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Oscar-nominated actress HELENA BONHAM CARTER has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire medal (CBE) in QUEEN ELIZABETH II’s New Year’s Honours list.
The Brit, who portrayed the Queen’s mother in The King’s Speech, has been recognised for her career achievements and will be presented with the accolade during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London next year (12).
TV mogul Peter Bazalgette, the producer credited with turning reality show Big Brother into an international phenomenon, is to receive a knighthood, while author Penelope Lively, who won the Booker Prize for 1987’s Moon Tiger, will be made a Dame, according to Reuters.
Veteran British comedian Ronnie Corbett will be feted with a CBE, while golfers Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke are to pick up Member of the British Empire (MBE) and Officer of the British Empire (OBE), respectively.
The annual New Year’s Honours list acknowledges the public service of British and Commonwealth citizens in a variety of fields including entertainment, industry and government.

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MERYL STREEP suffered a severe crisis of confidence on the set of new movie THE IRON LADY after spending just seven days preparing for her role as MARGARET THATCHER.
The Oscar-winning actress stepped into the shoes of Britain’s famous former Prime Minister for the film and recently confessed she only had a week to practice Thatcher’s voice and posture.
She insisted she was "ready" by the time the cameras rolled - but now she’s revealed the early days onset were fraught with problems and she even told director Phyllida Lloyd she was having second thoughts about taking on the role.
Streep tells The Independent, "I got on a plane and I had not ‘done’ her. So day one was a bit not great, but there were all these splendid English actors at Pinewood (Studios in England) and you’ve got to love other actors - they gave me my belief. And you really have to believe, right to the soles of your feet." On the second day of filming, Streep was required to shoot a major scene in the movie but her doubts about playing Thatcher were creeping in.
She adds, "I was so freaked out. But sometimes a bath of fire is good - when it’s terrifying and hard and ridiculous - that’s good… Sometimes I got hysterical and lost my mind and thought, ‘I don’t think I can do this.’ Phyllida would say, ‘Yes you can’…
"It’s good to be nervous, insecure - that’s a very good thing. I mean, it’s horrible, but it’s the thing that enables you to understand weakness. And often you need to know what that is."

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Teen singer/actress SELENA GOMEZ used her first wages from WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE to pay her parents’ rent.
The 19 year old’s family moved from her native Texas to Los Angeles to support her blossoming showbiz career, and when she landed her first starring role in the hit children’s TV show, Gomez handed her money to the family to pay its living expenses.
She tells Access Hollywood, "I think (my first pay cheque) went into living (in Los Angeles) because we had to move from Texas, so I think we just had to pay for it."

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The secrets of cult British bands THE SMITHS and the STONE ROSES are to be exposed in a new book written by the groups’ original drummer.
Simon Wolstencroft played drums in an early incarnation of the Stone Roses in the late 1980s, and had turned down an offer to become The Smiths’ full-time sticksman in 1982 because he didn’t like Morrissey’s singing.
Wolstencroft is now writing his memoirs, titled You Can Drum But You Can’t Hide, and he’s promised to lift the lid on the early days of both bands.
He tells LouderThanWar.com, "There have been many books written about The Smiths and The Roses and this will be an inside story from the horse’s mouth."

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Superproducer MARK RONSON is to spend his first New Year’s Eve as a married man away from his wife, as he’s booked for a DJ set at Scotland’s Hogmanay celebrations.
Ronson married French actress Josephine De La Baume in September (11) but insists he won’t be taking the beauty with him while he works over the festivities.
He tells Scotland’s Daily Record, "I’m not bringing my wife with me to Scotland. I’ll be with her until the day before and then I’ll see her the next day when she’ll be with her folk at home.
"Since I started DJing at 18, I’ve always DJed at New Year and, although some of the early ones are a bit of a blur, I’ve always enjoyed it. I’ve always had one or two friends or people I’ve cared about around." Despite being unable to see the new year in with De La Baume, Ronson insists he’s looking forward to performing at the annual event because he won’t have to travel to different cities across the U.K. as he did last year (10).
He adds, "I’m not sure exactly what time my set is but last year, I had three gigs in one night so I had to pace myself and waited until after the last gig at the Warehouse Project in Manchester to start enjoying myself.
"I was in London, Birmingham and Manchester within hours so it was a race against time to get to all these different cities. I’m kind of happy to be in one place this year."

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Singer/actress HOLLY VALANCE is nursing a cracked rib after she was injured in a drunken game of beach volleyball.
The Aussie star, who announced her engagement to property tycoon Nick Candy earlier this month (Dec11), downed glasses of rose wine as she took part in a drinking game over the festive season.
But she then decided to join in a session of beach volleyball near the couple’s holiday apartment in the Maldives - and was left in agony when she cracked a rib.
Valance told followers on Twitter.com she’s now taking anti-inflammatory drug Votarol to ease her pain and insists she’s learned a lesson from her drunken mishap on Thursday (29Dec11).
She writes, "Has any one ever played ‘Cardinal Puff’? Well don’t. You could crack a rib. I’m not saying I have. I’m just saying you could" before later tweeting, "So cracked rib, doc said - ‘poss’ Lesson? Don’t play ‘Cardinal puff’ then beach volley ball. Rose-ouch. Votarol is once again my best friend."

