Second chance for Pop Idol Ribbons

Pop Idol reject Rosie Ribbons may still see her dreams come true - she will meet producer Pete Waterman this week to discuss a recording contract.

Ribbons' bid for stardom ended on Saturday when viewers followed the advice of judges who criticised her version of The Winner Takes It All, chosen to fit the episode's Abba theme.

But she is meeting music producer Waterman this week to discuss a possible recording contract.

She said: "Earlier in the competition Pete said he'd have me in the studio anytime. I would love a recording contract. I really want to sing and a career in music."

The remaining five contestants in the ITV1 show are Gareth Gates, 17, from Bradford; Zoe Birkett, 16, from Darlington; Hayley Evetts, 25, from Birmingham; William Young, 22, from London; and Darius Danesh, 20, from Glasgow.

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French director Verneuil dies

Prolific French film-maker Henri Verneuil has died aged 81, the country's Fine Arts Academy has announced.

He directed leading French stars such as Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Gabin during his career - both appeared in his 1962 film Un Singe en Hiver (A Monkey In Winter).

He was also well-known for 1959's La Vache et le Prisonnier (The Cow and I), about a man's adventures with a stubborn cow.

More recently, in 1991, he directed Omar Sharif and Claudia Cardinale in Mayrig, which dealt with the Armenian genocide.

Verneuil - who was born in Armenia - was given an honorary Cesar, France's top film award, for a lifetime of achievement in 1996.

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India takes to Weakest Link

BBC quiz The Weakest Link has become the 11th most popular programme in India after its first screening on the Star Plus network.

The Weakest Link, known as Kamzor Kadii Kaun, achieved a 21% audience share after the first show on 25 December.

India is now one of 75 countries to have licensed The Weakest Link.

Colin Jarvis, director of programming and operations, BBC Worldwide said: "The Weakest Link is set to become a great hit in India as it is around the world.

"Whilst other formats wane, The Weakest Link shows no sign of abating in popularity in all territories."

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Britney to appear on Frank Skinner

Pop princess Britney Spears is set to appear on comic Frank Skinner's ITV1 programme this month in what is being billed as her first UK chat-show interview.

The 20-year-old star said: "I can't wait to come to the UK to meet Frank. I hear he's a bit of a superstar and can be a bit cheeky."

Skinner said: "I'm really chuffed to be interviewing Britney. She is the hottest pop star in the world at the moment - and in more ways than one.

"The big question is - will she put her career on the line and do a song with me at the end of the show?"

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Daldry becomes Oxford professor

Stephen Daldry has been named as the 2002 Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at the University of Oxford.

Daldry, best known as the director of box office hit Billy Elliot, but also the director of many award-winning theatre productions, said: "I am looking forward to university teaching, and anticipate building a creative interaction with students.

"Oxford University has its own distinguished pedigree in theatre, and I hope to build on that tradition, introducing the modifying perspective of film."

Since opening worldwide, Billy Elliot has won more than 40 awards, including three Baftas, while its director received an Oscar nomination for best director and a Golden Globe nomination for best film.

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TV presenter Porter pregnant

TV presenter Gail Hipgrave - formerly Gail Porter - is pregnant with her first child.

The 30-year-old celebrity, who married Toploader guitarist Dan Hipgrave last year, is due to give birth in August.

The presenter met Hipgrave two years ago on the set of the hit Channel 4 show TFI Friday.