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Country star KENNY CHESNEY has paid tribute to his childhood hero by producing and narrating a new sports documentary about American football icon CONDREDGE HOLLOWAY.
The singer reveals he worshipped the sportsman growing up after Holloway became the first black quarterback at a Southeast Conference School when he joined the University of Tennessee’s football team in the 1970s, and Chesney, a Tennessee native, jumped at the chance to work on a TV project about the star for sports network ESPN.
He says, "As a kid… I didn’t see black or white. I only saw an orange jersey with the number seven on it and that’s all that mattered to me.
"It’s not every day you get to make a film about someone you look up to. As a kid, what we had was Tennessee football and we wrapped our arms around it. And that’s where my heroes were formed. That’s where I learned how to dream; that’s where I learned how to love sports like I do. And Condredge Holloway was that person." The Color Orange: The Condredge Holloway Story airs in the U.S. on Sunday (20Feb11).
It’s the second football documentary Chesney has made for ESPN - he previously produced a show called Boys of Fall.

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BONO is furious at the fuss surrounding comments he made about an anti-apartheid song, insisting the furore has been "stirred up".
The U2 frontman gave an interview in which he is said to have commented on a track containing the lyric "Shoot the Boer" - a term which translates as "farmer" and originally referred to Dutch settlers in South Africa, but is now considered a derogatory term for white citizens in the region.
Bono allegedly compared it to tunes sung in Ireland relating to the IRA, insisting such songs need to be placed in context, but he was slammed for his comments by lobby group AfriForum, which is locked in a battle with the leader of the African National Congress’ youth league, Julius Malema, over the track.
Bono has now spoken out about the furore his remarks prompted, branding the controversy "barking mad" and claiming his comments have been spun up.
He tells Talk Radio 702, "It’s kind of a bit mad to be honest with you. We’re famous for songs of non-violence. That anyone should think we were pro-this, it’s barking, barking mad and I think it’s been stirred up."

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Rockers RADIOHEAD have sent their Japanese fans into a frenzy after dropping hints about a top secret show in Tokyo in a mysterious message on their Twitter.com blog.
The British band’s highly anticipated new album The King of Limbs is set to hit music retailers on Saturday (19Feb11), and a ‘tweet’ posted online on Thursday (17Feb11) indicates the stars have a big surprise in store for devotees in Tokyo on Friday (18Feb11).
The message, written in Japanese, translates roughly as: "Hachiko Square Shibuya, 59 minutes at 18 Friday." Fans have been furiously trying to work out the meaning behind the note, although many believe it is the time and location of a surprise gig.
Representatives for the group are refusing to comment on the post.

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A man accused of stalking DONALD TRUMP’s pregnant daughter IVANKA is holding up court proceedings by demanding a lengthy extradition process to transfer him from Los Angeles to New York for trial.
Police took Justin Massler into custody last Friday (11Feb11) after a New York judge issued a warrant for his arrest for skipping a hearing earlier this month (Feb11).
The court date stemmed from his previous arrest in 2010, when he was charged with six crimes, including stalking in the third degree, after allegedly bombarding Ivanka Trump and her family and friends with disturbing emails and messages online.
The 27 year old, who is being held without bail, was expected to return to the Big Apple to face the counts, but he appeared in a California court on Wednesday (16Feb11) and refused to willingly leave Los Angeles.
His demand means New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will have to issue a special warrant before L.A. authorities can release Massler, reports the New York Daily News.
Cuomo has until 16 May (11) to take action and file the request to have Massler transferred to New York to face the charges.

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Veteran rocker ROD STEWART has become a father for the eighth time - his model wife PENNY LANCASTER has given birth to a baby boy.
The couple welcomed little Aiden into the world on Wednesday (16Feb11).
He’s a brother for Stewart and Lancaster’s other son, five-year-old Alistair.
A representative for the new parents tells Eonline.com, "Mother and baby are healthy and blissfully happy." The 60-year-old Maggie May hitmaker, who wed Lancaster in 2007, has seven other kids from previous relationships.

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Actress ANNE HECHE was offered the female lead in SPEED before SANDRA BULLOCK landed the part - and admits she regrets her "ridiculous" decision to turn it down.
The former Ally McBeal star was lined up for the role which catapulted Oscar winner Bullock to fame opposite Keanu Reeves in the 1990s.
But Heche opted out of the project because she was immature and "unguided" - and now admits she would love to appear in a sequel.
Heche tells Movieline.com, "(I had) dumb opinions, like, ‘I can’t go in on Speed.’ You know? What?! Who in a million years… How or why any opinion in my brain would get formed around certain ideas. ‘No, no, I can’t do that… I couldn’t possibly.’ It was completely ridiculous opinions that I only had because of whatever I was thinking that day. Just unguided. I was an unguided soul. I hopefully have matured and become more guided…
"If they do a third Speed, I’m available. Sandra? There’s no way; she’s Woman of the Year. I’m free, if someone wants to write it, I’ll do it."

