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JOB OPPORTUNITY FROM ALAN BEARMAN MUSIC
ABM is looking for a full time administrator to undertake a variety of duties to support the company's day to day running. ABM is primarily a music agency representing a number of significant artists in the folk and roots music world. We are based in Finsbury Park, London N4. Please see www.alanbearmanmusic.co.uk for more information on our activities.

There will be opportunities to get involved in projects such as festivals and conferences but in the main we are looking for reliable admin back up on the agency side of the business. If you would like any more details or to apply, please email a CV and cover letter to Alan on [email protected]

Salary and benefits will be based on experience/ qualifications. Please apply by end of September.

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Advertise your jobs here: £100 for five editions - [email protected]

DESK SPACE TO RENT IN SHOREDITCH
A bright Shoreditch third floor 4 desk unit, ideal for a start-up. You'll be sharing with 4 other small media enterprises (film, publishing, PR and design). The space comes with four desks, chairs and shelving units and is ready for you to move in today. Office has internet, wifi and is fully air-conditioned. In a very desirable location 5 minutes from Liverpool Street station and 10 minutes from Old Street station. Rent is £250 per desk, per month, including rates and service charge. Please contact  [email protected]

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FILM PRODUCTION STUDIO TO RENT IN SHOREDITCH
A fully equipped film production studio in the heart of Shoreditch. An ideal temporary studio to meet all your freelance and overspill needs, with access to 2 cameras (Z1E and HC1E) with 2 sound kits, an HD edit suite with FCP Studio 2, HD deck, HD monitor and sound station. Full specs available on request. Includes a working space for up to four people. The space with production and post-production equipment is £200 per day, minimum hire of three days; 7 days is charged at 5 days. Discounts available for hire of 4 weeks plus. Please contact [email protected] or 07809601366.

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Advertise your stuff here: £120 for five editions - [email protected]

ELTON AND OTHERS JOINS P2P CRACKDOWN DEBATE
I know what you've been thinking these last few days. No really, I do. You've been thinking "it's all very well knowing what Lily thinks about the governments plan's to get all strict on P2P file-sharing, but who cares what she thinks, what does Mister Elton reckon?" Well, people, good news, Elton has torn himself away from the Orphans-R-Us catalogue to pen a letter on this very topic to one or another of the country's esteemed news organisations.

And here's what he says: "I am of the view that the unchecked proliferation of illegal downloading (even on a 'non-commercial' basis) will have a seriously detrimental effect on musicians, and particularly young musicians and those composers who are not performing artists". So phew, that's that one settled.

As previously reported, John's good friend Lily Allen has been ranting about file-sharing ever since the Featured Artists Coalition spoke out against the government's recent change of heart on the P2P issue. As also previously reported the government are now seriously considering new rules which would see the net connections of persistent file-sharers suspended. The FAC aren't pro-file-sharing as such, but don't believe forcing internet service providers to restrict or suspend the net access of those who do file-share will result in any real decline in online piracy. Certainly the most persistent file-sharers will find ways to circumvent any industry tracking devices.

But Lily reckons that any new laws that might have some impact on file-sharing should be properly considered, and wants political types to know she's not in agreement with the FAC. As also also previously reported, she's set up a special blog on the issue and is encouraging other pop types to let their personal opinions on the issue be known. Some are doing so via Lily's blog, others their own websites, some via The Times, who I think have been specifically canvassing for opinions. Here's some pop star contributions to the debate that have been issued in one form or another on which we haven't previously reported:

Mark Ronson (via the Lily-blog): "I agree with Lily. Illegal file-sharing is tearing at and could eventually destroy the fabric of what makes the UK recording industry and musical community the most forward-thinking and artist nurturing in the world. The points that Lily made about illegal file-sharing directly effecting the creative freedom of A&Rs and, more importantly, the kind of acts that they sign, is what threatens the greatness of the UK music scene, the greatness that makes the rest of the world look to us to see where the future of music is headed. I cannot express enough how important it is that we protect that; without it, we will be living in and responsible for a world dominated by meritless and disposable cookie-cutter 'Pop Idol' musical refuse".

