Did Matt steal Flavia?

By Jane Murphy

We have to admit: we're very confused with all these post-Strictly Come Dancing romance rumours doing the rounds at the moment.

Last week, we heard finalists Matt Di Angelo and Alisha Dixon had been secretly dating during their time on the show. But now it appears Matt may have been romancing dance partner Flavia Cacace all along...

And how do we know this? Flavia's ex, fellow Strictly star Vincent Simone, has given an emotional interview to The People, in which he accuses Matt of stealing his girlfriend of 13 years.

"I thought we'd be together forever and get married, but now I don't know what's going on," he reveals. "I didn't even want to go to the end-of-show wrap party but I forced myself. When she and Matt went off to cosy up on a sofa in the corner together, that was it."

Vincent claims he took Flavia to one side - and she revealed she had fallen for Matt after all. "She should have told me before and the fact she didn't upset me more," he continues. "I was so angry and upset with her, disappointed too. I'm suffering every single day I'm not with her." Poor old Vincent, eh?

But - hang on! According to today's Daily Mirror, Flavia says her romance with Vincent ended because of his flirting, not because of her relationship with Matt. "She's not denying she's close to Matt, but that's not the real reason they split," says a friend. As we said, it's all very confusing...

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Looking back on 2007

We only got our shiny new Celebrity blog out of its cellophane wrapping back in October, so maybe it’s a little bit too early to be getting all nostalgic. But hell, we don’t care, it’s the end of the year and the perfect time for flashbacks galore. Here are the year’s five most commented-upon posts…

1. Heather goes to war
Top comment: “If you put yourself in the public eye, you need to accept the consequences. My tip for Heather is 'silence is golden'.” Lucy

2. Ulrika’s pregnant!
Top comment: “How many more husbands, fathers, children, mothers-in-law, cousins etc. will she be related to. Her Xmas list must be enormous…” Sue

3. Chantelle gets new boobs
Top comment: “BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER!!! AND I WOULD'NT MIND HOLDIN HER!!!” Pads

4. SJP: the world’s least sexy woman?
Top comment: “i would rather gouge out my eyeballs than talk to her. she makes me not want to live.” Patrick

5. Ziggy gets naked
Top comment: “Thanks that should have come with a government health warning, what are you trying to do kill people i have been retching for the last half an hour.” Ken

We'll meet you back here after Christmas. Have a good one, everybody!

Beckham bags the posh seats

Posted by Helen Jennings

Victoria Beckham might be the only Spice Girl without a solo song on their current stint at London’s O2 Arena – but she has managed to blag the best guest list seats.

Queen B, as she probably likes to call herself, has booked the whole of row B, the best seats in the VIP area, for her family and friends. This has forced the other members of the group to find room for their guests further back.

Apparently she ensured she was the first to talk to the venue’s promoters to secure the row – and Mel B, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Mel C are none too pleased.

A source tells The Sun: “She booked up a whole row just for her family so they had the best view of the stage. The girls’ jaws dropped when they found out they had been beaten to the punch by Victoria.”

Well, if you can’t join them, beat them!

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Picture: Rex

Chantelle's new squeeze

Posted by Jane Murphy

We have no idea what Chantelle Houghton has done to upset the Daily Star's gossip columnists - but they've been less than flattering about her latest conquest.

According to the feisty tittle-tattle trio, the "talent vacuum" is finally getting over her marriage break-up - by putting the moves on tabloid-friendly womaniser Calum Best. And how exactly has she managed that? Well, apparently, she "hypnotised him with her huge spacehopper breasts" at London's Funky Buddha on Tuesday night. Gosh - what a charming image!

The couple later headed off for dinner at swanky eaterie Nobu. And in an unusual move for Mr Best, he's actually done the unthinkable - and arranged a second date with the Big Brother babe this weekend. Good luck with that, Chantelle!

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Paris Hilton: Little Miss Christmas

Posted by Helen Jennings

Paris Hilton has come over all festive in the photo that appears on the Christmas card she's sending to fans and friends this year.

In the yuletide snap she poses in a jolly red outfit holding her poor pet Tinkerbell dressed up as a very small canine version of Santa Claus.

See the Seasons Greetings photo here.

Can’t you hear carols just looking at her? It’s what the birth of Christ is all about.

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Best of British?

Posted by Jane Murphy

So who's the sexiest British film star of all time? There's a clue in the picture, folks. According to a new poll by Empire magazine, it's Mr Bond himself, Daniel Craig.

Still, when it comes to international stars, dapper Daniel could only manage third place - behind Angelina Jolie (obviously) and Natalie Portman.

But what about all the oldies? Are Ange and Nat really hotter than Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield? And is Daniel definitely sexier than James Dean or Humphrey Bogart?

