By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN


Banter: Coronation Street's Jack P Shepherd and Antony Cotton, seen here arriving back in Manchester after last week's NTAs, got into a Twitter war of words this weekend over Cotton's celebrity friends


As a star of one of Britain's biggest soap operas and a stint in the jungle that saw him make new celebrity friends, he's bound to mention a few famous names every now and then.

But Corrie star Antony Cotton's name-dropping has caused him to face some serious ribbing from his co-stars.

So much so that he found himself engaging in a war of words with Jack P Shepherd on Twitter, after his co-star accused him of bragging about his celebrity friends.


Cotton, 36, who plays barman Sean Tully, came under fire from Shepherd, who plays bad boy David Platt, after he took to his Twitter page to write: 'RT this of you think @antonycotton is cringe on twitter! Haha.'

Shepherd, 24, was referring to the name-dropping by Cotton, who replied: '@JackPShepherd88 T'wat tweet do you specifically refer, young Master Shepherd? If you want to get shady then I'll throw some shade...'

And he added: '@JackPShepherd88 I also presume you meant 'if' not 'of' #thickasayorkshirebrick.'

Banter: Antony's Twitter page on Saturday which was filled with cheap shots flying back and forth between him and Shepherd

Shepherd then said: 'that's it @antonycotton nice to see a bit of banter for a change instead of #LookAtMyFamousMates haha.'

Cotton retorted: 'It's one of the famous mates that's trying to sort you and your mrs out some contacts for festivals. I can always cancel...

'And realise you little irritant - you need the money more than me.'

Shepherd then wrote: 'That's not banter that's an insult, what has money got to do with being a #Cringe.'

Teasing: Jack P Shepherd took to his Twitter page to rib Cotton about his celebrity friends

Cotton and Shepherd's co-star Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw, then got involved by re-tweeting the banter, but Cotton soon told him off and wrote: 'And you @ryanjamesthomas have a lot of time on your hands now that my lovely friend @MarkWright_ has hoovered up all your PAs #needanewjob.'

But the spat was soon laughed off by the friends as Cotton took to his Twitter page once more and said: 'For those people gegging in - @JackPShepherd88 and @ryanjamesthomas are two of my favourite people in the whole world! x'

Antony appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here at the end of last year and became really good friends with former TOWIE star Mark Wright, who tweets back and forth to him.

But it was his tweeting about stars such as Kylie, Simon Cowell and his jungle campmates that prompted Shepherd's teasing.


Celebrity friends: Antony got to know former TOWIE star Mark Wright when they appeared on I'm A Celebrity together



source:dailymail

By J J Anisiobi


Wardrobe malfunction: Celine Dion accidentally flashed the front row while performing in Jamiaca, last night


Choosing such a short dress to wear on stage was always a risk. And veteran balladeer Celine Dion obviously didn't think twice about the eye level of the audience.

The Canadian singer gave the front row a lot more than advertised when she performed at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Trelawny, Jamaica last night.

The 43-year-old mother of three accidentally flashed fans as she strutted across the stage in the dangerously short outfit.


Celine, who has been in Jamaica for a few days, wore a gold and white Balmain dress that showed off her long legs and toned body.

While she looked great in the eye-catching design, she clearly hadn't thought she on stage exertions through.

She explained afterwards that the height of the stage was the real problem on the night and the length of her outfit was fine.

Working it: Celine looked great in the short dress and her legs looked especially toned

She said: 'Because normally when people are level the length is fine. But people were like this (she looks up)... So it was like I didn't think of the people downstairs and me there.'

Dion looked great in the daring outfit and has been showing her toned and tanned body a lot since being on the island for the festival.

Two nights ago she wore a long black dress with a thigh high split and she has also been performing with local Jamaican artists.

Ready to rock: Celine looked great in the dress and later explained why she decided to wear it

Besides getting through her extensive song book the singer also managed to navigate through about five different stage costumes.

Being a busy mother is clearly suiting her, with the singer looking particularly toned as she performed.

She gave birth to twins Eddy and Nelson 14 months ago.

