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Rockers JOHN MAYER and ROB THOMAS brought some festive cheer to sick children on Tuesday (21Dec10) when they performed at a New York hospital as part of a special charity event.
The singers were joined by the Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik to play for patients at the Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, Westchester and delighted fans by posing for photos with the kids after their sets.
The mini-concert was staged as part of the 19th Annual Scott & Todd Live Broadcast ‘Holiday Spectacular’ by local radio station WPLJ.
The event also included an auction to raise funds for the hospital.

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GIRLS ALOUD star KIMBERLEY WALSH has criticised ELIZABETH HURLEY and SHANE WARNE for publicly flirting on Twitter.com prior to their romance - insisting it was unfair on their former partners.
Austin Powers star Hurley met cricket ace Warne earlier this year (10) and struck up a friendly relationship, posting messages on the microblogging website revealing he’s her "favourite Australian" and suggestively saying her dog "sends you a special lick and says he’d like to put his silky head on your shoulder".
This month (12Dec10), Britain’s News of the World revealed Hurley had spent two nights with Warne at a London hotel, and she subsequently announced she parted from her husband Arun Nayar "a few months ago" after almost four years of marriage. Warne also announced he has split from wife Simone Callahan, the mother of his three children.
British singer Walsh admits she was shocked by the outlandish messages Hurley and Warne were sending each other prior to the scandal - because she’d never want such personal matters made public.
In her weekly column for Britain’s OK! magazine, she writes, "Flirty Tweets between Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne have been published in the papers. I really have no idea why you’d Tweet something that can be read by others instead of texting them! "Why do you want the whole world to know things that should be kept between the two of you? It must be hard for their former partners, because no matter what the situation, you don’t want to know things like that."

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Pop superstar SHAKIRA has tested her creative skills by writing a DORA THE EXPLORER children’s book for charity.
The Hips Don’t Lie hitmaker has penned a story as part of the popular Nickelodeon franchise and the proceeds will go to her Pies Descalzo Foundation, which helps provide education for needy kids across the globe.
She says, "Dora is an inspiration for all children in the world. It was an honour working with Nickelodeon to write this story as education is a cause very close to my heart." The book is titled World School Day Adventure and has been published in time for Christmas.

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Rapper VANILLA ICE has flown a professional ice-skater to Miami, Florida to help him train for his upcoming stint on a U.K. TV talent show - because he’s too busy to attend rehearsals in Britain.
The star has signed up to appear on Dancing on Ice, which kicks off on U.K. network ITV1 next month (Jan11).
But juggling his shows Stateside with his rehearsal period is proving tricky - so the rapper has flown professional ice-skater Katie Stainby out to the U.S. to help tutor him.
She tells Britain’s Daily Mirror, "I was flown to Miami to train with him as he was touring and couldn’t get over to the U.K. for training. My sister can’t believe it as she was a massive Vanilla Ice fan.
"People might think he is a bit of a bad boy, but he is amazing, just a lovely guy."

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Rocker BILLY JOEL surprised his singer daughter ALEXA RAY with a big bouquet of flowers on Monday night (20Dec10) to congratulate her on her residency at a New York hotel.
Singer/songwriter Alexa Ray Joel kicked off a set of intimate shows at The Plaza Hotel’s posh Oak Room this week and her model mother, Christie Brinkley, was among the audience members cheering her on.
Rumours suggested her rock star father would make an appearance as a special guest at the gig, but he was a notable absentee as Alexa performed tracks from her album Sketches.
However, the Piano Man, who is recovering from recent double hip replacement surgery, made sure to show his support with a bunch of blooms - and he has vowed to attend another concert once he’s fully back on his feet.
His representative tells the New York Post’s Page Six column, "(He) plans to attend another upcoming show. He did send a gorgeous opening-night bouquet with loving well wishes, and her mum, grandmother, brother and sister were all in attendance."

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SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS’ former rap protege G-DEP has been indicted by a grand jury in New York after confessing to a 17-year-old murder.
The hip-hop star, real name Trevell Coleman, turned himself into police last week (15Dec10) and admitted to shooting John Henkel on 19 October, 1993.
Coleman, who was previously signed to Combs’ Bad Boy Records, allegedly had no idea his victim had died as a result of his injuries. He was subsequently charged with murder.
He was indicted by a Manhattan jury on Tuesday (21Dec10) and is being held without bail. The embattled rapper is now facing 25 years to life in prison.
His lawyer, Michael Alperstein, claims Coleman was prompted to confess to the crime as part of a 12-step programme to conquer his battle with drug addiction.
Alperstein tells the New York Post, "He was making amends."

