to celebrate the release of a special Coronation Street DVD.

Could she have borrowed some sticky-back plastic from the art and craft box?

The gorgeous blonde sent pulses racing in the dress - which was slit down to her stomach.

Salmon, 28, became the 30th Blue Peter presenter when she joined in 2004. She quit the BBC1 show earlier this year.She recently told her how her appearance in the show had won her many young admirers.

'The thing is they are all in school uniform and about 12 and proclaiming their love.

'It’s nice and sweet and I try to let them down gently but it’s not easy. Some even cry,' she told the Daily Star.

Salmon isn't the first Blue Peter star to shed the prim and proper image usually adopted by presenters on the popular children's show.

Konnie Huq tunned heads in a stunning satin gown with a plunging neckline at the Spiderman movie premiere last year.

The show which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, has been slowly losing popularity with figures for the last series falling below 500,000.

Editor Richard Marsden resigned last year after a it emerged that a child had posed as a competition winner, leading the BBC to be fined £50,000 by the television industry regulators Ofcom.

The show was at the centre of a number of scandals last year when bosses changed the results of a vote to name the show's cat, asked a visitor to pretend to be a competition winner and admitted two competition winners were child actors.

Blake leaves jail and checks straight into rehab... but Amy is too busy throwing a tantrum to greet him

2008-11-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

Amy Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder-Civil was released from Edmunds Hill Prison in Suffolk today.

The Back To Black singer was nowhere to be seen as the 26-year-old left jail for the first time in 12 months.

Instead, she opted to stay at home in London's Camden.

Winehouse, who left hospital on Monday after receiving ongoing treatment for a 'chest infection', looked far from jubilant as she emerged from the residence this afternoon with make-up smeared across her face.

She appeared to be in an agitated state, lunging at a photographer stationed outside her home.

It is not yet clear when the couple will be reunited.

Fielder-Civil was in better spirits, grinning from ear to ear as he walked out this morning wearing jeans, a striped red T-shirt and a trilby hat.

He was, however, showing signs of his time behind bars, sporting a chipped front tooth and red scratches down his arms.

But his freedom was short-lived - he is believed to have checked straight into a rehab facility as part of the terms of his release.

Fielder-Civil pleaded guilty to assaulting James King, 36, outside a pub and then plotting to bribe his victim in a £200,000 deal not to testify in court.

It's almost a year to the day since eight plain-clothed officers hand-cuffed Fielder-Civil at the couple's flat in Bow, East London, and led him off to cells as a hysterical Winehouse watched on.

Fielder-Civil's own mother has previously expressed concern about his return to Winehouse's world and his family are desperate for him to stay with them at their Lincolnshire home.

Georgette Civil said in July: 'Giving him and Amy another chance is like putting a gun to Blake's head while playing Russian roulette.'

'If he goes it could be a death sentence for the two of them.'

I took drugs and I'm ashamed, reveals heavenly soprano Katherine Jenkins

2008-11-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

She’s the beautiful, prodigiously gifted soprano whose heavenly voice has just won her a £6million contract. But in this remarkably frank interview, Katherine Jenkins makes a courageous confession: her life was almost ruined by cocaine and Ecstasy – and now she wants to warn others

Two months ago, I sat in a Chelsea hotel suite with opera star Katherine Jenkins and during a lengthy interview for GQ magazine, the following exchange
took place:

Q. ‘Have you ever taken any drugs?
A. (shakes head).
Q. ‘Woah...was that a hesitation there?’
A. ‘No! I’ve never taken drugs.’

Katherine blushed slightly as she said this and looked rather flustered. Which I put down to the fact that, according to my extensive research, nobody had ever actually asked her this question before and she was just a bit taken aback.

It seemed, frankly, impossible to imagine Katherine being a drug abuser.

I was mistaken.

On Wednesday night, I was sitting down to watch Arsenal play Spurs in a Dubai hotel bar – I’m filming an ITV documentary on the Middle Eastern playground – when my phone rang.

‘Piers, it’s Katherine Jenkins. I need to tell you something that’s been bothering me.’

For the next hour, the beautiful young singer poured her heart out to me about how she had regularly taken cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis.

And she was searingly honest about why she finally stopped.

‘I could have ended up messing it all up, and that would have just been a tragic waste of the opportunity I was given,’ she told me.

Katherine, 28, is, genuinely, one of the nicest people I’ve met in the often self-obsessed music industry: a sweet, polite, touchingly naive, unaffected girl from Neath in South Wales, who just happens to have one of the greatest mezzo-soprano voices in the world.

Last week, she signed a stunning £6million record deal with American label Warner Music and is flying to Los Angeles in the New Year for a few months to try her luck cracking the United States.

So, with things going so extraordinarily well professionally, confessing to her secret drugs shame past is not a decision she has taken lightly.

‘It’s not something I ever wanted to talk about publicly,’ she said, ‘because taking drugs is the biggest regret of my life. But I’ve always tried to be honest about my life and I’ve had sleepless nights since that GQ interview appeared, because I knew I’d lied to you.’

Her voice sounded trembly. ‘Are you OK?’ I asked.

‘Yes. But I’m very, very nervous about admitting what I did, and I know some people may be shocked. But I will feel relief, too, that it is finally out there and I can get on with my life without worrying that one day it may all come back to haunt me.’
Katherine told me she didn’t even know what drugs looked like when she first went to live in London in 1997 to study at the Royal Academy of Music. She was in her late teens, fresh-faced and woefully uneducated as to the sleazy ways of clubland life in the capital.

‘I was very naive about things like drugs,’ she said. ‘There was nothing like that around where I grew up. I never saw a drug or even knew what they looked like.

‘But when I started going out in London, I slowly became aware that when I went to parties, or went clubbing, a lot of people were taking drugs. I didn’t know what was going on to start with, because I’d never seen anyone take drugs. And I was quite shocked initially when I finally realised what they were doing. A lot of people I was around at the time were taking drugs openly when we went out together, and
I resisted for a long time but after a while I just joined in.’

Katherine’s first narcotic experience came at a friend’s house after a hard night on the town.

She recalled: ‘We’d all been drinking and when we got back to my friend’s house, I was offered cocaine by someone. Having said no so many times before, curiosity just got the better of me and I said yes. I thought it would be fun, because everyone else seemed to be having a good time after taking cocaine.

‘It wasn’t what I thought it would be like,’ she said. ‘I thought it would have some massive, dramatic effect on me but it didn’t. It made me feel powerful though and I felt like I had so much energy. I became really talkative too – even more than usual, if you can believe that!’

Katherine laughed, a little nervously, at her attempt to bring a bit of levity to the conversation. I could tell she was hating every second of having to do this, but at the same time knowing in her heart that it was better in the long run to come clean now.

‘I tried one line of cocaine that first time. I’m not going to blame anyone else for giving it to me, or even say who it was. I take responsibility for my own actions and always will. I took cocaine a handful of times more after that, maybe five or six. It was usually in private at friends’ houses, though I did once take it in the loo of a London club.’

How much did she take?

‘I’d take up to three lines a night, a bit of a lightweight compared to some of them!’

At which point, she half-laughed again. I felt sorry for her – this was not an interview Katherine ever thought she’d be giving and she was trying to deal with it in the same cheery way she deals with normal interviews, while knowing that the subject matter was as far from cheery as you can get.

It didn’t take long for the drugs to reveal their ugly side.

Katherine said: ‘The truth about drugs like cocaine is that after a while you see what it does to people around you and it’s not pretty, is it?’

Katherine’s career hadn’t kicked off properly at the time, leaving her doing the odd gig and spending the rest of the time teaching others to sing – and partying.

‘I was young and silly and never really thought about the consequences,’ she admitted.

‘I did not know I’d ever become famous, and I was at an age where you don’t care about the future much, do you?

‘I just liked going out with friends, getting drunk on too many Malibus and Cokes, and then someone would usually produce some drugs and occasionally I would take some.

‘I was hanging around with a bad crowd. Coming from where I come from, it tends to take me a while to see the bad in people. I was very trusting, and keen to please. I never really enjoyed taking drugs, it just made me fit in better. But I normally like to be in control of everything and I look back on that time and think, “What was that about?”

Did guilt set in?

‘Yes, I felt very guilty when I was doing it. I worried about what my family would think if they found out. I wasn’t happy with the situation, and I didn’t really understand the consequences of what I was doing because I had never been around, or involved with, drugs before in any way. It was all new to me.’

Following the highs of the parties, there always came the inevitable sickening lows afterwards.

‘After taking cocaine, I felt absolutely terrible. It was like the worst hangover in the world times ten, times a hundred. And I’d not be in a good mental place afterwards either. I’d feel depressed and paranoid, it was awful. And I was shocked that something could affect me in such a massive way like that. I’d feel horrible for at least a day, sometimes longer.’

Cocaine was not the only drug with which she experimented.

‘I also tried Ecstasy and MDMA, which is the powder form of Ecstasy. That had a totally different effect, a really massive one. I took half a pill the first time, and it made me feel excited, passionate, in love with everyone and everything, and really happy, very very happy. I took Ecstasy pills after that four or five times, and MDMA too. But afterwards that made me feel worse than cocaine. I didn’t want to live the next day, it made me feel so depressed. It was horrible, just horrible.’

On other nights, she tried cannabis.

‘I never smoked it, I just used to eat these cakes with cannabis in them. I did that seven or eight times. I can’t remember the exact number. It seems so long ago now. It just made me feel relaxed and sleepy. And slightly out of control again.’

Just when her life seemed to be spiralling out of control in a booze and drug-fuelled haze, Katherine got the break that would change her life for ever, and perhaps even save it.

At the age of 23, in 2003, she was offered a six-album deal by Universal Records worth over £1million.

It was one of the biggest contracts ever signed by a new classical music star in Britain and pitted Katherine directly against Charlotte Church as the new queen of the mass-market aria.

But lurking behind the tearful smiles on that astonishing day was the long, dark cloud of Katherine’s other, secret life. And she took an instant decision.

‘I knew in that moment that I had to stop taking drugs,’ she said.

‘I’d been given this amazing opportunity and I just couldn’t let myself mess it all up for the sake of cocaine or Ecstasy.’

Katherine resolved to quit the partying and braced herself for a meeting with the one person whose opinion she valued above all others – her mother.

Katherine said: ‘We have a great relationship, and I wanted to be honest with her. I went back home to Wales, sat her down and told her about the drugs. And she was shocked and asked me why I’d done it and wanted to make sure I wasn’t still taking them. I said I wasn’t, and wished I never had, and would never, ever take them again.

‘And then she just gave me a disapproving look that said it all – it was like, ‘KATHERINE!’

Her mother was the only relative that Katherine confided in. Her father had died a few years before.

‘I didn’t tell anyone else in the family because I have young cousins and didn’t want them to be influenced by what I’d done. But I will tell them about this before it comes out. And I will tell them that I regret it massively. I would want anyone thinking twice about trying drugs to read this and think, “God, I don’t want to go through that.” Because I wish I hadn’t. I feel so ashamed. Drugs are dangerous and destroy lives.’

In her worst nightmares, Katherine looks at images of another gifted young singer and sees the way her life might have gone if her music deal hadn’t happened.

She said: ‘Look at Amy Winehouse. She’s an amazing talent but she is in such a bad way, it’s such a shame. I could have ended up like her. It’s possible. I don’t think I’d ever have got that bad, but who knows with drugs?

‘They’re frightening. And that’s why I feel so lucky to have stopped when I did. I was never comfortable with it and I was so fortunate that my record deal came when it did and made me realise that I might ruin everything by staying in this disgusting situation.

‘Drugs just disgust me now. I have nothing to do with them. And I have no family or friends who have anything to do with them either. I just stopped seeing anyone who used drugs. I’m so anti, it’s unbelievable!’

She must, I suggested, come across some narcotic-enhanced individuals on her travels in the music industry.

‘I do see people in the business under the influence of drugs occasionally, of course I do. You just don’t get much of it at the Classical Brits...’

I laughed. ‘I don’t think we’ve had a cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis scandal rocking the classical music world before. How do you think they will react?’

Katherine gasped with a mixture of unsuppressed horror and just the merest hint of hilarity.

‘Oh goodness me...I don’t want to cause a stir, I just want to be honest.’

And I believed her, on both counts.

I was curious as to what really prompted Katherine’s mea culpa. After all, it’s not every day a major star rings me to confess all about their drug-taking. Sadly.

She said: ‘I didn’t like the fact that I lied to you in that GQ interview. I felt really bad about it. It’s always better to be honest about your life, and I hadn’t been. Now, if I can help other people by being honest about it and saying how terrible drugs made me feel, then that is hopefully one good thing that can come out of it.

‘I do feel really nervous about this coming out though and I don’t want to cause distress to my friends and family. I’m worried about how people will react, especially my fans. I want them to know that this was something I did a very long time ago, and that I live my life very differently now and I am very dedicated to what I do.

‘I hardly even drink any more. This was a very silly period in my life, and I hope nobody is hurt or upset by it.

‘I haven’t taken drugs for well over five years and I wish I never had. I really do.’
Katherine’s boyfriend, Welsh TV presenter Gethin Jones, is totally behind her confession.

‘He has been very supportive. He thinks I am doing the right thing.’

As we finished our extraordinary conversation, I congratulated Katherine on setting the record straight. It’s always, always the best policy for any celebrity to correct lies they have perpetrated to the media.

‘How bad will it be for me next week?’ she asked.

‘Well put it this way,’ I replied, ‘probably not half as bad as Jonathan Ross or John McCain’s week is going to be.’

And Katherine laughed again, in that delightfully natural way that has, together with her regular trips to perform for British troops abroad, made her the modern day Vera Lynn.

She never cried during the interview, never shirked a question, and never asked for any sympathy. She just said what she wanted to say, and that was that.

And while you may not admire her drug-taking, it’s hard not to admire the courage it took to talk about it in such a frank and self-condemnatory way.

Later, I dug out the tape of our GQ interview and chuckled at the following exchange:
Q. ‘Is there a devil hiding inside you, Saint Katherine?’
A. ‘That’s for me to know, and you to find out, Piers...’

Britney Spears 'to appear on the X Factor, says Simon Cowell'

2008-11-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears is set to appear on the X Factor cementing her triumphant comeback after years battling psychiatric problems and substance addiction.

The star will be singing her new record Womaniser on the show later this month, because Simon Cowell is a fan.

He said: 'I'm really excited about it, because she has got her act together and the new record is terrific.

'She has come back from a very dark place and is a terrific artist.'

It has become a tradition on the X Factor for established artists to perform, and advise aspiring acts.

Take That, Will Young, Kylie Minogue are among the stars who have already appeared.

Spears' scheduled appearance seals her return to form after her life spiraled out of control.

In September the star made an acclaimed return at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and has her single Womanizer has been well received.

But the past three years have been turbulent for the troubled star.
The 26-year-old has had two failed marriages and lost custody of her children, and battled drug addictions that led to her being taken in to psychiatric care.

After Spears and Kevin Federline's three-year marriage ended in a divorce, she went on to lose custody over sons Sean Preston, three, and two-year-old Jayden James.

Last year her mental health seemed to deteriorate - marked a period of strange behavior by Spears, during which she shaved her head and was continually in and out of rehab.

She attempted a comeback in 2007 performing at the MTV Video Music Awards, but was jeered and criticized for a shambolic performance.

The star was out of shape and forgot the words to her track Gimme More.

Then in January this year, she was put under lockdown at a mental institution after she held her son hostage at her LA home.

She is planning a world tour next year and is releasing her album Circus in December. The star has also made a documentary about her breakdown.
In the 90-minute special, Britney: For The Record, she talks frankly about her problems.

