Paper 'reveals Banksy's identity'

Mysterious graffiti artist Banksy is a 34-year-old former public school pupil called Robin Gunningham, The Mail On Sunday has claimed.

The paper says it has identified the "guerrilla artist" from a photograph taken four years ago in Jamaica, which shows a man kneeling by a spray can.

But a spokeswoman for Banksy refused to comment on the report. "We get these calls all the time," she told the BBC.

"I'll say what I always say: I never confirm or deny these stories".

Banksy's stencilled artwork appears unannounced in public spaces around the world.

In January a piece of his graffiti in Portobello Road, west London - which shows a painter finishing off the word "Banksy" - attracted a bid of £208,100 in an online auction.

But the artist is also renowned for his audacious stunts - such as leaving a life-size replica of a Guantanamo Bay detainee at Disneyland in 2006.

His fiercely-guarded identity only adds to his subversive appeal - and members of the Hollywood elite including Christina Aguilera and Angelina Jolie have snapped up his paintings.

'Extremely talented'

The only solid biographical fact about the artist is that he was born and raised in Bristol.

It has often been rumoured that his real name is Robin Banks and that his parents think he is a painter and decorator - but no-one close to Banksy has ever verified these stories.

Now, the Mail on Sunday claims to have uncovered his true identity.

The newspaper says it traced the artist using a photograph purporting to show Banksy at work in Jamaica in 2004. Former friends and acquaintances identify the man in the picture as Robin Gunningham.

Scott Nurse, who went to the £9,420-a-year Bristol Cathedral School with Gunningham, tells the paper he was "extremely talented at art".

"I am not at all surprised if he is Banksy," he is quoted as saying.

Luke Egan, an artist who later exhibited with Banksy initially denied knowing Gunningham, but eventually agreed he had shared a flat with him.

Asked by the paper whether Gunningham was Banksy, he replied: "Well, he wasn't then". Gunningham's father Peter said he did not recognise the person in the photograph, while his mother Pamela maintained she had never even had a son.

'Crushing disappointment'

The picture the Mail claims is of Banksy was taken by Jamaican photographer Peter Dean Rickards.

It first appeared on the internet and then in the Mail's sister publication, The Evening Standard, in 2004.

Banksy's agent Steve Lazarides told The New Yorker that Rickards' picture did not depict his client - although Colin Saysell, an anti-graffiti officer in Bristol who has followed Banksy for years, concluded the photo was legitimate.

Two years later, Banksy insisted the public should never discover who he is.

"I have no interest in ever coming out," he told Swindle magazine.

"I'm just trying to make the pictures look good; I'm not into trying to make myself look good.

"And besides, it's a pretty safe bet that the reality of me would be a crushing disappointment to a couple of 15-year-old kids out there."

Billie Jean voted top dance song

Michael Jackson's song Billie Jean has been voted the greatest dance record of all time by BBC Radio 2 listeners.

Written by Jackson, and co-produced by Quincy Jones, the track won two Grammy awards and went to the top of the UK charts in 1983.

Donna Summer's I Feel Love, which topped the UK charts in 1977, took second place in the music poll.

In third place was soul legend James Brown with Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine.

Rhythim Is Rhythim's 1987 house track Strings Of Life featured at at number four, followed by Alison Limerick's Where Love Lives.

The poll, revealed in a three-part series presented by Zoe Ball, was part of a Radio 2 dance music season.

TOP 10 DANCE RECORDS

• 1. Billie Jean
  - Michael Jackson (1983)
• 2. I Feel Love
  - Donna Summer (1977)
• 3. Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine
  - James Brown (1970)
• 4. Strings Of Life
  - Rhythim Is Rhythim (1987)
• 5. Where Love Lives
  - Alison Limerick (1994)
• 6. Keep On Movin'
  - Soul II Soul (1989)
• 7. Can You Feel It
  - Fingers Inc. (1988)
• 8. Big Fun
  -Inner City (1988)
• 9. Theme From S'Express
  - S'Express (1988)
• 10. Key To My Happiness
  - The Charades (1966)

"I'm delighted that Billie Jean has been voted the greatest dance record ever made," said Ball.

