Look sharp in a pencil skirt this autumn

All hail the revival of the pencil skirt – an elegant, figure-friendly trend that is banishing micro-minis to the back of wardrobes.

The slim-fitting garment – a time-honoured silhouette created by Christian Dior in the late Forties – dominated on the fashion week runways.

In a celebration of the feminine form, Chloe, Lanvin and Louis Vuitton took a trip down memory lane with various versions of the vintage classic.

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And the pencil skirt is a draw with A-listers like Heidi Klum and Jennifer Lopez too.

The trendy garment provides a solid foundation for Autumn/Winter wardrobes.

It allows women to exude sexiness in a subtle way, and flatters all figures.

The secret's in the shape, which adds curves to boyish frames but also makes the most of an hourglass silhouette by following and contouring the natural form.

But here are some pointers.

This season’s pencil skirt is sexy. To avoid looking too prim, leave the flats at home.

Instead, pair with heels, which will elongate the legs and create a slimmer silhouette.

For a more daring look, slip on a sheer blouse in a neutral colour. Take your cue from J LO (above), who preserved her modesty with oversized chest pockets.

For everyday use, team with something unstructured – try a loose textured piece, a casual, pocketed T-short or a silk vest like Heidi – or add oversized knitwear.

If you need to hide a belly, invest in a good pair of control pants to smooth lumps and bumps. Or try a loose-fitting vest top with a sequinned, waterfall jacket to draw attention away from the problem area. This is a great going out outfit.

For the office, tuck in a tailored sleeveless blouse and top with a sleek cardigan.

To take your pencil skirt into ultra modern territory, choose a shirt in a clashing colour and pair with a bright red lip, a la Emily Blunt.

Mary and Frederik to welcome William and Kate to Denmark

St James's Palace has announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's next public engagement will be a trip to Denmark.

The newlywed couple will visit UNICEF’s emergency supply centre in Copenhagen on November 2 which distributes emergency food and medical supplies to East Africa.

It will be only the second official visit abroad by the couple, following their tour of Canada and the US in July, and will be the Duchess’s first trip to a foreign country specifically to carry out charity work.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE THE ROYALS IN AFRICA

William and Kate will be accompanied by Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark. 

The royal couples will seek to maintain global attention on the crisis in East Africa, an area well known to The Duke and Duchess, where the situation is getting worse.

More areas are expected to be declared as ‘in famine’ over the next few months.

Currently some 320,000 children in East Africa are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and are at imminent risk of death without immediate assistance.

Clarence House said: "The Duke and Duchess have been deeply moved over the past few weeks by the desperate plight of hundreds of thousands of seriously ill children in East Africa, a part of the world they know well and which is dear to them.

"Going to Copenhagen to view the supplies heading out to the famine zones was their idea as they are very troubled by the situation.

"The British public have already been very generous, but the royal couple wish to do what they can to help to help maintain global attention on the worsening situation."

Meet Mr June: Zara's buff husband strips off for calendar

This is Mike Tindall as you've never seen him before – oiled, shirtless and looking moodily into the distance as an underwear model.

Zara Phillips' husband shows off his buff physique for a charity calendar in a black and white photo that leaves little to the imagination.

'Mr June' joined some of his England rugby teammates in stripping off for Rugby For Heroes - of which Mike is patron.

The new organisation, which is run by players, aims to raise money for ex-servicemen.

Founder Alan Lamb, whose son Ryan plays for Northampton Saints – said Mike was a bit reluctant the start of the photoshoot.

"Some of the players, frankly, didn’t need an awful lot of persuading but some of them were quite shy and reserved, particularly Tins," he said – referring to Mike.

Joining Mike in peeling off for a good cause were fellow players including Delon Armitage and Tom Croft.

Each player has a short poem dedicated to them next to their photo, describing their attributes.

Mike's reads: "Breaks up the attack, leaves opponents exposed.

"A calming influence, inspiring and composed."

Nancy Dell'Ollio bends over backwards to get some extra practice

The last few weeks of waltzing and whirling have clearly had an effect on her.
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Nancy Dell'Olio looked quite the dancing queen as she twirled around on an evening out.

Her curves encased in slinky red bandage dress, the Italian bombshell took to the floor with jewellery designer, Stephen Webster.

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Perhaps the impromptu performance was the result of Nancy’s vow to perfect her Pasodoble.

Because while her glamorous looks are a hit with viewers, the moves don’t always come as naturally to her.

Judge Alesha Dixon summed up her last performance by saying: "In this dance, you were a bit of a rag doll, counting out loud and being thrown about like a rag doll by Anton."

Her comments came on Saturday, after Nancy found herself at the bottom of the leader board for the second week running.

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Princess Mary and Frederik have a 'Strictly' moment

The Strictly Come Dancing crew aren't the only ones who know how to shake their stuff on the dancefloor.
Crown Princess Mary and her husband Prince Frederik showed off their fancy footwork at a ball in New York recently.
Mary's face shone with delight as her husband twirled her round at the chic function in the Hilton Hotel.
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE MORE PICS OF THE COUPLE AND OTHER ROYAL GUESTS

The mum-of-four was elegant in a floor length nude-hued gown.
The fun-loving couple were letting their hair down at a gala to celebrate 100 years of the American-Scandinavian Foundation, which promotes good relations between the US and the region.
Joining the popular Danish royals at the event were blue bloods from their neighbouring countries.
Princess Madeleine of Sweden – who also donned a nude gown – was joined by her parents King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway were also in attendance.

