British tabloids duped by celebrity hoaxes

LONDON (AFP) – A British filmmaker duped some of the country's top tabloid newspapers into printing fake stories about celebrities, including one about Amy Winehouse's beehive catching fire, he said on Thursday.

Chris Atkins and his team put in hoax calls to some of Britain's best known newsrooms, including that one girl band singer was a physics wizard, only to see the details printed -- unchecked -- in the press the next day.

Among the celebrity 'sightings' they invented was a tale about how troubled British singer Winehouse had been playing music with friends when the fuse blew and set fire to her hair in its trademark beehive style.

The story appeared in two major tabloid papers, before being splashed across the Internet, Atkins told the Guardian newspaper.

"We wanted to test how much truth there is in much of the celebrity stories that now completely dominate all areas of our news media," said the director, who details the team's two-year investigations in a new movie, "Starsuckers".

"And we specifically wanted to see how much journalists fact-checked their stories. So in order to do this, we made some stories up.

"We made up a whole range of crazy tales of celebrity mishap and tried to see how easy it would be to get these into the tabloid press.

"On no account were any of the stories we sold and were printed fact-checked in any way. They could've been fact-checked and they would have shown to be the nonsense they were within minutes."

In another incident, one of Atkins' colleagues called a best-selling newspaper pretending to be the wife of a furniture removal man who said he had helped Sarah Harding of British girl band Girls Aloud to move house.

She detailed how the blonde singer had lots of books on quantum physics and a telescope at home, sparking headlines that "Sarah's a boffin" and prompting a flurry of stories across the world.

Atkins insisted that despite being offered money for the stories, his team was never paid for their work -- although he recommended selling fake stories to the tabloids as an easy way to make a quick buck during the recession.

US star disappointed no kangaroos at Aussie airport

SYDNEY (AFP) – "Couples Retreat" star Kristen Bell admitted she was disappointed no kangaroos met her at Sydney airport when she arrived for a promotional tour, a report said on Thursday.

Not only did the 29-year-old blonde expect kangaroos at the airport, she was also hoping for a welcoming hug.

"I, like every other stupid American, assumed the kangaroos would meet us at the airport and they would want to hug us as much as we wanted to hug them," she told AAP news agency in an interview in Los Angeles.

"That's really the perspective we have here. Going there kind of opened my eyes that that's not the case."

However Bell, who also appears in hit TV series "Gossip Girl" and voices a character in new animated film "Astro Boy," said the gaps in her marsupial knowledge were cleared up by a trip to Sydney's zoo.

"We did get a backstage tour of the zoo and got to see some of the marsupials they reared there," Bell said.

"I did find out about the koalas and how eucalyptus makes them high and why they sleep all day. They're little druggies."

Britney does it again on singles chart

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Oops, Britney Spears has done it again, with the U.S. pop singer cementing her comeback with a new single, "3," rocketing to No. 1 in its debut week.

Proving her popularity has not waned despite a personal and career meltdown in 2007 and 2008, "3" entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the top, making her the first artist with a debut No. 1 in more than three years, Billboard said on Wednesday.

The single, from her new album, "The Singles Collection," due out on November 10, is the first No. 1 debut since Taylor Hicks' 2006 hit "Do I Make You Proud" and the first non-"American Idol" song to enter the chart at No. 1 in almost 11 years.

"I want to thank my fans for making '3' the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100," Spears, 27, said in a statement.

"I am truly blessed with the greatest fans in the world and I am so happy y'all love it because I do this all for you."

Spears has sold more than 63 million albums worldwide since her debut as a teen pop phenomenon with the single "... Baby One More Time" in 1998.

But in recent years she has made more headlines for her erratic behavior and struggles, including losing the custody of her two children.

She has staged a comeback, however, with her last two albums. "Womanizer," released in late 2008, was her first No. 1 album in almost a decade. Her current tour to promote her most recent studio album, "Circus," is her first U.S. tour since 2004.

Her new single and album are released by Sony record label Jive.

