September 2007

PHIL SPECTOR'S MURDER TRIAL COLLAPSED ON WEDNESDAY (26.09.07) AFTER THE JURY FAILED TO REACH A UNANIMOUS VERDICT.

Phil Spector's murder trial collapsed on Wednesday (26.09.07) after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler declared a mistrial after the jury were unable to agree on whether the 67-year-old music producer was guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Lana Clarkson in 2003.

The panel of 12 - which had been deliberating for 12 days - returned a hung vote of 10-2, with the majority favouring a guilty verdict. It is the second deadlock the jury have reached in this five-month case.

Last week, Fidler sent the jury back with new instructions on the definition of murder in the case, and offered various scenarios for the jury to consider, after they returned a 7-5 split vote.

Jackass star Steve-O claims Lindsay Lohan once stole a bag of cocaine from him.

The MTV comic star says the 'Mean Girls' star - who is currently in rehab being treated for drug and alcohol abuse - came to his house and left with a bag of his drugs, which he refers to as a "Boog Suge".

Steve-O revealed: "Lindsay had left her wallet in my bathroom and she came back to my place to get it and while she was there she took a Boog Suge home with her too.

"I haven't heard from her since she went to rehab."

David Beckham has rushed home to England to be with his seriously ill father.

The Los Angeles Galaxy soccer star - who is currently living in Beverly Hills - was devastated when he was told dad Ted had suffered a heart attack and caught the first plane back to London.

He is expected to land at lunchtime today (27.09.07).

David's spokesman said: "His father has had a heart attack and is currently being treated in hospital. David is flying back to be with him."

The 32-year-old star's wife, Spice Girl Victoria, was unable to join him as she is busy working in Japan. Ted, 59, was taken to hospital yesterday (26.09.07) after complaining of chest pains at home.

LINDSAY LOHAN IS SET TO LEAVE REHAB THIS WEEKEND, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED.

Lindsay Lohan is set to leave rehab this weekend, it has been reported.

The troubled star - who entered Utah's Cirque Lodge in August after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence - is nearing the end of her treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, according to a friend.

When asked where Lindsay, 21, was planning to go after her release, the friend told the New York Daily News newspaper: "I don't think she knows yet."
During her lengthy stay at the facility, Lindsay has been allowed out for day release to go shopping, hit the gym and even get her hair and nails done.

But according to reports, the 'Mean Girls' star has not been a model patient, with stories of her being caught taking drugs and warned to stay clean or face being thrown out of the centre.

She was also believed to have been found having sex in a toilet cubicle with a male patient, as well as being reprimanded for being frequently late to meetings and refusing to do any chores or menial tasks such as washing up.

Lindsay entered the rehab centre following her arrest on July 24 after she crashed her car following a high-speed car chase in Santa Monica. She was in possession of cocaine when she was taken into custody.

It was her third stint in rehab. She previously stayed at the Wonderland and Promises facilities in Los Angeles.

Paris Hilton's Rwanda mission

Paris Hilton is to visit Rwanda to draw attention to the plight of the war-torn third world country.

The hotel heiress - who vowed to better herself after serving 23 days in jail for driving offences in June - hopes to use her fame to draw attention to the plight of the war-torn African country.

Paris, 26, told E! Online: "I'll be going in November, after I get back from filming my movie. "There's so much need in that area, and I feel like if I go, it will bring more attention to what people can do to help. "I want to visit more countries where poverty and children's issues are a big concern.

'The Simple Life' star - who is currently filming horror-musical 'Repo! The Genetic Opera' in Toronto - was originally invited to Rwanda by Scott Lazerson, of Playing for Good, an organisation which helps top businesses and celebrities get involved in charity work.

Halle Berry has received racist death threats to her unborn baby.

The Oscar-winning beauty - who recently announced she was expecting her first child with boyfriend Gabriel Aubry - has been forced to hire security guards after allegedly receiving several disturbing letters from an anonymous writer.

One note warned she and her child would be "cut into hundreds of pieces".
A source close to the actress - who has a white father and an African-American mother - told Britain's Daily Mirror: "Halle does not normally use security but she has taken on a couple of guys to make sure."

In 2002, Halle became the first woman of American African descent to win a best actress Oscar for her role in 'Monster's Ball'. Despite the upsetting threats, Halle is enjoying her pregnancy, and her boyfriend Gabriel has revealed she is craving pickles and bread.

The 32-year-old model told People magazine: "She does crave pickles. And any bread. Doesn't matter, as long as it's salt and pickles."

BRITNEY SPEARS’ FORMER BODYGUARD FEARED SHE WOULD DIE FROM A DRUG OVERDOSE AFTER FINDING HER COMPLETELY “OUT OF IT” IN A HOTEL ROOM.

Britney Spears’ former bodyguard feared she would die from a drug overdose after finding her completely “out of it” in a hotel room.

Tony Barretto, who submitted a signed statement about the singer’s behaviour to a Los Angeles court last week, has spoken out about Britney’s drug and alcohol problems for the sake of her sons, Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one.

Barretto, who was hired shortly after Britney left rehab in March, claims the ‘Toxic’ singer went on a date with Howie Day on May 2 in Los Angeles – just hours before her comeback show in Anaheim – and hysterically phoned her security team hours later saying Day wouldn’t let her leave their hotel room.

