Branagh signs up for Harry Potter

Actor and director Kenneth Branagh has signed up to play Gilderoy Lockhart in Warner Brothers¿ second Harry Potter film, it has been reported.

Branagh, who is famed for starring and directing Shakespearian plays on film, will join young star Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, said trade newspaper Daily Variety.

The much-anticipated premiere of JK Rowling¿s first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer¿s Stone, is to be held in London on 4 November.

Harry Potter books have caught the imagination of children across the globe, topping best-seller lists and selling millions of copies.

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Schwarzenegger gets a doctorate

Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger has been given an honorary doctorate in business administration by the Imadec University in Vienna.

The university praised the Austrian-born actor's "life achievements" and the work he has done to promote the country's economy.

Schwarzenegger, whose Terminator films helped cement his Hollywood fame, was thankful but unable to accept the degree in person.

Imadec University President Christian Joksch praised the star's rise to fame from humble beginnings.

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Halliwell launches sex education website

Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has launched a sex education internet site for the under-16s.

The singer will launch www.likeitis.org.uk on Thursday by taking part in a live Web chat with fans from 1730 BSM.

The site has been set up by Marie Stopes International.

It covers issues such as contraception and puberty and aims to reduce Britain's high rate of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

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Bob Dylan to write autobiography

Bob Dylan has signed a deal to write his autobiography and release it as a number of volumes.

The rock legend has been working on the autobiography, to be called Chronicles, for more than a year.

"I think that what I'm writing has been trying to find its way out for some time now," he said.

Dylan, whose only other book was a collection of poems and fiction written in 1966, promised to be "looking at everything from a new point of view".

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Mariah 'to star in Ally'

Mariah Carey is to star in hit US TV series Ally McBeal next year, it has been reported.

The globally famous singer, who recently made a comeback from an emotional breakdown, is to guest star in an episode on 6 January, the Hollywood Reporter said.

She is expected to sing Lead the Way, from her new album Glitter, and feature in the show alongside fellow singer Jon Bon Jovi, who is reportedly joining the cast as Ally's new love interest.

Carey recently appeared on TV in a telethon tribute for the victims of the US attacks, and performed at the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards.