NEW ROW AMID ROSS COMEBACK
The BBC has defended Jonathan Ross's Radio 2 comeback after he appeared to joke about s*x with a pensioner, prompting complaints.

Co-presenter Andy Davies said an elderly woman kept cuddling him while carrying out work at his Spanish home, and Ross joked ''I think you should . . . give her one last night.''
But the BBC said there was no link to any specific individual.

X FACTOR MUM, BENEFIT CHEAT
The mother of X Factor winner Alexandra Burke said she was ''outraged'' at claims she was a benefit cheat.

Melissa Bell, who sang with '80's band Soul ll Soul, has been accused of getting paid for singing at a series of gigs, while claiming disability and income support.
The mother of four said she ''could not believe'' the claims.
Ms Bell who has diabetes, said ''I rang the council and they admitted I am under suspicion of benefit fraud. I am absolutely outraged. ''
Her daughter Alexandra, 20, landed a 1 million pound record deal after winning the X Factor talent show last month.
Ms Bell said that she had never had any professional gigs while she has been on benefit and that any money she did receive had been paid to charity.

SAYER BECOMES AN AUSSIE

Seventies pop star Leo Sayer has gained Australian citizenship, thanking the people there for supporting his career.
The singer topped the charts with hits including You Make Me Feel Like Dancing and When I Need You.
Speaking at a ceremony he said ''In the old country, England, it would have been - sorry you're from the 70's - and that's it.''

HOLMES SLAMS RIHANNA
Eamonn Holmes says if Rihanna were your daughter you would give her a ''slap''.
In an interview, he said ''I find the entourages that some people come with, especially the Americans really pathetic.
Rihanna for example, is a beautiful girl, but if she were your daughter you'd give her a slap and tell her to wise up. She's surrounded by people who treat her like a little flower.''

GERI GETS ENGAGED

Geri Halliwell is engaged to her wealthy Italian boyfriend Fabrizio Politi, her management have confirmed.
''As a token of their commitment to each other Fabrizio presented Geri with an engagement ring over the festive season.'' the statement said.
But it added that the pair who met in a Florence nightclub in December, are ''enjoying their engagement'' and have no immediate plans to wed.

LILY'S HAIR SNOW JOKE!
The snow chaos left poor Lily Allen suffering a bad hair day today.

Lily, who topped the charts with her new single The Fear, had to do her own hair and make up before an interview with GMTV after her assistants were left stranded.
While chatting to Ben Shephard, the singer said ''No one turned up because of the snow so I've had to do it myself and I've got this greasy fringe.'' Oh to be a star!

Oh the humanity Lily. Dont tell Al Quida but if they got their hands on a few snow making machines, they could bring this country to its knees.