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.

Former Bluecoat exits X Factor

Scott Bruton has become the third act to be voted off the latest series of X Factor. The 19-year-old former Bluecoat struggled to contain his emotions as he learned that his last-ditch attempt to impress the judges with George Michael's I Can't Make You Love Me had failed. In the Big Band-themed show he was among 10 finalists singing live in front of the judges and studio audience. He was forced to compete against Daniel Evans, 38, after both singers picked up the fewest votes in the public ballot. It was Evans' The Lady Is A Tramp that won the day.  

Brand upsets Fawlty's Manuel

The BBC has come under fire after presenters Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross made a series of crude phone calls to a former Fawlty Towers star. The pair left messages for 78-year-old Andrew Sachs, who played waiter Manuel, in which they told him Brand had slept with his granddaughter. In the pre-recorded segments aired on Brand's Radio 2 show, the host and Ross made the calls after Mr Sachs apparently did not answer his phone for a pre-arranged interview to promote a television show. Mr Sachs was reportedly left "terribly hurt" by the calls and has complained to the BBC.  

Starry night out for PM's wife

Keanu Reeves has been rubbing shoulders with the Prime Minister's wife at the London Film Festival premiere of Anvil! The Story Of Anvil. Sarah Brown was there to support her brother, Sean Macaulay, who was involved in making the movie about a Canadian heavy metal band. Reeves, who was greeted by screaming fans as he signed autographs, attended the Leicester Square event to support his friend Sacha Gervasi, who made the film. The documentary sees Anvil band members, now aged in their 50s, still dedicated to following their rock dreams.

Spears judge declares mistrial

A jury trying Britney Spears for allegedly driving without a valid driver's licence failed to reach a verdict in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old singer was not in court when Judge James Steele declared a mistrial after jurors said they were deadlocked 10-2 in favour of acquitting the pop star. Los Angeles Superior Court had heard that Spears did not have a California driver's licence, but did carry one from Louisiana. Prosecutors said later they would not pursue the case further and it was dismissed. The case started when Spears, who has not been in court for any of it, hit a parked car.

Narrow UK escape for Iglesias

Spanish pop star Enrique Iglesias has emerged unscathed after his plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Luton Airport. The singer was flying over the Atlantic from the US on Monday when his private plane ran into trouble, his record company, Polydor, said. The pilot was forced to shut down one of the jet's engines, and made the emergency landing. No one was hurt. The singer, who has had hits with Hero, Do You Know? and Don't Turn Off The Lights, is on a promotional tour of Europe after the release of his Greatest Hits album.

It's a boy for X Files star, too

Gillian Anderson has given birth to a baby boy, called Felix, at a London hospital, her agent has said. The baby, who was born, on October 15 weighing 6lb 15oz, is the second child for X Files star Anderson, 40, with her partner Mark Griffiths. The couple live in London. The pair have a one-year-old son Oscar, and Anderson has a 13-year-old daughter, Piper, from her first marriage to X  Files art director Clyde Klotz. Speaking at a film premiere last month, Anderson said of the baby's name: "I have chosen something - but I don't think it's crazy."

Baby boy joy for Piper and Fox

Billie Piper has given birth to a baby boy by emergency Caesarean section. The news was announced by Piper's husband Laurence Fox outside the Portland Hospital in London. Fox said of his son: "He is beautiful, he is sweet." They have named the 6lb 11oz baby Winston James Fox. He said: "Billie is happy, of course she is, she's a mum. I am tired, but not as tired as her - I am a proud father." One of Piper's first visitors was her delighted ex-husband and Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, who said: "Mum is very happy and I am really pleased. There are some tears of joy up there." 

I'm no child star, insists Kristin

Kristin Chenoweth has said she can never shop over the phone, because her high-pitched voice means she is usually mistaken for a child. The 40-year-old West Wing actress has given up trying to order gifts for friends and family, as operators never  believe she is an adult. Chenoweth, who plays Deputy Press Secretary Annabeth Schott in the US political drama, said: "I try to order flowers and they won't let me. "My credit card company told me a child was trying to use my card. It sucks. People call me and ask if my mom is home. It's frustrating." 