"This is Jackson at his best. This track is way up there for me - Jacko's rendition of it at the Motown 25th anniversary show has got to be one of the great live performances of all time.

"The bassline is awesome, the production is killer. It's just perfect."

'Sonic personality'

The beginning of Jackson's Billie Jean is instantly recognisable because of the first few drum beats in the introduction.

Sound engineer Bruce Swedien said Jackson asked for the song to have "the greatest sonic personality that you can possibly put on a track - starting with the drums".

A panel of music experts, including DJs Trevor Nelson and Danny Rampling, drew up a shortlist of 20 records, which were then voted for by listeners online.

The songs, dated from 1966 to 2001, were selected for their "musical merit, and importance in the narrative of UK dance music".

Murder tale scoops Johnson prize

An analysis of an 1860 murder case that inspired writers including Charles Dickens has won BBC Four's Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction.

The Suspicions Of Mr Whicher: Or The Murder At Road Hill House by Kate Summerscale beat five other shortlisted finalists to win the £30,000 prize.

The book brings back to life a Wiltshire murder which shocked Britain.

Speaking at London's Royal Festival Hall, chair of judges Rosie Boycott praised a "page-turning yarn".

"Kate Summerscale has brilliantly merged scrupulous archival research with vivid storytelling that reads with the pace of a Victorian thriller," she said.

"The book is a rare work of non-fiction that mimics the suspense genre and leaves one gripped until the final paragraph."

She said the officer in charge of the investigation, Jack Whicher, was painted as "a complex, shabby character who immediately conjures up images of the scruffy-looking LA cop, Columbo".

She added: "The Road Hill murder case was to dominate newspaper headlines, caused national hysteria and inspired a generation of novelists from Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins to Conan Doyle."

Kate Summerscale, who wrote the bestselling The Queen of Whale Clay - a biography of British eccentric speedboat racer Marion "Joe" Carstairs - is the 10th winner of the annual Samuel Johnson Prize.

Ms Boycott was joined on the judging panel by Guardian literary editor Claire Armitstead, Science Museum director Chris Rapley, poet Daljit Nagra and documentary maker Hannah Rothschild.

US journalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran won the prize last year for Imperial Life In The Emerald City, an account of his time in Baghdad's Green Zone.

The other shortlisted titles this year were:

• Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart - Tim Butcher
• Crow Country - Mark Cocker
• The Whisperers - Orlando Figes
• The World Is What It Is: The Authorised Biography of VS Naipaul - Patrick French
• The Rest is Noise - Alex Ross

Brand apologises for prank call

Comedian Russell Brand has apologised for making a hoax call on a crime hotline during a performance on stage at a theatre in Northampton.

The star rang the police number in front of a live audience and said he had spotted a man who might be responsible for a series of assaults.

Brand said he is "devastated by the possibility" that he may have "offended vulnerable people".

Northamptonshire police have warned people against making hoax calls.

Prank call

However, officers have refused to say whether further action will be taken against the star.

But a spokesman said the force would "discourage" any communication with police hotlines which was not genuine.

"I maintain that through discourse we can illuminate these dark behaviours but that ought not to be at the expense of people's feelings," Brand said in a statement on Wednesday.

The prank call was inspired by local media coverage of investigations into a number of assaults in the town in recent weeks.

"I knew it was part of the act and it was amusing, but I must admit at the time I thought it was a bit close to the bone"
Hannah Gee, audience member

Using a phone from a member of the audience he rang the crime hotline number and pretended to be a woman.

"I have seen a gentleman who fits the description," said Brand.

Video footage of the concert has been posted on YouTube.

During the call, which lasted about three minutes, the police employee asked why there was laughter in the background.

Brand said the noise - from the audience at the Royal and Derngate theatre - was from an episode of police drama The Bill, which was showing on his television.

'Polka dot trousers'

The comedian, turned actor, described the man he had seen as "wearing a lime green top and polka dot trousers.

"I thought, 'Well, look at the state of him'."

The employee ended the call after the star asked her out for dinner and began to sing down the phone.

Audience member Hannah Gee, 24, from Northampton said she thought the show was "hilarious" but could understand why the police had issued a warning about the act.

"I can see where they're coming from, because it's a Saturday night and it's a busy time for the police," she said.

