Joely Richardson and Portia de Rossi in steamy scenes for Nip/Tuck

The steamy embrace between actresses Portia de Rossi and Joely Richardson in the forthcoming series of Nip/Tuck is bound to set pulses racing.

Yet playing a lesbian is a first for Portia. "I am a lesbian playing a lesbian" says the blonde actress, "But she's a different woman than I am, so the most surprising thing is how emotional it's been for me."

It's been three years since the leggy blonde went public about her relationship with Ellen de Generes and at first she worried she'd be typecast as a lesbian if she took the Nip/Tuck role.

Real-life lesbian Portia was apprehensive about taking on the part

Joely says of her on-screen romance: 'I think men respond to the sexiness of two women being together.'
Yet her girlfriend Ellen urged her to do it.

"My relationship with Ellen is so public, and I thought, 'Am I going to play a romantic lead again?' I had that one moment of, 'Does this mean I'll be typecast as a lesbian?'" Portia said.

"And Ellen turned to me and said, 'So what?' And I thought, 'Oh, yeah, right, so what?'"

Leading ladies: Portia stars in three episodes of the hit show

The temperature rises on Nip/Tuck as Portia de Rossi moves in for a steamy embrace

Yet there were no such reservations for co-star Joely.

Joely, 42, said: "I have no problems kissing women. It's not the first time I have done lesbian scenes.

"I have heard Ellen was jealous. She has been on set. She is great and Portia is lovely."

Lesbian chic: The resemblance between on-screen lovers Joely Richardson and Portia de Rossi is striking

The actress added, "I think playing a lesbian turns men on. When my character Julia was the boring, married housewife, always chopping vegetables, people were sweet and lovely.

"But now I'm playing her as a sexy ***** with a big padded bra and a short skirt, I get a very different reaction.

"I think men respond to the sexiness of two women being together."

Joely admitted she enjoyed her on-screen sex scenes

Shanghai Paris Hilton creates a stir in China

Socialite, singer, reality TV star ... now Paris Hilton can officially add style guru to her list of "talents" as the guest of honour at a special fashion gala.

The American hotel heiress caused quite a stir as she strutted down the streets of Shanghai, much to the delight of the crowds in the Chinese city.

However, instead of staying at the Shanghai Hilton, it is reported that she opted to check into the newly opened Hyatt on the Bund.

Seeing red: Paris Hilton tired on a traditional dress by designer Lu Kun while on a four day visit to China

New best friend: Paris meets her fans in Shanghai as hundreds flock to catch a glimpse of the star

The star of reality TV show The Simple Life has made much of her post-jail fame, following a spell behind bars for violating the terms of her probabation for drink driving.

Hilton, 26, is in Shanghai to attend the MTV Style Gala where she is the guest of honour at the celebrity-packed event.

As usual the starlet was followed by a media frenzy which tracks her every move across the globe as she promotes the latest product in the Paris brand

Souvenir: Paris clutched onto a cuddly panda

Curtain call: Paris emerges in yet another show stopping dress

Traditional: The socialite checked out fashion created by local designers

The fashionista has been doing a spot of shopping and meeting fans as she spends four days in China.

She visited traditional clothing shops, wandered around carrying a cuddly toy panda and even tucked into some local specialities at a top restaurant

Hilton will also be presenting awards at the MTV Asian music awards.

Shanghai Hilton: The hotel heiress browses the rails in a small shop in Yu Garden

Nice buns: Paris tucks into Xiaologbao, juicy steamed buns that are a Shanghai speciality, but she seems to be missing some friends

Snack: after hours of shopping, Paris stops of for a quick bite

Model behaviour: Paris, kept her fashion on high rotation, arrived at a press conference in yet another outfit

Witnesses tell how Anna Nicole Smith clung desperately to her dying son as inquest begins

Medical staff frantically tried to revive Anna Nicole Smith's son after he collapsed in September 2006 in the former Playboy playmate's hospital room, a doctor testified yesterday at the start of a coroner's inquest.

After a "Code Blue" alert was sounded, doctors, nurses and security guards crowded into the room and found Daniel Smith unconscious, not breathing and with no pulse, said Dr. James Iferenta, the emergency room doctor on duty at the time.

Iferenta said a woman, whom he later learned was Anna Nicole, was distraught and would not let go of her 20-year-old son.

"There was difficulty getting her out of the room," Iferenta said of Anna Nicole. "She clung to Smith during my time in the room."