(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Sugita Katyal)

Taylor Swift to host 'Saturday Night Live'

By CAITLIN R. KING, Associated Press Writer Caitlin R. King, Associated Press Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Taylor Swift will have the stage to herself next month — with no interruptions — when she hosts "Saturday Night Live."

The only question is: Who will play Kanye West?

Last month, West hijacked Swift's acceptance speech after she became the first country star to win best female video at the MTV Video Music Awards. West grabbed the microphone and declared that Beyonce's nominated video for "Single Ladies" was one of the "best videos of all time."

"I've been thinking about skit ideas for a long time," the 19-year-old Swift said. "There are definitely some hilarious things that have happened to me over the past couple of months that I think will be pretty substantial skits."

Swift called the chance to host on Nov. 7 "mind-blowing" and says it's been difficult to keep it a secret since producers asked her during the summer. She said she loved her experience in January when she was a musical guest, and will again perform when she hosts.

"I love being around people who I feel have a different kind of creative genius," said Swift. "And the funny genius is definitely a fascinating one to be around."

Swift joins a group of artists who have pulled double duty on the show, including Justin Timberlake, Sting and Janet Jackson.

Like Timberlake, Swift hopes to collaborate with cast member Andy Samberg on a digital short music video.

"Of course I've been such a fan for a long time, but I've gone back and re-watched everything over the past couple of months and digital shorts would be so much fun to do, because they've been done so well. Andy Samberg is hilarious."

In addition to "SNL," Swift is keeping busy since finishing the first leg of her "Fearless" tour over the weekend. She will perform on "Dancing With the Stars" Oct. 27.

"Fearless" has sold more than 4 million copies.

Her career record sales now top 10 million albums and 20 million paid song downloads.

She has been nominated for four CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year, the youngest artist in history to be honored. She has had five No. 1 singles on country charts and two consecutive No. 1 songs on the pop charts.

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On the Net: http://www.taylorswift.com

Singer Leona Lewis cancels German trip after attack

LONDON (AFP) – British singer Leona Lewis cancelled a planned visit to Germany Thursday as she recovered from being punched in the head during a book signing, her spokesman said.

The 24-year-old, who last year became the first British woman to top the US charts for more than 20 years with her single "Bleeding Love", pulled out of the one-day promotional trip following Wednesday's attack.

"Leona was due to go to Germany today for promo but that has now been cancelled," the spokesman said, adding: "Leona is obviously shocked after yesterday but is OK."

Lewis had been signing copies of her autobiography for around 90 minutes at a book store in the upmarket Piccadilly district of London when "a guy came up and punched her to the side of the head," the spokesman said Wednesday.

The three-time Grammy Award nominee suffered bruising to the side of her head and was "understandably badly shaken."

The spokesman said he did not hear the man say anything to Lewis during the "unprovoked" incident and security officers swiftly intervened.

A police spokesman said a man had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault.

Lewis catapulted to fame after winning a TV talent show in 2006.

Judge to decide: Keep Letterman warrants sealed?

By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN, Associated Press Writer John Christoffersen, Associated Press Writer

NORWALK, Conn. – A Connecticut judge has rejected a prosecutor's request to close a hearing in the case of a newsman accused of trying to blackmail David Letterman.

Norwalk Superior Court Judge Bruce Hudok ruled Thursday that arguments over whether search warrants should remain under wraps will be handled in open court.

Prosecutor Suzanne Vieux (VEW) is asking Hudok to keep closed the search warrants for the home and car of CBS News producer Robert J. "Joe" Halderman.

Halderman has pleaded not guilty to trying to extort $2 million from the late-night TV host in return for keeping some of the comedian's sexual affairs quiet.

Vieux's motion says releasing the search warrants could subject witnesses to media scrutiny and hurt the prosecution. The judge says he will review certain sensitive information himself.

Divorce, Gosselin style, for 'Jon & Kate'

(CNN) - They say that breaking up is hard to do, especially when millions of eyes are there to witness every caustic comment and verbal volley.

Kate and Jon Gosselin are going through a very public and contentious divorce.

No one knows that better than Jon and Kate Gosselin, whose divorce is playing out on a world stage, complete with tabloid covers, he-said-she-said television appearances and court orders.

