Dirk Bogarde paralysed

Stroke leaves Bogarde wheelchair-bound

Sir Dirk Bogarde has revealed how a massive stroke has left him paralysed down one side and wheelchair-bound. The actor-turned-novelist says he can "no longer do anything for himself" and needs 24-hour nursing after being struck down two years ago. Sir Dirk, 77, who starred in more than 70 films, has a 'living will' which states he does not want life-prolonging treatment if his condition worsens and become "incurable".

Leonardo DiCaprio "perfect penpal"

DiCaprio beats Spices in penpal poll

Leonardo DiCaprio has overwhelmed all the Spice Girls put together as the "perfect penpal" for young people. The Titanic star was named most popular choice of writing companion among the 430,000 entries to the Royal Mail's annual Young Letter Writer Competition. Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President Bill Clinton were also popular choices.

Three Lions '98 World Cup anthem released today

Footie anthems to catch world cup fever

Two terrace chants begin their battle for the number one spot today. Vindaloo by Fat Les is released on the same day as Three Lions '98 by Baddiel, Skinner and the Lightning Seeds. Both songs have huge advance orders, and experts believe they are poised for a head-to-head battle for the top spot as World Cup fever takes hold. The Official anthem, On top of the world by England United, was released last Monday.

Rod Stewart apologetic

Singer says sorry over Gazza night out

Rod Stewart has issued a public apology to Glenn Hoddle and the England Squad over his night out with Paul Gascoigne. The singer said if he had known Gazza would lose his place in the wake of their time together, he would have said: "No drinks for you tonight Paul." The pair's meeting at the Pharmacy in London was one of the incidents to hit the headlines before the axe on Gascoigne's place in the World Cup squad fell. "I apologise to Glenn and the team," said Stewart in a letter to The Sun.

'Jimmy Corkhill' shares stage with Sir Cliff Richard

Brookside star teams up with Mr Clean

Brookside's one time bad boy shares a stage today with the pop world's Mr Clean, Sir Cliff Richard. Dean Sullivan who plays former drug dealer Jimmy Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap, will perform with Sir Cliff at London's Criterion Theatre. The event is being held to launch the latest album from former Radio 1 DJ, Mike Read, which sets former poet laureate John Betjeman's words to music.

Martial Arts champ to play hero in film

Jet Li, the Chinese action star who makes his US debut in Lethal Weapon 4, is being paid more than $1m to be the hero in The Art of War. Li had never played a bad guy until Mel Gibson hired him to be the villainous martial arts expert for the latest episode in the "Weapon" series. In the Art of War, which Oliver Stone is co-producing, the five-times Chinese martial arts champ stars as a secret agent wrongly accused of assassinating world leaders.