Tragedy: the inquest into the death of Anna Nicole's son Daniel began in the Bahamas yesterday

Her attorney and partner, Howard K. Stern, who was present when Daniel Smith died, discussed the relationship between son and mother.

"She was very close to Danny and I saw it," he testified. "Almost every time I saw Anna Nicole, she had Danny with her."

Iferenta and Stern were among the first of about 35 witnesses expected to testify before a seven-member jury at an inquest to formally determine the cause death.

Daniel Smith died about five months before Anna Nicole herself collapsed and died in Florida.

Last picture: Anna Nicole with son Daniel after giving birth to daughter Dannielynn in the Bahamas - he died hours later

Police have said there is no evidence of homicide in the death of Daniel Smith.

An autopsy found the likely cause was a combination of drugs, including methadone and antidepressants.

The jury can recommend authorities pursue criminal charges if it finds evidence of wrongdoing.

Daniel Smith had come to the Bahamas to visit his mother after the birth of her daughter, Dannielynn.

His death was the start of a celebrity soap opera that would soon engulf the island chain, where Anna Nicole Smith lived with Stern.

Anna Nicole's death on February 8 set off a fight over where to bury the former model and who would get custody of Dannielynn.

She was eventually buried to great fanfare in the Bahamas, next to Daniel, and custody of her daughter went to former boyfriend Larry Birkhead.

On Monday, Stern described identifying Daniel Smith's body at the morgue but did not discuss in detail the events that led up to his death.

The attorney general's office said Stern may be recalled as a witness for further questioning.

Stern is the executor of Anna Nicole Smith's estate and has filed papers to make Dannielynn the sole beneficiary of the estate, which has made a legal claim for millions from the oil fortune of the model's late husband, J. Howard Marshall II.

Testimony in the inquest is scheduled to resume Tuesday.

Gemma Atkinson: 'I've been dumped because boyfriends say I'm cold and unaffectionate

Glamour model Gemma Atkinson has admitted to being dumped a lot because boyfriends find her cold and unaffectionate.

The former Hollyoaks actress opened up to three of her fellow contestants while they were locked in a 4x4 with the doors and windows shut for last night's endurance test.

As the conversation between herself, John Burton Race, Katie Hopkins and Jason "J" Brown turned to boys needing lots of cuddles from women in their life, the 23-year-old former partner of Manchester United star Ronaldo said: "I'm told in every relationship that I'm not affectionate.

Dumped: Gemma revealed that she has been dumped as she has been perceived as cold and unaffectionate by boyfriends in the past

"And most of my relationships have broken down because the guy says I don't give them enough. It's because I work all the time.

"I don't even put a kiss on a text message. I don't tell him what he means to me, although I feel it.

"I just struggle to show it with people and every single relationship I have been in has broken down for that reason."

When chef Burton Race assured her she wasn't cold, she added: "No, it's just I don't know how to express it. I don't want a guy who needs to be with me 24/7."

Jungle fever: Gemma seems to spend a lot of time wearing just her bikini

Gemma Atkinson: In her bikini...yet again

Meanwhile ex-Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson had said she would definitely be keeping her clothes on before she took to the jungle as an I'm a Celebrity contestant - but to the delight of ITV viewers she hasn't kept her word.

Before appearing on the ITV show, the actress claimed she wasn't averse to the idea of romance but would definitely be keeping her clothes on.

Sending pulses racing: Gemma takes to the water

She said: "I see the show as a real personal challenge, but I plan to keep my clothes on. I'm not going naked, ever."

However, she has stripped off to her bikini numerous times since the show started.

Gemma has also taken the opportunity to show off her stunning body in a bid to re-enact the scene that made last year's runner-up Myleene Klass famous.

Double take: Gemma does a Myleene

She left little to the imagination in her skimpy print bikini as she bathed in the freshwater creek near camp.

Gemma's bikini look was reminiscent of TV presenter Myleene who gained an army of fans - and viewer support - after she too regularly revealed her svelte physique in a white bikini on the popular reality show.

The 22-year-old had already showed off her toned body when she stripped off for Ultimo's D-G lingerie range.

Model: Gemma poses for a new lingerie range

Why is Simon Cowell holding hands with X Factor Dannii?

Simon Cowell promised to make Dannii Minogue an international star - and he seems to be leading her there by the hand.

The X Factor supremo hand-picked the Australian to sit on the judging panel earlier in the year.

Now he has been snapped holding hands with the 36-year-old as they left BBC TV Centre after Children In Need.

Tactile: Simon reaches over to hold Dannii's hand

After Dannii took the hot seat on the X Factor panel she told YOU magazine that should couldn't wait to get up close to the show's Mr Nasty.