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Two computer experts who allegedly hacked into laptops owned by leading record producers had "thousands" of unreleased songs by stars including MARIAH CAREY, SHAKIRA, and LADY GAGA, according to a report.
Cops in Germany busted the pair last year (10) amid claims cyber-crooks had targeted leading music industry figures with a Trojan horse virus to steal never-before-heard tracks.
It has now emerged officers discovered "a few thousand" stolen songs on a hard drive belonging to one of the men - and police fear the pair was part of a much wider hacking ring operating in the European country, with up to 100 IT experts involved.
Police documents suggest the gang had been working for three years with a "modus operandi that is still largely unknown", according to Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine.
In December (10), it was announced that two men - identified only as Christian M. and Deniz A. - had been busted at properties in Duisburg and Wesel for hacking into computers and stealing unreleased songs by Gaga, Rihanna, and Justin Timberlake.
But the Spiegel report suggests the conspiracy was far more widespread, with some of the world’s top pop stars, including Carey and Shakira, among its victims.
Officials from America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation are also involved in the probe amid claims hackers sold the songs to clients in Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.
The magazine also reports Christian M. has confessed his role to cops, and told them at least 100 young hackers in Germany are involved.
A secretive website where cyber-crooks traded songs has since been shut down by officials in the U.S. - but a new one, based on the island group of Tonga in the South Pacific, has now been launched.

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BLUR star GRAHAM COXON has applauded U.K. officials for deciding against selling off Britain’s public-owned forests after a campaign spearheaded by ANNIE LENNOX and DAME JUDI DENCH.
The two ladies, along with model Lily Cole, Gillian Anderson, Richard E. Grant and designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, signed a petition organised by conservationists at Save England’s Forests, urging the government not to sell off valuable woodlands all over Britain.
The passing of a bill would have allowed officials to sell public forest estates for commercial interests.
But the proposal was officially rejected on Thursday (17Feb11) after Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman confessed the government had "got this one wrong" - and Coxon is thrilled the consultation has been halted.
In a post on his Twitter.com page, he writes, "So the government aren’t selling our forests… what a relief!!"

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LADY GAGA highlighted the importance of safe sex on Thursday (17Feb11) by donning a flesh-coloured, "latex condom-inspired" dress to promote AIDS awareness on U.S. TV.
The Paparazzi hitmaker appeared on breakfast show Good Morning America in her capacity as a spokesmodel for cosmetic giant MAC’s Viva Glam campaign, which raises funds to fight HIV around the world.
And she let her fashion choice speak volumes as she sat down for an interview with presenter Robin Roberts.
She said, "Today was a latex condom-inspired outfit because we’re here to talk about safe sex. Today I really wanted to be representative of what we women all over the world need to be concerned about, which is the leading cause of death in the world, which is HIV." Gaga, still sporting the alien-like facial ridges she debuted at Sunday’s (13Feb11) Grammy Awards, revealed her goal for 2011 is to boost donations to Viva Glam to $50 million (£33.3 million) via the sale of her special line of MAC lipstick.
She also urged parents to be more open about the topic of sex with kids to ensure they know about the dangers of HIV and AIDS from a young age.
She continued, "MAC has been fighting for identity, and for passion and love and protection for so long and that’s why I’m here. We raised $34 million last year and I want to raise $50 million this year for AIDS to save lives worldwide (sic).
"I want to get people started at home at a younger age with their children talking about HIV, talking about AIDS, talking about safe sex. My mother talked to me about sex at a young age, and she always taught me to be self-aware… I encourage women all over the world, and men, to speak with your friends, your parents, your sister, your brothers, your uncles, your aunts, all the loved ones in your life, about safe sex, about protection, because it is a 100 per cent disease that we can prevent, but it is zero per cent curable."

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Hip-hop star WYCLEF JEAN is backing MICHEL MARTELLY to become the next president of Haiti, because it will bring even more aid to the earthquake-ravaged country.
The former Fugees star was denied his own chance to preside over the country after he announced plans to run for office following the devastating tremor in the nation last year (10).
Now he is openly calling for carnival singer Martelly to land the coveted job because he will "help raise money with the donors".
Jean tells the Associated Press, "My endorsement is not based on the fact he’s just my friend. That would have been an emotional thing." And the musician is even planning to join Martelly on his political campaign - but insists he won’t attempt to land a position within his pal’s government administration.
The next Haitian president is expected to be announced in April (11).

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British rock band THUNDER are reuniting for a one-off gig - just two years after they broke up.
The band announced in 2009 they would split after a farewell tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary, and they played their final show in July of that year.
Now it’s emerged record company bosses are releasing a live recording of a classic Thunder gig next month (Mar11) - and to celebrate, the group is reforming to play a slot at the High Voltage Festival in London in July (11).

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Rap mogul SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS has handed over $100,000 (£66,660) to help fund a U.S. programme for budding entrepreneurs.
The hip-hop star’s Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, which covers all of the star’s music, TV, film, fashion and restaurant ventures, was recently named the third top minority-owned business in New York in trade publication Crain’s New York Business poll.
Combs has previously revealed he hopes to one day set up his own business academy, and now he’s been lauded for his commitment to helping youngsters succeed.
He was guest of honour at the annual Bryan-Michael Cox Pre-Grammy Brunch, in aid of non-profit organisation 100 Urban Entrepreneurs, in California on Sunday (13Feb11) - and the star marked the occasion by donating a $100,000 cheque to help fund the initiative.
Cox tells AllHipHop.com, "Minorities are fundamentally at a disadvantage because many lack the access to financial resources and mentoring opportunities to start sustainable businesses."