She said: 'I sit there and I look back and I'm like, "I'm a smart person. What the hell was I thinking?"
'I've been through a lot in the past two or three years, and there's a lot that people don't know.

'Sometimes I think I get kind of lonely because you don't open the gate up that much, you know I mean? You're guarded. You have to be that way, so I'm kind of stuck in this place and it's like: How do you deal? And you just cope, and that's what I do. I just cope with it, every day.'

Katie Holmes and daughter Suri get into the Halloween spirit with matching pumpkin-coloured costumes

2008-10-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

Katie Holmes and her adorable toddler Suri geared up for Halloween yesterday by wearing the same orange, pumpkin-coloured outfits.

Mother and daughter headed out to New York's Central Park to play on the swings dressed in their seasonal dresses.

Later in the day, Holmes took her newfound love of fashionable urban chic to a new level by wearing a pair of sleek stilettos and PVC leggings.

The 29-year-old donned her almost all-black ensemble - the shoes had some dark blue ribbons on them - as she left her apartment in the city.Holmes has thrown herself back into work after taking a couple of years off to raise her only child and has been starring in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons for the last five weeks.

The play has so far been well-received, and it has already become the highest-grossing play on Broadway in its first full week of previews, raking in $684,002 so far.

The star made a return to television recently as a lawyer in the US show Eli Stone.

Dressed in a black unitard, Katie displayed her impressive singing and dancing skills while performing Duke Ellington's Hit Me With a Hot Note.

A respectable 8.8million people watched the first episode she starred in.

Amy Winegum: Now troubled singer is 'addicted to sweets'

2008-10-31T11:08:00.001-07:00

A source told newpaper London Lite: 'Amy seems to be constantly stuffing herself with sugary snacks. She loves all of the stuff from her childhood in the Eighties, from Slush Puppies to Bull's Eyes and liquorice. It may seem harmless but it is not doing her any good.

'She's suffering from chest and lung infections at the moment and she has been warned that all of the sweets could flare up the problems. She used to walk to the local shops at all hours of the night to pick up her sweet fixes, but now she doesn't have to.

'All of her gadgets have been put in one room so she has all she needs whenever she wants it.'

While friends point out that Winehouse is harking back to her innocent childhood days, there might be a more sinister side to the new obsession.

Heroin addicts often have low blood-sugar levels, leading to cravings for sweet things, and many users eat ice lollies or slushies to cool the burning sensation the killer drug can cause.

Winehouse has battled heroin and crack cocaine addiction for more than a year and is currently trying to work on material for her next album.

Slimmed down Eva Longoria shows off her form in a slinky purple dress

2008-10-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

Eva Longoria has dumped her frumpy Desperate Housewives image, and she wants everyone to know.

The Desperate Housewives star, who sparked pregnancy rumours after gaining weight for Gabrielle Solis's latest storyline, slipped into a skin-tight lavender dress for a visit to hairdresser Ken Paves in Los Angeles yesterday.

It's the second time in as many days the actress, who is once again back in amazing shape, has put her svelte physique on show.

A night earlier she looked gorgeous in a flirty little black dress as she arrived at her Hollywood restaurant Beso.

The new Desperate Housewives series, which is currently airing on Channel 4, picks up in the year 2013 when Eva's character has transformed from neighbourhood sex kitten to dowdy mother of two.
In real life, Eva was forced to fend off 'baby bump' rumours, regularly denying she's expecting a child of her own.

The 33-year-old said: 'I'm not pregnant. I stopped working out and gained about seven pounds over the summer, which is a lot for a small person.

However, she is hoping to start a family with husband Tony Parker sometime soon.

She has said: 'I can't wait!'.

Racy new bondage photos of Georgina Baillie show the wild side that attracted Russell Brand

2008-10-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

New photographs of the woman at the centre of the BBC obscene phone call scandal show the racy look that attracted reformed sex addict Russell Brand.

Burlesque dancer Georgina Baillie posed in bondage-style photos for a modelling shoot, in one restrained by a leather studded dog collar held by a male model.

In another she lies on her back in a submissive pose with his fists in her face.
The photos come as Miss Baillie described how the comic was 'obsessed in bed' with the fact that her grandfather Andrew Sachs' played Manuel in Fawlty Towers.

The 23-year-old added: 'The fact that my grandfather was Andrew Sachs clearly tickled Russell. But I never thought he'd use it to cause such a lot of damage.'

'He seemed obsessed by the idea that he was close to Manuel's granddaughter.

'It was only a coincidence that he found out because Fawlty Towers came on his telly when we were together,' she told The Sun.

She told how he pranced around the bedroom yelling 'Que?' and 'I Know Nothing' - well-known phrases uttered by Spanish waiter Manuel during the iconic TV series.

Brand, 33, has quit the BBC after he left lewd messages on Mr Sachs' answer phone, describing how he had slept with Miss Baillie.

Jonathan Ross, who also took part in the obscene sequence, is currently suspended.

]Miss Baillie said she was particularly disgusted with the TV presenter as he was a family man who has three children.

'In some ways he is the biggest disappointment because he has daughters,' she said.

'I bet if you asked him he would say he'd lay down in traffic to defend their honour.

'But what a hypocrite he is and what a shabby man he has turned out to be. Shame on him.'

In the wake of the pair being suspended, Miss Baillie, who had a relationship with Brand, said that she was 'thrilled justice had been done,' and welcomed an investigation into the affair.

'Let's see what Ofcom choose to do about it. I don't know how it's going to go from here.' she said.

'I'm really happy with the investigation. Me and my granddad are both really happy because it could have damaged our reputation permanently.'

A source close to Miss Baillie revealed that she was privately 'disgusted' with Brand.

'This wasn't just a one night-stand, it was a relationship which lasted for over a year,' he said.

'She's upset for herself and for her family.'
Miss Baillie's comments came as her pro-wrestler ex-boyfriend threatened to 'give him a smack.'

Alex Shane, a 19-stone twice British champion heavyweight wrestler, said: 'I thought it was really out of order.

'I think Brand is used to getting away with these things.

'He needs to be taught some humility. He's very quick-witted but shows a real lack of class. It's gutter low.

'Just give me five minutes in the ring with him!'

In a frank interview with The Sun, Miss Baillie described how Brand was a flop in the bedroom, despite his reputation as a lothario.

Revealing that she slept with the star after their 'lavish' first date, she said: ' I'm not going to go into detail about what happened there although I'm obviously no shrinking violet.

'I will only say he's a disappointment in the bedroom considering he has had so much practice'.

She also said that Brand was 'clean freak' and would ask her to use mouthwash before she kissed him.

The details of the affair will heap more public humiliation on Brand, who has always been proud of his ladies' man image.

Yesterday he issued a public apology and resigned from the BBC after a storm of protest over the phone scandal.

Miss Baillie's publicist Max Clifford said today that she was happy with Brand's resignation from the BBC.

'Russell Brand has done the right thing and his apology came across as genuine,' he added. 'He realises he'd made a total mistake.'

Miss Baillie's latest interview about the Brand and Ross affair come in the wake of an initial stinging attack yesterday.

'Russell Brand has embarrassed me by making a private relationship very public in the cruellest way imaginable,' she said.

'He has betrayed me for a few cheap laughs and left my grandfather distraught.

'What happened between us was supposed to be private but he is clearly no gentleman.

'Worst of all my poor grandfather had to confront the fact I'd slept with such a rat. What girl would ever want to have to tell her granddad who she has slept with?'

Miss Baillie has also spoken of her anger at Ross and Brand's further broadcast in which they discussed breaking into Sachs's home and performing a sex act on him. 'They are beyond contempt,' she said.

'They must be the only people sick enough to think that breaking into an old man's house and sexually abusing him might be funny.

'They are warped for what they have put me and my grandfather through.'

Miss Baillie - who dances under the stage name Voluptua in burlesque troupe The Satanic Sluts - said they also telephoned her in an attempt to cover their tracks.

'They seemed to be trying to make a joke of it but I could tell that they were a bit concerned at the same time,' she said.

'I sensed they might have realised they had gone too far and were trying to limit the damage.'

Ross and Brand were both suspended yesterday, before Brand's resignation, and filming for Friday Night With Jonathan Ross show was cancelled hours before it was due to be recorded last night.

Ross has apologised to Sachs personally and yesterday issued a public apology for his, 'juvenile and thoughtless' remarks.

Former heroin addict Brand had presented his Radio 2 show since November 2006 and was thought to be paid more than £200,000 a year by the BBC.

The BBC last night refused to discuss the arrangements for the termination of his contract, but reports suggest Ross has been suspended on full pay.

Even Paris Hilton feels the squeeze as credit crunch forces nightclubs to drop appearance fees

2008-10-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

The last time Paris Hilton graced London with her presence, she received an estimated £70,000 in 'appearance fees'.

So one would imagine that she's been coining it in during her recent over-extended stay in the capital.

But this time, the credit crunch has definitely hit the hotel heiress.

Despite the fact that she's been pictured posing and pouting outside almost every fashionable club in London, she's only managed to rack up around £25,000 - which is close to £50,000 less than her last visit.
A source close to the 27-year-old socialite said: 'Paris demanded £50,000 from Paper nightclub. They were prepared to pay - but on the condition that she turn up twice, not go anywhere else before or after that evening, and stay for a minimum of two hours.

'But she didn't want to adhere to all the conditions so the club cancelled her appearance.'

Our spy added: 'Whisky Mist also refused to pay. But she went there anyway because there was a chance that she would bump into royalty - and she did in the end.

'The only club that paid her was Movida, and that was an estimated £25,000. Although it's a lot of money, to Paris's people it's nowhere near as much as she used to be able to command.'

Paris is over in the UK filming her new TV show, Paris Hilton's My New BFF (Best Friend Forever), which sees her trawling Britain in search of a new pal.

However, we reckon not many potential chums have had the chance to get near her - as she's spent most of her time holed up in her hotel room, or deep inside various nightclubs' VIP areas surrounded by bodyguards.

The American star caused quite a stir in Movida after turning up and making a bee-line for glamour model Katie "Jordan" Price. The pair were spotted dancing away in the VIP room where Paris quenched her thirst with bottles of Fiji water.

Scabby Amy Winehouse looks painfully ill as she's taken to hospital again

2008-10-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

Amy Winehouse is in hospital again amid new concerns over her health.

The singer, 25, who was seen heading to hospital looking painfully thin, with yellow teeth and scabby skin, was taken to The London Clinic on Saturday.

Her spokesperson denied initial reports the troubled star was heading back to rehab.

He said: 'Amy is being checked out for a chest infection. She's fine and is expected to return home soon.'

Amy, who has largely remained out of the spotlight in recent month, was joined in the cab by her American friend Blake Wood.

Ms Winehouse, who has been fighting a very public battle against heroin and crack cocaine, has been hospitalised numerous times this year.

In June she was given the stark warning by doctors to 'quit drugs or die' and at the end of that month she was diagnosed with the early stages of the lung disease emphysema.

However, as soon as she left the clinic she was seen smoking a cigarette.

In yet more troubling news, the singer has been warned she faces arrest after failing to earlier she failed to turn up for a meeting with police last week.

The Metropolitan Police want to quiz the singer over claims she hit a female fan, according to reports.

Spooky! Cindy Crawford shows up at Hallowe'en party looking like an ATTRACTIVE Amy Winehouse

2008-10-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

Cindy Crawford shed her usually groomed image last night to give her best impersonation of Amy Winehouse at a Hallowe'en party.

Beehive stacked high, make-up caked on her face and arms covered in mock tattoos, the supermodel's resemblance to the troubled singer was uncanny as she arrived at the star-studded event.

She opted for a strappy leopard print dress and huge hoop earrings to complete Amy's trademark trashy look.

But while Amy, 25, has looked increasingly bedraggled in recent years, the statuesque model still managed to look attractive, with her complexion positively glowing beneath the heavy make-up.

Cindy, 42, was just one of a host of celebrities who donned all manner of outfits for Kate Hudson's party in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

Keeping true to the spooky spirit of the occasion, husband and wife Courtney Cox and David Arquette dressed as a witch and wizard.

Another couple - Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen and actress Isla Fisher - also put in an appearance.

But while Isla, 32, looked pretty is a shimmering fairytale-style dress, Sacha threw dignity to the wind and dressed head-to-toe as a cow.

Kate Hudson's step-father Kurt Russell looked dapper as a smartly turned-out sea captain.

And Spider-man actor Tobey Maguire, 33, wore a lumberjack shirt and a baseball cap emblazoned with the legend: 'I love my white trash wife'.

Britney Spears sparks romance rumours as she wears ex-boyfriend Adnan's ring

2008-10-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears sparked romance rumours when she was seen wearing a ring given to her by ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib.

The 35-year-old photographer had his and hers rings custom-made during the pair's short-lived relationship.

She was first seen wearing the silver-coloured knot ring in March of this year when Britney and Adnan first started dating.

The unusual choice of jewellery has lead to speculation it could be back on with the Birmingham-born snapper.

The pop princess finally appears to have ditched the demons which lead to her public break-down.

She looked in good health as she prepared for Hallowe'en with her sons yesterday.
The 26-year-old took her two boys, Sean Preston and Jayden James, to pick out a pumpkin from Mr Bones Pumpkin Patch in Hollywood.

The singer seemed relaxed and was no doubt feeling relieved that her trial for charges of driving without a licence was dismissed earlier this week, after the jury couldn't reach a verdict.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James A. Steele dismissed the misdemeanour charges against the singer after the 12 jurors couldn't agree over the case.

The charges stem from an August 2007 incident when Britney allegedly hit a parked car and was found to not be in possession of a California state driving licence.
But all that trouble seemed firmly in the past yesterday as she was given star treatment of course and was allowed to use a special entrance to enter the pumpkin patch.

But in return for her VIP treatment, Britney happily posed for photographs holding two-year-old Jayden James while a friend carried his older brother Sean Preston.

Spears then perused the pumpkins while chatting on her mobile and holding on to little Jayden. With her sons dressed in matching outfits, Britney and her boys looked every bit the perfect family on a Hallowe'en shopping trip.

Enough posing... now hop it! Doorman frogmarches Paris Hilton to car outside club

2008-10-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton may be planning to make London her new home but she didn't receive such a warm welcome from one local last night.

The hotel heiress looked none too happy when she was frogmarched away from the front of a club after a night out.

A doorman took the 27-year-old socialite by the arm and ushered her to a waiting car as she tried to pose for photographers outside Annabel's club in Mayfair.

It seemed the doorman at the celebrity nightspot was keen to move her away from baying paparazzi and decided to take matters into his own hands in no uncertain fashion.

However Paris was keen to show off her pretty pink babydoll dress and strike a few poses for the waiting fans.
A row soon ensued as the socialite's own security intervened and apparently told the doorman not to touch her.

After leaving the club a determined Paris made sure photographers got the pictures they wanted when she posed up outside her London hotel.

The hotel heiress recently said she is considering relocating from her natural Los Angeles habitat to make London her new home.

She has been renting a £7,500-a-week home in Hampstead while filming a new show for MTV.

She told MailOnline earlier this week: 'I love London, it's my favourite city in the world. I'm shooting my new show and having an amazing time.'

She added: 'I love the Brits, they rock! Everything from their personalities, style and of course the accents.'

Enjoying the view? Justin Timberlake gets sidetracked on video shoot by curvy Rihanna

2008-10-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

Behind his dark glasses Justin Timberlake could be looking anywhere - but there's one shapely attraction he could be forgiven for eyeing.

