Now Spice Girls reunite

THE Spice Girls returned today to announce their long-awaited reunion as a “thank you” to their fans.

After months of speculation, Victoria Beckham, Mel B, Mel C, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell finally announced a comeback tour.

Mel C, 33, (Sporty Spice) said of their reunion: “We wanted to say thank you to our fans. It just feels very right for us.”

The world’s media were treated to a video montage at the 02 Arena, formerly the Millennium Dome, of some of the band’s Number One hits.

Halliwell, 34, (Ginger) enjoyed the moment, taking pictures of her fellow bandmates and the crowd with a camera.

2001

The Nineties girl group, who parted ways in 2001, said they would not be performing at this weekend’s Concert for Diana.

Princes William and Harry were said to have asked them to attend the anniversary event.

But the band said they could not take to the stage so soon because Emma Bunton (Baby) was about to have her baby.

Mel C said: “We would have loved to be there this weekend. It’s just unfortunate timing.”

Victoria Beckham said there would be a creche on the tour to accommodate the seven Baby Spices the band members will have between them once Baby Spice gives birth.

Posh Spice, 33, said: “We’re definitely going to have a huge creche. Our priority is going to be our families. We want to have fun.

“That’s one of the many reasons for this, for our children to see what we used to do.”

Halliwell said of the reunion: “Obviously it’s nostalgic. But equally, if new fans want to come along, that’s fantastic.

“I like to think our songs are universal and they are timeless. Hopefully, the young’uns will like it too.”

Mel B, 32, said of the press conference: “This is very civilised. We’ve really grown up, haven’t we?”

Asked whether it was a comeback, she said: “Where did we go?”

The Spice Girls will play 11 dates on six continents, kicking off in Los Angeles on December 7.

A greatest hits album will be released in time for Christmas.

Today was the first time all five have appeared in public together since Halliwell walked out nine years ago.

Divorced

“Imagine you got divorced and you’ve got back together with your ex-husband,” was Halliwell’s description of being reunited with her band mates.

But Beckham could not resist a dig, quipping: “She just appreciates the fact we’ve let her back in.”

The band famously praised Margaret Thatcher in a 1990s interview, calling her an original Spice Girl.

Today they demonstrated their knowledge of the current political landscape.

Asked about Gordon Brown, Mel B replied: “Who is he?”

Mel C explained he was the new Prime Minister.

Halliwell gave her verdict: “I actually met him the other day. He seems a nice enough fellow.”

Mel C has spent the past few years vowing never to take part in a reunion.

Today she said: “A girl’s allowed to change her mind.”

Bunton explained her reasons for wanting the comeback.

“I wanted to be a Spice Girl again,” she said.

The band insist they are not back for good.

One-night stand

“This is going to be a one-night stand,” Halliwell said.

The girls promised to perform all their classic hits during the show.

But they refused a challenge to sing live at the press conference in response to a report that their voices will be digitally enhanced on the tour.

“We don’t need to prove anything,” Mel C said.

The tour will be supported by a documentary which claims it will show the definitive story of the Spice Girls.

Halliwell said: “It’s going to be the most honest story that you’ve ever heard. You get to see the dark side of the Spice Girls, the gritty side, the tears.”

Tokyo teens enchanted by grown-up Harry Potter

TOKYO (Reuters Life!) - Japanese teens in wizard costumes went into a frenzy at the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" on Thursday, cheering actor Daniel Radcliffe whose coming of age is a big story on- and off-screen.

Dressed in a white suit, Radcliffe -- who will turn 18 next month and has played boy wizard Harry since 2001 -- looked distinctly grown-up at the red carpet event in Tokyo.

The Order of the Phoenix sees Harry reach greater maturity as he takes a leading role in the fight against the evil Voldemort and experiences his first kiss at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Radcliffe's own rite of passage has not been quite as dramatic: he recently took the role of a disturbed stablehand in the theatre play "Equus" in a break with his child actor image.

Speaking to reporters before a crowd of screaming Japanese fans holding "We love Harry" signs, Radcliffe shrugged off suggestions that the Potter saga defined his adolescence.

"I don't see myself as having grown up on screen. I simply see myself as having grown up. So it's probably stranger for people who have watched all the films," he told Reuters.

The success of the Potter film franchise is one reason why Radcliffe's growing up is a big deal, at least for the movie industry and millions of fans.

The first four Potter films grossed around $3.5 billion, and Radcliffe along with co-stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint will stick with their parts until the series ends with the seventh film, slated for 2010.


"CHIN UP!"

The continuing popularity of J.K. Rowling's book series may help The Order of the Phoenix repeat that box office success, and Potter producer David Heyman said the actors' personal development also adds a new dimension to the film.

"They really grow up as actors," he told Reuters at the premiere.

"In the first film, Christopher Columbus had to do things like 'chin up' all through the takes if he was not focused, 'come on, don't look away', 'Oh, you are scared'.

"Now they are able to collaborate with the director and create the parts you will see in the film."

Columbus directed the first two Potter films, followed by Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron and Britain's Mike Newell.

David Yates directed the fifth and latest film, in which Harry fends off a gang of dementors with a spell and risks expulsion from school for engaging in "underage magic".

The young wizard then has to defend himself at a court hearing in London before starting another action-packed year at Hogwarts boarding school.

The sixth film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", is set for U.S. release in November 2008, while the last book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", will hit bookstores on July 21.

Shilpa Shetty to act in West End musical

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty who won fame and fortune in the British show, ‘Celebrity Big Brother,’ will appear on London's West End later this year, a newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Shetty will star in the musical titled "Miss Bollywood" to open in London in September and later travel to Broadway, The Indian Express newspaper said.

