Lily's Label

Lily Allen has reportedly decided to to launch her own record label to help launch up-and-coming British artists.

The 'Smile' hitmaker, who already has her own fashion collection, left her management company last week following problems with obtaining an American work visa.

Allen's spokesperson revealed that having her own record company is "something that Lily's looking at".

A source told the Mirror: "Lily has a wise head on her shoulders and is really excited about the idea of having her own business empire." She loves making music but she's also brilliant at spotting talent, as she was in the underground scene for a few years before her career took off."

Allen helped launch the career of British singer Kate Nash after she added her as one of her top friends on social networking site MySpace.


McKellen to return as Gandalf?

Sir Ian McKellen has said he would be "very pleased" to reprise his role as wizard Gandalf in the planned film of JRR Tolkien's novel The Hobbit.

"If I am still functioning and working well, it is very likely I would be asked to do it," he told Reuters.

Sir Ian played the role in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, landing an Oscar nomination in the process.

Due to a legal dispute with film studio New Line, however, Peter Jackson will not be back as director for The Hobbit.


Dohery turning point

Singer Pete Doherty has told the BBC he has been off drugs for seven weeks - and thinks he has reached a "turning point" in his battle against addiction.

The Babyshambles frontman also told BBC Radio 4's Front Row programme he has been reconciled with his estranged father after three years apart.

He is now living in Wiltshire after spending time in a rehab centre there.
"In the last eight years, I've never been that long without drugs," he told the programme's presenter John Wilson.

"I'm not going to lie and say it's not a struggle, because it is. But in a way, I'm quite proud to be able to admit it, particularly for my mum and dad.

"I'm quietly confident, but there's an underdog feeling about it still. These last few months have been a turning point."


In other news

* Rihanna has been romantically linked with Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett.

* Actress Stephanie Beacham has become the first female celebrity to exit Strictly Come Dancing.

* Lily Allen's 'secret sister' has spoken out about her "deadbeat dad" Keith and how he abandoned her.

* Female trio the Sugababes have claimed the number one spots on both the singles and album charts in the UK.

* BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons has said the corporation will be smaller and more "distinctive" five years from now.

* ITN has launched an ad-funded entertainment and sports news channel on YouTube.

* Departing Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq is planning to write a book about the show.

Clip of the day

England are in the World Cup Final! GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

http://youtube.com/watch?v=t0CT2vSJHXw&mode=related&search=

Kenny Rogers supports England - ‘those French bastards’

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3yWJsW5WN5Y

Punched before eating – gets weird at the end

http://www.viralvideochart.com/youtube/snl__digital_short_andy_punches?id=WxIEjZUw8yg

Lighting a bonfire

http://www.kontraband.com/show/show.asp?ID=8543&Top20=1&rtn=index-top20&nl=2

Do not click on this is if:

a) you have never watched ‘most haunted’.

b) you don’t find toilet humour particularly amusing.

http://www.popnoodles.com/mostfarted/most_farted_series_1.php