Sunday, February 22, 2009

Cyrus defends bond with father




(Saturday February 21, 2009 01:33 PM)

Miley Cyrus says she is bothered by people who think there is something wrong with the bond between her and her father, singer Billy Ray Cyrus.

"The media has said some stuff about my dad and me being too close and too cuddly for a father and a daughter," the 16-year-old actress-singer writes in Miles To Go, a new memoir. "For me and my dad it's not weird at all."

Cyrus's memoir, written with Hilary Liftin, will be published next month by Disney-Hyperion Books.

She does not mention directly last year's photoshoot for Vanity Fair, when she is shown reclining against her father, his arm around her shoulder, both of them sombre and bare-armed - an image many found suggestive.

But she does write that she loves her father (who co-stars on her Hannah Montana TV show), is not afraid to show it, and "we don't let other people tell us what expressions we're supposed to have on our faces when we take a picture together!".

Acknowledging that fame inevitably attracts criticism, she writes of being hurt by comments posted about her on the internet and concludes that some people are "so full of anger, hatred and bitterness".

Referring to the media, she regrets that people make profits off her troubles, and wishes they instead would profit from her "achievements".

Ex-Nine Inch Nails rocker offers fans bizarre 'meet-and-greet' deals


(Saturday February 21, 2009 12:35 AM)

Former Nine Inch Nails drummer Josh Freese is bidding to cash in on his time in the band - by offering fans the chance to pay to hang out with him.

Freese, who quit the group late last year to spend more time with his family, has created 11 bizarre meet-and-greet packages ranging in price from £5 to £53,000.

For £5 fans get a digital download of his new solo album Since 1972; for £35 they get the album, a T-shirt and a five-minute phone call from Freese; and £350 buys the lucky fan a dinner date with the star.

Freese will wash the car or clean the laundry of anyone willing to hand over £700; and a £7,000 contribution lands a double date; a day at Disneyland and Freese's Volvo car.

For £52,500 Freese will write a five song EP about the bidders life, work as their personal assistant for a month; and invite them to "take 'shrooms (magic mushrooms) and cruise Hollywood in Danny (Carey) from (rock band) Tool's Lamborghini".

Fans with deep pockets can check out the deals in full on Freese's website.

Pet Shop Ballet


(Friday February 20, 2009 05:59 PM)

Pet Shop Boys are working on a ballet which will be unveiled in London in 2011, the pop act have revealed.

Neil Tennant revealed news of the project this week, just days after the duo were awarding the Outstanding Contribution award at The BRITS.

The currently untitled production will feature "electronics and strings" and has been inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen tale.

"It's quite a big project. There's a lot of music to write but we've written half an hour of it and we've done a bit of a workshop with them", Tennant told the BBC.

"It's got a story, it's like a Tchaikovsky ballet in that it's based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen but we've got the choreographer sorted out now.

"We're going to be working on that across the year but we're touring so we probably won't get it really finished until the end of next year", he explained.

As previously reported, Pet Shop Boys play a pair of live shows in Manchester and London this summer.

Meet Metallica!


(Friday February 20, 2009 05:40 PM)

Metallica fans in the UK are to get the chance to go onstage with the band in a new competition.

The rock titans kick-off the latest leg of their "Death Magnetic" world tour with a show in Nottingham later this month.

Today they announced plans to offer unprecedented, VIP access to the band for two couples.

The competition winners will meet the band backstage, enter the auditorium with them and watch the opening two songs from the side of the stage.

To enter, fans must visit the Metallica mini-site accessed with their copy of "Death Magnetic".

They play the following dates:

February 2009

25 Nottingham Trent FM Arena
26 Manchester Evening News Arena
28 Sheffield Arena

March

02+28 London O2 Arena
03 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
25 Birmingham LG Arena
26 Glasgow SECC

Robbie sends Jade flowers?


(Friday February 20, 2009 03:05 PM)

It seems Robbie Williams has sent flowers to Jade Goody.

A delivery man who brought an enormous bunch of pink flowers to Jade's Essex home said they had been sent by a famous male singer.

He refused to confirm the identity of the sender but began singing Robbie's hit Angels when asked who they were from.

Jade extended the hand of friendship to the media again when she sent out trays of tea and coffee to the press pack camped outside her house. The cancer-stricken celebrity, who has lived in the public eye since appearing on Big Brother in 2002, asked friends to give out the hot drinks because she was worried reporters might be cold.