Barretto told Britain’s News of the World newspaper: “I gave evidence because Britney is out of control and needs help. I have done this for her children. She has mental problems and drug and alcohol issues. Her home is no place for her kids to be raised.

“Britney was completely out of it. We thought she’d overdosed. Her skin was all waxy. We thought she was going to die."The hotel room was littered with empty beer bottles and liquor bottles and cigarette butts. I could see mounds of white powder and a straw, I suspected it was cocaine or methamphetamines. I spotted a glass pipe, which is often used with crystal meth."

Barretto said: “Britney loves her kids but she is a fickle mom. When the kids are happy, she is happy. When they are crying or unwell, she isn’t sure what to do. She speaks to them in a weird baby language, but all it does is scare and unsettle them.

“She nearly wrote the car off with them inside once. We followed her but she was driving like a lunatic on the wrong side of the road. It was terrifying.”

Barretto, who was fired in May because he didn’t hear Britney asking him to pick up her hat, claims the 25-year-old parades around naked to “embarrass” people and felt “suicidal” before shaving her head.

Britney is currently fighting her ex-husband Kevin Federline for custody of their two boys.

George Clooney’s bike crash

George Clooney was rushed to hospital after being knocked off his motorbike.

The ‘Syriana’ actor suffered a fractured rib and burns, while his passenger, girlfriend Sarah Larson, broke her foot after the pair were hit by a car in Weehawken, New Jersey, at around 3.30pm on Friday (21.09.07).

The couple, who were both wearing helmets, were treated at the Palisades Medical Center and released later that night. Clooney’s spokesman Stan Rosenfield said: "He was treated for a hairline fracture of a rib and road rash. It is a very painful injury and is likely to take a long time to heal, but he is doing fine.”

Jennifer Lopez’s mother rift

Jennifer Lopez's mother can’t comment on rumours her daughter is pregnant, because they rarely speak.

Guadalupe Lopez claims she has been kept in the dark over reports the 38-year-old singer-and-actress is expecting her first child with husband Marc Anthony.

She told the New York Daily News newspaper: "I didn't hear about it. Everyone else knows more than I do. I don't talk to her very often. I don't see her often either." Guadalupe added: "I am very busy here taking care of my sister and Jennifer is very busy doing what she does." J.Lo - who was reported to be 12 weeks pregnant last week - once credited her mother with turning her into a survivor, saying: "She made me believe I can do anything."

The pair are said to have fallen out over J.Lo’s third husband Marc. Guadalupe is believed to have preferred her daughter’s ex-fiancé, actor Ben Affleck.

JENNIFER LOPEZ’S DORCHESTER DEMANDS

A: Jennifer Lopez has made a series of bizarre demands during her stay at London’s Dorchester Hotel.

Jennifer Lopez has made a series of bizarre demands during her stay at London’s Dorchester Hotel.

The singer-and-actress, who this week was reported to be 12 weeks pregnant, has had staff working overtime to cater for her every whim, including humidifiers to keep her comfortable and a variety of food.

Among the demands are soft-bake chocolate chip cookies, spicy brown mustard, Dentyne Ice spearmint chewing gum, three varieties of Coke (caffeine-free, regular and diet) and cherry tomatoes.

The 38-year-old star also requested her favourite Jo Malone Grapefruit and Lime Blossom candles and two oscillating fans – to help keep the suite at her preferred 26ºC for her entire two-day stay.

J.Lo, who is in London to promote her upcoming album, ‘Brave’, and new single, ‘Do It Well’, hit the West End for an album launch party last night (20.09.07).

She told MTV: “I'm really excited about this album. The first single will be out this summer. And, you know, it's very different from my Spanish album.

“The Spanish album was kind of an opportunity to get away from what I do on my English albums, to kind of express a different side of myself.”

Despite pregnancy rumours, J.Lo’s husband Marc Anthony denied they are expecting their first child together, saying: “Everyone calls about this story every month with the hopes they’ll hit the mark, but no. No.”

Jennifer Lopez’s Dorchester Hotel demands:

2 humidifiers and 2 oscillating fans to maintain 26ºC temperature

Jo Malone Grapefruit and Lime Blossom candles

3 wardrobe racks and coat hanger, clothing steamer, iron, ironing board, desk, table, chair, mirror, lamps

Microwave, coffee maker, hot water pot, toaster, oven

Plates, bowls, glasses, coffee cups, thermos cups, silverware, napkins

White or red roses, or white lilies

12 bottles of water

Soft baked chocolate chip cookies

Sour cream and onion crisps

Ready salted crisps

Fruit platter: mangoes, green seedless grapes, pineapple, honeydew melon, watermelon, strawberries

Vegetable platter: carrots, celery, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, lemon wedges, ranch dressing

Plain M+M’s

David’s or Planters sunflower seeds

Ritz crackers

Dentyne Ice spearmint chewing gum

Mayonnaise, spicy brown mustard, maple syrup, tomato ketchup, butter, jam, salt, pepper, sugar

Breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, white toast, regular and decaf coffee

Penta/Smart bottled water

Caffeine-free Coke, regular Coke, Diet Coke, ginger ale, Red Bull

Apple, orange, cranberry juice

Coors Lite beer

Honey and lemon wedges

Caffeine free peppermint tea

Gatorade or Powerade: orange and fruit punch flavour

Carnation Coffeemate Fat Free Hazelnut creamer

Whole/skimmed milk

Café Bustello decaf and regular coffee

LINDSAY LOHAN HAS BEEN BRANDED A MARRIAGE WRECKER.

