Lady GaGa in ‘giant button wig’ shocker!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Concerned about getting sunburnt in all this hot weather? Take a tip from Lady GaGa and invest in a wig shaped like a huge button. That should keep those harmful UV rays off your face.

 

Lady G wore her latest limelight-hogging creation while helping to decorate a garden at Aids charity Body Positive North West in Manchester yesterday afternoon.

And just in case you’re wondering what she’s doing with that paintbrush, the singer scrawled the message “Love + Art + Kindness” on to a picture of herself on the wall. Jolly good.

The visit was organised by Orange RockCorps, which gives people the chance to earn tickets to gigs in exchange for four hours’ voluntary work.

So following her efforts yesterday, Lady GaGa’s now chosen to see Chas and Dave at Penge Working Men’s Club in October. Possibly.

Find out more about Orange RockCorps.

Pictures: PA

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Here’s Johnny - again!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Last night saw the London premiere of Public Enemies - which meant Leicester Square was teeming with Johnny Depp fans, who’d spent up to 14 hours hanging around in stifling heat and humidity just to catch a glimpse of their idol. Hmmm… fair enough, I suppose.

Asked what he liked most about making the movie, Johnny told red carpet reporters: “I enjoyed firing machine guns.“ Then after a moment’s thought, he added: “I didn’t actually shoot anyone.” Ah, thanks for clearing that up, JD.

Johnny was joined at the premiere by his co-star Marion Cotillard, who looked suitably stunning in an eye-popping scarlet dress…

 

And crowds who’d waited outside the cinema all day were also rewarded with a peep at Sugababe Amelle Berrabah…

 

…Simon Cowell’s ex-partner, TV presenter Terri Seymour…

 

…and chip-off-the-old-block fashion model Amber Le Bon…

 

As you can see, Amber’s so tall that she had to crouch down to ensure she fitted in this picture. Or maybe she just went weak at the knees when she saw Mr Depp. Who knows?

Pictures: Wenn, PA

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Whatever happened to Bubbles?

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Over recent days, we’ve had an endless stream of soundbites and tributes from Michael Jackson’s family, friends, ex-wives, work colleagues, admirers and - of course - professional Jacko rent-a-quotes Uri Geller and David Gest. But what about the King of Pop’s one-time pet chimp Bubbles?

Well, you’ll be pleased to hear that the nice folk at People magazine have managed to track him down to a primate sanctuary in Florida.

“We haven’t said anything to him yet,” the sanctuary's director Patti Ragan reveals, adding that the 26-year-old chimp’s mood over the past few days has been the same as ever. “He’s been his usual self, interacting with friends, eating well, taking cover when it rains.” Well, that’s probably what Jacko would have wanted…

Bubbles arrived at the Center for Great Apes in 2005, shortly after his trainer stopped working with chimpanzees. Michael’s rep did contact the centre, saying the singer wanted to come and visit, but he never managed to make the trip.

It’s not known whether Michael stipulated that any cash from his estate would be used to support Bubbles. Up until now, his upkeep has been paid for by public donations.

Find out more about the Center for Great Apes.

Picture: PA

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Surprise! It’s Posh and Becks!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

You’ll never guess who turned up to David Beckham’s mum’s 60th birthday celebrations on Friday! Oh hang on - maybe you will…

Yep, dapper Dave, wife Victoria and the couple’s three sons all bowled up unannounced to Sandra Beckham’s do at the Blue Bridge restaurant in Writtle, Essex.

“They crept in through the back so they could surprise the birthday girl,” an onlooker told the tabloids. “There were gasps of delight when they walked in with lots of hugs and kisses.”

The entire family then tucked into a £20-a-head meal before David gave a heartfelt after-dinner speech, in which he paid tribute to his mum. Quite right, too.

And on Saturday? Posh and Becks went for a slightly more upmarket meal with Mrs B’s side of the family. The venue? The Ivy in London’s West End. And as you can see from our snap of the happy couple leaving the restaurant, it was obviously a real laugh-a-minute, let-your-hair-down affair.

So where next? Well, the Beckhams are off to the Seychelles to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. Ah, no wonder they look so happy…

Picture: Rex Features

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Britney’s back to brunette!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Look! Britney Spears has not only gone back to the US following her UK concerts: she’s gone back to brunette, too. Oooh - it’s all happening, isn’t it?

The pop princess was spotted sporting her newly dyed locks while out shopping with boyfriend/manager Jason Trawick in Los Angeles yesterday (above, right).

Also worth noting? Britney wasn’t wearing the engagement ring that caused such a stir on Friday - so those wedding rumours may have been a little premature.

Anyway, now for the all-important question. Which look suits Britney best - blonde or brunette? Tell us what you think.

Pictures: Big Pictures

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Jodie pulls a snake

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Ah, that’s nice. Former lesbian/reality TV star/glamour model Jodie Marsh made a new friend while out partying in Dublin on Saturday night.

 

Yep, the city’s Mansion nightclub has obviously relaxed its “no pets” policy since Alicia Douvall tried to take her new puppies into the venue a few months ago - because Jodie was allowed to parade around with a python.

 

As the eagle-eyed among you may already have noticed, Jodie was also proudly showing off the Michael Jackson tattoo on her arm.

To be fair, I should just point out that she’s had the body art for a while (there’s a Buddy Holly and Little Richard on there somewhere, too).

Impressed? Tell us here.

Pictures: Big Pictures

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Celebrities pay tribute to Jacko

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

As the shocking news of Michael Jackson’s death sinks in across the world, fellow celebrities have been paying tribute to the King of Pop.

A few examples? Madonna: “I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I’ve always admired Michael - the world has lost one of its greats but his music will love on forever.”

Michael’s ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley: “I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family.”

Justin Timberlake: "We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of, not only pop music, but of all music. I can't find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael's passing."

Britney Spears: “I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time, and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated he’s gone.”

