Man detained over Leona assault
A man is detained under the Mental Health Act after admitting punching pop star Leona Lewis in the face.

Iraq film acclaimed by LA critics
Iraq drama The Hurt Locker is named the best picture of 2009 by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.

X Factor final seen by 19 million
Just over 19 million people tune in to ITV1's The X Factor as 18-year-old Joe McElderry is crowned the winner.

Johnny Hallyday surgeon attacked
A French surgeon who operated on rock legend Johnny Hallyday has been attacked in Paris, officials say.

Cyrus song ruled out of Grammys
A song by US teen star Miley Cyrus that was nominated for a Grammy award has now been ruled ineligible.

Outnumbered tops comedy gongs
Family-based BBC comedy Outnumbered picks up three British Comedy Awards while Sir Terry Wogan is honoured with a lifetime achievement.

Ali Bastian out of Strictly final
The Bill actress Ali Bastian is voted out of the final of Strictly Come Dancing, leaving actor Ricky Whittle and Chris Hollins as the last two standing.

Avatar gala takes place in London
Sci-fi epic Avatar has premiered in London, with stars Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington on the red carpet.

Flight of the Conchords grounded
New Zealand comedy duo Flight of the Conchords say they will not make a third series of their award-winning TV show.

Polanski team seek plea dismissal
Los Angeles Lawyers for film-maker Roman Polanski argue that his 1977 guilty plea for having sex with an underage girl is dismissed.

Actor Simm to take on Hamlet
Life On Mars star John Simm is to take on the lead role of Hamlet in a new production of the Shakespearean play.

Singer Boyle holds US top spot
Susan Boyle's album remains number one in the US charts and could be on course to become the best-seller of 2009.

Portman to star in zombie Austen
Natalie Portman will slay the undead in a film adaptation of the hit book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, it is reported.

Depp collects honour in Bahamas
Actor Johnny Depp picks up a lifetime achievement award at the Bahamas International Film Festival.

Pop svengali?
Simon Cowell talks to Newsnight about his TV shows

Broadway belle?
What the critics made of Catherine Zeta-Jones's debut

Fairytale ending?
Mandela film sparks soul-searching in rainbow nation

Alien tongue
How Avatar's unique language was created

Ladies of letters
Can female playwrights break glass ceiling?