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New Catwoman ANNE HATHAWAY based her performance in the latest BATMAN movie on HEDY LAMARR, the glamorous 1940s film star who first inspired the character.
The Devil Wears Prada star is the latest actress to take on the role of the Caped Crusader’s feline nemesis, following in the footsteps of Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt and Michelle Pfeiffer, in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming The Dark Knight Rises.
Hathaway has now revealed she went back to the character’s roots for her portrayal, basing her performance on late Hollywood legend Lamarr, who was cited as the inspiration for Catwoman by comic book artist Bob Kane.
She tells the Los Angeles Times, "I know this sounds odd, but her breathing is extraordinary. She takes these long, deep, languid breaths and exhales slowly. There’s a shot of her in (1933 film) Ecstasy exhaling a cigarette and I took probably five breaths during her one exhale. So I started working on my breathing a lot." Hathaway also admits she isn’t fazed by stepping into such a famous role as each actress to have played Catwoman gave the character their own unique stamp.
She adds, "What’s come before doesn’t limit or even affect this new version. It doesn’t affect me because each Catwoman - and this is true in the comics as well - she is defined by the context of the Gotham City created around her… Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman was informed by Tim Burton’s Gotham and Eartha Kitt was informed by Adam West’s Gotham. You have to live in whatever the reality of the world is and whatever Gotham is."

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The writer who created GHOST RIDER has lost a legal battle with comic book bosses over the rights to the character.
The fiery, motorcycle-riding superhero first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1972 and was later immortalised on the big screen by Nicolas Cage in the 2007 movie of the same name, with a sequel planned for 2012.
Freelance writer Gary Friedrich, who came up with the character, filed suit against Marvel in the year the film came out (07), alleging bosses had used the Ghost Rider concept for movies, video games and merchandise without his permission.
However, a judge in New York has now ruled against Friedrich, stating Marvel bosses own the rights to the character as they paid the writer for his work at the time, according to Reuters.
Manhattan federal court judge Katherine Forrest declared, "If Friedrich… had any rights to the character or the work at the time he endorsed the (pay) cheques… he relinquished those rights to Marvel." Friedrich’s lawyers have vowed to appeal against the decision.

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Theatre impresario SIR ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER is to close three of his West End shows during the 2012 Olympics as he’s convinced the sporting showpiece will cause a slump in attendances.
The British composer insists the London Olympics will cause "a bloodbath of a summer" for theatres in the city as advance bookings for his shows are already only "about 10 per cent" of their normal level.
Lloyd Webber insists his biggest musicals such as Phantom of the Opera will continue throughout the summer, but he plans to shut at least three productions during the Olympics.
He tells BBC Radio 4, "Nobody’s going to go to the theatre at all… Most of the theatres in London will shut. It’s going to be very tough." But he’s adamant stage shows will flourish in London once the sporting event is over: "They’ve never been so commercially popular. The appetite for musicals is insatiable in a way. I don’t think I’ve ever had so many musicals being offered to our theatres in London as there are for the end of next year." Lloyd Webber will reveal the name of the shows to be shut on a later date.

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Actor DAVID ARQUETTE is celebrating after successfully managing a year of sobriety following his stint in rehab.
The Scream star completed a four-week program in a rehabilitation facility in January (11) after entering the venue over the New Year weekend to receive treatment for "alcohol and other issues", following his separation from actress Courteney Cox in October last year (10).
Arquette has since undergone a lifestyle overhaul, competing on U.S. talent show Dancing with the Stars and moving on with a new girlfriend.
Now the star has reached 365 days alcohol-free, even refusing to take medication following a car crash in March (11) in order to stay clean.
In a post on Twitter.com, Arquette writes, "Today marks 1 year of sobriety for me. I thank God for the strength and guidance and my family and friends for their love and support & I TY (thank you)."

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Welsh opera star KATHERINE JENKINS has split from her fiance, TV presenter GETHIN JONES.
The singer started dating the Welsh host four years ago (07) and the pair became engaged in January (11).
Jenkins, who bought a house with Jones last year (10), revealed in May (11) they were putting their wedding plans on hold due to her hectic work schedule, and now she’s announced they have parted ways.
In a post on Twitter.com, she writes, "Sorry for being quiet of late, its (sic) just that I have some very sad news. Geth & I have decided to go our separate ways.
"We are both beyond broken hearted. All your hugs & support will be much appreciated."

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ROBERT PATTINSON has been voted the Celebrity of the Year for a second time by fans of Eonline.com.
After five weeks of voting, the Twilight star kept his crown by beating 63 other top stars, including his girlfriend Kristen Stewart.
Stewart and royal newlywed Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge came close to grabbing the title but a late surge from the British actor’s fans secured the top spot for Pattinson.