P Diddy: “Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life. He made me believe in magic. I will miss him.”

Celine Dion: "He was not only a talented person, but he was unique - a genius. It's such a loss. It feels like when Kennedy died, when Elvis died."

Estelle: "He's not supposed to be the one that's gone right now."

Lindsay Lohan: “RIP Michael Jackson. My love and prayers go to the Jackson family. ‘You are not alone.’” 

Chris Evans: "I can't help feeling he deserves all the homage and tributes which no doubt will be played on radio and television stations across the world for the next week or so."

Leave your own tributes to Michael here.

Picture: Wenn

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Johnny and Megan - together at last!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Now, I know I may have overdone it on the Megan Fox stories this week.

But I couldn’t help noticing that the newly crowned Sexiest Woman Alive was in the same place at the same time as the former Sexiest Man Alive Johnny Depp last night. Now, that’s got to be worth a mention, hasn’t it?

Megan and Johnny - or Foxy and Foxier, as I prefer to call them - were both appearing on the Tonight Show with David Letterman. But as is traditional, they took time to work the crowds beforehand…

 

Hmmm… I hope Johnny apologised for muscling in on that poor woman’s holiday snap.

Pictures: Wenn

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Happy birthday, Samanda!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Phew! I’ve been worried sick about Sam and Amanda Marchant for the past couple of weeks, as they suddenly seemed to go completely off-radar.

But as you can see from our picture, everyone’s favourite reality TV twins are alive and well - and were out celebrating their 21st birthday in London last night.

The pair threw a huge party on a Thames riverboat, and were joined by close friends including Big Brother 7 tantrum princess Nikki Grahame…

 

…Big Brother 8 housework obsessive Carole Vincent…

 

…and Big Brother 9’s reclusive winner Rachel Rice…

 

Ah, isn’t it nice to see former BB housemates sticking together? Mind you, there’s so many of them around nowadays.

Indeed, experts predict that by the year 2015, more than 50% of the UK’s population will have done a stint on Big Brother - meaning most of us will be ex-housemates and obliged to go out partying with Samanda and Nikki. Fact!

Pictures: Big Pictures

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Pete’s back!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Here’s Peter Andre and the kids arriving back in Blighty last night, following a week-long break in Cyprus.

Pete’s trip seems to have been a lot less eventful than his estranged wife Jordan’s holiday in Ibiza. For example, he wasn’t pictured posing in a crocheted bikini or clubbing in a gold lamé catsuit. Shame!

And while Jordan was quick to get her “Pete” tattoo scribbled out at the earliest possible opportunity, Pete’s still sporting his “Katie” tat on his wedding finger…

 

Hmmm… I suppose he’ll have to cover it up eventually. But what should he do? Follow Jordan’s example and get it crossed out? Wear gloves all the time? Or only ever go out with women called Katie from now on?

Pictures: Big Pictures

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Kate Moss is hair today!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Ah, that’s nice. Kate Moss took time out from her busy modelling-and-clothes-designing schedule to be guest of honour at the opening of close friend James Brown’s new London hair salon yesterday.

But Kate wasn’t the only familiar face at the launch party. James had invited plenty of other high-profile mates along - so presumably he does their hair, too.

Some examples? Well, perfectly coiffed TV presenter Claudia Winkleman showed up…

 

…as did former Atomic Kitten Jenny Frost…

 

Hmmm… I wonder if she made an appointment to get her roots done while she was there.

Retired boxer/reality TV regular/prize berk Chris Eubank also put in an appearance…

 

Rumour has it he always visits James’s salon to get his head polished.

And I wonder if James is also responsible for fashion designer Pam Hogg’s bright yellow ‘do…

 

Other guests at the launch included Primrose Hill princess Sadie Frost, party-girl-turned-wallpaper-designer Meg Mathews and him-out-of-The-Clash Mick Jones. Not a bad turnout for a Wednesday night, eh?

Pictures: Wenn

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Desperately seeking ‘Rose Boy’

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Does anybody recognise the eager little fella with the rose being roundly ignored by Megan Fox in London earlier this month? If so, let the nice people at Kodak know and you could receive $5,000 (around £3,000) for your efforts.

Megan has since apologised for apparently snubbing “Rose Boy” outside her hotel - claiming that she genuinely didn’t see him. “I feel so sad for him,” she told a US website.

“That‘s so terrible. That kills me. I’m sorry, sweet boy. I would never do that to you, and I would gladly accept your rose if I see you again.” Steady on, love!

Anyway - what d’you know? - the gang at Kodak know a brilliant marketing opportunity desperately worthwhile cause when they see one, so are doing their best to ensure Megan and Rose Boy are reunited as soon as possible.

“It’s amazing how just a photograph can connect and change the lives of two complete strangers,” trills Kodak spokesperson Leslie Dance. “If this photo is any indication, this boy was really hoping to meet Megan Fox and give her that rose, and we’d love to help make his fantastical wish come true.”

Er… won’t the rose be dead by now? Anyway, rumour has it he gave it to Chantelle Houghton when he spotted her coming out of Mahiki later that night instead…

Picture: Wenn

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R-Pattz - sexiest man alive?

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

As the celebrity obsessives among you will doubtless already have spotted, Twilight star Robert Pattinson has just been voted the Sexiest Man on the Planet by readers of Heat magazine.

So we’re now obliged to refer to him as “R-Pattz” and go all giggly and squealy when we see pictures of him - even when he’s doing stuff like this with other women…

 

(Just to clarify, this is a still from the set of his new movie Remember Me, and the woman pictured is co-star Emilie de Ravin. He’s not just blithely rolling in the sand dunes with a random fan-club member.)

So what does R-Pattz think of his new accolade? “I certainly don’t feel like a sex symbol or anything,” he sighs. “I never bargained for girls screaming at me in the street.”

Them’s the breaks, R-Pattz.

Pictures: Wenn

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Here’s Johnny!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Now, here’s something you don’t see every day - a brand new picture of Johnny Depp.