Recycler Sarah shows thrilling and thrifty go together

Faced with recent financial troubles, the Duchess of York vowed to get the situation back under her control, saying she was "doing everything she can" to avoid bankruptcy.
And recently, the flame-haired royal has also been applying that motto to her wardrobe – proving that thrifty and thrilling go together quite nicely.
Although she looked the picture of elegance as she stepped out in purple at Elton John's annual aids fundraiser on Wednesday, she was actually recycling a tried and tested look.
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Her sweeping, floor-length silk trimmed gown had already seen the red carpet treatment when she attended a Children in Crisis charity in 2005.
On Monday, the Duchess also attended a launch party for AllSaints Spitalfields swathed in an affordable and elegant ensemble - all from the High Street outfit.
Her snappy black blazer cost only £250 and was teamed with an even more bank friendly £40 pencil skirt.
No matter what the price tag, the one constant in Sarah's wardrobe is her devotion to her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

She was recently spotted wearing a gold bracelet emblazoned with Eugenie's name spelled out in gems.
The mother-of-two also stepped out clutching a bag with both girls' faces emblazoned on the front.

Scar from Kate's childhood operation revealed

All eyes were on the Duchess of Cambridge when she breezed effortlessly through her first solo engagement.

The images of the royal rookie looking elegant and poised at the Clarence House reception did her new in-laws proud.
However, the flowing half-up-half-down do that Kate chose revealed a peek of a scar underneath her hairline.
St James's Palace confirmed that the 3in-long mark is from a childhood operation, but her spokesman would not elaborate further.
John Scurr, a consultant surgeon, said it could have been caused by the removal of a birthmark.

3-day vodka binge killed frail Amy Winehouse

The troubled Back to Black singer, 27, had been "dry" for almost three weeks, her inquest was told.
But three days before her July death she began drinking again ? and her frail body simply could not cope. Three empty vodka bottles were found near her corpse in Camden, North London.
Tragic Amy consumed "a very large quantity of alcohol" before she died, the inquest was told.
Pathologist Prof Suhail Baithun detailed the amount of booze in the singer's system at the hearing.
He explained that the legal limit for driving was 80mg of alcohol per decilitre of blood.
A level of up to 200mg would see a person lose control of reflexes, injuring themselves, he said.
"At 350mg this is associated with fatalities," the professor said, adding: "She was 416mg ? five times the drink-drive limit."
Amy was found slumped on her bed by her bodyguard on Saturday, July 23, this year. The inquest heard she had been "dry" for almost three weeks ? and had touched no drugs since 2008.
Yet three days before her death she began drinking again, North London's St Pancras Coroner's Court was told.
Assistant Deputy Coroner Suzanne Greenaway ruled Amy's death was misadventure and said she had knocked back "potentially fatal" levels of booze in the run-up to the tragedy.
Three empty vodka bottles ? two large and one small ? were found near the star's body at her Camden home.
Friends and officials gave evidence at the hearing and told of troubled Amy's last moments. As ex-cabbie dad Mitch and mum Janis looked on, bodyguard Andrew Morris revealed how he last spoke to her at 2am on the day she died.
Mr Morris, who lived at Amy's house, said he then checked her at 10am and, seeing her lying on the bed, assumed she was asleep.
But he became worried when he checked her again at 3pm and noticed she hadn't moved.
Mr Morris said: "I went and checked to see she was OK. I realised she wasn't breathing and there was no pulse and I called the emergency services."
Dr Cristina Romete, the star's GP for four years, confirmed Amy had frequently binged on alcohol in between "periods of abstinence".
She last saw Amy at 7pm the night before she died. Dr Romete said: "She was calm, she was coherent. She was tipsy I would say, but she didn't slur and was able to hold a full conversation."
Asked if Amy had vowed to stop boozing, the GP replied: "She did not, no ? but she was going to call me that weekend. "Apart from the fact she'd started drinking there was no other concern. I was not concerned that she was suicidal.
"She talked about future things. She said, 'I have not achieved a lot of the things I wanted'. She was looking forward to the future."
MISADVENTURE verdict recorded at inquest into Amy Winehouse’s death
The doctor said Amy was opposed to psychological therapy, but called her "one of the most intelligent women I've ever met".
Coroner Greenaway concluded: "She had been specifically advised of the harm to her health and her life. However, she had her own views about therapy ? particularly of the treatment she would accept.
"She had consumed sufficient alcohol at 416mg per decilitre and the unintended consequence of such potentially fatal levels was her sudden and unexpected death."
Amy's divorced parents both brought their new partners to the coroner's court to hear the verdict.
Mitch, 60, was accompanied by second wife Jane, 47, and 56-year-old Janis by her partner Richard. A spokesman for the Winehouse family said after the hearing: "It is some relief to finally find out what happened to Amy. We understand there was alcohol in her system when she passed away, it is likely a build-up of alcohol in her system over a number of days.
"The court heard that Amy was battling hard to conquer her problems with alcohol and it is a source of great pain to us that she could not win in time.
"It underlines how important our work with the Amy Winehouse Foundation is to us, to help as many young people and children as we can in her name.
"It means a lot to us and from the overwhelming messages of support we have had since Amy died, we know she meant a great deal to people all over the world."
Janis and Amy's film director boyfriend Reg Traviss, 35, saw the star the day before she died ? and were sure she had not been drinking, it has emerged.
Yet Amy had fallen off the wagon days earlier, sinking gin and Red Bulls at the iTunes festival at Camden's Roundhouse venue.
The shambling singer appeared on stage there alongside goddaughter Dionne Bromfield.
She tottered next to the youngster for several minutes, but refused to sing a note when offered the microphone.
An onlooker claimed Amy had drunk "gallons" of booze, saying she "drank the bar dry". The witness said: "Amy was behaving really erratically but that was nothing out of the ordinary for her." Critics described the singer as looking like a "wraith". One declared: "She shouldn't be anywhere near a stage right now." But just days later the star was dead.
The Sun revealed then that NO drugs were involved in Amy's death. And we told how her family was convinced alcohol was behind it.
Outside the Roundhouse, Amy pulled 16-year-old fan Hannah Hardman up close to her in what was believed to be the last snap taken of the tragic singer.

