New Wag on the block!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Look! Big Brother 7’s Imogen Thomas is going out with Spurs and England footballer Jermain Defoe. I never even knew they were friends - did you?

The pair were snapped leaving London’s Nobu Berkeley last night - both looking the picture of health, despite recent reports that Imogen’s been suffering from swine flu. Marvellous!

Note how the couple initially employ a pose known as the “reverse Posh and Becks” (above), in which she leads him along by the hand - but then revert to the more common-or-garden “man in charge” pose, with Jermain striding out in front…

 

Now, according to my lovingly kept records, this is the first time Jermain has dated an ordinary Big Brother star - although he has, of course, previously been out with Celebrity Big Brother favourite Chantelle Houghton and not-so-favourite Danielle Lloyd.

Ah well, here’s to a long and happy relationship between the couple. I wonder if Imogen’s already planning her wardrobe for next year’s World Cup…

Pictures: Wenn

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Nikki and Natalie - together at last!

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Oooh - I never knew that ex-EastEnder Natalie Cassidy and former Big Brother star Nikki Grahame were friends. Did you?

Still, here's the proof... The pair were pictured together outside London's Embassy club last night, having attended the launch of Nikki's new book, Dying To Be Thin...

 

As the title suggests, the book reveals the full extent of Nikki's battle with eating disorders. Hmmm... those Big Brother star confessionals are coming thick and fast at the moment, aren't they?

As you probably recall, Natalie also recently revealed the extent of her own weight battles - so maybe that's where she's found some common ground with Nikki.

Anyway, want to know who else was at the book launch? Of course you do!

Prize berk David Van Day showed up with his apparently-8ft-tall girlfriend Sue Moxley...

 

And, in the absence of any film premieres last night, Sam and Amanda Marchant turned up, too...

 

Talking of which, surely it won't be long until those two have a book out...

And finally, here's our Nat "waving goodbye" to the paparazzi at the end of the evening...

 

Goodnight Natalie! Sweet dreams!

Pictures: Wenn

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Hayden and Bristol talk teen pregnancy

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

Well, I never had these two down as friends!

However, Heroes star Hayden Panettiere and teen mum Bristol Palin got together in New York yesterday to participate in a panel discussion to mark National Teen Pregnancy Awareness Day.

As you probably remember, Bristol's pregnancy was announced shortly after her moose-bothering mum Sarah Palin was chosen as John McCain's running mate in last year's US elections.

Bristol, who's 18, has since split from her boyfriend Levi Johnston - and the pair are now embroiled in a bitter custody battle over their five-month-old son Tripp.

Talking at last night's event, Bristol admitted she now regrets becoming a mum at such a young age. "You don't have friends, can't just go to the movies, get your hair done - you put your baby first," she revealed. (Er... surely you still have some friends, Bristol?)

Having become an ambassador for campaign group The Candie's Foundation, Bristol now advocates abstinence from sex as the only "100% foolproof" way to avoid teen pregnancy.

But what does Hayden think about teenage sex? "It's natural, it's what everyone does," she insisted. "But most people don't realise how serious things are until it directly impacts them in their lives or in the lives of the people around them."

Any thoughts?

Picture: PA

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Who's Alexandra's new best friend?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Here are wonder-warblers Alexandra Burke and Ruth Lorenzo heading back to their London hotel after last night's X Factor party at Movida.

The pair refused to get out of their car until the paparazzi serenaded them with a rousing rendition of Jeff Buckley's Alex's 'Hallelujah'. What a delightful little scene that must have been.

But Ruth had better be on her guard. Apparently, she has a rival for the title of "Alex's BFF". Her name? Kate Moss.

According to The Sun, the pair's friendship blossomed when Kate became a "regular" in the X Factor audience. (I'm sure I only saw her there once, but never mind...)

"I'm going to her party on Friday," Alex told the tabloid. "She promised me I could have anything I wanted from her wardrobe. She said I could stay the night then we would go for a pub lunch on Saturday. I can't wait."

Alex can't wait? Just imagine how the paps must be feeling after that top tip-off...

Pictures: Big Pictures

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Peter Andre's new best friend?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Puh! Who needs Simon Cowell and his stinky old £1m recording contract, eh?

X Factor loser Austin Drage has clearly well and truly hit the big time - because he was spotted leaving London's Movida with international superstar Peter Andre in the early hours of this morning. I never knew they were friends - did you?

What's more, Pete and Austin weren't the only stars out clubbing at Movida last night. Pete's wife Jordan was there, too...

Gosh - how nice to see her out and about. I'd almost forgotten she existed.

Also painting the town red - or should that be blue? - was 8ft 6in (or thereabouts) Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch...

Let's hope he had a better time than his glum expression would suggest.