"Personally, I knew it was part of the act and it was amusing, but I must admit at the time I thought it was a bit close to the bone," she added.

"I can see how it might have caused offence to some people."

Ruth Jones lands Welsh radio show

Gavin and Stacey actress and writer Ruth Jones is to present her own show on BBC Radio Wales.

The two-hour long show, Ruth Jones' Sunday Brunch, will start on 5 October.

Jones, who created Gavin and Stacey with James Corden, said: "I'm really looking forward to it. It'll be like having friends over for brunch."

"We'll go through the papers, have a coffee, maybe a bacon bap or two and a nice chat, y'know, just relaxed and easy - easy like Sunday morning."

Radio Wales Editor Sali Collins said: "We're thrilled that Ruth has chosen to make her radio debut on BBC Radio Wales.

"Ruth is one of British comedy's brightest stars and she's Welsh to the core, so her collaboration with Radio Wales is a perfect fit."

---

Video game debut for Roses track

The first official track to be taken from Guns N' Roses' new album will be released through video game Rock Band 2, along with a Bob Dylan number.

Shackler's Revenge, taken from Guns' long-awaited album Chinese Democracy, will feature on the game, to be launched in the US in September.

Dylan's Tangled Up In Blue is also going to appear.

It is the second version of the game in which competitors play along to songs with instrument controllers.

A release date for the new album from Guns N' Roses - who no longer feature original guitarist Slash - has yet to be announced.

The band's last album The Spaghetti Incident? was released in 1993.

Joint venture

Rock Band 2 will feature 100 songs all taken from master recordings of the songs of major artists.

"We are honoured that such legendary artists as AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Bob Dylan and more have chosen Rock Band 2 as a new platform for fans "
Paul DeGooyer
MTV Games

As well as the Guns N' Roses and Bob Dylan tracks, the game will also include Let There Be Rock by AC/DC and The Who's Pinball Wizard.

Further tracks will be available for download.

The game is a joint venture between video game companies Harmonix, Electronic Arts and MTV Games.

Paul DeGooyer, of MTV Games, said: "We are honoured that such legendary artists as AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Bob Dylan and more have chosen Rock Band 2 as a new platform for fans to experience their music."

In the UK, the original Rock Band game is only available on the Xbox 360.

It will be released for the Wii and the Playstation 3 in the UK later in the year.

Bob Dylan's decision to embrace new technology by licensing a track to the game will raise eyebrows in some quarters.

He was criticised by some fans as "a Judas" when he first performed with electric guitars in 1966.

Kimmel and Silverman end romance

US comedians Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman have split up after five years together.

Kimmel, 41, hosts a late-night ABC talk show while Silverman has her own show on cable TV network Comedy Central.

Earlier this year, a clip from Kimmel's show of Silverman, 37, singing with Matt Damon about a fake affair became a worldwide hit on the internet.

Kimmel responded with a video declaring an affair with Damon's best friend Ben Affleck. Both were watched by millions.

Silverman's video featured her and Damon singing together in a hotel suite about their pretend affair.

That followed a running joke on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in which the host would end his show by apologising to Damon for "running out of time" - implying that he had been dropped from the running order.

Kimmel's response video co-starred a host of Hollywood A-listers including Affleck, Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford and Cameron Diaz.

Prince Caspian's screen synergy

By Michael Osborn
Entertainment reporter, BBC News

The second Narnia adventure recently hit the big screen with huge fanfare, picking up critical scrutiny and box office success on its journey.

But The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian film was preceded by its gaming counterpart. Both were pushed with equal vigour by makers Disney.

The videogame was given a lavish launch at a medieval-style castle in rural Cheshire, where journalists could test out their archery skills in real life and in the computer-animated world of Narnia.

Its makers were quick to stress how the film and game are bound together, trailing both at the same time and extolling their inexorable links.

Arthur Parsons, the game's lead designer for Traveller's Tales, says synergy was only possible by working closely with the film's director Andrew Adamson.

"If we were going to match the film then we needed to see inside the director's head," he says.

"Every time there was a script update, we'd get it. We could see everything that was shot too.

"Andrew has a passion for games which made the game a better one. We had a harmonious relationship."

