BAFTA - SHOWBIZ REVIEW OF THE YEAR

SHOWBIZ REVIEW OF THE YEAR

By Ian Garland and Sarah Henshaw 2006 has been a year of showbiz scandal. Careers have been made and destroyed and marriages have started and ended. If there's one lasting and poignant message for celebrities to take into 2007, it's surely - never speak your mind; and always wear underwear when you're out on the town. Take a deep breath and let us take you back over the last 12 months in celebrity-land.

JANUARY

Taiwanese director Ang Lee kicked off what was to be a very good year for him and his movie Brokeback Mountain when he scooped four awards at the Golden Globes in January. There were other Globes for Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon and their film Walk The Line.

Showbiz pair Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie finally confirmed they are a couple after months of speculating by releasing a statement saying "they" are expecting their first child together. Their daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt was born in Namibia in May.

But there was a bluff for Nicole Kidman who furiously denied reports she was dating country singer Keith Urban - they married in Sydney in June. There was also baby joy for Sabrina the Teenage Witch star Melissa Joan Hart who gave birth to her first child Mason Walter Wilkerson with husband Mark Wilkerson. Holly Hunter gave birth to twin boys; Meg Ryan who adopted a Chinese baby girl and Gwyneth Paltrow, who announced she was pregnant with her and husband Chris Martin's second child. They already have a young daughter Apple.

Meanwhile, David Hasselhoff filed for divorce from his wife Pamela Bach. Over 2006 the pair embarked on a very public divorce battle and accuse each of mental instability and abusive behaviour. Revlon mogul Ron Perelman filed for divorce from his fourth wife, actress Ellen Barkin and Hilary Swank and actor husband Chad Lowe split after eight years of marriage. Colin Farrell sought legal advice after a sex tape, featuring himself and ex-lover Nicole Narain, was leaked onto the internet.

Supermodel Kate Moss returned to Britain after a self-imposed four month exile following her alleged cocaine scandal. No criminal charges were filed. It was a traumatic month for Lindsay Lohan, who was admitted to hospital in Florida after suffering a "severe asthma attack". Days later, Vanity Fair magazine published an interview with the teen star, in which she appeared to admit she has suffered from an eating disorder and has experimented with drugs. Lohan released a statement denying she made such an admittance. And an accident-prone month for Arnold Schwarzenegger, who needed 15 stitches in his lip after his motorbike collided with a reversing car in Brentwood, California. Actor Joaquin Phoenix suffered minor injuries after his car brakes failed on a canyon road in Los Angeles.

In January we lost actor Chris Penn, the brother of Sean Penn, who was found dead at his Santa Monica, California apartment at the age of 40. Cause of death was determined as an enlarged heart. Oscar-winning actress Shelley Winters also died, at the age of 85, after suffering a heart attack in Beverly Hills, California.

FEBRUARY

Ang Lee's great 2006 continued in February at the BAFTAs when he took another armful of awards home. There were also honours for Philip Seymour Hoffman and Reese Witherspoon. Elsewhere in Hollywood, Samuel L Jackson landed in trouble with Oscar bosses when he admitted in an interview he lets his wife and staff fill in his award nomination form; and Reese Witherspoon was unveiled as the highest paid woman in Hollywood, commanding $29 million a movie.

Elsewhere in the entertainment business, the creators of hit TV show The Sopranos were sued by the widow of a Florida mob boss for allegedly basing their drama on her family's life. And Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne sold the Hollywood mansion that featured in their reality TV show for $10.8 million.

Socialite Paris Hilton was ambushed by an anti-fur activists from People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and attacked with flour at a London Fashion Week after-show party. It was an embarrassing month for New Zealand director Lee Tamahori who was caught soliciting an undercover cop, while dressed as a woman. He was placed on three years probation, ordered to attend an AIDS education course and to perform 15 days community service.

