The 57-year-old British actor told the Express newspaper he would be happy to contribute his voice to the film, but denied he was campaigning for the part.

"I loved playing the Phantom, and if it meant that just my voice was allowed to be there still, it would make me happy," he said.

John Travolta and Antonio Banderas are said to be favourites for the film role. Banderas even sang two Phantom songs at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday bash.

Warner Brothers and Phantom composer Webber have been flooded by letters from Crawford's fans - demanding he be given the role.

Theakston pops the question

Former Live & Kicking presenter Jamie Theakston is set to host a new quiz show on BBC One, it has been confirmed.

Theakston, who left L&K earlier this year, is making a one-off edition of the quiz and hopes a series will follow.

Namedroppers will feature four star guests who watch archive TV footage of celebrities saying embarrassing things. Jamie, 28, currently hosts his own Sunday lunchtime show on Radio 1.

Kiri hints at swansong

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, the world-renowned opera singer, has hinted that she may soon give her last performance.

The New Zealand-born diva told The Daily Telegraph that a mountain top aria welcoming in the new millennium could be her swansong.

The 55-year-old will sing a Maori call for unity, broadcast live by the BBC during its millennium coverage. She told the paper she planned to help nurture new operatic talent.

Mamet shoots for laughs

Playwright David Mamet is to direct his first comedy film, State and Maine.

It is about a film crew arriving in a New England town to make a movie, and being exploited by the townsfolk. It will feature his wife Rebecca Pigeon plus Alec Baldwin, Sarah Jessica Parker and William H Macy.

Most of the cast have appeared in other Mamet-scripted films including Glengarry Glen Ross, Wag The Dog and The Winslow Boy.

Stone working hard after hubby's op

Sharon Stone has been working overtime to complete her film Beautiful Joe after taking time off to be with her husband while he had surgery.

The 41-year-old left the Vancouver set to be at the bedside of husband Phil Bronstein, who underwent heart surgery.

In the film, Stone plays a compulsive gambler who meets Joe played by comic-turned-actor Billy Connolly. Directed by Stephen Metcalfe, the movie is scheduled for release next year.

Star seeks Damme cool image

Muscle-man Jean-Claude Van Damme says he wants to re-invent himself with a cool new clean-cut image.

The "Muscles from Brussels" told New York's Daily News: "I have to reinvent the brand name, because I'm a brand name... Arnold (Schwarzenegger) knew how to do that."

Promoting his latest movie, Universal Soldier: The Return, Van Damme said his drug problems were in the past and he felt "indestructible" after re-marrying his third wife, Gladys Portugues.

Motty signs to BBC

The BBC has completed a hat-trick of signings as the "voice of football" John Motson committed to another five years with Match of the Day.

It follows announcements that Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen have signed similar deals with the programme following Des Lynam's decision to transfer to ITV.