Mr Parsons also speaks of video gaming as an "emergent cinema", and says the process of making a game is becoming "more and more cinematic".

"I don't want people playing a game knowing that they're playing a game. I want them to lose themselves in that world and believe they are that character," he adds.

Huge accolade

The making of the game also brought on board the film's actors, who provide the voice-overs for the game and had full body scans to make their console counterparts as true-life as possible.

One actor who became involved in this process was William Moseley, who plays eldest Pevensie child Peter in the big screen hits.

Working in the motion capture studio was "like something out of Doctor Who," explains the 20-year-old.

"It was a black room and there was a light sensor and if you blink at the wrong time it wrecks the whole thing. You have to do as you're told."

While Moseley says this was harder work than acting on set, laying down vocals for the game made regular use of his acting skills.

"I had to do dying, less intense dying and falling. But I did the actions and tried to give it some," he says.

The film star maintains that the extra work required to make the game closer to its big screen counterpart is all part of an actor's lot.

"I see it all as part of it. If I didn't do it would be like not acting out scenes on set and telling Andrew Adamson that I'm not doing it and will have a cup of tea instead.

"It's every guy's dream"

Actor William Moseley on being a star of the Prince Caspian videogame

While he insists the game is of equal importance, he admits the film still has the edge in terms of reach and accessibility.

In its first weekend of release in the UK, the movie took £4m and crowned the box office chart.

Aside from being a lead actor in the Narnia trilogy, Moseley says starring in the videogame is also a huge accolade.

"Who of my age has had a game made for them with their own character? It's every guy's dream. It'll be one for the grandkids in years to come."

The third part of the Narnia series, The Voyage of The Dawn Treader, already in the pipeline and pencilled in for release in 2010 and will also co-star William Moseley.

With the investment made in the latest video game to closely accompany the film, it is expected that a third will not be far behind.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian feature film and video game are both out now.

Press views: Zorro: The Musical

Theatre critics have delivered their verdicts on Zorro: The Musical, which has opened at the West End's Garrick Theatre.

Set to music by the Gipsy Kings, it features choreography by internationally renowned flamenco dancer Rafael Amargo.

The show features Matt Rawle in the title role, with Emma Williams as Zorro's love interest Luisa and Adam Levy as the tyrannical Ramon.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH - CHARLES SPENCER

" Zorro has stormed into the West End and his derring-do provides the perfect theatrical night out. Christopher Renshaw's production is a splendid mixture of chills and thrills, strong love interest and tongue-in-cheek humour.

Matt Rawle reveals himself as a real star as Diego/Zorro, combining physical skills and spectacular stunts with a cool charm, while Adam Levy has exactly the right sneering cruelty as loathsome Ramon. "

THE INDEPENDENT - RHODA KOENIG

" Zorro Incorporated, it seems, has lost faith in its raison d'etre, a state reflected in the decision to hand over much of the show to the gypsies, who fling the 20-year-old hit Bamboleo and other music by the Gipsy Kings at us with the vehemence and charm of an assault.

The only pleasure in this timid and cynical corporate product is the Captain Ramon of Adam Levy, an actor who brings real creepiness to his sadistic character as well as very real sex appeal. "

Read the full review

THE TIMES - BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE

" I'm not sure it will survive 22 weeks, though it just about deserves to do so. Stephen Clark's book and Christopher Renshaw's production have the merit of not taking themselves too seriously.

However, that's a plus bought at a price, for narrative excitement is largely sacrificed. Imagine a mix of Errol Flynn and Monty Python, and you have the feel. "

Read the full review

THE GUARDIAN - MICHAEL BILLINGTON

" This is a jokey Zorro wreathed in self-awareness. But the show also has the ingredient that all good musicals need: Dazzling choreography.

The show may not be high art but it's great fun and brings a refreshingly different, Hispanic sound to the jaded world of West End musicals. "

Read the full review

EVENING STANDARD - NICHOLAS DE JONGH

" A succession of spectacular flying and fighting effects, about which it would be unfair to give away much add to the fun. John Cameron's score, wistful and slightly Sondheimian is unexceptional, but the music of the Gipsy Kings steels and helps make the show. "

Talking Shop: Primal Scream's Mani

British rock favourites Primal Scream are returning with their ninth studio album, Beautiful Future.

