News in brief: EastEnders' Dean weds

EastEnders star Letitia Dean, who plays Sharon in the hit BBC soap, has married boyfriend Jason Pethers in a ceremony attended by current and former cast members of EastEnders.

Barbara Windsor, Pam St Clement, Todd Carty, Gillian Taylforth and June Brown were among those who turned up to the wedding at All Saints Church in Marylebone, North London.

Actress Wendy Richard, who recently had a cancerous lump removed from her neck, was also a guest.

Dean, one of the original cast members of the show, arrived at the church in a blacked-out Mercedes.

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Survivor champ in climbing drama

The winner of reality TV show Survivor has escaped a genuine life or death drama on Africa's highest mountain.

Police officer Jonny Gibb and fellow contestant John Dalzell were struck by freak weather while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

The pair were among only nine of the 40 strong party to reach the top of the mountain. Three people died of hypothermia while on the expedition.

Gibb, who took part in the climb in aid of Macmillan Cancer Research, described conditions as "horrendous".

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Jackson programme breaks records

A Five documentary about Michael Jackson has pulled in record viewing figures for the channel.

An average of 3.6 million people tuned into Michael Jackson's Face, screened on Sunday - the highest ever audience for a show on the station other than for films or sporting events.

"It's an astonishing performance for a documentary on Britain's youngest channel," said a spokesperson for the five-year-old station.

The programme took a look at the career of the singer and the way in which his face has changed through surgery over the years.

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Seagal faces lawsuit

A judge has refused to throw out a $60m lawsuit against action star Steven Seagal that alleges he dropped out of film projects on the advice of his Buddhist advisor.

Judge Joseph Maltese has said that the suit, filed by producer Julius Nasso, Seagal's former business partner, can go to trial.

Nasso has said Seagal backed out of four films, with a combined budget of $125m after his Buddist advisor, known as Makura, allegedly persuaded him to do so.

Seagal's last film Exit Wounds, which co-starred rapper DMX, was released in 2001.

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'Raymond' set to end

The hit US sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond may come to an end after the 2003-2004 season, according to reports.

The show's star Ray Romano told American magazine TV Guide he wanted it to go out while it was still popular.

"You don't want to leave when you're sliding down," he said of the show, currently in its seventh season. "I don't see it going to a tenth season, I don't even see nine".

Romano recently won an Emmy award for his role on the programme.

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Streisand headlines gala

Barbra Streisand has come out of retirement to perform at a fund-raising event for the US Democratic Party.

According to reports, Streisand raised a record $6m at the gala evening, which saw her perform before an audience of Democratic supports and Hollywood stars.

Abour 3,500 people paid $500 each to attend the event, which also featured a performance from Barry Manilow.

Streisand withdrew from public life two years ago, saying she wanted to spend more time with her husband James Brolin.

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Crue singer in court

Motley Crue singer Vince Neil has pleaded not guilty to a battery charge, after allegedly attacking a record producer outside the Rainbow Room nightclub in West Hollywood.

Michael Schuman said that Neil approached him in the car park and punched him several times in the face, causing him to fall to the ground and fracture his elbow.

"Based on what my client has told me, this is unprovoked," said a lawyer for Mr Schuman.

A pretrial hearing has been set for 19 November.

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Monty takes Titchmarsh mantle

TV personality Monty Don is to replace Alan Titchmarsh as the presenter of BBC Two's Gardeners' World.

Don, 47, formerly gardening expert on ITV1's This Morning and presenter of Channel 4's Real Gardens, will take over the role next spring when the show will enter its 34th year.

Ground Force star Titchmarsh recently announced that he was leaving the programme after seven years.

He said: "I've had a wonderful seven years presenting Gardeners' World and I wish Monty Don every success in taking over."