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Actor DOUGRAY SCOTT is backing a campaign to save the U.K.’s most northerly air defence station in his native Fife, Scotland.
The Desperate Housewives star has joined singing siblings The Proclaimers, as well as author Ian Rankin, in rallying against plans to close down RAF Leuchars.
Bosses at Britain’s Ministry of Defence are considering shutting the base as part of a Strategic Defence Review, but Scott fears the proposed closure will have a disastrous effect on the local community, reports Scotland’s Daily Record.
He tells the publication, "The impact on Fife of closing the base would be extensive and long-term - it would affect jobs, schools, local services and community groups."

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Northern Irish actor JAMES NESBITT has blasted accusations his new British TV show bears a striking resemblance to HUGH LAURIE’s hit American medical drama HOUSE.
The Cold Feet star, who is set to appear in upcoming Lord Of The Rings prequel The Hobbit, plays the lead role in Monroe as brain surgeon Gabriel Monroe.
Speculation has been rife that Nesbitt’s character is similar to that of Laurie’s Dr. Gregory House - but the actor has brushed off the comparisons, insisting the two shows are very different.
He tells the Manchester Evening News, "I’m hoping that my performance, Pete Bowker’s writing and the very difference in the characters will dispel thoughts on that." The show is set to debut in the U.K. on Thursday (10Mar11).

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Movie mogul HARVEY WEINSTEIN deeply regrets his decision not to buy the American film rights to STIEG LARSSON’s popular book THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, calling the move a "big mistake".
The late writer’s Millennium Trilogy novels have been made into a series of successful films in Sweden, and the first book is currently in production as a Hollywood film starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara.
Weinstein has revealed he was offered the chance to produce the remake with the Weinstein Co., but turned the opportunity down on the advice of his team.
But the famed producer later realised he had made the wrong decision, telling Newsweek, "My favourite mistake happened two years ago, when I had the opportunity to buy The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Two friends in London told me there was a book they loved. I read the book and thought it was great. Then I heard they were making a movie out of it.
"I got the people to show us the movie to see whether we’d want to distribute it in the United States, and everything about it in my gut said, ‘Do this - there’s a franchise here.’ "But my team said, ‘No, we should focus on bigger movies,’ and I let the committee overwhelm me. I didn’t listen to my very significant gut, and when I say significant, I mean size, geographically. And that was a big bl**dy mistake - an economic mistake, a company mistake."

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A spokesman for PRINCE ANDREW has defended the embattled British royal after his alleged links to shamed American billionaire JEFFREY EPSTEIN were exposed in the press.
The Duke of York, ex-husband of Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, has come under fire after British tabloids reported his alleged friendship with Epstein, who was sentenced to 18 months in jail in 2008 after being convicted of child sex offences.
Epstein is also alleged to have helped out his pal by paying off debts racked up by Ferguson, who was mired in scandal last year (10) when she attempted to fix her finances by selling an opportunity to meet her former husband.
Andrew has reportedly been friends with Epstein since the 1990s and met him as recently as December (10).
The Prince is now facing calls to resign his position as a trade envoy for the U.K., while a spokesman for Buckingham Palace insists the royal has done nothing wrong, telling Britain’s Daily Express, "There has been no suggestion of impropriety on the part of the Duke, nor should there be."

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CHARLIE SHEEN planned to poke fun at his hard-partying ways with former drug addict RUSSELL BRAND on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - but his advisers stopped the skit over fears for his reputation.
The troubled actor hit the headlines in October (10) when cops were called to the Plaza Hotel in New York after he trashed his suite during a night of passion with adult actress Capri Anderson.
The Two and a Half Men star was desperate to spoof his infamous night in the Big Apple when Brand hosted SNL last month (Feb11) - but Sheen’s worried representatives warned against the idea.
Sheen tells Britain’s The Sun newspaper, "I had this plan to fly to New York and hijack Russell Brand for Saturday Night Live.
"(The skit) would be him tearing up the hotel and then I come out of the wings and go, ‘No, no, no. This is amateur. This isn’t what happened. Bring in some more dead hookers.’ "I got shut down. They said it created the illusion I was not taking rehab seriously." But Sheen, who insists he has quit alcohol and drugs, has found a kindred spirit in Brand, adding: "He’s a mad genius. He’s a gift to all things galactic and extragalactic. He’s got liquid magic. You don’t speak to him, you just absorb him. He really doesn’t care what people think - but they think he’s awesome and they’re right. He’s awesome every second of every day because he’s a winner."