(It’s true! Snaps of the star are very few and far between, you know. Prior to today, the most recent one worth using from our picture agency was taken at the Oscars in 2008.)

Anyway, JD sported his matching-shades-and-shirt combo to last night’s Public Enemies premiere in Los Angeles - where he was joined by co-star Marion Cotillard, who looked like she couldn’t quite believe her luck…

 

And king of the temper tantrums Christian Bale showed up with his wife Sibi Blazic, who was clearly keeping a close eye on him…

 

Funnily enough, Christian has just topped an online US survey to find the celebrity with whom women would most like to have a summer fling.

Hang on! Christian’s more desirable than Johnny? Surely not!

Pictures: Wenn

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It’s twins for SJP!

Posted by Jane Murphy

  

Huge congratulations to Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick who have just become the proud parents of surrogate twin girls.

According to the couple’s publicist, the babies had a “healthy arrival” on Monday afternoon at the East Ohio Regional Hospital.

Their names? Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge. “Both Hodge and Elwell are family names on Sarah’s side,” the publicist explains. “The babies are doing beautifully and the entire family is over the moon.”

Marion and Tabitha are new little sisters for the couple’s six-year-old son James Wilkie.

Needless to say, friends, family and feuding work colleagues have been quick to send their congratulations - including SJP’s Sex and the City co-star Kim Cattrall.

Kim’s quote in full? “I’m thrilled for Sarah, Matthew and James Wilkie. More fabulous girls are joining our SATC family.”

Presumably the matching pairs of Manolo Blahnik baby bootees are in the post - right, Kim?

Picture: Wenn

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Carly: ‘Jobs are too stressful’

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

As you go about your business today, do spare a thought for newlywed Carly Zucker, who has to cope with the stress of having loads of money and a great big house to take care of.

Former personal trainer Carly - who married Chelsea and England footballer Joe Cole on Saturday - has revealed she won’t be following in the footsteps of other high-profile Wags by getting a job.

“I tried it before with the personal training, as well as running the house - and it just made me stressed and unhappy,” she sighs in a new interview with Hello! magazine.

“It wasn’t good for me and it wasn’t good for Joe. I’m lucky enough to be in a position where I don’t have to work.”

Oh well, I suppose it’s fair enough really. There’s no point in Carly depriving someone else of a job - or, more likely, cluttering up ITV2’s schedules with yet another style/fitness/reality show - if she doesn’t feel the need or inclination…

What do you think?

Picture: Big Pictures

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Megan Fox is ‘sexiest woman alive’

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Yawn... The results of yet another ‘sexiest woman in the world’ survey have been unveiled by FHM magazine in the US.

Gagging to know who made it to No.1? Well, there’s a clue in the picture, folks. Yep - it’s Megan Fox, seen here at last night’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen premiere in Los Angeles.

Megan only made it to second place in the UK version of the poll a couple of months ago, having been beaten to the top spot by our very own Cheryl Cole.

But it seems the Americans have yet to discover Chezza’s charms: she didn’t even make it into the Top 10 on the other side of the Atlantic. Still, I’m sure she’ll manage to recover from the disappointment.

Instead, Megan was followed on the list by Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, Madeline Zima, Elisha Cuthbert, Adriana Lima, Heidi Montag, Anne Hathaway and Katy Perry.

And there's a big vote of confidence for Britney Spears, who moved up 88 places to No.12 in the Top 100, having only just made it to No.100 last year. Marvellous!

Any thoughts?

Picture: Wenn

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Lily goes blonde again!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Look! Lily Allen wore a not-so-cunning disguise during a trip to swanky London restaurant Nobu last night.

But it’ll take more than a long blonde wig and see-through top to throw the capital’s hard-working paparazzi off her scent.

Anyway, how do you like Lily’s latest look? Tell us here.

Picture: Wenn

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Bruno wears knitted naked suit

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Do not adjust your computer screens.

That really is Sacha Baron Cohen in a pink woollen bodysuit at the Berlin premiere of Brüno. And yes, that’s a knitted willy waving gently in the breeze. I wonder if his granny made it for him…

So what do you think of his latest outfit? Tell us here.

Picture: Wenn

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Simon admits mistakes over SuBo

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Blimey - is hell about to freeze over? Simon Cowell has ‘fessed up to making a few errors of judgement over the “Susan Boyle situation” during the filming of Britain’s Got Talent.

“Looking back on it all, it’s become clear to me that we didn’t handle the situation with Susan as well as we could have,” he wrote in Saturday’s Daily Mail. “Yet, to be honest, I don’t know that I could have done it any differently.”

So what did he think of SuBo when he saw her first audition? “I thought she had come over well, but not sensationally. “I certainly didn’t think, ‘Here comes a phenomenon who is going to become the most famous woman in the world - I wonder if she can mentally cope with it?’ I thought she looked a bit eccentric and certainly a character, but that was all.”

Simon says it wasn’t until the semi-finals that the strain started to show on Susan - and he began to get worried calls from the production team.

He continues: “Then during the final show, at the crucial point when Diversity won, I looked over at her face and thought: ‘Christ, she doesn’t know how to deal with not winning.’ It was a bad moment.”

So could Simon and the BGT team have done more to support Susan from the start? Does the high-trousered music mogul really care about her - or is he just concerned for his own professional reputation? Tell us what you think.

Pictures: PA

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Jordan’s back!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Is Katie Price’s transformation back into her alter-ego Jordan finally complete? Hang on - let’s just run through the check-list...

 

Falling into and out of nightclubs wearing paparazzi-pleasing revealing outfits? Check. Knocking back expensive cocktails? Check. Being linked to random muscle-bound men, including a fella in a caveman outfit and her ex Matt Peacock (not pictured). Check.

 

That said, Katie/Jordan has been coming in for an awful lot of stick for her recent antics in Ibiza - but surely she’s just letting her hair down on holiday in a bid to handle the stress of her marriage break-up.

