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A fashion designer found dead in a bathtub at a luxury Manhattan hotel was killed by a combination of strangulation and drowning, according to New York’s Medical Examiner’s Office.
Swimsuit designer Sylvie Cachay, 33, was found partially clothed in the overflowing bathtub in her room at SoHo House in the early hours of 9 December (10).
Cachay’s boyfriend Nicholas Brooks - whose dad is Oscar-winning composer Joseph Brooks - was charged with strangulation and attempted murder earlier this month (Dec10).
Sources close to the case tell the New York Post the charge is likely to be upgraded to murder following the medical examiner’s official ruling on Wednesday (29Dec10).

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GIRLS GONE WILD founder JOE FRANCIS has dismissed reports his marriage has crumbled just seven weeks after the wedding ceremony.
The adult entertainment mogul married reporter Christina McLarty in Mexico in November (10), but rumours of a split emerged this week suggesting she had moved out of the couple’s Los Angeles home.
But Francis has dismissed the story as "false", admitting he found the gossip "funny", according to Hollyscoop.com.

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BONEY M star BOBBY FARRELL has died at the age of 61.
The singer, who was on tour in Russia, was found dead in his hotel room in St. Petersburg on Thursday morning (30Dec10).
Farrell’s body was reportedly discovered by hotel staff after he failed to respond to a wake-up call.
The pop star’s agent, John Seine, confirmed the news of his death to Dutch news agency ANP.
Farrell performed as scheduled in the city on Wednesday night (29Dec10) but reportedly complained of breathing difficulties before and after the show.
The vocalist, born Roberto ‘Bobby’ Alfonso Farrell, rose to fame with Boney M in the 1970s, scoring a number of hits including Daddy Cool and By the Rivers Of Babylon.
The group disbanded in 1986, but Farrell continued to perform.

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PARIS HILTON is still tangled in her fight with a hair extensions company - firm bosses have amended their lawsuit to accuse the heiress of costing them a staggering $70 million (£47 million).
Executives at Hairtech International Inc. originally sued Hilton for $35 million (£23 million) in August (10) over claims she reneged on her endorsement deal to promote their Dream Catchers range in 2007 by wearing a competitor’s extensions.
They also claimed she failed to attend a 2007 launch party after she was jailed for driving on a suspended licence while on probation for drink-driving.
But now Hairtech heads are stepping up their battle with Hilton by doubling the sum they maintain she cost them in profits, according to a revised legal filing obtained by TMZ.com.
Earlier this month (Dec10), a judge dismissed a number of Hairtech bosses’ complaints, throwing out an allegation of fraud. Lawyers were also told to remove any reference to Hilton wearing a rival’s products.

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Teetotal COLIN FARRELL has no problems watching his friends boozing - because giving up alcohol was "the best decision" of his life.
The Miami Vice star began drinking at a young age and became heavily dependent on the bottle in the early days of his Hollywood career.
He quit alcohol in 2006 when he realised how serious his addiction had become - and has never regretted the decision.
Farrell says, "I didn’t lose any friends because of it. It doesn’t bother me watching mates getting drunk when we’re out.
"It was the best decision in my whole life. Now I go home at 1am instead of 4am - not that they would notice."

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OWEN WILSON is the latest star to fall victim to fictional reports about his death, following fellow hoax victims EDDIE MURPHY, ARETHA FRANKLIN and ADAM SANDLER.
The Zoolander star was rumoured to have passed away after a snowboarding accident in Zermatt, Switzerland on Wednesday (29Dec10).
But a spokesperson for the funnyman has dismissed the gossip, telling GossipCop.com the story is "absolutely false".
Murphy and Sandler, as well as Charlie Sheen, were also alleged to have died in Swiss skiing trips in online reports which circulated earlier this week (begs27Dec10), while Franklin and Aaron Carter have also recently been targeted in death hoaxes.

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CHARLIE SHEEN and his TWO AND A HALF MEN co-stars reportedly handed every crewmember an Apple iPad for Christmas as thanks for their contribution to the award-winning series.
The actor’s involvement with the hit show was in doubt following a bust-up with his wife Brooke Mueller on Christmas Day last year (25Dec09) which left him facing criminal charges - putting the staff’s jobs at risk.
He agreed to sign on for more episodes of the series until 2012 - and to reward the loyal Two And A Half Men crew, Sheen and his fellow screen stars gifted every worker with this year’s (10) must-have gadget, according to Deadline.com.
In August (10), Sheen was sentenced to 30 days in jail in relation to the Mueller incident, which was suspended pending his completion of a court-ordered rehab programme in Malibu, California.