Anchor attack not job-related

Police investigating an attack on a popular TV anchorwoman have found no evidence to suggest she was targeted because of her high-profile job. KATV anchor Anne Pressly, 26, is in a critical but stable condition after being found in her home in Arkansas with severe head injuries. Investigators had considered whether a stalker or someone in the news recently may have beaten Pressly, but police said there was no evidence of that. Police have not yet been able to talk to Pressly. Her purse was missing and burglary is a possibility, but there was no sign of forced entry.

LiLo taken to court for joyriding

Lindsay Lohan is being sued by three men who claim she hijacked a car and held them hostage last July. Ronnie Blake, Jakon Sutter and Dante Nigro accuse the Mean Girls star of commandeering the sports utility vehicle they were passengers in, after a party in She then drove off in the car and was stopped by police on the Pacific Coast Highway after going through a red light.

Katy sparks anger with a knife

Katy Perry has angered anti-knife campaigners after being pictured holding a flick-knife. The 23-year-old Californian singer, whose smash hit I Kissed A Girl reached Number One in 20 countries, is seen posing with the three-inch blade in a publicity shot which is available online. The photograph has angered families of those affected by knife crime, who are concerned that the star will set a bad example to teenagers. Richard Taylor, the father of stab victim Damilola Taylor, told The Sun: "This woman's behaviour is unacceptable. She must be out of her mind."  

Lip jab compensation for Burns

Eighties pop star Pete Burns will receive a payout from a Harley Street doctor for botched lip injections, his lawyers have said. The singer took legal action against surgeon Dr Maurizio Viel after suffering swelling and blisters after he received the treatment. Burns was injected with a product called Outline Original and was not adequately warned of possible side-effects, law firm Irwin Mitchell said. Last week the doctor's legal team told the High Court that he admitted the allegations, paving the way for a payout  which has not yet been agreed. 

Geldof realistic about marriage

Newlywed Peaches Geldof has said she did not enter into her marriage believing it would necessarily last forever. The 19-year-old wed Chester French guitarist Max Drummey, 24, in Las Vegas in August. She told Heat magazine that she loves her husband, but knows marriages fail. Geldof, whose own parents married in Las Vegas in 1986 and later separated said: "You can't ignore divorce rates." She said: "I didn't go into it with Max thinking this is going to last forever." But she did think: "I love him right now and I know that I will continue to love him for a long while." 

Hathaway braves soggy London

Hollywood star Anne Hathaway braved soggy London for the UK premiere of her acclaimed film Rachel Getting Married. Appearing in a rainy Leicester Square, the star, who wore a blue gown which trailed on the floor, said cheerily: "I've been rained on and almost tripped on the red carpet." Hathaway, who shot to fame in The Devil Wears Prada, takes on the dark and troubled role of Kym for the family drama Rachel Getting Married which is being tipped for Oscar glory. The story sees Kym return from rehab to the family home for the wedding of her sister, Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt).

Fiona boosts Roadshow ratings

Fiona Bruce has helped Antiques Roadshow to its top ratings for four years - with some eight million viewers tuning in last Sunday night. The 44-year-old cult BBC1 programme attracted more than a third of the available audience when it broadcast from Southwell Minster, Notts. Average viewing figures are up from 5.9 million for the last series, presented by Michael Aspel, to around seven million now it is fronted by Bruce. And ratings are set to jump even more next month when what is promised to be its highest value item is featured in the show. 

New-look Katona cried with joy

Kerry Katona has been showing off her drastic new look by posing naked in a lads' mag, just a few weeks after spending £15,000 on surgery. She has stripped off for Zoo magazine, for the first pictures since going under the knife in August to have her GG breasts reduced by two sizes to an E. She has also had extensive lipsuction to get rid of her fat - and the Iceland ads star says she is knocked out by her brand-new look. Kerry, 28, has told the mag: "I cried at first because I was so shocked. I love it. My waist has got smaller and my boobs have been healing."

My pal Madonna - by Gwyneth

Gwyneth Paltrow is supporting her pop star friend Madonna through her divorce, the Hollywood actress has revealed. At the premiere of her new film Two Lovers, the Oscar winner said: "She's a very good friend. I'm supporting her in all the ways that I can. I'm just there for her." The pair have a well-publicised friendship and are both yoga fans as well as splitting their time between the US and UK. Paltrow's new movie, in which she stars with Joaquin Phoenix, tells the tale of a heartbroken man whose parents try to set him up with the daughter of a family friend.