Lindsay Lohan has been branded a marriage wrecker.

The ‘Mean Girls’ star – who is currently being treated for drink and drug addiction at Utah’s Cirque Lodge rehab centre - allegedly had sex with Tony Allen in a toilet at the clinic.

Stephanie Allen – the mother of Tony’s eight-month-old twins Blake and Lakeland – has been left devastated by the claims and has kicked her husband out of their Georgia home.

A friend told Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper: “She’s had it, period. They tried forever to have kids. She went through IVF three times and suffered two miscarriages, and when they finally got two beautiful babies, he hooks up in rehab with a girl half his age.

“He is trying to live out this rock star fantasy at 40. All Stephanie wanted was for him to be a good husband and father.”

Recent reports claim Tony boasted to friends about his affair: “Come on, it’s Lindsay Lohan. Hell, yes! Wouldn’t you?” However, 39-year-old Tony – who fronts US band Dead Stays Alive – claims his relationship with Lindsay is purely platonic. Tony, who recently completed a 45-day stint at the Cirque Lodge, said: "That is against the rules. She is my friend.

“We share a common affliction, and we just talk about life sometimes.”
The father-of-two also said Lindsay is set to make a full recovery, saying: "There's no cycle of guilt or shame anymore. She wants to give back to her fans and the people that care about her, and she wants to be able to share her many talents. She's very focused on recovery right now."

Britney Spears custody party

Britney Spears went out partying just hours after a judge warned her to curb her wild ways or face losing her children.

The ‘Toxic’ singer – who is currently battling ex-husband Kevin Federline for custody of their two sons, Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James – was seen at two Hollywood nightclubs on Tuesday night (18.09.07), where she was described as “off her head”.

One onlooker said: “If there was a time to stay at home and lay low, this was it.
“It still hasn’t hit home she could lose her children. She certainly wasn’t acting like she was meant to be on her best behaviour.”

On Monday (17.09.07), a judge ruled Britney would have to undergo twice-weekly drug tests to prove she's a suitable mother. The troubled star must also meet a 'parenting coach' for eight hours a week.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott M. Gordon said the 25-year-old singer showed "a habitual, frequent and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol".

The judge's order requires both Britney and Kevin to refrain from drinking and using drugs around Sean and Jayden and 12 hours before either cares for them.
During the court hearing, Britney's former bodyguard made claims in legal papers she took drugs in front of Sean and Jayden.

Tony Barretto - who was fired by Britney in May - also alleged Britney paraded around naked in front of the boys. Barretto was not allowed in the courtroom to testify in person.

‘Satan’ Bob Geldof

Sir Bob Geldof – who is the legal guardian of the late Michael Hutchence and Paula Yates’ daughter Tiger Lily - has been branded “Satan” by INXS star Hutchence’s mother.

Patricia Glassop, whose son was found hanged in a Sydney hotel room in 1997, claims the Band Aid founder will not allow her family to see 11-year-old Tiger Lily, Hutchence’s daughter with Geldof’s late wife Paula Yates.

She accused Geldof – who became Tiger Lily’s legal guardian when Yates died of a drug overdose in 2000 – of being a bad father and is only raising the little girl because he wants her money.

Referring to his nickname of ‘Saint Bob’, Glassop said: "He's certainly not a saint I can't see that side of him at all. I think he is Satan."Whoever gets the child gets Michael’s inheritance. But he can keep all the money he's got belonging to Michael, we just want Tiger."

She claims Geldof – who lives in the UK with Tiger Lily and his three daughters, Fifi, Peaches and Pixie, with Yates – rarely lets her see or speak to her granddaughter.

Glassop, who lives in Australia, added: "I think he is cruel, very cruel to keep her from her family. I am not allowed to speak to her on the phone. He's even changed the phone number."

Glassop also alleged Geldof had “no control” over his three elder daughters and claimed 18-year-old Peaches is a bad influence on Tiger Lily. She told Australian TV show ‘A Current Affair’: "I don't think she should be Tiger's role model. Tiger knows about what she gets up to."

When Yates dies, Geldof – who recently announced he wanted to formally adopt Tiger Lily – decided it would be best for the little girl to live with him as he didn’t want her to be separated from her half-sisters.

BRITNEY SPEARS WILL BE FORCED TO UNDERGO TWICE-WEEKLY DRUG TESTS TO PROVE SHE’S A SUITABLE MOTHER, A COURT HAS RULED.

Britney Spears will be forced to undergo twice-weekly drug tests to prove she’s a suitable mother, a court has ruled.

The ‘Toxic’ singer – who is currently battling ex-husband Kevin Federline for custody of their two sons, Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James – must also meet a ‘parenting coach’ for eight hours a week. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott M. Gordon said the 25-year-old singer showed "a habitual, frequent and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol".
The judge’s order, which was given on Monday (17.09.07), requires both Britney and Kevin to refrain from drinking and using drugs around Sean and Jayden and 12 hours before either cares for them. The couple – who currently share custody of the two boys – must also complete a parenting class.
Both parents are banned from “making derogatory remarks” about each other in from of the children and must not use “corporal punishment” to discipline them.
On Monday, Britney’s former bodyguard made claims in legal papers she took drugs in front of Sean and Jayden.
Tony Barretto – who was fired by Britney in May – also alleged Britney paraded around naked in front of the boys. Barretto was not allowed in the courtroom to testify in person.