Jade's friend, Kevin Adams, told reporters she wanted to bring the drinks herself but was too tired.

Manson for Download


(Friday February 20, 2009 12:49 AM)

Marilyn Manson will play the Download Festival this summer, organisers have announced.

The controversial rocker is the latest name to be added to the bill for the event, alongside ZZ Top and Killswitch Engage.

The line-up already includes Slipknot, The Prodigy, Motley Crue, Korn, Limp Bizkit and Whitesnake.

Def Leppard, Trivium, Dragonforce, Devil Driver and Pendulum and also set to appear, while Anvil are rumoured guests.

Download 2009 takes place at Donington Park on June 12-14.

Imbruglia works with Martin


(Friday February 20, 2009 10:49 AM)

Natalie Imbruglia and Chris Martin have been recording together for her new album, according to reports.

The Aussie pop star and former "Neighbours" actress was pictured in London this week, after presenting an award at The BRITS.

She was also in attendance at Coldplay's exclusive War Child concert at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire.

A UK tabloid claims the singer has been working on material with the band's singer for release later this year.

Imbruglia's last album, "Counting Down The Days", came out in 2005.

Followill's female fan gets a soaking from girlfriend


(Friday February 20, 2009 10:25 AM)

Kings Of Leon rocker Jared Followill's girlfriend allegedly caused trouble backstage at the Brit Awards - after she allegedly soaked a girl the star was flirting with.

The family band, brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared, along with cousin Matthew, were celebrating their double-victory at the ceremony at London's Earl's Court on Wednesday; they walked away with trophies for Best International Group and International Album for Only By The Night.

And bassist Jared got carried away after the group's storming performance - by getting cosy with a rival act's female backing singer.

According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, the rocker's girlfriend didn't approve of her man's new admirer, and caused a furore by throwing her drink over the stunned girl.

A source tells the publication, "Jared's girlfriend was not happy. She went ballistic and the next minute more than 20 people had all piled into the bust-up.

"The lads had been tucking into the free booze and things got a bit lairy (loud). They are known for having fiery relationships with their girlfriends and with each other. It wasn't surprising there was a bit of scrap (fight)."

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Kylie has fun at the Brits


(Wednesday February 18, 2009 08:44 PM)

The Brit Awards has kicked off with Kylie Minogue and Gavin And Stacey stars James Corden and Mathew Horne at the helm.

The cream of the music world gathered at London's Earls Court to see U2 opened the show with new single Get On Your Boots.

Kylie, wearing a flowing white dress, then performed a comedy dance routine to her hit Can't Get You Out Of My Head with co-hosts James and Mat as her backing dancers in tight-fitting red dresses.

There was early success for Duffy, who picked up the award for British Female Solo Artist. Accepting the gong, the 24-year-old Welsh soul singer said: "It is a real honour to be here - it is a treat."

Rihanna "appalled" by Brown


(Wednesday February 18, 2009 06:24 PM)

Rihanna is reportedly "appalled" by Chris Brown's statement expressing his sorrow at the alleged fracas between the pair earlier this month.

An anonymous friend of the singer has spoken to the media about the incident and his comments to the press this week.

In an interview with The Chicago Sun-Times, the unknown source said the "Umbrella" singer was incredulous at the latest comments from her boyfriend.

"All of us, including Rihanna, don't understand how he can say he's sorry on the one hand, but still does not admit any guilt", commented the friend.

"He should have expressed more contrition", she said of Brown, who is currently under investigation following his arrest in Los Angeles on February 8.

Black Eyed comeback


(Wednesday February 18, 2009 06:23 PM)

The Black Eyed Peas are to release a new album this summer called "The E.N.D.", they have announced.

Band leader will.i.am revealed news of their first record since 2005's "Monkey Business" this week.

Standing for "The Energy Never Dies", it follows his recent political anthem for Barack Obama, "Yes We Can".

Describing the new material, will.i.am said it consisted of "a lot of dance stuff, real melodic, electronic, soulful. We call it, like, electric static funk, something like that."

"The E.N.D." is due for release on June 9.

Killers take T


(Wednesday February 18, 2009 02:55 PM)

The Killers will headline T In The Park this summer, it has been announced.

The Las Vegas rockers are the latest band to be added to the line-up for the four-day Scottish bash.