Such public spats can do a great deal of harm, said divorce attorney Randall M. Kessler, who's handled several celebrity cases.

"I just gave a presentation where I said, 'When can press hurt you? It's when clients start talking,' " Kessler said. "The hard thing for [famous people] to do is to not speak out, because they are so used to everything they say being quoted and helping them, but this is the opposite. Talking about a divorce is never good."

The Gosselins join a growing list of celebrities whose marital woes have been well-documented by the media and paparazzi. See a gallery of celebrity custody battles »

Kessler has represented quite a few clients involved in celebrity divorce cases, including Tameka Foster Raymond (who is in the midst of a divorce with superstar singer Usher) and rapper Mack 10 (ex-husband of TLC member Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins), as well as some high-profile paternity and child support lawsuits.

Celebrities often want to protect their reputations and the wrong sound bite can ruin that, Kessler said. Yet, at the same time, it can be difficult for the famous to take direction, he said.

"They are so used to being in charge of their own destiny and being able to decide what's best for them that it's very hard for them to listen to attorneys, accountants or anyone that is trying to advise them," Kessler said.

Viewers have questioned who, if anyone, Jon and Kate Gosselin are taking cues from in their very public marital battle.

In May, Kate defended her husband against rumors that he had been cheating on her and stepping out while she stayed home with their twins and sextuplets.

Weeks later they used their enormously popular TLC reality show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8", to admit what fans had begun to suspect: Their marriage was on the rocks.

Soon they announced that they were divorcing, but would continue filming -- albeit separately -- their series, which for four seasons had chronicled the highs and lows of their family life.

It all appeared to be relatively civil until Jon began stepping out with his new girlfriend, moved to a bachelor pad in New York and appeared to be living the high life with shopping sprees and designer duds.

Jon took to the airwaves to reveal that he "despised Kate." Kate lamented that she missed "the Jon I knew."

TLC announced in October that the reality show would continue as "Kate Plus 8" and Jon immediately called a halt to filming, claiming the series was doing damage to their children.

Within days, Kate accused Jon of making off with more than $200,000 from their joint bank account. A judge ordered him to return $180,000 to the account.

Through it all, both have maintained they each have the best interests of their children at heart. Child psychologist Joanne Pedro-Carroll said the Gosselins are in a precarious position.

"It's very concerning, especially given how public this is and the children's young ages, which makes them especially vulnerable," Pedro-Carroll said. "One of the things we know with really young children is that they are prone to misconceptions about the reasons for the breakup."

While Jon and Kate haven't so far added a bitter custody dispute to their matrimonial melee, Pedro-Carroll said she worries about the long-term effect on the young Gosselins.

"Sadly, the things that are happening now, with all of this conflict and having it be so public, puts these children very much at risk for having problems," said Pedro-Carroll, author of the forthcoming book "Putting Children First: Proven Parenting Strategies for Helping Children Thrive After Divorce." "I worry about the children being pulled into loyalty conflicts, thinking about who the good person here is and who's the bad person, when children very much need two loving, responsible parents in their lives."

Kessler said he advises his celebrity clients to, when possible, keep the children out of the media and receive training in cooperative parenting.

Lisa Pecot-Hebert, an assistant professor at the College of Communication at DePaul University, said she believes many viewers can relate to the Gosselins' divorce drama.

Fans can also view the family's situation as a cautionary tale, she said.

"I think viewers can learn that sometimes when people let cameras into their personal lives for our entertainment, oftentimes it ruins what was theirs to begin with," Pecot-Hebert said.

David Gest to sell his Michael Jackson memorabilia for charity

David Gest is auctioning a collection of rare Michael Jackson memorabilia.

The 56-year-old star, who was good friends with the late pop icon, has decided to part ways with a series of items he has collected over the years and will donate proceeds of the sale to charities Liverpool Unites and the Variety Club.

David said: "I am delighted to donate this rare Michael Jackson memorabilia from my personal collection to two very worthwhile charities that I strongly support - I wanted to do something special for children that are in need.

"Liverpool has become a second home to me and that is why I have chosen Liverpool Unites alongside the national Variety Club charity, and my best friend Michael Jackson would have agreed."