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CHRIS BROWN has become embroiled in a vicious online feud with R&B singer RAZ-B after the former B2K star made a remark about his ex-girlfriend RIHANNA.
Brown, who split from the Umbrella beauty in 2009 after a violent bust-up, became incensed when Raz-B posted a message on Twitter.com criticising his romance with Rihanna and slamming Halle Berry’s ex-husband Eric Benet.
He wrote, "I’m just sittin here thinking how can n**gas like Eric Benet & Chris Brown disrespect women as intelligent as Halle Berry, Rihanna." Brown hit back with an offensive comment about Raz-B’s past, when the singer claimed to have been the victim of sexual assault during his time in B2K, writing, "Tell me this… Why when the money was coming in u won’t complaining (sic) about getting bu**plugged!" Raz-B, real name De’Mario Thornton, replied, "I luv how u resort 2 disrespectful low brow tactics when u clearly sabotaged ur own career by beating women!… U victimise victims, ur (you are) a homophobe, ur (you are) on the down low & a woman beater. Merry Christmas & thx 4 showin every1 ur true colours (sic)." Brown added, "I’m not homophobic! He’s just disrespectful!… ur (you are) a backup singer! What do u make? Like $1.99 an hour… This argument lasted longer than your career… BTW (by the way) I love all my gay fans and this immature act is not targeted at you!… It’s wack as f**k that everybody can bash me… but soon as I defend myself it’s world war 3. I take s**t from everybody…" Brown signed off with a final post, adding, "Love all my supporters and people who know my heart. Homophobe? C’mon, find a better tactic. That’s pure ignorance and stupidity. I love everyone."

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A representative for EVA LONGORIA has dismissed reports the actress is inviting cameras into her life to film a new reality show.
The Desperate Housewives star was rumoured to have signed up to star in a fly-on-the-wall series about her personal life, following her split from her basketball star husband Tony Parker.
But a spokesperson for Longoria insists the brunette beauty has no plans to participate in such a series, telling GossipCop.com, "This is total B.S. (bulls**t)." Longoria sent shockwaves through Hollywood last month (Nov10) when she filed for divorce from Parker, citing irreconcilable differences.

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ASHTON KUTCHER has scored a victory in his tussle with a porn company - the firm has agreed to remove his name from promotional material for a sex tape.
The Just Married star threatened to sue after Vivid Entertainment bosses named him in a press release for their forthcoming adult video featuring Brittney Jones, who claims to have bedded Kutcher.
The press release declared: "Ashton’s fans will undoubtedly enjoy seeing what the star himself may have experienced." The firm’s boss Steve Hirsch initially dismissed the actor’s complaint as "without merit" but after a number of legal exchanges, Kutcher has been distanced from the controversy.
A Vivid representative tells TMZ.com, "We decided not to use the A-lister’s actual name in connection with the sex tape."

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A judge in Los Angeles has approved a request from DR. CONRAD MURRAY’s defence team to carry out further testing on medical items found in MICHAEL JACKSON’s bedroom.
The physician has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in relation to the pop superstar’s death from an overdose of anaesthetic Propofol last year (09).
Murray’s lawyers want two syringes and an IV bag, found at the star’s Californian home, to be tested to determine the amount of drugs they contained, and they went to court on Wednesday (29Dec10) to argue their case.
Defence attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, alleged officials at the coroner’s office should have done "quantitative" analysis of the items to help determine "the means of who injected Jackson" with the drugs that killed him.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren voiced fears the defence team is working on the "theory" that "Michael Jackson killed himself".
Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor granted the defence team’s request and offered them the chance to choose whether to use a private laboratory to test the items, or to hand them over to the Los Angeles coroner.
Murray is due back in court on Tuesday (04Jan11) for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to make him stand trial.

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A representative for the fertility clinic which helped SIR ELTON JOHN and DAVID FURNISH become first-time parents has praised the couple’s "beautiful" journey to surrogacy.
The Rocket Man and his partner welcomed a son called Zachary on Christmas Day (25Dec10) via a surrogate mother, a year after they were denied the chance to adopt a tot from the Ukraine.
A spokeswoman for The Center for Surrogate Parenting (CSP) in California’s San Fernando Valley has confirmed the couple employed the clinic’s services and credited them for taking the brave step of using a surrogate.
Joanne Bubrick tells the New York Post, "I can confirm that Elton John and David Furnish worked with the center… and it was a lovely, beautiful surrogacy journey for all parties involved." A congratulatory message has also been posted on the clinic’s website, which reads, "CSP is proud to have helped David Furnish and Elton John become the proud parents of a baby boy on Christmas Day."

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Rockers QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE are set to end their two-year hiatus by heading back to the recording studio in 2011.
The band has not released any new material since 2007’s Era Vulgaris, and in 2008 they embarked an extended break which saw frontman Josh Homme form Them Crooked Vultures with Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones.
Guitarist Dean Fertita also focused on a side-project, playing with Jack White’s The Dead Weather, but the musician admits the No One Knows hitmakers are now ready to work together again.
He tells The Pulse Of Radio, "Things are going really good. Everybody seems excited and ready to go. We’ve got so many ideas started already that I guess we’ll kind of see what turns out to be everybody’s favourite. I think all of us really feel like we’ve found our space in it and can contribute to it."

