MTV News Round-Up 15/09/2004

*** Coldplay's Chris Martin joined REM on stage at this year's Make Trade Fair gig. Halfway through 'Man On The Moon', Martin bounced onto the stage and joined the band to huge applause. He sang a verse and a chorus and then returned to his seat to watch the rest of the set.

*** Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs is searching for a girl band in a new season of 'Making the Band'. The last season of the MTV show saw Combs developing the hip hop group Da Band, whom he dramatically disbanded recently. "I'm looking for no-nonsense, hardworking, talented individuals", says P. Diddy. Auditions for this new group will be announced shortly.

*** Avril Lavigne and Sum 41's Deryck Whibley are reported to have got engaged. The pop star said yes when the fellow Canadian singer popped the question in California at the weekend. According to tabloids, Lavigne has been showing off her sparkling ring to friends. "She has had a grin on her face ever since", said a mate.

*** Kelis had to be rushed to hospital in Switzerland, after suffering what was believed to be an allergic reaction to nuts. The R&B vocalist is said to have failed to inform the chef at a restaurant in Zurich that she has a nut allergy, and ended up having a bad reaction to the food after she started eating.

*** Natasha Bedingfield has had her laptop containing new songs stolen, according to reports. Natasha was apparently returning from a holiday when she landed at Heathrow Airport. The laptop, which went missing from her baggage, contained material that she left off her debut album 'Unwritten' as well as new music and lyrics she hasn't yet released.

HK