In the most romantic month of the year, actress Glenn Close married her third husband, biotechnology entrepreneur David Shaw, in Maine. Halle Berry went public with her new model boyfriend Gabriel Aubry at a Versace party in New York City. Keira Knightley's relationship with her Pride + Prejudice co-star Rupert Friend was made public after the couple were photographed kissing on a Caribbean beach. But it wasn't so joyous for Ralph Fiennes and Francesca Annis who split after Fiennes was caught having an affair with Romanian singer Cornelia Crisan. Former celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston concluded their $60 million (GBP33 million) divorce settlement.

Model/actress Sienna Miller confirmed she had split from her on/off boyfriend Jude Law for the second time. They reconciled again later in the year, but split for a third time in November. There were more car crashes in February - this time it was Shannen Doherty who suffered minor injuries when her Range Rover collided with a Mustang in Malibu, California. In February, Gunsmoke actor Dennis Weaver died of complications from cancer in his Colorado home.

MARCH

Ang Lee was back onstage at the beginning of March to complete the treble, picking up the Best Director Academy Award at the Oscars. Brokeback Mountain was trumped by Crash for the Best Picture Award. The acting prizes went to Reese Witherspoon, Philip Seymour Hoffman, George Clooney and Rachel Weisz. At the anti-Oscars - the Golden Raspberry Awards - Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes won Most Tiresome Tabloid Target Razzie. Madonna quit acting in the same month, because she feared her terrible acting reputation will condemn any film.

Scientologist Isaac Hayes was another quitter, walking away from animated TV series South Park after accusing the show of promoting intolerance and bigotry - after it mocked his religion and fellow follower Tom Cruise.

Also in news, Teri Hatcher told Vanity Fair magazine she was sexually abused by her uncle between the ages of five to eight.

Naomi Campbell was arrested in New York City in March for allegedly assaulting her assistant. Brad Renfro is jailed for 10 days, just two days after he was ordered to enter a drug rehabilitation programme after pleading not guilty to attempted possession of heroin in Los Angeles.

Love was in the air for Richard Dreyfuss who married Svetlana Erokhin and Nicollette Sheridan and Michael Bolton who announced their engagement. Actor James Wood's lovelife caused controversy, when it was revealed the 58 is dating the 19-year-old daughter of his golf buddy John Myrick. Meanwhile, Matt LeBlanc was busy falling out of love with Melissa MCKnight, the pair filed for divorce after three years of marriage.

New celebrity offspring were welcomed into the world by Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham, who had a baby son called Michael. Alias star Kevin Weisman and his wife Jodi Tanowitz welcomed their first child together, a daughter Maya Rose.

In March, we lost former child star Jack Wild, who played The Artful Dodger in 1968 film Oliver! - who lost his battle with mouth cancer at the age of 53. Christopher Reeve's widow Dana died of lung cancer at the age of 45. African-American directing pioneer Gordon Parks dies from cancer at the age of 93.

APRIL

In April, Kevin Costner was officially named as the actor accused of performing a lewd sex act in front of a masseuse while honeymooning in Scotland in 2004. Lost star Michelle Rodriguez chose to serve five days in a Hawaii jail instead of community service after pleading guilty to drink driving charges yesterday. Daniel Baldwin was arrested for cocaine possession at a Southern California motel. Cameron Diaz celebrated after winning statutory damages in her long legal battle with the photographer who attempted to sell topless photos of her. The Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown was cleared in London's High Court of allegations he breached copyright and plagiarised the best-seller's plot. Bollywood star Salman Khan was sentenced to five years in jail for killing rare antelope. Matthew MCConaughey sighed with relief after a Los Angeles judge dismissed claims by an obsessed fan that he had raped, drugged and tried to kill her. Five people were killed in riots which broke out in Bangalore, India after the death of screen legend Rajkumar.