Rihanna's curvacious behind, clad only in fishnet stockings, was undoubtedly the star of the show as the popstar duo filmed the video for their new single on the beach in Los Angeles yesterday.

Above the waist the Umbrella singer was the image of propriety, clothed in a multi-coloured wrap top and demure net hat. But her long legs were on display in all their glory as she stalked around the beach in cripplingly high platforms.

Justin was wrapped up somewhat warmer than Rihanna, in black jeans and a leather jacket.

There have been rumours that the two have dated in the past.
But both are now in happy relationships, with Justin dating actress Jessica Biel, while Rihanna is with fellow RnB artist Chris Brown.

In fact rather than flirtatious relations between Rihanna and Justin looked decidedly frosty as the two stood face-to-face on the beach.

But instead of a fall-out it seems the two were acting out scenes from Rehab off Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad album.

After a quick costume change, Rihanna then stole the limelight again as she lay on a sunbed in suspenders and a pair of 40s style sunglasses.

Britney Spears whips herself back into shape in the dance studio

2008-10-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

A svelte Britney Spears hit the dance studio looking back to her best as she rehearsed for her next music video.

The singer, who recently lost 10Ib after giving up alcohol, put her new moves on show on Friday as she paraded around with her dance crew, at one point wielding a black whip.

She is gearing up to release her eagerly-anticipated comeback album Circus in December, and is expected to tour next year.

The 2009 shows will be her first major tour since 2004 - and her well-documented personal meltdown.

Britney has called on Australian Wade Robson to choreograph the tour, which will kick off in March.
Robson, who collaborated with Britney on her steamy music video I’m A Slave 4 U , said: 'She reached out to me and said she wanted to get the old team back together.

'So we’ll go into rehearsals in January for a March start.'

Meanwhile, a second day of deliberations ended without a verdict yesterday at Britney's court case in which she is accused of driving without a licence.

Jurors left for the day after saying earlier that they were hopelessly deadlocked. A foreman said they had voted three times since Friday, and each time failed to reach a unanimous conclusion.

The three votes were all 10 to 2 the foreman said without indicating which way.

The jurors appeared glum after lunch, with many on the panel telling Superior Court Judge James A. Steele that they did not think an agreement could be reached.

Steele questioned whether more could be done to encourage discussion or reach a verdict.

'I think with each return to the assembly room, everyone becomes more entrenched in their position," the foreman replied.

The judge told the group to deliberate for 20 more minutes and take a fourth vote.
The jury never returned to court, but instead asked for a reading of testimony by Britney's father, Jamie.

Jurors have spent about six hours deliberating so far. They resume their deliberations today.

The panel posed at least three questions throughout the day, including a clarification of the charges and what Spears had done to be charged.

There was no mention during the trial of the accident that led to the charges, as agreed by the defence and prosecution attorneys.

That gap led to the jury's other question: 'Why was she stopped in the first place?'

Steele responded by reading sections of the California vehicle code to them and reminding jurors that they could only consider evidence introduced during the trial.

Britney has not appeared in court and did not testify during the trial. She faces up to six months in jail and a fine if convicted.

Making love to Madonna 'was like cuddling a piece of gristle'

2008-10-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

A gaunt-looking Madonna was seen leaving the Kabbalah Centre in New York on Saturday.

Wearing shades and a baseball cap it seemed the marriage break-up was taking its toll on the 50-year-old mega-star.

But the pop queen's obsession with maintaining a perfect body has been cited as one of the factors behind her split with Guy Ritchie.

Her insistence on sticking to a gruelling four-hour exercise routine has been blamed for destroying the pair's seven-and-a-half year marriage.

The strict regime reportedly meant the couple went for 18 months without making love.

When they did find time to make love, it was like 'cuddling up to a piece of gristle', Ritchie is said to have told friends.
Madonna

A close friend told the News of the World: 'When the cracks began to show in their marriage, Madonna wouldn't budge.

'Guy was pleading with her to spend more time with him but she wouldn't have it. She'd insist she did her four-hour workout and that would be half the day gone.'

'They've been apart so much in the last two years the times when they could have made love have been pretty limited.

'And they've been in separate bedrooms a lot after rows so there has been no making-up. They might as well be brother and sister.'

'All the soft feminine tones have been replaced by the build of an athlete.'

Another fighting point in their marriage was Madonna's devotion to the mystic religion Kabbalah.

Ritchie, 40, is said to have walked out of a marriage counselling meeting with rabbis after they suggested he should always be subordinate to his wife's wishes.

The source said: 'Guy thinks it is just mumbo jumbo. He was appalled she wanted the religion to intervene.'

He is said to have become disillusioned with the religion which he had originally embraced to please Madonna.

Film producer Ritchie is said to be resigned to the fact that Madonna will begin openly dating New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez.
Sources say the pop star is preparing to go public about her friendship with baseball player A-Rod when her world tour ends in December.

Kabbalah leaders are said to have given their blessing to the friendship after Rodriguez threw himself into the religion.

Madonna also recently sneaked the multi-millionaire into a front row seat at her gig which had previously been reserved for her husband.

An insider told the Sunday Mirror: 'Alex is bewitched by her. She is a very intoxicating woman and it seems she has offered him a pathway to happiness and enlightenment through Kabbalah.

'He thinks she is phenomenal, but his friends aren't sure they have much in common.'

Rodriguez's wife Cynthia filed for divorce in July this year, citing Madonna as one of his many infidelities.

She is said to have found a letter to Madonna in which Rodriguez' called her his 'soulmate'.

Madonna, worth around £300million, has agreed Ritchie will have full access to their sons, eight-year-old Rocco and adopted David Banda, three.

The singer also has a daughter Lourdes, 12, by fitness trainer Carlos Leon.

Ritchie's £10 million divorce settlement will see him own Ashcombe House, their 1,200 acre £10million estate in Wiltshire, while Madonna will keep the couple's £7million townhouse in Marylebone in central London.

It's all white on the night as new mum Christina Aguilera blazes back into the spotlight

2008-10-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Singer Christina Aguilera may have been out of the spotlight for nearly a year after having her first child, but she sure knows how to return to it.

Ten months after giving birth to her son Max, the Dirrty singer made her return to the stage in a series of eye-catching outfits at London's Albert Hall.

Including a Bianca Jagger style white suit and fedora hat, albeit accessorised with a bra top.

The 27-year-old singer guaranteed all eyes were on her as she arrived in a Harlequin-esque Pucci tunic.
The blonde singer teamed her $2,095 turtleneck, silk dress with leather-look leggings and $700 Yves Saint Laurent purple Tribute heels as she arrived at the Africa Rising Festival at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Later she changed into a racy leopard-print leotard and cropped tuxedo, showing she's lost none of her pre-motherhood sex appeal.

The event marked Christina's first performance since taking time out for motherhood late last year.

She shared the stage with African supermodel Alek Wek and former US Secretary of State and retired general Colin Powell, who entertained the crowds with his funky dance moves.
The Africa Rising event aims to raise awareness of African issues, such as poverty and trade and hopes to find 'sustainable solutions'.

She revealed she was loving motherhood and was looking forward to having more children with her music executive husband Jordan Bratman.

She said: 'Absolutely, we'll definitely have more kids.

'I don't know (when). We'll play it by ear.'

Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer 'spotted kissing passionately during romantic reunion'

2008-10-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Aniston and her ex-lover John Mayer have been spotted kissing passionately after enjoying a romantic reunion, it was reported today.

Last month the MailOnline told exclusively how Jennifer had called her ex-partner and reinitiated contact, with them talking daily.

Now America's National Enquirer reports that the two flew from New York to Los Angeles together, landing at midday British time yesterday.

'They were very lovey-dovey,' an insider told the Enquirer. 'They kissed several times and hugged each other tightly. John gave her a long, lingering kiss.'

The pair, who split in August after a four-month romance, are said to have looked like lovers by the time they arrived back in California.

Once in L.A. they went their separate ways but insiders say they will be seeing each other before too long.

Jennifer had been in New York doing some shopping before she started her promotional work for her new movies, He’s Just Not That Into You and Marley And Me.

'John was relaxing after finishing his international tour, and they hooked up,' said the source.

'After spending time together under the radar in New York, they flew to Los Angeles together and looked every bit the couple they once were.'

EXCLUSIVE: Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson on the rocks after string of arguments

2008-10-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson have hit a rocky patch in their relationship -
just weeks after going public with their romance.

The Hollywood pair, who have been inseparable for months, are said to be drifting apart and bickering on a daily basis.

Insiders tell MailOnline DJ Ronson has made it clear to that she wants Lohan to step out of the limelight amid fears the actress may have lapsed back into her old partying ways.
The comparatively low-key Ronson is also said to feel 'smothered' by all the attention Lohan pays her and is anxious to step away from the media spotlight.

A source said: 'Sam needs her space away from Lindsay and really needs to take a long look at what the future of this relationship can be.

'Sam's friends have been saying for a while that Lindsay still likes men as well as women. And for Lindsay's part, she's still caught up in her partying ways.

'Samantha doesn't need that in her life, not now, not ever. If these two are going to be together for the long term, Lindsay is the one who's going to have to change, calm down, and get real. Sam's made that very clear to her.'

The source continued: 'Clearly, they were spending a little too much time together, and Samantha was the one who said Lindsay was getting in the way, and even acting obsessive at times.

'Samantha DJ'ed three big parties around the Emmy weekend in Los Angeles, and Lindsay was practically on top of her for every minute of those gigs. Lindsay was behaving in a very smothering way.

'For a man or a woman, it can be hard when your girlfriend insists on going to work with you every day.

'The problem here is that Samantha is intent on being taken seriously as a DJ, and the Lindsay sideshow was starting to overwhelm that.'

Two weeks ago Lohan and Ronson looked blissfully happy together as they holidayed in Mexico.
But the break wasn't simply a lovers' getaway.

The source said: 'The vacation was all about fixing their relationship, because things had gotten dicey in late August and early September as Lindsay and Sam were just getting so much attention - so much that they needed to get out of the country for a while.
'But things didn't go well in Mexico. Despite the photos of them playing on the beach, Sam said things were very tense between them when they got back.

'She's known for being shy, but what she's less known for is being a very serious and thoughtful person, and there have always been these second thoughts about how she comes across being in this high profile 'celebrity romance'.

'It's never been something Sam's been willing to embrace the way Lindsay does. Going to Mexico kind of confirmed a lot of that stuff for Sam.'

Now it's cocaine candyfloss as troubled Amy Winehouse hits a new low

2008-10-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

She cuts a tragic figure with her drug ravaged features but Amy Winehouse's latest exploits have seen her hit a new low.

In a parody of more innocent past-times, the troubled singer has taken to lacing candyfloss with cocaine.

Ms Winehouse has a £700 candyfloss machine into which she reportedly sprinkles wraps of cocaine before whipping up the sweet treat - her 'coke 'n candy special'.

A source close to the singer told told the News of the World the concoction was created by a friend.

The source said: 'It was Mick's idea. The candyfloss machine was Amy's pride and joy and he thought it would be funny to give it a boost.

'He and a some pals sprinkled a wrap of coke into the mixture and Amy started eating it before she realised what they'd done. She now thinks it's a hoot to do the same.'

Ms Winehouse, who has been fighting a very public battle against heroin and crack cocaine, has had a disastrous year.

Her intake of drugs and hard-living has robbed her of her curvaceous looks - and left her looking much older than her 25 years.

In June she was given the stark warning by doctors to 'quit drugs or die' and at the end of that month she was diagnosed with the early stages of the lung disease emphysema.

However, as soon as she left the clinic she was seen smoking a cigarette.

In April this year she was cautioned by police for assault after she slapped a man on a night out.

She was investigated by officers, although not charged, after a tabloid newspaper published a video that appeared to show her smoking crack cocaine in January.

Her husband Blake Fielder-Civil was also sentenced to 27 months in jail for assault and obstructing justice in July.

Fielder-Civil admitted beating up pub manager James King in a fight in 2006 and then offered him a bribe of £200,000 to keep quiet about it.

Go girl: Britney Spears goes karting (with a balaclava and helmet that helpfully cover up those greasy locks)

2008-10-06T14:04:00.000-07:00

Her driving record isn't exactly squeaky clean, but that didn't stop Britney Spears getting behind the wheel for a spin around a California go-kart track yesterday.

The singer first slipped on a balaclava - which conveniently covered her greasy-looking hair - then a bright orange helmet before putting her skills to the test on the 1000ft-long Dromo 1 track.

Britney has clocked up a series of traffic violations in recent years and will go on trial next month for driving without a valid licence.

But she still managed to win herself a trophy - although that might have been for the benefit of the camera crew, on hand to record the outing for her upcoming behind-the-scenes DVD, which is expected to be released along with her upcoming album Circus.

Britney has also revealed she plans to make her first international tour since 2004 to support the album.

In an interview on New York radio station Z100, Spears was asked if she planned to tour.

'Oh definitely, next year,' she said, adding the tour would probably take her 'around the world.'

That would mark her first major concert tour since 2004.

Last year, Britney performed in a handful of club shows in southern California under the name the M+M's but did not go on the road to promote her last album, Blackout, which had a good chart debut in November 2007 but faded quickly.

Her last live public performance was a much-ridiculed rendition of 'Gimme More at the MTV Video Music Awards a year ago.

The singer's latest single, Womanizer, was released on Friday and is the first single off Circus, which will be released on Dec. 2 - her 27th birthday. She told Z100 she spent six months working on the album.

Britney has been on the mend since her father took control of her business affairs in February.

She won three awards for her song Piece Of Me at this year's MTV video music awards.

Amy Winehouse's Quincy tribute

2008-10-03T13:05:00.000-07:00

Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson are reuniting to record a song.

The pair fell out when recording sessions for a proposed James Bond theme went sour - which resulted in Jack White and Alicia Keys providing the opening music to 'Quantum of Solace' - but have since settled their differences and are planning to record a track for a tribute album to Michael Jackson producer Quincy Jones.

A source said: "It's going to be explosive stuff. Amy first met Quincy backstage at the Nelson Mandela show in Hyde Park in June.
"He knew who she was and she was so thrilled to meet him. Her performance clearly impressed him - he was raving about her. This is just the opportunity she needs to show the world she has still got it."

Other stars rumoured to be appearing on the album include Mariah Carey, Usher and John Mayer.

Last week, Amy made a shambolic appearance at London's Berkeley Square Ball - an annual charity event in aid of The Prince's Trust.

She was attending the event to support her 12-year-old goddaughter Dionne, who was performing in a bid to launch her music career.
The troubled singer was supposed to sing backing vocals during Dionne's performance, but only managed to mumble a few words.

Later, she reportedly hit out at a fan who asked for an autograph.

She was heard sobbing: "This isn't a life - it's a mess. Life can't go on. I can't do this any more."

Madonna's A-Rod dinner

2008-10-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

Madonna and Alex Rodriguez were spotted enjoying dinner together earlier this week.

The singer and the baseball player - who were rumoured to be having an affair earlier this year - sat in "an alcove-like table" at the back of New York eatery Dos Caminos Third Avenue on Tuesday (30.09.08).

A source told Usmagazine.com: "They seemed very close."
While Madonna was initially blamed for Alex's divorce from wife Cynthia, the 50-year-old star has always denied the claims - insisting she is happy in her seven-year marriage with husband Guy Ritchie.

She said in a statement earlier this year: "My husband and I are not planning on getting a divorce. I know Alex Rodriguez through Guy Oseary, who manages both of us. I brought my kids to a Yankee game. I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez. I have nothing to do with the state of his marriage.

