Bell to release hip-hop record

Former journalist and MP Martin Bell is to release a charity record in aid of United Nation's children's charity, Unicef.

Mr Bell said he would be "vocalising" in a "Rex Harrison style" on a hip-hop single called Media Junkies which satirises the tabloid newspaper agenda.

"I think it's called hip-hop. I'm not singing, I'm speaking, you'll be pleased to know," he said.

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Soap star back at work

Neighbours star Madeleine West has said returning to the show after being hit by a bus was exhausting.

The actress needed plastic surgery after the accident in Sydney last month.

She was also robbed while unconscious.

West, who plays Dee Bliss, said she was pleased to be back on the set.

"It was actually really good because it felt so nice to be back at work and to be not just lying in bed and doing nothing."

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Basement Jaxx wins video award

Basement Jaxx's groundbreaking video to their chart hit Where's Your Head At has beaten Kylie Minogue and Oasis to win a best video award.

They picked up the prize at the Rushes Soho Shorts Festival in London which celebrates the best short films of 2001.

The video features the dance act turned into instrument-playing monkeys.

Minogue's Can't Get You Out Of My Head, The Hindu Times by Oasis and Somethin' Stupid by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman were all on the shortlist.

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Ricky Martin honoured for Hispanic roots

Latin singer Ricky Martin is set to be presented with an award for improving the international profile of the Hispanic community who live in the US.

The star - best known for his worldwide hit Livin' La Vida Loca - will collect the Hispanic Heritage honour in September.

"Ricky serves the needs of America's disenfranchised beyond the talents for which he is commonly known," said the chairman of the awards committee.

Four other prominent Hispanics from a variety of fields will also be honoured

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Washington to air directorial debut

Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington will bring his directorial debut to autumn's Toronto International Film Festival in the autumn.

Antwone Fisher is the story of a young sailor whose visit to a naval psychiatrist, played by Washington, starts him on the road to emotional healing.

Washington attended last year's Toronto Film Festival to promote Training Day.

The event will also feature a talk by Canadian producer and director Ivan Reitman - the man behind Ghostbusters.