Basic Instinct 2 'in trouble'

The long-awaited sequel to 1992's Basic Instinct looks uncertain, with backers unable to agree on the right actor to star with leading lady Sharon Stone.

With David Cronenberg as director, it was due to start shooting in March.

But according to trade paper Variety, the producers cannot decide who should play the young psychiatrist who comes into contact with Stone's character.

Michael Douglas and Robert Downey Jr have turned down the chance to appear.

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Vanilla Ice arrested in Florida

Former rapper Robert Van Winkle, better known as Vanilla Ice, was arrested in Florida on Wednesday night.

The 33-year-old was charged with battery and domestic violence after an alleged incident with his wife in a car while driving in the town of Davie.

The couple's chilren witnessed the incident which police say involved Van Winkle pulling hair out of his wife's head.

The arresting officer's statement said that Van Winkle "admitted that he did grab his wife's hair but it was to prevent her jumping out of the window of the car".

Van Winkle, best known for tracks such as Ice Ice Baby and Play That Funky Music, spent Wednesday night in the Broward County jail.

He was released after posting $3,500 (£2,332) bail but he has been ordered to have no contact with his wife during the police investigation.

Van Winkle has not released a record since 1998 but was the first rap star to sell 15 million albums.

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Clary upset by jewellery theft

Comic Julian Clary is said to be distraught after jewellery worth several thousand pounds was stolen from his theatre dressing room in Brighton.

The items taken include a 50-year-old Rolex worth £6,000 which Clary was given by his late grandfather, a silver bracelet and two rings.

The 41-year-old TV star, who is playing Dandini in Cinderella at the seaside city's Theatre Royal, has appealed to the thief to return the items.

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Contender wins Pakula award

The Broadcast Film Critics Association has chosen The Contender as the latest recipient of its Alan J Pakula Award.

The prize, named after the director of All The President's Men who died in 1998, is given to outstanding films of social and political significance.

The prize will be presented to writer-director Rod Lurie on 22 January.

In The Contender, Joan Allen plays a would-be vice president dogged by an alleged sexual scandal from her past.

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Ally star separates from husband

Former Ally McBeal star Courtney Thorne-Smith has separated from her husband after just seven months of marriage, it has been announced.

The 32-year-old, who played lawyer Georgia Thomas until leaving at the end of the third series last May, married scientist Andrew Conrad last June.

"There are no third parties involved. We remain good friends and will share custody of our dogs," said the actress in a statement.

Before Ally McBeal, Thorne-Smith appeared in US soap Melrose Place.