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PATRICK SWAYZE’s mother is calling on the actor’s fans to pray for him as he battles pancreatic cancer.
The Dirty Dancing star was diagnosed with the deadly disease in early 2008, and he has been making steady progress since undergoing treatment.
However, he suffered a slight setback earlier this month (Jan09) when he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia, spending a week at a Californian medical centre.
He’s now back at home, but his mum Patsy, 81, wants devotees to keep him in their thoughts.
She tells America’s Star magazine, "Patrick is strong, and he’s determined to beat this! Please tell everyone to keep us in their prayers. Pray for Patrick. I know he has a lot of fans out there thinking about him, and we all appreciate that.
"Patrick is feeling a lot better since he got out of the hospital."

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Pregnant actress ANNE HECHE is reportedly urging her married actor boyfriend JAMES TUPPER to divorce his wife - so they can welcome their first child together as a legitimate couple.
The pair met when they were cast as on-screen lovers on the set of axed U.S. drama Men In Trees.
They went public with their romance in 2007, after Heche filed for divorce from her then-husband, Coley Laffoon, the father of her six-year-old son Homer.
And now the actress is keen for Tupper to finalise his split from Katherine Mayfield, almost two years after he filed a petition for divorce.
A source tells America’s Star magazine, "Anne has told him that it’s gone on long enough. She wants it finished.
"She doesn’t want to give birth to their son while his father is married to another woman. She knows how hard it is to get through a divorce, because she’s done it herself. But she can’t understand why it’s taking James so long to get his act together."

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The former Bahamas senator arrested over an alleged plot to extort money from movie star JOHN TRAVOLTA has been arraigned on two charges in the case, days after vowing to prove her innocence.
Pleasant Bridgewater was arrested last Thursday (22Jan09) for her alleged involvement in plans to extort money from Travolta and his wife while the couple was mourning the loss of their teenage son Jett at the beginning of January (09).
She resigned from her post on 25 January (09), insisting she would fight the "untrue and unfair charges" against her.
Bridgewater was charged in court on Wednesday (28Jan09) with "abetment to extort and conspiracy to extort", following accusations she conspired with an ambulance driver to release a document related to the 16-year-old’s death.
Emergency medical technician (EMT) Tarino Lightbourne has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to extort and conspiracy to extort from the movie star after being charged on Monday (26Jan09).
Travolta is one of 14 witnesses expected to testify as part of the Bahamian Attorney General’s prosecution case.
Under Bahamian law, Bridgewater was not required to enter a plea.
She is next scheduled to appear in court on 11 February (09).

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MARIAH CAREY has hit out at claims she left BARACK OBAMA’s inauguration ceremony because organisers wouldn’t allow her onstage with the President - insisting over-enthusiastic fans forced her to flee for her own safety.
The singer was reported to have walked away from the Washington D.C. event on 20 January (09) after discovering she would be sat with other celebrities, instead of standing alongside Obama on the podium.
A source told the New York Post, "Mariah was in the VIP area, where every celebrity, like Jon Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and Bruce Springsteen, was seated.
"But somehow she thought she’d be up with the Obama family. When she realised she wasn’t, she bailed." But the singer has spoken out to silence the gossip, insisting she and her husband Nick Cannon were hounded out of their spot in the crowd by fans.
Carey’s representative tells People magazine, "When she and Nick arrived in their section, she was surrounded by fans, but unfortunately it caused too much of a ruckus and it became a little unsafe. She was then escorted to safety by police."