Jennifer Lopez pregnant

The singer-and-actress went for her first ultrasound scan on September 12 and doctors told her she and husband Marc Anthony will become proud parents next spring. A source told In Touch Weekly magazine: "The test calculated that she was about 12 weeks pregnant. She's due in the spring."
Jennifer, 38, and her singer husband Marc, 39, have been trying for a baby for two years, and finally sought artificial medical help in July when they couldn’t conceive naturally. The couple’s IVF treatment was reportedly so successful they may now even be expecting twins.
The source added: "The way the foetus is lying made it difficult for the doctor to tell if there was more than one baby in there."
Rumours that Jennifer was expecting her first baby were rife last week, when she sported what appeared to be a baby bump under a loosely-fitted green dress at her catwalk show during New York Fashion Week.

Nicole Richie to marry

Nicole Richie will marry fiancé Joel Madden after she gives birth. The Good Charlotte frontman says the couple will definitely tie the knot, but only after five-month pregnant Nicole has delivered their first child. He told US radio DJ Ryan Seacrest yesterday (18.09.07): “Obviously marriage is in our future. I don’t know when or how, but right now our priority is our family and the baby.
“That’s all we’ve been thinking about. We are in love and we are really happy.”
Joel, 28, also revealed the couple haven’t found out the sex of their child and are currently referring to the baby as “it”.
He said: “We are waiting to find out if it is a boy or a girl. We don’t even know. So right now it’s an ‘it’, which sounds wrong. We call it the baby. When we talk to it, it’s ‘you’.
“I'm excited. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to us. It's awesome.
“The baby has started kicking and I already went to the store Target and got a stroller and a playpen for the nursery."
Joel and Nicole, 25, have been together since early this year, and announced in July they were expecting their first child.

BRITNEY SPEARS COULD ALLEGEDLY LOSE CUSTODY OF HER TWO SONS THIS MORNING (17.09.07).

Britney Spears could allegedly lose custody of her two sons this morning (17.09.07).

The lawyer of Britney’s ex-husband Kevin Federline is reportedly bringing a “secret” witness to a court hearing in Los Angeles at 8.30am, whose evidence could see two-year-old Sean Preston and one-year-old Jayden James immediately removed from Britney’s care.

According to Fox news, Kevin’s lawyer Gloria Allred filed a signed declaration from the witness, who is described only “as a man who has had close observation of Spears' behaviour with her kids”, to the judge hearing the closed court case last week.

The ‘secret witness’ declaration is believed to contain a testimony claiming Britney, 25, has used drugs in her home and in front of her children.

Madonna will be allowed to keep her adopted Malawian son.

The ‘Hung Up’ singer was visited by the head of Malawi’s Social Services earlier this month and has now been given the all-clear to formally adopt two-year-old David Banda.

Simon Chisale spent three days with Madonna, husband Guy Ritchie and her two other children, Lourdes, 10, and seven-year-old Rocco, at the family’s London mansion.

Chisale – who was assessing the couple’s suitability to adopt David – was particularly impressed with the measures the family has taken to make David feel at home.

He revealed that Madonna and Lourdes speak to David in his native language, Chichewa, and said the little boy had bonded very well with his new family.

Naomi Campbell has accused British Vogue of snubbing her because she is black, despite gracing its cover eight times.

The supermodel joined other black style icons – including Iman, Andre Leon Talley and Tracy Reese - on the panel of the Blacks in Fashion event on Friday (14.09.07), where she claimed the magazine has repeatedly refused to put her on their cover.

Naomi said: "I've never been on the cover of British Vogue and I've asked a million times and they've always refused me.

"They'll put the same white model for half the year, I swear like six times, but wouldn't put me on once in my own country. But I still want my British Vogue cover!"

BRITNEY SPEARS IS IN TALKS TO APPEAR AT THE EMMYS TO APOLOGISE FOR HER MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS DISASTER.

Sting was spotted leaving a German brothel in the early hours of Wednesday morning (12.09.07).

The married 'Roxanne' singer - who performed with his reformed band The Police at Hamburg's HSV-Arena on Tuesday night (11.09.07) - was pictured ducking down in the back seat of a car as he was driven away from Hamburg's notorious Relax bordello at 2.15am with two bodyguards.

The pictures appeared on the frontpage of German newspaper Bild, under the headline, "What did Sting do in the Hamburg top bordello?"

Colin Farrell took a homeless man on a $10,000 shopping spree.

The 'Miami Vice' star - who was in Toronto, Canada, to promote new movie 'Cassandra's Dream' - bumped into a tramp known as Stress, who he has met before, and whisked him away to the city's Europe Bound Travel Outfitters store to kit him out in new clothes and street essentials.

The Irish actor strolled into the shop and demanded: "Get him anything he wants."

Store manager Dave Mott said: "It was like they were best buddies. The homeless guy was going around grabbing stuff."

The pair picked up a $500 Arc'Teryx coat, a North Face sleeping bag, and a rolling backpack stuffed with socks, boots and underwear.

Britney Spears is in talks to appear at the Emmys to apologise for her MTV Video Music Awards disaster.

The 'Gimme More' singer is reportedly hoping to redeem herself after her flop performance last Sunday (09.09.07) at the US TV awards ceremony this Sunday (16.09.07).

