She's off: Glynis Barber announces she's leaving EastEnders as scheming Glenda Mitchell quits Albert Square

By Jody Thompson


Screen lovers: Glenda Mitchell, played by Glynis Barber, right, has been having an affair with Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, left


Glynis Barber has revealed that she's to leave EastEnders after more than a year as one of the more glamorous residents of Walford.

OK! magazine reports that the former Dempsey And Makepeace star, who plays Ronnie and Roxy's gold-digging mother Glenda Mitchell in the soap, has confirmed she plans to bow out of the show next month.

The 55-year-old actress will quit the Square after daughter Roxy (Rita Simmons) accuses her of stealing some of her inheritance.

However, Glynis hinted that she may well be leaving Albert Square via a black cab rather than a coffin so she hasn't ruled out returning to the soap in the future.


Writing on her official website, she said: '2010 was a busy and exciting year for me playing Glenda Mitchell in EastEnders. After Glenda manages to alienate practically everyone on Albert Square, she makes her exit in March 2011.

'But will she be back in the future to wreak more havoc? Well "she ain't dead" so anything is possible... watch this space!'

However, in typical soap fashion, Glenda is hoping to achieve maximum damage befiore she leaves the Square by revealing all about her affair with Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, to try and convince Roxy he planted the inheritance money in her home.

Glynis, who is married to her former Dempsey And Makepeace co-star Michael Brandon, said of the plot: 'Glenda doesn't think that Roxy will take Phil's word over hers, so she's devastated when she does.


Source:dailymail

That must be worth a Blue Peter badge! Presenter Helen Skelton becomes first to walk across Battersea Power Station in daring charity challenge

By David Wilkes


Fearless: Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton became the first person to high-wire walk across Battersea Power Station today after completing her challenge for Red Nose Day 2011


It took a lot more than sticky back plastic for her to hold it together.

But then Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton was teetering on a steel wire slightly narrower than a 10p coin suspended 217ft up between two of Battersea Power Station’s chimneys.

Yesterday the plucky 27-year-old became the first person to do the high-wire walk at the South London landmark, taking a nerve-racking 14 minutes to complete the 160-yard journey.

Daring: Helen took just 11 minutes to complete the feat as she crossed the wire 66 metres in the air

Nearly there: The end is in sight for Helen as she travelled across the wire to the other stack


The weather was windy and she had to take countless deep breaths to stop herself from wobbling.

For the last few steps she could barely see because one of her contact lenses had fallen out.

Miss Skelton, who trained for two months for the stunt in aid of Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day on March 18, completed her walk without a net, although she did wear a harness attached to a safety wire.

Hugs all round: Helen is congratulated by fellow Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere after completing the challenge

Delighted: Helen looks rightfully excited about finishing the wire-walk without having fallen at all

Celebration: Helen does a jump of delight in front of Battersea Power Station for photographers


The presenter, who last year completed a 2,000-mile solo kayak along the Amazon for Sport Relief, said: ‘This is definitely the scariest thing I’ve done. I was freaking out because the first bit was so wobbly. After the first five steps, I wanted to go back. It’s a relief to get it finished.’

Viewers can watch Miss Skelton in action in Comic Relief: Girl On Wire, to be shown on BBC1 on March 11 at 7.30pm.

To sponsor Helen go to www.rednoseday.com/girlonwire.

The original: Helen was inspired by Philippe Petit in the film Man On Wire. Here, he is seen balancing on the edge of the World Trade Centre


Source:dailymail

DADT: "Top Ten Things Soldiers Need to Know"

The Army has posted on the army website a list of "Top Ten Things Soldiers Need To Know" about the repeal of DADT:

1. Accessions & Separations Policies: Upon repeal, the Army will no longer separate Soldiers solely on the basis of homosexual acts, a statement that a Soldier is gay, lesbian or bisexual, or marriage to a person of the same sex. Statements about sexual orientation or lawful acts of gay and lesbian conduct will not be a bar to military service or admission to any accession program. Sexual orientation will continue to be a personal and private matter.