She knows her kids are being well looked-after while she’s away, so shouldn’t she be free to enjoy her ‘me time’ - even if it is in front of the paparazzi and a TV film crew? Tell us what you think.

Pictures: Wenn

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Lily, Kate and Sienna do karaoke!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Here’s Lily Allen leaving London’s Café de Paris in the early hours of this morning. The occasion? A star-studded karaoke party to raise funds for Palestinian refugee children. Jolly good!

Hmmm… I’m sure Lily enjoyed herself more than this picture would suggest. After all, some of her best friends were there, including the unstoppable Kate Moss and her gigantic hand…

 

Mind you, she’s got a face like a wet weekend, too, hasn’t she? Maybe someone muscled in and grabbed the microphone when she was trying to perform her sing-along-with-Babyshambles karaoke medley.

Perhaps more intriguingly, however, Sienna Miller left the party at exactly the same time as comedian Patrick Kielty…

 

Obviously, this has led to slightly hysterical tabloid headlines about a possible new romance. I predict wedding rumours and maybe a phantom pregnancy by the end of the next week.

In other news, Guy Ritchie was there…

 

…as was Jemima Khan…

 

However, they left separately so it would be rude and disrespectful to reignite any of those romance rumours, wouldn’t it? But then again…

Pictures: Big Pictures, Wenn

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Eva unveils another sexy ad

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Remember all the fuss about Eva Mendes’s sexy ads for Calvin Klein last summer?

Well, it’s all about to kick off again - because she’s just shot this new campaign for CK underwear, in which she’s covered in body oil and frolicking with Irish model Jamie Dornan. (Jamie used to go out with Keira Knightley, fact fans.)

Now, the Daily Mail thinks Eva could have gone too far with these sexy pics by top photographer Steven Meisel. To quote the newspaper: “The latest advertising campaign is yet more proof that fashion houses are pushing boundaries to extremes in order to gain publicity for their products.”

But how else are they supposed to advertise undies? Tell us what you think.

Picture: Steven Meisel for Calvin Klein Fall 09

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It’s a star-studded tennis ball!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

There was a funny old mishmash of stars at last night’s pre-Wimbledon knees-up in Kensington. And correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think very many of them had anything much to do with tennis.

As you can see from the picture above, hard-working socialite Holly Branson brought a couple of pillows along to cover her ears. Why? Well, maybe she thought all those high-profile tennis fans might make too much of a racket… (Sorry!)

Or perhaps she just wanted something to hide behind, when her dad Richard Branson struck poses like this…

 

Also in attendance? Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie came hotfoot from Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot…

 

Ah, don’t they look sweet holding one another’s hands? No?

Everyone’s favourite eccentric-Italian-of-indeterminate-age Nancy Dell’Olio was there, too - sporting a metallic minidress…

 

When I first glanced at this picture, I thought that was Joan Collins behind her - but sadly, it’s not.

Other guests included rock-chick-turned-wallpaper-designer Meg Mathews, former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq, Sugababe Heidi Range and actress Naomie Harris.

Oh, and former Wimbledon women’s champion Virginia Wade was there - so at least somebody had a bona fide link to tennis…

Pictures: Wenn

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Who’s the world’s hottest bachelor?

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the world’s hottest bachelor… Chace Crawford.

Yep, him-out-of-Gossip-Girl (not to be confused with him-out-of-High-School-Musical Zac Efron) has topped People magazine’s annual Hottest Bachelors List.

So what would be Chace’s idea of the perfect date? “All you need is a pool table, beer, an electric jukebox and good conversation. The day a girl beats me in a game of Beirut is a good sign!”

Not sure what Beirut is? Well, People helpfully explains that “it’s a kind of beer pong”. Not sure what beer pong is? Nope, me neither. Tsk - Americans, eh?

Also on the list? Him-out-of-Twilight Robert Pattinson…

 

…and him-out-of-Star-Trek Chris Pine…

 

So which hot bachelor would you most like to challenge to a game of beer pong? Tell us here.

Pictures: PA

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Robert doesn’t do it for Megan >>
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Nobody wants to share with Paris!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Look - it’s Paris Hilton! That’s a lovely surprise, isn’t it?

Hollywood’s hardest working hotel heiress is over in Dubai at the moment, plugging the latest in her utterly pointless ratings-grabbing reality show, in which various halfwits and wannabes compete to be Paris’s pal.

Yes, you guessed it: Paris Hilton’s My New BFF - Dubai is coming soon. (And I promise you, I’m not making this up.)

Still, it seems Ms Hilton may actually need a few more friends - because she’s just topped a survey to find the person with whom we’d least like to share a tent.

Nearly 50% of festival-goers polled by camping company Tangerine Fields said they’d prefer to sleep outside in the rain than huddle under the canvas with Paris.

Even more galling for Ms H, it seems many campers would prefer to share their tent with BNP leader Nick Griffin. Despite his best efforts to alienate anyone with half a brain cell, Nasty Nick only made it to second place on the list - with 32% of the vote.

Now, that’s just silly, isn’t it?

Picture: Wenn

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Bruno does London

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Last night saw the UK premiere of Sacha Baron Cohen’s new movie, Bruno, in London’s Leicester Square.

As you can see, Sacha arrived in character as Bruno - a super-camp Austrian fashion reporter. At least, I think he was in character. Or maybe he’s going to sport leather hotpants and a bearskin hat all the time now. Who knows?

 

Talking of bearskins, Nigella Lawson - the woman who once said she’d consider wearing one as a “trophy” - was at the premiere, too. (How’s that for a clumsy segue?)

 

Oooh - nice shoes, Nige!

Meanwhile, Peaches and Pixie Geldof bowled up in their family’s time machine…

 

Peaches had come straight from a wedding in 19th-century Dorset, while Pixie had hotfooted it over from 1982.