Elsewhere film-maker Robert Rodriguez and his wife Elizabeth Avellan split after 16 years of marriage. Brian Grazer and Gillian Anderson also split from their spouses. The stork made special trips for Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, who had a second child, a son called Moses; Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, who had daughter Suri; Gena Lee Nolin who gave birth to a baby boy; Brooke Shields, who had a daughter named Grier; and Ewan MCGregor who adopted a four-year-old girl from Mongolia.

It wasn't such a good month for Paula Abdul, who suffered back injuries and concussion after being attacked at a private party on 2 April.

Charlton Heston also made headlines when reports emerged that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and has become a virtual recluse in his own home.

In April, we lost former teen heart-throb Gary Gray, who died of cancer aged 69.

MAY

May was dominated by celebrity babies - the most famous of all being Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Namibian newcomer Shiloh Nouvel. Fans of the Hollywood A-listers had to wait another five month for their first glimpse of the beautiful baby girl when photos hit newsstands worldwide after a fierce bidding war. But the Mr + Mrs Smith stars weren't the only couple changing nappies: Mira Sorvino gave birth to her second child; Hugh Jackman officially adopted daughter Ava in a tearful court hearing; soul singer Isaac Hayes celebrated after wife Adjowa gave birth to their first child together; and Hollywood funnyman Adam Sandler became a first time dad. It wasn't all happy families though. May saw notorious party pair Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton split from their longtime loves as Adam Goldstein and Greek hunk Stavros Niarchos were dumped. Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank also ended all hope that she'd reconcile with husband Chad Lowe after announcing plans to file for divorce. It was up to Nicole Kidman and country music star Keith Urban to bring back the month's romance with news they were engaged. Tori Spelling went one step further by eloping with her partner Dean MCDermott in a beachfront ceremony in Fiji. Reality TV stars Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry were also married.

Sadly the May magic didn't extend to intrepid stunt man David Blaine who failed in his quest to set a new world record holding his breath underwater, after seven days submerged in a glass aquarium. Another celebrity hardman, British boxing star 'Prince' Naseem Hamed, was incarcerated too - in jail for fifteen months following a conviction for dangerous driving. He was joined by Brokeback Mountain star Michelle Williams' dad who was imprisoned in Australia for failure to pay US taxes. Elsewhere, UK funnyman Chris Langham was charged with 15 counts of making indecent images of children and Daniel Baldwin with two drug counts in California.

The Cannes Film Festival brought a bit of glamour back into springtime with Irish guerilla war drama The Wind That Shakes The Barley picking up the Palme d'Or - the highest award offered. Spanish star Penelope Cruz was another big winner on the French Riviera for her role in Volver.

Meanwhile screen legend Dame Elizabeth Taylor made a comeback appearing on CNN talk show Larry King Live to furiously dispel rumours she's at death's door and suffering from memory stealing Alzheimer's Disease. Sadly another ageing American star, actor Paul Gleason, died of lung cancer at the age of 67.

JUNE

There was wedding fever in June as matrimony mayhem movie Wedding Crashers was the big winner at the MTV Movie Awards - picking up three prizes, including the coveted Best Film trophy. In real life, the stars couldn't skip up the aisle quick enough as flame-haired beauty Nicole Kidman led the way marrying Keith Urban in a romantic sunset ceremony in Australia. Other leading ladies exchanging vows were Patricia Arquette; The Village star Bryce Dallas Howard; and Marcia Cross, who became a not-so-desperate housewife to stockbroker Tom Mahoney in California. There wasn't good news for every couple though, Penelope Cruz and Matthew MCConaughey split up after dating for two years. Scrubs star Zach Braff and Mandy Moore also ended their relationship, as did Selma Blair and her husband Ahmet Zappa, and moviemaker David Lynch filed for divorce too.

Business was looking good in June for comeback queen Kate Moss who continued to dominate fashion advertising campaigns. In June, she officially escaped criminal charges following allegations she snorted cocaine last year. Nick Nolte was another star breathing a sigh of relief out of court when the parents of a girl who was 15-years-old when she had sex at his home settled their lawsuit against the actor and his son.

