Tat it like Beckham: Grizzly Ronan Keating looks just like Becks with his tattoo and beard

With his blonde hair, tight T-shirt, extensive tattoo collection and coveted VIP seat in the front row of the basketball, spectators could have been forgiven for thinking David Beckham was in their midst.

But joining his wife Yvonne Keating to watch the Sydney Kings vs Melbourne Tigers, Irish pop star Ronan Keating looked a dead ringer for the football hero.

Sat in the front row just like Becks - who is a regular at LA Lakers game - Keating cheered and whooped during the game at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Looking a bit Beckham: Ronan Keating sits front row at the Sydney Kings v Melbourne Tigers basketball game on Friday

Looks familiar: Keating earlier today (left) and David Beckham at a LA Lakers game in May (right)

Part of his newfound similarity to Beckham is Keating's rapidly-growing beard and moustache.

The Boyzone star has stopped shaving and started to grow a moustache as part of 'Movember', to raise money for prostate cancer.

Although not so famous for his tattoos as Beckham, Keating actually has at least 12 etchings.

Among his collection is a tribute to late Boyzone bandmember Stephen Gately. the letter 'S' along with the years of his life - '76 - 09'.

Deep in concentration: The couple kept their eyes on the action on the basketball court

Keating and his surviving bandmates all got the matching tattoo done in honour of Gately in the days following his death two years ago.

Speaking about his tattoos recently, Keating said: 'I started when I was 18 – and I'm getting another one done. I have a bonsai tree on my arm and I'm getting some cherry blossom put behind it.

'There is also a tattoo on my back that says: "The future is unwritten." That's a Joe Strummer quote.

Nice to meet you: The Sydney Kings' mascot The Lion made a beeline for the X Factor Australia judge

'My wife and I have one tattoo that's the same. When we married 13 years ago in New York, we got a Japanese symbol for love. I've gone through some dark times, and at those times my tattoos have helped and guided me through.'

Also at the basketball was Keating's fellow X Factor Australia judge Mel B and her husband Stephen Belafonte.

The couple took her eldest daughter Phoenix to 'first pro-basketball game'.

She was also there to support her X Factor act Christina Parie, who performed during a break in the game.

X Factor outing: Joining Keating at the game was his fellow X Factor Australian judge Mel B and her husband Stephen Belafonte

During the match, Mel met English rugby player Sam Burgess, who hails from her hometown of Leeds, Yorkshire.

She tweeted: 'OMG just met Sam from Leeds, he plays for South Sydney Rabbitohs. Love meeting peeps from Leeds, "keepin it real."

'Go go go Christina Parie performing at the Sydney Kings basketball game, come on!!'

Parie, 15, was the last of Mel B's acts left in the competition until she was eliminated last weekend after a sing-off with Reece Mastin.

Celebrity friends: The Keatings talked to former Home And Away star Tammin Sursok and fiance Sean McEwen                                                                                                                                                                  http://rashanews.blogspot.com

Licence To Thrill: Richard Gere makes a rare appearance on the red carpet with his Bond girl wife Carey Lowell

They're rarely seen together in public, so it was a rather special occasion in Rome when Richard Gere and his wife Carey Lowell made an appearance. 

The actor and Carey, a former Bond girl, hit the red carpet at the city's annual film festival. 

And they made for quite a show lapping up the attention and posing for pictures as they made their way into the event. 

Here we are! Richard Gere and his wife, US actress Carey Lowell hit the red carpet at the 6th annual Rome Film Festival, in Rome, Italy

Carey, 50, looked fantastic in an LBD that sat just above her knees. The dress featured gold detailing along the sleeves.

She matched the dress with a pair of heels and a black handbag. 

The actress towered slightly over her husband, who stands at 5ft 10". 

That's my girl! The actor gestures towards his wife as they lap up the attention at the event

Wearing a smart navy pinstripe suit Gere, 62, proudly showed off his wife - with actor gesturing towards her as fans looked on. 

The actor is at the Rome Film Festival to collect the Marcus Aurelius career award. 

Celebrations will include a screening of his 1978 movie Days of Heaven and a discussion with Gere about his work on the film and the early days of his career.

Red carpet queen: Carey looks fantastic as she poses for pictures ahead of the Film Festival

The couple married in secret in November 2002. 

Soon afterwards he spoke to the Daily Mail, revealing his love and adoration for his model wife. 

He said: 'She's changed my life. And marriage does have meaning, if you do it from your heart. It is a milestone for us both.'

