Show Biz Fire

MADONNA - MADONNA AND GUY RITCHIE CONFIRM THEY ARE TO DIVORCE

2008-10-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Madonna and Guy Ritchie have announced their divorce after seven years of marriage.

The couple's spokeswoman confirmed the split in a statement issued to the Associated Press news agency.

Media speculation of the pair's impending separation had increased in recent months, with rumours of an affair between the Material Girl and New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez.

Madonna even went to the lengths of issuing a statement rubbishing reports of the state of her marriage, but the celebrity couple's divorce has now been confirmed.

It was believed the pair would announce their separation when Madonna's Sticky and Sweet world tour finishes in November but a series of arguments has reportedly now brought their divorce forward.

"Madonna and Guy have been spending months trying to make the marriage work," the Sun newspaper's showbiz editor Gordon Smart told Sky News.

"I think they have reached the point now where there's no way they can repair the damage that's been done.

"I think the last few weeks in particular, they have had so many arguments it's just come to the stage where they have decided to finish with the pretence."

In her statement of denial in July, Madonna urged fans to take media reports with a pinch of salt.

"I have learned over the years not to take accusations and the many false reports about me very seriously," she explained.

"I also appreciate how fiction and fact seem to be perceived as one and the same by people who read both newspapers and the internet."

Madonna and Ritchie are expected to undergo private divorce proceedings, as opposed to the high-profile split of another celebrity couple, Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.

Humane Society Traces Expensive Pups to Pet Mills

2007-12-14T22:05:00.001-08:00

A pet store in the Bel-Air neighborhood deceived customers, including Hollywood celebrities, about the origin of their puppies, many of which come from unlicensed pet mills, according to a Humane Society of the United States investigation released Tuesday.he investigation looked at dog breeders, pet auctions and pet stores that form a chain of supply for the expensive dogs that can be found along the streets of Beverly Hills, often in sweaters and rhinestone collars.These so-called puppy mills are large-scale breeding operations that have a reputation for abuse, inbreeding and filthy conditions. Read more...

Tom's Not Beckoned

2007-12-12T04:47:00.000-08:00

VICTORIA Beckham says Tom Cruise has never tried to convert her or husband David to Scientology.On Larry King Live, the Spice Girls star said of the actor: "Tom has a religion he's very passionate about."I don't know anything about Scientology. He's never tried to talk to me about it. Read more...

LINDSAY LOHAN has given up a lot of things for good since rehab and it seems her bra may be one of them.

2007-12-08T04:07:00.000-08:00

Famous for leaving her underwear at home in the past, Lindsay is showing no signs of changing her ways as we approach 2008.Li-Lo was on her way to dinner at Koi restaurant in LA when she was snapped by an army of paps.Her thin sheer top was too weak for their flashes, though, which showed off her lack of support. Read more...

Spears Banned from Winston's

2007-12-07T02:39:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears has been barred from exclusive Los Angeles club Winston's after allegedly forcing a bartender to switch dresses with her at a Halloween party.Club owners insist the pop stars is no longer welcome at the venue because her saucy antics have upset regulars.On October 29 Spears reportedly insisted on switching Halloween costumes with a reluctant barmaid. Read more...

Paris Gives Britney Career Advice

2007-12-06T02:55:00.000-08:00

Whether you love her or hate her, you must admit Paris Hilton is a cash machine. She makes so much money off endorsements and her own brand that if her family was to cut her out of her fortune, it would make little difference in her life.Since Paris is trying to become BFF with Britney Spears again, she thought she'd offer her some advice--it was good advice too! Read more....

Chan's Frock Shock

2007-12-05T00:49:00.000-08:00

We'd never have Chanelle Hayes down as a Duran Duran fan. But there she was last night, rocking out with the band. Chan tootled along to the one-off gig at the Lyceum Theatre to check out their new Timbaland-produced album, Red Carpet Massacre. And although no celebrities were hurt in the making of our gallery, the aforementioned massacre was a close call... Read more...

Is 'Golden Compass' 'selling atheism to kids'?

2007-12-04T02:46:00.000-08:00

The plot sounds familiar: movie takes on religion, angers some faction of believers. But the furor surrounding "The Golden Compass," a $180-million fantasy epic coming to theaters next Friday, is more complex than that. Based on the first volume in the award-winning trilogy "His Dark Materials" by religious skeptic Philip Pullman, the movie already has been condemned by conservative Roman Catholics and evangelicals. They say it will hook children into Pullman's books and a dark, individualistic world where all religion is evil. But at least one liberal scholar has called the trilogy a "theological masterpiece," and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops rates the film "intelligent and well-crafted entertainment." Meanwhile, some secularists complain the movie from New Line Cinemas waters down Pullman's religious critique. They feel sold out by the author, who has described himself as both an atheist and agnostic. Read more...

Duo set for on-air tango

2007-12-03T00:44:00.000-08:00

Mix 106.5 is determined to shed its poor cousin status among the Sydney FM stations next year with a new breakfast show and a more clearly defined strategy targeting females - it will be the type of show savvy women can happily listen to with their kids in the car. Spearheading the change will be cabaret star Todd McKenney and entertainment reporter Sonia Kruger, replacing Sammy Power and Subby Valentine in the breakfast slot. McKenney and Kruger (pictured) will maintain their ties with Channel Seven, providing plenty of cross-promotional opportunities. Read more...

Hilton Wants To Join Richie in Motherhood

2007-12-01T03:20:00.000-08:00

Paris Hilton wants to join Nicole Richie in becoming a mother -- so their children can be playmates.The hotel heiress is eager to have a baby now her friend Richie is pregnant, and hopes to soon find a man who she wants to start a family with.She tells People magazine, "Nicole and I have been playing together since we were two years old. Read more...