"I can't wait to be part of The X Factor team and getting up close and personal on a daily basis with Simon."

And she admitted: "Simon's very fanciable!"

Hands up: Dannii knows how to silence Mr Nasty

The pair met at an awards event - and Simon uttered the irresistible line: "I'm going to make you an international TV star."

Dannii is famously single - and has been for a couple of years.

But who knows what Simon's long-term girlfriend Terri Seymour is going to say?

Sarah Harding rings in her 26th birthday with raciest Girls Aloud show ever

Party girl Sarah Harding marked her 26th birthday with a red hot performance with her group Girls Aloud.

She led the pack in a bowler hat, fishnet stockings and towering heels, while the band belted out tracks from new their album Tangled Up.

Back to black: Sarah Harding celebrated her birthday on stage at G-A-Y in London's Soho

The group wowed the crowd at London's G-A-Y night club, and were full of cheers as she blew out candles on a huge chocolate cake.

Fellow band mate Kimberley Walsh also received earliry birthday wishes - she is turning 26 tomorrow.

Hey big suspenders! Party starter Sarah shows off her sexy side

The girls are in the midst of a publicity blitz ahead of the release of their single Call The Shots on November 26, which included an appearance on X Factor earlier that night.

While their career continues to go from strength to strength, the band say they are sympathetic to the current crop of troubled pop stars.

Nadine Coyle has said: "Amy Winehouse is just such a talent, her voice has brought something back that hasn't been around for decades."

Hat trick: the girls are promoting their new album Tangled Up

Dancing queen: Nadine Coyle shows off her moves - and her long pins

Sarah chimed in: "Isn't it weird that the really talented people always seem to crumble under that kind of artistic pressure?"

Cheryl Cole told MTV: "She's absolutely amazing but it's a shame that her personal life overshadows the talent."

Racy: Cheryl Cole and Nicola Roberts vamp it up with the group's back up dancers

Girls wanna have fun: Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts

Nadine added: "Watching Britney has been really hard. There was one picture of her crying on the front of a magazine... I couldn't actually look at the magazine it was disturbing me."

Sarah, who has calmed her partying ways since teaming up with her boyfriend Tom Crane, added: "I just think when it gets a bit much for them then they should be given a bit of space to breathe and get themselves sorted."

Sweet: Sarah Harding was presented with a birthday cake after the performance

Big kisses for Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw

Carrie Bradshaw has quite literally been swept off her feet by her on-off lover Mr Big during filming of the upcoming Sex and the City movie.

The pair, played by Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth, were kissing passionately while shooting on the streets of New York.

Catching a lift: Mr Big sweeps Carrie off her feet during filming in New York yesterday

The scenes are the latest in a host of dramatic moments, which include the couple's wedding - and a huge argument. Not all scenes will make it into the final movie.

As interest in the film reaches fever pitch, star Chris Noth says it's the only topic of conversation people want to discuss.

He told the New York Post: "Can't talk about Sex and the City. Everybody only wants to talk Sex and the City!"

Passion: Mr Big and Carrie's relationship is set to get steamy

He continued: "Bystanders text-message from our locations. Extras leak to the press what's shot. To keep the plot points secret, the show's filming false scenes and fake endings just to throw everybody off."

Noth has revealed how the fascination with the project is even taking over his other projects.

He explains: "You want to know about Sex and the City? I'm shooting outdoors in a bad neighbourhood in The Bronx for my other show, 'Law & Order.' We're tying up traffic. A held-up trucker behind me is crazed.

Back together: Chris Noth and Sarah Jessica Parker will reunite onscreen

He tears through the light, halts our shoot and climbs out of his big 10-wheeler. I figure he'll pull a gun and shout: 'Get the f--- out of here you piece of s---,' and he rushes to me with, 'When you going to marry Carrie?'"

Meanwhile, Oscar winning actor Russell Crowe has revealed how he dreamed of landed a part in the popular series.

He has said: "I would have loved to do a guest [appearance] on 'Sex and the City.' That's my wife's favourite show."

"I would have loved a turn on an episode where my wife wasn't expecting me to be there. That would have been fun."

The movie is set to hit screens in next year.

Ziggy on Chanelle: 'She's a psycho who hit me and threatened suicide'

Only a week after breaking up after a turbulent post-Big Brother affair, housemate Ziggy has branded ex-love Chanelle a "psycho" who regularly hit him and threatened suicide when he tried to break up with her.

Big Brother star Chanelle, who turns 20 today, broke off her relationship with Ziggy Lichman last week after he denied the pair had got engaged.

