'Radio 2 pursuing popularity'
RadioCentre has claimed that the BBC is hiring certain DJs to attract younger listeners to Radio 2 at the expense of its public purpose.

The commercial station trade body noted that 15 to 34-year-olds are the fastest-growing demographic for the station, The Times reports.

Figures also show a 7% drop in listeners aged over 65, while the number of those aged 35 to 44 has risen.

Chief executive Andrew Harrison said: "Licence fee payers' money is being used to fund an obsession with youth, as Radio 2 pursues popularity, not public purpose.

"You'd have to ask what happens if Chris Evans were to succeed Terry Wogan, who is 71, in the breakfast show. You'd risk losing the TOGs [Terry’s Old Geezers or Gals] and bring in a new swathe of younger listeners."

The broadcaster said that it would not comment on the issue while a review from the BBC Trust is ongoing, but noted that the average age of listeners to Wogan, Jeremy Vine and Dermot O'Leary is 52.

A friend of Evans told the newspaper: "You can't blame Chris, or anybody else coming into the station for being younger than the people they replace.

"If Terry Wogan leaves Radio 2, then that is because the BBC is allowing a 71-year-old to retire."


Jackson 'had lethal drug levels'
Pop star Michael Jackson had lethal levels of the powerful anaesthetic propofol in his body when he died, coroner's office documents show.

The findings were contained in a previously sealed search warrant which has been made public in Texas.

The singer died in June from a cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles. Police have interviewed his doctor, but he has not been named as a suspect.

There are reports that the coroner has concluded Jackson's death was homicide.



Chris Brown - sentenced
US singer Chris Brown is given 180 days' community labour and five years' probation for assaulting pop star Rihanna. The judge said Brown must do physical labour, not community service, and attend domestic violence counselling.
Brown must also stay at least 100 yards from Rihanna for the next five years.


Henson 'clashes with DJ at festival'
Gavin Henson rowed with a DJ as he attended the V Festival at the weekend, it has been claimed.

According to the Daily Express, Charlotte Church's rugby star boyfriend heckled the man when he started the morning's music, shouting: "You're s**t."

An onlooker told the newspaper: "Gavin got wound up and he got up to walk over to the DJ before [a] friend told him, 'It's not worth it'.

"The two eventually stalked off but not before relieving themselves next to the DJ."

Henson was also spotted arguing with Church at a nightclub earlier this month after he reportedly refused to dance with her.


Paul McCartney: 'John Lennon was soft'
Sir Paul McCartney has reportedly dismissed John Lennon's image as a rock 'n' roll wild man, insisting that his former Beatles bandmate was "soft-centred".

According to Contactmusic, the 'Hey Jude' icon explained that Lennon's "hard" persona is not a true reflection of the late star's personality.

He said: "This is the trouble with history, with journalism. John said so much crap that he later said he hadn't meant. It's bulls**t.

"The image of John is seriously flawed because he was not the hard, mad man that people think he was... He was a very soft-centred guy and we had a lot in common."

He added: "Whatever bad things John said about me, he would also slip his glasses to the end of his nose and say, 'I love you'."

McCartney recently denied claims that he is planning to retire after his forthcoming world tour.


Pirate Bay website back online
File-sharing website The Pirate Bay (TPB) is back online after its former internet service provider (ISP) was forced to take down the site.

Stockholm district court made the order on 21 August, saying ISP Black Internet would be fined 500,000 kronor (£43,000) if it did not comply.

The court order was the result of legal action brought against The Pirate Bay by the music and film industry.

However, TPB was back online within a few hours with a new carrier.


Keane 'want Noel Gallagher for new LP'
Keane keyboardist Tim Rice-Oxley has claimed that he wants Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher to produce the band's next album, according to reports.

The group covered Oasis' 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' at this year's V Festival, following the Manchester rockers' decision to pull out of their headlining slot.

Rice-Oxley told the Daily Star: "I often wonder if Noel is almost resisting the truth that Keane and Oasis are alike in a lot of respects. I think we share a lot of fans. We are both bands of the people.

"People love coming to a Keane show and an Oasis show because there's a directness to the songs and people come together in a very communal way."

He added: "It would be great for Noel to produce us - I offer the olive branch. We're huge fans."


Mark Owen 'hires castle for wedding'
Mark Owen will tie the knot with his partner Emma Ferguson at a castle in the Scottish Highlands, it has been claimed.

The couple have revealed their plans to 50 guests who will attend the ceremony but will not disclose the exact location until the day arrives, according to the Daily Record.

It is believed that the pair are keen to keep the media at bay throughout their celebrations after snubbing a photo deal from a celebrity publication.

A source said: "They have been offered staggering amounts of money by a magazine to do the whole Posh and Becks thing. But it didn't really appeal to them.

"They have picked a venue that holds a lot of sentimental value. But they want it to be a surprise for their family and friends right up until the big day."

Reports suggest that even Owen's Take That bandmates Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Jason Orange are clueless about what the star has in store.

The insider explained: "All they know is they have a night off and won't be expected to provide the entertainment."

Owen and Ferguson have been engaged since 2006. They have two children together, 3-year-old Elwood and 9-month-old Willow Rose.


Katona cautioned for possession
Reality TV star Kerry Katona has been cautioned by police for possessing a controlled substance.

Katona attended Wilmslow police station near her home in Cheshire after she was filmed by a Sunday newspaper snorting what appeared to be cocaine.

A Cheshire police spokeswoman confirmed following an investigation, a 28-year-old woman had been cautioned on Monday.

Katona told the Sunday Mirror she was "sorry and so ashamed" of her actions in relation to the allegations.



UK video legislation error discovered
An uncovered government error has revealed that current legislation to stop the sale of adult videos and video games to under-18s is actually unenforceable.

According to The Times, the component of the 1984 Video Recordings Act pertaining to the classification and sale of videos, video games and DVDs was never brought into force.

Therefore, under the current situation anyone can sell violent videos and video games to under-18s without fear of prosecution. In turn, Police and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have been advised to put any prosecutions on hold until emergency legislation can be introduced.

After the mistake was missed for over 25 years, it was finally uncovered during the current consultation to introduce a new classification system for all boxed video games in the UK as part of the Digital Britain report.

Minister for culture and tourism Barbara Follett said: "Unfortunately, the discovery of this omission means that, a quarter of a century later, the Video Recordings Act is no longer enforceable against individuals in United Kingdom courts."

In a letter to video industry representatives, she added: "As the then-British government did not notify the European Commission of the VRA's classification and labelling requirements, they cannot now be enforced against individuals in UK courts."

According to legal advice issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, anyone previously prosecuted and convicted under the existing legislation can now attempt to overturn their convictions or apply for compensation.

Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt commented: "Much of the problem would have been avoided if they had sorted out the classification of video games earlier, as we and many others in the industry have been urging them to do."