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MICHAEL JACKSON has announced he is preparing for a comeback world tour, blasting recent reports he is suffering from a deadly lung condition.
Author Ian Halperin sparked rumours the star is seriously ill after telling Britain’s Sunday Express this week (begs21Dec08) Jackson is suffering from a condition known as Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD), a potentially fatal genetic illness.
Halperin, who is writing a new book about Jackson’s life, also alleged the Thriller hitmaker is losing the vision in his left eye and even needs a lung transplant after developing emphysema, which can be caused by A1AD.
But a spokesperson for the star is adamant Jackson is perfectly healthy - and is even preparing to step back into the spotlight for a world tour.
His publicist says: "Concerning this author’s allegations, we would hope in the future that legitimate media will not continue to be exploited by such an obvious attempt to promote this unauthorised ‘biography.’ "The writer’s wild allegations concerning Mr Jackson’s health are a total fabrication. Mr Jackson is in fine health, and finalising negotiations with a major entertainment company and television network for both a world tour and a series of specials and appearances."

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BLACK EYED PEAS star WILL.I.AM was stunned when MICHAEL JACKSON knocked on his door - because he idolised the pop star while growing up in a poor area of Los Angeles.
The rapper opened his home to Jackson to produce a remix of P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) for the King of Pop’s 25th anniversary album - but never fathomed he would entertain the superstar in his own house.
He says, "We recorded in Ireland then after that we mixed it at my house. You don’t expect Michael Jackson to come to your house.
"I’m from the projects in East L.A., and growing up in East L.A. you never would imagine (that). As a little kid, you’re like, ‘Michael Jackson! I can do the moon walk!’ You never expect when you get old, Michael Jackson comes to your house." (JMA/WNVCAR/PAW) WENN - FIRST - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 23 DECEMBER 2008

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A U.S. judge has granted BRITNEY SPEARS’ father JAMIE an increase in his monthly payments as conservator of the singer’s estate.
Jamie Spears was put in charge of his daughter’s legal, financial and personal affairs in February (08) following a public breakdown which saw the star hospitalised for a mental evaluation.
Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz ruled in October (08) that Jamie Spears and attorney Andrew Wallet would stay on indefinitely as co-conservators.
And on Monday (22Dec08) Goetz awarded Spears an additional $51,000 (£34,000) payout for helping his daughter get her personal and professional life back on track.
Guetz told the hearing: "He (Jamie Spears) has been working extra hours related to various activities related to her music and her tour and activities necessary to the conservatorship." The elder Spears had previously been receiving $10,000 (£6,700) a month for his work, but Goetz increased the amount to approximately $16,000 (£10,700) per month and agreed to give him backpay.
Goetz also granted Spears an additional $1,200 (£809) monthly payment to maintain an office.

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Rapper JAY-Z and MARY J. BLIGE are facing legal action from two disgruntled musicians who allege they wrote one of the singer’s tunes.
In a lawsuit filed in federal U.S. court, Jermaine Jumpp and Michael C. Adams claim they gave a CD to the office of songwriter/producer Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, containing their song On My Grind.
The men allege their track was later plagiarised in Blige’s 2005 single Enough Cryin’, which was produced by Jerkins and released on her album The Breakthrough, according to TMZ.com.
Jay-Z, who has a writing credit on Blige’s song, has also been named in the suit.

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LINDSAY LOHAN’s girlfriend SAMANTHA RONSON is recovering at home following her admission to a California hospital to treat an alleged struggle with exhaustion and depression.
The DJ is said to have called doctors to her Los Angeles property on Sunday (21Dec08) and was subsequently taken to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Reports from TMZ.com allege that Ronson’s visit was "not an emergency and definitely non life-threatening".
Writing on her MySpace.com blog, Ronson says, "Thanks for all your messages.
I’m home and all good. Was just pretty exhausted from travelling and working too much to buy Chanukah gifts and my Jewish mother was worried about me.
"I had good company and a Jerry’s Deli delivery of chicken soup and potato pancakes and am feeling much better. (I) am back to watching all my favourite Jerry Bruckheimer shows."

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SIR PAUL McCARTNEY’s latest album ELECTRIC ARGUMENTS was written and recorded in less than two weeks.
The former Beatle has teamed up with The Verve producer Youth to release the LP as his dance alter ego The Fireman.
And the rocker insists the project was nearly effortless - because the duo made no plans and instead produced the entire album in a matter of days.
He says, "It’s great fun to make. We just made it up as we went along. We went in with no songs, no words, nothing, and came out later that day with a whole track.
"It was a buzz to work so fast. We did about 13 tracks in 13 days. There was no time to think, which is kind of nice."

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TWILIGHT actress KRISTEN STEWART is struggling to cope with her newfound fame because she has yet to adjust to crazed fans recognising her on the street.
The 18-year-old was catapulted into the spotlight with co-star Robert Pattinson when the epic Vampire love story stormed into international box offices last month (Nov08).
But Stewart admits their sudden success is overwhelming.
She says, "I’m really not good at it. Some people are great at it. It’s like the other side of the job. I can’t believe I have to do it.
"It makes it easier because I’m really proud of the movie and I’m a fan of the book as well.
"It’s weird to see people mainly my age flipping out over Rob walking into the room. He shifts in his seat and they all just go crazy. It’s a little daunting."

