MTV News Round-up 06/01/2004

*** Robbie Williams has said hed gladly give up his 68 million fortune and live on a pittance. The star has been lamenting his unhappiness and has said that money has not brought him the contentment he desires.

*** Victoria Beckham is branching into publishing by launching her own magazine. Called Liberty after the stars niece, it will be a quality, glossy lifestyle mag based on trendy pop culture.

*** Big Brovaz are set for Hollywood stardom after featuring in the upcoming movie Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. They play themselves in the flick, which is due out in April and stars Freddie Prinze Jnr and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

*** Daniel Bedingfield will have to stay in New Zealand for up to three months to recover from his recent car accident. The singer is in a stable condition in hospital but has been told he wont be well enough to fly home for some time yet.

*** A war of words is reported to have broken out between The Darkness and Oasis. Noel Gallagher said of the spandex boys, "I dont know why people like them or hate them." The Darkness Justin Hawkins responded by posting, "Noel Gallagher is the most over-rated lead guitarist in rock history," on a fan website.

*** A thousand pairs of trainers designed by Pharrell Williams for Nike sold out of selected stores in New York and Los Angeles over the weekend. Fans queued from 7am on Friday at New Yorks Niketown, waiting 26 hours before the sneakers went on sale.

*** Obie Trice will be releasing a new single next month. The Set Up (You Dont Know) is the follow-up to Got Some Teeth and the second single from his Cheers album. The track will hit shops on February 2.

*** Michelle McManus is heading for number one in the singles chart this weekend. The Pop Idol winners track All This Time is flying off the shelves.

*** Ushers new album, Confessions will be released in the US on March 16. The LP features production from the Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri and R Kelly. "I chose producers who would let me articulate myself in a different way," said the star.

*** US R&B act B2K has disbanded. The foursomes manager, Chris Stokes, announced the split in a statement. He said, "The kids are growing up and are interested in pursuing their own careers. I have enormous respect for each of them and wish them success."

*** Kinks frontman Ray Davies has been shot in the leg while trying to stop a thief taking a friends bag. The singer was on holiday in New Orleans and chased the gun-toting robbers after the snatch. One man is in custody and a second is being sought by police.

JB