By Tom Bourton BBC News Online

Football, films and festivals have been helping to keep Welsh stars in the world's headlines over the last week.

At a time when a bad word about Beckham seems tantamount to treason, veteran TV presenter John Humphrys has landed himself in hot water with some less-than positive comments about the English football team's World Cup exploits.

John Humphrys: Not a Sven convert

Cardiff-born Humphrys, 58, who presents the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, told a gathering of Scottish businessmen the team were a "bunch of precious t*****s".

And he added that London would be an unbearable place to live if England won the cup.

He later explained his sentiments to the Welsh Mirror, saying: "I am first and foremost a rugby fan and, as a Welshman, regard England as the sporting enemy."

Another Welshman on foreign soil is Anthony Hopkins, who has been profiled in a BBC1 Omnibus interview, speaking candidly about his career, his love life and debt to Alcoholics Anonymous.

In the programme, due to be shown on 3 July, the Los Angeles-based actor also explains that he feels "American in spirit" and that the USA is "a great country to be in".

As his latest movie, Red Dragon, gears up for release, the Oscar-winner also said he had made "maybe four good films" in his life.

Anthony Hopkins: Happy in America

Hannibal fans keen for a glimpse of their hero can now visit the teaser site for Red Dragon, and Empiremovies site reports that the trailer will start showing with Tom Cruise's latest thriller Minority Report in the US this weekend.

And the Moviefreak site is posting what it claims are the first six pages of the movie script.

Elsewhere, Hopkins has been talking about sex scenes with Nicole Kidman in upcoming release The Human Stain: "At 64, I don't have any problems with sex scenes. I just go ahead and do it."

Fellow Californian Catherine Zeta Jones meanwhile, has expanded her promotional portfolio by signing up with phone firm T-mobile, as well as being the face of Elizabeth Arden.

But rather than salute her busy schedule, the 3am girls at the Mirror are worried that this sudden burst of work may be causing a "rocky patch" between her and husband Michael Douglas - although her constant talk of wanting more children seems to refute that rumour.

First steps

While Hopkins and Zeta Jones have well-established acting careers, two other young Welsh stars are just starting out.

Firstly, Charlotte Church has signed up as a wannabe singer in a new romantic comedy set in Cardiff called Family Business.

Charlotte will sing in the film, but not her trademark classical offerings - although she has told the South Wales Echo that, despite a definite shift away from her musical roots, she is not plotting to be the next Britney Spears.

Secondly, former Top of the Pops presenter Josie D'Arby, 27, from Newport, south Wales, is to debut in BBC1's police drama Merseybeat on June 24.

Josie D'arby (right) with Merseybeat costar Joanna Taylor

"I was too naive and not equipped to be an actress when I left drama school," admits the Rada-trained star, "I've been able to grow up".

Finally, although the Super Furry Animals have pulled out of Glastonbury, citing the unavailability of a replacement sound engineer, Welsh fans could be consoled by the Stereophonics.

After weeks of speculation, a fan website has tipped the Cwm three to headline, alongside Coldplay and Rod Stewart.

Let's hope the gig goes as well as One Big Sunday did in Swansea last weekend. With Destiny's Child, Lostprophets, Will Young, Gareth Gates, A and Mis-Teeq all on show, it was certainly an afternoon to remember.

Speaking of concerts, Heat magazine reported that former Step Ian 'H' Watkins, from the Rhondda, had a 'lucky' escape when an unexploded bomb was found at the Power in the Park gig in Southampton hours after he had been on stage. What a relief!