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A rapper formerly signed to JAY-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection to a fatal 2009 stabbing in New York.
Tru Life - real name Roberto Rosado, Jr. - was charged with gang assault and second-degree murder in June 2009 after Christopher Guerrero was killed and another man left seriously injured following an attack in a Manhattan apartment building.
He pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and was held by authorities without bail.
Police were initially investigating the rapper’s brother Marcus in relation to a shooting outside Pacha nightclub, and authorities believed the stabbing was in retaliation for the club incident.
Rosado, Jr. made a plea deal for second-degree murder and on Wednesday (16Feb11) he was handed a 10-year sentence, according to AllHipHop.com.
The website reports that his brother was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the murder and assault.

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Fans of ROBOCOP have raised more than $50,000 (£33,300) towards a statue honouring the film franchise in Detroit, Michigan.
Film fans on Facebook.com have rallied to raise the cash to pay tribute to the classic sci-fi movie in the city where it was based - but they’ve yet to convince local politicians to approve the monument.
Project leader Jeff Paffendorf says, "It hit a sweet spot. It’s a fun and funny idea to build a statue of RoboCop. There’s violence in RoboCop, but through the film RoboCop tries to do the right thing." Dave Bing, the mayor of Detroit, insists he currently has no intention of approving the figure, because of the high level of violence in RoboCop.
His spokeswoman Karen Dumas says, "We know there are a lot of people that care deeply about the issue, and we respect that. But I’m still not sure that RoboCop is the best message for the city of Detroit." The 1987 movie, starring Peter Weller as a police officer who is murdered and re-created as a robot, grossed more than $53 million (£35 million) and spawned two sequels.

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DAME JUDI DENCH has joined a campaign to help save a small cinema in Scotland by signing up to become one of its celebrity supporters.
The veteran actress has followed in the footsteps of Tilda Swinton, Dougray Scott, Robbie Coltrane and Rowan Atkinson by becoming a patron of the Highland Theatre in Oban.
The venue closed last summer (10) after the owners went into liquidation, but officials at Santander bank, which has now taken over ownership, have agreed to postpone an auction to sell off the cinema so local residents can try and raise enough cash to buy it.
Scottish neighbours are hoping to raise $30,000 (£20,000) to place a deposit down on the theatre, and hope to eventually collect the full $292,500 (£195,000) asking price - and Dench is now leading the campaign with her new patron status.
Town centre manager Campbell Cameron, who is hoping to reopen the Highland Theatre as the Phoenix Cinema, says, "We are delighted that Dame Judi Dench has given us her support. She has an affinity with the area because she comes up here on her holidays."

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Australian actor ANTHONY WARLOW has vowed to overcome the pain of a torn calf muscle to perform in the premiere of a DOCTOR ZHIVAGO production in Sydney on Saturday night (19Feb11).
The star, who plays the lead character in the drama, injured his leg during rehearsals for the show earlier this month (Feb11), forcing the cancellation of the first-night preview.
A stand-in was used for the remaining preview shows while Warlow regained full use of his calf muscles.
He’s since modified his moves for the production - and the actor is determined to take to the stage for Saturday’s premiere.
Warlow tells the AAP, "I’m surprised by my rate of recovery actually because doctors predicted the injury would take six weeks to properly heal. I’ll be up and running, as it were, I won’t be jumping around but the voice is fine which is the main thing."

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Actress VANESSA HUDGENS is sporting her first piece of body art after getting a tattoo on Wednesday (16Feb11).
The High School Musical star headed to a parlour owned by Bang Bang, the man responsible for Rihanna’s inkings, after a show during New York Fashion Week.
MTV VJ Ruby Rose accompanied the 22 year old to the salon and updated her fans on Twitter.com about Hudgens’ progress.
In a series of posts, she writes, "Please don’t blame me… But I may have convinced Vanessa Hudgens to get a tattoo… Now. Her first. By bang bang. Vanessa is deciding between her neck or ribs what do you guys think?" Hudgens went through with the inking, and Rose unveiled the results in a picture on her microblogging page - the star has a butterfly tattooed on her neck.
She wasn’t the only celebrity to go under the needle on Wednesday - Kelly Rowland and The Veronicas star Jessica Origliasso are also sporting new inkings.

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GLEE star HEATHER MORRIS has shot down reports she’s undergone breast enhancement surgery.
The actress, who plays cheerleader Brittany in the all-singing, all-dancing show, has been pictured looking curvier than usual in recent weeks, prompting speculation she had gone under the knife to make her bust bigger.
But Morris has laughed off the gossip, insisting "great" underwear is her secret to a fuller chest.
She tells American Cheerleader magazine, "Not that I need to clear this up, but I did think it was funny when there was a picture taken where I had a great bra on and they said I got a boob job because I was famous now. I was like, ‘What?’"

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