Among the items David is selling is an original vinyl 'Thriller' album which has never been played.

A never-before-seen photograph of the 'King of Pop' - who died of acute Propofol intoxication on June 25 - is also being sold-off.

The picture in framed with a veil, and is signed "Michael Jackson 1998".

Another picture of the Jackson family, including all their autographs, is also being made available.

David added: "If I can even put a smile on one child's face, then I am a better man today than I was yesterday. I hope you will all join in and bid for these one-of-a-kind items that will help raise the much needed funds these charities so richly deserve."

The auction of 18 items began last Friday (09.10.09) and runs until Monday October 19.

Liverpool Unites aims to improve the lives of underprivileged children and young people in the UK city, while the Variety Club - which has been running for 60 years - helps sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.

To place a bid, visit www.liverpoolunites.co.uk/michaeljackson.

Katie Price's Alex say Junior accidentally calls him 'Dad'

Katie Price's son Junior has accidentally called her boyfriend Alex Reid "dad".

The cage-fighter has grown very close to Katie's three children - Junior, four, and two-year-old Princess Tiaamii, her kids with soon-to-be ex-husband Peter Andre, and seven-year-old Harvey her son from a previous relationship - and on occasions Junior has mistakenly used the name for him.

Alex said in an interview with Britain's OK! magazine: "I love the kids, and that's so scary in a new relationship, I've totally fallen for them. They are amazing. Junior did actually once call me 'dad'. Of course, I corrected him immediately. I said, 'No, I'm not daddy, I'm Alex.' As much as I'd love to be his father, he has a dad. Pete is good with them, I would never dispute his skills as a father."

Although Alex is adamant Peter is a great father he insists he also has a special "bond" with them.

He explained: "I've bonded with Junior like you would not believe. He wants me to put him to bed, rather than Katie. I do boxing and wrestling with him. Katie says he enjoys having a man around the house, to do boy things. This week, we went to his first Harvest Festival at school and it was just great to see his little face light up when he turned around and saw both of us there."

The 34-year-old hard man also admitted he thinks it's "fun" dressing up as his female alter-ego 'Roxanne'.

He said: "On special occasions, it's a bit of fun. I've dressed up as a woman. And it's a laugh. So what?

"I can express myself sexually, definitely. I'm not worried about social stigmas. If I go out and wear a dress, so f***ing what? But I'm not one of those guys who likes to go to the supermarket dressed as a woman. And I don't want a sex change. I'm tri-sexual, I'd try anything."

Amy Winehouse tells goddaughter to stay out of trouble

Amy Winehouse advises her goddaughter to "stay on the right path".

The 'Rehab' singer, who is famed for her wild nights out and drug addiction battles, is concerned 13-year-old singer Dionne Bromfield may follow her example. Amy is determined to ensure the fledgling star does not get involved with alcohol or illegal substances.

Dionne said: "Amy tells me to stay on the right path all the time. I wish she could have as well - but she wants what is right for me. And I know what's right and what's wrong."

Dionne is signed to Amy's Lioness record label, and is soon to release her first album 'Introducing Dionne Bromfield'.

The record - which is a covers album of Motown classics including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' and new single 'Mama Said' - includes a number of duets with Amy, which the 26-year-old star hopes will help launch Dionne's career.

Dionne added: "She always says, 'I'm doing this for you Dionne, and your career.' "

Amy has previously praised Dionne's voice, insisting she is a better singer than she was in her youth.

Dionne is thrilled to be releasing her first record - she performed on UK TV for the first time last weekend - and says Amy is helping prepare her for fame.

She said: "I'm very lucky, I'm being very well looked after. I've been into Motown all my life. My mum has always played the songs and Amy adores them as well. We play them and sing along together.

"I'm always being told that once the album comes out, it's going to be big. They say it's the calm before the storm."

LeAnn Rimes pours heartbreak into new material

LeAnn Rimes' next album is inspired by her marriage split.

The 27-year-old singer - who is getting divorced from Dean Sheremet following her affair with her 'Northern Lights' co-star Eddie Cibrian - has poured her heartbreak into her new material, which is due to be released in the spring.

