The 9 0'Clock News – Wed 23 Sep

Posted by heatworld on Wednesday 23 Sep 2009

Filed under: Arlene Phillips, Heidi Range, John Travolta, Sophie Anderton, Strictly Come Dancing, Sugababes, Brush with the law, Drugs

Sophie Anderton filmed snorting cocaine:
Model and reality TV star Sophie Anderton has been filmed snorting cocaine – just days after she proudly told Jeremy Kyle that she'd kicked the habit for good. In the video, Sophie is seen bending over and snorting three lines of white powder, before standing up and saying to her male friend, "Wow, that's good shit. Thanks Angel." The troubled star admitted to Jeremy Kyle recently that she'd even gone as far as to sleep with men for money, so she could fund her dangerous habit – but said firmly that she's now been in recovery for two years. Sounds like she needs some help kicking her addiction again.

Heidi was behind Keisha's shock departure
A new source has claimed today that it was Heidi who schemed to get rid of fellow Sugababe Keisha, because she thought the band would have a better chance of cracking the States with a new member. The source explains, "Heidi did not want to be in a position where a big bust-up might arise while they are promoting their material Stateside. She persuaded management a less headstrong character would be suited to the group." The split has not come cheap, either. Not only are bosses having to pay for extra studio time so that new member Jade Ewen can record her vocals on the new album, but they also had to pay Keisha off – and the figure is rumoured to be six figures.

John Travolta blackmailed over death of son
Actor John Travolta was blackmailed by a paramedic following the death of his teenage son, it was revealed today. The Pulp Fiction star's 16-year-old son Jett died after suffering a seizure at the family's holiday home in the Bahamas, but at the time of the incident a frantic John asked that Jett be flown to a US hospital rather than being treated on the island hospital. A document called a "refusal of medication" form was signed by the actor, and it was this the paramedic allegedly used to blackmail the star after Jett's tragic death. Both the paramedic in the centre of the allegations and his attorney deny the charges. The trial continues.

BBC ban Strictly stars from discussing Arlene
As the row over Arlene being replaced by Alesha Dixon on Strictly rumbles on (and on, and on, and on), the BBC have taken the extreme measure of sending out a memo to all the show's dancers and celebrity contestants, telling them how to respond if questioned about it all. It would appear the show's bosses are no longer going to tolerate anyone sticking up for Arlene, but insiders say that the celebs have now learnt their "lines" so well, that it's becoming a bit of a joke. However, the BBC have denied that they're trying to brainwash anyone, saying in a statement last night, "It is ludicrous to suggest this amounts to the BBC banning or gagging anyone." Blimey, all this over a dancing show...