As previously reported, Blur, Kings Of Leon and Snow Patrol are the other acts who will top the bill.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Razorlight and Elbow are also scheduled to appear at T In The park, which tales place on July 9-12.

Coldplay to hand out free album


(Wednesday February 18, 2009 01:30 PM)

Coldplay are planning a treat for their loyal fans - the band will give away an exclusive new album free of charge.

The Yellow hitmakers' latest record - Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends - was the world's best-selling album in 2008.

And frontman Chris Martin is keen to reward the group's fans for their support - by handing out a free live album to people who attend their shows this summer.

He tells The Sun newspaper, “What we want to do is try to give away a live album for free. We’re playing a lot of shows in the summer and I think what we would like to do is - bearing in mind the recession we are in - record the live album then give it as a gift. We are just trying to work out how to do that.

“It’s obviously a bit tricky in terms of record contracts and things but it would be great. It’s a way of saying thank you. It’s a tough economy and people are paying a lot of money for tickets.

"We are trying to work out a way that, when you hand your ticket in at the door, you get given the recording. It would be such a cool thing to do. We just feel really grateful at the moment for all the support we get from our fans.”

U2 album launch's midnight opening


(Wednesday February 18, 2009 11:57 AM)

U2 fans are expected to begin queueing outside Irish music stores to be the first to get their hands on the band's long-awaited new album.

HMV said it was opening two outlets in Dublin and Galway at midnight because of overwhelming interest in the world launch of No Line On The Horizon.

It is the first studio release from the rockers in almost five years and goes on sale in their native Ireland three days before it hits UK shelves on March 2.

The album will be released in five different formats, including CD, LP vinyl and three limited edition versions which will be accompanied by a companion film Linear.

Lily Allen makes it a chart double


(Monday February 16, 2009 08:27 AM)

Lily Allen is celebrating a double triumph after her new album matched the success of her best-selling single and went straight to the top of the charts.

The Britpop babe's single The Fear has reigned supreme at the top of the singles chart for the last three weeks.

And It's Not Me It's You was the highest new entry in the album charts, straight in at No 1.

The success of her album follows the singer appealing on her MySpace blog for people to buy the record.

Lily held off the challenge of New Yorker Lady Gaga's Just Dance once again in the singles chart, but may come under pressure next week after two chart heavyweights made their presence felt.

imberlake 'most stylish man in US'


(Monday February 16, 2009 06:13 AM)

Justin Timberlake has been named the most stylish man in the United States in the March issue of GQ magazine.

The magazine picked the entertainer to lead a list of the 10 Most Stylish Men in America.

It singled out Timberlake for his impact on fashion, willingness to take risks and "knack for targeting trends" such as hats, three-piece suits, skinny ties and beards.

Timberlake, who launched his clothing line William Rast several years ago, told GQ he considers model Kate Moss a style icon because she "could put a barrel on and it would be some sort of statement".

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Girls Aloud reveal future




(Friday February 13, 2009 06:04 PM)

Girls Aloud have signed a new deal with their record label, which will see them release three more albums.

The news appears to put paid to persistent reports that the iconic pop act are on the brink of splitting.

Earlier this week, it was claimed Cheryl Cole was considering launching a solo career, following the success of her judging turn on the "X-Factor".

But Girls Aloud's label, Fascination, an offshoot of Polydor, today confirmed they have extended the agreement.

Their next record, a follow-up to last year's "Out Of Control", will be the band's fifth studio release and is due out in 2010.

Coldplay land lucrative Dubai deal


(Friday February 13, 2009 02:25 PM)

Coldplay are reportedly set for a multi-million dollar payday after signing a lucrative deal to perform in the United Arab Emirates.

The Yellow hitmakers are to play a one-off gig in Dubai's luxurious Emirates Palace - earning a reported £1.4 million for just one night's work.

The concert will take place in front of 15,000 fans when the rockers complete their current world tour in August.

Gig promoter Elissa Murtaza says, "Coldplay's debut performance in the Middle East is set to attract one of the biggest attendances in the UAE. Regional fans of the band have waited a long time for this show and they won't be disappointed."

Other stars to have played at the venue include Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Christina Aguilera and Sir Elton John.

Lily Allen begs fans for No 1



(Friday February 13, 2009 12:56 AM)

Lily Allen has begged her fans to help her get to No 1 in the US.