Fran Healy, Travis (via the Times): "I think if you can afford to buy a record then you should buy it. [But] people who hunt down a record and download it for free will probably talk it up. They are the unsung word-of-mouthers who spread the word and create tipping point situations for a greedy record business that has got so fat it is unable to see its own footsoldiers".

Gary Barlow, Take That (via the Lily-blog): "I agree with every single sentence [by Lily Allen]. I spend so much of my spare time helping up-and-coming artists find their way, so am fully aware of all the issues in your letter".

Björn Ulvaeus, Abba (via The Times): "It makes me angry when those who want to get round copyright on the internet evoke a faceless and immensely powerful 'intellectual property industry' as their main enemy just because it suits them. Those under attack are people of flesh and blood, who are passionate about their profession. When I speak with younger colleagues about their current situation, I feel a strong sense of compassion for them and understand their anxiety about the future. Some of them feel that their work is being degraded. Patronising crusaders for the right to fileshare say: 'Why don't they go on tour and sing for their supper?' This argument shows a staggering ignorance of the fact that the people who write the songs are, more often than not, not performers. They are producers and songwriters, full stop".

And finally, Mr Dappy from N-Dubz (via the Lily-blog): "Lily's comments are something we can relate to immediately. We started by ourselves without a record company, just doing our own music, giving a CD of a song to Bob who gave it to Jim and got the word on the street going. That worked for us. But the minute a song gets on the internet as a digital download, it's gone and you can't get it back. It stops you in your tracks, stops you doing what you're doing, all the stealing. I'd say to someone who takes our music it's all very well taking it off the internet because you like it, because it's your favourite song, but you're forgetting about us in the studio, all the hard work that goes into creating that song. If you steal our music it might make you happy but it makes us very upset. Any ideas to encourage people to use legal music services we'd back all the way. They get the thumbs up from us".

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DIZZEE RASCAL DISCUSSES RAP VIOLENCE, POLITICS AND SELLING OUT
Dizzee Rascal was interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday, and was quizzed on a variety of topics, including violent lyrics in rap and hip hop, his appearance on Newsnight earlier this year to discuss Barack Obama's US election victory, and claims that he has sold out.

Asked if he thought rappers should be more restrained in the contents of their lyrics, particularly when it comes to violence, he pointed out that there are other sources of such content for children. He said: "You can talk about rappers being responsible, but at the end of the day they are trying to entertain. I've seen 'Macbeth' and it's about killing and witches and all that, Shakespeare is in the curriculum and it's violent! If you're saying that, then you have to say the same about Shakespeare, because it's all good kids pick up on hip hop, but Shakespeare, that stuff is gory - it's about murder". He added that "poverty, insecurity [and] depression" were more likely to cause young people to become violent than what they see on the telly or hear on their stereo.

Discussing his appearance on 'Newsnight', he said: "I was happy with it, some other people were not happy with it, but I was alright with it". When asked how close he thought Britain is to having a black Prime Minister (one of the questions he was previously asked by Jeremy Paxman), he replied: "I don't know how close are we to having a good Prime Minister".

As for claims that he's sold out and forgotten his roots, he said: "Part of it is from where we come from. It's almost like we don't expect to ever make it out of there. So when someone breaks through it's almost like 'how did they do that?' There's that part of it".

He continued: "[And] definitely people almost resent success. I know my roots, but I fly, I'm not a tree. So, I don't have to stay planted in the ground, I do what I want. The whole thing about the grime scene and me selling out, well, OK, I don't make music that sounds like it did seven years ago, but ... a lot of [newer artists] are doing what I was doing six years ago, so haven't I left something positive behind?"

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MTV EUROPE NOMS OUT
The noms are out for this year's MTV Europe Music Awards. People say "noms" right? Well if they don't they should. So yes, the noms are out for this year's MTV Europe Music Awards, and Lady Gaga and those Kings Of Leon are in the lead with five nominations each, which is great news for those in the European music industry who support homegrown talent. Beyonce gets four noms, while Eminem and Green Day get three noms each. Yeah, I can't help thinking that they should hold this event in New York rather than Berlin, carbon footprint-wise anyway.