And the lovely Rachel Stevens made her first public appearance since being mugged on the doorstep of her London home last week…

 

But once again, there was no sign of the UK’s foremost film critics Sam and Amanda Marchant. Has anyone heard anything from them? Anybody received any ransom notes? I’m getting seriously worried now.

Pictures: Wenn

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Hat’s the way we like it!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Here’s Amanda Holden on day one of Royal Ascot, where there was only one question on race-goers’ lips. Yep, where did she get that hat?

Well, apparently, the red and black ostrich feather creation is the work of young designer Jane Marcantonio. Oh, and her dress is by Fendi. So now you know.

Still, Amanda wasn’t the only celebrity to turn heads at yesterday’s meeting. Recognise this demure-looking race-goer?

 

It’s Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia! Blimey - she scrubs up rather nicely, doesn’t she?

And here’s everyone’s favourite opera singer Katherine Jenkins, resplendent in shocking pink…

 

Meanwhile, the Royal Family were out in force - taking a well-deserved break from the very important work they do the rest of the time.

However, Princess Beatrice “kept it real” by wearing a £90 jacket by Kate Moss at Topshop - although she paired it with a not-so-real Philip Treacy hat…

 

So whose hat do you like best? Tell us here.

Pictures: PA

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Who’s the worst-dressed female celebrity?

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Poor Amy Winehouse. Life’s not been easy for her recently - and now this happens.

Shoppers at Lakeside Thurrock in Essex have deemed the troubled singer the UK’s worst-dressed female celebrity - even worse than local girl Jodie Marsh…

 

Ouch - that’s gotta hurt!

But Peaches Geldof could well feel even more humiliated - because she came third in the survey, despite her burgeoning career as a self-styled fashionista…

 

Meanwhile, the good people of Essex obviously aren’t afraid to criticise their local heroes - because Russell Brand was named the worst-dressed male celebrity.

“When it comes to crimes against fashion, we’ve all been guilty of the odd misdemeanour - but there’s no excuse for sloppy dressing,” says Lakeside’s personal shopper Angela Poplett. Ah, lighten up, Ange!

So is Amy really that badly dressed? Is anyone else sorely missing from this list? Tell us what you think.

Pictures: PA, Wenn

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Will and Jada’s sex secrets

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

A word to the wise: if you ever invite Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith round to your house, be sure to lock the bedroom door first.

The reason? Jada’s been sharing sex tips with Redbook magazine - and she hints that she and Will like to… er… bonk in other people’s homes.

“Be sneaky… try your girlfriend’s house at a party. The bathroom. A bedroom,” she suggests, before warming to her subject.

“Think of places outside that are comfortable to have sex. Does he have access to his office? Have a fantasy date. Be his secretary! Pull over on the side of the road… Just switch it up. Anything like that can keep it going. Anything it takes to keep the flame alive.”

Hmmm… I’m not sure “pulling over to the side of the road” is always such a good idea, you know. Just ask Hugh Grant or Gillian Taylforth.

Picture: PA

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Barack v Becks: who’s most stylish?

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

He may have his work cut out with that whole “being Leader of the Free World” business - but Barack Obama is still the world’s snappiest male dresser, according to a new pointless very important poll.

Yep, according to a new survey of 3,000 men, the US president is even more stylish than fashion-tastic footballer David Beckham, who could only manage third place on the list.

“Barack Obama has a great sense of style, which no doubt adds to his popularity,” says Jonathan Heilbron, CEO of posh shirt emporium Thomas Pink, the company behind the research. “World leaders and politicians aren’t known for their dress sense, so it’s refreshing to have Obama, who seems to genuinely care about his appearance.”

Ah, it sounds like Jonathan’s got his priorities in the right order, doesn’t it? I mean - who’d want to listen to a world leader in a creased shirt or last season’s cufflinks?

But, I hear you cry, who came second on the male style list? Well, I’ll tell you: it was Brad Pitt…

 

It’s the second notable survey appearance for Brad this week - because he’s also just topped a US poll to find the celebrity dad we’d most like to see in his underwear.

And in case you were wondering, Barack could only manage fifth place in that one. Must try harder, Mr President!

Any thoughts?

Pictures: Wenn

SEE ALSO:
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Rihanna’s wild, wild frock

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Look! It’s Rihanna under her umbrella in New York yesterday afternoon.

Please note how I’m resisting the temptation to make any silly brolly-related quips. After all, they’re so two years ago, aren’t they?

Instead, I thought I’d focus on RiRi’s form-fitting frock, which looks like the kind of garment Bret from Flight of the Conchords would approve of.

And what exactly is that on the front of it? It’s a gorilla-illa-illa… (Sorry!)

 

Like it?

Pictures: Big Pictures

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Reality bites at Transformers premiere

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Here’s the super-sexy, soundbite-savvy Megan Fox at last night’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen premiere in London’s Leicester Square.

And talking of Megan’s soundbites, you may be interested to hear her latest one. Ready? She fancies Angelina Jolie. “If I could just be Angelina’s girlfriend, I’d be so happy,” the actress told Heat magazine. Now, that conjures up quite an image, doesn't it? 

Anyway, I digress. The premiere also attracted the usual mishmash of reality TV stars - including Danielle Lloyd, who was making her first public appearance since she was attacked in a nightclub three weeks ago…

 

Obviously, peeping seductively over one shoulder while showing off a tattoo was the pose to go for last night.

Also causing a stir among the paparazzi were The Apprentice lovebirds Philip ‘Pantsman’ Taylor and Kate Walsh…

 

Hmmm… could they be the new Jordan and Peter Andre, d’you reckon?

And finally, here’s The X Factor runners-up JLS…

 

The band release their first single very soon - so look out for them at other profile-raising celebrity shindigs over the coming weeks.

My only concern about last night‘s premiere? Once again, the UK’s foremost film critics, Sam and Amanda Marchant, were notable by their absence. I can only assume they’re on holiday at the moment. Has anybody seen them?

