The star of Mission: Impossible and Jerry Maguire left embarrassed and empty-handed after stopping in at his local branch of Blockbuster Video in Bushey Heath, Herts. Although store staff recognised Cruise, he could not supply the two forms of ID necessary to join.

A Blockbuster spokesman said: "We always ask for two forms of ID. Our staff member was simply following company sign up procedures.

"We're delighted that Tom Cruise wants to become a member. But for security and mailing purposes we need to know where our customers are. There is no special dispensation - even if you are a household name."

The 36-year-old actor, who has lived in Britain with his wife Nicole Kidman and their children for two years, is said to have understood that "rules are rules".

Sinatra statue planned for Manhattan

Frank Sinatra: Monument planned for Big Apple

New York City plans to erect a statue of Frank Sinatra in the heart of Manhattan's theatre district.

Approval for the monument to the late singer has been given by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

The statue will stand in front of the Paramount Theatre in Times Square, where Sinatra, who died last May aged 82, started his career.

Known as 'Ol Blue Eyes' and 'The Chairman of the Board', Sinatra was born in the nearby New Jersey suburb of Hoboken.

Jones to star in TV version of 'Lock, Stock ...'

Vinnie Jones: Will reprise film role on TV

Soccer hard man and aspiring thespian Vinnie Jones plans to star in a TV spin-off of the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

The Queen's Park Rangers player/coach made his acting debut earlier this year as Big Chris, a hard-nosed debt collector in the film set in East London ganglands. The film's cast included Dexter Fletcher and Sting.

"They are going to make it into a Minder-type series, between six and eight parts," he revealed backstage at the Royal Gala celebration in London for the Prince of Wales.

ITC rejects pig advert complaints

Animal lovers bombarded TV watchdogs with complaints over a mustard advert showing a cartoon pig dancing to the Bee Gees' Staying Alive, accusing Colman's Mustard of trivialising the killing animals for food.

In the commercial the animated pig sings about not wanting to end up as sausages, bacon, or other meat products.

A total of 69 viewers, 11 of whom said they were vegetarians, claimed they found the ad offensive.

But the Independent Television Commission rejected their complaints, despite recognising that "some viewers had found the advertising tasteless".

The ITC judged that most viewers "would not have felt as strongly about the matter," and "would not have been upset and would have understood the humour."

The Vegetarian Society said it sympathised with people who felt offended - but believed the advert may have done their movement a favour.

Bardot in bid to save 'death row dog'

Screen legend-turned animal rights campaigner Brigitte Bardot has taken up the case of Woofie, the Scottish "death row dog".

Bardot may visit northeastern Scotland in an attempt to save the life of the animal, ordered to be put down by a court after an incident in which it barked and growled but didn't actually bite anyone.

"I can't believe Scottish justice can be so hard for a poor dog who has not even bitten the man," she told BBC Radio Scotland in a rare interview.

Fox banned for drink-driving

The former Page Three model Samantha Fox has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 18 months.

The ban comes after she was stopped by police in North London and found to be three times over the drink drive limit.