Gaga, the Kings and Ms Knowles are all up for Best Song, for 'Poker Face', 'Use Somebody' and 'Halo' respectively. They'll compete with Black Eyed Peas' 'I Got A Feeling' and David Guetta's 'When Love Takes Over'. Eminem is up for Best Male, where he will compete with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mika and Robbie Williams, even though Robbie's first album in three years isn't released until the Monday after the MTV awards show. Best Female noms are Beyonce, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, Leona Lewis and, finally, Shakira, even though her first album in four years will only just be out come November, and Leona's second album will still be pending release. How did they choose these noms again?

As well as the US-act heavy main categories, there are also prizes for the best acts from each European country (well, most of them), and up for the Best UK/Ireland gong this year are La Roux, Pixie Lott, Florence And The Machine, The Saturdays and Tinchy Stryder, who have, at least, all already released something this year.

MTV's Europe Music Awards take place in Berlin on 5 Nov. No word on what Kanye thinks of the nominations, though I think he'd like you all to know that Beyonce had the best video ever.

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MUTYA COMMENTS ON SUGABABES SPLIT
While speculation continues as to exactly why Keisha Buchanan quit the Sugababes earlier this week, especially after denying there would be any line-up change in the girl group at the weekend, one of her former Babe-mates - Mutya Buena - has been commenting about the latest Sugababes development which, of course, means that none of the original line up are in the group anymore.

Communicating via Twitter, she didn't say much about Keisha at all, but was rather down on Sugababe 4 Heidi Range, seemingly for not standing by Buchanan. Buena tweeted: "It all started so innocently... a love for music and a dream. Look what its become. RIP. I will say this publicly... shame on Heidi for not following Keisha out. But doesn't surprise me a bit".

Subsequently speaking to BBC 1Xtra, Buena went on to question the future of the group, suggesting Keisha's replacement Jade Ewen may start to dominate, while also questioning the logic of continuing to use the Sugababes name. She told the radio station: "It doesn't make sense that there is a Sugababes any more. Not having any of the original members in it, it will be more about the brand name Sugababes than it will be the singers. [As for Jade], I reckon she would be a lot better as a soloist. She's got an amazing voice, so [as a member of Sugababes] it will kind of seem like she would be in the front line and there will be two backing singers".

The other original Sugababe, Siobhan Donaghy, hasn't specifically commented about Keisha's departure, as far as we know, though she is unlikely to be jumping to her former bandmate's defence. Speaking to The Sun last week about her famously acrimonious departure from the group in 2001, she said: "There was no doubt that I was pushed out. It was clear there was someone in that band who never wanted me in it - and that's Keisha. She made my life a living hell. I'll never forgive her. Though no one forgives that first bully in their lives, do they? No one does".

As previously reported, confirming her departure from the group on Twitter earlier this week, Buchanan insisted there had been no major falling out between her and the other Babes, though did say "it was not my choice to leave". In the full Twitter-delivered exit declaration she also referred to "communication issues". Though as she was keen to stress there was "no arguments, bullying or anything of the sort" it's interesting to know what the communication issues were. Did the other two lose her mobile number?

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CHAS N DAVE SPLIT
I'm glad my friend Jim is out of the country this week, I'm not sure how he's going to take this news. Chas N Dave have announced that they have split after 35 years together. The Dave half of the group, Dave Peacock, has decided to retire form the music business following the death of his wife Sue. The Chas half, Chas Hodges will honour all remaining touring commitments under the name Chas And His Band.

Sue, who worked behind the scenes for the duo throughout their entire career, was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in November last year, and died in July. In a statement on their official website, the duo said: "Sue was instrumental behind the scenes for Chas N Dave, working tirelessly on the side of the business that musicians just aren't good at. It's accurate to say that without Sue and [Chas' wife] Joan, there wouldn't have been Chas N Dave".