Pictures: Wenn

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Star fashion at the Isle of Wight Festival

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Oooh - look! Fearne Cotton came over a bit Clockwork Orange at this weekend’s Isle of Wight Festival. Stop it, Fearne - you’re scaring us!

Far less scary-looking was everyone’s favourite Welsh warbler Charlotte Church (sorry, Shirley!), who was all glammed up in a maxi-dress with wide-brimmed hat…

 

I wonder if she was originally heading for the races at Ascot, but changed her mind at the last minute…

 And here’s Pixie Lott - aka “the new Amy Winehouse” - looking as unlike the old Amy Winehouse as it’s possible to look…

 

The key components of Pixie’s outfit? Kylie-style metallic hotpants, red wellies and an armful of bangles. Mark my words: this time next week, everyone will be wearing them…

Any thoughts?

Pictures: Wenn

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Jen on men again (oooh - that rhymes!)

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Here’s Jennifer Aniston at Friday night’s Women in Film Crystal and Lucy Awards in Los Angeles. (No, I’m not sure who Crystal and Lucy are either - but presumably they’re Oscar and Emmy’s poor relations.)

Sadly, Jen’s metallic Prada dress has incurred the wrath of various fashion critics. For example, one cheery-sounding soul told the Daily Mail: “Her legs looked stunning, but the dress looked like a piece of sheet metal.”

 

Anyway, you’ll doubtless be delighted to hear that Jen picked up the Crystal Award for Excellence in Film - and used her acceptance speech as an opportunity to joke about her much-charted love life.

“I’m trying to be more careful than I have been in the past about the titles of movies I choose to be in,” she revealed. “It’s funny. I kind of noticed something a couple of years ago - that there seemed to be this strange parallel to the movies I was doing and my life off-screen.

“It started well with The Good Girl. Then that evolved into Rumour Has It, followed by Derailed, and then there was The Break-Up. And then on the lighter side was Friends with Money, which I felt was a bit on the nose.

“So if any of you have a project titled Everlasting Love with an Adult, Stable Male, that would be great! I’m at table six, and my agents are at table 12.”

Note how she didn’t mention He’s Just Not That Into You - or her current project The Baster, the story of a single woman who takes matters into her own hands (literally) when she decides to have a baby…

Pictures: Wenn

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Oi! Piers! No!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Heavens to Betsy! In the ever-growing list of Things I Really Don’t Want To See First Thing On A Monday Morning, a picture of Piers Morgan in the nude comes second only to that advert for ladies’ poo-softener they’re always showing on ITV.

But sometimes life just isn’t fair - so here he is, in all his glory. Although it isn’t actually his glory: his head’s just been superimposed on to the body of a model.

Why? Why? Why? Well, it’s part of an ad campaign for Burger King’s new meat-scented cologne, Flame. The men’s scent - set to be unveiled at London’s Selfridges later today - will retail at £4.99, making it the cheapest celebrity perfume on the market.

Marvellous! I’ll have six bottles and a side-order of fries, please…

Any other takers?

Picture: Burger King/Crispin Porter & Bogusky

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What Katie did last night

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

You’ll doubtless be as thrilled as I was to see that Katie Price - or Jordan, as I prefer to call her - has been “putting her heartache behind her” (© all tabloids) to go out on the town with her mates.

 

Our Jords wore an animal-print minidress to attend a private function at the Milestone Hotel in Kensington before heading off for a late dinner at Nobu Berkeley.

 

You may also be intrigued to learn that Jordan’s companions included Darren Lyons, the parrot-haired founder of Big Pictures paparazzi agency. I never knew they were friends - did you?

And look! It seems Jordan has a new book out soon...

 

It’s called Sapphire and it’s about a travelling salesman who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect.

Oh no - hang on! I’m getting confused. I've no idea what it's about, but it'll probably feature underwear and the perils of fame. And possibly a horse.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s estranged husband Peter Andre is in China, promoting his new single ‘Call the Doctor’. Apparently, the song is inspired by his experiences in marriage counselling. Sounds a right old laugh, doesn’t it?

Pictures: Wenn

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Brad stops traffic in Siberia!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Forget speed bumps and temporary traffic lights! Police in Siberia have come up with the ultimate traffic-calming measure. Its name? Brad Pitt.

Apparently, officers in Omsk have placed life-size cardboard cut-outs of Brad dressed as a traffic cop at dangerous intersections across the city - in a bid to slow down speeding motorists.

It might sound a bit daft, but reports suggest it’s working. Omsk officials say accident rates have dropped because drivers are slowing down to look at the Hollywood hotshot.

“He’s kind of like a colleague for us,” local official Dmitry Ziryanov - the brains behind the idea - told everyone’s favourite Russian newspaper, Argumenty i Fakty.

Hmmm… I wonder if cardboard cut-outs of other celebrities would have the same effect. I’d definitely slow down to take a peep at Brad - but certain stars might make me stamp down hard on the accelerator. How about you?

Picture: PA

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Becks shows us his pecs (again)

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Having played a pivotal role in England’s 6-0 win over the mighty (ahem!) Andorra on Wednesday night, David Beckham could have been forgiven for taking it easy yesterday.

But there’s no time to put your feet up when you’re an international sex symbol. Hard-working Becks was up bright and early for a trip to London’s Selfridges - and the official unveiling of yet another Emporio Armani undies ad.

 

As you can see, this one’s six storeys high. Heavens to Betsy - talk about shoving it in our faces! As it were.

“When they’re unveiled, it’s a little embarrassing,” the reluctant model told TV presenter Gabby Logan who’d been called in to interview Becks in front of an adoring crowd (you can see a video of their chat by clicking on the video link below).

Among the onlookers? David’s proud mum Sandra turned up to applaud her son’s new pants…

 

And this dodgy-looking character was also spotted almost smiling in the audience…

 

Now, there’s something you don’t see every day…

So what do you think of David’s new ad? Ridiculously sexy or a load of old pants? Tell us here.