"I have learned over the years not to take accusations and the many false reports about me very seriously. I also appreciate how fiction and fact seem to be perceived as one and the same by people who read both newspapers and the internet."

Kate's golden new look

2008-10-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

KATE MOSS has been immortalised in a solid gold statue - in a beyond belief bendy yoga move.

The supermodel’s metal effigy, Siren, is worth a whopping £1.5million and shows Kate's body so contorted, it seemingly defies the natural limitations of human limbs.

Artist MARC QUINN’s work will on display at the British Museum’s Statuephilia exhibition in London from tomorrow.

Bad hair day? Britney Spears hides her lank locks under a shawl

2008-10-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears appeared unusually camera shy as she arrived at LAX airport yesterday.

Looking pale and tired, the 26-year-old singer left the airport with a white shawl draped over her long blonde locks. Perhaps was trying to cover her rather greasy-looking hair.

It was a far cry from how she had looked just the night before when she went to dinner at Soho House in New York, looking fantastic in an electric blue dress.

But if she was hoping the new shawl, by New York label Minnie Rose, would prevent her from being recognised she was sadly mistaken as she was greeted by a wall of photographers as she left the terminal. (We assume the shawl was new as the label is still on.)

It's no surprise really that Britney's looking a little bit pooped. She's been staying in New York since Sunday where she has been promoting her new single Womanizer.

While in the Big Apple, she also saw a Broadway show called The Heights, visited several stores and dropped into a school in The Bronx where she donated a $10,000 (£5,000) cheque to its music programme and signed autographs for delighted pupils.

Over the last few days, the mum-of-two looked healthy and groomed, especially on Wednesday night when she dined out at Soho House in a stunning blue dress.

But it all must have taken its toll because when she arrived at JFK on Thursday to catch her flight back home to LA she looked worn out.

No wonder she wanted to go undercover when she touched down at LAX.

'I'm really happy with Samantha... and I want to adopt a child', says Lindsay Lohan

2008-10-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

Lindsay Lohan may only be 22, but she's already started making plans to adopt a child.

The reformer Hollywood hellraiser insists she is happier than ever since finding love with DJ Samantha Ronson and is looking forward to the future.

After experiencing a difficult childhood and past few years, Lohan believes her life experience would make her a good mother.
She tells the latest edition of Marie Claire magazine: 'At some point, I want to adopt a kid as well.

'A child in need or a newborn from another country. I’m not sure yet.'

Lohan would be the latest in a long list of Hollywood stars who have adopted, including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Sharon Stone, Sheryl Crow, Calista Flockhart and Mia Farrow.

After months of rumours, Lohan finally confirmed she was in a relationship with Ronson - sister of artist/producer Mark Ronson - last month.

Speaking to the magazine, a defiant Lohan declared: 'People can think what they want. I'm really happy and that's all that matters.'

Some have credited Ronson with helping Lohan get her life back in order after stints in rehab, a spell in jail as well as being sentenced to community service following her driving under the influence arrests.

While Lohan acknowledges Ronson has been a great help in her life, she insists it is her alone who has dealt with her problems.

She said: '(Samantha's) a great person. But I think that anything that's changed in my life is because of me. I've gone through it and I've had to deal with it and I've made the decision to move forward. So, yeah, she's a great person.'

The couple are so happy together they are reportedly looking at buying an apartment together in New York.

Earlier this week, the couple were photographed looking loved up on holiday in Mexico.

Scarlett 'ties the knot' in secret

2008-09-28T13:18:00.000-07:00

Hollywood starlet Scarlett Johansson has married actor Ryan Reynolds in a hush-hush ceremony in Canada, according to reports.

The couple were determined to keep the wedding as low-key as possible, opting for a small service in a remote wilderness resort outside Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday.

Guests included the bride's mother, Melanie Sloan, and her brother, Adrian Johansson, Scarlett's representative told People magazine.
The actress, 23, announced their engagement on May 5, by showing off a £16,500 three-carat diamond ring at the Met Costume Gala Ball in New York.

She started dating Reynolds, 31, at the start of last year shortly after he parted from his then fiancee, singer Alanis Morissette.

At the beginning of September, Scarlett vowed that they would not sell photos to a magazine and described lavish celebrity weddings as "awful".

"I'm a private person, so, obviously, I'm pretty sure our wedding will be as private as possible."

Johansson has also said she was excited about her upcoming wedding because she was keen to become an honorary Canadian.

It had been widely reported she planned to postpone the ceremony until after the United States presidential election, which takes place at the beginning of November.

Falling apart: Stick-thin Amy Winehouse more ravaged than ever... as she admits: 'I can't go on like this'

2008-09-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

It was a high society ball attended by a host of VIPs in their most glamorous gowns.

But somehow Amy Winehouse didn't get the dress code quite right.

Wearing scruffy animal print shorts, the troubled star looked shockingly skinny and ill as she performed at the End of Summer Ball in London's Berkeley Square last night.

With her gaunt physique, unkempt hair, smudged makeup and scratches on her legs the singer looked more unwell than ever.

The 25-year-old admitted she was on the verge of a breakdown after a night of worryingly shambolic behaviour — even by her standards.

The troubled star embarrassed herself by ruining her 12-year-old goddaughter’s debut singing performance and lashing out at a photographer before collapsing and sobbing: 'Life can’t go on. I can’t do this any more.'

The singer was at the Berkeley Square Ball in Mayfair to provide backing vocals for her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield.

But onlookers were shocked at how out of it Amy was, and the audience at the charity bash cringed as she grabbed and hugged Dionne as she tried to perform.

The pair were joined on stage by a live band and one of Amy’s backing singers for the three-song set.

We’re told: 'It was tragic — she seemed totally wasted. She was jumping all over Dionne as the poor girl tried to sing for the crowd. Amy didn’t really sing a single note — it sounded more like she was grunting down the mic.'

At the end of the performance, Amy’s backing singer told the crowd: 'Isn’t she great? She’s only 12-years-old!'

But Amy crowed: 'She’s better than you — it doesn’t matter how old she is.'

She then roamed from table to table, demanding to meet famous people.

Sugababe Heidi Range was sent to talk to her but couldn’t keep her attention long.

Our spy said: 'Amy was then asked to pose for the event’s official photographer, but flipped and tried to headbutt him. She looked like a woman possessed.'

But backstage things took a turn for the worse. Our spy adds: 'Amy collapsed backstage in tears. She kept saying, ‘Life can’t go on, I can’t do this’.'
It was a sorry return to the public eye for Amy, who has kept a low profile recently.

She arrived at her Camden home at the end of the night with only one shoe and looking horribly dishevelled.

Among the 850 guests at the glittering event were Kate Middleton's younger sister Pippa, Sugababe Heidi Range, model Emma Noble and former Atomic Kitten Liz McLarnon.

Party-goers paid £750 for tickets which included a meal by by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White and cocktails prepared by exclusive restaurant Nobu.

From Hermione to amazing Grace: Emma Watson's stunning new look

2008-09-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

The porcelain elegance, faraway expression and sparkle of diamonds say Grace Kelly.

But then that was exactly what Emma Watson was hoping for.

The 18-year-old who made her name in the Harry Potter films is an actress after all.

And in a series of glamorous photos for Italian Vogue, she showed she can play roles rather more grown-up than Harry's magical sidekick Hermione Granger.

Miss Watson was photographed by Mark Seliger, whose previous subjects have included the rather less glamorous Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Kurt Cobain.

Mark encouraged me to become a different person or character for each photograph and so they all tell different stories,' she explained.
Grace kelly'So, in the end, I combined two loves: art and fashion and acting. I learned a lot and have found a whole new respect for the hard work models put into their work and for the couture. A love affair has begun.'

Miss Watson, who is currently working on the final Harry Potter film, is becoming a familiar face on the fashion circuit.

She has signed up to the Storm agency which also represents Kate Moss, Carla Bruni and Lily Cole.

The young actress, said to be heading for university post-Potter, could find herself in demand as a cover girl instead.

Yes, we're gay! Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson finally confirm Hollywood's worst kept secret

2008-09-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

After months of speculation about their relationship Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson have finally confirmed they are a couple.

The pair were talking to an American radio DJ who asked them how long they had been together.

'A very long time,' replied 22-year-old actress Lohan, who has been living with the 30-year-old DJ since May.

The couple had rung the show to speak to DJ Stryker on Sunday about the plane crash in which their close friend Adam 'DJ AM' Goldstein was badly burned on Friday night.
He told them: 'I hope you guys stay together, you're a very lovely looking couple.' Lohan then thanked him.

The couple are rumoured to be buying a house together in New York. They have been inseparable since the start of 2008, stirring rumours that they were secret lovers.

They made their affection for each other public on numerous occasions.

Earlier this month, they shared a tender moment on a street in New York. After shopping in Soho they were seen kissing outside the Mercer Hotel.

London born Ronson, the sister of Mark Ronson, also visited Lohan on the set of Ugly Betty, as she filmed her guest appearance for the hit show.

Meanwhile, Lohan's father has hit out at Ronson again.

Just one month after Michael Lohan publicly criticised Ronson for 'using my daughter', an email in which he slams the DJ as a 'disgusting representation of humanity' has reportedly come to light.

In the email, published by entertainment news agency X17, Michael allegedly writes: 'There is a lot more to Samantha than meets the eye! Not that what we see is sooo pleasing anyway!

'I mean, what’s with this… “person”??? Look at the way she “dresses”? Once more, she uses her middle finger more that she uses words! Personally, I think she is dark, hideous and a disgusting representation of humanity!

'I heard and know more about Samantha than you can imagine. Yet, while I haven't exposed her, I know that God will.'

Following several years of estrangement, Lohan reunited with her father after checking into rehab last year.

But last month, Lohan rebuked her dad after the born-again Christian accused Ronson of passing alcohol to the young Hollywood star.

Lohan wrote on her MySpace page: 'It really hurts, because I have tried - after all that my mother and siblings have gone through, I really tried to make things work.

'For the hope of having a father again - wanting things to change - even though people have said, some people will forever remain the same.

'Having said that - the people were right, and he is yet to change - but this time, without his daughter by his side.

'He has become a public embaressment [sic] and a bully.'

Joined at the hip: Lovers Lindsay and Sam Ronson get VERY cosy at post-Emmys party

2008-09-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Lindsay Lohan looks all aglow as she and DJ love Samantha Ronson cosy up at a post-Emmys party last night.

Looking relaxed and healthy dressed in a gold velvet mini-dress, the rehabilitated Hollywood wildchild sat with her girlfriend cuddled up in her lap, seemingly content at the intimate display of affection.

Lindsay and Samantha were seen at the TV Guide after-party for the Emmys, and are rarely far from the other's side.

So it should come as no surprise that the pair are said to have set their sights on a love nest - a $5million flat in famous Dakota building - in New York, much to the residents reported annoyance.

A source told The News of the World newspaper: 'Lindsay’s had her eye on the Dakota building for years.

'It's an iconic building and she's not bothered about the complaints from residents. She plans to make it a hotbed for parties.'

The actress apparently has some way out plans for the pad according to the paper.

Top designers will put in a circular bed adorning a leopard print headboard, individual bathrooms (one pink and one black) complete with 'Hers and Hers' monogrammed towels, and a DJ area with a glitter ball.

Oh my God! Britney Spears finally looks really thin... but not THAT thin

2008-09-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

No longer can the 'pot belly' and 'jiggly thighs' jibes be levelled at the comeback princess of pop Britney Spears.

The singer stepped out in Hollywood last night for a frappucino and a visit to the cinema looking slimmer than she has for months.

But on the same day promotional shots were released for her new single, showing the singer almost unrecognisable in a PVC bodysuit and stilettos.

She looked so unbelievably svelte that it could perhaps be suggested that her shots had undergone a spot of airbrushing.

Yesterday it was a dressed down Britney who faced the paparazzi as she left the cinema in Hollywood after seeing Kate Hudson's romantic comedy My Best Friend's Girl.

Britney's new look signalled a return to form for the star, who has been kept out of the limelight following her very public meltdown earlier this year.

But following a successful return to the public arena at this year's MTV awards, the singer has slowly begun to return to public life.

She was seen out just hours after attending a family day out at the Polo in the Palisades event at the Will Rogers Polo Club.

The singer was accompanied by father Jamie who had a team in the event playing called the Spears Family.

Britney's new look heralds the singer's return to something near normality a year after her disastrous comeback attempt at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Enlarge britney spearsBritney suffered a very public meltdown following her disastrous performance at the 2007 MTV awards

Last month the singer won the first three Moonman statuettes of her career.

The pop singer, whose career has been overshadowed in recent years by a litany of personal woes, took home the awards for video of the year, best pop video and best female video, all for the track Piece Of Me.

Spears politely thanked God, her children and her record label before quickly leaving the stage.

Coming after months of erratic, often drug-fuelled madness - including a lengthy stint in a rehab clinic - it marked the moment when the public perception of Britney shifted.

Britney's rehabilitation has been attributed to the influence of both her father - who is charged with handling her finances - and the return of manager Larry Rudolph.

Earlier this summer, Rudolph went on record to admit: 'I have spent time with her, and she is on the right path because she has people around her who care about her well-being.

'But this isn't the time to talk business. This is a time for healing.'

Meanwhile, the star will be returning to court next month to revisit her ongoing illegal driving case.

The trial, which was originally scheduled to begin in January, has been moved to October following a Los Angeles Superior Court judge's ruling after the star's lawyers argued she was incapable of issuing a deposition at the time - due to her much-publicised health issues.

She is currently working on her new album.

True love and cupcakes: Shilpa Shetty on feeling sorry for Jade Goody, her plans for marriage... and her secret vice

2008-09-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

Although a highly successful Bollywood actress with more than 50 films to her name, Shilpa Shetty, 33, became famous in this country after winning last year's Celebrity Big Brother, following an international racism controversy involving fellow contestant Jade Goody.

One year on, Shilpa has been hosting Bigg Boss, the Indian version of the show, as well as continuing with her acting career. She is dating London-based entrepreneur Raj Kundra, 32, but still lives with her parents in Mumbai.

Jade Goody was a controversial participant in Big Boss until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer and had to leave the show. How did you feel when you heard the news?

It was a huge shock. When you know anybody who gets diagnosed with something like this, whatever the circumstances, it's always horrible news. With Jade it was one shock after another, in a way - first her coming out to India to do the show, then hearing about her illness. It all happened very fast and it was difficult to take in. I spoke to her before she returned to the UK, but it was a very private conversation that I won't share. She knows we've buried the hatchet. Life's too short to bear any hatred. I can only pray that she makes a full recovery.

Does your stint on Big Brother seem strangely surreal now?

In a way, yes, although it was also a huge catalyst in terms of bringing about all the opportunities I've had since, so I owe the show a lot. I'd achieved success in India, but I didn't have that international platform - and I'm not embarrassed to say that I have it now because of Big Brother. I'm very aware that the UK public stood up for me and for what was right, and I'm very grateful for that. Everyone in life makes mistakes - you learn from them and move on.

What lessons did you learn from your time in the Big Brother house?

I had no idea I had the kind of patience I had. When you're living your life in the outside world, you have this notion of the kind of person you are. Then, suddenly, you're effectively under house arrest and you find all your preconceived ideas really tested. I'm glad I kept my calm. I realised that grace under pressure is one of life's most valuable commodities.

The show opened a lot of doors for you...

Absolutely. I'm very aware now that being a celebrity has the advantage of giving you leverage, and the freedom to pick and chose. Now,I'm even producing my own film, which I never thought I'd do. It’s stressful, but wonderful. Having talked to friends who are mothers, it seems to be very similar to having a baby.

Talking of which, would you like a family of your own?

Definitely, and I'm sure I will, God willing. I intend to try and do that as soon as my professional life has calmed down hopefully in the
next couple of years. I don't want to make too many predictions as I don’t believe in making too many plans, but, yes, I have a man in my life and, yes, I hope we will get married.

Tell us more...

The best thing is when your partner loves you for who you are and you don’t feel you have to change for him. That’s what I feel I have with Raj. It's not always easy - Raj lives in London and I live in Mumbai, so it's a long-distance relationship and we have to work at it. But it also means that we value each other more. Although, sometimes, I think that it can be harder when you have someone breathing down your neck the whole time. I think we women are often confused, actually - one minute we're complaining about not being valued enough, then the next, we're saying, 'I need my space'. We don't always know what we want. But at the moment I feel extremely blessed.

I take it your parents approve?

Oh, absolutely. It wouldn’t have lasted if they didn't. I still live at home with them, and I only intend to move out when I get married. I know a lot of people in the UK find it strange, but we just have a different value system over here, and it's a case of us all learning to respect that. I think Brits are far more independent at a much earlier age, which is wonderful in many ways, but I also think it’s much harder for them, too. In many ways life is much easier in India, because we don't have the same pressures, and the support system in terms of the way the family works is amazing.

Do you worry about getting older?

No, not at all. I don't want to come across like I'm really boring and, 'Oh, everything's perfect,' but I really don't. Of course, I'm aware I'm getting older, but I'll take it as it comes - I'm not averse to having Botox, for example, but I just don't feel I need it yet. The way I see it, I spent a long time getting comfortable with who I am. I was an ugly duckling as a child, and it took a lot of hard work to get to where I am today, where I’m not so self-critical. I still don't think I’m as good-looking as my sister, Shamita, or even my mother, who is stunning, even now. But I've metamorphosed into the person I am today, and I'm pretty content.

Any guilty pleasures?

Cupcakes! I love them, especially chocolate ones. I tend to hunt them down wherever I am in the world and find the best the city has to
offer. I've had a few cupcake binges over the years. In fact, I have a terrible sweet tooth. But I also think it's a fallacy that chocolate is bad for you. As long as you're following a good diet, then one or two pieces of chocolate a day is fine.

Cupcakes aside, how would you spend your ideal day?

An ideal day is one where I'm not working and I don't have anywhere to go. I'd do very little, sleep in till ten or so, and just hang out at home. Maybe go to a spa for a massage and then for a quiet dinner with Raj. But life is pretty manic at the moment, so I don't get to do this very often - although I'm not complaining.

Ex-lovers of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie fight for life after horror plane crash leaves four dead

2008-09-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

Former Blink-182 drummer and one-time boyfriend of Paris Hilton, Travis Barker is in a critical condition after a fatal plane crash in South Carolina.

The musician and celebrity disc jockey Adam 'DJ AM' Goldstein were riding in a Learjet private plane when it crashed shortly after departing just before midnight on Friday night.

Four people have been killed in the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.

Goldstein, ex-fiance of Hilton's best friend Nicole Richie, was also critically injured in the accident and is in an Augusta, Georgia burns unit.

Beth Frits, spokesperson for the Joseph M. Still Burn Center, said: 'Both Travis Barker and Adam Goldstein are in critical but stable condition.

'Goldstein was airlifted here and Barker was brought by ground transportation. So they arrived separately. They have extensive burns.'

Barker's personal assistant Chris Baker, 29, of California, was killed, Lexington County Coroner Harry Harman confirmed.

Amongst the four killed was another male passenger, the pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31, and co-pilot James Bland, 52.

An FAA spokesperson said air traffic control saw sparks coming off the plane as it drove along the runway.

The plane went off the runway and crashed onto a nearby road.

Airport director Mike Flack said the jet reportedly hit the fence during take-off, pieces of the plane broke off and the fuselage caught fire.

According to Lynne Douglas, a spokeswoman for the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, both Barker and Goldstein got out of the plane themselves before emergency services arrived.

The plane was bound for Van Nuys, California after Barker and Goldstein had performed at a college gig in Columbia, South Carolina earlier that night with former Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell and musician Gavin DeGraw.

Representatives for DeGraw and Farrell said their client were not onboard the plane.

Eyewitness William Owens told local TV channel WIS-TV he was driving down Highway 302 when he said he saw a fireball go across the road.

'I didn't know what I had seen - it was maybe 800 feet in front of me, but as I approached it closer though, I made out a fire. By then I was able to see the tail of the jet and I recognised it as a jet.

'It's in flames and the fuel is running across the road and I had to cross the fuel to get to the two guys that seemed to have been dumped on the highway.

'We turned to the jet to try and see if there was anything we could do, but immediately, there was nothing anyone could do.'

Columbia Mayor Bob Coble said: 'It's absolutely terrible and tragic.'

After leaving Blink-182, Barker formed another band +44 and starred alongside his ex-wife Shanna Moakler in a MTV reality show Meet The Barkers.

The couple, who divorced last year, have two young children together.

Goldstein dated Lionel Richie's daughter for several years and proposed to her on her birthday in 2004.

The couple called off their engagement in 2007 and Richie has since had a baby with Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden.

Lindsay Lohan is sad to be leaving Ugly Betty

2008-09-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

Lindsay Lohan has really enjoyed filming her cameo appearance on Ugly Betty, calling the experience a delight.

The actress wrote on her MySpace blog: "It's been such a delight to be a part of this show. Two days left of my shoot on Ugly Betty - I am quite sad to have to leave the wonderful cast and crew behind. It's always sad to leave people that you get close to."

With just a few days left on the New York set, the actress revealed she will miss the cast and crew of the US TV series.
Lindsay plays a mean former classmate of Betty on the show.

Britney Spears makes a comeback - to Starbucks

2008-09-16T13:36:00.000-07:00

The two star-crossed lovers reunited with a passion that day, my friends. Oh, how long has it been since one felt the other's embrace? This was truly a moment for the ages. And then the Frappucino spoke in his thick French accent suddenly making the straps of fair Britney's brassiere burn like a raging inferno:

"Show them your vagina, my Britney."
"But, Frappucino, I'm a good girl now."
"Do not ever stop doing that which you love."
"No, I mustn't."
"Britney, you cannot resist me."
"How do you know?"
"I am full of the caramel sauce."
"Well, I guess I could press it up against the window."

Marisa Miller Is A Naughty Schoolgirl. Sort Of.

2008-09-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

I’ve never heard of Malibu Magazine, but somehow they managed to get Marisa Miller in a pair of knee high socks - which is what I’ve been doing for the last 3 years in my Marisa Miller school girl fantasy. Unfortunately Marisa isn’t wearing a plaid skirt but hey, beggars can’t be choosers. So thanks Malibu Magazine for making my fantasy a reality. Sort of.

Jessica Simpson does actually work

2008-09-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Jessica Simpson is convinced she's made the right move by returning to her southern roots and leaving Los Angeles behind - because her fans had forgotten why she was famous.

The pop star-turned-country singer Jessica Simpson left the Hollywood for a life away from the clicking cameras to live in her native Texas and pursue her country music career in Nashville, Tennessee.

She says, "I think people forgot that I actually work. That I don't just go to Starbucks and pump gas... I've tried to stay out of L.A. as much as possible."
The singer insists the move has also helped her become more comfortable in her own skin. She adds, "I think that without paparazzi you can be yourself, because you don't feel like they're trying to get the shot like you have gas or something - or like in that very moment you hate everybody."

Angelina Jolie as a fresh faced teen... before the tattoos and vials of blood

2008-09-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

The bee-stung lips, bedroom eyes and long dark locks were there from the beginning.

But these pictures of Angelina Jolie, taken when she was 16, highlight just what has changed since she became a star.

Her unblemished glowing skin is a distant memory. Angelina, now 33, is understood to have at least 13 tattoos decorating her body, including the geographical co-ordinates of her children's birthplaces etched on to her left shoulder.

And the carefree innocence of 16-year-old Angelina's grin has been replaced by a perfect Hollywood smile.

These photos, which have just come to light, were taken when Angelina was an aspiring unknown.

The rebellious daughter of actor Jon Voight, Angelina's teens were a tumultuous time for her. At 14, she was permitted to move in her older boyfriend into her mother Marcheline Bertrand's LA home and later dropped out of acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.

Estranged from her father, she has since admitted to suffering bouts of depression, but went on to return to theatre studies and graduate from Beverly Hills High School.

Sixteen years on and the twice-divorced actress is a mother-of-six, having just given birth to twins with her partner Brad Pitt. They are now the proud parents of Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline born in July, Shiloh, two, and adopted children Zahara from Ethiopia, Pax from Vietnam and Maddox from Cambodia.

Since the shoot Angelina has courted controversy with a shock red-carpet kiss with her brother James Haven and a bisexual relationship with Calvin Klein model Jenny Shimizu. She even wore a vial of her then husband Billy Bob Thornton's blood around her neck.

But in the past five years and with an Oscar under her belt for Girl Interrupted, Angelina has tamed her wild child ways, successfully transforming herself into a box-office star, UN goodwill ambassador and mother.

And today she showed just how far she has come since posing for these photos as she and Brad donated $2million to help Ethiopian children affected by AIDS and tuberculosis.

The Global Health Committee said the donation from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation would establish a centre in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to treat AIDS orphans and develop a programme to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Angelina and Brad adopted Zahara, now three, in July 2005 and the new clinic will be named after her.

'It is our hope that when Zahara is older, she will take responsibility for the clinic and continue its mission,' Brad said.

The Jolie-Pitt Foundation helped set up a similar clinic in 2006 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, that is named after Maddox.

'Our goal is to transfer the success we have had in Cambodia to Ethiopia where people are needlessly dying of tuberculosis, a curable disease, and HIV/AIDS, a treatable disease,' Angelina said.

The first picture: Nicole Kidman takes baby Sunday Rose out for a stroll around London

2008-09-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

To the hundreds of others in the busy street, it probably looked like a novel way for someone to carry their shopping. But these exclusive pictures show Nicole Kidman out for the first time apparently carrying her baby daughter, Sunday Rose.

Ms Kidman took a stroll around Portobello Road in London’s Notting Hill yesterday, wearing a trendy baby sling. She cradled it protectively as she walked around, with other shoppers oblivious to the actress’s presence.

The Moulin Rouge star, whose film Malice is being given away on DVD with The Mail on Sunday today, browsed market stalls before going into a cafe with a friend, where she seemed to be holding Sunday Rose in her lap. Ms Kidman, 41, smiled down at her daughter several times, and appeared to be enjoying the first weeks of motherhood.

She gave birth to Sunday Rose, named after Australian art collector Sunday Reed, on July 7 in Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband Keith Urban. The Australian actress has two adopted children with ex-husband Tom Cruise – Isabella, 15, and Connor, 13 – and she and Urban reportedly plan to move to LA to be closer to them.

Ms Kidman has revealed that her baby has red-tinged hair, and has said: ‘She’s like a doll ... a little, little thing.’

Meet the man who transformed Britney from a shaven-headed monster to the star of the MTV awards

2008-09-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, Britney Spears was a lost cause - a tragic figure of fun who lost custody of her two young sons in a blaze of flashbulbs and disastrous publicity.

Her shambolic appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards last September - described as a 'car crash' by critics - was widely regarded as the death knell of a once unstoppable career.

As the great and the good of the music industry watched agog, a paunchy, glassy-eyed Britney stumbled blindly through a rendition of her latest record, having lost the ability even to mime convincingly.

Coming after months of erratic, often drug-fuelled madness - including a lengthy stint in a rehab clinic - it marked the moment when the public perception-of Britney Spears shifted from hilarity to tragedy.

Not any more. This week the MTV awards returned, and stealing the show was a bronzed vision of health and vitality who was utterly unrecognisable from the shambling figure of 2007.

Britney, 26, launched the event with a short comedy sketch alongside Hollywood actor Jonah Hill, before taking the stage to a standing ovation.

Looking every inch the toned, polished megastar, she swept the board. She had previously been nominated 16 times without winning a thing, but this week her dazzling smile said it all as she picked up the best video, best pop video and best female video awards.

The song, Piece Of Me, was released at the height of her troubles, and the furore surrounding her public meltdown ensured respectable sales, with top ten chart positions all around the world.

(It was not, however, vintage Britney and many have seen the recognition given to the song as evidence of a poor year for pop music.)

Before taking to the stage to collect her awards, Britney stopped to hug a slim, crop-haired man with a neatly-trimmed goatee beard. To the millions of fans watching on television he was just another meaningless backroom boy. To those in the know, however, he was the person who should have been receiving the plaudits.
Larry Rudolph, the pop guru who made Britney a global star, is back in her life - and he might just have saved her life, too.

Russell Brand, the controversial host of MTV Video Music Awards, demonstrated a typically tasteless turn of phrase in describing Britney as a 'female Christ' - but as showbusiness resurrections go, it was certainly impressive.

This, remember, is a woman who just over six months ago was forcibly strapped to an ambulance trolley and dragged off to the psychiatric ward of a hospital.

She was sectioned twice in a month after doctors diagnosed her as being manic depressive with a borderline personality disorder, concluding that she was 'a danger to herself and to others.'

So what is behind this extraordinary change in her fortunes? Could this really be the same young woman who used to drive around Los Angeles in a shocking pink wig, popping prescription pills like they were going out of fashion while an army of paparazzi recorded her every move?

She may not have done a great deal more than smile and thank God 'for blessing me like this,' but as far as her fans and the American media are concerned, the transformation is complete.

In gratingly over-the-top terms, the LA Times hailed her return as a 'triumph of the Olympian kind,' while the Washington Post headline declared: 'Spears is MTV's Comeback Kid.'

But perhaps it is Perez Hilton, the leading gossip columnist whose online blog is read by tens of millions every day, who sums it up best. 'That's what people want - they want to see her smiling,' he says. 'Even if all she does is smile and wave, I say that's mission accomplished.'

Even that simple achievement, however, has not been achieved without a rehabilitation campaign of military intensity.

Britney has been under virtual house arrest ever since emerging from a mental health unit in the spring. It is thought to have been a voluntary arrangement, but the star has become painfully aware that her life had to change.

She was, after all, mentally ill, and there were people all around her taking advantage of that fact.

After her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, won custody of their two young children in February, she didn't sleep for four days and finally ended up in hospital getting the help she so desperately needed.

Having been virtually estranged from her parents, Britney is now described as being 'incredibly close' to them again, so much so that her father, Jamie, now has official control of her assets.

This represents a major turnaround, since at the height of her troubles Britney publicly blamed her woes on her father and Larry Rudolph.

Now, Jamie says of the reconciliation: 'We've grown a lot. I've been able to come back into my daughter's life, and that was an adjustment anyway, because I'm an alcoholic and it's the first time we've really been able to share.

'It's wonderful. It's new for both of us. She sometimes calls me 50 times a day and asks me things that light my life up. But, like all daughters, she is very cunning. So she gets what she wants a lot.'

At the beginning of his stewardship of Britney's assets - shared with her lawyer Andrew Wallet - Jamie gave up his career as a chef to care for his daughter around the clock at her home in California's San Fernando Valley.

Along with her trusted advisers, however, he remains uncertain of her ability to cope on her own, and her affairs are likely to remain in the hands of others at least until the end of the year.

'I would hope that it stands until the end of the year, and then we'll sit back and evaluate where we are at the time, where Britney is at that time,' says her father.

'I do understand that my baby made this monster [a reference to the dire situation she found herself in] but when she was down, people took advantage.'
Her mother, Lynne, has also been ushered back into the fold, despite spending their year of estrangement penning a warts-and-all book titled Through The Storm: A Real Story Of Fame And Family In A Tabloid World.