It includes collaborations with CSS singer Lovefoxx, Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and folk icon Linda Thompson on a cover of Fleetwood Mac's Over And Over.

Bassist Mani - who was also in seminal indie group The Stone Roses - discusses the new album, how the band have kicked drink and drugs, and the prospects of a Roses reunion.

---

What does the title Beautiful Future refer to?

"I think it's the most pop record we've done to date"

Bobby [Gillespie, singer] comes up with all that nonsense, I'm just the humble bass player. We've all been in a really good space, we're all healthy, we're all feeling really musical.

I think it's the most pop record we've done to date. It's really accessible and diverse - it swings from a bit of Philadelphia soul to punk rock to beautiful ballads to electro.

How does the songwriting process work?

We've got our studio in Chalk Farm [north London] and we're in there every day, jamming and kicking ideas about.

Someone could fart into a microphone with an echo on it and think 'that sounds good', and then build a song around it. We haven't done that as yet, we're saving that for our next album. But there is no formula, the songs come from anywhere.

How did you get the collaborators on board?

We're always up for collaborations because you never know what you can learn from other people.

We thought Linda Thompson would be perfect for the Fleetwood Mac cover. The song as Fleetwood Mac did it just sounds like a Primal Scream song. It's got that narcotic, laid back kind of thing.

With Lovefoxx, we met the girls from CSS at what turned into an all-night drinking session in Sao Paolo in Brazil a couple of years ago. They were great kids and we got on like a house on fire.

And then the mighty, God-like Josh Homme. We absolutely adore Queens of the Stone Age. He was in town so we convened in the studio and had a jam. It was [Scream guitarist] Andrew Innes and Josh shredding against each other with their guitars. We took Josh's guitar out and built a completely new song around it.

Josh and Primal Scream are both big party animals...

We've all been straight for the past nine months mate so that's the party animal angle blown right out of the water.

"What I'm enjoying more than anything is the clarity, and getting up at eight o'clock in the morning"

This is Primal Scream behaving themselves. That's why I sound so jolly. It's been such a focus of ours at the moment. We want to drag a few more years out of the game.

When you say straight, does that mean no drugs, drink or both?

I've done nowt for nine months mate and I'm really happy about it. I'm getting up, I'm focussed, I've got things to do. I feel like I contribute a lot more.

What I'm enjoying more than anything is the clarity, and getting up at eight o'clock in the morning and doing stuff. I think this could herald a really prolific period for the band and we're enjoying it.

But then again we're going out on the road and Primal Scream have a great tendency to trip themselves right up. Who knows what's going to happen?

You're also part of Mancunian bass supergroup Freebass with New Order's Peter Hook and Andy Rourke of The Smiths. What stage is that at?

That goes on the back burner whenever people are doing other stuff, but I think Peter is still working away.

We've got a guy singing for us now - Gary Briggs, who used to be in a band called Haven. Gary's been doing some vocals, which are coming out brilliantly.

We're working towards doing an album and then doing some gigs. Who knows, the festival circuit might be seeing a bit of Freebass action next year. It would be good to see three Manc bass legends competing with each other to work out who is the king of Manchester on the bass.

Loads of bands have reformed recently - is there any prospect of a Stone Roses reunion?

I spoke to John [Squire, guitarist] and Reni [drummer] about it a few years ago and they said they'd love to do it at some point in time, but Ian Brown seems dead set against it.

Who knows. It's not something that's uppermost in my mind to tell you the truth. I'm in Primal Scream and I think it's quite disrespectful to talk about the Stone Roses reforming when I'm having such a great time with the Scream.

People will always be interested but you should ask Ian Brown about that one. If he changes his mind then we'll probably do it, but then I'll be back to Primal Scream after the one year of doing it.

What do you think of the current indie scene?

"I with there was a little bit more danger, people taking a few more risks "

I think the Arctic Monkeys are brilliant. I love Klaxons and The Horrors. I think British music's quite healthy at the moment, kids have got ideas.

I just wish there was a little bit more danger, people taking a few more risks and they weren't so on their knees to the corporate beast. Be like punk rockers, man, and just get out there and change it and make it yours.

