DAVID E KELLEY - KELLEY'S TOUGHEST DAY

Hotshot TV mastermind DAVID E KELLEY faced "the toughest day I can remember" when he had to sack half the cast of THE PRACTICE before beginning filming the new series.

The writer and producer of the ABC show was told to half costs before embarking on a eighth season - and Kelley, husband of Hollywood babe MICHELLE PFEIFFER, was faced with axing a host of stars including LARA FLYNN BOYLE, DYLAN MCDERMOTT, LISA GAY HAMILTON and KELLI WILLIAMS.

Kelley says the day he had to break the news to them "was probably the toughest day I can remember, career-wise".

However, the legal drama is returning to the screens with new stars DAVID SPADER and guest star SHARON STONE, and Kelley is confident that the show can recapture viewers who switched off from the last series.