The children's father is Celine's husband and manager, Rene Angelil and they have an older son, René-Charles, 10.

Local hospitality: Celine was joined on stage by some Jamaican music artists

Last year, Oprah Winfrey's OWN Network aired a primetime special featuring an intimate look at the musical icon's private life.

The programme also revealed the artist tending to her twins, helping her eldest son with his homework and spending quality time with her husband.

Dion returned to Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas in March last year with her new show Celine.

The three-year residency promises demanding seventy performances a year and features Dion's greatest hits and a selection of music from classic Hollywood films.


Silver stunner: Celine Dion shows off her slim, long legs in a beautiful silver gown, split to the thigh during last night's performance at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival



source:dailymail

By Andrea Magrath


Wife to be: Amir Khan became formally engaged to Faryal Makhdoom at the couple's lavish engagement party last night at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton

Amir Khan has certainly scored a knockout. The boxer had an enormous smile on his face last night, and one look at his stunning fiancée shows why.

Khan, 25, and 20-year-old Faryal Makhdoom revealed their plans to marry earlier this month, and made it official this weekend by exchanging rings in front of 1000 of their nearest and dearest at a lavish engagement party.

The couple celebrated with a lavish £150,000 bash at the Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium.


Family-oriented: The 20-year-old New Yorker flew in with her family for the occasion, and plans to move to Bolton following the wedding

Family-orientated: The 20-year-old New Yorker flew in with her family for the occasion, and plans to move to Bolton following the wedding

Friends including Ricky Hatton watched as Amir presented his wife-to-be with a £100,000 platinum ring encrusted with three staggering diamonds.

In return, beautiful Faryal gave her beau with an equally bling platinum ring.

After the party Amir tweeted: 'Amazing day, I'm so tired and my fiance faryal looked so beautiful and was very patient, everyone loved it, I love my ring faryal got me x' (sic)

Bling: The boxer presented his fiancée with a £100,000 engagement ring at the bash

Last night the happy couple posed for pictures as they were showered with rose petals after the ceremonial exchanging of rings.

Faryal wore a deep red sari and elaborate jewels to compliment her stunning features.

During a visit to her family in New York earlier this month, Amir gushed over his love: 'A lot of girls back home have said to me, "Your girl is beautiful" - and that's great because people can be so jealous.'

The student and her family jetted into the UK for the engagement celebrations and Faryal plans to move to Bolton following their wedding.

But she has had to work on understanding her husband-to-be's thick accent.'I was used to London accents and thought that's how everyone spoke in Britain,' she told the Sun last week.

'But when Amir opened his mouth it was completely different.

'It was like he was speaking in a foreign tongue — so I just used to nod, agree with whatever he was talking about and say, 'Yeah'.

'He'd say things like "daft" and "innit" and I had no idea what they meant. He'd say, "Don't be daft!" - and I'd be wondering what daft was supposed to be!'

Amir shouldn't expect to see her beloved cheering ringside at any of his future matches.

Faryal says she 'never' wants to see her man fight, and while he was losing to Lamont Peterson in December, she was back in the hotel room 'praying with his mother.'


Extravagant: The couple celebrated with 1,000 of their nearest and dearest during the £150,000 party



source:dailymail

By Sarah Fitzmaurice


Colour pop: LeAnn Rimes was seen arriving back in at LAX on Sunday after spending the weekend in Texas


She was seen tucking in a hotdog as she enjoyed a basketball game on Saturday night.

But the trip to her hometown of Dallas was short and sweet and LeAnn Rimes was seen jetting back into LAX on Sunday.

LeAnn, 29, appeared to be stepping her style well and truly into the spring season and looked lovely in a sundress.


The snakeskin print dress had neon green piping around the edges for a flash of colour and a chic and stylish look.

Never one to travel in a dressed down fashion the singer stepped out in brown wedge heels which she was seen teetering in to the car.

While we are used to seeing LeAnn taking the less is more approach when it comes to clothing, her attire was in fact in keeping with the warm temperatures LA enjoyed over the weekend.


