UK Celebrity News, Fashion Tips, Gossip and Pictures

Welsh singer-songwriter Duffy was virtually unknown just 12 months ago yet she was the toast of the Brit Awards after winning a series of trophies.

The 24-year-old from Bangor capped a remarkable year by taking home awards in the Best British Female Singer, Best British Breakthrough Act and Best Album categories.

Her debut album, Rockferry, was released in March 2008 and went on to sell five million copies worldwide.

After being handed her first award from countryman Sir Tom Jones, she said: “I travelled this whole country, from Wales to London and back again a thousand times, playing my songs to old ladies, who are probably watching the TV tonight saying they heard some of my songs. So thank you to the British public. I can’t tell you what this means after five years. Thank you so much.”

Picking up her second gong, for best breakthrough act, she joked: “I’m starting to recognize your faces — I don’t mean to be greedy and take another one home, but thank you so much.”

Backstage when the awards were over Duffy said: “I’m overwhelmed. I didn’t think I would win three awards. The chances were slim. It’s been the most amazing night.” She would be heading home to Wales after the event where her aunt planned an “open-house party”.

Duffy was nominated for the best British single award which was voted for by the viewers during the night – Girls Aloud picked up their first Brit award in seven years for their single ‘The Promise’ and beat their competition from Leona Lewis and Coldplay.

A little light hearted entertainment was provided by Kylie Minogue, who gamely performed her single ‘I Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ with some very unlikely-looking backing dancers  -  James Corden and Matthew Horne of BBC comedy series Gavin And Stacey.

Kylie hosted the show and looked elegant in a white slashed to the thigh Alexander McQueen gown and her backing dancers – the actors – struggled through a robotic dance routine in tight-fitting red dresses.

Take That also performed their hit single Greatest Day which was another highlight of the night. The band lost out to Elbow in the Best British Group category, Elbow also scooped up the award over Coldplay.

Coldplay, who are fronted by Gwyneth Paltrow’s husband Chris Martin, have won the best album trophy every time they have released a new record  -  until this year. The group proved they are not your usual rock-and-roll hellraisers by requesting a dressing room with a bed in it in case they needed a nap.

Badly in need of a lie-down was breakthrough singing sensation Katy Perry, who was named best international female. The American said she had dragged herself to the awards, despite being ill.

Gwyneth Paltrow the famous actress has revealed she is set to launch a cookbook. Gwyneth who is best known for her role in the film Iron Man, is set to release a book with a selection of recipes and it will be titled ‘My Fathers Daughter’, the book is set for release next year. 

Gwyneth’s book publishers say while it will feature interesting cooking ideas it will also “focus on the importance of togetherness at mealtime, emphasising that cooking for your family is the ultimate expression of love.”

The book will contain a wide range of recipes which will help to express the importance of families eating together by being designed with the entire family in mind. Gwyneth says she gets her love for cooking from her late father Bruce Paltrow who died in 2002 from pneumonia after battling throat cancer.

The actress is married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and they have two children together, daughter Apple and son Moses, Gwyneth spoke about her Dad saying how he was a famous pancake maker and she is currently working on his secret recipe to also master his talents, but she added that she is making hers slightly healthier.

The 36-year-old star explained how her father’s cancer diagnosis made her reassess her diet and lifestyle. She said: “I met a macrobiotic counsellor who was dying from cancer and she cleared herself. She said my father had to detoxify otherwise the cancer would return. And it did. I believe there’s a direct correlation between environmental toxins, preservatives in food, and disease.”

Gwyneth has said no longer follows a macrobiotic diet but is dedicated to health and ‘nourishing the inner aspect’, she also made a TV series called ‘Spain: On The Road Again’ and this involved her traveling through Spain trying local dishes with chef Mario Batali.

Gwyneth Paltrow stunned Cheryl Cole when she sang her a Girls Aloud track on the phone. Gwyneth who is a famous Hollywood actress was sitting with hubby Chris Martin as he called the girl group to ask them to support Coldplay at Wembley Stadium. 

When Chris was chatting to Cheryl talking about supporting Coldplay, Gwyneth grabbed the phone and treated her to a few words from the Girls Aloud’s first No 1 single Sound Of The Underground. A source said the girls were very excited about Coldplay singer Chris Martin calling them personally to discuss them being a supporting act. 

Nicola Roberts phoned Cheryl to chat about it and discovered that her bandmate had already spoken to the famous couple and was “still in shock”.

Chris roped in his missus to give Cheryl an X Factor-style sing-song. Gwyneth belted out the girls’ hit single down the phone with Chris joining in, creating a surprise duet for Cheryl. Gwyneth apparently also asked Cheryl if she’d bring The X Factor winner Alex Burke along to the gig in September, whilst giggling about her singing to Cheryl.