Amy Winehouse was five times the drink-drive limit

A coroner in London heard she hit the bottle after being dry for three weeks.
Amy's doctor also revealed the 27-year-old said she did not know if she was going to stop drinking but "she did not want to die" the night before she tragically passed away.
Police discovered two large and a small bottle of vodka after the star's body was found at her ?2.3million home.
Recording a verdict of misadventure, St Pancras Coroner Suzanne Greenway said the singer had 416mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The driving limit is 80mg.
Ms Greenway said: "She had consumed sufficient alcohol at 416mg per decilitre (of blood) and the unintended consequence of such potentially fatal levels was her sudden and unexpected death."
A post-mortem had found that Amy's vital organs were healthy and showed no traces of illegal drugs.
But the Back To Black star had huge amounts of alcohol in her system that could have stopped her breathing and sent her into a coma.
The inquest also heard how Amy had not touched a drop in the weeks leading up to Friday July 22. The next day she was found dead in her home in Camden, North London.
The pathologist who conducted the post-mortem said at 200mg per decilitre (of blood), someone would lose control of their reflexes and 350mg was considered a fatal level.
Amy's GP, Dr Christina Romete, who had been treating the star for several years, said she had warned her about the dangers of drink.
The doctor, who described the singer as tipsy but coherent the night before she died, said she had been headstrong about the ways she should deal with her drink battle.
She said: "The advice I had given to Amy over a long period of time was verbal and in written form about all the effects alcohol can have on the system, including respiratory depression and death, heart problems, fertility problems and liver problems."
Amy, who was taking medication to cope with alcohol withdrawal and anxiety, was reviewed last year by a psychologist and psychiatrist about her drinking.
Dr Romete said: "She had her own way and was very determined to do everything her own way.
"Including any form of therapy. She had very strict views."
The doctor was asked if she was satisfied her patient fully understood the risks of continuing to drink. "Yes," she answered.
She said: "During the period of July she was abstinent but started drinking alcohol on July 20 - it was confirmed to me by her security guard."
But Dr Romete added: "She was looking forward to the future."
Andrew Morris, the musician's live-in security guard, said he last spoke to her at 2am on the day she died.
Amy had been heard in her bedroom laughing, listening to music and watching television the night before.
Mr Morris said he checked in on her at 10am on July 23 but did not talk to her and thought she was asleep so left her.
It was usual for her to lie in, he said. But at 3pm he checked again.
Reliving the moment he discovered her body, he said: "When I went in the room she was lying on the bed in the same position from 10am.
"I was immediately concerned, went over and checked to see if she was OK.
"I checked on her and realised she wasn't breathing and had no pulse so called the emergency services."
Amy, who won five Grammy awards in 2008, was pronounced dead soon after by paramedics.
The bodyguard, who described Amy as "her usual lively self" the week before her death, said she had "big plans" that weekend.
The Rehab singer's parents Mitch and Janis were at the hearing to hear the verdict.
Previously cabbie Mitch, 60, had told how his daughter had made a "fantastic recovery" from drug addiction and had not drunk booze for three weeks.
Since Amy's death Mitch has been setting up the Amy Winehouse Foundation with her management and record label.
He said: "We have been working with a group called Concordiat and we are going to take people in recovery into schools to speak about alcohol and drug issues. Who better to talk to kids than the people who have been there and done it?"
MISADVENTURE verdict recorded at inquest into Amy Winehouse’s death
The Foundation has made its first three ?10,000 donations to charities close to Amy ? children's hospices Littlehaven's in Essex and Chestnut Tree House in Sussex, plus Hopes And Dreams, which gives holidays to sick children.
The star's family issued a statement today saying: "It is some relief to finally find out what happened to Amy.
"We understand there was alcohol in her system when she passed away - it is likely a build-up of alcohol in her system over a number of days.
"The court heard that Amy was battling hard to conquer her problems with alcohol and it is a source of great pain to us that she could not win in time.
"She had started drinking again that week after a period of abstinence.
"It underlines how important our work with the Amy Winehouse Foundation is to us, to help as many young people and children as we can in her name.