The 23-year-old British singer - currently in New York promoting her new album It's Not Me, It's You - has written a desperate appeal on her MySpace blog asking people to buy her record.

In a new post titled "HELP", Lily wrote: "Okay, so I never thought I would have to write this blog. Earlier today my record company told me It's Not Me, It's You (my new album) has a pretty good chance of going to No 1 in the US charts this week. I'm currently sitting behind Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, who, quite rightly are sitting at No 1.

"I've never had a No 1 album in England, never mind the US, and all of this is a bit crazy. I could well be up for No 1 here (America), which makes me want to cry a bit.

"I've never begged you to buy from me ever, but I am now. This will be the only time ever in my life that this could happen for me. Help me get to No 1, go to iTunes and download the album, you're the only hope I've got guys. I'll love you forever.

"PS Thank you to everyone who has brought me this far. I love you always x.

"Go to tunes and download, please."

Lily - daughter of British actor Keith Allen - launched her pop career on social networking site MySpace and managed to get a record deal after a huge amount of fans signed up to listen to her music through the site.

Jay-Z warns Chris Brown


(Friday February 13, 2009 11:22 AM)

Chris Brown is "a walking dead man" following the alleged attack on Rihanna, Jay-Z has warned.

The US singer and his girlfriend were reportedly involved in an altercation in Los Angeles last weekend.

He has since been arrested and bailed as the investigation continues, but has been told to watch his back by the rap icon.

"Chris is a walking dead man. He messed with the wrong crew", Jay told US Weekly following the incident.

His comments come after Kanye West also leapt to Rihanna's defence, calling her "my baby sis".

Letterman appoints U2


(Friday February 13, 2009 10:53 AM)

U2 will guest as David Letterman's house band for a week next month, it has been announced.

The Irish rockers are to star on the US chat show for five days, to coincide with the release of new album "No Line On The Horizon".

The band, who last appeared on the programme in 2001, will become the first music act to receive such an honour.

"No Line On The Horizon" is due for release on March 2.

Knowles and Hudson shine at NAACP Awards


(Friday February 13, 2009 09:35 AM)

Superstars Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson have walked away with the top music honours at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards in Los Angeles.

Knowles kicked off the 40th annual ceremony on Thursday (12Feb09) with a rousing performance of her new track Halo, before picking up the award for Outstanding Female Artist.

Hudson was named Outstanding New Artist at the glitzy event, which came just days after her Grammy Award win at the weekend (08Feb09).

Accepting the statuette, the Spotlight singer, who also walked away with the Best Album nod, said, "This is where we come from. So it's always an honour to come home and feel welcome and to feel the love. I really cherish this and appreciate it.

Nude Madonna photo auctioned


(Friday February 13, 2009 09:09 AM)

A full-frontal, nude photo of a 20-year-old Madonna has fetched 37,500 US dollars at a New York auction, an apparent record auction price for a photograph of the singer.

According to Christie's auction house, an unnamed European buyer bought the picture, which had been expected to sell for up to 15,000 dollars.

Madonna, then known as Madonna Louise Ciccone, was a dancer trying to make ends meet when she answered a newspaper ad seeking a nude model. She may have earned as little as 25 dollars for the 1979 photo session.

Lee Friedlander's raw, explicit black-and-white image of the star appeared in Playboy in 1985.

The photograph auctioned was one of six from that shoot that appeared in Playboy; the other five pictures were sold together in 2003 for 7,170 US dollars.

Nude Madonna photo fetches $37,500


(Friday February 13, 2009 07:01 AM)

A full-frontal, nude photo of a 20-year-old Madonna has fetched 37,500 US dollars at a New York auction, an apparent record auction price for a photograph of the superstar singer.

According to Christie's auction house, an unnamed European buyer bought the picture, which had been expected to sell for up to 15,000 dollars.

Madonna, then known as Madonna Louise Ciccone, was a dancer trying to make ends meet when she answered a newspaper ad seeking a nude model. She may have earned as little as 25 dollars for the 1979 photo session.

Lee Friedlander's raw, explicit black-and-white image appeared in Playboy in 1985.

The photograph auctioned was one of six from that shoot that appeared in Playboy; the other five pictures were sold together in 2003 for 7,170 US dollars.