An Emmys insider said: "Britney is in negotiations to appear at the ceremony, but nothing is confirmed. The idea is to have her come on and apologize for the VMAs. She's weighing up the offer."

HEATH LEDGER IS DATING HELENA CHRISTENSEN, ACCORDING TO REPORTS.

Heath Ledger is dating Helena Christensen, according to reports.

The ‘Brokeback Mountain’ actor – who only confirmed his split from Michelle Williams, the mother of his baby daughter, last week – couldn’t keep his hands off the 38-year-old Danish supermodel as they shared a romantic meal at New York’s Wakiya restaurant on Tuesday night (11.09.07).

A fellow diner said: "They were making out throughout the dinner. Later, he even held her bag for her as she did interviews."

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s adopted daughter may have to undergo surgery on her hip.

Zahara, who the couple adopted from Ethiopia in 2005, reportedly has hip dysplasia - a hereditary disease that can cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis, and is commonly found in dogs - and her parents are said to be considering an operation that will cure it.

The condition means two-year-old Zahara’s thigh bone is not properly connected to her hip, which may affect her ability to walk and she could need braces to help re-set her limb.

50 Cent is facing retirement after being beaten by rival Kanye West in the pair’s chart battle.

The hip-hop stars both released their third studio albums on Tuesday (11.09.07), and Kanye’s ‘Graduation’ is currently outselling 50’s ‘Curtis’ by over 200,000 copies, when figures are added together from the US and UK.

50 – real name Curtis Jackson – recently vowed to retire if he did not come out on top in the chart battle.

He boldly announced: “If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I’ll no longer write music. I’ll work with my other artists, but I won’t put out anymore solo albums.”

BRITNEY SPEARS WEPT BACKSTAGE AFTER HER DISASTROUS PERFORMANCE AT THE MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS.

Britney Spears wept backstage after her disastrous performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The singer was seen crying uncontrollably after her comeback performance – where she lip-synched to her new single ‘Gimme More’ and danced lethargically and awkwardly in a sparkling bra and knickers – which opened the ceremony on Sunday night (09.09.07) failed to impress the star-studded audience.

A source said: "Britney was crying backstage. She was devastated. She was really nervous beforehand and immediately knew she had blown it.” Despite receiving strong support before she went on stage – former boyfriend Justin Timberlake reportedly sent her a good luck note – the mother-of-two’s performance was seemingly doomed from the start.

Multiple sources report Britney, 25, had a huge row with her hairstylist on the night, resulting in the stylist quitting. The ‘Toxic’ singer had flown the hairdresser from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to tend to her locks for a whopping $10,000.

After a disagreement about whether her hair should be blonde or brunette for the performance – during which Britney allegedly shouted “It’s my money and I’ll do what I want” - the furious stylist cut up all the hair extensions Britney was planning to wear for the show.

Her disappointing dance routine has been blamed on a wardrobe malfunction. Sources claim one of her stiletto heels broke during the performance, meaning she could not gyrate properly.

Another backstage source claims she just “froze” on the night, saying: "It's been a while since she's done this, and she was performing in front of all her peers on live TV. She just got out there and froze. People who were at rehearsal saw something else. It was good. It really was."

It has also been claimed that Britney – who went out partying in Las Vegas on Saturday night (08.09.07) with P. Diddy, Paris Hilton and 50 Cent – just didn’t bother to rehearse properly.

One source said: "She went out all night and then came in for rehearsals tired and not prepared to put in the effort. It was obvious she didn't want to be there."

The late Luciano Pavarotti’s three daughters are set to battle his second wife over his £250 million fortune.

The Italian tenor – who passed away last week after losing his battle against pancreatic cancer – changed his will last month in favour of Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana, his daughters from his first marriage.

However, Pavarotti’s second wife Nicoletta – the mother of his three-year-old daughter Alice – believes she should be entitled to more.

Friends now expect a fight for his assets, which include several homes in New York, Monte Carlo and his Italian home town Modena. Andrea Strata, his dietician, said: “It’s all very sad — he isn’t even cold in his tomb yet and now all this is coming out.” Sources claim the ‘Nessun Dorma’ singer’s relationship with Nicoletta had “cooled” in the months leading up to his death and they were only staying together for the sake of Alice.

Pavarotti – who was 71 when he died – reportedly visited a lawyer to change his will in favour of Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana as well as young Alice.
A friend added: “Businesses that were in other family members’ names were returned to his name.” The original document was drawn up just last year in New York, where Nicoletta spends much of her time.

Friends also claim the opera legend had also grown closer to his first wife Adua Veroni, with whom their daughters sided after he left her to marry Nicoletta.
Dietician Strata’s wife, Franca, claims Nicolette called her in a “panic” six weeks ago after it emerged Pavarotti was close to death.

She allegedly wanted papers relating to the couple’s three New York apartments and thought they might be at the Stratas’ home, where her husband often stayed. Franca said: “She couldn’t find them anywhere and was very concerned.

“She asked me to look for them in my safe to see if Luciano had left them here by mistake as he was always staying at my house. But they weren’t here — who knows where they are?”

Madonna is participating in a mass Kabbalah pilgrimage to Israel to mark the Jewish New Year.

The pop superstar - who has long been an ardent follower of the mystical offshoot of Judaism - will be among 2,000 pilgrims taking part in the 10-day Rosh Hashanah travel and study programme.