Mamma Mia! takes box office crown

Musical Mamma Mia!, which stars Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth has danced its way to the top of the UK box office.

The movie, which features 22 Abba songs, took £5.2m in its first week, knocking Will Smith's superhero movie Hancock off the top spot.

Animation Kung Fu Panda, voiced by US actor Jack Black, was in third place, followed by Prince Caspian.

Forbidden Kingdom, starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan, debuted at number five.

James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie star as members of a fraternity of assassins in action thriller Wanted, which fell one place to number six.

UK & IRELAND BOX OFFICE

• 1. Mamma Mia! - £5.2m
• 2. Hancock - £3.6m
• 3. Kung Fu Panda - £2.8m
• 4. Prince Caspian - £934,561
• 5. Forbidden Kingdom - £824,586
• 6. Wanted - £669,426
• 7. Journey to the Center of the Earth - £453,878
• 8. Sex and the City - £138,857
• 9. Adulthood - £88,630
• 10. The Mist - £87,561

Source: Screen International

The third new release in this week's top 10, Journey to the Center of the Earth, was in seventh place.

The Sex and The City movie, starring Sarah Jessica Parker as the unlucky-in-love sex columnist Carrie Bradshaw, slipped to number eight.

The movie, which had its world premiere in London, was released seven weeks ago.

At number nine was Adulthood, the sequel to Kidulthood written by Doctor Who star Noel Clarke, and rounding off the top 10 was Stephen King horror The Mist.

UK iTunes shelves music price cut

By Ian Youngs
Music reporter, BBC News

Apple has scrapped plans to cut the price of music downloads on its iTunes service in the UK.

Six months ago, the company said it would lower the price of songs in the UK to bring British fees into line with those on its other European services.

A song costs 79p in the UK and 0.99 euros elsewhere. At the time of Apple's announcement, that worked out at 74p.

But exchange rate changes since January mean 0.99 euros now equals 79p, meaning no price cut is necessary, Apple said.

On 9 January, an Apple statement said: "Within six months it will lower the prices it charges for music on its UK iTunes store to match the already standardised pricing on iTunes across Europe."

That announcement came after the European Union investigated price differences between the UK and the rest of the continent.

Wiped out

But since then, the value of the euro has risen against the pound, wiping out the difference.

"The announcement was that we would match the UK price to that of other lower priced European countries," an Apple spokesman said.

"This is no longer necessary as exchange rates have effectively done it for us."

The spokesman was unable to confirm what would happen when the exchange rate changed again, or whether British fans could end up paying more than 79p.

But he said the company wanted to keep the pan-European prices "standardised".

Music fans in Europe still pay much more than those in the US, where each song costs $0.99 (49p or 0.62 euros).

Death Row label is sold for $24m

Hip-hop label Death Row Records, which has been home to rap stars Tupac Shakur, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg, has been sold at an auction for $24m (£12m).

New York-based company Global Music Group confirmed it had purchased the firm in a statement to the Associated Press news agency.

The sale includes current artist contracts and its complete back catalogue of music.

Death Row was founded in 1989 by rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight.

It went on to sell tens of millions of albums in the early 1990s before collapsing in debt and mismanagement.

Lydia and Michael Harris claimed they helped found the label, and won $107 million (£53.3 million) after a 2005 court case. But when they tried to collect the money, Knight filed for bankruptcy.

Unreleased material

Global Music Group, an independent label, takes ownership of albums including Dr Dre's The Chronic and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle.

Other assets are believed to include unreleased material from Shakur which could result in another posthumous release from the rapper.

Knight has a history of legal problems including a 1992 conviction for assault for which he was placed on probation.

He was then jailed for five years in 1996 for violating that probation and in 2003 he returned to prison for again violating parole.

Village People singer back home

Former Village People lead singer Victor Willis has been released from a US hospital after vocal cord surgery.

"I feel great and look forward to performing before the end of the year, but I can't say for sure," Willis said in a statement.

The singer's doctors have told him not to sing for 90 days, while his speaking voice "sounds almost normal", his spokeswoman said.

The 57-year-old had surgery last week to remove nodules from his vocal cords.

Willis developed hoarseness in 2007 after several performances forcing him to cancel European and Canadian concert dates this year.