Winning: Richard Gere with his Marucs Aurelius award at the Rome Film Festival

The couple met in 1995, after Gere's divorce from supermodel Cindy Crawford, and they have a 11-year-old son, Homer.

After a sustained silence regarding the relationship, he finally opened up to the Mail, saying: 'It's time to tell the world that I am happier, more open and relaxed than I have ever been in my life. I asked her to marry me three years ago, but we have only just got around to doing it.

'I could never figure out how to do it, what with my family, her family and all the moving around we do on our jobs. In the end, we took our kids [Lowell has a daughter by her first marriage], a couple of friends and just did it.

Bond girl: Carey with Timothy Dalton in a promo shot from Licence To Kill in 1989

'We are adults who have been through marriage before and do not take it lightly. I felt married from the moment I met her, to tell the truth. But to take that extra step is the biggest stride imaginable. I have no problems with this one at all.'

Carey Lowell has been married three times. Her first husband was fashion photographer John Stember, to whom she was married from 1984-1988.

A year later she married actor Griffin Dunne from and has a 21-year-old daughter, Hannah Dunne, from that marriage.

The former actress starred alongside Timothy Dalton in Bond movie Licence to Kill Bond in 1989 playing Pam Bouvier.

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Playboy cover model Lindsay Lohan enjoys her final days of freedom... but what's with the cardigan?

She stripped off for her controversial Playboy shoot yesterday after a judge allowed her to fulfill the $1million contract ahead of her upcoming jail stint.

But later, the troubled actress cut a more demure figure - for her at least - as she left The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

With only five days to go before she is sent back to prison, the 25-year-old donned a baggy black cardigan over a beige skirt with just a hint of cleavage showing.

Dressed up: Without the fake tan and the skimpy outfit, Lindsay Lohan looked more demure as she left her hotel in Hollywood

It is unlike her usual skimpy attire, including her sexy maid and nurse Halloween outfits over the weekend.

The platinum blonde star also appeared to have skipped on her usual fake tan which often leaves he with streaky arms and legs.

Her lips bright red lips looked fuller than usual, sparking speculation she had had collagen injections.

The actress reportedly stripped for Playboy yesterday.

But it said the shoot was the second for Lindsay after Hefner decided he wasn't happy with the first set of photos and hired a new photographer.

Sources told RadarOnline: 'Lindsay was told that the Playboy executives wanted to go another direction with her shoot so they asked her to come back for a second time.

'There is never a guarantee that everyone will like the photos or that they will be of high enough quality to use for the cover, but Playboy wanted to make sure that Lindsay’s pictures were exactly what they wanted.'

What happened? Lindsay reportedly shot another set of photos for Playboy after Hugh Hefner wasn't pleased with the first set

Lindsay appeared happy and smiled for the waiting cameras yesterday despite being sentenced to 30 days in jail on Wednesday for violating her probation.

She is on probation after she was charged with the theft of a necklace reported stolen from a jewelry store in January.

The actress was sentenced to 120 days in jail but served her sentence under house arrest, wearing a tracking ankle monitor, for 35 days in May and June.

On Wednesday, Lindsay waived her rights at her probation violation hearing at the Los Angeles Superior Court Airport Branch and admitted the violation.

Not long to go now: Lindsay on Wednesday during her probation violation hearing where she was sentenced to 30 days in jail

Judge Stephanie Sautner ordered the actress so surrender to the jail by Wednesday.

She was not immediately put behind bars because the judge decided to allow her time to complete her nude photo shoot for Playboy, according to TMZ.

The star's lawyer, Shawn Holley, is understood to have told the judge in chambers that her client had a $1million contract with Hugh Hefner's publication.

As well as serving the jail time the actress must continue her community service at the Los Angeles county morgue.

But TMZ reported that she may serve just minutes behind bars.

A source within the Sheriff's Department told the website that if someone receives a misdemeanor sentence of 90 days or less, they are routinely processed in and then released.

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Introducing MC Bard: Joseph Fiennes turns Shakespearean rapper in new online video

As one of Britain's leading stars of stage and screen, Joseph Fiennes is well-known for his ability to decipher Shakespeare's challenging language.

But in a unlikely new collaboration, the thespian teams up with rapper Devlin to find a new way of using his way with words - by rapping Shakespeare.

The 41-year-old actor and rising East Londoner MC, 22, were surprised to find a common ground between Shakespeare's words and urban street rhymes.

Scroll down to watch the video

MC Bard: Joseph Fiennes raps the lyrics to William Shakespeare's Sonnet 129 in a new short film to launch the New Thinker's Index

In a short film made in September, the pair took to the studio to record their own take on one The Bard most famous Sonnet's - 129.