"The whole song-and-dance routine of a musical really fascinates me and I think I'm a natural in the art," it quoted Shetty as saying.

She said the musical was about a day in the life of a Bollywood actress and would give Westerners a glimpse of Indian traditions and customs.

"I want foreigners to get familiar with Indian culture. Racism breeds out of ignorance," Shetty was quoted as saying.



During the reality show, "Celebrity Big Brother” , a British contestant mocked her accent
and bad-mouthed her cooking. Channel 4 was forced to apologise for the alleged racist abuse, which sparked a storm of protests.

Shetty has acted in more than 40 Bollywood movies since her 1993 debut. Her latest movie, "Metro," is a Hindi-language film about careers pushing love to second place.

'What I plan never works out'

Bollywood oomph girl Neha Dhupia says her dream at one time was to become an IAS officer.

"What I plan never works out. So I have stopped planning now," Neha told over the telephone. "I wanted to join the civil services and become an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer and did not have any plans to model or act.

"But, then, Miss India happened suddenly and now here I am, doing films."

The 26-year-old actress, who bagged the Miss India Universe title in 2002 and a year later made her Bollywood debut in "Qayamat: City Under Threat", is currently shooting for a film "I'm 24", being directed by Saurabh Shukla.

"It is about a guy who is 42 years of age but has to lie that he is only 24 to get something," Neha explains. "The movie will show his struggles and hardships and then he meets me. I play the character of a struggling actress."

The silver screen scorcher, well known for portraying bold characters in films such as "Julie" and "Sheesha", loves to travel, read and takes a keen interest in sports. And she says she would love to be part of a film that would capture and present her real character to the audience.

"I would love it if someone makes a film to showcase who Neha Dhupia really is. What I am, what I like and what I stand for."

Dhupia says her stint at Bollywood has been great so far but adds, "There is still a long way to go and now I want to play different characters."

Cinematographer Jeeva passes away in Russia

Noted cinematographer - director Jeeva passed away after suffering acute cardiac arrest in Russia last night. He was shooting for Dhaam Dhoom starring Jayam Ravi and Kangana Ranaut in Russia.

An acclaimed cinematographer - turned - director Jeeva had worked in over 40 films including Shankar's Gentleman, Kadhalan and Indian.

Jeeva was directed over 50 commercials. He ventured to Bollywood and cranked the camera for several blockbusters including films directed by Priyadharshan. Some of his Hindi movies include Hulchul, Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar, Run, Kushi, Bhagam Bhag, Hera Pheri among others. A native of Thiruthooraipoondi, Jeeva ventured to direction with 12B. The film featured Jyothika and Simran together opposite Shaam. The latter was introduced by Jeeva.

Jeeva's next was Ullam Ketkumae which featured a host of actresses. Popular stars like Arya, Asin and Pooja made their debut with the movie. Jeeva followed it up with Unnale Unnale and he introduced a Bangalore model Vinay in the lead role. Featuring Sada and Kajol's sister Tanisha, Unnale Unnale was a run away hit.

Jeeva is currently directing Dhaam Dhoom starring Jayam Ravi and Kangana Ranaut. He is survived by his wife Annesha, the costume designer of Jeeva's films and three children.

The body is expected to be flown back to India soon.

Pamela Anderson's bright idea

NEW YORK: Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, who is currently in Finland, has thought of a unique business idea to honour her Finnish heritage - opening a chain of strip clubs!

"I thought of a great way to celebrate my Finnish heritage at home," she wrote on her blog. "I'm going to look into opening a chain of strip clubs and I'll call them Lapland."

Anderson, whose great grand father was Finnish, is touring the Scandinavian country with her dad, Barry Anderson, reports people.com .

"Our heritage is here. We are both excited. We will be taking lots of saunas. Save my liver," Anderson added.

While in Finland, the actress has also appealed for the closure of fur farms.

"Farms are so old fashioned. There are hundreds here. The demand is getting lower for fur coats and they breed foxes here just for fur. Sweden, Austria and England have banned fur farms. Let's hope Finland will too. Other than that I'm very proud of my Finnish heritage."

Inside Paris' Mailbag

Los Angeles (E! Online) - If nothing else, at least Paris Hilton has found the time to catch up on her correspondence.


After crafting her own Father's Day card for dad Rick Hilton over the weekend, the heiress apparently got busy penning letters to the thousands of fans who've been writing her since the beginning of the legal hullabaloo that has ended (for now) with Hilton getting locked up for a full 45 days after briefly being transferred to house arrest.

"I read your letter and just wanted to thank you for your kind words of love and support. The fact that you took time out of your day to write me truly means the world. Especially at such a difficult and scary time in my life," Hilton wrote in a letter obtained Tuesday by E! Online. (View the letter.)

"But I am being strong and trying to make the best out of the situation," Hilton continued. "And the letters I'm receiving really do put a smile on my face as I sit here in my cell, sad and alone. Again, thank you so much and may God bless you and your family."

"Love always, Paris Hilton," she signed, dotting her i's with little hearts and adding "xoxo" at the end.

Although writing letters while suited up in an orange jumpsuit can't really compare to nights spent trolling the red carpet in designer cocktail dresses, at least Hilton seems to be feeling better since being released Wednesday from the medical ward at Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, after which she was returned to the Century Regional Correctional Facility, where she originally started serving her sentence on June 3.

After visiting Hilton on Sunday, along with husband Rick and Paris' sister Nicky, Kathy Hilton told reporters that her daughter was spending the majority of her days on the inside "looking at the four walls and reading some nice fan mail." (Authorities say she has received over 5,000 letters; Paris' manager tells E! News that the sheriff's department contacted him to haul away nearly two dozen crates of mail.)

Hilton is allowed one hour outside of her cell every day to shower, exercise, watch TV and talk on the phone