Christopher Eccleston: 'Meeting Rooney was great'

© BBC

Christopher Eccleston has opened up about meeting Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

The Shadow Line actor and lifelong United fan was asked to interview Rooney by ITV1 ahead of tonight's Champions' League final tie with Barcelona.

Speaking to ITV, Eccleston said: "He walked in looking supremely relaxed, confident about Saturday [and] radiating health... I think he's primed for a big game."

The former Doctor Who star continued by describing the experience as "one of the best days of my life".

"I meet actors all the time and they don't turn my head," he explained. "But to meet a professional footballer of Wayne's calibre - it was one of the best experiences I've ever had."

Eccleston added that he was impressed by Rooney's composure during the interview.

"For him to handle questions with such ease was very impressive," he said.

Eccleston's interview with Rooney will be available on ITV's official website from 7pm this evening (May 28). Coverage of the Champions' League final will begin at the same time on ITV1.

Rihanna plays down New York concert attack

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Rihanna has attempted to play down an altercation with a male fan during a New York concert.

The Barbadian singer was performing her single 'S&M' on the streets of the Big Apple for Friday's edition of the Today show when a member of the crowd grabbed her and pulled her into specially erected metal barriers.

The 23-year-old was quickly released, unharmed, from the man's grip by her accompanying dancers and escorted to the main stage outside the city's iconic Rockefeller Centre.

Despite the sudden and shocking nature of her attack, the star appeared to recover quickly and later joked about the incident on Twitter.

When asked by a follower what was going through her mind during the on-air clash, Rihanna replied: "sumn like 'THIS muhf**ka better not f**k up my weave'" (sic).

Rihanna went on to perform her hits 'Only Girl (In The World)', 'What's My Name' and 'California King Bed' during the special gig, which launched the NBC programme's 'summer concert series'.

During her Today stint, Rihanna also brushed off criticism of her "overtly-sexualised" duet with Britney Spears at last weekend's Billboard Awards.

Watch Rihanna's Today show performance of 'S&M' below.

Amy Winehouse back in rehab

© WENN

Amy Winehouse has checked herself into rehab, reportedly for alcohol addiction.

The 'Back To Black' singer visited the Priory in London for an assessment and was urged to remain at the centre by doctors.

Winehouse's spokesperson told the Daily Mail: "Amy Winehouse has embarked on a treatment programme at the Priory Clinic.

"She wants to be ready for performances in Europe this summer and decided to seek an assessment. She will remain at the Priory on doctors' advice."

Amy's father Mitch had reportedly urged his daughter to visit the centre because he was concerned about her drinking.

It is claimed that the singer drank a small bottle of vodka from a nearby off-licence on the way to the centre.

"In true, Amy-style, she stopped off for one last hurrah and bought a mini bottle of Smirnoff," a supposed friend added to the newspaper.

Lady GaGa, Whoopi Goldberg, Showbiz

 

Lady GaGa had soup delivered to The View's Whoopi Goldberg after the host fell ill earlier this week.

While appearing on the daytime series this week to promote her new album Born This Way, GaGa learned that Goldberg had taken the day off because she was feeling under the weather.

The 'Judas' popstar sent well-wishes to the ailing Goldberg by having chicken soup from a local restaurant sent to the presenter's home.

Goldberg thanked GaGa for the gesture when she returned to The View on Wednesday, teasing that the soup had been instrumental in her speedy recovery.

"I was home sweating and trying [to feel better]. And a doorbell rang and a man delivered some chicken soup to me. And I opened the card and it was from Lady GaGa," she revealed. "It was so sweet. It was [so] good. I'm glad she did [send it]."

Source: Digital Spy

Video: Amy Poehler gives Harvard Class Day speech

Amy Poehler has delivered the annual Class Day speech at Harvard University.

The Parks and Recreation star was chosen by outgoing students to address the senior class and their families at Harvard Yard's Tercentenary Theatre on Wednesday.

"You're all smart and sophisticated people. You know the world in a way that my generation never did. Because of that, I realise I don't have much advice to give to you. In many ways, I learn from you. I don't have many answers, just questions," she told graduates.

Between her light-hearted jokes, the comedian also advised students to work together in order to achieve their goals in life.

"As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people, and other people's ideas, are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you and it will change your life," she said.

"I cannot stress enough that the answer to a lot of your life's questions is often in someone else's face… People's faces will tell you amazing things, like if they are angry, or nauseous, or asleep… You'll never know what's around the corner unless you peek, but hold someone's hand while you do it.

"This is what I want to say: When you feel scared, hold someone's hand and look into their eyes. And when you feel brave, do the same thing."

Poehler recently confessed that she is proud of her success and tries to "enjoy the ride" of her fame.


 Source: Digital Spy

Bono: 'Turn Off the Dark hasn't been cancelled'

Bono has promised that Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark will be ready in time for its opening night.

The U2 frontman composed the score for the show alongside bandmate The Edge and the pair appeared on the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday night to perform 'Rise Above'.

"I promise [the show has] not been cancelled, and we're very excited about it," he told reporters after the broadcast.

"It's almost there - it will be there by opening night."

Bono admitted earlier in the month that he agreed with negative reviews the show had received from critics before its overhaul.

He also explained that revisions were necessary because "the whole was not greater than the sum of the parts".

The Broadway musical, which opens on June 14, has experienced a variety of difficulties during production including a change of director, alleged safety violations and injuries to cast members.

Watch Bono and The Edge perform 'Rise Above' from Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark below:

 

Source: Digital Spy

Amanda Holden: 'Baby loss like a tragic movie'

 

Amanda Holden has said that losing her baby was like being in a "tragic movie".

The Britain's Got Talent judge was seven months pregnant when she suffered a stillbirth earlier this year. At the time, Holden and husband Chris Hughes were said to be "utterly devastated".

Holden told this week's Buzz magazine: "This year feels like I've been in my own movie. This weird, wonderful, awful, tragic movie."

She added: "My happy ending would be another baby."

Holden previously revealed that the couple, who are parents to daughter Lexi, will turn "negatives into positives", adding that she is "optimistic" about having more children.

The 40-year-old is currently appearing as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical and will be reunited with Simon Cowell on the Britain's Got Talent live shows next week.