MTV News Round-Up 21/07/2004

*** Michael Jackson has denied reports that he is to father quadruplets by a surrogate mother in Florida. A statement on Jackson's official website, MJJsource.com, said: "US Weekly magazine reported on Tuesday, July 20, 2004, that Michael Jackson is about to become a father of quadruplets. MJJsource denies the validity of this report."

*** The Libertines' Carl Barat has said that he does not want to be in the band without estranged guitarist and friend Pete Doherty. In an interview with NME, Carl said: "I don't think I want to be in a band called The Libertines if he's not in it, in the long term."

*** Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has revealed details of the band's forthcoming fifth album. Grohl said: "I think it's going to be a two-record set. It's going to be 10 acoustic songs and then 10 tracks that are just koo-koo, really heavy."

*** Britney Spears' fiance has become a father for the second time. Kevin Federline rushed to an Orange County hospital to be at the birth of his second child with ex-girlfriend Shar Jackson. It is not know what sex the baby is, but he or she will be brother or sister to the couple's 2-year-old daughter.

*** This year's Reading Festival has sold out. The Reading and Leeds festivals take place at Reading and Bramham Park, near Leeds, from August 27-29, with The Darkness, White Stripes and Green Day headlining. Tickets still remain for the sister event in Leeds, though organisers Mean Fiddler anticipate a sell-out there.

*** In more festival news, Kelis has joined the line-up for V. Festival director Simon Moran said: "2004 has been a phenomenal year for Kelis in which she's quite rightly earned her crown as queen of urban music." Dido, Pink, Scissor Sisters, Big Brovaz and Jamelia have already been signed up for the two-day event in August.

KS