The 9 0'Clock News – Thu 10 Sep

Posted by heatworld on Thursday 10 Sep 2009

Filed under: Fern Britton, Jason Statham, Joel Madden, Kelly Brook, Nicole Richie, Philip Schofield, Strictly Come Dancing, The X Factor, Babies

Nicole and Joel welcome new baby boy!
Some happy news to start the day today. Nicole Richie has given birth to her second child with boyfriend Joel Madden – a boy who they've named Sparrow. Nicole gave birth to Sparrow James Midnight Madden very early yesterday morning. He is healthy and well, and weighed in at 7lbs 14oz. The couple released a statement last night saying, "In the middle of night, the very early hours of September 9, 2009 Sparrow James Midnight Madden was born to Nicole Richie and Joel Madden. Nicole, Joel, Harlow and Sparrow are all doing well. Thank you for all of your good wishes. The new baby boy joins big sister Harlow Winter Kate Madden, who was born in January last year. Congratulations guys!

Strictly in ratings war with The X Factor
Are you an X Factor or a Strictly fan? Well, soon you're going to have no choice but to pick a side, because the BBC have confirmed that they will be showing the hit dance show at exactly the same time as The X Factor is scheduled on ITV1. The new series of Strictly will start at 7.25pm on BBC1, which is just 35 minutes before The X Factor kicks off on ITV1, meaning the shows will overlap by 65 minutes. The BBC are claiming that they have no choice but to use that slot, because they have to screen a kids' show before and Match Of The Day afterwards, but ITV are accusing them of ruining viewers' Saturday nights. Oh dear. The X Factor won the ratings war last year by over a million viewers. Which one will YOU be watching?

Even more drama at the GQ Awards
Kate Moss storming out in a strop wasn't the only drama going on behind the scenes at the GQ Man of the Year Awards on Tuesday night. Hunky action-man actor Jason Statham refused to take a seat for dinner after he discovered his ex Kelly Brook had been seated just a few tables away. Jason was there to present an awards with his girlfriend, and made it very clear that he did not, under any circumstances – want her and Kelly to be introduced. A source later revealed, "It was a pretty awkward situation. Kelly's name is a no-go with Jason's mates – no reference was made to her being there all night." Oh dear. Isn't it about time Jason moved on? Still, we'd be pretty miffed if we'd been dumped for bald Billy Zane.

Phillip talks about Fern for the first time
Phillip Schofield has spoken openly for the first time about Fern Britton's departure from This Morning, admitting, "We've been through a lot, but we're still pals." When Fern announced she was leaving the show, rumours were rife that it was partly due to a dispute over how much she was getting paid in relation to Pip, and how much more of a star he was. However, Phil claims they were always earning the same. "We were paid the same in a way," he explains, "But the figures look distorted because I have a different deal." he denied that gastric band-gate had caused any problem between them either, saying, "My first reaction was to support Fern 100 per cent. It was my role as a mate." Pip says he's looking forward to working with new co-host Holly Willoughby, saying simply, "In my mind, it was only ever her." Awww.