And in the accompanying video, Fiennes dons a beanie hat as he runs through the verses of Sonnet 129 in rapid speed.

The collaboration took place to launch the New Thinker's Index (NTI), a new interactive digital content experience where people can discover new thinkers who are shaping the future.

Feeling at home: Fiennes rehearses the lines in the studio

Finding a new audience: The actor teamed up with rising grime artist Devlin

People can follow an online test to discover the type of thinker they are and why.

Also taking part in a series of short films to launch the Hyundai Motor Co. and Microsoft Advertising project includes Kevin Spacey, Helena Christensen, Ian Wright and RocknRolla actor Toby Kebbell, among others.

Reflecting on the piece, Fiennes said: 'I found the idea of the New Thinkers Index a really intriguing one to get involved in.

Talking Shakespeare: The two stars found surprisingly common ground when it came to Shakespeare

'Exploring the common ground that exists between Shakespeare and modern street poetry with Devlin challenged me to look at my craft in a whole new way – it was fascinating to see how he brought Shakespeare to life in his own way. 

'Devlin and I also had similar results on the New Thinkers Index, it was interesting to see there is more in common with the way we think than meets the eye.'

Rising star Devlin added: 'Being involved in The New Thinkers Index really did make me challenge the way I think and how I naturally deal with situations.

Rapid: Fiennes rapped Sonnet 129 swiftly

'As a grime artist, I am used to having to think on my feet, but working with Joseph Fiennes and rapping Shakespeare’s poetry made me think about how my mind processes language and rhythm.

'There were so many more similarities than I would ever have thought before – maybe our film could even help teachers to get kids to connect more with Shakespeare in school.'

http://wertualnorashanews.blogspot.com

The two faces of X Factor: One's a show-off with doubtful talent...the other overcame adversity to win Cambridge degree

He has made a dubious name for himself as the X Factor’s resident lothario and hellraiser.

But, as these pictures uncovered by the Mail show, 18-year-old Frankie Cocozza wasn’t always the bad boy he’d like audiences to think he is.

They reveal the wild-haired wannabe, who made his debut on the ITV talent show by dropping his trousers on stage to reveal the tattooed names of girls he met over the summer, was once an innocent-looking schoolboy with a sweet smile.

And while friends say he was always an extrovert with a ‘cheeky personality’,  Cocozza’s latest incarnation as an unabashed ladies’ man has proved to be something of  a shock.

This week the X Factor hopeful left show bosses panicking as he went on a 12-hour booze bender. ITV has already been forced to apologise after he swore on live television.

Cocozza, a college drop-out, boasts he has slept with 69 women after losing his virginity at 12. But his transformation from cherubic child to rebel seems less surprising when one learns that his father, Frankie Senior, boasts about his son’s conquests – seemingly proud to admit that the number is higher than his. 

Mrs Pynn, who works at the exclusive Roedean school in East Sussex, admits she has been a ‘nervous wreck’ since their son hit the headlines.

Cocozza began performing when he was six, at a theatre group in his home town of Brighton. At 15, rather tellingly, he won the part of the Artful Dodger in a production of Oliver!

It seems he always wanted to see his name in lights. He has applied to the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent in the past but did not make it to the audition stage until this year.

Innocent: Cocozza as a baby

Cheeky: An infectious grin

Squeaky clean: The young singer

Now: Transformation is complete

Katy Markey, 27, a producer at City Youth Theatre Company in Brighton, first met Cocozza when he joined the Brighton Theatre Group. 

She said: ‘It has been a shock seeing Frankie on the X Factor. He was never such a lad in the past, though I think the girls liked his cheeky personality. He didn’t portray himself as a ladies’ man before.

‘When I saw him on TV and saw the tattoos on his bum, I thought, “Oh Frankie, what have you done?”

‘I don’t think he will win, because he hasn’t got the best voice. Maybe someone will sign him up after this. Or he could be a TV presenter. I think he’s quite similar to Russell Brand.’

Cocozza’s antics do not seem to have endeared him to the audience. He is now the bookies’ 6/5 favourite to get the boot from the show in this weekend’s double eviction.

Tulisa Contostavlos has fallen ill, just a week after rival judge Kelly Rowland missed two shows with a viral throat infection.

The 23-year-old had to call out an emergency doctor in the middle of  the night on Thursday, and cancelled all X Factor promotional commitments yesterday.

...While The Risk's John-Baptiste was taken into care at four and overcame huge personal adversity to win a Cambridge degree

By SARAH HAJIBAGHERI

Millions watched as he was reduced to tears over his decision to quit the X Factor.