2. Standards of Conduct Apply Equally to Everyone: All Soldiers will be held to the same standard of conduct. All members are responsible for upholding and maintaining high standards of the U.S. Military at all times and in all places.

3. Personal Privacy: Commanders may not establish practices that physically segregate Soldiers according to sexual orientation. Commanders do have the discretion to alter billeting assignments to accommodate privacy concerns of individuals on a case-by-case basis where it is in the interest of maintaining morale, good order and discipline, and is consistent with performance of the mission.

4. Moral and Religious Concerns: There will be no changes regarding any Soldier's free exercise of religious beliefs, nor are there any changes to policies concerning the Chaplain Corps and its duties. The Chaplain Corps' First Amendment freedoms and its duty to care for all will not change. Soldiers will continue to respect and serve with others who may hold different views and beliefs.

5. Benefits: There will be no changes to eligibility standards for military benefits and services. The Defense of Marriage Act prohibits the Federal Government from recognizing any same-sex marriage, so same sex partners do not qualify as dependents for many military benefits and services. A same-sex partner should be treated the same as an unrelated third party (e.g. girlfriend, boyfriend). All Soldiers will continue to have various benefits for which they may designate any beneficiary regardless of relationship.

6. Equal Opportunity: Sexual orientation will not be placed alongside race, color, religion, sex and national origin as a class under the Military Equal Opportunity Program and therefore will not be dealt with through the MEO complaint process. All Soldiers, regardless of sexual orientation are entitled to an environment free from personal, social, or institutional barriers that prevent Soldiers from rising to the highest level of responsibility possible. Harassment or abuse of any kind, including that based on sexual orientation, is unacceptable and will be dealt with through command or inspector general channels.

7. Duty Assignments: There are no changes to assignment policy. All Soldiers will continue to be eligible for world-wide assignment without consideration of sexual orientation. Soldiers assigned to duty, or otherwise serving, in countries in which gay and lesbian conduct is prohibited will abide by the guidance provided to them by their local commanders.

8. Medical Policy: There are no changes to existing medical policies.

9. Release and Service Commitments: There will be no new policy to allow for release from service commitments for Soldiers opposed to repeal of DADT or to serving with gay or lesbian Soldiers.

10. Collection and Retention of Sexual Orientation Data: Sexual orientation is a personal and private matter. Commanders will not request, collect, or maintain information about the sexual orientation of Soldiers.

Note: in regard to spouses of same-sex couples,  same-sex partners will be treated the same as an unrelated third party (e.g. girlfriend, boyfriend) due to the continued enforcement of DOMA.  So same-sex spouses will not be eligible for any benefits or services currently enjoyed by opposite-sex spouses.

Training is scheduled to being in early March 2011.

L.A. Times: "Same-sex marriage, NOW"

In a very direct and clear editorial published today, the L.A. Times has called for gays and lesbians to be allowed to get married while the Proposition 8 case continues it's circuitous route through the courts.

"Enough already. Gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to wed while the case works its way through the system."

"The state Supreme Court was asked by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to rule on whether supporters of Proposition 8 have the right — known as "standing" — to continue with their case. It indicated that it would hear arguments late this year, with a ruling likely to follow a few months later. Meanwhile, a stay pending the outcome of the appeal has kept gay weddings from going forward. Now, however, the lawyers challenging Proposition 8 have asked the 9th Circuit to lift the stay and allow the weddings to take place. We agree that it should."

I'm with the L.A. Times. A stay should be issued only if it looks like those appealing the decision will prevail. That would be the anti-gay Prop 8 supporters here. At this point, it's very murky if those appealing even have "standing" to appeal.

Also, during the trial, the supporters of Proposition 8 were unable to identify any harm that would befall them if same-sex weddings took place.

This could possibly continue on for more than a year, and in that time gays & lesbians are, by definition, are being harmed in denying their rights. And the denial of constitutional rights is never a justifiable action.

Time to let the LGBT community have access to these important civil rights.

Many Iowans ambivalent on same-sex marriage

From the Des Moines Register: While there are certainly strong voiced sides on the issue of marriage equality in Iowa, a new poll shows there's also a lot of ambivalence.