Most important of all, however, has been the rapprochement between Britney and Larry Rudolph, the manager who oversaw her rise from sickly sweet pre-teen performing pastiches of modern hits on American kids television show, The Mickey Mouse Club, to global star with a £60million fortune to her name.

It is thought the star's parents both contacted Rudolph after Britney hit rock bottom and begged him to come back into their daughter's life. For a long time, he was seen as a Svengali figure for her, and without him in her life she had no confidence in anything she did professionally.

Those who have observed the singer for years were aware that for some time she was obliged to adopt a sweet and innocent facade which was patently false.

First there was unrestrained hype about her being a virgin in a blatant bid to appeal to Middle America's puritan masses - when nothing could have been further from the truth - and then she started experimenting with drink and drugs.

In short, she started to believe her own publicity and to think she could get away with anything.

Not any longer, it would seem. I understand that Mr Rudolph agreed to take Britney on as a client again on the strict understanding that she would not take drugs or drink heavily, and that he would have the final say on all career decisions.

This was a deal her parents were only too pleased to accept, and since Rudolph has returned to the fold the singer's circumstances have changed beyond recognition.

Now, all the hangers-on are gone, Britney has been instructed to go to bed by 11pm at the latest, unless she's working, and people aren't even allowed to smoke around her. But Britney is said to thrive on such strict parameters.

She has also overhauled her diet. Having lived on burgers, pizzas and sugary drinks for over a year she is limited to 1,200 calories a day. 'It may not sound much, but it's a lot of food if you eat the right things,' she says. 'And no sugar. I don't eat fruit or even drink fruit juice because of the sugar.'

The results are there for all to see, with Britney dropping two dress sizes and almost two stones in weight. But just how realistic is this regime over the long term?

Such concerns pale into insignificance when one considers how far Britney has come, and her family are delighted that Rudolph agreed to return. Negotiations to win him back were not easy. He is understood to have been wounded by the barbs aimed at him by a woman he had supported for so long.

Goaded on by her new management, Britney had told the world that Rudolph colluded with her father to 'force' her into rehab against her will. The implied subtext being that they were both motivated by greed and a desire to get their hands on her money.

It is worthy of note, however, that in years gone by he also represented Britney's teenage sweetheart, Justin Timberlake - himself a huge star earning many millions of dollars every year.

When the couple split up he could have jumped either way, but remained loyal to Britney. Industry insiders believe this principled decision has personally cost Rudolph five million dollars as Timberlake's career has soared.

And he remains reluctant to discuss his return to the fold. Earlier this summer, he went on record to admit: 'I have spent time with her, and she is on the right path because she has people around her who care about her well-being. But this isn't the time to talk business. This is a time for healing.'

The Rudolph connection led to one slightly awkward moment behind the scenes at the MTV awards this week, when the heiress Paris Hilton invited Britney to 'hang out and party' with her. (The pair know each other of old, and last year spent many a night together drinking into the small hours.)

An embarrassed Britney is understood to have made her excuses and left, for fear of invoking the wrath of her manager.

The next day, Britney and Rudolph were spotted leaving the Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills. Britney was dressed in a modest black outfit and resolutely refused to smile for the paparazzi who had been alerted to her presence.

And, with the old team back in harness, Britney had successfully hidden from photographers for months, working quietly on her health and fitness in preparation for a renewed assault on the charts.

There is even talk of bringing Britney's trusted PA of a decade's standing, Felicia Culotta, back into her inner circle after the pair fell out at the height of Britney's mental health problems - whereupon Felicia resigned her position to become a teacher.

Not all associates are so welcome, however. A restraining order has been taken out on Sam Lutfi, the manager who dominated her life last year (Britney's mother, Lynne, claims that Lutfi would grind up prescription pills and put them in Britney's food, hoping to put her in a coma that would allow doctors to cure her of all addictions).

Meanwhile, Britney has made a well-received cameo appearance on the hit television show How I Met Your Mother, and has been back in the studio recording material for a new album. She has even been granted access to her sons, Sean, three, and Jayden, two.

For all her rediscovered self confidence, however, it has been noted by music critics in the U.S. that Britney's MTV awards comeback consisted of little more than smiling, being polite and walking in a straight line.

Just a few months ago she was barely capable of performing any one of these feats, let alone all three at the same time, but the jury is still out on whether she can ever recapture past form.

The latest speculation surrounds a mooted appearance on stage with Madonna for the Los Angeles leg of the latter's current world tour, though doubts persist as to whether she will be up to it.

Whether Britney will be able to maintain her delicate equilibrium at all over the long term, only time will tell. But if Larry Rudolph has anything to do with it, the girl America is falling in love with all over again might just succeed.

Lindsay Lohan to Experience Labor Pains

2008-09-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

Because Lindsay Lohan hasn't had a penis inside of her for months, we can rule out the possibility that she's pregnant.

But the actress will star in the 2009 comedy, Labor Pains, which is focused on a woman that pretends to be knocked up in order to avoid being fired.

Here's that film's official poster:

As long as she continues to have sex with Samantha Ronson, Lindsay Lohan needn't worry about a real-life pregnancy.

Strike a pose: Madonna puts on a jaw-dropping show as A-list friends cheer her on at Wembley

2008-09-11T16:35:00.001-07:00

Madonna stayed for just an hour at husband Guy's 40th birthday yesterday night and here's why - she needed all her energy for tonight's incredible performance at Wembley Stadium.

The 50-year-old queen of pop showed off her honed and muscular body as she cavorted around the stage in a white silk top hat, high cut leotard, fishnets and leather stiletto boots.

Her energetic routine would have put to shame artists half her age, and proved those hours in her private gym have paid off.

The mother-of-three is touring the world with her Sticky and Sweet tour which is flying to 37 venues for the roadshow in just under four months, transporting a team of 250.
Amongst the thousands of fans were her A-list friends Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson, whose mouths dropped open in amazement at Madonna's athletic exploits.

The audience also included Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Fergie from the Black Eyed peas.
The decadent two-hour show, which involved £1million of jewellery, saw Madonna perform many of her greatest hits, as well as indulging in eight costume changes.

The pop superstar arrived onstage dressed in a Givenchy outfit in a vintage white American car for the first section of the four-part show.

Labelled 'Pimp', the opening sequence was recently described by the Material Girl's publicist as a homage to '1920s deco and modern day gangsta pimp'.

Madonna followed up that segment of the concert with Old School, a tribute to the her roots in the urban dance music of early 1980s New York.

The remaining two sections, Gypsy and Rave, continued the high-energy performance.

Lady of the manor? Hell-raiser Amy Winehouse plans move to country farmhouse

2008-09-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

Amy Winehouse is planning to spend £750,000 on a country retreat in Suffolk, it has been revealed.

The Back to Black singer has found a 150-year-old farmhouse which boasts seven bedrooms, three sitting rooms and a barn house which has been converted into a recording studio.

Sources close to the singer, who currently lives in Camden, say it is the perfect spot for her to recuperate and that she is just days away from exchanging contracts.

'Amy has been looking for something in the area - and this particular place really is the ideal location,' a source tells The Sun.

'It is a really quiet, hidden spot where she would be away from the chaos of her life in London and could concentrate on getting her life back on track.'

The move has been endorsed by Amy's father Mitch Winehouse.

He said: 'I hope she will be very happy there.

'When Blake comes out of prison the two of them are going to need somewhere to live together.'

Britney Spurs! Pop star is a Tottenham girl at heart as archives reveal her British roots

2008-09-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

She may look like an all-American girl, but Britney Spears' ancestral lineage has been traced back to Tottenham in North London.

Details of her ancestors in the London Metropolitan Archives reveal that her great-grandparents probably 'lived in sin' before they got around to getting married.

The 26-year-old star, who made a triumphant return at the MTV Video Music Awards this week, is descended from George Anthony Portell and Lillian Esther Lewis.

Parish records show they married at St John's Church in Tottenham in 1923, but they both gave the same address on the marriage certificate, indicating they were already living together - a scandal at the time.

The couple had a daughter, Britney's grandmother Lillian Woolmore-Portell, who married US Navy sailor Barnett O'Field Bridges in London during the Second World War.

They moved to a farm near New Orleans and had three children, including Miss Spears's mother Lynne.

Britney's secret will be on show when the archives go online - with the records of more than 77m people available.

Laurence Ward, head of digital resources at the archives, said there could be an innocent explanation.

He said: 'Her great-grandparents have certainly listed the same address in the records for their marriage.

'But as her great-grandfather is recorded as being an able seaman, he may have been away with the Navy a lot. They could have recorded the same address for convenience.'

Lindsay Lohan wants baby

2008-09-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

HOLLYWOOD lesbian LINDSAY LOHAN is hoping to raise a baby with girlfriend SAM RONSON, I can exclusively reveal.

I hear the Mean Girls star will ask one of her ex- boyfriends to provide the necessary, erm, male input.

Last month, I revealed how Lindsay and Sam were planning to “wed”. Later this year they want to publicly come out and declare their love for each other in a lavish LA bash. Having a child seems like a natural next step for the duo, who admit they are “smitten”.

A source close to the couple told me: “Lindsay is in a very happy place at the moment. She’s been having deep discussions about a baby.

“She wants a natural birth and has spoken to Sam about getting one of her ex-boyfriends to help out. They don’t want to adopt.”

Lindsay, pictured above in her new movie Labor Pains, was in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction and hopes that having a child will help her recovery.

As for potential fathers, Li-Lo is spoilt for choice. She’s dated a string of hot blokes, including JARED LETO, CALUM BEST and JUDE LAW.

Strapless dress leaves Keira Knightley looking more flat-chested than ever at film premiere

2008-09-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

Keira Knightley looked thinner than ever as she arrived at the Canadian premiere of her film The Duchess last night.

The British actress wore a grey strapless flowing chiffon gown, which only served to highlight her jutting cheekbones and tiny frame.

She cut a lean figure as she greeted her fans on the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival.

The 23-year-old beauty has been travelling around the world to promote her new movie.

She stars as Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire, who becomes part of a love triangle after her marriage to the Duke, played by Ralph Fiennes.

Last week Keira revealed that she had been left 'jumpy' and feeling vulnerable after an encounter with a stranger turned into a vicious verbal attack.
She said: 'The other day I was walking down the street and was really thinking about this book I'd been sent. You know when you're really in another place. Somebody jumped out and went, 'Keira Knightley!'
'I got such a shock, I couldn't say anything because I'd been thinking about the book and this guy took incredible offence and started hurling the most amazing abuse.

'He said, "Who the f**k do you think you f**king are? You're such a c***."

'All this, and I'm completely on my own.'

Amy Winehouse orders 48 bottles of Jack Daniel's whiskey at Bestival - but still manages to perform

2008-09-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

Amy Winehouse is becoming better known for her non-appearances rather than her performances.

But this weekend she managed to make it the Bestival festival in the Isle of Wight.

She was on stage on Saturday evening, as planned, although organisers had feared she might pull out and were ready with a back-up plan.

It had also been reported the troubled singer, who was headlining the event, ordered 48 bottles of Jack Daniel's whiskey.

A Bestival source told the Sun newspaper: 'With Amy’s record this can mean failure to perform or giving a shambolic performance.
amy at bestival

'Whiskey is better than heroin — but not 48 bottles of the stuff.'

Festival organisers were said to be 'shocked' at the 24-year-old's order for two crates of the 40 per cent alcohol.

The source added: 'Everyone is really excited about getting Amy to perform here, and naturally there are now fears she is planning something wild.'

Winehouse is already facing a legal challenge after not turning up to the Rock En Seine festival in Paris last month.

Organisers were furious when the Rehab singer pulled out two hours before she was due to headline the concert after apparently collapsing at home due to ill health.

In June it emerged that she has developed the chronic lung disease emphysema after she collapsed and was rushed to hospital.

About 40,000 festival-goers were expected to attend Bestival at Robin Hill Country Park in Newport, Isle of Wight, this weekend despite the wet weather conditions.

Acts My Bloody Valentine and Underworld were headlining the festival on Friday and today, respectively. Will Young was also billed to perform.

'I'm dying inside,' says Lily Allen on Facebook after shameful Elton outburst

2008-09-05T12:54:00.001-07:00

Lily Allen has launched a worrying tirade of self-loathing on her personal Facebook page, describing her emotional state as 'dying inside'.
She also wrote that she 'feels like killing' herself, although this statement was later removed.
The singer, 23, in the headlines this week because of her tipsy behaviour and constant sipping of champagne while hosting the GQ Awards ceremony, pulled out of producer Mark Ronson's birthday party last night. She also stated she would not be going to Bestival this weekend on the Isle of Wight.At 5.52pm yesterday, her Facebook entry read: 'Lily is dying inside.'This replaced an earlier statement, posted at 4.30pm yesterday, when she wrote on her page:'Lily has had enough feels like killing herself.' The Smile star's actions have left close friends fearing for her state of mind. One said: 'I don't know why she had put this on there. There is no reason for it.'

It is not the first time Lily has written disturbing comments. Last year she prompted fears for her emotional state after posting on her MySpace page that she felt she was "fat, ugly and s****er than Winehouse".

This outburst came after her debut clothing collection at New Look received a lukewarm response.Now her friends are wondering what could have sparked Lily's latest rant. One explanation was that the mouthy star may have been troubled by something she said during the GQ Awards on Tuesday.On the same page, at 1.31am yesterday, Lily wrote: 'Was he upset? I'm worried now, was I mean?'Her friend replied: 'It was priceless. Hope you got rid of the hangover in the end.'
This may have been a reference to her onstage clash with Sir Elton John, who complained about the amount of champagne she was drinking. After Lily told him to 'f* * k off, " he responded: 'I could still snort you under the table.'However Lily played down on the spat, writing on a separate MySpace postt: 'Elton and I exchanged jokes and there were no hard feelings at all, in fact neither of us gave it a second thought.'She added: 'I'm not defending my drunkeness because I don't need to... I'm 23, it was an awards ceremony I drank the free champagne - how awful of me.''I've been made to feel like a bad friend and an embarrassment to my fans and the people who support me,' Allen adds.'I shouldn't have to defend myself when I've done nothing wrong.'

Pictured: Jennifer Aniston back on television as a crazed stalker

2008-09-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

She's usually a picture of complete composure, but Jennifer Aniston really let loose in New York while filming a guest spot on US comedy 30 Rock yesterday.

The 39-year-old - who split from boyfriend John Mayer last month - is playing a Fatal Attraction style stalker on the hit comedy.

At one point the actress made quite a scene on set, tackling one of her male co-stars with gusto.

She's already won over the show's star and executive producer, Tina Fey, who said: 'Jennifer is not only incredibly lovely to have around, she also has what the young people would call 'mad skills.'

Aniston, who rose to fame as Rachel on Friends, will play Fey's room mate Claire Harper in the episode.

Free-spirited Harper shows up in New York and rapidly attaches herself to Alec Baldwin's character Jack Donaghy.

The announcement that Aniston would be returning to NBC was made last week, by NBC Entertainment's executive vice president Teri Weinberg.

'She is the perfect comedic talent to work with the Emmy-winning 30 Rock cast.

'This promises to be a memorable, hilarious night of comedy.'

Aniston's last primetime TV acting role was on best friend Courteney Cox's series Dirt.

The real-life friends shared a kiss when Aniston guest-starred on the show last year.