Chas told The Daily Mail: "Obviously it's sad. It's the end of an era, but the start of another one - the show goes on. I still see Dave every week and he's coping, but I don't think he wanted to do the gigging any more. He has horses and he loves driving them round his grounds and painting gypsy wagons, which he's very good at, so I don't think he'll miss the gigging".

But, hang on. Noel has left Oasis, Keisha has left Sugababes, and now there's a Chas without his Dave. Someone needs to start making phonecalls.

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NO SMITHS FUED, BUT NO SMITHS REUNION
Johnny Marr has denied that a feud between him and Morrissey is what's stopping a Smiths reunion from happening. He just doesn't want to do it. Speaking to Norwich Evening News, he said that the pair are occasionally in touch with each other, and work together on non reunion-related Smiths projects, but neither have any desire to go back to something that finished a long time ago.

Marr said: "I like The Smiths' songs, but I like playing [in bands] with two [guitarists] and writing new songs. Unfortunately a reunion would go against both those things.
It's not necessarily the case that we're not talking. We have email. We worked on that [2008 deluxe edition re-release of greatest hits compilation] 'Sound Of The Smiths' together. That came out about a year ago".

He added: "Who's got time for a feud? Right now I have got screwdrivers inside guitars, my car broke down yesterday. I've got no time for a feud. [But] I am still really, really proud of [The Smiths]. It would be pretty churlish to be annoyed by how much people like your group".

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MORE SPICE GIRLS REUNION CHATTER
The Spice Girls may or may not be planning another comeback, but are definitely having a love in.

Geri Halliwell told 'This Morning': "We are friends first and foremost. Obviously a career and music evolved through that friendship I think. Whatever happens afterwards is a bonus. We always talk about creative plans. Right - now, I'll be honest: We are gathering information about a possibility, but I don't like to... when you are evolving a plan, you don't want to share it with the world".

Meanwhile Mel B tweeted this week: "Spice Girls, stadiums? Had dinner with the amazing Mel C, Emma and Geri. I love them so much".

So make of that what you will. The Spices previously reformed in 2007, of course, though the comeback tour - despite a huge demand for tickets - finished prematurely because of "personal and family commitments".

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DIDDY SIGNING TO INTERSCOPE, ACCORDING TO RUMOURS
P Diddy's latest album, 'Last Train To Paris' was due for release in November, but has now been pushed back to next year. So far, so unremarkable.

However, Vibe Magazine claim this isn't a normal release delay. They say the delay is related to the fact Diddy's business relationship with Warner Music - who have had a stake in his Bad Boy Records business since 2005 - is coming to an end. Gossipers say that Diddy is planning on walking away from his Warner Music partnership and returning to Universal Music, with plans to release the new longplayer via their Interscope label.

The new release date for the album is currently 14 Feb, but sources say the date may slip again until after Diddy's current contract with Warner ends next April. A source told the New York Post: "He's holding off on releasing [the album] until April. If he doesn't renegotiate his contract, he might end up releasing it on Interscope. Who knows what will happen with Bad Boy if Diddy leaves?"

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CANCER BATS COVER BEASTIE BOYS
Hardcore band Cancer Bats have recorded a cover of Beastie Boys classic 'Sabotage', after airing their version of the song live at this year's Download festival.

Speaking to Rock Sound, frontman Liam Cormier said: "It came off so well and we were so excited about it that we decided to record it. I don't know if it will make the new album but at the very least it will be on iTunes. All of us have been massive Beastie Boys fans since we were little kids so to do that song and play it in the studio - all of us were freaking out with excitement!".

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LET'S GO CRAZY COMPILATION PLANNED
The nineteen year old promoter of Let's Go Crazy, a club night for 16-18 year olds that frequently boasts some of the best DJ talent, has been chatting about the extension of his brand into the realm of the compilation album. EMI will release a 'Let's Go Crazy' compo on 5 Oct, featuring tracks from the likes of Chase & Status, Bloc Party, Lily Allen, David Guetta, Deadmau5, Steve Angello, The Prodigy, Boyz Noise, Empire Of The Sun and The Noisettes, and mixed by the club's resident DJs James Harwood and Twiggy.

