The band recorded a version of the Billy Ocean hit When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going last week, to be released on February 22.

Profits from the single will go to the charity which funds projects in Africa and the UK.

Boyzone were one of the biggest selling acts of last year and their single No Matter What proved to be the nation's favourite in a national Record Of The Year 1998 poll.

The fivesome also helped the charity Childline raise more than £100,000 at a concert in Dublin on Saturday night.

Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating, Honeyz, 911, Kele Le Roc, Kavana and E-17 performed for free at the Point Depot venue, televised on Ireland's Network 2 station.

The show was hosted by Stephen Gately, also of Boyzone, and Denise Van Outen.

This year's Comic Relief song When The Going Gets Tough was number one for four weeks when it was released in 1986 and featured in the soundtrack of the Michael Douglas film Jewel Of The Nile.

Two years ago the Spice Girls led the chart assault for Comic Relief when they released the single Who Do You Think You Are, donating profits to the charity.

Starlight skates on

Lord Lloyd Webber says Stalight Express will continue

The London musical Starlight Express is gearing up for its 15th birthday - and its producer Lord Lloyd-Webber is determined it will roll on well into the new millennium.

The show - in which the performers wear roller-skates - will celebrate its anniversary in March, but faces tough competition from a string of new arrivals in the West End.

But the composer is sure the competition - such as Disney's £10m production of The Lion King - can only benefit his production.

"The success of Whistle Down The Wind and its hit songs has broadened the appeal of musicals to new audiences.

"I do believe the arrival of The Lion King in the autumn will do exactly the same thing. Starlight Express will continue to attract and entertain new audiences and run throughout 1999 and beyond."

Only Lloyd-Webber's Cats has enjoyed a longer run in theatres than Starlight Express, which has been performed more than 6,000 times in London and has been seen by nearly eight million people.

The Lion King - based on the 1994 film - is due to open in the autumn.

Hoffman wins legal case

Dustin Hoffman (left) leaves court with his legal team last week

A US judge has ordered a magazine to pay Dustin Hoffman $1.5m million in damages for publishing a computer-generated picture of him in a dress and high heels.

Los Angeles magazine said it was portraying him as he appeared in the film Tootsie - in which he played an out-of-work actor who disguised himself as a woman to get work - but Hoffman argued he had been turned into an unpaid model.

Federal judge Dickron Tevrizian found against the magazine, calling Hoffman "one of our country's living treasures", adding he had been "violated by technology".

Hoffman's lawyer, Charles Shepard, said his client was "thrilled" with the verdict.

"Dustin stood up for his rights and he was vindicated," he said.

"Its not the easiest thing to do to put yourself in the litigation process, but Dustin felt very strongly about what happened to him."

Los Angeles magazine said it was "disappointed" and planned to appeal.

Pamela flees mob in Uruguay

Pamela Anderson: Heckled by local teenagers

Hollywood pin-up Pamela Anderson was forced to cut short a South American tour after being mobbed by scores of teenage boys on a beach in Uruguay.

She cancelled the filming of a suntan lotion commercial in the country and a guest appearance on an Argentinean TV show after trouble started at a press conference on a beach at the Atlantic resort of Punta del Este.

Teenagers began to heckle her and when a reporter asked her about her infamous "honeymoon" video with former husband Tommy Lee, she said: "I think I'm going home."

Later, the teenagers surrounded her on the beach, shouted vulgar remarks and tried to fondle her.

"Pamela is frightened, and though we offered to suspend her open air presentations she just wants to go home," tour manager Diego Cassagne said.

Ross leaves Virgin show

Jonathan Ross: New man for Film 99

Broadcaster Jonathan Ross is to leave his Sunday morning show on Virgin Radio to concentrate on his work for the BBC.

Mr Ross, 38, will host his last show on 31 January after 10 months with the station, which saw him act as Chris Evans' stand-in on his breakfast show.

He becomes Barry Norman's replacement on the BBC's revamped Film 99 later this year and will also soon starts recording new comedy panel show It's Only TV But I Like It.

He said: "I am sad to be leaving the show on Virgin. I am not going elsewhere although I have had offers from other stations. I am not going elsewhere although I have had other offers.

"I am just very busy at the moment and I would like to return to radio at some point in the future."

Hooray for Hollywood's sign

Sign language: The 75-year-old landmark

A sponsor has paid $100,000 to "adopt" the famous Hollywood sign in mountains around Los Angeles.

The QVC television shopping network put the rights to the 137-metre-high sign up for sale in an effort to ensure the maintenance of the structure.

Five potential sponsors expressed an interest and now one - currently anonymous - has been selected.

The winner will not be allowed to change the appearance of the sign, but is allowed to use it in advertising.

The sign was erected in 1923 to boost sales of a housing development known as Hollywoodland. The "land" part was removed in 1949 when the Los Angeles chamber of commerce took over the sign.

Rock bands top singles chart

US rock band Offspring shot into the British singles chart at number one on Sunday night with their single Pretty Fly (For A White Guy).

The single - described as a parody of white rap artists - is the cult band's biggest British hit. They were formed 15 years ago in California, and released their first album in 1989.

Bradford-based rockers Terrorvision have a new entry at number two with Tequila - which was picked up by BBC Radio 1's breakfast DJ Zoe Ball.

Other new entries include rap artists TQ and Busta Rhymes at numbers four and five, and much-hyped new rock band Gay Dad at number 10.