In a poll conducted Feb.13-16, 37% of those polled opposed the court ruling that gives gay and lesbians the right to marry, while 32% support it - but 30% don't care one way or the other.

On a question asking if there were a vote for a constitutional ban on same sex marriage, 38% would vote against such a ban, 35% would vote for it and 25% wouldn't vote at all.

With the focus of the argument being taken up by the loudest voices, there is a large middle ground of Iowans who don't find the issue compelling or worthy of the "front and center" position it seems to have taken in political discourse in Iowa.

Nick Palencsar, a 30-year-old Davenport man, is engaged to a woman and ambivalent on same-sex marriage. "It's not my issue, and I don't feel like my input is all that valid for that reason," Palencsar said. "If I had to make choice, I'd probably vote against the ban."

Aaron Lea, a self-employed painter in Des Moines with a wife and a child, says he voted against retaining the three Iowa Supreme Court judges (who voted to allow marriage equality) because he doesn't believe in lifetime appointments, not because of their position on gay marriage. He says he wouldn't vote on a constitutional amendment that forbids such unions. "This is so low on the priority list, it shouldn't even be allowed on the Senate floor." After discussing the matter for about 15 minutes, Lea said: "This is the most time I've spent thinking about gay marriage. Ever."

With a large block of voters having little or no interest in either side, it would seem the issue doesn't have much momentum in terms of repeal.

Love's young dream: Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez FINALLY make their red carpet debut together at Vanity Fair Oscars party

By SARAH BULL

Love's young dream: Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber made their red carpet debut together at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles last night


They've been quietly dating since November but have been maintaining a low profile ever since.

But last night, teen sensations Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez finally confirmed their relationship by making their first official red carpet debut at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles.

With their arms wrapped around each other, the young pair stared lovingly into each others' eyes as they posed for photographers on the red carpet outside the Sunset Tower Hotel.


Dolce & Gabbana duo: Gomez looked stunning in a red dress, while Bieber wore a sharp black suit and red pocket square


The couple had even colour coordinated their outfits for the occasion, with 16-year-old Bieber donning a red pocket square in his black Dolce & Gabbana suit to complement 18-year-old Gomez's floor-length red gown, also by D&G.

Wizards of Waverley Place star Gomez accessorised her Grecian-inspired gown with Brian Atwood heels, Judith Leiber bag and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Gomez and Bieber were first romantically linked last year, after a series of meetings including Gomez visiting Bieber on his tour bus.


Starlets: The teenage sensations mixed with Hollywood royalty at the annual Oscar after-party


However, the Disney sensations declined to comment on their pairing for months, instead answering coyly about the status of their relationship.

Recently, a bold fan quizzed Bieber during an MTV question and answer session if he was dating the stunning singer and actress, to which he replied: 'I think anyone would be lucky to date her. She’s a great person.'

He later added: 'I like girls with nice, pretty eyes and a nice smile. I like girls that are funny because I like to laugh and joke around.'

Gomez has maintained an equally coy attitude about Bieber, saying previously that she considers the Never Say Never star family.


Loved-up: The pair have been quietly dating since November but have kept things under wraps until now


Recalling the first time the pair met, Gomez explained: 'When he first started to come over from Canada his manager contacted me and he just said that he would like to meet me and he was just such a good kid.

'I feel like a big sister now, because I want to protect him.'

But when she was asked if she was suffering from 'Bieber Fever' at the Grammy Awards last month, Gomez replied to Access Hollywood: 'I love him. He’s been in my life a very long time. He’s my friend.'

Gomez added she wasn't worried about the attention she was getting for her relationship with Bieber, despite Kim Kardashian receiving death threats from hundreds of fans when she and the singer joked about a mutual crush.

Gomez laughed: 'I think it’s awesome people are interested – I don’t understand why.'
Bieber and Gomez looked delighted to be mixing with Hollywood royalty at the Vanity Fair party as they made their way into the exclusive event.


Giggles all round: The pair appeared to be in high spirits as they attended the exclusive event together


Earlier in the evening, Bieber had backed True Grit star Hailee Steinfeld to take home the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.