Promoter Callum Negus-Fancey told CMU: "It's exciting to be releasing a compilation that is the first of its kind, and great that EMI understand and share our views. We've tried to put together a compilation that reflects what our audience want to hear and has actually been requested by them, a diverse mixture of commercial and cutting-edge music".

Presumably EMI recognise the value of collaborating with a promoter who has access to half a million teens via his Facebook group, and who repeatedly secures top DJ talent for his club nights. The next takes place on 26 Oct at the Brixton Academy and will feature DJ sets from the Faithless Sound System, Pendulum, Andy C, Annie Mac, Noisia, Skream Vs Benga, Akala, Scratch Perverts and Jack Beats, plus Chase & Status performing live.

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NEW FOO FIGHTERS SINGLE GET FIRST PLAY TONIGHT
One of two new tracks that will appear on the previously reported Foo Fighters greatest hits album will get its first airing on Xfm tonight. Steve Harris will be playing 'Wheels' on the O2 Evening Show some time after 7pm.

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HENDRIX ESTATE SITTING ON A DECADE'S WORTH OF MATERIAL
Jimi Hendrix's sister Janie, who as president and CEO of Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix controls her late brother's catalogue, has said that there is still enough unreleased Hendrix material in the archives to keep new releases coming for at least another decade.

Speaking to the website of guitar manufacturers Gibson, who are launching a new line of Hendrix-themed guitars, she said: "We probably have another decade of music, including video. Every twelve to eighteen months we'll continue to have new releases and official bootlegs. Jimi was a workaholic. After Electric Lady studios was built he was able to record constantly for as many hours as he wanted to. It's almost as if he knew he had only four years to accomplish everything that he did. We have an amazing amount of original masters, including a lot of material that hasn't been previously released".

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BROADCAST AND THE FOCUS GROUP COLLABORATE
Psych-poppers Broadcast have teamed up with The Focus Group (aka Ghost Box Records owner Julian House) for a new mini-album, 'Broadcast And The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults Of The Radio Age'.

You can get a taste of what it sounds like here.

If you like what you hear, you'll be able to get your hands on the whole thing right... about... now. The album is already available to download via Bleep.com, and it will be released on CD and vinyl on 25 Oct.

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STREAM THE NEW WHY? ALBUM
Why?'s new album, 'Eskimo Snow', is released in America this week by Anticon. Which is nice for Americans, but Tomlab won't be releasing it in the UK until 5 Oct. Boo! But you can stream the whole album right now on Muxtape. Yay!

As previously reported, the songs on the album were all recorded during the same sessions as last year's 'Alopecia' album, but take a very different direction. The band's core member Yoni Wolf has previously described the album at "the least hip hop [thing] I've ever been involved with".

Listen to it here: why.muxtape.com

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'LOVECHILD' TO PLAY JACKO IN BIOPIC
Norwegian dancer Omar Bhatti, who has been rumoured to be a secret lovechild of Michael Jackson (although he denies it), is rumoured to be starring as his father/not father in a new film about the star's life.

A source told The Sun that the as-yet-untitled film will begin shooting next year, under the guidance of Jackson's family. They said: "Michael's story from childhood to the height of success is nothing short of astounding. It needs to be told and that's what his family want.
They want to cover his childhood and family life but focus on when his career went into overdrive".

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MIXMAG ANNOUNCE 3D CLUBNIGHT
Mixmag will host a special 3D clubnight at Matter in London next month. Clever computer wizardry will project images onto the walls of the club, which, when viewed through special glasses included in the ticket price, will appear in 3D.

Performing at the event will be spooky techno merchant Damian Lazarus, making a rare UK appearance, and upbeat electro-house type Rex The Dog. DJ sets will come from Sneaky Sound System, D Ramirez, Cyantific and Radio 1's Jaymo & Andy George.

It all takes place on 10 Oct and tickets, costing between £10 and £15, are available now.

