Mickey Rooney, the pint-size, precocious actor and all-around talent whose career spanned more than 80 years, has died at the age of 93.

Welcome to your Monday morning briefing. Let us ensure you're up to speed on what's happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

From Justin Bieber to Lindsay Lohan, what is it about child stardom that seems to result in controversy?

Ann Rutherford, the demure brunette actress who played Scarlett O’Hara’s youngest sister in Gone With the Wind, has died. She was 94.

AN ACTOR breathes life into a character but a costume can transcend time and language to make it iconic.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR, the epitome of glamour and wealth, was the ultimate film star.

WHILE Eamon de Valera was dreaming of comely maidens dancing at the crossroads, young boys were being flogged and buggered by a sordid assortment of perverted clergy and depraved Christian Brothers.

Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park unveiled the duo’s latest adventure, 'A Matter Of Loaf And Death', today.

IN September of 2004, the racing world was rocked when Kieren Fallon was among a number of people detained as part of a police investigation focusing on suspicion of corruption within the sport and race-fixing.

Kieren Fallon told police in England he had never deliberately lost a race and the idea of doing it was like a plot from a Dick Francis novel, a court heard today.

THE Zimmer frame could soon have Ferrari-like street cred with the arrival of a new, well-ripened generation of movie star.

Oscar-winning actor Mickey Rooney is excited about appearing in his first pantomime - despite having no idea what the role will involve.

BRIDGET Jones is untying the knot.

Five-times divorced Billy Bob Thornton has confessed he's unlikely to get married again, because he's afraid of being wed more times than Mickey Rooney.

A NEW feature film starring Lassie, the world’s most famous dog, will start shooting in Ireland in the spring, Arts Minister John O’Donoghue announced yesterday.

Arts Minister John O’Donoghue is expected to officially confirm today that a new feature film on the world’s most famous dog, Lassie, will be shot on location in Ireland.

A cold remedy commercial starring movie veteran Mickey Rooney has been axed from next month's Super Bowl coverage over fears it will offend viewers.

Ann Miller, the raven-haired, long-legged actress and dancer whose machine-gun taps won her stardom during the golden age of movie musicals, has died. She was 81.

Guests at Liza Minnelli's fourth wedding say she danced at the altar as celebrities helped her and producer David Gest celebrate their nuptials.

DJ Chris Evans and singer Billie Piper were enjoying their honeymoon today after surprising pals by marrying in a hush-hush £200 Las Vegas ceremony.