ANTHONY HOPKINS - HOPKINS DISMISSES REPORTS OF A PIANO TOUR

SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS has dispelled rumours he is to embark on a world tour as a concert pianist, despite reports to the contrary. The Silence of the Lambs star, 70, was alleged to be hitting the road later this year (08) to show off his musical talents after his pal, Australian musician Malcolm Luker, claimed in December (07) that a tour was imminent. He said, "I think people will be surprised by Tony's talents. He's a great pianist and an incredibly pleasant and softly spoken man. "It's going to happen either in 2008 or early 2009 but at the moment we're doing the preliminaries of checking timing, availability and venues." But Hopkins insists the claims are fabricated: "It's not true. I won't be doing that. Don't believe everything you read in the papers."