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ROBBIE TO OPEN THE PROMS
Robbie Williams will open this year's BBC Electric Proms with a gig at London's Roundhouse on 20 Oct. The show will see Robbie perform with a string section, horn section and full band. The show will be directed by Trevor Horn who, of course, produced Williams' new album 'Reality Killed The Video Star'.

Look, here's what Williams has to say about the show: "I'm looking forward to playing my new songs, working with Trevor Horn again and seeing how people react to what I've been doing".

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ALBUM REVIEW: Strike The Colours - Seven Roads (Deadlight Records)
What a pretty girl Strike The Colours' Jenny is. What a pretty voice she has. And what a pretty, simple little album 'Seven Roads' is. A girl from Scotland myself, away from home to live the big life in the nation's capital, listening to the album was something of a nostalgic experience, and it did make me feel the slightest pangs of homesickness. Shaded with winter, 'Seven Roads' is a cold, delicate record, and, thankfully, steers away from the kind of work that members of the band have indulged in on the side (Snow Patrol anyone? I didn't think so). So, first thing to mention, 'Seven Roads' isn't exactly a cheery affair. However, as mentioned previously, it's pretty - it's light, it's sad without slugging itself down; 'Cat' and 'Rivers' are the highlights, the former perhaps is best, with its rhythmic guitar-plucking and a rich kind of movement throughout, precisely in the centre of this short, ten-track record. Like their veteran Scottish-pop peers Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura, Strike The Colours don't shy away from twee instrumentation and breathy, lightly-accented vocals, and with these familiar sounds backed up by folksy strings and morose acoustics, it makes for a fresh, inventive debut. TW
Physical release: 28 Sep
Press contact: Covert PR [all]

Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon

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ARE EMI'S FORTUNES LOOKING UP?
Despite the continued fast turnover of senior execs at EMI, and owner Guy Hands' previously reported down-beat assessment of his 2007 acquisition of the music major, some reckon that things are finally looking up at the London-based music firm. The Financial News says that it reckons EMI's financial position has improved to an extent that the major is no longer completely reliant on extra cash from Guy Hand's Terra Firma or a radical restructure of its debt commitments to Citibank in order continue to be a viable business. So that's nice.

This month's big Beatles venture has probably had a role in lifting the major's short term fortunes. EMI have said the much previously reported release of the remastered Beatles catalogue shifted 2.25 million units worldwide in just the first week, more than a million in the US alone. While the share of revenues between EMI and Beatles company Apple Corps is unknown, such big sales will be very helpful for the major in both cashflow and profit terms. Though EMI bosses could do still do with the new Robbie album doing well also - partly to bring in extra revenues, and partly to convince investment types that there is still a value to investing in new releases even though its mainly catalogue that's propping up the major just at the moment.

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ITV AND STV SQUABBLE
The squabbling between ITV and their Scottish counterparts STV has stepped up a notch after the former launched a legal claim against the latter.

As previously reported, while all the ITV franchises in England and Wales are now owned by the same company - ITVplc - in Scotland the third terrestrial channel is operated by a separate company, STV, even though they air a lot of ITV's English output.

However, STV have been trying to build their identity apart from ITV of late, and as part of that bid - and also to cut costs - they have dropped some of the English ITV's biggest and most costly shows from their schedules. Shows no longer airing on STV include 'The Bill', 'Midsomer Murders', 'Kingdom', 'Al Murray's Happy Hour', 'The Fixer' and 'Doc Martin'. Plus, as previously reported, they are planning on dropping ITV's main teatime news bulletin.

The legal dispute is over whether or not STV gave sufficient notice that it was dropping the networked ITV shows. ITVplc are a bit pissed off because, I think, they were relying on STV's contribution to the making of those shows, and the Scottish company's decision to not air them has left them with a £38 million hole in their budget. They are saying that STV's decision to drop the programmes when they did was in breach of 'network agreements'.

Confirming the legal action, ITVplc said this: "Given that we are a commercial organisation, with responsibilities to our shareholders, we are left with no option but to take legal action to recover this sizeable debt".