Pictures: Wenn, Big Pictures

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Paris: ‘SuBo needs to work on her pose’

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

How kind! Everyone’s favourite hotel heiress Paris Hilton has taken time out from her incredibly important work schedule to offer a few words of unsolicited advice to Susan Boyle.

Talking to US show, Extra, Paris said: “I think Susan has an amazing voice, but she needs to work on the pose. I think she should come up with something new since she’s such a huge celebrity now.”

Like what, Paris? “I suggest getting a stylist,” she continues. “Susan could look really hot if she just wore some pretty dresses.”

Now, I’m sure SuBo’s far too busy to give a monkey’s about what Paris says. Still, the rest of us could probably come up with a few suitable suggestions for what Little Miss Shallow could do with her advice…

Any thoughts?

Pictures: PA

SEE ALSO:
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The Hangover premiere: who was there?

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

It looks like it was pretty nippy out in London last night - if this picture of Heather Graham is anything to go by.

The Hollywood star wore a paparazzi-pleasing gown to the premiere of her new movie The Hangover, where she happily posed for pics alongside co-star Bradley Cooper…

 

Also putting in an appearance? TV presenter Alex Zane looked pretty excited to see Heather…

 

I’m not sure that the thumb-licking thing was wholly necessary, though…

And a trio of Skins stars showed up, too - with Lily Loveless flanked by Kathryn and Megan Prescott…

 

However, I can’t help feeling a tad unsettled by the absence of our other favourite TV twins - and the UK’s foremost film critics - Sam and Amanda Marchant. Where were they? I think we should be told!

Pictures: Wenn

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Cameron: ‘The world doesn’t need more kids’

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Single-again superstar Cameron Diaz has spoken out in defence of women who don’t want kids.

“I think women are afraid to say they don’t want children because they’re going to get shunned,” she says in a new interview with Cosmopolitan magazine.

“But I think that’s changing too now. I have more girlfriends who don’t have kids than those that do. And honestly? We don’t need any more kids. We have plenty of people on this planet.”

Still, just in case you were wondering, Cameron - who turns 37 in August - hasn’t ruled out the possibility of becoming a mum herself. “I never say never,” she ponders. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I could end up adopting half a dozen kids, or I could end up being the next ‘octomum’.”

So do you agree with Cameron’s view that women without children are still shunned by certain sections of society? Tell us what you think.

Picture: PA

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Who has the world’s sexiest body?

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before, but… Kelly Brook has the world’s sexiest celebrity body, according to yet another poll.

Kelly came out on top of More! magazine’s survey of 1,500 men - just ahead of the other usual suspects, Megan Fox, Angelina Jolie and Cheryl Cole.

Oh, and singer Katy Perry rounded off the Top 5...

 

You may also be suitably interested/incensed/indifferent to learn that Kelly was also deemed to have the best breasts in the world, having polled a lovely-jubbly 40% of votes cast.

Meanwhile, poor old Victoria Beckham was deemed to have the worst celebrity body.

How so? “It’s no secret that the majority of men like women with curves,” says More!’s editor Lisa Smosarski. “The Victoria Beckham ‘lollipop head’ look is so over.”

Any thoughts?

Pictures: Rex Features

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Victoria’s looking distressed!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Here’s everyone’s favourite Atlantic-hopping fashionista Victoria Beckham clambering out of her car outside a London hotel last night.

Mrs B had spent the day in a 10-hour meeting with her management company, no doubt plotting the next key moves in her bid for world domination.

Talking of which, several tabloids have noted how Victoria “stunned onlookers” by wearing a pair of ripped skinny jeans - thus signalling a new penchant for distressed denim. How exciting! No?

 

So what do you think of Posh’s latest look? Tell us here.

Pictures: Big Pictures

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Aussie PM: ‘Gordon is lowlife’

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Heavens to Betsy - it like Sachsgate all over again!

All hell’s broken loose Down Under since swear-o-matic chef Gordon Ramsay made some less-than-flattering comments about TV presenter Tracy Grimshaw. Not familiar with Tracy? Well, according to the Daily Mail, she’s “Australia’s answer to Fern Britton”.

To cut a long story short, Gordon made insensitive remarks about Tracy’s appearance during an interview with her last week. Referring to a facial mole, he asked: “Is that a wart? It looks like your sister’s on your top lip.” (Laugh? I thought I’d never start.)

Then over the weekend, he likened her to a pig in front of an audience of thousands at the Melbourne Food Fair.

The chef’s apparently inexplicable rudeness has provoked uproar in Australia - leading prime minister Kevin Rudd to step in and speak for the nation. “I think I can describe his remarks as reflecting a new form of low life,” a baffled Kevin told reporters. “I just drew a breath when I saw the sort of stuff he said about her. I just think that’s off, and offensive.”

Gordon’s “people” have since apologised unreservedly for any offence that may have been caused - insisting the chef’s comments were meant jokingly.

However, Ms Grimshaw herself gave this response on her TV show, A Current Affair, yesterday:

Hmmm… she’s not happy, is she?

So is this the end of the TV chef’s international superstardom? And is it really necessary for world leaders to get involved in celebrity spats? Tell us what you think.

Picture: Rex Features

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Carol slams public’s obsession with beauty

Former Countdown presenter Carol Vorderman claims we “idolise beauty” and are obsessed with the way we look. And by “we” she means both the UK media and – it would seem – the UK public too.

At this point it would be easy to accuse Carol of attacking the media for doing exactly what she has done herself. After all, she has released a series of “detox” DVDs and books, which claimed to help people look and feel better.

But what really seems to bother her is the disproportionate amount of time spent talking about looking great – compared to the time we devote to issues like facial disfigurements.

“There are programmes which treat serious illnesses as entertainment, as freaky people. It’s ridiculous and it has an impact on people who look different,” said the 48-year-old presenter, whose brother was born with a cleft lip.