Oh, and Alesha Dixon was there...

I wonder what she was looking so shocked about. Maybe she was surprised to see Pete and Austin together, too...

Pictures: Wenn

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Paris's right royal BFF

Posted by Jane Murphy

Remember Paris Hilton's recent trip to Blighty to find a new Best Friend Forever?

Well, it seems she may have found one - although it's not necessarily one of the contestants on her "find-a-friend" MTV show. In fact, it's Prince Harry's ever-fragrant girlfriend, Chelsy Davy. Just fancy that!

As you may recall, the peroxide pair's paths crossed in a London club last month. "Chelsy was absolutely stunning and such a sweetheart," says Paris. "We chatted for ages."

And what about Prince William and Prince Harry? "They were very nice and down to earth," Paris reveals - although Ms Hilton's idea of "down to earth" may differ slightly from ours, of course.

Meanwhile, rumour has it Amy Winehouse has also become enamoured of Chelsy - and wants to take her on a night out. A word to the wise, Chelsy: just say no, no, no!

Pictures: PA

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Hillary wins over America

Posted by Jane Murphy

Now, here's something you don't see every day.

Former US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton poses with Ugly Betty's America Ferrera at last night's Glamour Women Of The Year Awards in New York. I never knew they were friends - did you?

Still, there were all sorts of unlikely friendships on show in the US yesterday...

Mind you, I bet Barack Obama wishes he was hanging out with the cast of Ugly Betty instead...

Pictures: Big Pictures

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They’ll always have Paris…

Posted by Jane Murphy

So Paris Fashion Week got underway yesterday - which means we can spend another seven days looking at pictures of unlikely combinations of celebrities looking at clothes. Brilliant!

First up? The always fabulous Lily Allen squeezed in next to nearly-as-fabulous Dita Von Teese and we’re-not-quite-sure-about-you-yet Katy Perry on the front row at Dior. And don’t they look really comfortable in one another’s company? No?

Harry Potter star Emma Watson was there, too, but presumably she’d nipped off to get the ice creams when this picture was taken.

Later in the day, Dita hotfooted it over to the new Patrick Demarchelier exhibition at the Petit Palais.

The gorgeous Ms Von Teese ensured she stood out from the crowd by wearing a top hat at a jaunty angle. Rumour has it this look will be positively de rigueur on high streets up and down the land by the end of the year.

And tabloid-tastic supermodel Naomi Campbell showed up, looking like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth…

I still wouldn’t dare to argue with her though, would you?

Pictures: Big Pictures, Wenn

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America meets Blake

Posted by Jane Murphy

Look! It's two of our favourite US TV stars in the same place at the same time. What are the chances of that happening, eh?

Ugly Betty's not-so-ugly America Ferrera and Gossip Girl's impossibly gorgeous Blake Lively posed together on the red carpet at last night's New York premiere of their new movie, The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants 2.

America was also asked about Lindsay Lohan's five-episode guest-starring role in the new series of Ugly Betty.

Seeing her opportunity to present us with a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into a top TV show, America gushed: "It was great. It was fun. They wrote a lot of really fun stuff for her character and we had a good time." Amazing!

Picture: Wenn

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Oi! Brian! No!

Posted by Jane Murphy

Hang on! What's going on here then? It's last year's Big Brother winner Brian Belo posing with Jodie "keeping it not-so-real" Marsh outside his birthday party at London's Embassy club last night.

I never knew they were friends - did you? I wonder if this could be the start of something really beautiful...

Still, Brian was joined by lots of other familiar faces at last night's bash - among them his ex-girlfriend Amanda Marchant and her sister Sam...

Hmmm... that's an interesting fashion choice for the twins, don't you think?

And this year's first Big Brother evictee, Stephanie McMichael, was there, too...

That's what happens when you leave the show in its early weeks, you see. You get to hang out with ex-housemates from previous years instead.

Other guests included Nikki Grahame, Bianca Gascoigne and Carole Vincent. You remember Carole? She was the one who did all the cooking and cleaning in last year's Big Brother - it made gripping TV.

Pictures: Big Pictures, Wenn

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Liz's new best friend

Posted by Jane Murphy

Oooh - could Elizabeth Hurley be about to steal Gwyneth Paltrow away from friend-in-need Madonna?

The Oscar-winning actress spent yesterday morning visiting Madge in her New York apartment - but had to rush off later to meet Liz in Bloomingdale's.

Mind you, I should just point out that Gwyn and Liz were obliged to show up to the swanky store - because they were there to promote Estée Lauder's new scent, Sensuous.

And with the job done, the pair headed off to a star-studded party at the nearby Waverley Inn.

Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Picture: Wenn

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Lily and Li-Lo to duet?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Remember how Lily Allen and Lindsay Lohan hooked up for dinner in Los Angeles last month?

