Cops star wins bravery prize

Cops actor Jack Marsden is to receive an award from the police only months after being released from prison.

The 37-year-old actor is to be given a Chief Constable's Citation of Merit for courage and bravery next week for rushing to the aid of a woman being attacked by two youths in Manchester city centre.

In April, the actor - who played Constable Danny Rylance in the controversial BBC drama - was jailed for a number of driving offences by Bolton magistrates.

Following a fight with his former girlfriend, model Ruth Higham, he took her for a drive in his locked car and refused to let her out.

But months before he was sent to jail he had called on the skills he learned while playing Rylance to apprehend one of two youths who had punched and kicked a woman, knocking her off her mountain bike.

He will receive his award from the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, David Wilmot, next week.

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Nightingale joins ITN

Wish You Were Here? host Mary Nightingale is to become an ITV newsreader in the New Year.

She will initially be covering for pregnant Kirsty Young when she goes on maternity leave by taking on the ITV Lunchtime News, which is produced by ITN.

Nightingale will continue to present her other shows which include Britain's Most Wanted and The Really Good Food Show.

Viewers in London have already seen her present local bulletins on Carlton and LWT.

She said: "I'm really looking forward to getting back into the newscaster's chair."

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TFI Elton for finale

Sir Elton John is to have his first try at TV presenting by fronting the last ever TFI Friday in December.

Since presenter Chris Evans stepped down, the Channel 4 show has recruited guest presenters including the Spice Girls to front its final series.

Sir Elton said he "couldn't wait" to present the show.

"It will be fun to be on the other side of the desk," he said.

Guests are being kept under wraps, but the pop star promised "a very special show"

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Streisand snapper sues

A photographer is suing superstar Barbra Streisand and her actor husband James Brolin over his arrest earlier this year on suspicion of stalking her.

Wendell Wall, 28, accused the performer of conspiring to have him unlawfully jailed in lieu of a $1m (£625,000) bail.

The case was later dismissed. Wall is seeking $25,000 (£15,600) plus unspecified damages from Streisand and Brolin, the county sheriff's department and several deputies.

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Contestants wanted for Relief

Comic Relief and the BBC are launching a new quiz called 1000 to 1, which they say will give away the biggest stash of goodies ever won by one person.

The general knowledge quiz will whittle 1000 contestants down to one over the course of five weeks, with the winner taking away a total of 1000 gifts.

The quiz will take place in the run-up to Red Nose Day on 16 March 2001.

For a contestant application form write to: 1000 To 1 Contestants, Room 4128, BBC Television Centre, London W12 7RJ, or e-mail [e-mail].