Feeling summery: The 29-year-old singer appeared to be dressing a season ahead as she arrived into LAX

Hired help: LeAnn was not met by her husband Eddie Cibrian but instead she was greeted by an elderly gentleman who was her driver

LeAnn had taken a trip back home to meet with friends and was without her husband Eddie Cibrian.

But the singer was met by an elderly gentleman who was her driver.

The smartly dressed man was seen wheeling her suitcase out of the airport to the car and LeAnn followed quickly behind.


Chowing down: The singer was seen tucking into a hotdog as she watching a Dallas Mavericks game on Saturday night with friends

Finger licking good? LeAnn was seen sucking on her finger after a tacking a bite of the fast food snack

On Saturday night LeAnn was seen taking in the Mavericks game with pals and she was also seen tucking into a tasty treat, something many of her fans would be surprised to see.

The singer has often been criticised for her skinny frame although she was looking a healthier frame during a holiday in Hawaii earlier this month.



source:dailymail

By J J Anisiobi


Wet wet wet: Christina Aguilera has fake tan running down her legs as she sings at Etta James' funeral


Christina Aguilera must have been feeling the pressure of performing at the funeral of soul legend Etta James.

The Dirrty singer was left red faced after a very unusual malfunction at the star studded farewell at the Bishop Noel Jones City of Refuge in Gardena, California.

It wasn't just the 31-year-old's eyes that were running as she sang.


The Voice judge seemingly over did it with the fake tan and the result was unpleasant streaks down her leg.

As the blonde bombshell belted out a rendition of Etta's most popular song, At Last, lines of fake tan could be seen streaked down the inside of her thigh, across her shin.

It appeared Miss Aguilera was aware that something was awry as she attempted to subtly wipe her legs with the sleeve of her jacket just before she began to sing.

Despite the mishap, Genie In A Bottle singer gave a heartfelt performance at the funeral.

She wore an all black ensemble that comprised of a skirt and a blazer but showed a little bit too much cleavage for such a sombre occasion.

With her trademark curves covered up, the tanned diva was moved by her own performance and admitted before the funeral that James was one of her idols.

Christina said via Twitter: 'One of the greatest moments of my life...Singing with my idol, the legendary Etta James. You will be forever missed.'

Heartfelt: Christina gave an emotional performance at the Bishop Noel Jones City of Refuge in Gardena, California

She added an old black and white photograph of herself performing with the recently deceased songbird.

Music legend Stevie Wonder also performed three songs and gave a harmonica solo.

The Reverend Al Sharpton , who met Etta when he was an up-and-coming preacher, delivered the heartfelt eulogy.

Her idol: Aguilera sang At Last and became very emotional during her performance

Sharpton described Etta as a trailblazer who helped break down the 'colour curtain in America.'

He went on to say she used music to 'bridge a world that was separate,' referring to America's turbulent racial divisions during the civil rights era.

He said: 'She was able to get us on the same rhythms and humming the same ballads and understanding each others' melodies way before we could even use the same hotels.'


Paying respect: Stevie Wonder and backing singers gave tribute to Etta

The legend: Stevie Wonder performed three songs and gave a harmonica solo

James died on January 20 at the age of 73 after a long battle with leukemia and complications from dementia.

Hundreds of her friends, fans and family came out to honour her at the Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary.

Since the singer's death, her album sales have sky rocketed, with fans snapping up her various records.

For the week ending on January 22, James' albums sold a total 30,000 copies, marking a 378 per cent increase over the previous week, when she moved just over 6,000 units.

James won four Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement honour and she was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.


Old friends: The Reverend Al Sharpton spoke about Etta James




source:dailymail

By Eleanor Gower and Sarah Fitzmaurice


Tender moment: Oliver Martinez and Halle Berry's daughter Nahla were seen sharing a tender kiss together as they spent the day at the beach in Malibu

He might not be her biological father but it’s quite clear that Nahla and Olivier Martinez have a very special bond as Nahla affectionately kissed her mother's beau.

The 46-year-old French actor showed off his paternal side as he watched the three-year-old playing.