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Singer MARIANNE FAITHFULL is convinced she’ll be single for the rest of her days - because she believes falling in love is a "con".
The 1960s icon, who famously dated Sir Mick Jagger during the Rolling Stones’ heyday, admits she’s not looking for another relationship after three failed marriages.
She says, "I don’t think I could con myself into falling in love again because I do think it is a con. When you’re young it is just wanting to breed." But the 64 year old insists she has been lucky in love in the past, adding: "I have had a wonderful life with all my lovers and husbands. There is only one husband I didn’t like: my last husband, Giorgio Della Terza. I love (ex-husband) John (Dunbar). We are very close now. You can’t throw away love. I used to think I could but you can’t." Faithfull has a son, Nicholas, with artist John Dunbar, her first husband, and was also married to punk rocker Ben Brierly before embarking on a romance with Della Terza, who she wed in 1988 but divorced in 1991.

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Singer GEORGE MICHAEL is single after splitting form his longtime partner, KENNY GOSS, according to a U.K. report.
Texan businessman Goss is said to have ended their 15-year relationship after growing apart from the troubled former Wham! star.
A source tells Britain’s The Sun newspaper, "The writing has been on the wall for some time. There are only so many second chances Kenny was prepared to give.
"He’s been loyal to George from day one, but that hasn’t always been reciprocated. Kenny runs an incredibly successful gallery. With Kenny in the US, they spend so much time apart - and that’s got worse over the last couple of years.
"It’s really sad, but hopefully this could be the wake-up call George needs." Michael was jailed for eight weeks in September (10) for possessing cannabis and driving under the influence of drugs. It was his second drug-driving conviction - in 2007, he was ordered to do community service after he was found slumped behind the wheel of his car.

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KATE WINSLET has spoken for the first time about her split from SAM MENDES, calling her single status "empowering" and insisting she is not "lonely".
The Titanic star announced the end of her relationship with the filmmaker, her second husband, last March (10) after nearly seven years of wedlock.
Winslet, who was linked to male model Louis Dowler after the separation, has now broken her silence about the breakdown of her marriage to Mendes, revealing she is embracing life as a single mum-of-two.
She tells Vogue magazine, "(It’s an) empowering thing… Experiencing those moments of being alone… is a very, very weird flooring and exposing position to be in when you’re just not used to it. And it’s not just being in a relationship. It’s also the fact that I grew up in a family full of people. I’ve never been lonely. And with (kids) Mia and Joe that remains the case.
"But to be in this place now where I can say I really like this space. I really need to not have anyone around. It’s a surprise to discover that I like being on my own." Winslet was previously married to Jim Threapleton, her daughter Mia’s dad, but they divorced in 2001.

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Acid-tongued JOHN LYDON has branded OZZY OSBOURNE a "senile delinquent" and accused him of tarnishing Britain’s reputation with his outlandish behaviour.
The outspoken Sex Pistols star admits he was once a huge fan of Osbourne’s early work with Black Sabbath, but insists the heavy metal rocker is now a bad representative of the working class in the U.K.
Lydon rants, "The rumours of biting pigeon heads really haven’t impressed me. Ozzy acting like a senile delinquent is unimpressive. Ozzy’s a working class man like me yet he allows that to happen.
"By acting like he does, he implies that we’re all stupid, the working classes. We’re not! We’re the proper Britain, us lot."

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Singer CYNDI LAUPER put her talents to good use at an Argentine airport this weekend (05-06Mar11) by serenading a frenzied crowd over the public speakers.
The 1980s pop star grabbed a microphone at Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires to belt out her hit Girls Just Want to Have Fun for passengers frustrated by delays.
And Lauper’s impromptu performance worked - footage of the incident shows the star surrounded by happy fans, singing along and snapping photos of their idol.

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It’s a good week to be ADELE - the new British queen of soul has topped the U.K. album and single charts yet again.
The London-born star’s second album, 21, held steady at number one, while her track Someone Like You gripped the top spot in the singles rundown for the third week running.
In the album chart, Adele saw off competition from Jessie J’s debut Who You Are, which landed at number two, and Beady Eye’s first offering, Different Gear, Still Speeding, which entered at three.
Adele’s 2008 debut 19 slipped two places to fourth position, trailed by Rihanna’s Loud in fifth.
In the singles chart, Price Tag by Jessie J came second, while S&M by Rihanna and Born This Way by Lady Gaga placed third and fourth respectively in the countdown.
Chart queen Adele rounded out the top five with her hit Rolling In The Deep.

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Singer JASON DERULO has been forced to postpone the recording of his new album after a doctor ordered him to rest his voice.
The Ridin’ Solo hitmaker has been in the studio working on the follow-up to his self-titled debut, but he’s now taking a break to allow his sore throat to heal.
In a post on his Facebook.com page, Derulo explains, "So my throat doctor has put me on vocal rest for five days. Could you imagine not talking for five days? (It) sucks! "Apparently if I don’t let my chords heal, I may develop a serious problem. Such terrible timing, as I’m trying to complete my album!"

