Sharon Osbourne 'amazing' vote

Sharon Osbourne is "the most amazing woman of 2003", according to a poll published by a website for women.

The wife and manager of rocker Ozzy Osbourne - and star of hit TV show The Osbournes - took almost a third of the votes cast in the poll by Handbag.com.

Osbourne, who was treated for cancer earlier this year, beat the likes of runner Paula Radcliffe and singer Dido in the poll.

More than 7,000 votes were cast in a range of categories.

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French singer up on tax charges

French singer Florent Pagny is due in court on Monday to answer allegations of tax evasion alongside Pascal Negre, the head of Universal Music France.

The charges stem from a one million euro (£697,000) payment the company made to the performer in 1996.

Pagny says the payment was a loan, but the French authorities say it was an advance on future recording sales and therefore subject to tax.

He is also accused of not paying 48,000 euros (£33,480) in sales tax in 1997.

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Actress Hurley lights up new home

Actress and model Elizabeth Hurley has switched on the Christmas lights in a rural Gloucestershire town.

The high-profile celebrity said she was "unbelievably honoured" to attend the event in Cirencester.

The 38-year-old said she and her son had been made "very welcome" since moving into a farmhouse in nearby village Ampney Knowle.

Hundreds watched the ceremony, which also included fake snow and carols played by a Salvation Army band.

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Street signs honour actor Fonda

The late actor Henry Fonda has been honoured with street signs in his name around the Omaha, Nebraska theatre he began his career in in the 1920s.

Fonda, who later went on to star in films such as The Longest Day and On Golden Pond, began acting at the Omaha Community Playhouse, encouraged by Marlon Brando's mother Dorothy in 1924.

City and playhouse officials dedicated the street around the theatre Henry Fonda Drive on Thursday.

He never forgot the playhouse or Omaha," said Tim Schmad, the theatre's executive director. Fonda had raised $500,000 (£312,000) for improvements a year before he died in 1982, aged 77.

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Actor Depp wins heartthrob poll

Hollywood star Johnny Depp has beaten younger heartthrobs Justin Timberlake and Colin Farrell to be named the "sexiest man alive".

The 40-year-old film actor was bestowed the title by People magazine for being "a little dangerous, having a secret and great warmth".

These qualities are "in his eyes", said director Lasse Hallstrom, who worked with Depp on the picture Chocolat.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney are among the other older men who grace the list.

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Aniston settles photographer case

Friends actress Jennifer Aniston has settled her legal wrangle with a press photographer who admitted distributing topless shots of the star.

She will receive $550,000 (£324,000) in the agreement with Francois Navarre, which was reached out-of-court.

This comes 16 months after Aniston reached separate agreements with two magazines who published the photos of her sunbathing at her Malibu home.

The pictures were originally taken in 1999 by paparazzi snapper Navarre.

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Basil Brush goes to Germany

TV puppet Basil Brush is set to become Herr Brush after landing a series in Germany.

The character's BBC show has been sold to German broadcaster ZDF .

The programme has also proved to be a hit in Australia and has been sold to Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

Brush is to release his first single, a double a-side Boom Boom/Christmas Slide on 15 December.

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'Little Mo' actress is pregnant

EastEnders actress Kacey Ainsworth, who plays "Little Mo" Slater, is expecting her first child.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "She is due in late spring." She will go on leave from the soap opera at the end of November but is expected to return next year.

The 33-year-old, who is engaged to plumber Darren Hales, had a miscarriage last December.

She won acclaim for her portrayal of Mo Slater, who suffered domestic abuse at the hands of screen husband Trevor.

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Robbie plans return as 'new me'

Pop star Robbie Williams has said he plans to reinvent himself when he returns from a career break.

The 29-year-old singer is expected to temporarily disappear from the public eye as his six-month tour is brought to a close next month.

"I'm going to go away and re-dream everything and come back as a new me," the musician told fans.

He performed an intimate gig for just 300 people for BBC Radio 2 at the Abbey Road studios on Wednesday night.