The 49-year-old singer is expected to arrive in the country by private jet with husband Guy Ritchie, their seven-year-old son Rocco, 23-month-old adopted son David, and the singer's 10-year-old daughter Lourdes, ahead of the start of the festival on Wednesday (12.09.07).

Other celebrities joining Madonna on her spiritual journey - which will include trips to holy sites in Jerusalem and Galilee and a series of religious teachings - include Demi Moore and her husband Ashton Kutcher and fashion designer Donna Karan.

The Kabbalah Centre has planned a special celebration in Jaffa on September 16 for invited guests only and students of the sect between the ages of 21 and 35.

A spokesperson for the centre refused to say whether Madonna and her star friends would be attending the 'Idrahjaffa Moon Party', saying: "It's impossible to know."

It has been reported that over 2,000 Israeli police officers will be deployed during Madonna's visit, following rumours Jewish extremists - who believe non-Jews and women should be banned from studying Kabbalah - plan to sabotage the trip.

PAUL MCCARTNEY’S SUPER EVENING

Luciano Pavarotti dies

Opera legend Luciano Pavarotti has died aged 71.

Luciano Pavarotti has died at the age of 71.
The Italian opera legend – who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year - died at his home in Modena at 5am local time today (06.09.07).
At his side were his second wife Nicoletta, his four daughters, his sister Gabriela, his nephews and other close relatives and friends, according to an email statement from his manager Terri Robson.
Pavarotti had three daughters with his first wife Adua - Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana - and a three-year-old daughter, Alice, with Nicoletta.
When asked about her husband’s cancer battle earlier this year, Nicoletta said: "He's fighting like a lion and he has never lost his heart."
Born in Modena to a baker and his factory-worker wife, Pavarotti wanted to become a professional soccer player in his youth.
In 1961 he made his debut as Rodolfo in a production of ‘La Boheme’ in the southern Italian city of Reggio Emilia and revealed his breathtaking tenor voice.
Pavarotti achieved worldwide fame after recording the theme song, ‘Nessun Dorma’, of the 1990 soccer World Cup, held in his native country.
He is credited with bringing operatic music to a mainstream audience, and was the first pop-opera star.
Pavarotti formed the famous Three Tenors with fellow opera stars Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras in 1990.
The trio paved the way for other classical music acts to achieve chart success, including current "popera" quartet Il Divo.
Over 100,000 people – including the then-married Prince Charles and Princess Diana - gathered in London’s Hyde Park to watch Pavarotti perform, the first ever opera concert to be held there in 1992.
Just this week, the Italian government honoured Pavarotti with an award for "excellence in Italian culture" and La Scala and Modena's theatre announced a joint Luciano Pavarotti award.
In his final statement, the celebrated star said the awards gave him "the opportunity to continue to celebrate the magic of a life dedicated to the arts and it fills me with pride and joy to have been able to promote my magnificent country abroad."

Paul McCartney’s super evening

A: Sir Paul McCartney was spotted getting cosy with supermodel Elle Macpherson at an awards ceremony on Tuesday (04.09.07).

Sir Paul McCartney was spotted getting cosy with supermodel Elle Macpherson at an awards ceremony on Tuesday (04.09.07).
The 65-year-old Beatles legend sat with his arm draped around the catwalk beauty during the annual GQ Men of the Year awards at London's Royal Opera House.
A source said: "They were sitting on the same table looking very cosy indeed. At one point Paul even had his arm around Elle."
The pair looked very relaxed in each other's company, enjoying an intimate chat and sharing private jokes throughout the evening.
Paul - who was praised as "the greatest living songwriter” by Sir Elton John at the ceremony - was also seen planting a kiss on the cheek of stunning Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia, 32, before whispering into her ear.
The star, who is currently embroiled in a divorce battle from Heather Mills, has not been short of beautiful female company recently.
Last month, he was romantically linked to former model Christie Brinkley after they were seen slow dancing at a music concert and he has also been on several dates with actress Renée Zellweger.
Paul and Renée - who enjoyed a candlelit dinner after meeting at a New York concert - reportedly had their third rendezvous at Jon Bon Jovi’s Hamptons party.
A source said: "They chatted through much of the evening and shared one of the chairs outside where people were relaxing on the lawn."
However, Paul has rubbished reports the pair are dating, insisting they are just friends.
Speaking at Tuesday's awards, he said: "We're not dating. We're in the same group of friends and that's it."


Madonna and Elton make up

A: Madonna and Sir Elton John have ended their bitter feud, at the GQ magazine Men of the Year Awards.

Madonna and Sir Elton John have ended their bitter feud.
The pair embraced on stage at GQ magazine's Men of the Year Awards in London on Tuesday night (04.09.07), nearly three years after Elton accused Madonna of lip-synching during her live shows, leading to the rift.
As he introduced Madonna at the ceremony, Elton said: “This is a moment you thought you’d never see”.
Elton and Madonna then hugged, before he added: “I have written a grovelling apology and offered to join the Kabbalah!”
Madonna has been a devout follower of Kabbalah, a mystical offshoot of Judaism, for nearly ten years.
Elton made his infamous comments after Madonna won a prize for live shows at the 2004 Q Awards, which are voted for by readers of the respected British music magazine.
He said: “Madonna, best f***ing live act? F*** off! Since when has lip-synching been live?
"That's me off her f***ing Christmas card list but do I give a toss? No."
The ‘Ray of Light’ singer hit back through her spokesperson, saying: “Madonna does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists."
The GQ Men of the Year Awards saw actor Sir Michael Caine receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sir Paul McCartney collected the Man of the Year award he won in 2006, but was unable to accept.
Other guests included Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, supermodel Naomi Campbell and Sophie Dahl, who attended with her jazz singer boyfriend Jamie Cullum.