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JAY-Z has triumphed over hip-hop rival WILL.I.AM in the race to sign hotly-tipped British rapper/singer CHER LLOYD.
The Black Eyed Peas frontman vowed earlier this month (Dec10) to offer the rising teenage star a record deal after he performed a duet with her on the final of Simon Cowell’s U.K. TV singing contest The X Factor.
He even headed into a London recording studio with Lloyd after the show - in which she finished fourth - to work on a track, later telling fans on Twitter.com the song would be a "mega smasher".
But it appears Jay-Z has seen off competition from the Boom Boom Pow hitmaker to get Lloyd’s signature on a contract - she has joined the rap mogul’s Roc Nation management company, according to Britain’s The Sun.
A source tells the newspaper, "Even though Cher didn’t do terrifically well in The X Factor finals, there’s been a hell of a lot of interest in her. Will.i.am’s backing only intensified the battle to get her signature.
"After weighing up the pros and cons, it was thought that the team at Roc Nation would be best placed to turn her dreams of stardom into a reality."

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Rapper XZIBIT is facing a massive tax bill - he allegedly owes U.S. officials more than $959,523 (£639,700).
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) authorities filed a $22,196 (£14,800) lien against the hip-hop star in Los Angeles last month (Nov10), marking the fourth tax demand he has received in recent years.
Last year (09), he was hit with two bills amounting to $640,972 (£427,300), while he was also said to owe $296,355 (£197,600) in unpaid income taxes in 2008.
The star - real name Alvin Nathaniel Joiner IV - has filed for bankruptcy twice, citing the cancellation of his reality TV show Pimp My Ride for his financial woes.
According to bankruptcy court records obtained by the Detroit News, Xzibit earned $497,175 (£331,500) hosting the U.S. show in 2007, but his income plunged to $67,510 (£45,000) the following year (08) when it was axed.

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JOAN COLLINS’ Los Angeles home has reportedly flooded for the second time this year after a pipe burst in a neighbour’s apartment.
The British actress’ luxury property at Sierra Towers in Hollywood was left underwater earlier this year (10) after a leaky fawcett caused chaos while she was on vacation in the South of France.
And now the apartment has flooded again after a pipe burst at a neighbouring property.
Collins, who is currently in Britain starring in a festive pantomime production, has asked friends to help clean up the mess and rescue her belongings, according to the New York Post’s Page Six gossip column.
A source tells the publication, "She was worried about her gowns and furs."

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A stuntman who was injured in Broadway’s troubled SPIDER-MAN musical has left hospital to begin treatment at a rehabilitation centre.
Christopher Tierney was forced to spend Christmas under doctors’ care after falling from a ledge during a performance of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on 20 December (10).
Tierney suffered several broken ribs, a fractured elbow, a bruised lung, three fractured vertebrae and a cracked skull, and subsequently underwent back surgery.
But the 31 year old is making good progress in his recovery - he has been transferred from the intensive care unit at New York’s Bellevue Hospital to an inpatient rehab facility in the city.
His father, Tim Tierney, reveals the daredevil actor is now able to walk with a brace.
Safety inspectors have given director Julie Taymor the all-clear to proceed with the production despite four cast members sustaining injuries.

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Embattled American sports star BRETT FAVRE has been fined $50,000 (£33,333) by National Football League (NFL) bosses for "failure to cooperate" with an investigation into allegations he texted explicit pictures to a female reporter.
The married Minnesota Vikings football player hit headlines in October (10) over claims he sent images of his penis to former New York Jets employee Jenn Sterger when he was the team’s quarterback in 2008. The sportsman denied the allegations.
NFL officials subsequently launched a probe into the claims to determine whether Favre breached the organisation’s rules, and they have now cleared the star of any wrongdoing, but also fined him for not being "candid".
A statement from the NFL reads, "The forensic analysis could not establish that Favre sent the objectionable photographs to Sterger… The review found no evidence to contradict the statements of both Favre and Sterger that they never met in person, nor was there anything to suggest that Sterger engaged in any inappropriate conduct.
"However, Commissioner (Roger) Goodell also determined that Favre was not candid in several respects during the investigation, resulting in a longer review and additional negative public attention for Favre, Sterger, and the NFL… " Sterger’s attorney, Joseph Conway, reacted angrily to the ruling, adding, "It clearly shows that an NFL star player was given preferential treatment and tells all other players that failure to cooperate may cost you some money but will not result in other punishment… Today’s decision is an affront to all females and shows… the NFL remains the good old boys’ league."

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