But the real drama behind their split seems to have more to to with their mismatched sexual habits and the 20-year-old's violent streak.

Chanelle and Ziggy pictured as a couple recently - but the look on his face suggests that all was not well

Ziggy told the News of the World: "If we'd stayed together she could have killed me."

The first time she attacked him, he says, was on a night out in West Yorkshire when he had visited to meet her adoptive family and friends.

He said: "She wasn't happy that I hasn't been by her side for five minutes when I snuck off to the toilet. She ended up punching me under the eye (in the taxi).

"I yelled for the driver to stop, jumped out and waited for another taxi. An hour after I'd got home Chanelle turned up. She told me she didn't know what had come over her and promised she'd never do it again."

But he claims she lashed out again after his brother Daniel's birthday party. At her flat he said: "She was enraged I hadn't paid her enough attention. She attacked me with another punch, this time on the chin.

"I got a cab back to my brother's and sobbed all the way. I couldn't believe what this girl was doing to me."

But then the night took an even more sinister twist, when he said she began to call him repeatedly, saying she was going to overdose on painkillers.

Chanelle arrives at her 20th birthday party in Wakefield after the shock split with Ziggy who has now branded her a 'psycho'

Later she told me she was going to slit her wrists in the bath," he said. "After that I couldn't get in touch with her for hours. I was distraught. When I went round the next day she showed me her cuts.

"It was so clinical. There were ten straight lines on one wrist. I couldn't believe she'd gone through with it."

He said he tried to get her help from the Big Brother psychologist. But they stayed together for more rows, with Chanelle accusing Ziggy of cheating on her with two women during a trip they took to Dubai with 15 friends.

They made up, he said, and then he went out - but he returned later to find she had cut up all of his holiday clothes.

The catalogue of violence and drama continued when he said she slapped him across the face in a restaurant when he wasn't ready to leave, and when she left a pregnancy test in their room, despite claiming she could not have children.

Just before their split last week he said she threatened suicide once more, leaving him a note which read: "This is my last message. You're not going to see me tomorrow. You're going to wake up and all the papers will say I've done myself in."

He said trouble began brewing between them right from the first time they went to bed together. After an argument over dinner in London, he said they had "angry sex" - but it seems Chanelle never wanted to make love any other way.

Smiling as the cameras rolled - but when they left the Big Brother house the rows between Chanelle and Ziggy continued he says

Ziggy said: "Chanelle loves aggressive sex and guys have knocked her around in bed but I'm not into that. I walked away from sex sessions battered and bruised.

"My back would be ripped to pieces by her scratching. One night we were in the middle of sex and she said, 'Hit me in the face'. I refused. I would never hit any woman, let alone while having sex with her."

Ziggy, 26, denied the couple got engaged last month which sparked the couple's break-up. He said: "The furthest the conversation went was to say wouldn't it be lovely if we got engaged in a year.

"I never gave her a ring bug she turned up at a club with a ring on her engagement finger. She must hae bought it herself."

He said he believes her background - her mother was a prostitute and was murdered when Chanelle was a baby - accounts for much of her behaviour.

But he said: "Chanelle has had a very difficult upbringing. But we are adults, and I feel the time has come when she needs to start taking some responsibility for the way she behaves.

"Everything about the girl is drama. I would call her and she would pass me on to her PA to arrange a time we could talk. It was something you'd expect from a diva like Mariah Carey, not Chanelle Hayes from Big Brother."

Meanwhile, Chanelle has returned fire, telling The People that the passion died away from their relationship.

She said: "Sex with Ziggy used to be mind-blowing but suddenly he changed.

"We'd stay in bed all day making love and planning for the future but now all he's interested in is getting mobbed in clubs by scantily-clad girls and staying out all night.

In happier times in the Big Brother house, Chanelle and Ziggy get jiggy

When we do make love he can hardly be bothered. All the magic and passion has gone and it's left me heartbroken."

Her friend told the newspaper: "She genuinely loves Ziggy but it's clear he doesn't feel the same. They've been at loggerheads for weeks but Ziggy wanted to keep the relationship going because it was the only way people would still be interested in him.

"All Chanelle's focusing on now is enjoying her birthday weekend, and Ziggy's definitely not on the invite list. Her life has moved on."

Mel B kicks up her heels after landing another perfect score

Mel B landed yet another perfect score during her latest turn on Dancing with the Stars, and while she was straight back into rehearsals the following day, she still managed to kick up her heels in celebration.