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Kate Moss’ vegan love

Kate Moss’ mystery man has been revealed to be vegan rock star Jamie Hince of The Kills.

Kate Moss’ mystery new lover is a vegan rock star.
The supermodel - who split from troubled rocker Pete Doherty in June - has been secretly dating Jamie Hince, one half of British band The Kills, since last month.
Jamie – who used to share an apartment with bandmate Alison Mosshart – split from his long-term girlfriend Valentine Fillol-Cordier two months ago.
A source said: “Jamie was with Valentine for at least 18 months but now he’s with Kate Moss.
“However, he has a very intense friendship with Alison, which can be difficult for other women to understand.”
Despite being a rock star, Jamie – who was named one of the world’s sexiest vegetarians in a poll earlier this year - is totally different from Pete, who has well-documented drug problems.
Jamie, 34, is not thought to have any criminal convictions and his main vice is smoking.
Kate – who has a four-year-old daughter, Lila Grace, from a previous relationship - and Jamie were first seen together at the weekend at a London pub.
Kate, 33, split from Pete in June after he reportedly spent the night with South African model Lindi Hingston.
However, the pair were said to have rekindled their romance last month, after spending five nights together at London's exclusive Claridge's hotel.

Bill Murray: Sober in Sweden

A: Bill Murray insists he wasn’t drink-driving when Swedish police stopped him in a golf buggy last month.

Bill Murray insists he wasn’t drink-driving when Swedish police stopped him in a golf buggy.
The ‘Caddyshack’ star insists he was sober and just “dropping people home” from a party when he was detained by police and given a blood test in Stockholm last month.
Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, Murray said: “The policemen asked me to come over and they assumed that I was drunk and I explained that I was a golfer.
“I had been playing in a tournament, and hitched a ride to a post-event party in a golf cart.
“When no-one wanted to drive home, I volunteered. I ended up stopping and dropping people off on the way like a bus. I had about six people in the thing and I dropped them off one at a time.”
The 56-year-old actor was confronted by police when he dropped off one of his passengers at a 7-Eleven store.
Murray added: “I didn’t even know they had 7-Elevens in Stockholm.”
Police claimed he had been driving “erratically” and he was given a blood test after refusing to be breathalysed.
He will face drink-driving charges if tests show his blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit.

Maggie Gyllenhaal's handcuff ads

Maggie Gyllenhaal has posed in handcuffs and sexy lingerie for a new underwear campaign for lingerie giant Agent Provocateur.

Maggie Gyllenhaal has posed in handcuffs and sexy lingerie for a new underwear campaign.
Maggie, who has replaced supermodel Kate Moss as the new face of lingerie giant Agent Provocateur, has sent pulses racing after steamy shots of her in the bath and writhing on a rug were released.
Serena Rees, co-founder of Agent Provocateur, said: "Maggie is not an obvious sex symbol. She is interesting looking, confident and beautiful in a way that is non-threatening, which makes her appealing to men and women alike."
In one shot, Maggie wears a black bra, small corset and tiny panties as she sits open-legged with her arms handcuffed to a chair.
In another image, the actress frolics in a bubble bath wearing a striped all-in-one black outfit, while another picture sees Maggie lying on her back wearing a black corset and suspenders as she 'whispers' coyly into a vintage telephone.
The sexually-charged images are part of 'Lessons in Lingerie', the first in a series of erotic fiction books entitled 'The Adventures of Miss A.P.'.
The next book, 'Lady of the Manor', will be released in November.
Burlesque star Dita Von Teese and Kylie Minogue have featured in previous Agent Provocateur campaigns.
Maggie is accustomed to making the most of her sex appeal.
She first grabbed cinemagoers attentions after starring in 2002 black comedy 'Secretary' - in which she played a personal assistant who loved being spanked by her boss.
The 29-year-old actress, who is engaged to actor Peter Sarsgaard, gave birth to the couple's daughter Ramona last October.

AMY WINEHOUSE BLAKE FIELDER THE NEW SID VICIOUS AND NANCY SPUNGEN.

Brad Pitt fan attack

A: Brad Pitt was left shaken at the Venice Film Festival after a crazed fan burst past security and grabbed him as he was walking down the red carpet.

Brad Pitt was grabbed by a crazed fan at the Venice Film Festival.
The 43-year-old actor, who was walking down the red carpet with lover Angelina Jolie to promote his new film ‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford’, was left shaken after the overzealous woman managed to push past security and launched herself at Brad, throwing her arms around him.
A source said: "It was a very scary moment for Brad and Angelina. The security team should never have allowed her to get so close. She could have been anyone. Brad definitely was not impressed by the incident.”
The female fan, who insisted she only wanted a hug from Brad, was immediately escorted away by security.
Brad recently revealed he and Angelina - who already have a 15-month-old biological daughter, Shiloh, and three adopted children, six-year-old Cambodian boy Maddox, Vietnamese son Pax Thien, three, and two-year-old Ethiopian daughter Zahara - are keen to add to their brood.
When asked if they wanted a fifth child, Brad replied: “Yeah, we are ready.”
The 'Fight Club' star also revealed fatherhood is "the most fun" he's ever had, although he admits he is sleep deprived.

