Celebrity Gossip

[Abigail]

Actor Kris Marshall has made a "remarkable" recovery from head injuries he sustained after being hit by a car last weekend in Bristol.

A spokeswoman for the 35-year-old, who has starred in My Family and a series of BT broadband adverts, said: "Thankfully, he is in the clear and is at home recovering.

"We wanted to get him home in secret to ensure he was given enough time to recover for rehearsals, which he could return to as early as next week. He has made a remarkable recovery."

It was thought that Marshall would return to rehearsals for his West End play Fat Pig this week.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the driver of the car that hit the actor was not drunk.

He said: "Police spoke to the driver of the car involved, which was a VW Polo. He stopped immediately after the collision and we are looking into how it happened. He was not a drink-driver."

[Abigail]

Teen star Miley Cyrus will be a billionaire by the end of the year, reports say.

The 15-year-old is officially the wealthiest child in the world following her success in Disney Channel series Hannah Montana.

According to People, the franchise will be worth £500 million by 2009, while Cyrus earned £9 million last year alone.

A Disney spokesperson said: "Kids are earning more and more and can command huge fees in Hollywood. But no one could have predicted how popular Miley would be. She's a true star."

Mum Tish Cyrus added: "A lot goes into her investment fund, which she can't touch until she's 18."

The singer/actress completed a 69-date tour last year, with her 3-D film Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour taking around £14 million in its opening weekend. She has also agreed a seven-figure deal to write her autobiography.

Other young stars on the rich list include band the Jonas Brothers and actresses Dakota Fanning, 14, and Abigail Breslin, 12.

[Abigail]

Simon Cowell has criticised Miley Cyrus for complaining about her Vanity Fair photoshoot.

The 15-year-old said the cover shot, in which she appears wrapped in only a blanket, had not turned out how she expected.

Cowell insisted that she must have had the opportunity to veto the controversial picture, taken by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.

He told US TV show Extra: "Anyone that goes into a photoshoot, particularly someone in her position, you know pretty much what you’re going to wear….You have a choice - either you put it on or you don’t.

"They made that choice to do it, so to complain afterwards, you had an opportunity not to do it... She just looks tired."

He added: “The problem is she’s part of the Disney stable so for them it’s a bit like Minnie Mouse going topless.”

Cyrus's TV show Hannah Montana has seen a ratings slide in the wake of the scandal.

[Abigail]

R&B singer R Kelly has arrived at court in Chicago to face child pornography charges, nearly six years after first being arrested.

The performer has denied filming himself engaging in sex acts with a girl, who prosecutors in the US say could have been as young as 13.

The 41-year old faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Mr Kelly's lawyers' request to postpone the trial was denied. Jury selection will continue on Monday.

The defence team argued the singer could not have a fair trial due to recent news coverage.

It is thought Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan rejected the request as the trial has been pending for so long.

The trial is expected to last at least several weeks.

Some onlookers shouted messages of support at the singer, others jeered as he entered court.

Mr Kelly was arrested in February 2002 after the videotape - thought to have been made between 1998 and 2000 - was sent to police by his local paper, the Chicago Sun-Times.

He was charged four months later charged with 21 counts relating to child pornography and released on $750,000 (£383,000) bail. Seven of the charges have since been dropped.

Complicating the trial for the prosecution is the fact the alleged victim, who is now 23, refuses to say if she is the girl on the tape.

News organisations argued in court for access to sealed court records and transcripts, a move which was opposed by both prosecution and defence lawyers.

The judge said he would rule on the request on 16 May.

[.:SpIcYsPy:.]

I'm just a bit worried Miley will turn into Britney...

[Abigail]

Heather Mills has been accused of breaking a promise to provide new artificial legs for a young mother.

The former wife of Sir Paul McCartney first met Maria Rybkina, who was left disabled following a train accident, at her flat in Moscow four years ago. After hearing the 28-year-old's story, she pledged £10,000 to help - but it is claimed that she never handed over the cash, despite repeated promises to do so.

Maria has received support from British couple Robin and Inna Barratt for the past few years. She is finally able to walk again after the pair held numerous fundraising events. It was they who first contacted Mills, but the couple now believe that Heather was only interested in a photo opportunity when she met Maria.

"Heather said she would personally get Maria some really good artificial legs, which would cost around £5,000, and cosmesis - the silicone cosmetic covering - which would be another £5,000," Robin told the News of the World. "She promised she would also provide all the medical support needed to get her walking again."

Speaking about the months following the meeting, he said: "Heather rang us and emailed us repeatedly with promises to pay for Maria's legs. But every single promise she made fell flat. In the end, she never did anything at all."

Heather, who has an artificial leg herself, was awarded £24.3 million of McCartney's wealth at London's High Court in March.

[N+icole]

I'm just a bit worried Miley will turn into Britney...

LOL! I don't think so

she did a shoot for a mag which showed her back so what, big deal....

it's only because she's with disney they make such a huge thing out of it. Hardly like she's seen in public with a fag hanging out in one hand and a beer can in the other.

[Perdita]

I'm just a bit worried Miley will turn into Britney...

LOL! I don't think so

she did a shoot for a mag which showed her back so what, big deal....

it's only because she's with disney they make such a huge thing out of it. Hardly like she's seen in public with a fag hanging out in one hand and a beer can in the other.

Give her a chance

[Abigail]

Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead will reportedly front an advertising campaign for Asda's clothing line.

The supermarket chain has approached Mead to model its George men's collection after being impressed with his style.

An Asda spokesman told The Sun that the supermarket is also looking to Mead's girlfriend Denise Van Outen: "We love the Technicolor dreamboat and his other half. They are very stylish."

The couple would replace Coleen McLoughlin, who was axed as the face of the George fashion range last month.


I'm going to start shopping at Asda

[Abigail]

Kate Thornton has given birth to her first child.

The TV presenter welcomed son Ben with DJ Darren Emerson on Tuesday.

Her spokesman told The Sun: "Mum, dad and baby are all at home resting up."

The couple have been dating since 2004 and became engaged last year.