"It means a lot to us and, from the overwhelming messages of support we have had since Amy died, we know she meant a great deal to people all over the world.
"We want to thank everyone for that and for their continuing enthusiasm for the foundation."
Meanwhile, the tragic star's close pal Kelly Osbourne hit out at a fake Amy Winehouse for sending her a cruel Twitter message. It said: "Miss ya darling! x".
Other sick tweets included: "I'm alive and I am well. I'm just not here (with you), not so swell. But I watch over you above in the sky so blue. Miss ya daddy. love ya too x."
Kelly replied: "That's not f***ing funny. You should be ashamed."

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The actor said: "I'm an admirer. When you've had a working relationship that's both challenging and inspiring ? then you do miss it, if I'm honest."
Kasabian are the latest band to cover Lana Del Rey track Video Games.
They played it in the live lounge yesterday, when they went home to Leicester for a Radio 1 gig. Serge Pizzorno said: "The track stops you in your tracks, amazing."
Bit like the woman who sings it.
Matt Cardle is trying hard for indie credibility ? but he's also been getting inspiration elsewhere.
Matt went to watch Sir Cliff Richard in concert on Tuesday, claiming it was because one of his mates was dancing at the gig.
Bet he can't get enough of Living Doll though.
Al Murray did another cracking job as host.
As his Pub Landlord alter ego, he was on top form and even roped Bono into a solo performance during a sing-song of Queen's We Will Rock You, which had the whole room airing their pipes. Wonder if they'll get royalties?
Bono helped himself to a hefty slice of humble pie while U2 were up on stage collecting their award for Greatest Act Of The Last 25 Years.
The singer said: "If The Clash were up here, we would be carrying their gear. It's good being in a band for 25 years."
Will Young took the preparations for shooting his new music video seriously.
In the clip for single Come On, the Pop Idol winner plays a dog trainer performing at a Crufts-style show. Will spent a day learning "dog choreography" for the video. He must be barking. Sorry.
Jared Followill got a decent surprise yesterday on a stopover in London while flying from Nashville to Cape Town.
The single Kings Of Leon bassist wrote on Twitter: "Landed in London. Checked into an airport hotel. All the contestants from the Miss World Pageant were in the lobby."
Mike Skinner has formed a new band now he has retired The Streets ? and the Brummie has roped in a top musician to help him too.
Mike and former The Music frontman Rob Harvey are now calling themselves The D.O.T. and have already uploaded nine songs with videos to the-dot.net.
Wretch 32 may be covered in tattoos and come from a tough Tottenham estate but the rapper has admitted he is scared of mice.
He said: "I really don't like them. I don't like anything you can't communicate with. If I see a mouse in my house he can have it as I'm moving somewhere else."
They'll be cracking open the bottles of cider in Somerset if The Wurzels' latest plan comes off ? they are entering the race for Christmas No1.
The band are releasing their first festive material, a double A-side single featuring Sleigh Ride and White Christmas.
The Wombles should be worried.
Decent X Factor singer Misha B has been doing her best to get some rap credibility.
She showed up at RWD magazine's 10th birthday do in London on Thursday and asked Ms Dynamite and Yasmin for advice. Cher Lloyd should have done the same when she was on the show.
The Wanted had a close scrape this week while promoting new single Lightning, which is in a battle with Rihanna for No1.
Their tour bus window was smashed in Newcastle by fans trying to get in as they recorded a radio interview. At least their hair straighteners were unharmed.
Ian Brown is the subject of BBC Radio 4's Profile show tomorrow at 7pm. The 15-minute programme provides an insight into the character of an influential figure making headlines. The Stone Roses frontman follows last week's new Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood. Brilliant.
George Clooney has been teaching his The Ides Of March co-star Ryan Gosling how to deal with excessive female attention.
He said: "He's really struggling with this 'sexiest man alive' thing. I worked with him on it. It was a little difficult but I think he's got it down now."
Jay-Z is expanding his CV even further by appearing in a new animated kids show. The rapper will play himself in four episodes of cartoon Secret Millionaires Club ? he'll be shown giving financial advice to kids. The first episode airs in the US on Sunday.
Stone Roses are already doing well out of their reunion ? and they haven't even started shifting tickets for next year's Manchester gigs yet.
Sales of the band's back catalogue have gone up by more than 1,000 PER CENT since they announced their comeback on Tuesday.
Miles Kane has been confirmed as the support act on Kasabian's European arena tour, which starts next month and runs into December. Miles will be along for all 13 dates as the Leicester lads hit the road. There'll be a few drinks sunk on that tour.
It's lucky Cheryl Cole isn't a bloke, because she'd never have enough time for sleeping.
When asked which of her Girls Aloud bandmates she would like to go out with if she were a man, the singer tweeted: "I would be Jack the lad and date them all."
Wretch 32 has had to switch venues for a Liverpool gig tomorrow after part of the roof at the city's O2 Academy caved in. The rapper will now play Liverpool Guild of Students' Mountford Hall after his management pulled some strings so fans wouldn't be disappointed.
Lana Del Rey has had more than 2.5million hits on YouTube and her single has only been out for two days. The stunning singer from New York is already selling out venues all over. Check out her debut track Video Games. You won't be disappointed.
If your missus starts digging around in the attic for her stonewashed denim jacket, here's why. New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys are bringing their comeback tour to Europe in April next year. While she's looking for stuff, get her to to dig out your earplugs.
Noel Gallagher has been talking about his huge fanbase ? in Venezuela. He told XFM DJ Danny Wallace: "When you check into the hotel room, you can't leave. On the three times we've been there, we've been assigned an armed guard each."
Jedward visited Tulisa's X Factor dressing room on Saturday on the eve of their 20th birthday and celebrated with a drink with the judge. Bet they were in their element ? not only do they love a freebie, imagine all the hairspray they got their hands on.
In the charts Rihanna and Calvin Harris reign for a second week with their single We Found Love, while after a break of ten years, Steps go to the top of the albums, overtaking fourth-place Evanescence, who were race leaders up to the final push. Tragedy.
Manchester City star Mario Balotelli risks stepping into enemy territory every week by getting a ?20 trim at a barber's a stone's throw from Man United's Old Trafford home. The Italian has a design etched into his hair at Creativity on Chester Road.
SACHA Baron Cohen knows how to impress his missus ? he celebrated his 40th by taking Isla Fisher for a meal in Sydney, where they met nine years ago.
They must've been starving ? they'd spent the previous 24 hours fasting for the Jewish day of Yom Kippur.
Jessie J's hairdresser must be bored stiff ? the singer has always had the same haircut.
She said: "I had a blonde version when I was a kid and have had the same cut since. I'm dark blonde really.
"I have to dye my eyebrows because it looks like I don't have any."
Professor Green could be in for an earbashing from his missus. The rapper reveals on new TV series Professor Green Unseen, on C4 tomorrow at 11am, that mirrored sunglasses come in handy on the beach with Candy McCulloch in case his eyes start to wander.