Limp Bizkit reform


(Friday February 13, 2009 00:10 AM)

Limp Bizkit are to reform with the original band line up.

The nu metal band announced that they are to kick-start a world tour in the spring - including their first ever gigs in Russia.

It follows a reconciliation between singer Fred Durst and guitarist Wes Borland.

Borland and Durst helped form Limp Bizkit in 1995.

But in 2001 the guitarist walked out amid strained relations with the band's front man.

He returned briefly only to leave again in 2006.

In a joint statement Borland and Durst said: "We decided we were more disgusted and bored with the state of heavy popular music than we were with each other.

"Regardless of where our separate paths have taken us, we recognise there is a powerful and unique energy with this particular group of people we have not found anywhere else. This is why Limp Bizkit is back."

Monday, February 2, 2009

Lily Allen knocks Gaga off top spot


(Sunday February 01, 2009 07:03 PM)

Lily Allen's comeback single The Fear knocked New Yorker Lady Gaga off the top spot after racing up the charts.

It entered last week at 168 but this week stands proud at number one pushing Just Dance down to two to take the place of Kid Cudi vs Crookers's offering Day n' Nite.

Allen this week shares the top 20 with another MySpace-bred singer songwriter Glaswegian Tommy Reilly.

His single Gimmie a Call enters the chart at number 14 just days after he scooped a recording contract after winning Orange's Unsigned Acts this week.

Alesha Dixon is the only other new entry to the top ten with Breathe Slow moving up to six from 13. Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is another significant climber going up from 22 to 11 with his infectious hit, I'm Yours.

Swift slashes tour prices


(Sunday February 01, 2009 01:25 PM)

Country singer Taylor Swift has slashed the ticket prices of her upcoming tour to help fans cope with the world's struggling economy.

Swift, 19, will kick off her first headlining tour later this year, taking on 52 cities in the U.S. and Canada over six months, with American Idol star Kellie Pickler serving as the show's opening act.

The singer, who will launch a line of budget dresses for discount retailer Wal-Mart next month, has set the cheapest tickets for her Fearless tour at £14.

She says, "I want to be sure that everyone has the opportunity to come see my show."

The tour is scheduled to kick off on 23 April in Evansville, Illinois.

Lady Gaga defends 'extreme' wardrobe


(Sunday February 01, 2009 12:30 AM)

Pop newcomer Lady Gaga is defending her wild wardrobe choices - insisting she's trying to make men think harder about what's sexy on a woman.

The Just Dance hitmaker admits she toils endlessly to coordinate her eye-popping outfits, trademark blonde locks and dark glasses.

And Gaga understand she is sometimes considered unsexy, because her revealing wardrobe picks aren't designed to attract male attention like other female chart toppers such as Britney Spears.

She says, "A girl's got to use what she's given and I'm not going to make a guy drool the way a Britney video does. So I take it to extremes. I don't say I dress sexily on stage - what I do is so extreme. It's meant to make guys think: 'I don't know if this is sexy or just weird.'"

Scherzinger hopes to pray with Spears


(Sunday February 01, 2009 11:25 AM)

Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger has vowed to counsel Britney Spears through all of her personal problems - using the power of prayer.

The singer, a close friend of Spears, is set to hit the road with the pop superstar last this year (09) when the Pussycat Dolls open for Spears on her upcoming Circus world tour.

And Scherzinger hopes their time together will be productive.

She says, "Britney is a good friend of mine. I'm looking forward to getting together and having some quiet prayer meetings with her. And I'll be there to talk through whatever she is going through. She has been through a tough time and it's important to get together to pray and meditate."

Cowell puts American Idol contestant back to work


(Sunday February 01, 2009 11:25 AM)

American Idol judge Simon Cowell phoned up a contestant's former boss and begged him to give the singer her job back - after she quit to pursue a career in the music industry.

The music mogul is currently touring the U.S. with the hit TV talent show, auditioning wannabes for the upcoming series.

Adeloa Adegoke, 18, failed to impress the judges with her vocal talents and when she admitted to Cowell that she quit her job because she was so confident of victory in the series - the star called her ex-employer to insist they reinstate her.

During the audition, Cowell told the hopeful, "We should get her boss on the phone."

And when production staff managed to get the call set up, Cowell said, "I am phoning to see if she can have her job back. I think she's terrific."

