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Costa Book Award winners revealed

Author Sebastian Barry and 91-year-old Diana Athill are among five authors shortlisted for the Costa Book of the Year.

Wrestler Rourke hits red carpet

US actor Mickey Rourke took to the red carpet in London's Leicester Square on Monday night to promote The Wrestler.

Festivals bowing to fan pressure

Organisers of some of the UK's biggest music events are letting fans have a bigger say in how the festivals are run.

Cuba opens Hemingway archive

Cuba opens up electronic access to thousands of documents belonging to writer Ernest Hemingway.

Turkey rehabilitates poet Hikmet

Turkey is to restore the citizenship of one of its most illustrious writers, the late Nazim Hikmet.

Sachs to join Coronation Street

Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs is to appear in Coronation Street later this year, ITV confirms.

Travolta tells of 'heartbreak'

Actor John Travolta says he and his wife are "heartbroken" following the death of their 16-year-old son Jett.

Sound of 2009 countdown begins

Colourful London synth duo La Roux come fifth on the BBC Sound of 2009 list of the brightest new music stars.

BBC acts over light-skinned doll

The BBC is to replace a doll based on a character from CBeebies show In the Night Garden after complaints it is too light-skinned.

Campaign to buy £50m Titian work sparks political row

A painting by artist Titian sparks a row after the Scottish Government pledges a "significant sum" towards its purchase.

Morris dancing 'extinction' fear

Morris dancing could be "extinct" within 20 years because young people are too embarrassed to take part, a UK Morris association warns.

Fringe Sunday faces funding axe

Organisers of one of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's biggest events admit it could be pulled as a result of a funding crisis.

Tennant makes his Hamlet comeback

Actor David Tennant returns to the lead role of Hamlet on the London stage after making "good progress" after back surgery.

Who are Torvill and Dean going to be putting through their paces?

Former footballer Graeme Le Saux and X Factor runner-up Ray Quinn are among the 13 celebrities competing in the latest series of ITV's Dancing on Ice.

US rock group win vinyl art prize

The debut album by US indie rock group Fleet Foxes wins the Art Vinyl prize for best cover.

Cotton to host Brits nominations

Radio 1 chart show DJ Fearne Cotton will announce the nominations for this year's Brit Awards.

X Factor winner's reign continues

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah remains the number one single in the UK for a third week.

Dr Dre's son died from overdose

The 20-year-old son of US rap star Dr Dre died from an overdose of heroin and morphine, a coroner says.

Marley still box office top dog

Comedy Marley and Me tops the US box office chart for a second consecutive week, pushing takings past $100m (£68.9m).

Mass 3D giveaway for film trailer

About 150m pairs of 3D glasses are being distributed in the US so Super Bowl viewers can watch a special film trailer.

Drink-driving arrest for Shepard

Oscar-nominated actor Sam Shepard is arrested for allegedly drinking and driving in the US state of Illinois.

Leigh film honoured by US critics

British film Happy-Go-Lucky is awarded four prizes including best actress and director by the National Society of Film Critics.

Eurovision singers unveiled

Andrew Lloyd Webber reveals the six finalists bidding to represent the UK at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.

Ulrika Jonsson up for BB eviction

Ulrika Jonsson is secretly put up for eviction from the Celebrity Big Brother house by Terry Christian.

New Doctor actor youngest ever

The BBC names 26-year-old Matt Smith as the actor to replace David Tennant and become the 11th Doctor in 2010.

Locklear gets probation and fine

Actress Heather Locklear receives three years' informal probation and a fine for reckless driving.

Sound of 2009

Australian fantasy pop duo Empire of the Sun come fourth on BBC new music tips list

Blockbuster year

Which big films will Hollywood hope we watch in 2009?

Shylock's retrial

Modern justice for Shakespeare's money lender

Vintage vinyl

The 7 inch single is still making music after 60 years

Comic debate

Why a superhero movie could be controversial

Matt Who?

A profile of the new actor picked to play the Doctor

New housemates

Meet the stars of 2009's Celebrity Big Brother compound