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DREW BARRYMORE has fuelled speculation she’ll snag a fourth lady for another CHARLIE’S ANGELS movie after naming PENELOPE CRUZ as her dream castmate.
Barrymore, who produced the first two films with her partner Nancy Juvonen, recently sent the rumour mill into overdrive when she admitted she would be "so into" reprising her role as a sexy secret agent with co-stars Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz.
Hollywood insiders even suggested a fourth lovely lady would be added to the mix when the stars begin shooting later this year (09).
And when asked which actress she would recruit for the project, Barrymore announced she already has her eye on the Spanish star: "I’m so in love with Penelope Cruz! She’s amazing.
"They’re (the films are) very large endeavours, so they’re a lot to make happen. That said, they’re so much fun and I would give anything. Count me in any day. (Co-producer Nancy Juvonen) and I and all the people involved are the ones who have to figure it out and make it happen, but we would love to." But Juvonen has other ideas, telling website Sci-Fi Wire: "I’m having a Rihanna fixation!"

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DREW BARRYMORE is laughing off reports she’s rekindling her romance with actor JUSTIN LONG, insisting they’re "just friends".
The Charlie’s Angels actress split from Long last July (08) after one year together.
The former couple, who both star in new movie He’s Just Not That Into You, have remained close since, and sparked rumours they were giving their love another chance after they were recently spotted out slow-dancing, hugging and laughing at Los Angeles lounge h.wood.
But Barrymore is bemused by the claims, and is adamant her friendship with Long is completely platonic.
She says, "Justin and I are absolutely just friends."

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LINDSAY LOHAN’s dad MICHAEL is convinced his daughter’s relationship with SAMANTHA RONSON is "destroying her life", and is begging friends and fans to help "save" her.
Michael Lohan has regularly voiced his disapproval of the union, since the Mean Girls star started dating the DJ last year (08).
His comments sparked an online war of words, with both trading blows via their blogs. Michael even accused Ronson of impersonating his daughter online - a claim she vehemently denies.
The 48-year-old later declared a truce with Lindsay - but he has now gone back on his word by blasting Ronson in his latest online posting, claiming the DJ is using his daughter for financial gain.
He writes, "After seeing promise and thanking God for Lindsay’s freedom from SaMANtha’s bondage, I see now, that since SaMANtha has once again, weaseled her way back into Lindsay’s life, things have taken a dark turn." Michael Lohan then posts a series of paparazzi photographs of the actress shopping with her younger sister Ali - and slams Ronson for driving a wedge between the pair.
He continues, "While I was enthused that Ali was with Lindsay, rather than SaMANtha, I am torn to see that SaMANtha has once again manipulated Lindsay into leaving her little sister in L.A., only to join SaMANtha on another DJ gig in Boston.
"Was this again, a means for SaMANtha to earn more money through Lindsay’s presence? Did SaMANtha’s fee drop so much and so quickly when word got out that they parted ways? Are we so blind? Is Lindsay so blind?" And he goes on to plead with those around his daughter to help her - because he is certain that being around Ronson is destroying the 22-year-old: "I am asking everyone out their (sic) to intervene in every way possible to help Lindsay, and quite possibly, save her life. Help this wonderful, good hearted and gifted young lady to see what SaMANtha is doing to her and how she is destroying her life.
"Help her to see that ever since SaMANtha came into her life, nothing good has come of it. As a matter of fact, Lindsay hasn’t used her gifts like she did before meeting SaMANtha. Just LOOK! The proof is there! These aren’t just words, but FACTS! PLEASE HELP!"

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BEYONCE KNOWLES had second thoughts before letting JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE put a new ring on her hit song SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT) in a TV skit to the tune - until he disrobed in her dressing room.
The pair’s dancing duet on U.S. comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live became a sensation when Timberlake strutted across a mock music video set in high heels and a spandex leotard to audition for the role of her backing dancer in the scene.
And the SexyBack singer admits he stopped by Knowles’ dressing room and revealed his sexy new attire to help calm the Bootylicious star’s nerves before backing her up in front of millions.
He tells American news anchor Katie Couric in a pre-Grammy TV special, "(She said), ‘I can’t look anywhere but your face right now!" Adding of his immodest sense of humour, Timberlake says, "You gotta meet my mum. She’s a pretty edgy chick!"