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Veteran entertainers DAME JULIE ANDREWS and DOLLY PARTON are set to be honoured with lifetime achievement Grammy awards by the U.S. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
The icons will be hailed for their contributions to music, alongside punk rockers The Ramones, The Julliard String Quartet, folk group The Kingston Trio, jazz drummer Roy Haynes and gospel star George Beverly Shea.
Neil Portnow, president of The Recording Academy, says, "It is a great honour to recognise and celebrate such a distinguished and dynamic group of honorees. Their legendary work has left a lasting impression and will continue to influence generations to come." The lifetime achievement titles will be presented in a special ceremony on 12 February (11), and they will be formally acknowledged at the 2011 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on 13 February (11).
The news will be a welcome distraction for Andrews as she continues to mourn the loss of her husband, comic genius Blake Edwards, who died last week (15Dec10) at the age of 88.

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GLEE star HEATHER MORRIS is appealing to the makers of the new BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER movie to let her appear in the film even if she doesn’t land the title role - because she is a massive fan of the show.
The popular TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as the cheerleader-turned-vampire hunter, which started as a 1992 film starring Kristy Swanson, is being re-booted for a big screen outing and casting bosses are looking a new actress to tackle the lead.
Morris was recently rumoured to be in the running for the part of Buffy Summers, although movie chiefs denied any decisions had been made, and she’s now spoken of her excitement at being considered.
The actress is even hoping if she doesn’t land the lead, casting bosses will still give her the opportunity to join in anyway.
She tells Access Hollywood, "They’re considering me! I found out and I almost peed my pants ’cause I was so excited! If they make Buffy when Glee is on hiatus, I don’t even care what I do. I can just run through the shot and do nothing - even if I’m not Buffy!"

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Comedian GEORGE LOPEZ has laughed off reports he is entering the 2018 race to become the Mayor of Los Angeles, insisting he was just joking when he declared his political intentions on Tuesday (21Dec10).
The Valentine’s Day star and TV presenter made the announcement on America’s Good Day L.A. morning show, revealing he planned to run for office in 2018.
He said, "I do intend to run for Mayor of Los Angeles. Seriously, in eight years. I wanna be Mayor of Los Angeles… If Arnold Schwarzenegger can be Governor (of California), why can’t George Lopez by the Mayor of Los Angeles?" Lopez appeared to confirm his political aspirations in another interview with the Associated Press, but he’s now backtracked over the comments and claims he wasn’t being serious.
He quips, "I don’t want to make change, I will want your change!"

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The man responsible for introducing THE SMURFS to America has been sentenced to five years’ probation for his part in an alleged $11 million (£7.3 million) extortion plot.
Stuart R. Ross, who bought the rights to the animated blue characters in the 1980s and launched them in the U.S., was arrested in 2008 and accused of attempting to extort money from his wealthy son-in-law David Blitzer.
He entered a guilty plea to charges of attempted grand larceny in August (10), but subsequently attempted to withdraw his plea and assert his innocence.
Ross’ defence attorney Matthew Myers claimed his client, who has been suffering from alcoholism, cancer, pneumonia and heart disease, only accepted the plea deal because he was being held in prison without bail at the time.
A New York judge refused to allow the motion and sentenced Ross to probation on Tuesday (21Dec10).
He was also ordered to undergo therapy and stay away from Blitzer and his family.

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Veteran comedian ‘PROFESSOR’ IRWIN COREY has been sued over allegations he made fraudulent health claims which netted him more than $300,000 (£200,000).
The 96 year old is accused of conning officials at the Actors’ Equity into providing medical cover for a number of his relatives, alleging they worked for him at New York’s famed Friars Club.
The papers were later discovered to be bogus and no payroll records were found to support his claims of the productions detailed in the documents, reports the New York Daily News.
The legal papers state, "Through this scheme, (the) defendant effectively obtained coverage at a substantially reduced cost. The fund paid approximately $400,000 in benefits to defendant’s relatives - none of whom were eligible to receive such benefits." Actors’ Equity bosses filed suit against Corey in Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday (21Dec10), seeking more than $320,000 (£213,300) in compensation, plus unspecified damages.
Corey has previously starred on Broadway in the 1951 musical Flahooley and made appearances on a number of late night U.S. TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s.

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Actress AMANDA SEYFRIED is preparing for her first Christmas with rumoured new boyfriend RYAN PHILLIPPE - the stars have been snapped shopping together for the holidays.
The Mamma Mia! star, who previously dated her movie co-star Dominic Cooper, was first linked to Reese Witherspoon’s ex-husband in October (10) when they both attended Kate Hudson’s Halloween party.
They have remained tight-lipped about speculation of a new relationship, but they decided to hit the shops to pick up last-minute Christmas gifts after a lunch date in Los Angeles on Tuesday (21Dec10).
The actors attempted to avoid being photographed together by leaving separately as they exited the Fred Segal store in Hollywood, but their secret was out after WENN caught Phillippe in the passenger seat of Seyfried’s car.