Coogan is forgiven by Norfolk

Comedian Steve Coogan was cheered off stage after visiting the city he was once accused of ridiculing as spoof radio DJ Alan Partridge. Coogan took to the boards at Norwich's Theatre Royal in front of a sell-out audience. And they apparently warmed to him despite his previous jibes. It was his first performance in the city since provoking outrage in Norfolk over his portrayal of the county. In 2002, civic leaders accused Coogan's character of portraying it as "a backwater populated by yokels" on his hugely-successful BBC show, I'm Alan Partridge.

Gervais wants Extras to return

Ricky Gervais says he misses the series Extras more than The Office - and he has an idea for one more show where Andy Millman tries to make it in Hollywood. He has told Zoo magazine that The Office had to finish when it did, but Extras could still go "on and on". Gervais, who stars in the Hollywood movie Ghost Town, reckons the characters in Extras were better. Asked what he thought about bringing it back, Gervais reveals: "The truth is I have an idea for one more Extras, which would work best as another Christmas special." 

Katy: Yes, I did kiss a girl once

Singer Katy Perry has revealed that she really did once kiss another girl - and liked it. The 23-year-old old Californian musician's single I Kissed A Girl has celebrated more than five million worldwide sales. Now, in an interview with OK! magazine, she has told of her experience as a teenager. Perry is asked if she really had kissed a girl. She replies: "Of course. I think I was 19. I kissed a girl and it was great." She says it went no further and she did not write the song about that one experience or person. She adds her boyfriend understands the "tongue-in-cheek" aspect of the song.

Depardieu buries troubled son

The big names of French showbiz have turned out for the funeral of the troubled son of film star Gerard Depardieu, who died from pneumonia. France's first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, joined the parents and sister of Guillaume Depardieu for a final farewell to the 37-year old in a Paris suburb.

Weird to be back, says Kudrow

Friends star Lisa Kudrow has revisited the Central Perk coffee shop set for an appearance on a chat show, and admitted it was strange to be back. The actress - Phoebe in the hit series - was appearing in a skit for comedienne Ellen DeGeneres' show.

Pitt heads for Achilles in space

Brad Pitt is being lined up for an adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey set in outer space, reports from US say. The 44-year-old, who played fearsome Greek warrior Achilles in 2004's Troy, an adaptation of Homer's Iliad, is expected to star in and may produce the film, Daily Variety reported.

Leona spurns £1m Harrods gig

Leona Lewis has reportedly turned down a £1 million offer to open the Harrods sale - because the store sells fur products. The Bleeding Love singer was reportedly asked by the London store's owner Mohammed al Fayed to open the January sale, but refused on principle.

World of music praising Stubbs

Tributes are being paid to Levi Stubbs, the lead singer in the Four Tops, who has died at the age of 72 after a long battle with illness. Stubbs died in Detroit, Michigan, the birthplace of Motown music and the city where he was born, raised and formed the Four Tops in 1954.

Freeman hailing rape acquittal

The 28-year-old actor admitted that he knew the girl, who is from Cheshire, was 16 at the time - but said she never resisted his advances. The actor, who took time off from his role to fight the allegation, denied the charge at the High Court in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Comic denies cutting phone-in

Kay, from Bolton, is notoriously secret about his private life, although he did answer a question about his mother. But he appeared to hang up when Derbyshire went on to ask more about his lifestyle at home. His office insisted: "Peter was cut off during the conversation.

Britney trial jury to meet again

The jury in Britney Spears' trial for driving without a valid driving licence will resume their deliberations on Monday. It follows a two-day hearing that Spears was not required to attend. It went ahead after she rejected a plea deal that would have seen her fined $150 and given one year's probation.

Guy Ritchie set for £60m settlement?

Guy Ritchie will net a hefty £60m in a surprise early divorce deal with Madonna, it has been claimed. The Sun says the movie director will get various properties, including the couple's 1,200-acre country estate, and will be "satisfied" with the payoff.