Emmerdale actor Richard Thorp dies

Actor Richard Thorp, who played Emmerdale stalwart Alan Turner for more than 30 years, dies at the age of 81.

Record price for Harry Potter book

A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with annotations and drawings by JK Rowling sells for a record £150,000.

French composer Dutilleux dies at 97

Henri Dutilleux, one of France's leading 20th Century composers, has died in Paris at the age of 97, his family announce.

The X Factor reveal judges for 2013

It is confirmed that Sharon Osbourne will return as a judge in 2013.

Fast and Furious beats Great Gatsby

Action sequel Fast & Furious 6 races ahead of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby in this week's UK and Ireland box office chart.

Bowie bassist Bolder dies aged 62

Trevor Bolder, the bassist in David Bowie's legendary 1970s backing band Spiders From Mars, dies from cancer at the age of 62.

George Michael 'lay bleeding on M1'

A woman who stopped to help George Michael after a crash describes how the pop legend was lying covered in blood on the M1.

Sir Elton John to top Hyde Park gig

Sir Elton John is to headline a new Hyde Park festival celebrating British songwriters - Ray Davies and Elvis Costello will also play.

Doors co-founder Ray Manzarek dies

Ray Manzarek, keyboard player and founder member of the 1960s rock band The Doors, dies aged 74 in Germany after a long battle with cancer.

Eric and Ernie's writer Braben dies

Eddie Braben, the writer behind comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, dies at 82.

Tearful Douglas hails Liberace role

Film star Michael Douglas breaks down in tears at a press conference in Cannes while discussing his role as flamboyant pianist Liberace.

Streisand to receive honorary PhD

Barbra Streisand is to receive an honorary doctorate of philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Dancing on Ice to be axed

The ice skating TV series is to be axed after one further series.

Cannes Film Festival 2013

The BBC's Kev Geoghegan wraps up his diary as the Croisette bids farewell to the world's film industry for another year

Musical world hails Wagner birthday

The musical world will come together on Wednesday to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of composer Richard Wagner with a series of programmes and events.

Matilda tops US Drama Desk awards

Matilda the Broadway show wins five awards at New York's Drama Desk awards while Pippin, Cinderella and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf are also multiple winners.

Ambassador buys top Broadway venue

Foxwoods Theatre, Broadway's biggest venue has been bought by Britain's Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG).

Star Trek tops US box office

Star Trek Into Darkness tops the US box office chart on its debut weekend but fails to reach its $100m estimate.

Russian cult film director dies

Alexei Balabanov, the Russian director whose cult films caught the wildness of Russia's early post-Soviet years, dies at the age of 54.

Jewel theft at Cannes film festival

More than $1m (£650,000) worth of Chopard jewels, to be worn by stars for the Cannes film festival, are stolen from a hotel room in the city.

Kelly Rowland joins The X Factor USA

The singer will appear with Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato along with newcomer Paulina Rubio.

Azerbaijan starts Eurovision inquiry

The president of Azerbaijan orders an investigation into why his country gave Russia "nul points" at Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest.

Naughty Boy to release debut album

Naughty Boy is stepping out of the shadows in his role as a producer to release his debut album with the help of Emeli Sande and Ed Sheeran.

Ang Lee 'pulls out' of TV project

Oscar-winning director Ang Lee pulls out of his first TV project, because he needs "some rest", after spending more than four years making and promoting Life of Pi.

Russia: Eurovision snub 'outrageous'

Russia's foreign minister calls Azerbaijan's failure to award any Eurovision points to Russia "outrageous" and promises a response.

BBC to boost referendum coverage

The BBC announces a new £5m investment package to help boost its coverage of the Scottish independence referendum.

VIDEO: Michael Douglas on playing Liberace

Film star Michael Douglas has been discussing his latest role as flamboyant pianist Liberace

AUDIO: LSO conductor on 3D ballet and Wagner

London Symphony Orchestra's Valery Gergiev spoke about the 3D ballet and today as the 200th birthday of Richard Wagner.

VIDEO: Russia 'outrage' at Eurovision snub

A row has erupted between Russia and Azerbaijan over the Eurovision song contest, with the Russian foreign minister accusing the Azerbaijanis of vote-rigging.

VIDEO: An orchestra walks into a bar...

The Cleveland Orchestra realised long ago that it needed to attract new customers in order to survive.