By Tom Bourton BBC News Online

BBC News Online's Tom Bourton puts his ear to the gossip track and listens for news about all things Welsh.

Oscars and Baftas may be the awards that every actor craves, but being praised for your "masculinity and vitality" cannot be far behind.

Ioan's masculinity has been praised

That is precisely what Cardiffian Ioan Gruffudd was honoured for this week at the GQ awards, where he scooped the title of Acqua di Gio Man of the Year.

With girlfriend Alice Evans looking on, 28-year-old Gruffudd was handed the gong by supermodel Jodie Kidd at the ceremony at the Natural History Museum on Tuesday night.

Other winners included David Bowie, who was given an outstanding achievement award, Pierce Brosnan - actor of the year - and David Beckham, who was hailed as the year's top sportsman.

Elsewhere, film magazine Hotdog reports that Catherine Zeta-Jones has signed as superspy Grace Flint, in a movie which is aptly named Flint.

Based on a bestseller by Paul Eddy, CZJ's character is disfigured while on a job, and returns from plastic surgery as an undercover agent for M15.

Rhys Ifans: Goes west in new movie

Apparently the Swansea actress has said she is going to play the part of a "very formidable and female".

Also in the movies, Notting Hill's Rhys Ifans' new movie Once Upon A Time in the Midlands is opening on Friday 6 September.

The Ruthin-born actor has already been causing controversy this week for comments in the Observer about burning cottages which have relit the Welsh language debate.

Directed by Shane Meadows, the film is already picking up widespread critical acclaim and looks set to become a cult hit - check out Ifans' live webchat, using the links on the right.

Also starring Robert Carlyle, Kathy Burke and Ricky Tomlinson, the spoof Western sees Ifans play nice-guy Dek, whose decision to propose to his live-in lover on national television sets off a contest for her affections.

Dougray Scott: Poetic licence

But one role that a Welsh star will not take is that of Dylan Thomas, which has gone to Scotsman and star of Mission: Impossible II, Dougray Scott.

Called Map of Love and produced by Mick Jagger, the film will feature Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves) as Thomas' wife Caitlin MacNamara.

Shooting, some of which will take place at the boathouse at Laugharne and in the Mumbles, is due to start in January 2003.

Bust-ups and sell-outs

On to the most argumentative band in the history of the world, and manufactured pop act Hear'Say are at it again.

This time though it is not the girls who are rowing but the boys, as the Welsh Mirror reported that Caerau's Noel Sullivan fell out with bandmate Danny during an American trip.

Lostprophets: Rumour-clearing

The band were supposed to be keeping a low profile, but Noel's autograph-signing upset Danny while they were playing pool at a bar.

The two had a shouting match, which ended in Noel running out sobbing.

Meanwhile, the Manic Street Preachers have added a second date in Cardiff to their UK tour to publicise their Forever Delayed album.

The band will play a second show at the Cardiff International Arena on 16 December.

Finally, the Lostprophets have been on their website, clearing up some rumours.

After stating there will be no more singles or videos from their Fake Sound of Progress album, the Pontypridd band revealed that they were concentrating on a new album, which should start recording in February.

As for reports that an EP was due out, they said they have recorded a track called Lately, but have decided not to release it as it was "an experiment".