Personally, I've always had a thing for Carry On star Sid James - but each to their own, eh? So who's your all-time sexiest film star? Post a message below and let us know.

Picture: PA

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Kidman does Tin Man

Posted by Jane Murphy

It looks like Nicole Kidman decided to get into the festive spirit - by going to the Sydney premiere of new movie The Golden Compass dressed as the Tin Man from The Wizard Of Oz.

Australia's favourite export (sorry, Kylie) looked in danger of going rusty as she hung around on the red carpet to sign autographs in the pouring rain.

Nicole had clearly decided to leave her gorgeous designer gowns at home - and opted instead for a figure-hugging silver suit. But sharp-tongued critics have been less than flattering about her wardrobe choice.

Still, at least she didn't go the whole hog and wear a silver funnel on her head - that would just have been silly...

Picture: PA

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Baby Spice hobbles in

Posted by Will Parkhouse

"I'm praying that I will be all right for Saturday. Even if I have to come on stage in crutches I'll be there,” said Emma Bunton as the Spice Girls arrived back in the UK, adding that she’d seen the doctor who treated David Beckham.

Okay, we know there’s a tour to promote and photoshoots to be doing, but crutches and heels (all right, heel)? Is she mad? We don’t remember David Beckham going round in inappropriate footwear when he broke his metatarsal. Or is Roberto Cavalli's grip over the Spices so strong that looks are more important than a dose of common sense?

Picture: Rex

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Kiefer: You’ve got mail

Posted by Helen Jennings

Currently serving a 48-day sentence in jail for his drink driving conviction, Kiefer Sutherland will be spending his birthday, Christmas Day and New Year's behind bars. And apparently the only visitor he’s had so far is his lawyer. It just doesn’t get any sadder than that.

But the actor’s plight is obviously being felt by his fans who have been bombarding the prison with letters for him.

Officer John Balian, spokesman for the Glendale City Jail in Los Angeles, said: The guy's been getting a ton of fan mail. Easily more than 100 letters a day."

Considering Kiefer was only allowed to bring two books in with him, he must be thrilled he’s now got plenty to read.

Pictures: Wenn

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Ziggy uncovered

Posted by Helen Jennings

Just when you thought that Ziggy Lichman had been sent to the celebrity scrapyard, he goes and takes all of his clothes off for Closer magazine.

The Big Brother 8 housemate and professional love rat stars in the current issue’s Christmas Hunks shoot minus his Y-fronts and, it would seem, his dignity.

Compared to David Beckham’s proud sprawl for the new Emporio Armani adverts, Ziggy just doesn’t pack a punch.

Does this picture make you swoon? Or heave? Post your comments below.

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Becks practises ball control

Posted by Jane Murphy

Sorry - what was I supposed to be doing again? Someone just showed me this new picture of David Beckham and I came over all peculiar.

So why's Becks posing in his scanties this time? Well, it's all part of a new ad campaign for top designer Emporio Armani, who's just brought out a range of men's undies.

Rumour has it he's designed some socks, too. In fact, there's a rolled-up pair hidden somewhere in this photograph. Can you spot them, readers?

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Jade slams Jordan

Posted by Jane Murphy

Oooh - we've just been looking at Jade Goody's wedding pics in OK! magazine. Well, to be clear, they're not her real wedding pics. But for reasons best known to themselves, the shamed Big Brother star and her on-off boyfriend Jack Tweed feature in a six-page mock-up of a Vegas marriage in this week's issue of the glossy rag.

Still, while she's got our attention, Jade takes the opportunity to voice her feelings about fellow reality TV veteran, Jordan - and she doesn't mince her words.

"She had a pop at me about the Big Brother thing," Jade recalls. "What bothered me most is she said something along the lines of she's not a great mother. Well, hang on a minute, let's look at your mothering skills before you met Peter. We can all remember the days when she'd walk out of clubs pregnant. I think for her to sit there on her throne and look down at other people is a bit rich."

Oh dear - somehow we don't think Queen Jordan is going to let that one lie...

Picture: Wenn

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The perfect role models?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Oh dear! There's been much tutting and twittering in the tabloids over the past couple of days - since Schools Secretary Ed Balls cited the Spice Girls as "good role models" for today's kids.

On the contrary, blasts the News of the World - that well-known bastion of morality - Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell and co have set a poor example to the younger generation thanks to their "eating disorders, broken marriages, raunchy modelling, lesbian groping, lying and shoplifting".

Shoplifting? Yep, apparently, Geri once confessed to a spate of stealing during her teens. I'm sure she's very grateful to the NOTW for bringing that up again...

