Meg Ryan determined to be the blondest

RYAN SAYS ONLY ONE BLONDE TO HAVE FUN

Actress Meg Ryan is so determined to stand out in her new film, the romantic comedy You've Got Mail, that no other blondes are allowed in the picture. So that Ryan's hair gets the camera's undivided attention, another actress, already cast, has to wear a black wig. Also a fair-haired male actor had to put gel on his hair to make it darker, and a child on set was put into a hat. In the film Ryan rejoins Sleepless In Seattle co-star Tom Hanks.

Leonardo DiCaprio replaces Christian Bale in American Psycho

ANGER OVER "BETRAYAL" OF BRITISH ACTOR

The decision to replace British actor Christian Bale with Leonardo DiCaprio as the star of American Psycho is being criticised in film industry circles. Bale has been studying the role for the past year with Mary Harron, the director who originated the project. He is being replaced on the orders of executives at Lions Gate Film who are paying DiCaprio 13m for the part. Critics say the move is "despicable" for its betrayal of Bale and Harron.

Elton John rocks at Stormont

STORMONT ROCKS TO STRAINS OF ELTON JOHN

Around 15,000 people have attended a rock concert by Sir Elton John in the grounds of Stormont Castle in Belfast. Before the star launched into his set, he told the crowd: "Thank you for being here tonight we have been waiting for this for a long time." The concert was the latest in a series of events organised in the wake of the Northern Ireland agreement. Sir Elton performed for free.

HOME OF VALENTINO'S GRANDSON RANSACKED

Thieves have ransacked the home of silent film star Rudolph Valentino's grandson taking paintings and valuables worth more than £60,000. Valentino's grandson, also named Rudolph, returned to his California home to find that someone had smashed a rear window to gain entry. No arrests have been made and it's not clear whether any items belonging to the movie legend, who died aged 31 in 1926, were among the items taken.

FISHY ATTEMPT AT GUINESS RECORD