30 Rock, which has won Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards, returns to US TV screens on October 30.

The glam factor: Christina Aguilera steps out for dinner with baby Max

2008-09-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

Singer Christina Aguilera clearly isn't one to let standards slip, as she stepped out for dinner In Manhattan, with her family still looking every inch the diva. In a long patterned maxi dress, stacked wedge heels and a pair of huge sunglasses, Christina looked immaculate as she carried son Max, 7 months, in her arms, while husband Jordan followed. The 27-year old singer wore her platinum blonde hair loose and relaxed, and looked every inch the doting mother as she cuddled son Max Liron to her chest. Clearly, she's not one to let motherhood come between her glamorous diva image. And the birth of her first child hasn't slowed the platinum selling artist down, as Christina is currently working on her forthcoming album and preparing for a slew of major live appearances. Christina will perform at the 4th Annual Fashion Rocks benefit at New York's Radio City Music Hall on September 5 along with Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, and Rihanna. The two-hour star-studded concert will see superstar performers paired with models strutting clothes designed by the cream of the fashion world. And her British fans are in for a treat, as the singer will headline will fly to Britain next month to headline the THISDAY Africa Rising Festival in London. The Dirrty singer will top the bill at the star-studded event on October 14 at the Royal Albert Hal in what will be her first major performance since giving birth to Max in January.at the star-studded event on October 14 at the Royal Albert Hall.

Kelly Brook flaunts her newly single status in a white bikini in St Tropez

2008-08-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

Lapping up the sun and wading waist deep in the sea, Kelly Brook looks stunning just weeks after splitting with on-off lover Billy Zane.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star enjoyed splashing around and posing for photos during a day out at the beach in St Tropez, France, where she is on holiday with a friend.

Wearing a white jewel-encrusted bikini and sunglasses, the 28-year-old beauty turned heads as she strutted around in the baking French Riviera heat.

The former Big Breakfast presenter split her time between the beach, before taking dips in the sea to cool off.

And Titanic star Billy will be kicking himself when he sees these eye-watering snaps.

Earlier this month Kelly called off the four-year relationship again in an emotional phone call.

She is reported to have told friends 'there is no going back' on the split this time after a series of break-ups.
Some reports suggest the latest split has come after Kelly decided she did not want to make Los Angeles her permanent home - something Billy longed for.

Kelly, who is from Kent, has had a rocky relationship with her Hollywood lover.

They had originally planned a marriage at their multi-million pound farmhouse in Kent last year, but split in November after the death of Kelly's father Kenneth Parsons.

However in January the couple were back together and appeared happier than ever as they frolicked on the beach on a romantic holiday in St Barts.

But before long the wedding was off again with Kelly announcing in April that she was too young to marry at the age of 28.

Billy was said to be broken-hearted, but Kelly was back by his side in May at Cannes as he promoted his movie The Man Who Came Back.
In June the couple announced they were back together and in July Kelly was wearing her £35,000 engagement ring again fuelling rumours the marriage was back on.

However this time she claims the break up is final and she won't be getting back with 42-year-old Billy.

Earlier on her trip, Kelly was pictured shopping in a eye-catching polka-dot dress.

Tori Spelling and the case of the mysterious sunken chest

2008-08-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

Tori Spelling displayed a worryingly concave chest as she took a stroll with her husband in Beverly Hills.

The mother-of-two’s thin upper-body has left observers worried for her health in recent weeks and these latest pictures will no doubt spark further concerns.

The star - who recently pulled out of an appearance in the new 90210 spin-off - admitted to having undergone breast augmentation surgery earlier this year.

'(I had) a boob job. There it is. I finally said it. I wanted to come clean that I had my boobs done in my 20s, because people falsely write that I've had all those things done.

'I've had the two procedures that probably every other woman in Hollywood has had done.' she said earlier this year,' The Sun quoted her as saying.

Tori has been plagued by controversy and heartbreak in the last few years.

She and husband Dean left their spouses for each other after meeting and falling in love on the set of TV movie Mind Over Murder.

Dean's devastated wife Mary Jo Eustace - mother of his 9-year-old son - then wrote a book entitled Tori Spelling stole my husband.

Her father, the creator of dozens of television shows including Dynasty, Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat and Fantasy Island, died in June 2006, aged 83.

A feud then began with her mother, Candy, who reportedly blocked her from producing a documentary about her father by refusing to let her use archive material of his shows.

Tori is also only believed to have inherited £430,000 of her late father's estimated £270million fortune.

Tori wed Dean in Fiji in May 2006 and the couple have two-children, Liam 1, and two-month old Stella.

Drown and out in Beverly Hills: Jennifer and Shakira try out the wet look

2008-08-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time her hairstyle was copied by millions of people the world over.

But it's unlikely that women will be rushing to emulate Jennifer Aniston's latest look.

The Hollywood actress met singer Shakira yesterday at a Beverly Hills salon and both emerged with soaking wet hair.
It would appear the salon was suffering a hairdryer malfunction but one would have thought an exclusive Beverly Hills hairdressers could afford working equipment - or at the very least a technician to fix them, to ensure A-list clients emerge perfectly cut and coiffed.

Or maybe the wet look is back in....

'Manipulative' Britney Spears

2008-08-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears is "manipulative and cunning", according to her father,

Dad Jamie - who is officially the conservator of Britney's financial affairs and estate - insists 26-year-old Britney has the ability to influence him, because she plays on their close relationship.

He told America's OK! Magazine: "She sometimes calls me 50 times a day and asks me things that light my life up. But, like all daughters, she is very manipulative and cunning. So she gets what she wants a lot."

Jamie also spoke about his feelings for Britney's ex-husband Kevin Federline, who was recently awarded full custody of his two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, with the pop superstar.

He said: "Kevin has a wonderful heart. He wants them to raise these kids together. Kevin's heart is right."

Jamie insists his relationship with Britney has improved considerably since he became her conservator.

He added: "We've grown a lot. I've been able to come back into my daughter's life, and that was an adjustment anyway, because I'm an alcoholic and it's the first time we've really been able to share."

Mariah Carey lives up to her diva reputation as she employs TWO people to towel her dry

2008-08-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

When she visited London earlier this year, Mariah Carey dismissed rumours she was a diva, insisting she was misunderstood.

But the superstar's recent behaviour is doing little to dispel the stereotype after she was spotted being dried by two assistants following a dip in the Mediterranean.

The 38-year-old singer is enjoying a 'second honeymoon' with new husband Nick Cannon, 27, in Capri after a belated wedding party in New York last weekend.

After enjoying a dip in the open sea, a bikini-clad Mariah was helped onto her luxury yacht by some male assistants before she was greeted by a cosy, waiting towel.

As she was hoisted up the back of the boat, Mariah revealed her stunning bikini body after slimming down earlier this year to promote her latest album E=MC2.

Wearing a flowery, string bikini, Mariah looked toned, but curved, and flashed a butterfly tattoo on her lower back.

After drying off, Mariah enjoyed some glasses of champagne with her toyboy husband of four months, before changing into a second one-piece swimsuit.

It wasn't long before the couple were back in the water after getting a smaller speed boat to a rocky enclave, where they enjoyed a cuddle in the shade.
Mariah has been looking better than ever this year after embarking on a diet and fitness regime.

The singer toned up by swimming in her private pool every day, and even though she's on holiday, Mariah has been continuing her fitness routine by swimming in the Med.

Speaking of her keep fit plan, Mariah said: 'What's great about working out in the pool is that the water acts as resistance, so you're actually exercising twice as hard without feeling it.'

Mariah and rapper/actor Nick arrived in Capri - where the singer holidays every year - this week after celebrating their nuptials with a star-studded party in the Hamptons, New York on Saturday.

Record boss Antonio 'L.A.' Reid hosted the couple's post-wedding party at his Sagaponack mansion.

Among the guests were LL Cool J, Samuel L. Jackson and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The party was a chance for Mariah and Nick to celebrate their nuptials in the U.S. after a small, private ceremony in the singer's private estate in the Bahamas on April 30th.

Their shock marriage came just six weeks after they started dating after Mariah cast Nick as her love interest in the video for her single Bye Bye.

Following the marriae, Mariah said: 'We really do feel we are soulmates. I never felt a love like this was in the cards for me.

'My pastor Clarence Keaton flew in from New York. The whole wedding was really beautiful and sweet. Being there with loved ones under the sky ... it was a spiritual moment.'

Jennifer Aniston's new man

2008-08-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

Musician John is rumoured to have ended his three-month relationship with the former 'Friends' actress because of long-term commitment issues.

Friends say tension between the couple lead to a trial separation, but other sources suggest Jennifer, 39, has already moved on and is dating male model Matt Felker - who starred in the video for Britney Spears' song 'Toxic'.

A source close to John, 30, told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "John is still mulling over their relationship. He likes to have some space before deciding it is definitely over. But he may be too late. If these rumours that she is dating a model are true, he will be really upset."

John and Jennifer were reportedly planning to move in together after his present tour ends in September and marriage was even rumoured.

However, despite reports the pair were ready to settle down, the relationship apparently broke down because John felt he couldn't commit to Jennifer's plans.

A source said: "John took the decision to end things as he felt he just wasn't ready for the level of commitment that Jennifer deserved.

"Contrary to reports, Jennifer didn't want to have kids or marry this year, but she did want to set a timetable for their future together. She also wanted him to assure her he would cut down his tours in the future when they did eventually have children."

Jennifer has had a rocky love life.

Former husband Brad Pitt left her three years ago for his 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' co-star Angelina Jolie. Since her divorce, she has dated Vince Vaughn and male model Paul Sculfor.

Jessica Simpson Is Leggy In Her Daisy Dukes

2008-08-13T14:34:00.001-07:00

Here’s Jessica Simpson leaving Mr. Chow’s restaurant looking like a hot mess. Usually when Jessica doesn’t show off her cleavage I get upset and frustrated, but because she has her Daisy Dukes on revealing her silky, toned legs it saves what could have been a big waste of our time. So enjoy.

Jessica Simpson Is Sexy In Elle Magazine

2008-08-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

Here’s Jessica Simpson in September’s issue of Elle Magazine. Now I know you guys aren’t going to go out and buy it since it’s a chick magazine, so I decided to post it. Yes, I knew you wanted to check out her breasts in the grocery store aisle but were too embarrassed. You’re welcome.

Kate Moss booted off best-dressed list

2008-08-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

The supermodel was beaten by rival catwalk queen Agyness Deyn, 25, who retained her number one spot for the second year in the list compiled by Grazia magazine.

Deyn is followed by Gwyneth Paltrow, who recently shed her mumsy image to wow the fashion press with a series of mini-dresses and skyscraper Christian Louboutin designer heels.

Sarah Jessica Parker came third, despite being ridiculed for the eccentric green hat she wore to the premiere of the Sex and the City film.

For the first time, French President's wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has made the list, at number five, followed by model Daisy Lowe and Batman actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. Model Elle Macpherson and actress Uma Thurman are in joint seventh.

The top 10 is completed by actresses Natalie Portman and Kate Hudson and Dasha Zhukova, Roman Abramovich's girlfriend.

In last year's list Moss came fifth.

Grazia Editor Jane Bruton said: "Agyness Deyn had to take the crown. Her influentially eclectic look, trailblazing ability to segue between style personalities and pure fashion nous has had us captivated for months."

Moss has fallen from favour in recent years following allegations about her private life and a turbulent relationship with rock bad boy Pete Doherty. Despite launching a designer range for TopShop in 2007, Moss has failed to recapture her former success.

She is now rumoured to be close to marrying Jamie Hince, guitarist for The Kills.

Stella McCartney 'goes ballistic' as her bra is used to sell £6,500 mink coat

2008-08-10T14:41:00.001-07:00

Designer Stella McCartney has furiously demanded that a leading fashion house drop one of its adverts - because it features a model wearing lingerie from her collection beneath a mink fur coat.

Ms McCartney - an ardent supporter of animal rights who refuses to use fur or leather in her own designs – is said to have hit the roof and threatened legal action after spotting one of her bras in the advert for Hockley, a fur boutique based in Mayfair.

The offending ad appears in the latest issue of Vogue and shows a model in a black lace McCartney bra draped in a £6,450 full-length mink black and white ‘Atlas’ coat accessorised with a leather belt.

‘Stella went absolutely ballistic when she saw it,’ a source at Ms McCartney’s store in Mayfair told The Mail on Sunday. ‘I have never seen her so angry. She hit the roof and said that she planned to sue.

‘She allows her accessories to be lent to shoots all the time, but she would never ever allow anything of hers to go to a fashion house that deals exclusively with fur.

‘If Stella knew it was going to be used by Hockley there is no way she would have lent it. It was loaned to a stylist in good faith, but when Stella saw the picture she was furious. She said: “It goes against everything I stand for.”

‘She didn’t see any proofs, she just saw the campaign. It’s a monumental cock-up. Stella is disgusted.’

The full-page advertisement would have cost Hockley close to £26,400 to place in Vogue’s September edition. Shooting the photos would have cost at least another £10,000.

Last night Hockley issued a grovelling apology and said that it would not be using the advert again.

A spokesman for the company said: ‘Hockley is aware of Stella McCartney’s views and is respectful of them. This was an unfortunate mistake and Hockley would not intentionally make anyone feel uncomfortable.

‘Hockley both requested and was told that the item was a vintage piece and apologises for any embarrassment caused to Stella McCartney. It is not Hockley’s intention to use the image again.’
A source from Stella McCartney said that the mix-up occurred when a fashion stylist they had dealt with in the past asked to borrow some samples from her collection.

‘A stylist asked to borrow lingerie to use for an editorial fashion shoot in April,’ the source said. ‘The stylist made a mistake and used it in an advertising campaign instead, under a fur coat, without telling Stella McCartney or seeking her approval.

‘When the magazine came out Stella was obviously very disappointed as it goes against her beliefs.’

Hockley is renowned for stocking the world’s best fur designers. The boutique offers a unique purpose-built cold-storage vault to keep the furs of its high-profile customers in perfect condition.

Thirty-six-year-old Ms McCartney, a strict vegetarian, is a well known animal rights campaigner and held the Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Humanitarian Awards ceremony in her Mayfair boutique in 2006.

Ms McCartney has previously been vocal about her dislike of the use of real fur in advertising campaigns and even berated her close friend Madonna for wearing it. The designer said: ‘Madonna won’t wear anything she doesn’t eat. But the other day she was wearing this coat made from baby lambs that hadn’t even been born. So I said: “I didn’t know you ate foetuses.”’

Ms McCartney, daughter of Sir Paul McCartney, has also fallen out with her close friend Kate Moss for wearing fur and attacked supermodel Naomi Campbell for stepping out in mink.

‘Stella just won’t tolerate it,’ the source added. ‘She’s so offended that someone could use her clothes in a campaign with fur.’

A spokesman for Stella McCartney last night declined to comment.

Christina Aguilera's Trump party

2008-08-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Christina Aguilera is to perform at Donald Trump's private party.

The 'Dirrty' star, who gave birth to son Max in January, has agreed to sing at the bash later this month to celebrate the new Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai.
However, the party won't be taking place in the Middle East.

Instead, the millionaire real-estate developer has invited a host of stars to a private estate in Los Angeles.

It has been claimed Christina will treat guests to several of her biggest hits, along with tracks from her new album.

It is not yet known how much the 27-year-old 'Candyman' singer will be paid to appear.

This will be Christina's second live performance since she became a mother.
Four months after giving birth, the blonde star headlined a Las Vegas event for jewellery designer Stephen Webster.

Fall Out Boy rocker Pete Wentz has also been asked to DJ at the exclusive event.

Love engraved with twin tattoos

2008-08-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

The couple - who reportedly started dating late last year - showed off black love hearts on their left hands as they arrived back in Los Angeles after spending time with Samantha's family in Miami.