To be honest, I'm sure there are better role models than the Spice Girls - but I still think most of this criticism is unfair and unfounded. OK, so you wouldn't want your daughter to follow Posh's diet or become embroiled in a public war of words with Eddie Murphy. But in general, the feisty fivesome are bright, successful, witty and - above all - not afraid to admit their mistakes. Surely they're not bad qualities to emulate?

Picture: Big Pictures

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Kerry says no to TV birth

Posted by Jane Murphy

Who says Kerry Katona has no shame? Despite her much-publicised money woes, the former Atomic Kitten has reportedly turned down a not-too-shabby £16,000 offer to give birth to her fourth child on TV.

Pregnant Kerry and husband Mark Croft are currently being followed around by a camera crew for an Osbournes-style reality show. But while we can look forward to plenty of exciting footage of the couple cleaning their fleet of cars, poking out their tongues at the paparazzi and loading up their trolley with frozen delicacies in Iceland, they've decided one area is very definitely off limits.

"There was no way Kerry was going to allow the cameras near the maternity ward," says a friend. "She says the birth is something private for her and Mark to enjoy and no amount of money was going to change that. She couldn't believe they were suggesting it." Quite right, too!

Picture: Big Pictures

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Eva Mendes gets cheeky

Posted by Helen Jennings

Eva Mendes has posed in her birthday suit for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

The latest in a long line of celebrities to go naked for PETA, such as Alicia Silverstone, Christina Applegate, Kim Basinger and Pamela Anderson, Eva’s version of "Fur? I’d rather go naked" is cheeky, to say the least.

"There are way too many amazing faux-fur options out there for people to still be wearing real fur," she says. “Killing a poor animal and wearing its fur isn't cool.”

Wearing nothing at all, on the other hand, must be really rather chilly.

Pictures: PETA

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Lohan and Ledger?

Posted by Will Parkhouse

After splitting from snowboarder Riley Giles the other day (his alleged crimes: pouting and penny-pinching), Lindsay Lohan has reportedly been seeing Heath Ledger. That’s what Aussie magazine New Weekly are saying, anyway.

"Lindsay and Heath hit it off straight away," a source told the mag, claiming the pair met at New York's Beatrice Inn over Thanksgiving weekend. “When she left the club she started texting him straight away and they hooked up a few times while she was still in New York."

By the way, that butch green superhero in the picture above isn't Heath. That’s Lindsay desperately trying to earn some cash by filming a commercial with the Incredible Hulk. Why is she looking so miserable? Getting paid to hang out with The Hulk and Batman sounds like a dream day out to me.

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Pictures: Wenn

The world's dumbest star?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Poor Lindsay Lohan. She was just getting over her recent break-up from snowboarder Riley Giles - and now she has to deal with the gross indignity of being named the world's dumbest celebrity.

The just-published New York Daily News list rates stars' dumbness, based on their IQs, poor fashion choices and general bad judgement. And Li-Lo hit the top spot for her "poor movie choices, delinquent behaviour and bad taste in men".

In case you were wondering, US reality star Kim Kardashian took second place, while aptly named actor Spencer Pratt came in third. Erstwhile pop princess Britney Spears managed a not-too-shabby 14th.

Still, seeing as Lindsay and co seem to spend most of their time hanging out at Hollywood parties and signing megabucks deals, they can't be that dumb, can they?

Picture: Wenn

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Jade's microwave-ready!

Posted by Jane Murphy

Every year, the tabloids do their utmost to spoil Christmas for our favourite celebrities - by reporting exactly what presents they've been seen buying for their nearest and dearest.

But Jack Tweed has ensured the press can't spoil the surprise for his on-off fiancée Jade Goody: he's come right out and told her what her gift is already.

Can you guess what it is? It's a microwave oven! Oh Jack, you shouldn't have... No, really, you shouldn't...

"I was furious when he told me," Jade admits. "That's his way of saying he wants me to cook - we live off takeaways."

Oooh - they're all class, aren't they?

Picture: Big Pictures

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Friends again?

Posted by Jane Murphy

As gossip-mongers across the globe continued to debate those hotly denied pregnancy rumours, under-fire pop princess Britney Spears simply got on with the more pressing business of celebrating her 26th birthday this weekend.

And who was there to help her blow out the candles? It was none other than one-time best pal Paris Hilton. Ah, that's nice, isn't it?

But - hang on! - according to US gossip website TMZ, although Paris was photographed leaving LA hotspot, the Scandinavian Style Mansion, with Britters and her cousin Alli Sims, she didn't accompany them any further than the car park. Instead, she merely hopped into her car, applied some make-up, then ducked back into the party.

Could Paris simply have seen a golden opportunity to pose for the paps? Surely not!

Picture: Big Pictures

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