Heidi Klum and pop star husband Seal confirmed they are expecting their second child together. Meanwhile, Rachel Weisz gave birth to her first with American director fiance Darren Aronofsky; Woody Harrelson and wife Laura Louie celebrate their third daughter; and Matt Damon and Jack Black became first time dads.

Tragedy hit TV twice this month with the demise of mogul Aaron Spelling. He suffered a fatal stroke at the age of 83. Moose, the Jack Russell terrier who played Eddie for over a decade on Frasier, is also mourned. He was 16-and-a-half (115 in dog years). And the Grim Reaper was obviously playing on Jackie Chan's mind - he revealed plans to donate half of his fortune to his own charity, the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, when he dies. Another generous star was Nicolas Cage, who donated $2 million (GBP1.1 million) to set up a fund for former child soldiers.

JULY

July was the month of Russell Crowe, Mel Gibson and Lindsay Lohan. It began with a new baby for Crowe and his wife Danielle Spencer, a boy called Tennyson. It ended with Mel Gibson's drunken anti-Semitic tirade against the cops who arrested him for drink driving in Malibu, California. And in the middle Lindsay Lohan was reprimanded by movie boss James G Robinson for partying too much and turning up late on set for the filming of Georgia Rule.

There was more embarrassment that month for teen star Haley Joel Osment who crashed his car in Los Angeles while under the influence of alcohol. Colin Farrell was confronted during filming for The Tonight Show With Jay Leno show by the woman who last year accused the Alexander actor of stalking her. David Beckham quit as captain of the England soccer team after it failed to win the World Cup in Germany.

In movies, Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest smashed US box office records by taking $132 million (GBP73 million) during its first three days on release. And Rolling Stone Keith Richards made Johnny Depp's dreams come true after agreeing to play Captain Jack Sparrow's father in the third installment.

Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock and Jean Reno and his love Zofia Borucka all tied the knot in July. And Hollywood star Eddie Murphy was revealed to be dating former Spice Girl Melanie Brown. Relationships ended for David Hasselhoff and Pamela Bach - who divorced after 16 years; Christie Brinkley and fourth husband Peter Cook; and Alec Baldwin and girlfriend Nicole Seidel. But there were babies on the way for Courteney Cox, who started having in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment with husband David Arquette; Tobey Maguire, whose fiancee Jennifer Meyer is pregnant; and Gillian Anderson who is pregnant with her new lover, Mark Griffiths' baby.

In July we lost US comedian Red Buttons, who died following a vascular disease aged 87 and veteran actor Jack Warden, who was 85.

AUGUST

Tom Cruise stunned Hollywood when he was unceremoniously dumped by his Paramount studio partners in August. Boss Sumner Redstone claimed his antics on Oprah and his outspoken behaviour had embarrassed the studio. Another famous Hollywood partnership came to an end when George Clooney and director Steven Soderbergh went their separate ways, insisting working together has "stopped being fun". And on the catwalk, two supermodel giants clashed heads when Elle MACpherson accused Heidi Klum of stealing her nickname The Body. The stars were ever present in court in August. Mel Gibson avoided jail for drink driving after agreeing to a plea deal. Sylvester Stallone settled his legal battle with a former heavyweight boxer who claimed he was the inspiration behind the Rocky movies. Colin Farrell was granted a three-year restraining order against a woman attempting to sue the actor for stalking her. In Hollywood, Heath Ledger landed the role of the Joker in the next Batman movie - but Jennifer Lopez walked away from the movie remake of Dallas. She was due to play Sue Ellen. Zach Braff quit his role in Scrubs to concentrate on his film career. Pirates Of The Caribbean and its stars led the winners at the Teen Choice Awards in Hollywood and Law + Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay and 24's Kiefer Sutherland both took home their first Emmys at the Primetime Emmy Award ceremony.

