The 63-year-old, who has just recovered from hip and knee surgery, sang staged acts from three different works. The singer's only mishap came during the curtain calls when he failed to step out of the way fast enough.

He became entangled behind the Metropolitan's huge gold curtain, but emerged unscathed and laughed it off.

Speaking after the performance, Pavarotti joked that when the Metropolitan told him it was putting on a celebration for him, "I thought it was somebody else singing."

But he said he welcomed the challenge, after 30 years: "To prove to myself I can sing."

Legend Bacall in rare TV role

Bacall to play eccentric tobacco heiress

Movie legend Lauren Bacall is to make a rare television acting appearance as the star of a two-part mini-series, Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke.

She will play the title role in the story of the eccentric woman who inherited a fortune from her tobacco millionaire father, led a tumultuous life and died mysteriously.

Richard Chamberlain co-stars as Bernard Lafferty, the butler who became her ever-present companion and inherited much of her wealth.

Marley theme park to open in February

Marley mania will hit the US next year

A long-delayed theme park showcasing the life and work of reggae legend Bob Marley is set to open early next year in Orlando, Florida.

Rita Marley, widow of the star who died of cancer in 1981 said the Universal Studios project would open on 6 February, Marley's birthday.

The park is modelled on Marley's former Kingston home, now a museum attracting thousands of visitors. Plans were first announced in 1996 but work has been repeatedly stalled.

Still missing Michael, admits Paula

Paula Yates still mourning Michael Hutchence

Paula Yates has revealed she still carries some of INXS star Michael Hutchence's ashes around with her a year after he committed suicide.

In a Sun interview, the 38-year-old admitted: "I know people think that's weird but it helps us, it really does."

"I still wake up in the morning expecting him to be in bed alongside me. I did this morning." A memorial for Hutchence was held in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday.

Cher thanks her lucky penny from heaven

Cher wishing on a penny

Superstar Cher, who is celebrating her fifth week at number one with Believe, has revealed her good fortune is all down to wishing on a lucky coin.

The singer spotted a US cent on the ground when she popped to the UK for a promotional tour last month, picked it up and asked for a stint at No 1.

Speaking from LA, the 53-year-old star said: "I wished I would stay at number one for five weeks. I didn't have a pocket to keep the coin so I put it in my bra. I'm completely over the moon."

Hundreds of animals used in Babe sequel

Babe sequel "incredibly complicated"

A record 800 animals, including dogs, mice and, of course, pigs, were used in the filming of the Babe sequel, Pig in the City, it has been revealed.

Director/writer/producer George Miller said the number of animals, the lavish special effects and the difficulties in combining the dialogue, music and sound had made it "incredibly complicated".

He has been working 20-hour days to have the film ready for release in the US on 25 November. He added: "It's not a sensible way to make a movie."

New record for 12-year-old opera star

Charlotte Church, the youngest artist ever to have a top five album

Twelve-year-old Welsh soprano Charlotte Church has broken another record with her debut album, Voice Of An Angel.

Released last week, it has shot up from No 24 to No 4 in the national charts, making her the youngest artist ever to have a top 5 album.

Charlotte, aged 12 years and 10 months, said: "It's really cool."

Sales of Voice Of An Angel, which has retained its top spot in the classical charts, have already gone gold.

Spielberg epic to open for Xmas

Prince of Egypt, an animated biblical epic from Steven Spielberg's SKG Studio, is set to open in 37 countries over the Christmas period.

Technicians are currently preparing 10,000 prints of the film in 25 different languages. "It's a particularly appropriate film for the holiday period and we don't want to miss out," said a spokesman.

The epic features the voices of Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes and Helen Mirren.