Well, now it turns out they could have been discussing business - because rumour has it Lindsay's already recorded a vocal for a track on Lily's long-awaited second album. Apparently, it's an electro-pop number called 'Wherever You Go'. Hmmm...

Could this be the start of something big - or should Lily steer clear of the LA party set and enlist the help of "proper" musicians instead? Any thoughts?

Picture: Rex Features

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Nicole loves Galway!

Posted by Jane Murphy

Now, here's a sentence I never thought I'd find myself writing... Nicole Kidman has called on the services of veteran Irish flautist James Galway to help her through childbirth.

Allow me to explain... The actress - who's due to give birth in a Nashville hospital sometime over the next fortnight - has been busy putting together CDs of music to listen to during labour.

Naturally, a couple of tracks by husband Keith Urban have made the grade - but top of the pile is Mr Galway, who's best known for his instrumental version of John Denver's 'Annie's Song' back in 1978.

"Nicole has always loved James Galway, particularly his classical albums," says a friend. "Whenever you go to her house, she has Galway on. There is one Prokofiev sonata that's her favourite."

Hmmm... I always thought Nic's musical taste would be more cutting-edge than that. Still, you learn something new every day...

Picture: Wenn

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Jordan's new best friend?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Now, here's another blossoming unlikely friendship... Prolific glamourpuss Jordan cuddled up to former athlete Lord Sebastian Coe during the prize-giving ceremony at a charity polo match yesterday afternoon.

Jordan was among the celebrities who helped raise £35,000 for injured riders at the West Sussex event. According to eyewitnesses, she looked a "natural" in the saddle - and also took charge of opening the post-match champagne. That's our girl!

Picture: Wenn

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Who's missing a wedding ring?

Posted by Jane Murphy

A word to the wise, Kate Beckinsale: if you don't want people to start asking questions about your marriage, don't allow yourself to be photographed without your wedding ring.

Still, I'm sure everything's as hunky-dory as ever between the actress and husband Len Wiseman - although Kate's currently on a solo trip to the UK.

Incidentally, on Wednesday night, Ms B headed out for dinner with notorious lay-dees' man David Walliams. Afterwards, the pair strolled arm-in-arm from swanky eaterie J Sheekey back to Kate's hotel in Soho.

But, lest you get the wrong idea, I should just add that David left his A-list pal at the hotel door and headed straight home. Still, you know what? I never knew they were friends! That's another one to add to the list...

Pictures: Wenn, Big Pictures

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Lily meets Li-Lo!

Posted by Jane Murphy

What's Lily Allen looking so happy about? It could be because everyone's favourite celebrity pink-head has just been allowed back into the US to finish her new album, having been denied access six months ago.

And last night she went out for dinner at swanky LA eaterie Il Sole with "just good friends" Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan. The connection? Well, Lily's mates with Sam's brother Mark Ronson, isn't she? See how it all falls neatly into place?

Anyway, so far no willing eavesdroppers have come forward to tell us what the trio talked about the dinner table - so we'll just have to take a guess at their conversational topics. Amy Winehouse? Dealing with the paparazzi? The recent shock resignation of the entire South Korean cabinet?

Has anyone got any better ideas?

Picture: Wenn

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Where's Jordan off to?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Eek - what's going on here then? Author/mother/rocket scientist Jordan was spotted clambering into a van full of men outside London's Nobu Berkeley on Saturday night.

But don't worry. One of the men was her husband Peter Andre - and the other two were The Friday Sunday Night Project's Justin Lee Collins and Alan Carr, who clearly only have eyes for one another.

During an interview with Justin and Alan, aired on TV last night, Jordan and Peter gave us yet another fascinating insight into their sex life (stop yawning at the back there, please).

"When I have a drink, I turn into Jordan," said... erm... Jordan. "When I'm Jordan, my legs are quarter to three, but when I'm Katie my legs are five past one." What a delightful image, eh?

Pictures: Big Pictures

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Why's Amy spring-cleaning?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Isn't it nice to see Amy Winehouse making the most of the Bank Holiday weekend by having a good old-fashioned spring-clean?

The under-fire singer decided to have a clear-out late on Friday, which gave the ever-present paparazzi something to photograph when she put the rubbish out. (What's the betting the contents of those bin bags will turn up on eBay before too long?)

But why the sudden flurry of cleaning activity? Could it be because Amy was expecting visitors? As you can see, Sadie Frost - one of Ms Winehouse's never-ending legion of new best friends - called round for a cuppa with son Rafferty on Saturday. The fun never stops, does it?

Pictures: Big Pictures

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Where's Britney?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Stop me if you think you've heard this one before but... Rumours are rife that Britney Spears is pregnant. The evidence? She looks like she may have piled on a few pounds and she went for a hospital check-up yesterday.