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Theatre bosses have brushed off reports of a clash between actress MARY-LOUISE PARKER and the director of her New York stage show after critics slammed her debut performance.
Parker opened Hedda Gabler in New York on Sunday (25Jan09) night under the direction of Britain’s Ian Rickson - who left town before his cast celebrated completing their opening night performance.
Rickson’s quick departure prompted reports the pair were at odds, claims that were fuelled by critics who’ve called the show "one of the worst revivals I have ever, ever seen".
And Roundabout boss Todd Haimes has leaped to Parker’s after allegations the actress’ high demands were causing tension between cast and crew.
Haimes tells the New York Post, "Mary-Louise Parker is an extraordinary actress and a consummate professional The Hedda Gabler cast is an extremely happy company. Mary-Louise and Ian Rickson have a great respect for each other and would happily work on another production together.
"Ian went home to England after the production… to be with his family."

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Irish-born actor JASON O’MARA is celebrating after he was sworn in as an American citizen on Monday (26Jan09).
The 36-year-old Life on Mars star made the announcement during an interview with Whoopi Goldberg on her U.S. TV talk show The View.
He revealed, "I’m proud to announce on Monday I became a citizen of the United States of America.
"It all happened very fast, I had to an interview and a test, about American government and history." O’Mara qualifies for citizenship because of his American wife Paige Turco, who he married in 2003.
But he admits he’s not sure if he is allowed to be a dual citizen of America and Ireland, adding, "I haven’t yet surrendered my Irish passport yet. I’m not sure how that works."

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GOSSIP GIRL star LEIGHTON MEESTER’s troubled family life has been exposed once again - reports have surfaced alleging her brother avoided a potential life prison sentence in 2004 after becoming involved in a high-profile sex scandal.
Meester publicly revealed last year (08) she was born in a halfway house in between her mother’s federal prison stays following convictions for her involvement with a drug ring that smuggled shipments of marijuana into the United States from Jamaica.
She was released in 1986 after serving 16 months of a 10 year sentence.
In May 2003, writer Julie Jargon began detailing the trial of Air Force cadet Douglas Meester, then accused of raping and sodomising a female cadet during his sophomore year in the Air Force Academy.
Reporting on Denver, Colorado blog The West Word, she wrote: "(The victim) says she was too weak to resist and doesn’t recall ever saying ‘no.’ However, she told investigators that she ‘knew for a fact that he probably thought what we were doing was consensual.’" In a July 2003 follow-up, Jargon added: "New Commandant Of Cadets Brigadier General Johnny Weida ordered the court-martial for Douglas Meester, a sophomore cadet whom (a) freshman… had accused of assaulting her after they had both been drinking and making out in his dorm room last year… even though the Article 32 hearing officer recommended against it, saying there was insufficient evidence." The rape charge was dropped in June 2004 in exchange for Meester’s guilty plea to "conduct unbecoming of an officer, dereliction of duty, and committing an indecent act". He was fined $2000 (£1,430) and received a written reprimand.
The Denver Post, refraining from mentioning the actress by name, reported on the trial: "Members of Meester’s family cried in each other’s arms after Air Force Colonel Barbara Brand announced the sentence. Had he been convicted of the original rape charge, he could have gotten life."

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NOEL GALLAGHER confesses he is only an "average" guitar player, and feels inadequate compared to his "virtuoso" best pals JOHNNY MARR and PAUL WELLER.
Gallagher has sold more than 60 million albums as the lead guitarist and songwriter for British rockers Oasis.
But he admits he has never felt an accomplished musician and is nowhere near the level of acclaimed strummers Marr and Weller.
The star tells Total Guitar magazine, "It facilitates what I do in Oasis, know what I mean? I’m unfortunate enough that two of my best mates are Johnny Marr of The Smiths and Paul Weller. Those two are virtuosos to me, although neither of them would admit it. On the electric guitar they’re it. So if you’re asking me how do I compare to those two - and I like to compare myself to the greats - I’m average at f**king best".
And former The Jam frontman Weller agrees with his close friend’s assessment, telling the magazine, "Bless him, but his playing is rudimentary. But Noel doesn’t pretend to be a guitar god. He’s very good at putting chords together and he’s got a distinctive style in terms of his chord sequences and his rhythm playing. It’s recognisable, I suppose."

