The Evening Standard claims 36-year-old Marr has been in discussions with band leader Noel Gallagher about replacing Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, who announced on Monday he had left the group.

A spokeswoman for Oasis could not confirm or deny the story, which claims an official announcement is expected soon.

Bonehead said on Monday he had left the group to "concentrate on other things" in his life. Noel Gallagher told music paper NME this week he had, in fact, been out of the band since Monday.

The band are currently recording their new album - due for release next year - in London.

The Smiths, led by Marr and singer Morrissey were one of the most influential bands of the 1980s. Since then, Marr has worked with a number of bands as well as his project with New Order's Bernard Sumner, Electronic.

Pet Shop Boys leave rivals in shade

The Pet Shop Boys left their pop rivals in the dark as they played a specially-written song to mark the total solar eclipse in the UK on Wednesday.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe performed the song at the Radio 1 Roadshow in Marazion, Cornwall during the two minutes of total darkness.

Suede flew in by helicopter to take part in the historic festival.

Meanwhile in London, actress-turned-singer Martine McCutcheon turned on new illuminations in Piccadilly Circus just as the capital was plunged into gloom by a partial eclipse.

Temple's new shrine to Sex Pistols

A Sex Pistols documentary featuring rare live footage of the band has been made by film-maker Julien Temple.

Temple first documented the Pistols in 1980's The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle and his latest project is entitled The Filth And The Fury.

The film, which also includes an extended interview with the late Sid Vicious, is described by former singer Johnny Rotten as "how it really was, not how you wanted it to be".

Controversy over ad for Mirren comedy

A TV advert for a new film starring Helen Mirren has run into trouble with the US censors, the Motion Picture Association of America.

The ad for the comedy Teaching Mrs Tingle shows a dog sipping wine while watched by a group of children.

It was banned by the MPAA because it was felt to encourage under-age drinking.

A spokesman for Miramax, the studio behind the new film, has called the decision "absurd".

Musician eclipses rivals with Net debut

An unknown musician released his debut album on the Internet at 11.11 on Wednesday to coincide with the historic total solar eclipse in the UK.

Juantrip's Balmy Under The Stormy is initially only available to Web users, with a High Street release planned for September 20.

Juantrip, who designed the site himself, says it is a trip through the concepts, music and visual ideas that inspired the album.

Aled goes back to the future

Former child singing star Aled Jones has recorded a unique duet - with himself as a 13-year-old.

Now 28, he features alongside a vocal he recorded as a choirboy for the forthcoming single, Tell Me Boy.

Aled is now searching for a lookalike of him as a teenager to star in the video when the song is released next month.

He said: "It was really strange recording the new part, singing to the voice of a young child - which is me!"

Brooks adapts The Producers for stage

Comedy legend Mel Brooks is adapting his 1967 film The Producers as a Broadway stage musical.

Brooks wants Martin Short in the role of Leo Bloom, which was played by Gene Wilder in the film.

He is also hoping to cast Nathan Lane in the role of Max Bialystock, as played originally by Zero Mostel.

Brooks hopes that the show will make its debut next spring.

Stereophonics top rock nominations list

The Stereophonics could sweep the board at a major rock award ceremony taking place in London next Monday.

The group have been nominated in six out of 10 categories in the 1999 Kerrang! magazine awards - every category in which they were eligible.

The Stereophonics are up for Best British Band, Best Band in the World, Best Single, Best Album and Best British Live Act. Other nominees include Reef, 3 Colours Red and Skunk Anansie.

McCoist joins ITV's football team

Footballer Ally McCoist is to join ITV's Champions' League and FA Cup coverage.

The Scottish international, who plays for Premier League club Kilmarnock, will continue his role as team captain on BBC One's A Question of Sport.

ITV's head of sport production Jeff Farmer said: "We are delighted to add Ally's knowledge and personality to our analysts' team."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "Ally has a number of projects with us, including A Question of Sport and McCoist and MacAulay, and he will continue to work on those projects."

Tribute for sports presenter Rollason

The BBC is to screen a tribute documentary to sports presenter Helen Rollason later this month.

The 30-minute programme, Helen Rollason: The Bravest Fight, is scheduled to be shown on BBC One on 24 August.

Presented by newsreader Peter Sissons, it will feature contributions from friends and colleagues.

Ms Rollason, 43, died on Monday at her home in Brentwood, Essex, after a long battle against cancer.

Sky deal for funnyman Enfield

Comedian Harry Enfield is to star in a new series for Sky television called The People's Harry Enfield.

The series will be screened next summer on the Sky Premier channel, a spokeswoman said.

She added that it would be in "a new format" but could not confirm a report in The Sun newspaper that said members of the public would help create some new characters.