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Jailed music mogul PHIL SPECTOR has settled his legal dispute with attorney ROBERT SHAPIRO over a $1 million (£667,000) retainer fee, just days before a trial was due to begin.
The famed producer was fighting to win back the staggering sum he paid criminal defence attorney Shapiro after his arrest in 2003.
The embattled star hired the high-powered lawyer, who previously represented O.J. Simpson, as his first legal counsel, but they later parted ways and Spector went on to be convicted of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of actress Lana Clarkson.
Spector claimed Shapiro took advantage of him and the producer has been battling for years to recover the payment.
A trial was scheduled to begin on Monday (07Mar11) but lawyers for both sides reported a settlement on Thursday (03Mar11), according to the Associated Press. A judge ordered the terms of the agreement to remain sealed.
Spector, who is currently serving 19 years to life in prison, would not have been released for the trial, but his legal team planned to play his videotaped deposition in court.

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Model-turned-actress CHRISTIE BRINKLEY still shivers at the thought of recreating her iconic NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION swimming pool scene - because she did it recently on one of Los Angeles’ coldest nights on record.
The sexy star agreed to re-do the topless scene she shot with Chevy Chase for a TV commercial and found herself freezing in icy water.
She explains, "It was, like, one in the morning… and the swimming pool was steaming and they couldn’t have the steam, so they had to make the water as cold as the temperature outside, so they had huge blocks of ice going in and they had drained everything and put in the coldest water.
"I’m down in the pool in nothing but a G-string… My lips would freeze, so they would have to get me out the pool to put me in a bathtub to thaw me out. I had to, like, go up the pool ladder with nothing much on."

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JENNIFER HUDSON prepared for her role as NELSON MANDELA’s ex-wife WINNIE by confining herself to a prison cell to experience the "hell" of life behind bars.
The Oscar-winner plays the title role in filmmaker Darrell Roodt’s new biopic, which documents Winnie’s life, her fight against apartheid and her marriage to the former South African president.
Hudson was determined to make her portrayal authentic, and even spent five days locked up in an African jail after learning Winnie served more than 500 days in solitary confinement.
She tells the Daily Beast, "(I attempted to) experience some of the hell that woman went through… They snatched her out of her home and she had no idea what happened to her children. Imagine living that? This was her life! This was real.
"As a woman, I am angry for her, hurting for her. And as a mom? God, being in solitary confinement, away from my son just for five days when shooting those scenes - it was too much for me. I was drained and stripped down. I was changed."

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Scottish star PHYLLIDA LAW forces her actress daughters SOPHIE and EMMA THOMPSON to undergo regular medical check-ups in a bid to catch early signs of glaucoma.
The 78 year old’s mother, Megsie, suffered from the eye disease, which causes gradual loss of vision, and she was herself diagnosed with glaucoma in 1980.
But Law admits her worst fear is passing the condition on to her children.
She says, "To be honest, I’m grateful that my glaucoma was diagnosed relatively early and for the drops that keep my eyes healthy. I wouldn’t want to lose my sight, but I don’t like to know any details about the condition, or the prognosis. I’m not inclined to poke about or panic. But of course, I am concerned about my daughters…
"My concern is for my family - it is definitely passing through the maternal line. But they’re good - they all go to the opticians for check-ups regularly. I tell them, you have to look after your eyes the way you look after your teeth - regular check-ups. It would be easy to put any changes down to old age, but glaucoma is serious and a major issue."

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JAMES FRANCO has pulled out of upcoming drama WHILE WE’RE YOUNG due to scheduling conflicts with OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL.
The 127 Hours star was due to star as a free-spirited young man who inspires an uptight documentarian, to be played by Ben Stiller, to loosen up.
Cate Blanchett, who was cast as Stiller’s onscreen wife, has also dropped out of Noah Baumbach’s project, which was due to begin filming in New York in June (11), according to JustJared.com.
Franco is set to play the title character in Oz: The Great and Powerful, director Sam Raimi’s prequel to the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

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Soul star LIONEL RICHIE has discovered his great great grandfather was a slave owner, who freed the woman who bore him a child - the singer’s great grandfather.
The Hello hitmaker recently taped an episode of Lisa Kudrow’s hit family tree show Who Do You Think You Are? and the TV adventure led him to two major discoveries about his ancestors.
Thanks to historians, genealogists and African-American cultural experts at the University of Texas, University of Virginia, Brown University and the Nashville Public Library, Richie unearthed information that led him to his great great grandmother, Mariah, who was freed from slavery after giving birth to her owner Morgan Brown’s son John Louis Brown - and J.L. Brown went on to lead the powerful Knights of The Wisemen, a late 1800s institution which offered help, support and financial aid to African-Americans.
Proud Richie also learned his great grandfather had written the rule book for the early insurance agency, which helped propel the modern civil rights movement.
Unfortunately, the Knights ran out of cash and Brown ended his days as a caretaker at a Chattanooga cemetery, where he is buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave.
Visiting the wooded cemetery, Richie was overcome with emotion, explaining, "This is about as close to a spiritual awakening as I’ve ever had in my whole life."

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