Cheryl Cole's no timid fawn

She is pictured in her deer gear in LA, where she's been working on new music.
After her flight she tweeted: "Just landed. I had these 5 songs on repeat! Rihanna ? We Found Love, Labrinth ? Earthquake (makes me want to smash something!), Chris Brown ? Pot of Gold, T-Pain ? 5 O'Clock and Gotye ? Somebody That I Used To Know."
Those artists will be listening when Cheryl's new music is released, in case she's been "inspired" by their tracks.

Eno hypnotised Coldplay for album

Bass player Guy Berryman admitted yesterday that the band have reached a stage where they are open to outrageous ideas from the talented team around them to tap into new writing veins.
And producer Brian Eno came up with the idea of hypnosis with the help of a Kenny "look into my eyes" Craig, Little Britain-style character.
Speaking at a Press conference in Madrid to launch new album Mylo Xyloto, Guy said: "We have been in a band long enough where we are comfortable to explore new ideas.
"Maybe one in every ten will come to something and the rest will be rubbish, but you've got to give things a try. We're confident enough to do that now.
"Brian suggested we try playing together when we were hypnotised. One of his friends came down and we tried it out. Nothing came of it but at least we tried it."
Thankfully the effects of the experiment on Will Champion, Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Guy had worn off yesterday. It would have been awkward with them parading around pretending to be chickens or robots.
The band were on top form before a huge gig to launch the album in the Spanish capital's historic bullring. Playing live they also unveiled a new interactive trick ? a wristband with an LED light worn by everyone in the crowd which lit up during the first song. It's the first time it has been done and beat the good old-fashioned lighter.
Watching a sea of fans waving their arms in the air was spectacular.
Earlier Jonny also paid tribute to The Stone Roses, who he thanked for inspiring him to pick up a guitar. He said: "It's fair to say that their first album was the reason I started playing a guitar. I can't wait to see the shows next year."
Chris added: "We actually invested in a film by our friend Mat Whitecross about four lads who tried to blag tickets for the famous Stone Roses Spike Island gig. Speaking as film investors, we hope the reunion is a huge success as it will be reflected in the box office figures."
Frontman Chris was on top form, laughing when a glass was smashed by mistake that it was his "fragile ego crushing under the weight of the reviews".
He also hammered any suggestion that the band would ever copy other people's music.
He said: "It's fine not to like our band, but making up s*** about us is not on. There's a difference between criticism and accusation. People who accuse us of stuff like that are *****, quite frankly."
He shouldn't worry. The reality is, the new album is on course to be the biggest seller of 2011. It's excellent.
But don't expect a Jay-Z collaboration in the charts any time soon. Chris added: "There's something kind of weird about men collaborating. I think I would find it hard to create sexual tension with Jay-Z."
He fancied Take That on Monday, then he was pictured hanging about with Ellen DeGeneres, now sexual tension with Jay-Z.
What next? Boxercise with Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters?

Has George Michael had too many Careless Wispas?

