Big Yin turns over new leaf

The Big Yin hopes his tea will give children a break

Comedian Billy Connolly is hoping to brew up a brighter future for children overseas with the launch of his own brand of charity tea.

The 56-year-old star hopes that sales of his Tickety-Boo Tea will help fund children's homes, clinics and schools in India, then China and Romania.

"It's such an easy charity to support. You just buy tea as you would normally buy tea. As you drink it you help these kids," he said.

"I got fed up with these charities where you put on a bow tie and auction a football...I was looking for a charity to specialise in myself - and I thought if I did other charities would leave me alone," he joked.

Connolly launched his Tickety-Boo Tea by taking to the River Thames in London on the Grand Turk, a replica of a ship used to transport tea around the world.

---

City to reimburse Boney M fans

Authorities in Spain are to reimburse concertgoers after the lead singer of disco group Boney M reportedly shouted insults at spectators at a show on Saturday night.

An official from the city of Zaragoza said: "The singer started to argue with the crowd and yelled filthy comments that were completely inappropriate, vulgar and sexual in nature."

Zaragoza's city government will pay for the tickets of anyone who wants their money back.

It is also set to launch legal action against concert promoters.

---

Willis furious at Sixth Sense giveaway

Hollywood star Bruce Willis is said to be furious after a US television show gave away the ending of his new film Sixth Sense.

Co-star Nathan Lane told Tonight Show host Jay Leno what happened live on air.

Lane has apologised to Willis, but the actor says: "It has ruined the film for people who have not seen it.

"Sixth Sense has the most stunning and unexpected ending since The Crying Game, and now they've blown it on national television."

---

Record $10m deal for writer-director

The writer and director of Hollywood hit thriller The Sixth Sense has landed a record $10m (£6.25m) deal with Disney.

Daily Variety says M Night Shyamalan, 29, will be paid $5m for the script to his new thriller Unbreakable, and earn another $5m (£3.1m) to direct the film.

Bruce Willis, star of The Sixth Sense, will lead the cast of the new film, alongside Samuel L Jackson.

Shooting is set to begin on Shyamalan's home turf, Philadelphia, next April.

---

New generation Who set to release album

British rock legends The Who are working on their first studio album for 17 years, according to Roger Daltrey.

The 55-year-old frontman said: "We're attempting to make a new album...but if turns out to be rubbish, we won't release it."

If all goes well, he is hopeful it will be finished by April 2000.

The Who, once described as the loudest band in the world, are gigging in the US over the next few weeks.

---

Oxfam raided for EastEnders wedding gear

EastEnders bosses are sparing every expense in the build-up to the planned double wedding on New Year's Eve.

Ian and Melanie and Barry and Natalie are both planning to tie the knot on the last day of the century in what promises to be a classic episode.

A number of wedding dresses have been bought in preparation for the big day, but rather than raiding a fancy wedding boutique, it has been revealed that they came from a Wiltshire Oxfam shop.

---

Diana's guests in 'security check' joke

Celebrity guests invited to a Diana Ross TV special had to pass through a metal detector and have a body search to get into the recording.

The mock security check was a joke reminder of Ross's ordeal at Heathrow Airport, when she was arrested for allegedly assaulting a security guard.

But the star made no mention of the incident in the LWT show, in which she sang her greatest hits and new songs.

Guests included Boy George, Martine McCutcheon and Julian Clary. The show is likely to be screened in December.

---

Newborn warrior for Xena star Lawless

Xena: Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless has given birth to a baby boy.

Julius Robert Bay Tapert was born on Saturday morning in New Zealand, said Leah Krantzler, the actress' Los Angeles spokeswoman.

Lawless, 31, is married to Xena's executive producer Rob Tapert and the couple already have a daughter, Daisy.

The actress, whose character is pregnant in the Channel 5 series, is due to resume filming next month.

---

Money Money Money for Mamma Mia!

Smash hit West End musical Mamma Mia! has extended its booking period by another three months, after taking more than £9m at the box office since it opened in April.

Based on Abba hits and with the backing of the Swedish group's Bjorn Ulvaeus, the show has raked back its £3m production costs in a record 27 weeks.

It is now almost sold out until June next year at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, and tickets until mid September 2000 have now gone on sale.

The original musical weaves Abba songs into the story of a bride and her mother on the eve of the wedding.