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Country star BLAKE SHELTON has jumped to the defence of embattled singer KELLY CLARKSON after she came under fire from critics for voicing her support for Republican U.S. Congressman RON PAUL.
The Miss Independent hitmaker sparked a fiery online debate on Wednesday (28Dec11) after expressing her "love" for Paul and telling her Twitter.com followers that she would vote for the politician if he becomes the party’s candidate for the 2012 presidential election.
But her comments angered a group of left-wing fans and they bombarded the former American Idol winner with hate-filled messages, prompting Clarkson to beg her detractors to back off.
In a series of posts on the microblogging site, Clarkson wrote, "I am really sorry if I have offended anyone. Obviously that was not my intent… I like Ron Paul because he believes in less government and letting the people (all of us) make the decisions and mold (sic) our country. That is all." She later added, "Man my eyes have been opened to so much hate tonight. If y’all ever disagree with something I say please don’t feel the need to attack me. I will listen to what you say and any articles or viewpoints you have when you say it with respect…" But Clarkson can rely on at least one high-profile Twitter follower to defend her - Shelton has reached out to the young singer to offer his support.
In a message to Clarkson on Thursday (29Dec11), Shelton writes, "@kelly_clarkson I love you!!!! I’ll listen to your view points anytime. And I really wouldn’t mind throat punching someone for you either!!" Replying to the kind tweet, Clarkson wrote, "@blakeshelton thanks "

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Rapper SNOOP DOGG, rocker CHRIS DAUGHTRY and supermodel HEIDI KLUM have been invited to "Come on down" for a new celebrity week of THE PRICE IS RIGHT shows in 2012.
For the first time in the beloved gameshow’s 40-year history, stars will compete for charity cash by guessing the prices of everyday and luxury items.
The celebrity shows will air next week (beg02Jan11) with Snoop Dogg playing for cash to boost his Snoop Youth Football League on Monday.
Jenny McCarthy and Neil Patrick Harris have also shot secret appearances on the show, which is hosted by comedian Drew Carey.

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Actress MERYL STREEP has become a fervent campaigner for a new National Women’s History Museum in Washington, D.C. after donating $1 million (£625,000) to the project.
The museum still has to find a permanent home and the Oscar winner and historians are urging U.S. politicians to approve a bid to erect the place on the National Mall near the capital’s most important buildings.
Streep has become the public face of the campaign to site the museum in Washington because she feels it’s a very important location for such a project.
She tells the Los Angeles Times, "History until the 20th century was written by one member of the human family, and it wasn’t the mother. It was dad. That’s who wrote history and… what was important? Movements of armies, sovereignty of nations, all sorts of things. But women were there all along, and they have incredible stories that we don’t know anything about.
"It would be a beacon to women all over the world, because there really is no such museum. There are cottage museums - there’s a quilt museum, there’s a cowgirl museum…
"There are so many great stories. Every child knows the name of our first traitor, Benedict Arnold, but nobody knows the name of the first female soldier to take a bullet for the U.S., who enlisted under her dead brother’s name. Nobody knows Deborah Sampson’s name. That’s a great story. Or Elizabeth Freeman, who was the first slave to sue for her own freedom and won… Every boy and girl should know these stories… I hope we get it done." And she admits she owes it to the memory of her grandmother to help get the project off the ground: "My grandmother had three children in school, and she would have to go to the golf course and get my grandfather off the ninth tee to make him go to the school board election, ’cause she was not allowed to vote. She’s so vivid in my life."

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A ban forbidding PARIS HILTON from staying at property tycoon STEVEN WYNN’s Las Vegas hotels has been lifted.
Hilton was blacklisted from each of the businessman’s properties back in August, 2010, after she was arrested for cocaine possession outside Sin City hotspot The Wynn hotel.
However, now that the reality star has fulfilled all her legal obligations relating to the drug charge, she was invited to party at the Wynn-owned Encore hotel on Wednesday (28Dec11).
A representative for Wynn tells TMZ.com, "Paris is welcome on the Wynn properties now."

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Punk pioneer SEAN BONNIWELL has lost his battle with lung cancer at the age of 71.
The Los Angeles songwriter, who led short-lived but influential 1960s garage band Music Machine, was dubbed the grandfather of punk after his group inspired the California punk scene of the late 1970s with hits like Talk Talk.
Bonniwell died on 20 December (11).
His life was chronicled in the well-received autobiography Unknown Legends.

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GYM CLASS HEROES frontman TRAVIE MCCOY has vowed to give up smoking as his New Year’s resolution.
The singer is so determined to stop the nasty habit he’s even planning on making all of his smoking pals put out their cigarettes too.
He tells MTV News, "My New Year’s resolution is to quit smoking… it’s a very dirty, filthy habit.
"But not (only) is it my New Year’s resolution to quit, but it’s also my New Year’s resolution to get my friends to quit as well."

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