MTV News Round-Up 20/02/2004

*** Kylie Minogue's campaign to become a megastar in the United States had a setback this week as 'Body Language' only managed to debut at No 42 on the US chart, selling around 43,000 copies and falling far short of previous album 'Fever', which sold 120,000 in its first week.

*** A week after Queens of the Stone Age announced that bassist Nick Oliveri had split from the group, Oliveri has revealed that his departure was not voluntary. "Unfortunately, I was fired," Oliveri said in a statement. "Queens of the Stone Age as we all know it is no more My favourite band is dead."

*** Ozzy Osbourne has admitted that injuries sustained during a quad-bike accident may prevent him from touring ever again. "I'm really frightened because music is the love of my life," he said. Ozzy suffered eight broken ribs, a punctured lung, a smashed collarbone and a crushed vertebra in his neck during the accident at this Buckinghamshire estate in late 2003.

*** P Diddy has appeared in court to face claims he assaulted a radio show host. Roger Mills claimed he was injured by Diddy's bodyguards after asking the rapper to respond to allegations that he was involved in Notorious BIG's death. P Diddy said his busy schedule made it difficult for him to remember the incident. "The only recollection I have was when the case was brought to my attention and they told me it was in regards to somebody that did an interview with me," he told the court.

*** Madonna is seeking dancers for her upcoming world tour. The tour is set to launch in May, over a year after the release of 'American Life'. A notice on a dancing trade website said of the auditions: "Looking to see anything from acrobatics, breaking, popping, locking to ballet, reeling, riverdancing and tango. Choreography will be unpredictable... anything goes!"

*** A dancer claims Britney Spears played a part in the breakdown of his marriage. Columbus Short, 21, was photographed in California with the pop star late last year, fueling rumours that the pair were involved, despite the fact that Short's wife was pregnant at the time. "It would be fair to say Britney caused major problems in our marriage. Sadly, we're now getting divorced," Short told Star magazine.

CL