Apparently, the hospital in question actually specialises in sports injuries - but that hasn't stopped the Hollywood rumour mill from going into overdrive.

Still, enough of that nonsense! I'm far more interested in the news that later in the day, Britters headed off on holiday with Mel Gibson. The pop princess is staying at Mel's Costa Rican ranch, along with her dad Jamie, Mel's wife Robin and the actor himself.

"They're just going away for a few days to relax," a friend told People magazine. "Mel and Robin obviously saw a woman in crisis and wanted to extend themselves in any way possible. There are no expectations. There is no agenda. It's simply an act of human kindness - one neighbour reaching out to another."

Oh well, let's hope Britters doesn't get too bored during her holiday with the oldies... I wonder what they'll talk about all day. Any ideas?

Picture: Wenn

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Donatella's new best friend?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Now here's something you don't see every day. The always good-for-a-laugh Donatella Versace appeared to be decidedly less orange than usual at a New York Times party in the Big Apple last night. Perhaps she's finally seen the light. Or maybe her sunbed's broken. Who knows?

And who's that standing next to her? It's British comedian Tracey Ullman - who's all but disappeared from the UK tabloids since she hotfooted it to the US several decades ago. I never knew she was friends with Donatella. Mind you, I never cared if she was friends with Donatella either. Still, it's another "unlikely friendship" to add to the collection, isn't it?

So what's given you a bigger laugh over the years - Donatella's skin tone or Tracey's jokes? All vote now!

Picture: Wenn

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Who's round at Amy's?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Remember how I asked you to guess who'd be the next unexpected guest at Amy Winehouse's pad?

Well, we have our answer, folks: last night saw old-enough-to-know-better party girl Sadie Frost bowl up to the singer's house at 2am.

Funnily enough, Amy was still awake and happy to receive house-guests - having been out on another action-packed night in Camden, with a bunch of mates.

According to the frankly horrified paparazzi, Amy "pulled bizarre facial expressions and sniggered uncontrollably" during the short walk home from the pub. Well, at least the gurning adds some variety to your photos, fellas.

Meanwhile, despite all her woes, Amy's just been included for the first time on this year's Sunday Times young music rich list - with an estimated fortune of £10m. I wonder what she spends it all on...

Pictures: Wenn

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Alan's so fickle!

Posted by Jane Murphy

Tsk! TV funnyman Alan Carr seems to be making a habit of getting papped with thirty-something, tabloid-tastic female celebrities recently.

Last week, we spotted him out with Geri Halliwell after she'd guest-hosted The Friday Night Project. And now he's been seen wandering arm-in-arm through Soho with ex-EastEnder Jessie Wallace. And no, I never knew they were friends.

But Jessie should beware if she thinks a dinner date with Alan means he'll rein in his catty comments. Speaking about Geri earlier this week, he told the Daily Mirror: "She's so boring. I think all that LA sunshine has gone to her head. She was all astrology this, and astrology that. I get bored just talking about it."

So who will Alan be spotted with next? My money's on Amanda Holden...

Picture: Wenn

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Amy's new best friend?

Posted by Jane Murphy

And now for another in our occasional series: "I never knew they were friends!"

The latest odd couple? It's tabloid regular Amy Winehouse and ex-EastEnder James Alexandrou - aka Martin Fowler. The former soap favourite was spotted calling round at Amy's north London flat yesterday afternoon.

He then spent several hours in Amy's company - but headed off mid-afternoon, when the singer went to visit her husband, Charlie Cotton lookalike Blake Fielder-Civil, in prison.

Recent visitors to Ms Winehouse's pad have included Pete Doherty, Mark Ronson and Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace. Who's next, d'you reckon?

Pictures: Wenn

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Geri's new best friend?

Posted by Jane Murphy

And now for another in our occasional series: "I never knew they were friends!"

The latest couple? It's former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and TV funnyman Alan Carr. The pair were spotted heading out for a late dinner at swanky London restaurant Nobu last night.

So how long have the pair known one another? Well, a clue could lie in the fact that Geri's guest-presenting this week's The Friday Night Project, with Alan and Justin Lee Collins. So I'm guessing they'd been mates for approximately six hours at this point.

Let's hope it's the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship...

Picture: Big Pictures

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Lily's new best friend

Posted by Jane Murphy

And now welcome to the first in an occasional series entitled: "I never knew they were friends!"

Our first couple? It's newly blonde Lily Allen and Gavin and Stacey star James Corden. The pair were spotted calling round at a mate's house at 1am today, having left London's Dolce club together. However, when their friend didn't appear to be home, they rolled back to Lily's pad instead.

Anyone else spotted any unlikely pairings recently?

Picture: Big Pictures

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