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Rap superstar LIL WAYNE has had a grill fitted on his teeth, after rotting them away eating too much candy.
The Lollipop hitmaker confesses he has a serious addiction to anything sweet, so much so he has had to hide his badly mangled molars.
Wayne says, "I like Skittles and Starburst, but I have bad teeth due to too much candy, so I got them covered with a grill. It doesn’t come out."

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Former LYNYRD SKYNYRD star BILLY POWELL has died at the age of 56.
Powell passed away in his condo in Jacksonville, Florida on Tuesday (27Jan09). The cause of death is not yet known.
The rocker was first hired to work as a roadie for the U.S. band in the 1970s but was recruited as a full-time keyboardist after impressing frontman Ronnie Van Zant by playing a version of the group’s song Free Bird.
Lynyrd Skynyrd announced the news on the band’s official website. The statement read: "A Great Loss - Beloved Pianist for the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, Billy Powell, passed away last night. We will post more info shortly. The family and band request your respect and understanding during this difficult time. Thank you."

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Rocker JON BON JOVI has found himself at the centre of a new lawsuit after he was named alongside fellow officials of the Arena Football League (AFL) in an unpaid wages case.
Owners of the AFL, an American football indoor league, of which Bon Jovi is a partner, are being sued by Joseph Krause, a former sales manager for AFL team the Philadelphia Soul.
In legal papers filed in December (08), Krause claims he is owed almost $125,000 (£178,750) in wages and commissions for the 2008 and 2009 season.
The documents state the owners "worked off… Soul’s success to promote themselves in all of their many other business, financial and cultural enterprises, and in establishing… and sustaining (in the case of Bon Jovi) themselves as celebrities".
The AFL’s 2009 season was suspended while officials looked into ways of creating a better business model for the current economic downturn.
Krause alleges he is still due payments of $83,000 (£58,000) for last season (08), and $41,000 (£28,670) for the cancelled season, after he and other AFL employees were promised two weeks’ severance pay.

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50 CENT’s manager is the latest victim of BERNARD MADOFF to come forward, admitting he lost money to the Wall Street fraudster.
Financier Madoff was arrested in December (08), accused of siphoning billions of dollars from his wealthy clients.
A number of stars have been affected by the scandal, including Kevin Bacon, Steven Spielberg and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
And now hip-hop impresario Chris Lighty has confessed Madoff made off with some of his fortune.
But Lighty, whose clients also include Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, insists he has not been left broke.
He tell the New York Post, "It’s nothing to talk about. It’s not life-threatening."

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SIR PAUL McCARTNEY still wakes up every morning feeling a "tinge of sadness" at the death of his first wife LINDA.
The Beatles legend is currently dating American socialite Nancy Shevell following a messy public divorce with second wife Heather Mills in 2008.
But McCartney still misses Linda, who died in 1998 after losing her battle with cancer.
He says, "I don’t wake up every day with a hole in my heart, but there’s a tinge of sadness. I mean, how do you cope with losing those close to you? I’ve lost both my parents, lost George (Harrison), lost John (Lennon), lost Linda. All I tend to do is remember the great stuff and that helps."

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JENNIFER ANISTON has turned down a $4 million (£2.85 million) offer to pose naked for Playboy.
Magazine boss Hugh Hefner reportedly approached the former Friends star after her recent photoshoot for GQ, in which she posed nude except for an appropriately placed necktie.
According to the National Enquirer, Hefner tabled a bid that could have earned Aniston as much as $10 million (£7.15 million), with rewards for high sales.
But sources claim the 40-year-old star isn’t interested in showing off any more of her body, and turned down the offer.

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