The special programme, Acopalypse Tube, will be produced at the same Tyne Tees Television studios in Newcastle the original show came from between 1982 and 1987, and will be directed by Geoff Wonfor, the man behind the Beatles Anthology and its original producer.

Executive producer Malcom Gerrie said: "We're living in the middle of a music revolution and now is the perfect time to reinvent the mother of all music programmes."

The show's most infamous moment came when Holland swore during a live trailer for the programme. Channel 4 is also expected to screen the three-hour programme, which goes out on Sky One on 20 November.

TV staff throw the book at Madeley

This Morning host Richard Madeley was left red-faced when he was hit in the face by a hardback book during the live ITV show on Thursday.

The 43-year-old presenter was about to discuss a new book when he realised it had been moved from the table next to him.

A member of the production staff tossed him the book, but he fumbled the catch and was hit full in the face by the spine.

Wife Judy Finnigan looked on as he groaned: "It had to happen one day, didn't it? Oh, no, that's going on It'll Be Alright On The Night."

Madeley carried on with the programme, adding he was speaking "through tears of pain".

Clinton honours stars

Film-maker Steven Spielberg and singer Aretha Franklin were among a select group presented with National Medals of the Arts and Humanities by President Clinton on Wednesday.

Mr Clinton called Spielberg a "gifted" storyteller and "astonishing" historian as he handed over the medals at a Washington ceremony.

The President and Mrs Clinton later hosted a White House dinner to honour all the recipients, who included producer Norman Lear, radio host Garrison Keillor and journalist Jim Lehrer.

Fiennes plans Shakespeare roles

Actor Ralph Fiennes will return to the London stage next spring to perform in two Shakespeare plays.

The 36-year-old star of The English Patient will play the title roles in Richard II and Coriolanus, both being staged at the Almeida Theatre.

Directing both plays will be Jonathan Kent, who worked with Fiennes on London and New York productions of Hamlet.

Richard II will be staged in April and Coriolanus in June.

Richardson signs for Get Carter Remake

Miranda Richardson has joined the cast of the Hollywood remake of the classic British gangster thriller Get Carter.

The new version of the 1971 film, which starred Michael Caine, sees Sylvester Stallone as the mobster seeking revenge for his brother's murder.

British star Richardson will play the slain brother's widow, with American star Rachel Lee Cook as their daughter.

Caine will appear as Carter's sidekick.

M People 'reschedule' millennium gig

Pop group M People have pulled the plug on a Millennium Eve concert at the Manchester Evening News Arena and will now perform on 27 December.

A spokeswoman for promoters SJM Concerts said that the decision was made "after a deluge of calls" against the Millennium Eve concert.

Fans reportedly protested at the high cost of tickets but now other fans are objecting to the move.

Latest Costner film 'set to be a flop'

Kevin Costner's latest film, For Love of the Game, looks set to be a flop after box office receipts dropped more than 50% in its second week of release.

The baseball-themed film is the latest in a string of disappointments for Costner, who in the late 1980s and early 1990s had a series of big hits, including Dances with Wolves and The Bodyguard.

The Hollywood heart-throb's recent films include the poorly-received Waterworld, The Postman and The War.

Beatty hints again at presidential bid

Speculation that actor Warren Beatty is set to run for US president increased following a speech delivered in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Beatty, an outspoken Democrat, has been dropping hints that he may want to run for the White House, but has stopped short of announcing his candidacy.

"Let them call you coy, let them call you flirtatious, but keep them guessing," he said during a speech to Americans for Democratic Action.

'Alaskan' town is built for Disney film

Disney producers have built an entire "Alaskan" town in Canada for the new film Mystery Alaska.

After visiting over 40 towns in Alaska it was decided that none was suitable for location shooting, so producers created their own instead.

"I felt like the town was the star of the movie," said director Jay Roach.

The film features Russell Crowe and Burt Reynolds.

Channel 5's Kirsty set for marriage

Newsreader Kirsty Young is set to marry millionaire businessman Nick Jones in the grounds of his luxury house hotel.

They will marry at Babington House in Somerset where they met last year, surrounded by family and close friends.

Jones proposed in July, at the hotel, and the couple decided to avoid a long engagement.

After a post-wedding meal, the Channel 5 news anchor and new husband will host a larger celebration tomorrow.

Teenage critic set to debut with Norman

Teenager Deborah Oliver has beaten 2,000 competitors to present a review alongside Britain's most famous film critic, Barry Norman.

"I was astounded when I won," said the 17-year-old. "I love films and would love to work in films eventually."

Barry Norman says her sample review of The Matrix was "outstanding" and means she is "the deserved winner."