Amy Winehouse has vowed she and husband Blake Fielder-Civil will "not end up dead” like punk icons Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen.

Amy Winehouse has vowed she and husband Blake Fielder-Civil will "not end up dead” like punk icons Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen.
The troubled 'Rehab' singer - who returned to the UK yesterday (03.09.07) with Blake after a week-long holiday in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia - is adamant she and her husband will not follow the same self-destructive path as the Sex Pistol rocker and his drug addict girlfriend.
The 23-year-old singer - who was rushed to hospital after collapsing from a drugs overdose last month - said: "We are not going to end up like them. We're in love and have everything to live for."
Heroin addict Sid was arrested on suspicion of stabbing Nancy to death in 1978. He later died of a drugs overdose in 1979.
Amy and Blake - who were seen in public covered in cuts and blood after a vicious bust-up before they jetted off on holiday - were pictured arm-in-arm as they arrived at Gatwick airport yesterday. Blake was carrying a large framed photograph of the couple on their wedding day under his arm.
The 26-year-old said: "I like having it with me. It's beautiful. It reminds me of what we have together."
Amy is expected to attend the Nationwide Mercury Prize ceremony tonight (04.09.07), where she is hotly tipped to pick up the prestigious award for her critically-acclaimed album 'Back to Black'.
The singer has seen her records race up the UK charts in recent weeks, despite calls from her in-laws to boycott her music.
'Back to Black' is currently number two in the UK album chart, while Amy's debut effort 'Frank' has also re-entered the top 30.
She is among 12 acts nominated for the award – which recognises the best British or Irish album of the last 12 months.
Other nominees include Dizzee Rascal, Arctic Monkeys, The View and Jamie T.

Madonna’s LaChappelle ban

Madonna, Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera have all infuriated celebrity photographer David LaChappelle so much he has refused to ever work with them again.

Madonna, Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera have all been blacklisted by celebrity photographer David LaChappelle.
The photographer and hit music video producer allegedly found the three pop divas so difficult to work with he has refused to ever collaborate with the trio again because he “hates” them.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: "David refused to work with Madonna, Gwen Stefani or Christina Aguilera. He hates them!
"Something weird happened the last time he worked with Gwen, and he has cut her out."
On the flipside, LaChapelle loves Pamela Anderson, Courtney Love and Jennifer Lopez and is happy to offer them his services anytime.
The source revealed: “Jennifer wanted him to work on her latest video for ‘Do It Well’. She had to call him personally, but it worked out well. He loves her."
LaChapelle worked with Aguilera on her infamous video ‘Dirrty’ and with Stefani on the promo for her hit ‘Rich Girl’.
He recently produced Amy Winehouse’s video for ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’.
LaChapelle famously dropped out of working on Madonna’s ‘Hung Up’ video, branding the pop superstar “nasty and cruel”.
He said: “I had written the scenario and was paid for the concept.
“But when I started to analyse what made me happy or not, I understood that she was not the person with who I wished to collaborate.
“She is nice when you are alone with her, but when you work for her, she can be very nasty. She is with people she employs. I didn't want to be tortured.
“I don't have anything against difficulties, but that would have been unpleasant. I would not have had fun. There is cruelty in her.”

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY AND RENéE ZELLWEGER HAVE ENJOYED A ROMANTIC CANDLELIT DINNER.

Sir Paul McCartney and Renée Zellweger have enjoyed a romantic candlelit dinner.

The 65-year-old former Beatle and the 38-year-old actress met for an intimate meal at The American Hotel restaurant, in The Hamptons, on Thursday (30.08.07), just days after being spotted getting cosy at a New York concert.

Renée - who reportedly arrived first at around 8.30pm - greeted Paul with a warm embrace before they sat down at their table by a fireplace.

One diner said: "The dining rooms are extremely dimly lit, mostly with candlelight. It's an extremely romantic place to meet. They really looked like they were enjoying themselves."

The pair - who both have homes in the exclusive upstate New York State area - are said to have spent two hours lingering over their meal before sharing a hug and leaving separately.

The couple were previously pictured having an intimate chat at a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers show in The Hamptons on August 25.

Pete Doherty was with Amy Winehouse on the night she almost died, it has been reported.

The troubled Babyshambles rocker reportedly fled the scene when Amy was rushed to hospital after a drugs overdose last month.

A source told Britain’s Sunday Mirror newspaper: “They had a meal and a few drinks. They took a cocktail of drugs called a speedball, it’s a mixture of heroin and cocaine. Amy couldn’t take it, she is very lucky to be alive.

“She collapsed when they went back to her flat. Pete left because he didn’t want any bad publicity. He didn’t know how to deal with it and thought she was dying. She was foaming at the mouth and fitting – Pete had never seen anything like it.”

Amy and Pete were introduced by mutual friends last year and have been seen drinking together in Camden pub The Hawley Arms, in north London.

They allegedly spent the night together six months ago, while Pete was still dating Kate Moss, but Pete refuses to reveal what happened.

Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams have reportedly split.
The couple, who have a 23-month-old daughter Matilda together, battled to save their “rocky” relationship for the sake of their child but decided to part ways for good several weeks ago.

A source told America's People magazine: "It was rocky for a while. They did what they could to make it work. The split was amicable.”

Heath and Michelle began dating after meeting on the set of ‘Brokeback Mountain’ in 2004.