Offscreen, Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock married for the second time in two weeks by exchanging vows in Detroit, Michigan. Actor Brandon Routh also confirmed his engagement to his girlfriend Courtney Ford.

Bryce Dallas Howard revealed she was pregnant with her first child and Sharon Stone confirmed reports she has adopted a third son, Quinn. Elsewhere, Kate Hudson admitted her marriage to Chris Robinson was far from perfect. The pair officially split days later. Speculation is rife Hudson ditched her husband for You, Me and Dupree co-star Owen Wilson.

Carmen Electra officially filed for divorce from her husband Dave Navarro following a US tabloid kiss-and-tell expose from one of the rocker's alleged mistresses. Brittany Murphy split from her fiance Joe MACaluso and Tom Arnold filed for a legal separation from his wife Shelby Roos after four years of marriage. There were health problems for Robin Williams, who went public with his latest battle with alcoholism; Jared Leto was diagnosed with gout after undergoing dramatic weight loss for a film role; and Matthew Broderick fell from a horse and broke his collar bone while vacationing in Ireland. In August, we said a sad farewell to City Slickers actor Bruno Kirby, who died in Los Angeles following a battle with leukaemia aged 57 and veteran actor Glenn Ford, who was found dead at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He was 90.

SEPTEMBER

September began in a sombre mood with the death of beloved Australian TV naturalist Steve Irwin. The Crocodile Hunter died after being stabbed in the heart by a stingray's barb, while filming off Australia's Great Barrier Reef. He was 44. Irwin's tragic death was quickly following by news that veteran The Man With The Golden Arm actor John Conte died aged 90. Anna Nicole Smith gave birth to a daughter in the Bahamas, but her joy quickly turned to grief when her son Daniel, who was 20, died at her bedside from an apparent drug overdose just three days later. Despite her grief, Smith exchanged vows with her lawyer/lover Howard K Stern at the end of the month.

While Emilio Estevez proposed to fiancee Sonja Magdevski and Selma Blair started dating again after the collapse of her marriage to Ahmet Zappa; Orlando Bloom split from Kate Bosworth and Lindsay Lohan' was dumped by her boyfriend Harry Morton, just two months into their relationship.

On a happier note, Desperate Housewives beauty Marcia Cross revealed she was expecting twins with new husband Tom Mahoney, and actress Amanda Peet announced her pregnancy by fiance David Benioff. Terminator 2 actor Edward Furlong became a first-time dad when his wife Rachael Bella gave birth to a son.

Lohan's woes worsened when she was hospitalised with a wrist fracture and her beloved Hermes Birkin bag was stolen from her trolley at London's Heathrow Airport, while a host of stars fell foul of the law. Supermodel Naomi Campbell was threatened with arrest after failing to attend a court hearing in Manhattan, while Paris Hilton was officially charged with drink driving. Lou Diamond Phillips was charged with domestic battery, while Kim Basinger faced contempt of court charges. Flipping the script, Cameron Diaz accused a photographer of trying to strike her and boyfriend Justin Timberlake with his car. Returning to entertainment, Dame Helen Mirren and Ben Affleck became early Oscar hopefuls after triumphing at the Venice Film Festival, and Ellen DeGeneres, recovering from a traffic accident, was confirmed as the host for the 2007 awards ceremony. Charlie Sheen became the highest paid US comedy TV star after negotiating a multi-million dollar contract with Warmer Bros for his show Two And A Half Men. Supermodel Kate Moss turned designer after signing a deal to create a fashion range for British retail outlet Topshop, while studio boss James G Robertson heaped praise on Lindsay Lohan, just two months after branding her "irresponsible and unprofessional".