The Spice Girl playfully practised her new routine with partner Maksim Chmerkowskiy, entertaining onlookers as she laughed and joked her way through the session.

Nice legs, shame about the outfit: Mel B is proving to be a hit on the US version of Strictly Come Dancing after she attained another perfect set of scores

Her casual look - Ugg boots, sweat pants and a vest - was in stark contrast to her get up on the show just hours earlier.

She was dubbed "Dominatrix Spice" after she took to the stage in black bra and barely-there hot pants to perform the Bossanova.

Fooling around: Mel enjoys some downtime on the set of the US TV show with hunky partner Maksim Chmerkowskiy

It wasn't just her outfit that was impressive - she scored full marks for the routine, her second perfect score for the series.

The 32-year-old admitted she was struggling to juggle her Dancing with the Stars sessions with her Spice Girls rehearsals.

Dominatrix: Mel took to the stage in black bra and barely-there hot pants to perform the Bossanova

She said: "I've got Dancing with the Stars and then in addition to that I'm learning 20 songs and 20 routines for the Spice Girls tour.

"I think because we're training late at night it's a little more difficult to grasp hold of the steps.

"The expectations are really high. I just hope that we can do it."

Mel B has won over legions of U.S. fans with her appearance on the popular show, and she is now tipped to win the competition.

Do Gazza and stepdaughter Bianca use the same plastic surgeon?

Bianca Gascoigne looked a chip of the old block as she celebrated her 21st birthday this week sporting newly supersized cleavage.

Her look was a rather peculiar flash back to 1990, where her step-father Paul made headlines for showing off similarly fake plastic breast just after the World Cup in Italy.

She showed off her new assets while celebrating her 21st birthday with a Hallowe'en birthday party at Chinawhite in London.

All front: Bianca and her stepdad Paul have quite a lot in common

She said: "I lost some weight and noticed my bust didn't look as big. So I had it fixed. I love them."

Surgery appears to be quite the family tradition - Bianca's mother Sheryl also got implants during her early twenties.

Bianca was joined by a host of reality television identities at the popular club, including Danielle Lloyd, Katie Price, former Liberty X singer Michelle Scott-Lee.

Spellbinding: Bianca arriving in a Harry Potter inspired costume

Later, a group of soap stars descended on the Mayfair club after the National TV Awards including Coronation Street stars Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas.

Bianca's former Love Island love interest Calum Best also attended the party, as well as Big Brother contestant Chanelle Hayes.

They were all clearly in the mood for a wild night, with the group reportedly running up an impressive £20,000 alcohol bill.

Party girls: Bianca partying with Danielle Lloyd at Chinawhite

Lewis has his engine purring for Pussycat Doll Nicole

He's lightening fast on the track, and it seems Lewis Hamilton is lightning fast with the ladies too.

Last night, the Formula 1 star met former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and in a matter of hours he'd convinced her to go for an "intimate" date.

The pair met backstage at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Munich, where Lewis, 22, was presenting an award and Nicole was performing with will.i.am.

Heart to heart: Lewis Hamilton gets close to Pussycat Doll Nicole Sherzinger

The racer then headed back to his hotel with his pals - who included Shaggy and magician Dynamo - for some Dutch courage, before heading out to see 29-year-old Nicole perform at a private party thrown by record label Universal.

An onlooker said: "Lewis was quite nervous about meeting her, and was fidgeting in the hotel bar before he went out to see her. He sat near the side of the stage and couldn't keep his eyes off her as she performed with will.i.am at the exclusive party.

Living doll: Lewis cosied up to the singer after she performed at the awards last night

"Nicole then arranged to have him brought backstage, where they met at the VIP bar. Lewis had his arm around her as she whispered in his ear - he was telling her how much he loved her performance and how fantastic she looked.

"She clearly loved the attention, and told him how pleased she was that he came to see her."

Animal attraction: Pussycat Nicole had Lewis purring

Lewis has been single after splitting up with his long-term girlfriend Jodia Ma in March.

With his wealth and good looks, he has got to be one of the world's most eligible bachelors - and Nicole certainly seemed to be aware of that.

The source added: "Lewis told one of his entourage that it was too busy backstage and that he would like to go somewhere quieter. He then leaned over to Nicole and told her he would like to take her somewhere more intimate. Finally, they left the party together, climbing into his black people carrier."

Here's hoping that Lewis takes his fast moves onto the track next season, because if he does he'll definitely be walking the championship.

Pretty in pink: Nicole launched her solo career at the prestigious music event with a duet with Black Eyed Peas singer Will.I.Am