Lindsay, who had a white heart inked on her hand - between her thumb and index finger - in 2006, had it outlined in black, while Samantha had an identical symbol etched onto her hand.

The Mean Girls actress also had a red star inked on her right hand, to match the red stars Samantha has tattooed on her right arm.

Before going to Miami, the couple had been to the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago, where Samantha DJed.

They were "very affectionate" and "very much in love", according to onlookers.

Lindsay and Samantha have always shared an interest in body art.

Christina Aguilera's Trump party

2008-08-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Danielle Lloyd shows off her slimmed down bikini body in Portugal

2008-08-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

Danielle Lloyd recently shed a stone, and she couldn't be more keen to show off her new body.

The model frolicked poolside in a skimpy bikini while holidaying with a girlfriend in Portugal yesterday.
The 25-year-old, who is enjoying her second sun holiday in as many months, was intent on topping up her tan during her afternoon in the sun, occasionally taking to the water on a lilo to cool off.

Danielle recently revealed she'd cut down on alcohol in an effort to lose weight after the papers called her 'porky'.

She lost a stone by avoiding drink and junk food, saying: 'Now I drink about seven units over the weekend, rather than more than that every night!'
I'm really pleased because my stomach and legs looked toned, and I know no-one's going to be commenting on my wobbly bits because I haven't got any now!'

The model, who came to national prominence during her part in the 2007 Celebrity Big Brother race row, says she is now keen to find herself a boyfriend.

Dani says: 'I’m happy, single and enjoying myself. I’m just going out and having fun with the girls.

'But it would be nice to find myself a decent guy who will treat me properly.'

Britney set to star as lesbian killer in new Quentin Tarantino movie

2008-08-06T13:04:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears is gearing up to play a killer lesbian in Quentin Tarantino’s remake of the cult classic Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

The pop star was reportedly hand-picked by the Pulp Fiction director for the role of dancer Varla, originally played by Tura Satana in the 1965 film.
The movie follows three wild strippers who go on a rampage in the desert, with Spears' character killing a man with her bare hands in one bloody scene.

The troubled singer, who famously kissed Madonna at the 2003 MTV Awards, will also appear in sex scenes with another girl.

Tarantino is yet to cast the roles of the remaining two strippers.

A source said: 'Quentin is convinced Britney will be brilliant. She's delighted. She thinks it could turn her career around.
'It is perfect Tarantino material. He wanted to get Britney first. She's playing the most important character.'

Spears' is yet to earn praise for her acting on the big screen.

She starred in the 2002 film Crossroads which earned her Razzie Awards for Worst Actress and for Worst Original Song.

But her recent acting turns in the US television series How I Met Your Mother were widely praised by critics.

Could that be? Surely not... Rhys Ifans cuddles up to Sienna Miller lookalike in Ibiza

2008-08-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

On first glance, it looks like Rhys Ifans has forgiven Sienna Miller for breaking his heart and is giving their relationship another try.

But on closer inspection it appears the Welsh actor is merely cuddling up to a Sienna lookalike as he bounces back from their split in Ibiza.

Following a brief flirtation with Kimberly Stewart last week, the 40-year-old actor has been spotted cosying up to two mystery blondes in the Balearics.

Rhys's choice of location and timing of the holiday is surprising given his bitter split from Sienna - the couple's relationship was first known by the press after they were photographed holidaying in Ibiza together exactly a year ago this month.

The Factory Girl star, 26, devastated Rhys when she called time on their 10-month relationship in early June - just weeks before she started dating married father-of-four Balthazar Getty.

After seeking solace in the 'Primrose Set', his celebrity friends living in the north London enclave of Primrose Hill, Rhys is back on the dating scene again.

Pictured in one of Ibiza's port towns, Rhys cuddled up to his mystery blonde companion, who had a startlingly similar figure and haircut to the actress.

One amazing coincidence between Rhys' new companion and Sienna is they both have the same tattoos.

The actor's new pal has a black star tattoo on her back, while Sienna has a trio of black stars etched on her left right shoulder.

As he enjoys the sun and swilled Spanish wine, Rhys couldn't take his eyes off his female friend, who showed off her slimline figure in a black bikini.

The pair's closeness was evident as they sat in the shade enjoying their vino as Rhys put him arm around her.
The pair were joined by another mystery blonde, in white sunglasses and a Missoni multi-coloured bikini, who looked enthralled by Rhys' conversation.

Meanwhile, as Rhys enjoys the high life in Ibiza with his pals, his ex has retreated to her dad Ed Miller's home in the Caribbean following the negative fall-out from her relationship with Balthazar.

Reports claim Balthazar is hoping to reunite with his estranged wife Rosetta.

Cindy Crawford shows off her sensational figure in a tiny bikini on holiday with George Clooney

2008-08-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

Cindy Crawford showed off her super-model style as she soaked up the sun in St Tropez with actor friend George Clooney.

The 42-year-old showed off her fabulous figure in a stunning black string bikini as she cooled off after a dip in the sea.

Cindy and her husband Rande Gerber are entertaining George, who recently split up with former cocktail waitress Sarah Larson, aboard their yacht off the south of France.

The A-list crew have been spending their days swimming, jet skiing and generally beingfabulous aboard the luxury yacht.

Cindy proved she is still looking sensational at the grand old age of 42 as she took a dip in the Med near the famous shores of millionaire's playground St Tropez.

Yesterday the supermodel wore a black bikini as she lounged in the sun.

Following on from their St Tropez jaunt, the group of friends made a stopover to the little village of Eze and visited U2 singer Bono's house

The Irish singer's place has become a popular haunt for celebs in the area and both Brad Pitt and Robert De Niro recently took their families there.

Lindsay Lohan hits out at police chief who said she had 'gone gay'

2008-08-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

Defensive Lindsay Lohan told the Los Angeles police chief to keep out of her personal life after he made remarks about her 'going gay'.

The 22-year-old actress said the police had no business commenting on her personal life after LA's Chief William Bratton claimed the city's paparazzi problem had calmed down since Lohan's close friendship with DJ Samantha Ronson.

Lohan and Ronson - sister of music producer Mark - were at Los Angeles airport catching a flight to Chicago when she told a paparazzi who was filming her:

'Police chiefs shouldn't get involved in everyone else's business when it comes to their personal life. It's inappropriate.'
Chief Bratton said a reduction in paparazzi activity was thanks to Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lohan leading more moderate lifestyles.

He told television station KNBC-TV: 'If you notice, since Britney started wearing clothes and behaving, Paris is out of town not bothering anyone any more, thank God, and evidently, Lindsay Lohan has gone gay, we don't seem to have much of an issue.'

Bratton made his comments after he refused to take part in a LA City Council meeting held on Thursday to discuss new laws to curb problem paparazzi, claiming it was a 'waste of time'.

He later called a press conference outside the police headquarters to 'clarify' his position on the paparazzi where he claimed his sister was gay and that he was a proponent of gay rights.

Miley Cyrus Racy Photos Leak Again: New Hannah Montana Underwear Pics

2008-08-02T12:34:00.000-07:00

How many candid racy photos has Miley Cyrus posed for and hiow many will continue to appear every few days on the World Wide Web? The young fifteen year old star of the Disney series "Hannah Montana" has had a new batch of photos leak online and they are more candid type shots of Miley Cyrus posing for the camera in her underwear.

These are not like the topless photos in Vanity Fair; the new batch is really more of the same. In one shot Miley Cyrus has only her underwear and a t-shirt on and in another she is pulling up her shirt. There are also more kissing pictures as well.

These new snaps come on top of the ones that hit two weeks ago and a few that hit this week as well that show Miley in more compromising positions. Links to the photos are here in this article and the first link is safe. Reports have claimed that Miley's cell phone was hacked and that is where the pics are from.

Does this help for publicity for Miley Cyrus, or is this an embarrassment? Miley is certainly feeling a lot of heat from rivals Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez, will this help her or hurt her?

Lindsay Lohan's Sparro help

2008-07-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

Lindsay Lohan is set to write a song with Sam Sparro.
The Australian singer-songwriter is to work with Lindsay after being recommended by Mark Ronson - brother of Lindsay's girlfriend Samantha Ronson.
'Black and Gold' singer Sam said: "Working with Lindsay is an interesting proposition. I've always been a big fan and I think she's cool.

"I've never met Samantha Ronson but I have met her dad and her sister Charlotte when I was working with Mark at Coachella. They are a great family.

"I'll be heading over to Los Angeles and New York in a couple of weeks to start writing for Lindsay and a few other artists. I'm really excited."

Sam has been championed by Amy Winehouse producer Mark since his early days when he was performing in Los Angeles.

He has mutual admiration for the 'Valerie' producer, saying: "Support from people like Mark kept me going. He's a sweet, humble guy and a great person to be around. If I hear someone speak badly about him, I'll always leap to his defence."

Lindsay's pop career started with her recording songs for the films she starred in, before releasing two albums, 'Speak' in 2004 and 'A Little More Personal (Raw)' in 2005.

Lindsay's third album, to be titled 'Spirit in the Dark', is rumoured to be a star-studded affair with a host of guest appearances, including Ne-Yo, Akon, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Kanye West and Timbaland.

Atomic Kitten's Jenny Frost shows off her sizzling bikini body on a family holiday in Greece

2008-07-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

Atomic Kitten singer Jenny Frost certainly didn't live up to her surname as she showed off her sizzling figure on a sweltering holiday in Greece.

The 30-year-old singer and her DJ fiance Dominic 'Dom T' Thrupp are vacationing with their baby son Caspar in the Greece's largest island Crete.

Despite giving birth just nine months ago, Jenny has slimmed down to her pre-baby shape.
As she frolicked in the pool with Dominic and baby Caspar, Jenny showed off her svelte, tanned figure in her tiny stripy bikini.

In the sweltering temperatures of Crete, the family couldn't tear themselves away from the refreshing, cool water of the hotel swimming pool.

While glowing Jenny continued to work on her already dark tan, she made sure baby Caspar was covered in plenty of sunblock and a hat to keep the sun off his face.
Jenny and Dominic couldn't take their eyes of their baby son as they watched him enjoy his first experience of water floating about in an inflatable seat.

The Whole Again singer and long-term love Dominic welcomed Caspar last October after a worrying pregnancy.
'I have the best friends and family in the world but I like to deal with things on my own, so I went back into my shell and sat on the sofa, watched TV and ate.
'I just blocked everything out and said my prayers, and we got the all-clear at 27 weeks. We kept as positive as we could and, thankfully, Caspar's perfect.'

Since giving birth to Caspar, Jenny has turned her back on the London party scene in favour of quiet nights in.

Jenny, who is part of London's Primrose Hill set alongside Kate Moss, Davina Taylor and Sadie Frost, admits she does get the occasional night out, but doesn't go as wild as she used to।

She said: 'Before I got pregnant, I was the most irresponsible person in the world. I liked to get drunk and party but I changed overnight. Having a baby has completely transformed my life.'

As well as getting to grips with motherhood, Jenny has also turned her hand to TV presenting and hosted the BBC Three show Snog, Marry, Avoid.

Meanwhile, Jenny is still singing with Atomic Kitten as festival gigs up and down the country.

Despite the pop trio - comprising of Jenny, Liz McClarnon and Natasha Hamilton - announcing a hiatus in 2004, they returned to the performing scene last year and in January released the single Anyone Who Had A Heart.

Biker chic: Posh proves a fashion inspiration for Paris Hilton

2008-07-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and if the all-black ensemble Paris Hilton wore yesterday is anything to go by, then she has clearly been studying Victoria Beckham's wardrobe.

The hotel heiress stepped out in the searing mid-summer heat of West Hollywood modelling an all-black ensemble.

Wearing sunglasses and a cadet cap, the 27-year-old looked just like the former Spice Girl did when she donned a similar outfit earlier this year.

Another possible influence behind Paris' black get-up could be her rocker boyfriend Benji Madden.

The Good Charlotte musician, whose brother Joel has a child with Paris' best friend Nicole Richie, is known for dressing predominantly in black.

Victoria Beckham's bad skin laid bare as she goes au naturel

2008-07-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

Victoria Beckham took herself off glamour duty during a family day at a Los Angeles hotel over the weekend, reclining poolside without her heels - or make-up.

The former Spice Girl, who is rarely seen in public without a full face of foundation, let her guard down while relaxing with her mother Jackie and son Romeo.

But her au naturel look, complete with pinned back hair, revealed her problem skin, which looked both blotchy and riddled with pimples.

Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Aamer Khan said: 'Posh has had dreadful acne. The discoloration of her skin is partly due to this and sun damage.'

Victoria recently admitted she has to work hard to look red carpet-ready.

She told Allure magazine: 'As you can see, I’m a normal-looking girl, and I just make the best of what I have.

'I’m not out-of-the-ordinary-looking at all – I’m incredibly ordinary.'

And without a hint of irony, she also claimed she doesn't like being the centre of attention and that in fact, she's actually uncomfortable in the spotlight.

She insisted: 'I'm not the kind of person that stands there and loves the attention.'

'It might look that way, but it makes me very, very nervous.'

Grease is the word: Amy Winehouse goes for the Pink Lady look

2008-07-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Amy Winehouse abandoned her usual uniform of shorts and a vest today to dress in a Grease-inspired Fifties outfit.

The troubled singer donned leggings, peep-toe heels and a pink satin jacket as she left her north London home this morning, aping the style of the Pink Ladies from the classic film musical.

Amy has previously admitted to being a fan of the 1978 movie and even played Rizzo in a school production of the music when she was 11 years old.

Accompanied by her minder, Amy rushed out of her Camden home to visit incarcerated husband Blake Fielder-Civil.

The 23-year-old singer is anxiously anticipating the sentencing of her husband Blake on Monday.

The music video assistant recently pleaded guilty to charges of perverting the course of justice and causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) in relation to an assault on London pub landlord James King in June 2006.

Blake - who has been behind bars in London's Pentonville Prison since his arrest in November - is facing a possible five years in jail when he is sentenced next week.

The couple had only been married for six months when Blake was arrested.

The Fifties outfit is a smarter look for Amy after her increasingly dishevelled appearance of the past year.

Since being hospitalised for the early stages of emphysema last month, Amy appears to be taking better care of herself after reckless past behaviour.

She returned to form with a series of successful performances at European festivals over the summer including T In The Park in Scotland, Rock In Rio in Portugal and the Concert For Mandela in London.

Victoria Beckham's frank admission: 'My looks are incredibly ordinary... I just make the best of what I have'

2008-07-16T12:40:00.001-07:00

Victoria Beckham has credited careful grooming rather than genetics for her head-turning Posh look in a frank new interview.

Despite acquiring a handsome husband and status as a paparazzi favourite, the former Spice Girl insists she doesn't consider herself exceptionally attractive.

She told Allure magazine: 'I'm a normal-looking girl, and I just make the best of what I have.

'I'm not out-of-the-ordinary looking at all - I'm incredibly ordinary.'

The mother of three, who rarely leaves the house without stilettos and a firmly fixed pout, says after years of practice, she now has red carpet preparations down to a fine art.

She told the publication: 'If I'm going to an event, it takes me about an hour and a half to put my hair up and have some makeup put on.

'[But] I don’t have a stylist. I deal with that side of things myself.'

With so many preening tricks up her selve, Victoria says she yearns to impart her wisdom on a daughter.

She added: 'At the moment, we're fine, the five of us.

'At some point, I'd love to have a girl, you know - just for all the clothes I've got to hand down. It would be tremendous fun.'

'I've got great girlie advice that I can share.'