MTV News Round-Up 11/03/2004

*** Blue singer Lee Ryan pleaded guilty to criminal damage at the Horseferry Road Magistrates Court in Westminster, after an argument with two photographers outside a nightclub in 2003. If found guilty, he could be jailed for a maximum of two years on assault charges. The hearing continues in May.

*** George Michael has announced that his latest album, 'Patience', may be the last he commercially releases. He plans to put future albums on the internet, with fans asked to make charity donations in exchange for downloading tracks.

*** Audio Bullys, Chemical Brothers and Paul Van Dyk were among the winners at the Dancestar USA Awards in Miami. Audio Bullys won Best New Artist Album for 'Ego War', while Chemical Brothers were named Best International Act, and Paul Van Dyk won Best Use of Music in a Commercial for the Motorola ad. The biggest winner of the night was US duo The Crystal Method, who won Best Act, Best Album and Best Single.

*** Antony Costa from Blue was with ex-fiance Lucy Bolster when baby Emily was born on March 10. "Im delighted the birth went smoothly and am pleased to report both Lucy and Emily are doing well," Antony said. The couple were together for two years and split last November. In the lead-up to the birth, Lucy's family claimed that Antony had not been in touch.

*** Slipknot will unveil a new set of masks to accompany the release date of their next album, 'Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses'. "It's just an extension of what we wore last time, they just have more elaborate detail," Slipknot's Joey Jordison told MTV. "You can still tell which guy is who, so I don't think the kids are gonna be confused."

CL