STV deny they are in breach of any agreements, and therefore dispute that they owe money for shows they chose not to air. They said in a statement: "STV will rigorously defend its position and in particular its rights as the licence holder to control its schedule and opt-out of programming in accordance with the devolution contract and the relevant networking arrangements".

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BO SELECTA STAR DISCUSSES JACKO TRIBUTE
Bo Selecta star Leigh Francis has said that he thinks many people will find his previously reported Michael Jackson tribute show "sick and twisted", but promises it's all done out of love for the late singer.

Speaking to the Mirror, Francis said: "It's a look at his career basically, and I think a lot of people will think that I've done something really sick and twisted, but I'm a fan of Michael Jackson, a genuine fan, and I think when people watch it they will know that I am - I've got some moves! David Gest is in it, which is our licence to say that we are not doing anything wrong - he said it was cool what we are doing, and he was Michael's friend".

He continued: "There's going to be all these musical tributes and concerts that are going to happen and if I could sing, I would've like to have been involved in that but I do comedy and this is my tribute I suppose, and I've always done a Michael Jackson [sketch] since Bo Selecta, so it's kind of a goodbye to Bo Selecta's Michael Jackson.
It's an affectionate tribute as you'll see".

You can make up your own mind when the show airs on E4 tomorrow night.

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RYAN ADAMS RESPONDS TO COURTNEY'S RANTS
Courtney Love is always accusing someone of stealing from her, attacking her, trying to ruin her daughter's life or just generally doing wrong by her. She recently went back to ranting about her old nemesis Ryan Adams, who she has on various occasions accused of funding the recording of his 2003 album, 'Rock N Roll', using a credit card stolen from her.

Adams has always been fairly coy on the subject, but after a new article appeared on Gawker, referring to him as her "ex-boyfriend", he issued a statement via his publicist in an attempt to clear the matter up once and for all. It reads: "I have never had any romantic, personal or financial involvement with Courtney Love. She is confusing me with her ex, who produced my 'Rock N Roll' record, which was financed solely by Universal Music".

It seems Courtney has realised the confusion already, though, as said producer and ex, James Barber, has of late been a subject of a sustained attack from Love recently. She has been accusing him of all kinds of things on Twitter lately, including putting porn on her computer while she was out and bugging her phonecalls. He's getting a break today, though. She's now accusing Peaches Geldof of offering her daughter drugs. Oh, and the whole thing with 'Guitar Hero' makers Activision is still on-going. It must be very stressful to be Courtney Love.

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JUSTIN DATING RIHANNA?
There have been rumours that Rihanna is dating pretty much every male pop star going since her violent split from Chris Brown earlier this year. Now it's the turn of Justin Timberlake to be linked with the singer.

But wait, doesn't Justin have a girlfriend? Yes, it's that Jessica Biel. But he went to the Emmys without her at the weekend, and even though he said Biel was suffering with a cold, I think it's fairly obvious what's actually going on here. The evidence is overwhelming, all we need is an unnamed source to confirm it once and for all.

Oh wait, an unnamed source told Showbiz Spy yesterday: "Justin and Rihanna have been seeing each other for the past few weeks. He is really into her and it's only a matter of time before he dumps Jessica".

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ANDRE PREVENTS MOBBING BY NOT TURNING UP TO SIGNING
After he had to be rescued from a signing at an Asda store at the weekend, when around 6000 people tried to get up close to him, Peter Andre is perhaps understandably a little wary of his fans now. As a result, he's cancelled a signing planned to take place at HMV in Manchester today, because he's just too damn popular.

Announcing the cancellation via his Twitter page yesterday, Andre said: "I was due to appear at HMV Manchester tomorrow 5pm but unfortunately HMV have cancelled due to the amount of people expected".

Don't be upset, though. He's not letting his fans down. Instead of appearing at the HMV store, he'll be signing stuff at Asda's Horwich branch. Because, I'm sure there's no chance of him being mobbed by thousands of screaming fans at a branch of Asda. I'd definitely remember if something like that had happened before.

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