John Travolta denied he was gay after being photographed kissing a male friend before they boarded his private jet. Tom Cruise backtracked by apologising to Brooke Shields for his unprovoked criticism of her use of anti-depressant medication, while pictures of the M:I star's baby daughter Suri were finally published, five months after Katie Holmes gave birth. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated $1 million to charity and their pal George Clooney gave a speech to the United Nations on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

Nicole Richie dismissed reports she was being treated for an eating disorder. Scarlett Johansson was named Sexiest Woman Alive by Esquire magazine, while former Saved By The Bell funnyman Dustin Diamond shocked internet surfers with his very own sex tape.

September proved that even celebs fall ill with news martial arts maestro Jet Li is suffering from a mystery blood infection while Zach Braff ruptured a disc in his back performing stunts for Scrubs and British TV presenter Richard Hammond was left with brain injuries after crashing a jet car while travelling at 300 miles per hour. Pregnant fashionista Stella MCCartney was admitted to hospital in London suffering from abdominal pain and bleeding, but was reassured her unborn child was safe.

OCTOBER

Naomi Campbell was back in trouble in October after her female drug counsellor accused the supermodel of attacking her. She was released on bail. David Hasselhoff was also in the spotlight after his ex-wife accused him of assaulting her during their marriage. Wesley Snipes was indicted on eight counts of tax fraud over allegations he tried to cheat the US government out of millions of dollars in false refund claims.

Michael J Fox was back in the news when he was accused by radio host Rush Limbaugh of exaggerating the effects of his Parkinson's Disease in an advertising campaign for his favourite politician. Fox described the claims as "shameful".

Dance star Michael Flatley Irish jigged down the aisle to marry his former co-star Niamh O'Brien after a whirlwind romance. Actress Amanda Peet also married screenwriter David Benioff in New York. Meanwhile Jaime Pressly confirmed her engagement to DJ Eric Cubiche. Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon and her husband Ryan Phillippe announced their separation after seven years of marriage. The pitter patter of tiny feet arrived for Linda Evangelista and Amanda De Cadenet and Nick Valensi, the latter couple celebrating the arrival of twins. Tori Spelling and Sofia Coppola announced they are all expecting babies.

There were hospital visits of a different kind for Farrah Fawcett who revealed she is battling cancer of the lower intestine, and former Monty Python star Terry Jones who has bowel cancer. Both have been undergoing treatment, successfully.

New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle died in October when a plane he was piloting crashed into a 50-storey high-rise in New York City.

NOVEMBER

A big wedding, a big marriage breakup, a new James Bond and a racist Seinfeld star dominated the headlines in November. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes stole the show and for a whole weekend in the middle of the month, when the world's press camped out in a little town near Rome to capture the celebrity wedding of the year... or decade. All sealed with a three minute kiss at the altar. It later turned out the pair were already married, having taken part in a ceremony in Los Angeles three days previous - to make sure the whole thing was legal.

At the end of November, Pamela Anderson shocked us all by ending her brief re-union with Kid Rock - not long after they had reunited and married in a number of ceremonies. Rumour has it Rock - real name Robert Ritchie - struggled to handle her partying lifestyle. She had previously suffered a miscarriage while carrying the rap rocker's child. In Hollywood, Daniel Craig wowed critics and cinema goers in his debut as 007. Elsewhere another big movie about animated penguins - Happy Feet - was entertaining kids and adults alike. But Seinfeld star Michael Richards shamed showbiz by hurling racist abuse at two black hecklers at a comedy club in Hollywood. Eva Longoria and her on-off basketball beau Tony Parker announced they are engaged. Nicole Kidman revealed she is desperate for kids with Keith Urban - but Cameron Diaz has no intention of marrying Justin Timberlake in the near future.

Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai fuelled rumours they are secretly married after reportedly performing religious rituals reserved for married couples in two major Hindu temples in Varanasi, India.

