Rapper Sean "P Diddy" Combs has said he was surprised how quickly singer Jennifer Lopez got married after their break-up.

The performer, formerly known as Puff Daddy, said the couple's relationship was under stress even before his trial on gun charges last year, but he did not expect her to tie the knot with dancer Cris Judd so soon.

He told Newsweek: "I didn't know it was coming, but if getting married made her happy, then I'm happy she's married."

Singer and dancer Lopez wed 31-year-old Judd last October, just eight months after splitting from the rapper.

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Australian actress dies

Ruth Cracknell, one of Australia's most respected actresses, has died from respiratory illness at the age of 76.

Ms Cracknell was best known for her starring role in the Australian TV comedy Mother and Son, which ran for ten years until 1993.

The show's writer, Geoffrey Atherden, said Cracknell had a knack for bringing out the humour in situations.

He told ABC Radio: "We've lost someone who gave us a huge amount of joy. I think she was probably our greatest comedian."

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Kidman denies romance with Spider-Man

Moulin Rouge star Nicole Kidman has denied reports she has been dating Spider-Man actor Tobey Maguire.

According to some accounts, Kidman, 34, even took a break from filming her latest movie in Canada to fly to Los Angeles to spend time with Maguire.

However a spokeswoman said the pair were just good friends.

"They hung out together some, a couple of weekends ago. End of story. No romance."

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Baby joy for GMTV presenter

TV presenter Fiona Phillips has given birth to her second son.

She gave her editor husband Martin Frizzell a fright when he thought the unnamed tot was going to pop out en route to the hospital.

Mr Frizzell said: "There was a moment I was sure the baby was going to be born in the car."

The boy weighed in at 8lb 14oz at a London hospital and the baby is said to be doing well.

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Kingsley 'stars' in time-travelling adventure

Oscar-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley is to star as the owner of a time-travelling safari, according to reports.

The 58-year-old is in final negotiations to star in a big-screen adaptation of a short story called A Sound of Thunder, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

He will star alongside Edward Burns and Catherine McCormack

Sir Ben next stars in the Walt Disney movie Tuck Everlasting before shooting The House of Sand and Fog with Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly.

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McCartney reveals childrens' anxieties

Sir Paul McCartney has admitted that his children are finding it hard to accept his forthcoming marriage to Heather Mills.

The former Beatle told the Sunday Telegraph magazine: "They find it difficult to think of me with another woman.

"But it's how it is and how it must be, and I think that more than anything, they want me to be happy - and this is what makes me happy."

The couple announced their engagement in July 2001, and there have been rumours that the marriage will take place in the United States in early June.