Celebrity News
Sugababes Amelle in private clinic
Sugababes singer Amelle Berrabah is being treated for nervous exhaustion in a private clinic.
The band’s management has blamed Amelle’s ill health on the stresses of the last few months, which lead to founding member Keisha Buchanan being sacked from the Sugababes.
A statement on the group’s website said: "It seems that with all the recent events in the band right up to Jade joining us a few weeks ago, the stress over a period of months has unfortunately taken its toll on Amelle and she is now suffering from a severe bout of nervous exhaustion. For the next three weeks, Amelle will be staying at a private health clinic in Europe where she will be able to rest and recuperate under expert supervision."
Heidi Range and new member Jade Ewen both added their own messages to the above statement: "Both Amelle and I have been through a very traumatic time together in recent months and particularly over the past few weeks." Jade added: "We’re glad that Amelle is getting the right support now to help her return to work."
Amelle’s illness means two performances have been cancelled – one in Leeds and one on German television. The new Sugababes line-up had also been due to perform at the Scottish Royal Variety Performance last week, but pulled out due to "a number of legal issues to be finalised".
Leona’s attacker ‘X Factor reject’
The man who punched Leona Lewis in the face at a London book signing on October 14 had previously auctioned for X Factor, it has been revealed.
Scotland Yard confirmed Peter Kowalczyk had been charged with assault and sectioned under the Mental Health Act after hitting Leona at Waterstone’s in Piccadilly, where the former X Factor champ was signing copies of her new autobiography, Dreams.
His father told The Sun the 29-year-old was jealous of Leona’s fame, after trying out for X Factor but failing to get past the first round. “He wants to be a singer. He went along and queued at X Factor. How far he got with it? Nowhere.” Tomasz Kowalczyk was quoted as saying.
Following the incident, Leona released a statement to fans, saying the attack had left her shaken and in pain. “Thank you so much for your support. It was a horrible shock and left me extremely hurt and upset. I’m sorry to those I wasn’t able to meet at the signing. Love you all.”
Kowalczyk will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 26.
Cheryl to mime on X Factor: reports
Cheryl Cole will perform her debut solo single on X Factor this weekend, but, according to reports, the Girls Aloud star won’t be singing live.
An X Factor spokesperson has confirmed the performance of Fight For This Love won’t be totally live: “Cheryl will be recording her music performance earlier in the day with a live studio audience to ensure she can fully continue with her judging commitments on The X Factor later that evening.”
This comes after Alexandra Burke was accused of lip-synching during her performance of Bad Boys on last week’s X Factor results show, while, just minutes, later, Robbie Williams clearly sang 100% live.
In my opinion, Alexandra seemed to be singing live (in some parts, at least) but over the top of a pre-recorded backing track. If Alexandra did mime, I’m sure it wasn’t her idea – the whole marketing campaign for Bad Boys is based around the dancing and the spectacle, more than the song itself. I have no doubt that when the time comes to promote Alexandra’s next single, thought to be the ballad Overcome, she will belt it out on telly without any need for a backing track.
As for Cheryl, her vocals aren’t as strong as protégé Alexandra’s, so I’m not surprised she’s decided to take the safe option and pre-record her performance. What do you think – should a judge on a live talent show, where all the contestants are made to sing 100% live, be allowed to lip-synch? Leave a comment below.
Stephen Gately dies in Majorca
Stephen Gately, member of the recently reformed Irish boyband Boyzone, died this weekend while holidaying in Majorca.
The 33-year-old singer and actor was found dead on Saturday afternoon in his home in the holiday destination. Police investigating the sudden death of the Irish star have said there are “no signs of suspicious circumstances.”
It has been claimed in The Sun that he spent up to 8 hours on a drinking binge while spending time away from the UK with his partner, Andrew Cowles. So far, it has been reported that he slept on the sofa in their home in Port d’Andratx after the couple met a 25-year-old Bulgarian man, who allegedly came back with them. When Cowles got up the following afternoon, he found his partner dead. The rumours so far are that he choked on his own vomit in his sleep.
His band mates and close friends, Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy, flew out to Majorca as soon as they heard the sad news on Sunday. Boyzone manager Louis Walsh failed to appear on Sunday night’s X Factor, and he was said to be "very shocked and exceptionally upset".
Matt Lucas’s ‘ex-husband’ hangs himself
The ex
-partner of Little Britain star Matt Lucas was found dead in his flat yesterday by police.
Kevin McGee, 32, a TV producer, had reportedly been battling drug addiction for a while, and posted a suicide note of sorts on his Facebook page shortly before he was found dead in his home. In his status on the social networking site, he wrote: ‘Kevin McGee thinks that death is much better than life.” Friends replied to the statement, but it was a shock to everyone when news broke out that he had hung himself.
The couple divorced last year, with Lucas claiming it was due to McGee’s drug use. However, a friend of the actor has said that “he always loved Kevin despite their differences and their difficult marriage".
According to The Sun, Lucas is “utterly destroyed” by the sad death of his former partner, who he married just three years ago in a panto-themed civil ceremony. He recently spoke to a gay newspaper and talked of the marriage and following break-up. He said, of the divorce; “Time is a great healer.” Let’s hope this is true, even in a sad case such as this.