Actor Neil Patrick Harris - TV's Dougie Howser, MD - ended mounting speculation about his sexuality, by revealing he is gay. Jude Law and Sienna Miller split for good, blaming "fundamental differences" for the end of their three year relationship. Reese Witherspoon officially filed for divorce from Ryan Phillippe, asking the court for joint legal custody of the couple's children. Chris Rock filed for divorce, ending his 10-year marriage to Malaak Compton-Rock and Christian Slater's divorce from TV producer Ryan Haddon was finalised, almost two years after they split. There was better news for Sofia Coppola who gave birth to a baby girl, Gillian Anderson who had a baby boy and Tobey Maguire, whose fiancee Jennifer Meyer gave birth to the couple's first child Ruby. Elsewhere in the news were OJ Simpson - whose book and TV deal for a 'hypothetical' confession to the murders of his wife and her friend, was cancelled by Fox boss Rupert Murdoch. David Blaine ended his latest stunt after hanging above New York in a spinning gyroscope for two days. Dance star Michael Flatley was hospitalised, suffering a severe immune virus.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger breezed back into power after elections in the state.

In trouble in November were Daniel Baldwin, again. This time he was arrested for allegedly stealing a car; Denise Richards accidentally injured a pensioner when she threw two photographers' laptops from a hotel balcony in Canada; and Clive Goodman, the royal editor of British newspaper the News Of The World, admitted he plotted to intercept the telephone messages of royal family employees. The showbiz world mourned director Robert Altman, who died aged 81; Jack Palance, who died at 87, Aussie soap star Belinda Emmett who lost her battle with cancer aged just 32; upcoming American actress Adrienne Shelly who was found dead at her New York City apartment aged 40. A construction worker has been charged with her murder.

Veteran US newsman Ed Bradley also died of complications from leukaemia. He was 65.

DECEMBER

As the year drew to a close, our favourite stars continued to find new and old ways to make sure they stayed on the frontpage with the usual love matches, splits and arrests. The love was all over for Eddie Murphy who ditched his Spice Girl lover Melanie Brown and demanded a DNA test to prove he is the father of her unborn child - all during an interview with a Dutch TV show. He was later found to be dating Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds' ex-wife Tracey.

Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn also parted ways after a relationship played out almost entirely in the media. Jude Law meanwhile confirmed his three year on/off relationship with Sienna Miller is finally over.

Selma Blair and actor Ahmet Zappa officially divorced after two years of marriage and The OC co-stars Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson split.

There was more scandal for Nicole Richie who was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in Burbank, California.

Actor Rip Torn was also caught and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in North Salem, New York, while director Gus Van Sant was arrested just days before Christmas for drink driving in Portland, Oregon.

Wesley Snipes was arrested by police in Orlando, Florida, on charges he avoided paying $12 million (GBP6.15 million) in tax. Snipes was later freed after posting $1 million (GBP513,000) bail. Law And Order actor David Wayne was charged with armed robbery after being caught leaving a pharmacy in New York carrying a BB gun. Prison Break actor Lane Garrison was involved in a car accident that killed a 17-year-old boy.

Actor Lou Diamond Phillips was sentenced to a year of domestic violence counselling and 200 hours of community service after pleading no contest to charges of beating his girlfriend. There was relief though for troubled supermodel Naomi Campbell who was told she would not face charges following her October arrest for allegedly attacking her drugs counsellor. Winter love was in the air for Lara Flynn Boyle who married her businessman beau Donald Ray Thomas in Texas; Scrubs beauty Sarah Chalke who got engaged to long-term love Jamie Afifi; Eva Longoria and Tony Parker announced they will marry in France next year. Jordana Brewster also got engaged to producer Andrew Form.

Hilary Swank confirmed she is dating her agent John Campisi and producer Robert Evans reconciled with his seventh wife Lady Victoria White. And more good news for former Beverly Hills, 90210 star Tori Spelling and her husband Dean MCDermott - who are expecting a baby boy next year. Mel Gibson was back in the news, facing a legal battle from a young Australian woman who insists she is his love-child. Rosie O'Donnell came under fire for offending the Chinese community on her US talk show.