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Producers behind the beleaguered SPIDER-MAN musical have cancelled Wednesday’s (22Dec10) matinee performance to allow a number of safety precautions to be added to the Broadway show, following its latest onstage accident.
Director Julie Taymor’s Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark has been blighted by a series of recent setbacks and stunt double Christopher Tierney became the latest casualty of the show after taking a tumble from a platform above the stage on Monday (20Dec10). He suffered several broken ribs and internal bleeding after his safety cable snapped.
An investigation by officials at the Actors’ Equity Association ruled the incident was due to "human error" on the stage crew’s part.
But the shocking accident - the fourth since the show opened in September (10) - prompted Spider-Man producers to axe a planned performance on Wednesday afternoon in a bid to prevent further problems.
Show spokesman Rick Miramontez tells the New York Times the production will be safe enough to continue on Wednesday night after the new measures are put in place.
He says, "The production knows exactly what happened at Monday’s performance, and it is being dealt with. This is a manoeuvre that has been done hundreds, if not a thousand times, without incident… It will never happen again." Tierney is not the only person to be injured during the run - actress Natalie Mendoza suffered concussion on the first night of previews when a rope broke and hit her on the head, and another Spider-Man stuntman, Kevin Aubin, broke both wrists in a fall during rehearsals in October (10).

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SIR PAUL McCARTNEY has spoken of his delight after the British government declared the BEATLES’ famous Abbey Road zebra-crossing a national heritage site on Wednesday (22Dec10).
The famous Abbey Road studios, where the band recorded its 1969 album of the same name, was given protected status back in February (10) and now officials have issued another order to include the crossing outside, which featured on the album’s cover.
The iconic photograph shows McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr walking across the street in north-west London close to the recording studio, and tourists have long flocked to the area to recreate the shot.
Britain’s Minister for Tourism and Heritage John Penrose has now given the site Grade II listed status to protect it for future generations, saying, "This London zebra crossing is no castle or cathedral but, thanks to the Beatles and a 10-minute photoshoot one August morning in 1969, it has just as strong a claim as any to be seen as part of our heritage." And McCartney is ecstatic about the news, adding, "It’s been a great year for me and a great year for the Beatles and hearing that the Abbey Road crossing is to be preserved is the icing on the cake."

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LEONARDO DiCAPRIO has been named the highest-grossing Hollywood star of 2010.
The Titanic actor took top place in the list compiled by Forbes magazine of the stars who brought in the biggest box office revenues of the last 12 months.
DiCaprio’s turn in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Inception, which has grossed more than $825 million (£550 million) worldwide, helped him to the top of the poll, along with his appearance in Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island.
In joint second place was Alice In Wonderland co-stars Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska after the fantasy film made more than $1 billion at the global box office, and in third was Robert Downey, Jr., who earned his place with turns in Iron Man 2 and Due Date.

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SIR PAUL McCARTNEY treated fans at his homecoming show in Liverpool, England to free food and drink after they braved freezing temperatures to attend the gig.
The Beatles legend played the O2 Academy in the city on Monday (20Dec10) and many loyal devotees stepped out in the snow and ice to see their idol.
He thrilled the audience by singing hits from throughout his lengthy career - and even after the show had finished he still had his fans in mind.
McCartney paid for free fries, as well as tea and coffee, to be handed out to the crowd as they left the venue, according to the Liverpool Echo newspaper.

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SIR CLIFF RICHARD is planning a star-studded album for 2011 - he’s working on a record of soul classics with Motown artists.
The 70 year old is hoping to duet with some star names for the project, which he dreamed up with reality TV star David Gest.
Richard reveals, "The New Year has an exciting project. David Gest, of I’m A Celebrity… has come up with the idea of me doing a CD - Cliff Richard Sings Soul with various Motown soul artists. We are working now on the details."

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Singer MICHELLE WILLIAMS is facing Christmas without her family after her flight from London to the U.S. was cancelled due to the extreme weather conditions in Europe.
The former Destiny’s Child star was due to fly out of the U.K. to spend the festive season in her native America, but her scheduled take-off from Heathrow Airport on Tuesday (21Dec10) was axed.
In a series of posts on her Twitter.com page, she writes, "My flight was cancelled! I am gutted beyond repair! London it’s not even snowin…
"I’m so irritated! It ain’t snowin here! It’s just cold outside! They need to get some de-icer 4 the planes and salt 4 the runway! Don’t get me wrong I love being in London but my mouth is already fixed for some of my mom’s sweet potato pie!" Williams was hoping to fly to America on Wednesday (22Dec10) but that journey was cancelled as well.
She added, "If Heathrow doesn’t let me fly out… (I’m) probably here for Christmas! My flight for today was cancelled!"

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