The 48-year-old singer revealed a sizeable paunch as he brought his new orchestral show to the Royal Albert Hall in London last night.
And his choice of a traditionally slimming black suit and T-shirt failed miserably to hide his expanding waistband.
Earlier today George disappointed fans when he pulled out of tonight's gig - the second in a run of four concerts at the famous venue - due to illness.
The 48-year-old star has been plagued by problems over recent years.
His drug use lead to several arrests, car prangs and even a jail sentence.
In December 2009, he claimed he was addicted to cannabis and said that he used to smoke 25 joints a day.
And in July 2010, he was arrested and charged with possession of the drug and driving under the influence of drink or drugs after his car smashed into a branch of Snappy Snaps in Hampstead, London.
He was sentenced to eight weeks in jail and released in October 2010 after serving four weeks at Highpoint Prison in Suffolk.
George kicked off the Symphonica tour in Prague, Czech Republic in August and revealed he had split with long-term love Kenny Goss two years ago.
And last night, on the first night of the British leg of the tour, he performed a string of cover versions, including Rihanna's Russian Roulette, The Police hit Roxanne and Amy Winehouse's Love Is A Losing Game.
He was, backed by a 41-piece orchestra throughout.
 In fine form... George MichaelXPOSUREPHOTOS.COM
He introduced his version of New Order's True Faith with a dig at his own troubles, saying: "This is a song about the nature of addiction which, of course, I know nothing about."
He also treated fans to a string of his own songs, such as Cowboys and Angels, A Different Corner and You Have Been Loved.
And he finished with a medley of three hits ? Amazing, Freedom and I'm Your Man.
Or should that be I'm Your Flan?

Henry Cavill is topless Man Of Steel

The British beefcake, who takes on the superhero mantle in new movie Man Of Steel, stripped to the waist for the green screen sequences in Vancouver, Canada.
He appeared scruffy, dishevelled and unshaven as he performed a special effects stunt, which sees him stepping in to help the coastguard on a rescue mission, without the iconic Superman suit.
But his ripped physique was enough to bowl over even the most cold-hearted Lois Lane.
Henry's pumped up torso is a result of a punishing workout schedule which saw him spending hours in the gym in a bid to change his shape, as revealed in a recent interview.
He said: "I'm on 5,000 calories a day. You've got to eat protein first, then a little bit of carbs. You've gotta keep your hunger levels going.
Topless and toned ... Henry CavillSplash News
"I'm training two-and-a-half hours a day, pushing my body beyond its normal limits, putting on a lot of muscle mass and just making myself look like Superman."
The Tudors hunk had a head-start on the muscles while working on his last movie, The Immortals.
But he had to go the extra mile to become Krypton's crimefighting hero, and worked with trainer Mark Twight to alter his outline entirely.

Before taking on the role he said: "It's going to be a different kind of shape. When you see the Immortals shape you'll see what I mean.
"We obviously haven't had the final brief yet, it's going to adapt and change as far as when Mark sees my body adapting to the training he'll go, 'Okay, Henry can do this,' or 'Henry can't do this,' or 'His body will look better like that.'
"It'll be fine-tuned and tweaked as we go along. But I think it's going to be a different sort of shape from Immortals."
 Rescue mission ... Henry films with coastguard actorsSplash News
The 28-year-old actor is joined in the movie by Amy Adams, as love interest Lois and Russell Crowe as his Kryptonian father.
Kevin Costner and Diane Lane will play adoptive parents the Kents and Laurence Fishburne will take on the role of newspaper editor Perry White.
The movie will be released in June 2013.
 In costume ... A clean-shaven henry in full Superman garb

Jazz fans tickled Pink by impromptu performance

The songbird stunned the audience and performers of an experimental play by jumping on stage with a cast member to sing a cover of a jazz classic.
She joined actress Karen Marie Richardson in a rendition of George Gershwin's Summertime during a performance of Sleep No More.
The 32-year-old blonde, who is married to Carey Hart and had their daughter Willow in June, was enjoying a night out at the show, held in New York's Manderley Bar, when she decided to entertain her fellow drinkers.
The mellow rendition of the number was in stark contrast to her usual aggressive style.
And flustered singer Karen was almost dumbstruck as they took it in turns to sing their lines.
STAR takes to stage at Sleep No More to sing jazz version of Hush Little Baby
The performance was a rare treat for fans of Pink, who has taken a break from music and hasn't released a single or album since last year.
Past audiences at her live shows have heard a very different rendition of Summertime, based on the Janis Joplin Blues-rock version of 1968.
Maybe she's been practising the melodic lullaby on baby Willow at night.

Johnny Depp varnishes his cool image

The veteran pin-up dipped his digits in varnish and dressed up to the nines for the premiere of his new movie.
Clad in a three-piece suit, a flat cap and tinted glasses, the big screen star made a relatively rare public appearance for the New York launch of his latest film The Rum Diary.
The ever youthful 48-year-old also posed alongside his co-star Amber Heard ahead of the event held at the city's Museum Of Modern Art last night.
Actress Amber ? who came out as a lesbian last year ? sported a slicked-back hairdo, black frock and an impressive application of make-up.
The film is an adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's debut novel, based on the exploits of a U.S. journalist who takes on a job in Puerto Rico in the 1950s and struggles to adapt to life on the island.
 Blue is the colour ... Johnny Depp
Johnny risked denting his stylish reputation to pose in an unflattering pair of boxers for the film's poster.
Despite clawing back style kudos last night, the jury's still out on the man varnish.
Rum deal ... Amber Heard and Johnny Depp

