*** Pete Doherty has returned to rehab, this time in France. He checked out of The Priory recently, claiming that he was heading across the Channel with his girlfriend, but was taken to a rehab clinic in France by his mother. There is hope he will eventually return to The Libertines. "If (Carl Barat) comes and grabs me by the hand, maybe we can reclaim the empire together. But for now I'm out of the band," he said.
*** The trial date in the Michael Jackson case has been tentatively set for September 13, though Judge Rodney Melville said the date was likely to move back slightly. "I understand this case is going to be a difficult one to prepare given the amount if evidence," he told attorneys at a California court. Jackson pleaded innocent in April to several counts of child molestation, among other charges.
*** The mother of Mark Rhodes, one half of pop duo Sam and Mark, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The 60-year-old nurse is receiving treatment in Wolverhampton, with her pop star son at her side. "We are all rallying round and I'm going home as much as I can, so with our love and support we will carry her through this," he said. Mark lost out in the Pop Idol final to Michelle McManus.
*** The Polyphonic Spree have announced details of a UK show at London's Shepherds Bush Empire on July 5 to promote their second album 'Together We're Heavy'. "We are elated to be coming back to the UK... our first real home amongst music lovers and believers of The Polyphonic Spree," group leader Tim DeLaughter said.
*** The Chinese culture ministry has asked to view Britney's sexy tour outfits before giving her to go ahead to wear them on stage for forthcoming gigs in Shanghai and Beijing. According to reports, they are concerned that the singer may show too much skin. Britney will be one of the biggest acts to perform in China since it became a communist state in 1949.
'DL'