He tweeted: 'Good luck to my friend Hailee Steinfeld tonight on the #oscars . young people going for theirs! also want Christian Bale to win. #TheFighter.'

But it seems the grandeur of the party might have reminded Bieber of how lucky he has been, as he later added on Twitter: 'i'm never gonna change...i will always remember...i will always be that kid from stratford...I will always be grateful.'


Grown-up glamour: Emma Stone opted for a Chanel dress, while True Blood star Anna Paquin went for red


The cute couple weren't the only young celebrities gracing the red carpet at the star-studded event.

Country star Taylor Swift caused a stir in a tiny jewelled gold Zuhair Murad dress, while actresses Emma Stone and True Blood star Anna Paquin went for very different looks for the party.

Stone opted for an oriental-inspired Chanel Haute Couture dress with purple satin heels, while newlywed Paquin looked stunning in a ruffled red Monique Lhuillier dress and Brian Atwood black shoes.



Country strong: Taylor Swift showed off her legs in a tiny jewelled Zuhair Murad dress and gold heels


source: dailymail

And the award for the most costume changes goes to... Oscars host Anne Hathaway wears EIGHT incredible outfits

By Jade Watkins


Divine: Anne Hathaway changed into an incredible SEVEN dresses whilst hosting the 2011 Oscar awards, including this burgundy silk gown by Atelier Versace


Hosting the Oscars may well have been Anne Hathaway's most important role to date.

And with the top honour came some serious couture.

The 28-year-old changed into an incredible eight difference outfits throughout the night.

She started out the evening in a Valentino, and even had the designer himself on hand in case of a red carpet emergency.


Shake it up baby now: Anne shimmied on-stage in a silver-fringed Oscar de la Renta gown

'I have a needle and thread in my pocket just in case, ' the designer told the Daily Mail.

She was styled by celebrity favourite Rachel Zoe and was adorned in Tiffany jewels throughout the ceremony.

Anne of many colours: She appeared in sapphire blue Giorgio Armani and a Vivienne Westwood corseted ball gown during the night, left to right


Opening the awards, Hathaway slipped into a cream-coloured strapless Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown.

Accessorising the look with a diamond ring, bracelet and earrings, she was positively glittering.

Her next look was especially styled for her hilarious cross-dressing spoof with co-host James Franco.

Emerging in a custom tuxedo by Lanvin she managed to make the androgynous theme still look somewhat feminine.

Androgynous: Her custom made Lanvin tuxedo was especially styled for an hilarious cross-dressing spoof with co-host James Franco


For her third look, the Hathaway slipped into a Vivienne Westwood corseted gown layered with taffeta and lace smattered with sequins.

The princess-style gown was said to have been specially designed for the actress in London.

Setting off the grey tones, she paired the gown with a stunning diamond and dusty amethyst necklace from the Tiffany Archives.

The biggest risk for Hathaway came in her silver-tasselled Oscar de la Renta gown.

But she turned the disco themed ensemble from bordering on tacky to sophisticated, by once again dripping in Tiffany jewels and also slipping her feet into some Jimmy Choo heels.

Dazzling: Hathaway opened ceremony wearing a cream-coloured strapless Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown and closed the night in a slinky Tom Ford smokey grey lace and crystal adorned gown


Next up was a burgundy silk gown by Atelier Versace.

Perhaps the most stunning of the night, her figure looked incredible in the body-hugging Art Deco inspired bodice.

It was followed by a sapphire Giorgio Armani Privé satin column dress which gave a memorising effect on screen with it's shiny accents.

Accentuating the blue tone, she slipped on a pair of Tanzanite and diamond earrings, a black onyx and diamond bracelet, and a diamond and sapphire ring.

Finishing off her hosting duties, Hathaway finally slipped into a slinky Tom Ford smoky grey lace and crystal adorned gown.

Hathaway is the youngest person to host the show, which was broadcast live in more than 200 countries worldwide.


Bold: The actress, who was styled on the night by celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, wore a bold strapless dress by Valentino on the red carpet


Source:dailymail