She told People magazine: "Most of the stuff I've written myself, so it's definitely my life. The subjects of the tunes are down the middle between heartbreak and love."

LeAnn has found writing new material helped her come to terms with the changes in her personal life.

She explained: "Part of my therapy is to write. I write with a lot of my best friends, so most of our meetings are therapy sessions that turn into songs.

"I'm great. I'm really happy and I am enjoying being back between Los Angeles and Nashville. With work and my personal life, everything's good. It really is."

Despite their split, LeAnn and Dean - who were married for seven years - remain friends.

Dean recently said he still speaks to LeAnn, adding he is "pretty good" at the moment.

LeAnn and Eddie's relationship was first exposed in March, although she initially denied it.

Although she has not publicly confirmed the reports, LeAnn announced she was divorcing Dean in September - shortly after Eddie's wife Brandi Glanville announced she was seeking a divorce.

Gwen Stefani takes the family on tour...

Gwen Stefani has enjoyed travelling with her youngest son.

The No Doubt singer - who has two boys, Kingston, three, and 13-month-old Zuma with husband Gavin Rossdale - has just returned from a trip with her band to Russia and was pleased to have some time alone with Zuma.

Gwen - who played a private concert with her band in the country - said: "It works out well to have just Zuma with me because now it is one-on-one for him, which is really special.

"He has really blossomed in the last few days. It has been perfect. I knew I couldn't be without him."

Gwen has previously spoke of her worry about taking her children on tour as she wasn't sure how her No Doubt bandmates would cope with her growing entourage.

She said: "Before, when I was with the guys, I didn't have any kids. That's like, whoa, a huge deal. The dynamic of the band is different. It has to be.

"I've got two babies and their nanny, and an assistant, and my security, and a hairdresser. It's not as much of a party, but that's what I need in order to perform every night."

Courtney Cox-Arquette's baby clock is ticking

Courteney Cox-Arquette is getting ready to have another child because "time's a-ticking".

The 45-year-old actress has revealed she and husband David Arquette - who presently have daughter Coco, five - are preparing to have a second child while they still can.

Courteney is quoted by gossip blogger Perez Hilton as saying: "We're not trying yet. We're revving up the engines. I'm only ready because time's a-ticking.

"If I was 34, I'd wait another year. I want Coco to be helping me with the next one. One child is hard. Two is probably harder."

The former 'Friends' actress is comfortable with her age and her body and had no problems stripping off for the pilot of her new TV show 'Cougar Town', which sees her character Jules Cobb examining her naked body in a mirror.

Courteney added: "I'm not the young one anymore. I'm not going to be the up-and-comer. When you accept this certain thing about getting older - and I'm not saying there's anything wrong - it's just that I'm just not 20 anymore.

"I'm not in my 30s. And that's OK. There's something very freeing about that."

Courteney and David, 38, will star together in horror movie 'Scream IV' which is set to be filmed next year.

Jessica Simpson mourns the death of her dog...

Jessica Simpson believes her dead dog would want her to have another pooch.

The singer-and-actress - who was left devastated when her Maltipoo Daisy was taken by a coyote last month - is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her pet, but draws comfort in knowing Daisy would want her to move on.

She said: "I haven't really thought about another dog yet, but maybe sometime. Daisy would want that."

Jessica, 29, still finds it hard to discuss Daisy, who was a gift from her ex-husband Nick Lachey.

She admitted: "Daisy meant the world to me. I hold her memory very, very close. It was an unfortunate thing what happened. That I don't have her every day... It's a very hard thing to talk about."

Daisy was snatched as Jessica looked on.

She immediately began a campaign to get the dog back, posting messages on her Twitter account and placing posters around her neighbourhood calling for information.

Earlier this week, Jessica - who joked Daisy was a lesbian after she struck up a close friendship with another female dog - revealed people had been falsely claiming Daisy was alive.

She wrote on her Twitter webpage: "People have been contacting my family and friends saying that Daisy has been found. Untrue. People are so cruel... please respect her memory (sic)."