Fans from as far afield as Australia and India travelled to the city to watch the "Livin' La Vida Loca" heart-throb.

They stood in the rain for more than an hour and a half when technical failures delayed the performance. Martin, 27, was in Singapore to promote his new album, Ricky Martin.

Beatlemania resurfaces in Liverpool

Beatlemania has come to Liverpool again as the city hosts Yellow Submarine Day.

The digitally enhanced and remixed version of the Beatles' 1968 animated fantasy is the focus of a day of celebration at the 1999 International Beatles Week.

An estimated 200,000 fans have descended on the Fab Four's home city for the occasion. It includes a day of non-stop Beatles music followed by the première of the film at the city's Philharmonic Hall.

The US Postal Service has also unveiled a new Beatles Yellow Submarine 33c stamp which is believed to be the first American stamp in honour of a rock group.

Liv Tyler's in the ring

Liv Tyler will play the Queen of the Fairies alongside Ian McKellan and Christopher Lee in the fantasy trilogy, Lord of the Rings.

The 22-year-old star of the movie Stealing Beauty originally turned down the Lord of the Rings role because of scheduling conflicts with Robert Altman's Dr T and the Women.

But in a new plan Tyler will leave the nine-month Lord of the Rings set in New Zealand for a three-week stint in Texas filming Dr T and the Women.

Rourke hounded out

Mickey Rourke has reportedly left his latest movie because its makers would not let his dog appear in a scene.

Rourke, 46, star of 9½ Weeks and Angel Heart, walked off the set of Luck of the Draw after just one day's filming because of "creative differences".

Sources say Rourke quit when producers refused to allow his pet Chihuahua, Bo Jack, to star in a shoot-out scene.

His replacement, Michael Madsen will star alongside Dennis Hopper and Ice-T.

BBC chief asks for £100m

BBC One Controller Peter Salmon has asked for an extra £100m, on top of his £500m budget, to produce more quality drama and comedy.

Salmon, who was speaking at Edinburgh's International Television Festival, said he wanted to repeat the success of Vanity Fair and Pride and Prejudice on a more regular basis.

"I'm always very careful with the licence fee but even a modest fee would make a substantial difference," he told colleagues at the festival.

Filming delayed for Lawrence's recovery

Filming of the comedy Big Momma's House, due to start in September, is reported to be on hold while its star Martin Lawrence recovers after collapsing.

Lawrence fell into a coma after his body temperature rose to dangerous levels while jogging in heavy clothing, in an attempt to lose weight.

The 34-year-old actor, who can currently be seen in the film Life with Eddie Murphy, was unconscious for three days.

His condition is said to be "critical, but stable" with no signs of brain damage.