He has postponed his current tour, but is expected to reschedule the dates after the surgery in San Diego.

The Village People originally formed in 1977 and the group has sold more than 80 million albums and singles.

Willis, who originally dressed as a policeman, wrote and sang hits such as YMCA and Macho Man, but left the group in 1980.

Australian TV evicts Big Brother

The Australian version of Big Brother has been axed, seven years after it began on Network Ten.

The show will not return after the current series, which actress Pamela Anderson has appeared in, ends in July. Ten chief executive Grant Blackley said the network was "confident this is the right decision at the right time".

"We are immensely proud of the show and the incredible success it has enjoyed," programming head David Mott said. "We're ending the season on a high."

Flagging ratings

He added: "Big Brother is the undisputed grand-daddy of modern, commercial reality television in Australia. Today's reality dramas have all, on some level, been inspired by Big Brother."

Mr Mott acknowledged the show had courted its fair share of controversy.

"The show has taken on topics of race, sex, homosexuality, eating disorders and alcohol abuse, many of which had been handled gingerly, if at all, on TV."

Last week Anderson, best known for starring in US show Baywatch, entered the Big Brother house.

The 41-year-old was flown in by Ten in an attempt to revive the show's flagging ratings.

When asked how much she had been paid for the TV appearance in a press conference, Anderson said the sum was: "Huge, a lot... much more than I am worth."

'Tired format'

The show's name comes from George Orwell's 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, which revolves around an all-seeing leader called Big Brother.

The format was first used in the Netherlands in 1999, with Channel 4 screening a UK version a year later.

"There's every opportunity for a broadcaster to step in and take over"
Spokeswoman for production company Endemol

It has gone on to be produced in 40 different countries, although it is not clear how many are still broadcasting the show.

Housemates are filmed 24 hours per day with edited highlights broadcast during prime-time slots.

An spokeswoman for Endemol, the production company which owns the Big Brother format, said: "It's by no means being axed. It's just the contract won't be renewed for 2009.

"So there's every opportunity for a broadcaster to step in and take over."

Meanwhile, bookmaker Ladbrokes slashed its odds for the cancellation of the UK version of the show from 16/1 to 8/1.

Spokesman Nick Weinberg said the news from Australia suggested the format was "getting a bit tired".

Brother backs Madonna's marriage

Madonna's brother has said his sister would work hard to maintain her marriage to film director Guy Ritchie.

Christopher Ciccone, who has written a book about the pop star, made the comments on US TV network ABC.

"She's not the type of person just to walk away," he said, referring to reports that the couple's eight-year relationship was on the rocks.

Mr Ciccone also said he "doubted" reports Madonna was dating baseball player Alex Rodriguez.

Earlier this month, Madonna's spokeswoman denied speculation that the 49-year-old singer and Ritchie were preparing to divorce.

She also denied Madonna was dating New York Yankees player Rodriguez, 32, who recently parted from his wife.

Asked about the rumours, Mr Ciccone said: "I believe that she will do what's best for her family and her kids, and I think that she'll do her best to maintain the marriage and keep it going."

He told the Good Morning America programme it was "highly unlikely" his sister was responsible for splitting up Rodriguez's marriage, adding the claims seemed "absurd".

"First of all, despite everything else, she's still a Catholic girl and I don't think… although he is kind of her type, so it's difficult to say," Mr Ciccone said.

"I know Alex from Miami - we've met a number of times - I doubt this is actually an affair.

"I'm sure she had nothing to do with the break-up of their marriage."

Reception walkout

Mr Ciccone also said Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director Ritchie had come between him and his sister.

Comments made during Ritchie's 2004 wedding to Madonna led Mr Ciccone to walk out of the reception, he added.

His book, Life With My Sister Madonna, is due to hit US shelves on Tuesday.

Mr Ciccone has also included gossip about Madonna's sex life and stories about various stars, including Sean Penn, Bruce Willis and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The singer, known for hits such as Like a Virgin and Holiday, first worked with her younger brother at the start of her career.

He also designed and directed her Girlie Show tour in 1993 and served as artistic director on her 1991 documentary, Madonna: Truth or Dare.