Kitty's wild night out in underwear

The wannabe appeared to leave little to the imagination as she chose yet another barely-there outfit for a night out in London's Soho.
She stepped out in black bra and knickers, fishnet tights, teal jacket and sparkly shoes as she hit the West End with fellow X Factor contestant Johnny Robinson.
The 26-year-old - who has been compared to last year's controversial contestant Katie Waissel - couldn't resist taking to the microphone - no doubt to rehearse for this weekend's live show.
Both Johnny and Kitty were all smiles as they were spotted singing their hearts out in a nearby karaoke bar.
Looking tops with no bottoms ... Kitty Brucknell in club
Later the pair were seen laughing as they piled into a rickshaw.
 Time to go home ... Kitty Brucknell and Johnny Robinson enjoy a rickshaw rideSplash News
But Kitty came very close to falling off as she stood up in the moving vehicle - and bared a lot of her behind in the skimpy outfit.
 Making an exit ... Johnny Robinson and Kitty BrucknellXposure
She took to Twitter ahead of her evening out to tell fans what she had planned, tweeting: 'Going to Old Compton St tonight for a bit of fun with @jrmusicoffic :-)'
 Baring all ... Kitty Brucknell's outfit left little to imagination as she left with Johnny RobinsonSplash News

Lindsay Lohan's street collapse

With her bag and hat strewn nearby, the frail-looking star keeps a mobile phone clamped to her ear following the shock tumble in Los Angeles.
It's thought the 25-year-old was leaving her million dollar Playboy shoot when she fell.
Cardboard boxes and a stationary bicycle surround the wild actress as she tries to stand up.
Lindsay has experienced a busy few days trying to fit the saucy shoot for Hugh Hefner's men's mag around her court-ordered duties at a morgue.
Last week, Li-Lo was ordered to complete a grim fortnight of community service at the LA County Morgue after failing to put in 360 hours at a local women's centre.
Struggling ... Lindsay tries to get back on her feetX17online Judge Stephanie Sautner told the star she would have to show up and "do what they tell you to do" if she was to avoid an 18-month jail sentence for repeatedly breaking probation terms after a 2007 drink-driving conviction and necklace theft earlier this year.
Hefner's publication then offered the workshy star the massive payday.
Website TMZ.com reports that the 25-year-old star originally turned down a $750,000 (?468,000) offer, demanding the figure should be closer to $1million (?624,000).
The Playboy shoot is not the first time the controversial star has posed naked.
In 2008, the Mean Girls actress stripped off to recreate nude shots of Marilyn Monroe, taken by photographer Bert Stern just six weeks before she died of a drugs overdose.
 Topless ... Lindsay Lohan in 2010 movie MachetePlanet Photos
At the time Lindsay admitted she was entirely "comfortable" with nudity.
She said: "I didn't have to put much thought into it. Working with Bert Stern on a Marilyn Monroe shoot was really an honour. When is that ever going to come up again?
"I wanted to portray the look and get it point-on as much as I could, to bring it back to life.
"I was comfortable with it, the nudity and everything."
Lindsay also did topless scenes and threesomes in 2010 film Machete.
More saucy roles include playing a pole dancer in 2007 flick I Know Who Killed Me.

Newcastle FC play by Example

Top defender Steven Taylor says the chart-topper's track Changed The Way You Kissed Me is top of their playlist in the dressing room ahead of their games.
Steve has taken over DJing duties from former team-mate Joey Barton this season after the controversial star joined QPR in August.
And it definitely seems to have given the Geordies, who sit fourth in the Premier League table after their win over Wigan at the weekend, a lift.
He says: "Example's Changed The Way You Kiss Me is always first on the list. It's a great tune.
"We also play Don Omar's Danza Kuduro, it's the team's main song. All the lads, especially the French players, love that.
"We love a bit of Chris Brown's Beautiful People and Taio Cruz too."
Playlist ... Example and Don Omar
He added: "At the start of the year I asked everyone to tell me what tunes they wanted.
"There are lots of good tunes so I try and put a good mix together. I want to make sure everyone is happy."
Newcastle are currently fourth in the Premiership and have yet to be beaten.
He added some of the players have got superstitious during their unbeaten run.
"Jonas Gutierrez wears his pants and socks inside out for luck. He's always last out of the changing room too.
"If it works I want him to continue doing it."

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's the chest in the business

The model donned a silky, gaping frock that gave onlookers plenty to admire as she co-hosted a swanky bash in LA.
Striking a repertoire of poses on the red carpet, the Brit beauty confidently paraded her stunning physique at the Burberry Body event.
Sporting shampoo-ad hair and high heels, Transformers 3 star Rosie mingled with guests including actress Kate Bosworth.
The leggy pin-up has never been shy of exposing her flesh, and recently revealed stripping off for a mag was a doddle.
She said: "Going topless for Vogue wasn't a big deal at all because of the way it was done.
 Fine sight ... Rosie Huntington-WhiteleyGETTY
"It was one of the most enjoyable and tasteful shoots I've ever done. I am so proud of it."
As is your army of followers...
 Silver screen sirens ... Rosie and Kate BosworthGETTY