Nahla clearly enjoyed having an audience and showed off her skills on a rope swing during a day at the beach.

The touching scenes came amid the ugly custody battle raging between Halle and her ex Gabriel Aubry.


Reports surfaced yesterday that Aubry has 'agreed to take anger management classes' following an incident where he is alleged to have 'pushed' his daughter's nanny.

And the US website also report that the LA County Department of Children and Family Services have recommended counselling for Nahla.

According to TMZ, the 36-year-old male model and his former girlfriend spent hours yesterday with representatives from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.

It is claimed by sources that social workers concluded Aubry 'needed to work on his anger issues.'

Look at me: Nahla showed off her skills on the swing as Olivier played along

TMZ claim that the DCFS recommended Aubry take anger management classes and sources say he 'agreed to enrol.'

A law enforcement source connected with the case told the website: 'Gabriel has a little bit of a temper, but the good news is that he realises it.'

The recommendation stems from an incident earlier this month in which Gabriel allegedly pushed the nanny while she was holding three-year-old Nahla.

Halle was advised to seek professional help after the nanny claimed Gabriel screams at the child and violently yanked Nahla from her arms.

In turn, Gabriel is asking for a restraining order as he believes she's inventing lies to side with Halle.

The couple are due in court today.

As well as spending time as a pair Olivier and Nahla made their way back to where Halle was sat.

The actress, who broke her foot last September, was sat watching her boyfriend and her daughter bonding.

The actress was dressed in a grey top with bright green Zebra's printed on the front and had her jeans rolled up.


Showing off his paternal side: The French actor was seen taking care with the three-year-old who was really enjoying herself on the swing


Making a joke: It appeared that Olivier was keeping both Halle and Nahla entertained during their day in Malibu

Having a great time: Nahla was clearly finding her actor boyfriend hilarious

The 45-year-old was also sporting colourful decoration on her cast, which had been decorated by her daughter.

Keeping out of the sun Halle also had a white brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses.

It appeared like it wasn't just Halle who was displaying war wounds - Nahla was also sporting a plaster on her right knee.

Olivier, Halle and Nahla looked like a happy family as they made the most of the nice weather sat on the beach.


Hair flare: Halle was seen doing her daughter's hair as she showed off a ring on her engagement finger. Neither Halle nor Olivier have confirmed they are engaged


Sitting pretty: Nahla appeared to enjoy sitting in the lap of her mother as the family soaked up the sunshine

Monkeying around: Nahla was seen climbing all over her mother as the pair enjoyed a day at the beach

Nahla wasn't just bonding with Olivier but she and her mother were also seen playing together on the sand.

The little girl at one point appeared to be using Halle as a climbing frame and was crawling on her back.

Nahla also enjoyed sitting in her mother's lap as Halle attended to her little girl's hair.


Making crutches cool: Halle was seen checking her phone and balancing her crutches as they headed home

Showing off her skills: The actress managed to negotiate the sands and the steps using her medical equipment

Halle's cast may be a continued pain in the leg for the 45-year-old actress, but for her daughter Nahla it has clearly provided hours of entertainment.

The Oscar winning star hobbled into a West Hollywood French restaurant for lunch this morning, displaying some colourful art work on her cast.

It also had the three-year-old's name emblazoned on the top of the plaster in purple pen.

Arty: Halle Berry shows off her colourful plaster cast as she, boyfriend Olivier Martinez and daughter Nahla have Sunday lunch at a French restaurant in West Hollywood today

An array of hearts and colour adorned the cast which provided a colourful addition to Halle's casual outfit.

The star sported a grey long sleeved T-shirt with a green zebra logo, jeans and sunglasses.

She hobbled along using a pair of white crutches, while her rumoured fiancé Olivier Martinez carried her daughter into the restaurant.

Halle broke her foot while filming movie Cloud Atlas in Spain last September, but the break in her left foot recently reoccurred, leaving her in the plaster cast and crutches.