But in his book he said they were no longer close, and blamed Ritchie for breaking their close bond.

Allen producer Joffe dies aged 78

Film producer Charles Joffe, who had worked on Woody Allen films since 1969, has died at the age of 78.

Joffe and business partner Jack Rollins first co-produced Allen in Take the Money and Run. In 1978, Joffe collected the best picture Oscar for Annie Hall.

The pair, who are executive producers of new Allen film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, also managed comedians including Robin Williams in the 1960s.

Joffe died in a Los Angeles hospital after suffering from lung disease.

Allen said in a statement: "When he was at the top of his game, nobody was better."

"He was a fabulous deal maker - that was his real strength"
Joffe's wife Carol

Joffe picked up the best picture award at the 1978 Oscars ceremony after Allen decided to stay away.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1929, Joffe studied journalism before going on to work for Rollins in the 1950s as a junior manager for comedians.

In the 1960s, the pair formed their own company, Rollins and Joffe Productions, and helped the careers of comedians including Williams and Billy Crystal.

Joffe's wife Carol said: "He was a fabulous deal-maker - that was his real strength."

Jolie doctor was nervous at birth

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's doctor has admitted he felt added pressure delivering the couple's twin babies because of their fame.

Oscar-winning actress Jolie gave birth to son Knox Leon and daughter Vivienne Marcheline by Caesarean section in France on Saturday.

When asked on Europe 1 radio whether he was nervous beforehand, Dr Michel Sussmann said, "for sure".

He added: "It's true that there was pressure due to the couple's fame."

'Totally impossible'

Dozens of reporters, cameramen and photographers have been camped outside the Lenval hospital in Nice hoping to catch a glimpse of the babies.

Every effort has been made to protect the actors' privacy.

Last week the hospital issued a statement saying it was "totally impossible" for paparazzi to get photos.

Dr Sussman described Pitt, 44, who was at Jolie's side for the birth, as "perfectly calm" during the operation.

Of Jolie, he said: "She is a patient who was totally obedient, very calm, very kind."

He also said the couple, who also have one biological child together and three adopted children, were "an exemplary father and mother".

Marcheline was the first name of Jolie's mother, also an actress, who died of cancer last year.

It has been reported the pair have sold rights to the first photographs of the twins to an unnamed US magazine and would give the money to charity.

They came to a similar arrangement with photo agency Getty Images, soon after daughter Shiloh Nouvel was born in 2006.

Record labels need 'reinventing'

Peter Gabriel says record companies should reinvent themselves to be seen as a service industry and not as "owners" of music.

The former Genesis singer told the BBC he thought the current digital age paved the way for changes to be made.

The 59-year-old has been a pioneer in distributing music legally online.

He co-founded We7 - a website that allows users to stream and download music for free, with or without adverts - last year.

"I love all these experiments - there's a lot of ways for musicians to communicate and sell their records to their fans," Gabriel said.

'Mixed up'

"There's still room for record companies but they should reinvent themselves as a service industry and not as owners.

"The structure of the old album and waiting for that to be finished still has some merit but you can do a lot of other things and I think it should be a lot looser and mixed up."

Gabriel's comments come a week after rock band Nickelback became the latest group to sign a global recording, touring and merchandising deal with concert promoter Live Nation, over a traditional record deal.

Artists including Madonna, Jay-Z, U2 and Shakira have also all signed to the company in the past year.

We7 is not Peter Gabriel's first foray into digital music.

In 1999, he set up OD2, a music download service selling individual tracks.

He built it up to a database of approximately 350,000 tracks before selling it on to US digital music distributor Loudeye in 2004.

Stone Wood is admitted to rehab

Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood is "seeking help" with his battle with alcohol in a rehabilitation centre, a spokeswoman for the star has confirmed.

The move follows tabloid speculation over the state of his 23-year marriage to former model Jo Wood.

"Following Ronnie's continued battle with alcohol he has entered a period of rehab," his spokeswoman said.

"His close family and friends say he is seeking help and look forward to his recovery."

This is not the first time the 61-year-old has sought help for addiction to alcohol.

In 2002 he checked into a clinic to undergo treatment.

A long-term addiction to the drug cocaine led to the star having a plastic septum inserted in his nose in 1975.