Ryan Gosling is Florence Welch's cure

But Florence Welch has found a different way to cope ? by developing an obsession with rising Hollywood actor Ryan Gosling.
The singer broke up with long-term boyfriend, literary editor Stuart Hammond, earlier this month, and has been getting over it by staying in and ogling the star of hit movie Drive on DVD.
She said: "My friend Hannah and I have become really obsessed with watching Ryan Gosling films.
"We especially watch them on tour, because you don't go out as your friends aren't around. I haven't met him yet but we feel like we have because we've basically got his back catalogue."
Ryan might be in for a shock if he ever made it back to her hotel room, though. The Florence and the Machine frontwoman says bland accommodation bothers her so much that she covers the walls in loads of blankets.
She said: "I get really bummed out in sterile hotel rooms so I always have a lot of shawls and scarves with me. I hang up all of my dresses to cover the walls and ceiling, so everything's always everywhere."
The star was back in her hometown on Tuesday, performing a one-off gig at London's Hackney Empire.
She wowed the crowd with songs from her new album Ceremonials ahead of its release next week.
After the outstanding gig, she celebrated with an aftershow knees-up in a proper East End boozer, forking out on drinks for the whole pub.
Her DVD player must have enjoyed the break...
 Split ... Florence Welch and Stuart HammondGETTY

Stone Roses making movie of reunion

Shane Meadows has been lined up to film the band's progress as they prepare for their eagerly-awaited comeback shows next summer. The acclaimed director was at the quartet's press conference last week, as they announced their new shows. And a newspaper today reports that industry sources have confirmed the commission, although the band have said a decision is due in the next five weeks. Sheffield-born Shane shot to fame in 2006 with his Bafta-winning film about a group of skinheads in 1980s England. Ian Brown, John Squire, Gary 'Mani' Mounfield and Alan 'Reni' Wren officially announced their comeback last Tuesday, although The Sun had revealed their intentions back in April.
Gritty ... scene from This Is England
And frontman Ian made no secret about the scale of their ambitions now that they're back.
He said: "Our plan is to shake up the world. We're gonna go around the world next year.
"We're going to start off in Manchester and play two big gigs. This is not a trip down memory lane, we are doing new songs.
In the frame ... director Shane Meadows
"We are going to do what we did the first time and ride it 'til the wheels come off. And let's face it, the wheels did come off.
"We'll keep writing and if it hits our standards, we'll go with it. We're not here to destroy anything. It's as precious to us as it is to someone who has followed us for years.
"I've heard a few people say, 'You shouldn't do it, you're going to destroy the legacy'. But that's not our intention."
Guitarist John described how the reunion came about.
He said: "When me and Ian met by chance it changed everything. In some ways it felt like 15 years ago was yesterday. I just couldn't see a comeback happening and I resented the fact that people were trying to force it on me.
"Everything changed when me and Ian started seeing each other again.
"It was surreal. We went from crying, laughing about the old days, to writing songs in a heartbeat. In some ways it's a friendship that defines us both ? and it needed fixing."
The 222,000 tickets for the group's three shows at the end of June at Manchester's Heaton Park sold out within 14 minutes of going on sale.

Sunday Girl's X-rated night out

She bumped into him while on a boozy night out in Hertfordshire with her mates.
Sunday Girl, real name Jade Williams, said: "It was very random.
"We were out drinking near the X factor contestants' house and we bumped into Johnny and his two massive minders.
"He was very sweet but we went into one bar and he said it was too posh for him.
"It was hilarious."
The Camp Factor ... Johnny RobinsonRex/ITV

Telly fave James Buckley is a dad

Model Clair Meek, 23, had a baby boy at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.
Last night a friend said: "Clair was determined she was going to have their baby in Scotland.
"They are the happiest people in the world. They are so thrilled and proud.
"The two of them are so in love and now they have a beautiful baby son."
James, 24 ? who plays sex fibber Jay in the hit E4 hit comedy ? proposed to Clair, of Galston, Ayrshire, last month.

U2 could split up in 2012, Bono reveals

The 51-year-old singer fears there is no future for the band and he, Larry Mullen Jnr, The Edge and Adam Clayton could part ways in 2012.

He added: “I’m not so sure the future hasn’t dried up. It’s quite likely you might hear from us next year – but it’s equally possible that you won’t.”

The music legends, together since 1976 and worth €327million, are in the recording studio after finishing their record-breaking 360 Tour.

BONO has dropped a bombshell on loyal fans – by suggesting that U2 might call it a day next year.
The legendary rock band is about to re-release their 1991 album Achtung Baby and recently completed the highest-grossing tour of all time.
But frontman Bono, 51, is uncertain about what’s ahead.
He revealed: “I’m not so sure the future hasn’t dried up.

“It’s quite likely you might hear from us next year but it’s equally possible that you won’t. We have so many [new] songs, some of our best.
“But I’m putting some time aside to just go and get lost in the music.
“I want to take my young boys and my wife and just disappear with my iPod Nano and some books and an acoustic guitar.”
He admitted that band mates Larry Mullen, The Edge and Adam Clayton were sick of him questioning whether they had a future in music saying: “The band are like, ‘Will you shut up about being irrelevant?’”
But their frontman hinted that their No Line On The Horizon album might be their last. And it seems Bono isn’t the only one getting cold feet.
The Edge recently admitted that trying to find a new sound led to what he called “a potentially career-ending series of difficulties.”
But there are some who could never imagine a music world without the legendary rockers.
The re-issue of Achtung Baby is a lavish look back at the album that cemented their place in rock history.
But ironically Bono said it was this look back that gave him ideas for the way forward – if U2 decide to carry on. He added: “Being forced to look back at this period reminds me of how we might re-emerge for the next phase.
“And that doesn’t mean that you have to wear some mad welder’s goggles or dress up in women’s clothing. Reinvention is much deeper than that.”