Elton endorses iPods for charity


(Sunday February 01, 2009 10:25 AM)

Pop superstar Sir Elton John has launched a limited run of crystal-encrusted iPod music players - to raise funds for his AIDS charity.

The Your Song star, 61, personally oversaw the production of 1,000 of the fittingly flamboyant devices - which also feature his signature lasered on the back.

And a percentage of the profits from the prized £400 players will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over £100 million to educate and care for people living with HIV/AIDS since its inception in 1992.

A spokesman for the star says, "Elton does not usually put his name to a product but this is exactly he kind of thing he loves. It's extravagant and glamorous just like him.

"And, as everyone knows, his AIDS charity is very close to his heart."

Britney receives restraining order


(Saturday January 31, 2009 04:36 PM)

Britney Spears obtained a restraining order against former pal Osama "Sam" Lutfi and one-time boyfriend Adnan Ghalib, according to sources.

A person, who was not authorised to speak on the matter publicly and requested anonymity, said Lutfi and others were trying to gain control of Spears' affairs.

Lutfi was a manager and friend of Spears, whose mother once accused him of grinding pills into her food to control her. Ghalib, a paparazzo, had dated the singer.

The exact nature of the order, first reported by the celebrity news site TMZ.com, was not clear; a court official said the documents remained in a judge's chambers.

The order also listed Jon Eardley, an attorney who once claimed to be Spears' attorney and tried to get her conservatorship case moved to federal court.

Spears and her father agreed not to renew a temporary restraining order that was issued against Lutfi last year when it expired in July.

Duffy heads Brits nominations list


(Saturday January 31, 2009 01:40 PM)

Coldplay and Duffy led the way at the Brit Awards nominations with four nods apiece.

The recognition caps a remarkable debut year for the Welsh singer-songwriter, whose Rockferry was the best-selling album of 2008 and moved 4.5 million copies around the world.

Duffy was nominated for best album, best single for chart-topper Mercy, best female solo artist and best breakthrough act.

Fresh from leading a British invasion of the Grammys, where they bagged an an impressive seven nominations, Coldplay will go head to head with Duffy at the Brits for best album for Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends and best single for Viva La Vida. They are also up for best live act and will do battle for best group with Girls Aloud, Radiohead, Take That and long-time indie underdogs Elbow.

Kooks star Pritchard and The Dø to record album


(Saturday January 31, 2009 01:25 PM)

The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard is teaming up with French band The Dø to record an album of cover songs.

Singer Pritchard kicked off his rock career playing his own versions of classic songs in a band called Covernote, which toured the club scene across London.

And now he's set to revive even more versions with rock duo The Dø.

He tells NME.com, "We're just going to do covers. If we have time to write anything we might, but I don't think so. We'll just see how it goes. We'll probably release it a little bit more in France."

And the star insists he will shun a big budget production: "I want to do it a bit like, trashy The Velvet Underground And Nico kind of vibe. We're going to try and get a vibe and get a sound in the room and not over-complicate things with the production."

Spears 'lands restraining order against Lutfi and Ghalib'


(Saturday January 31, 2009 11:25 AM)

Britney Spears has reportedly secured a restraining order to protect her from her former manager Sam Lutfi and ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib.

The singer sent her lawyers to a California courthouse on Friday (30Jan09) to petition for the order, after telling her conservators - who include her father Jamie - she was afraid of them both, according to TMZ.com.

The website's sources claim the move was prompted by Lutfi's attempted legal attack on the conservatorship, which Britney has now been permanently placed under following a series of public meltdowns.

It's the second time Spears has sought a restraining order against Lutfi, who many blame for the series of emotional crises that lead to her losing custody of her two sons with Kevin Federline.

Spears dated paparazzo Ghalib after her split from Federline. Hollywood gossips recently suggested the pair were still in contact and that she had even written a new song about him, claims she subsequently denied.

The move comes just weeks before Spears seals her music comeback with a tour, that kicks off in New Orleans, Louisiana in March (09).

Kasabian battle to save hometown venue


(Saturday January 31, 2009 09:35 AM)

Rockers Kasabian are backing a campaign to save a music venue in their hometown.

Frontman Tom Meighan has promised to add his and his bandmates' names to a petition hoping to keep Leicester hotspot The Charlotte open, after its owners were forced into administration.

Meighan told a local newspaper, "If we can help, we will. At the end of the day, it's a legendary venue."