Letterman admits affairs on live TV
David Letterman, host of US TV favourite The Late Show, admitted last night that he had sexual relations with several women, and that he was also the victim of bribery.
In a shocking revelation from the TV legend, he told the world that he had, in fact, been involved romantically with other women (he is married and has a child). In his own words: "The creepy stuff was that I have had sex with women who work for me on this show."
He also revealed that he was told to pay an alleged $2 million to prevent the details of his unsavoury activities being made public. Letterman, 62, also told the laughing audience that he even gave a fake cheque to the man who threatened him, in a meeting that had been set up by his lawyer.
His own admission of the whole series of events has seemingly helped to keep his reputation intact. It’s early days, but it seems that the much-loved presenter is still respected and admired, despite his actions.
Justin and Jessica: are they still together?
Some sources say they are, some say they aren’t – are one of Hollywood’s favourite young couples, still actually a couple?
It has been reported in American celebrity magazine Us Weekly that the hot pair have actually split, with a ‘pal’ also claiming that Justin was seen to be ‘on the hunt’ for a new woman at a recent event in New York.
However, another American site, People, have claimed that the pair are, in fact, still together. An insider has said; “They are still together. Any time they spend apart is because they’re working.”
The couple, who have been together for almost three years, have fallen prey to many rumours doing the rounds in the celeb world. It was reported a while back that Justin was going to propose, but it seemed clear that they were both just happy to be together, without an engagement.
Both of them have made solo public appearances recently, with Jessica turning up alone at the wrap party for her new film Valentine’s Day on September 22, and Justin partying without her in West Hollywood three days later. This has set tongues wagging that the pair are on their way to a break-up, or that it has already happened.
There are other rumours about Justin getting close to singer Rihanna, who he has worked with recently, but a source close to her has denied any romantic links.
So, are they still together? And if they are, will they last? They both have such hectic schedules and demanding jobs, and with the ‘honeymoon’ phase surely over, is it likely that they will make it into a third year together?
Robbie: ‘Drugs nearly killed me’
Robbie Williams has spoken publicly for the first time about his stint in rehab in 2007. Rob checked himself into a rehab clinic in Arizona on his 33rd birthday, but has only now revealed the extent of his three-year addiction to antidepressants.
Speaking in the third person, the singer told The Sun: “Robbie Williams does not go into rehab just if his life gets a bit out of control. It was damn serious. Death had to knock on my door to help me with my decision.
“I have a self-destructive character but does this hold me back from being happy? No.”
Thankfully, the addition of girlfriend Ayda Field into his life seems to have mellowed the singer somewhat.
“She didn’t try to change me and, just like that, she changed me for the better,” Robbie said. “I’m in love with someone who returns this love as strongly. I’ve never experienced that. That’s what makes me so careful in this relationship. I don’t want to hurt Ayda.”
Victoria looking thinner than ever
Victoria Beckham was a surprise guest at London Fashion Week yesterday, taking front row at the Burberry show. But it wasn’t her frock (from her own collection) that made headlines, it was her skinny frame.
The Daily Mail said Victoria “looked more gaunt than ever”, while the Daily Star went as far as saying the mum-of-three was “starving herself”. We don’t agree with that, but we do say that Posh is looking thinner than she has in years.
The fashionista sat next to newly-brunette Agyness Deyn in the front row at the Burberry show. Other celebs watching the action included Emma Watson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Liv Tyler, and Slumdog Millionaire couple Dev Patel and Frieda Pinto.
Afterwards, there was no doubt that Victoria was the guest of honour among all those A-listers, as stars including Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Pixie Geldof and Stella McCartney lined up to chat to her at the exclusive after-show dinner in Mayfair.
But one dinner Victoria didn’t make recently was a Spice Girls reunion dinner. The other four girls met in London recently to discuss the possibility of reforming for a second time, as Geri Halliwell revealed on ITV’s This Morning:
“Fundamentally we are friends first and foremost. We started out that way, that very strong friendship, and whatever happens afterwards is a bonus,” Geri said.
“We always talk about creative plans and possibilities, definitely. And yes, right now, we are gathering information and thinking about possibilities. But when you’re evolving a plan you don’t share it to the world until it’s concrete.”
Keisha Quits Sugababes
Keisha Buchanan has left the Sugababes to pursue a solo career. 
An announcement on the group’s website stated: “Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah will continue as the Sugababes and will be joined by new member, Jade Ewen. They release their album Sweet 7 on November 23 through Island Records. Keisha Buchanan will continue to record for Island Records as a solo artist.”
But although Keisha has been signed as a solo artist, she took to her Twitter page last night to tell fans it wasn’t her decision to leave the Sugababes.
“Although it was not my choice to leave, it’s time to enter a new chapter in my life,” Keisha wrote. “Sometimes a breakdown in communication and lack of trust can result in many different things… I’ve been in this band for 11 years and I have achieved so much. Although I’m nervous, I’m still very excited on what lies ahead!!!!”
The last Sugababes performance featuring Keisha was filmed at the Movida nightclub on September 16 as part of the Xclusives event hosted by MSN Music. Watch the Xclusives performance
New member Jade represented the UK at this year’s Eurovision and came fifth overall. What do you think of the new Sugababes line-up? Is Jade a good replacement for Keisha? Leave a comment below.
