Titchmarsh is top TV gardener

Alan Titchmarsh has scooped the title of top TV gardener ahead of Ground Force colleague Charlie Dimmock.

Titchmarsh was named Top TV Gardening Personality by Amateur Gardening magazine for the second year running.

"It's lovely to know that people aren't fed up with me yet," he said.

"Getting this award makes me think maybe I can go on doing the gardening programmes a bit longer."

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Secrecy pact for Allen's stars

Woody Allen has banned the star cast of his latest film from discussing details of the plot before it is premiered.

Hugh Grant and Tracey Ullman are among the cast of Small Time Crooks who have been sworn to secrecy.

"I'm very, very wary of divulging the plot," said Ullman. "If I do, a poison dart may wind up stuck in my leg at a bus stop."

What is known is that the film revolves around a bank robbery.

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Posthumous award for Tammy

Late singer Tammy Wynette is to be the first star to receive a leading country music award posthumously.

She will be named as recipient of the Academy Of Country Music's Pioneer Award at a ceremony on 3 May.

The award recognises outstanding and unprecedented achievements in the genre.

Dolly Parton will be among stars paying tribute to Wynette, whose 30-year career included hits such as Stand By Your Man. She died in 1998.

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York to open youth theatre

British actor Michael York has raised funds to buy a derelict Hollywood theatre and turn it into a base for the California Youth Theatre.

"The idea is to give kids enthusiasm and discipline," said the 58-year-old, who began his career with Britain's National Youth Theatre.

"Schools arts programmes are being cut. This makes up for it. We draw from all over LA. I think of it as another kind of gang - one that turns lives around."

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New York fire service bans steamy drama

US TV series Sex and the City was refused permission to film some steamy scenes in a New York fire station.

Producers wanted the station for an episode in which Sarah Jessica Parker judged a firemen's calendar contest and Kim Cattrall had a fling with a fireman.

But a fire service spokesman said the request was inappropriate. "A firehouse is a place of emergency response - not a production set," he said.

A fire station outside New York was eventually used for filming.