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Christopher Meloni has left fans of Law & Order: SVU stunned after announcing he’s quitting the show in 2011.

The star has been playing top cop Detective Elliot Stabler since the show started in 1999 and he has decided it’s time to walk away.  He’ll film one more season of the drama and quit in May, 2012.

In a statement, Meloni says, “I think 12 years is enough, a good number… It will be a very difficult transition. I mean, Jesus Christ, every day when you get used to getting up early and working these hours.

“When you’re an actor (not working) it’s like, ‘Has anyone called yet?’. And having to audition again, which I loathe.”

The 52-year-old chatshow host, who recently replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on American Idol, said that there should not be different rules for men and women when it comes to appearance.

Us Magazine quotes DeGeneres as saying: “It’s a double standard because there are men with really beautiful women that don’t have great bodies, and yet nobody’s saying anything about that.

“Women [think they] need to keep themselves up to look good for a man or for society. It’s not fair.

“It’s not important. We put the wrong emphasis on what beauty is and what health is. Health is being vibrant and having energy and being happy. If you’re healthy, it’s got nothing to do with how much you weigh.”

The star claims that he is working on the venture with fellow Hollywood actor Jason Statham.  Jones said that the first bar will be named after the hit Guy Ritchie movie Snatch.

“Me and Jay have been talking about it for about a year,” he told British tabloid The Sun. “We were thinking The Snatch Bar or something like that down in Santa Monica.

“We’re going to do it, it’s just a question of us finding the time. Jay has been working so much and so have I. That and golf. People say, ‘What do you mean you’ve been working?’ I’m working on my handicap.

“The pubs will happen. We had a great spot right opposite the pier in Santa Monica. They just wanted too much rent. Me and Jay went to look at it and we had three other investors, all Brits.”

The So You Think You Can Dance host attended the event, which included a display of 10,000 African roses. 3,800 roses were given away to the public to symbolise the number of people who die from AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa every day.

Contemporary and ethically-sourced flower arrangements were also sold to raise money for providing life-saving medication and treatment for those living with HIV.

“Flower(Red) is a truly inspiring new service from (Red),” said Deeley. “I can now purchase stunning flowers for someone I care about, or as a treat for myself, in the knowledge that the profits reach those who need it the most.

“It costs as little as 20p a day to buy the vital medication needed to keep someone who is HIV positive in Africa alive. Thanks to (Red) just one bouquet of flowers can now make a real difference and help save lives.”

The music star, real name Sean Combs, has built up a diverse multi-million dollar empire that includes his label Bad Boy Records, clothing line Sean John, restaurant chain Justin’s and a deal with Ciroc vodka.

However, Diddy has now affirmed that he wants to take a step back and assist budding entrepreneurs in helping them achieve their goals, telling CNN’s AC360: “I want to have an academy that’s known for building leaders. I feel that’s one of the things I can have an impact on.”

The rapper went on to explain that he is looking to take on more altruistic ventures in the future, adding: “I want to take on more responsibility. I’m still honestly in search of how I can have the most positive effect that I can have.”

by Eugenia Wright

Quinton Aaron, Diddy and Ray J.

Hollywood was buzzed on Sunset with news that Sean “P. Diddy’s” post-Grammy party would be held at one of the most prestigious party venues, Boulevard 3. He literally shut down tinseltown. I got the word that three public relations offices and three promotion companies were assigned to handle the big soiree.

I arrived on the scene with a client and I can tell you it was mayhem. The side walk was crowded like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Everyone was looking forward to seeing a glimpse of P.Diddy, Sean John, Diddy. This man has such a huge persona that one name cannot contain him. Read the rest of this entry »

Taylor Swift has revealed that she would “love” to make a cameo appearance in Glee.

The singer, who scooped three gongs at the Grammy Awards, admitted that she is a big fan of the musical comedy.  “I’m really loving Glee right now,” she told E! Online. “If it did happen, I’d love to see what they would do with me.”

Swift, who makes her big screen debut in Valentine’s Day later this month, claimed that she finds it strange seeing her picture on a movie poster.

“I was driving down the road the other day and I saw my face on the movie poster for the first time,” she said. “That was really crazy.”

By Celebrity Extra contributor Eugenia Wright

Pre-Grammy week has been busy with events, back to back, morning noon and night. So on the night of the We the Children Project fundraiser at the House of Blues to benefit the homeless children of Haiti, by the time I arrived, I was ready to withdraw the last energy deposit left in my tank. Much to my dismay when I got there organizers did not have my name or my friend’s name who was on their way to the venue on their list. But, as fate would have it and God knows the powers in the heavens have always come to my assistance at events, a gentlemen who was with the PR firm handling the event, passed by and asked if he could assist me. In 5 minutes flat, I was holding two VIP tickets valued at $125.00 each and accompanying VIP wrist bands. Whew!!! Okay, so quickly I called my friend and said it’s a go, get over here quickly. The event took place in the beautiful Foundation Room of the House of Blues and if you’ve ever been there, it looks like the opulent décor of the “Underworld” (the film). There are beautiful Persian carpets in every crevice and corner of the rooms much to my “lyken.” Since my teen years, I’ve had a fascination with Persian carpets, studied the different tribal weaves and now own several fine pieces. Read the rest of this entry »

Princess Beatrice is reportedly training to become the first Royal to run a marathon.

The 21-year-old will be followed by her police bodyguard as she takes on the 26.2 mile race in April.

British paper The Daily Mail reports that Beatrice will be running as part of Sam and Holly Branson’s Team Snake.

A friend of the princess said that running as part of a team of 40 should help her reach the end. “She has no target time - she just wants to finish the course,” the friend said.

Beatrice will be running to raise cash for Children In Crisis, a charity founded by her mother The Duchess Of York.

Oprah Winfrey was given a unique birthday treat when Hugh Jackman sang to her during a special televised celebration.

The talkshow host was marking her 56th birthday on her TV show when the Australian actor appeared on screen via video link and blew her a kiss, reports British paper The Daily Mail.

“I wish I could be there to give you a huge hug. I love you and I will have a nice glass of red in your honour,” said the star, before he sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the presenter.

Winfrey, whose studio audience was made up of people who share the same birthday, revealed that she bought herself two Springer Spaniel puppies as a present.