The 9 0'Clock News – Tue 26 Aug

Posted by heatworld on Tuesday 26 Aug 2008

Filed under: Amy Winehouse, Madonna, Max Drummey, Peaches Geldof, Simon Cowell, The X Factor

The X Factor faker?
If there's one thing The X Factor is always good for, it's a tear-jerking tale or two – but it would appear that one hopeful hasn't been telling the whole truth about his sad predicament. Alan Turner, who got audiences and Cheryl Cole sniffling on Saturday's show, told the judges that he was auditioning with a view to meeting his real parents. The 23-year-old said his foster family had brought him up well, but that he had always wanted to know his real family. "I want to get to know who my real family are. I'd just love it if they were to get in touch," he stuttered, "I want to prove to my real family I'm not a waste of space." Alan then went on to impress the judges with his audition, with Cheryl telling him he was "absolutely gorgeous" and the usually gruff Simon Cowell even saying, "You have a great manner. Whoever your foster parents are they have done a great job." However, a man who says he's Alan's real father has come forward – and says his son has been telling porkies. "He must come clean," said 51-year-old Alan snr, "It's all a lie. He has not been fostered – I only spoke to him five weeks ago." Hmm, hardly close then. Alan's dad claims his son was in actual fact raised by his gran, and that he can't understand why Alan would lie. "He's made himself look a bit of a clot," Alan snr explained (what a "nice" man). Alan's angry uncle was less forgiving, blasting, "His mam and dad have always been there for him. He's invented this sob story just to dupe the judges into putting him through." As these revelations came to light, it was also revealed that this was the THIRD time Alan had auditioned for The X Factor *raises eyebrow* and that he was desperate to get through. Alan and X Factor sources have yet to comment...

Madge causing trouble again. Hurrah!
The queen of controversy has been at it again... This time Madonna sparked a political furore by comparing US presidential candidate John McCain to Adolf Hitler. Madge, currently on tour, flashed pictures of the Nazi leader and John McCain as well as Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe during a performance on her new tour. Biting back, the McCain camp said, "The comparisons are outrageous, unacceptable, and crudely divisive all at the same time. It clearly shows that when it comes to supporting Barack Obama, his fellow celebrities refuse to consider and smear or attack off limits." Oo-ee-ooh! Meanwhile Madge, who might have what it takes on stage, has bowed out of a fight with local wolf-whistling builders. Despite her gym being next door to her home, she has decamped to another after seven months of nearby builders leering and making crude comments. Madonna is thought to spend a whopping three hours a day at the gym, hence her converting the Georgian house next door into her very own iron-pumping fitness centre – but fed up with all the hassle, she has decided to turn to her personal trainers gaff instead...

Peaches plans New York move
If Max Drummey was hoping that his marriage to Peaches Geldof was going to help his band's success rate, then he might have been feeling a tad disappointed this weekend. Chester French's London gig was an apparent disaster, with the small audience booing and heckling until the band were forced to start playing covers. Oh dear... But, rather than wallowing in despair, Max simply jetted back to the US with his new missus to look for a new pad. The couple arrived at JFK Airport in New York with huge grins on their faces, pouring scorn on the rumours that their short marriage was already in trouble. The young couple are apparently looking to settle in New York, and have been checking out apartments on the trendy Upper East Side. We wonder how long Peaches will last in a city where barely anyone will recognise her...? It might just be us and our cynical nature, but we think Peaches is one girl who likes being the centre of attention.

Now Mitch Winehouse makes a film...
Amy Winehouse's dad Mitch is mostly famed for giving interviews about his troubled daughter – but it seems he may too have star quality. The cabbie has landed a role in a comedy about the music industry. Although the project is untitled and is currently in pre-production, it's thought Mitch jumped at the chance of taking part. The show will centre around a one-hit-wonder in the 80s with a film insider revealing, "Mitch has become almost as recognisable as Amy. He's always on hand when his daughter gets into scrapes. he comes across very well when he appears on TV to defend his daughter and the film producers like his charm."