Monday, October 27, 2008

Dido returns with new album

Singer-songwriter Dido is back from a five-year break with a new album called Safe Trip Home, released next month. The star told Sky's Steve Hargrave she had been relaxing, writing and coping with the loss of her dad since she last enjoyed chart success with 2003 album Life For Rent. Dido's new album is a more mature piece of work that also marks the debut of Dido the drummer - an instrument she has only just learned to play. "It was really fun. I'm probably actually horrendous but I enjoy every single minute of playing them. I recommend it to anyone," she told Sky News.

Foster is voted off dance show

Swimmer Mark Foster has become the sixth celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing after being 'a fish out of water' on the dancefloor. The Olympian may have failed to impress the panel of judges but he delighted members of the audience by ripping off his sequinned shirt. Foster and his partner Hayley Holt faced a dance-off against TV presenter Andrew Castle and Ola Jordan. Judge Len Goodman said: "The trouble is, you're not a natural dancer so everything you do, everything you move, is taught and because it's all taught it can look a bit awkward." 

Girl's Aloud take top chart spot

Girls Aloud have gone straight to number one - their fourth chart-topping single. The girl band's new song The Promise entered the charts at the top spot, making it the 19th single from the glamorous band, who were formed on ITV1's talent show Popstars: The Rivals back in 2002. The song, taken from their fifth studio album, Out of Control, knocked punky Pennsylvanian singer Pink off the top, where she had spent three weeks. There was another new entry at number three, with German ravers The Guru Josh Project making it into the top five.

Wino costume for Halloween do

Cindy Crawford attended a Halloween fancy dress party not in a traditional witch or ghost costume - but dressed as Amy Winehouse. The star donned a beehive hair-do, heavy make-up and arms covered in mock tattoos. Her resemblance to the troubled singer was uncanny. The supermodel opted for a strappy leopard print dress and huge hoop earrings to complete Amy's trademark trashy look. While Amy, 25, tends to look increasingly bedraggled, Cindy still managed to look attractive despite efforts to disguise herself as the London singer. 

Katona hits back at Schofield

Kerry Katona has slammed presenter Phillip Schofield for failing to question her properly over her mental illness during her shambolic appearance on his daytime chat show. She branded the assumptions that she was drunk on the show as 'discrimination against bipolar people'. Appearing on This Morning last week, the mother-of-four shocked viewers by slurring her way through an interview. When Schofield pointed out her unusual speech, Kerry said it  was her medication for bipolar  disorder - manic depression -  and denied the suggestion that she had a drink problem.

Comedian hits out at Kent town

Comedian Alan Carr has branded audience in a Kent town as "homophobic narrow-minded morons". The camp TV presenter, who has performed in Maidstone several times before, told the Sun newspaper: "They hated me. I never lasted more than seven minutes. "I've never had a good show in Maidstone. The first time I played there I had to get a taxi to my car because the audience wanted to beat me up." Carr, 32, who currently hosts Channel 4's Celebrity Ding Ding, added further insult by adding that, "half the people there can't read".    

Keitel seeks advice on DCI Hunt

It's not often DCI Gene Hunt is left speechless but the man who plays him, actor Philip Glenister, was lost for words when he got a call from Hollywood star Harvey Keitel. The Reservoir Dogs legend is filling the iconic cop's slip-ons in the US version of Life On Mars and called for some tips. The series has been painstakingly recreated in New York with very few changes made to the original script. Glenister, who is filming the second series of Life on Mars follow-up Ashes to Ashes, has been nominated for a National Television Award for his part as politically-incorrect Gene Hunt.