“In the past 10 years, since the rise of the talentless celebrity, the media culture has become obsessed by people's appearance,” she told the audience during the Cheltenham Science Festival.

So what did Detox Carol suggest we do? Lock up Megan Fox? Send Chantelle to the Moon? No.

“If there could be a character in say, Coronation Street, which is watched by millions, and they had a visible difference, but it was no big deal, then it would make such a difference.”

Would that really help?

Peaches is officially pointless

Posted by Stewart Turner

Never let it be said that Peaches Geldof isn’t a winner. Bob’s gobby girl has topped a brand new poll this morning – to find the world’s most pointless celebrity. “Peaches’ only real claim to fame is that she was born to two famous parents,” trilled a spokesman for OnePoll.com, which conducted the survey.

Now, while we’re the first to admit that poor Peaches isn’t the sharpest tool in the box, she does at least have a number of very impressive strings to her bow. Successful DJ with the Trash Pussies, TV presenter, lingerie model for Ultimo, ambassador for the Mayfair Hotel, not to mention acclaimed journalist for Nylon magazine… how does she find the time?

Peaches managed to beat one-time Becks-botherer Rebecca Loos to the top slot, a woman who counts masturbating a pig on national TV as one of her finest achievements. Paris Hilton, the ubiquitous air-headed heiress, came a respectable third.

So, is Peaches Geldof really the world’s most pointless celebrity or is it all a little unfair? Tell us what you think.

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Brad and Angelina’s sleeping arrangements

Posted by The Sceptic (Jane Murphy is away)

The last time we saw Brad and Angelina together, they seemed like a perfectly happy couple – comfortable with each other and their über-celebrity status. Yet, with the Daily Mail suggesting their marriage might be on the rocks (again), the internet rumour mill has gone into overdrive over the weekend. But what exactly is wrong with the world’s most powerful celeb and her hubby?

Well, according to the Mail, they sleep in separate rooms. No, wait – in separate buildings! Shock, horror! Do they breathe separately too?

Anyway, a mysterious “source” told the paper the couple, who are currently renting a sprawling, £20,000-a-month estate on Long Island (pictured below), hardly spend any time together there, let alone in the same building.

Ange is rumoured to sleep in an outbuilding the size of a garden shed (judging by the pictures), while Brad – who’s also rumoured to have met with his old flame, Jen Aniston recently – occupies the main building with the kids. When he’s there, that is: the Mail’s source claims that Brad hardly ever stays at the mansion.

OK, so Brad’s getting ready to start filming another movie too, plus he gets invited to numerous premieres all over the world. Angelina’s working on a new movie in New York and possibly needs some “me time” (away from her bunch of screaming kids). No big deal, right?

Either we’re missing some crucial clues here, or the Daily Mail is desperately trying to find something to fill the post-SuBo, post-Jordan gossip void. What do you think?

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Madonna looks to Lesotho

Posted by Stewart Turner

Madonna’s obviously had the Ciccone family atlas out at the weekend. As her attempts to adopt four-year-old orphan Mercy James from Malawi appear to have been scuppered by the country’s High Court, Her Majesty seems to have turned her attentions to other impoverished African nations.

The 50-year-old star is said to be looking at the tiny country of Lesotho in the hope that the authorities there will be more sympathetic to her adoption bids. At least, that’s what the Daily Star says. Over at the News of the World, a source told the paper Madonna’s heading to Nigeria in her bid to secure a new toddler.

“[Madonna is] looking at adoption centres in Nigeria and has got another female friend to make an initial approach to test the waters,” said an insider. “She's determined not to make the same mistakes as last time and feels that the only way to do this is to get Jesus [Luz, her new boyfriend] involved from the off."

Er, really, Madonna? We wouldn’t be so sure of that. And anyway, doesn’t the 22-year-old Brazilian model satisfy all those nurturing needs of yours anyway? Apparently not…

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Big Brother’s big launch party

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Heavens to Betsy - pass me the smelling salts!

A whole mishmash of top-notch reality TV stars gathered at London’s Embassy club to watch the launch of Big Brother 10 last night - presumably all eager to eye up the competition now that 16 eager new faces have muscled in on their patch.

Among them? Well, as you can see from the pic above, BB8 winner Brian Belo brought along his Charley Uchea ventriloquist's dummy. What’s that you say, Charley? Gottle of geer? Hmmm… don’t you think you’ve had enough already?

Stephanie Thingy and Bex Wotsit from last year’s series were also there - together with some vaguely amusing slogan T-shirts (although Steph couldn't actually be bothered to put hers on)…

 

But it looks like their old housemate Darnell Swallow couldn’t stop and chat because he was in desperate need of the loo…

 

Still, at least he didn’t make too much of a fuss about it.

You’ll doubtless be thrilled to see that BB8’s Billi Bhatti was there, too…

 

Ah yes, his triumphant return to the (relative) limelight, following his claims to have had a cyber-affair with Jordan, continues unabated.

Now, I normally try to give reality TV wannabes the benefit of the doubt - but I really wish Billi would bog off, don’t you?

Still, it was this picture that got me most excited. Just look at that line-up…

 

From left to right, we have teddy-and-spanking-lover Jonty Stern and the-one-who-did-the-lap-dance Shanessa Reilly, both from BB8; Paris Hilton’s British Best Friend winner Samuel Hextall; international superstar DJ Talent; bogey-eater Mo Mohamed and Somebody Else I Don’t Recognise. It doesn’t get much better than this, folks!

By the way, just in case you think I sit in this turret in Penge all day and don’t actually get to meet any celebrities in the flesh, I’ll have you know I saw DJ Talent on the 358 bus from Beckenham to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. Honestly - it’s like Stellar Street round here sometimes…

Pictures: Wenn

SEE ALSO:
Big Brother favourites - where are they now? >>
Meet the BB10 housemates >>
DJ Talent: ‘I’ll marry Kelly Brook’ >>
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