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Comedian DAVID SPADE gave his hometown police force an early Christmas gift - a $100,000 (£67,570) donation which will fund the purchase of 300 rifles.
Spade stopped by a police station in his native Phoenix, Arizona on Monday (22Dec08) morning to present the cheque, intended to pay for the purchase of rifles for patrol officers, according to People.com.
The donation will reportedly help fund a program co-ordinated by Phoenix Police Chief and Public Safety Manager Jack Harris and Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President Officer Mark Spencer.
A source tells the website, "Asking there be no fanfare or media attention, Mr. Spade called last week and said he wanted to donate $100,000 (£67,570) to the Phoenix Police Department towards the purchase of rifles to help keep our patrol officers and community safe.
"This mutual agreement can now move ahead with momentum thanks to the generosity of Mr. Spade."

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DUSTIN HOFFMAN’s attempt to surprise reporters with a guinea pig in his pocket came back to bite him - when the critter started gnawing on his nipple during a press conference for his new film.
Hoffman was promoting animated mouse movie The Tale of Despereaux, and was desperate to entertain himself while reporters fired off questions he had bored of answering during previous interviews.
And after spending time with his rowdy young son and his pal’s pet guinea pig, the actor got the idea to stick his furry new friend in his shirt pocket.
He muses, "You feel like it’s presidential, and it’s kind of silly. So for Despereaux… I rehearsed with the guinea pig and everything - it was doing great. I took it to the press conference and suddenly it bit my nipple. I haven’t lactated since."

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Veteran entertainer LIZA MINNELLI keeps her energy up during gruelling performances of her Broadway show by calling on the memory of her late mother, JUDY GARLAND.
Minnelli, 62, cancelled a performance of her critically-acclaimed show Liza’s at the Palace earlier this month (10Dec08) "due to health reasons and doctor’s orders," according to her spokesperson.
The break came one week after she made her debut in the production - marking her first return to Broadway after nearly six years.
And Minnelli insists the memory of her legendary mother keeps her pushing through the demanding regime.
She tells the New York Post’s Page Six magazine, "Every night I feel the emotion and energy of everyone who has played there before me. It may sound crazy, but I feel my mother (Judy Garland), (vaudeville stars) Sophie Ticker, Al Jolson - it gives me goose bumps up there performing. It is so exciting and I celebrate it every night." The production was originally scheduled to run until 14 December (08) but was recently extended through 28 December (08) due to high demand.

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THE STREETS frontman MIKE SKINNER is reportedly set to become a dad for the first time.
The British rapper is thrilled after learning his girlfriend, Claire Le Marquand, is expecting a baby in April (09).
A source tells Britain’s The Sun newspaper, "Mike is delighted. He can’t wait to be a dad. He says this is the best Christmas gift ever.
"He is doting on Claire and making sure she puts her feet up at home." Le Marquand works at Skinner’s record label, Warner Bros, and helped to promote his band’s fourth album, Everything Is Borrowed, earlier this year (08).

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Rapper JOHN FORTE has vowed to help young people "understand they have options" following his release from a New Jersey federal prison on Monday (22Dec08) after his sentence for drug-smuggling was reduced by U.S. President GEORGE W.
BUSH.
The Grammy-winning producer and rapper, 33, spent seven years behind bars after he was found guilty of cocaine smuggling in 2001.
Forte, an affiliate of the Fugees, was arrested at New Jersey’s Newark International Airport in 2000 with a suitcase containing $1.4 million (£945,945) worth of the drug, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
He has always maintained his innocence and turned down a variety of plea deals. He learned of the American leader’s commutation on 24 November (08), after a fellow inmate saw it reported on CNN.
Forte’s close friend, singer Carly Simon, has also long campaigned on his behalf.
His lawyer, Aarti Tandon tells the New York Post, "He wants to help young kids understand they have options and help deter them from making some of the mistakes he made." Forte still faces the possibility of five years of supervised probation.

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British soul star CORINNE BAILEY RAE’s late husband often used drugs during nights out, the singer has told an inquest into his death.
Saxophonist Jason Rae died in a Leeds, England flat in March (08) and an hour-long court session heard on Monday (22Dec08) that his death was caused by alcohol and methadone poisoning.
A post-mortem revealed the 31-year-old drank methadone prescribed to his friend James Sheasby, a former heroin addict, before falling into a deep sleep and never waking.
Rae, whose band Haggis Horns has backed Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, also had traces of ecstasy and cocaine in his blood.
The singer, who was not present for the inquest, acknowledged her late spouse’s long-standing battle with addiction in a statement.
She says: "It was not unusual for Jason to drink heavily then seek out drugs like cocaine and ecstasy and take it as a part of a night out. He has not to my knowledge tried methadone." Coroner David Hinchcliff told the inquest there was no evidence Rae had used methadone before, recording a verdict of misadventure.
Bailey Rae also paid tribute to her spouse, branding him her "first and only true love." She adds: "He was a loyal and devoted friend. He is a faithful son and loving brother. He is very open and honest to a fault. He is not a hedonist, he is a deep thinker. My husband is my first and only true love. He is the most beautiful and complex person I have ever known."

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SOPRANOS actor LILLO BRANCATO JR has been cleared of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of an off-duty policeman in 2005.
Officer Daniel Enchautegui was shot dead by Brancato’s friend Steven Armento when he disturbed the pair breaking into his neighbour’s Bronx, New York home on 10 December 2005.
Brancato - who was shot and wounded by Enchautegui - was convicted of the lesser charge of attempted burglary on Monday (22Dec08) and now faces a minimum of three years in prison.
The star could be excused from serving the sentence because he has been behind bars about that long.
Brancato took the stand earlier this month (Dec08) to explain to the jury he suffered from judgment-impairing heroin withdrawals on the night of the shooting.
He claimed he had known the owner of the house for several years and had permission to go inside and take painkillers and other pills - but didn’t know the man had died earlier that year.
Armento was convicted earlier this year (08) of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. (PAW/WNWA) WENN - BREAKING NEWS - 22 DECEMBER 2008 ————————————————————————–

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