But while mentor Tulisa Contostavlos dismissively said Ashley John-Baptiste ‘couldn’t hack the pressure’, it appears nothing could be further from the truth.

For what she didn’t tell those watching at home is that the 22-year-old overcame tremendous adversity to win a place to study history at Cambridge – and then graduate this summer with a 2.1.

Battle: Ashley John-Baptiste, second from left

Rather than buckling under pressure, Mr John-Baptiste made the difficult decision to leave because he wanted to succeed as a singer-songwriter in his own right, instead of with boyband The Risk. And he chose to quit now so that it wouldn’t have an adverse effect on the other members of the band, which was formed by the show’s producers.

But while the X Factor has focused in great detail on other contestants’ backgrounds, the remarkable story of how he overcame his troubled childhood to study at one of the world’s best universities has only now come to light.

Mr John-Baptiste grew up in South London, where he was born to a black father and a white mother.

At the age of four he was taken into care.

He grew up being shuttled between foster families and children’s homes, and moved primary school three times.

A bright student, he attended a comprehensive school  which has three times the number of children from deprived backgrounds than the national average.

There, with the help of his MP, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes, he battled to win a place at Cambridge – despite being discouraged by his local council.

The singer, who acted as a mentor to other students who grew up in care while at university, said: ‘The local authority weren’t keen on me going at all.

‘They thought it would be too expensive. If it wasn’t for  my MP fighting for me, I wouldn’t have got the support I needed to go.

‘I don’t feel bitter about it at all. They are constrained by bureaucracy. They made it harder for me to go, but I knew I was never going to settle for not going.’

Mr Hughes said: ‘He has made a brave but really honourable decision. Deep down he always wanted to be a singer and songwriter on his own rather than be in a band.

‘By stepping back now he has made sure he does not harm the long-term prospects of the other guys in The Risk while being true to himself.

‘I really believe his musical talents are already becoming known and a great career can lie ahead of him.’

http://parodoksnews.blogspot.com

I'm so happy to be back! Dannii Minogue looked delighted to return to the UK as she jetted into London from Australia

Familiar face: Dannii was met from her flight by a male friend who looked happy to see her

She spends a lot of time in the UK, so much so that she probably considers it to be her second home.

So it was no wonder that Dannii Minogue looked happy to be back on British soil as she jetted into London today.

The TV personality couldn't stop smiling as she was met by the cameras and a friend at Heathrow airport.

She's back! Dannii Minogue looked happy to be back in the UK as she jetted into London from Australia this morning

And despite her long-haul flight from Australia, she looked refreshed and alert as she touched down.

The only tell-tale sign she might have been a little tired was her large dark sunglasses which hid her eyes.

But she looked effortlessly chic in skinny blue jeans, knee high black boots and a black poncho as she made her way through the terminal.

It is not clear why Dannii, who turned 40 at the end of last month, was back in the UK, but one things; for sure - she'll be catching up on her new TV obsession, Downton Abbey.

Hiding tired eyes: Despite looking chic and refreshed after her long-haul flight, Dannii kept her peepers hidden behind large sunglasses

She took to her Twitter page earlier this week and wrote: 'Can't wait to catch up with season 2 of #DowntonAbbey when I'm back in London. Whooop!'

Dannii recently declared that she was a huge fan of the show and has been watching the first series on her iPad.

Writing on her blog for MyDaily, she said: 'I got totally obsessed with Downton Abbey on my recent trip to London. I was busy with the X Factor when the first series aired in the UK, then I was in London working on My Style when it was on television in Australia. 

'After one episode (that I had to download) it's now my favourite thing to watch when I have some downtime on trips away.

Stylish: Dannii looked very chic in her skinny jeans, black boots and poncho

'It's so deliciously indulgent – an Edwardian drama which transports me completely to that era. I adore all the fabulous hats and the frocks. So much inspiration and oh, to live in an era when one dressed for dinner!'

And what a cast! I love Dame Maggie Smith as the icy and conniving Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley. Rob James-Collier as footman Thomas Barrow is sure to be even more trouble as the story progresses.

Now I'm thoroughly hooked. I'm whizzing through my season one episodes – so I'm on TV-catch up!'

Dannii also revelaed that she was looking forward to being back in the UK for Bonfire Night tomorrow.

She said: 'I'm going to be back in London in the nick of time for Guy Fawkes night which is great news because I absolutely love fireworks!'

Period drama fan: Dannii said she was looking forward to catching up on the second series of Downton Abbey - her new TV obsession

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