Walking aid: Halle has experienced trouble with her leg since breaking it last year


Pretty patterns: The cast featured an array of pink flowers, and colourful designs



source:dailymail

By Sarah Fitzmaurice


Passionate kiss: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt enjoyed an amorous evening at the Screen Actors Guild Awards


They are one of the most famous couples in the world.

And though their romance has been very public from the start, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt don't usually indulge in public displays of affection.

So it was a huge surprise when the pair shared a series of tender kisses on the red carpet at last night's Screen Actors Guild awards.


Later, as they sat at a table during the ceremony, it was clear their attention was only for each other.

Brad was seen leaning in towards his partner to share a kiss mid-way through the awards.

And as Angelina looked back to the stage she was seen placing a hand on her partner’s thigh.

At the end of the show the couple were seen sharing another smooch as they stood up from the table and the flashing cameras close by certainly didn’t bother them.

Perhaps the show of affection was a consolation prize for Brad,48, who failed to scoop the Male Actor award which was won by The Artist star Jean DuJardin.

Tender touch: Brad was seen leaning in towards his partner and the couple shared a series of kisses mid-through the ceremony

Thigh just can't get enough: Angelina was seen putting a hand on Brad's leg during the awards ceremony

Or it could be that the pair were simply making the most of a night off from parent duty to enjoy a few moments together.

There is also the tantalising possibility that the pair are about to get engaged. In a recent interview, Brad said that he wanted to marry his long-term partner because it meant so much to their six children.

Earlier in the evening the pair arrived on the red carpet and were greeted by pandemonium.

As ever Brad proved the perfect gentleman and stepped out of the car and made his way around the car to open the door for Angelina.


The look of love: The couple, who have six children together were seen gazing into each other's eyes


Isn't she lovely: The pair were seen posing on the red carpet but only had eyes for each other

Classic look: Angelina shows off her tattoos with a scoop back dress which complimented her slim frame

The actress emerged in from the vehicle and gave the crowd the first glimpse of her Jenny Packham gown.

The couple made their way up the red carpet together hand in hand and as the photographers shouted to Angelina to secure a shot Brad admired his date.

Angelina’s lamé gown showed off her angular shoulders and dipped down at the back to reveal her tattoos.


Golden couple: Angelina looked stunning in her Grecian-inspired draping Jenny Packham gown while Brad looked dapper in his suit


Deep in conversation: During the dinner Angelina was seen deep in conversation with Tilda Swinton

Enjoying a tipple: The 36-year-old actress was seen enjoying a glass of red wine as she chatted to Tilda

The pair gave separate interviews to E! presenter Guiliana Rancic and Angelina spoke about being a mother and an actress.

She explained: 'It’s fun to wake up and play with your kids and then go out and this one you really get to hang out with other actors.'

When asked what the children think about the couple attending the glitzy awards ceremonies the 36-year-old said: 'They get that it’s part of our job... but it is a strange job... they are like "fine when are you coming home"'.


How's the vino? The actress was seen sipping on a large glass of red wine


Monochrome: While Angelina opted for black in Jenny Packham Zoe Saldana stepped out in a white Givenchy gown

Bromance: Brad greeted his good friend George Clooney with a warm embrace while Angelina looked on with a smile

Angelina also joked that her brood would also want to know if they can still sleep in her and Brad's bed.

Angelina gave some tips to aspiring actors and said: 'I think the most important think is to have a very full life.'

Meanwhile during his interview Pitt dropped hints that Hollywood's power couple would love to work together on screen again and said: 'We’re planning on it we haven’t seen anything specific, but we want to. We are working on it.'


Having a great time: The pair seemed to be in great spirits as they mingled with other guests

Group shot: Hollywood's Golden couples Brad and Angelina and George and Stacy posed up together

However Brandgelina weren’t the only golden couple at the Shrine Auditorium last night.

George Clooney and girlfriend Stacy Keibler also commanded plenty of attention and the pair proved popular on the red carpet.

The couples met up on the red carpet and posed for pictures together.

Brad and George are old friends and shared a spot of mutual appreciation as they met on the red carpet and shared a warm embrace.



source:dailymail