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Actress Joanna Lumley had to beg British Prime Minister Gordon Brown over the issue of Gurkhas” settlement rights, she has revealed.

In an interview with Jonathan Ross, the actress said she resorted to going on “the Lumley self-pleading offensive”.

Lumley declared “the Gurkhas are coming home” last week after the government finally relented on the issue of the soldiers” right to live in the UK.

Speaking on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, Lumley, 63, said of her talks with Brown: “I begged him to take it into his own hands… the government was being fed scare stories.”

Earlier the month, she organized a fish and chips and champagne supper at her London home for Immigration Minister Phil Woolas and followed it up with a goodnight kiss to seal the deal to ensure the Gurkhas got residency rights in the United Kingdom.

Lumley convinced Woolas to end the standoff over Gurkha residency rights.

“I””m pleased to say we kissed on the doorstep, so there we are. A great injustice has been righted. The Gurkhas are coming home,” The Independent quoted Lumley, as saying.

The Gordon Brown Government”’’s effective surrender on the issue in the face of a hugely popular campaign came in a Commons statement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

The Prime Minister talked of his “great privilege” in welcoming the “bravest of all” to Britain.

Gordon Brown also paid tribute to Lumley who has been the high-profile public face in the fight for Gurkha rights.

He said: ” She has been very persuasive and she has charmed not only the Cabinet, but the whole country.”

She said: “I would like to pay tribute to Gordon Brown the Prime Minister, a brave man who has made a brave decision on behalf of the bravest of the brave. This is a fantastic day for my brothers and sisters. It is so thrilling to have overcome something which has gone on for so long. We knew it would be something good – but this is the best.”

Some campaigners felt kissing Woolas went way beyond the call of duty, but the veterans said they appreciated the work done by the actress, whose father served with the Gurkhas, in securing their victory.

Mohan Bahadur Rai, who had been in the Army for 11 years, said: “We went through some very difficult times on this, and Miss Joanna was always there with us, so we want to thank her for her help. We feel this has been a great achievement for everyone.”

Samser Jang Khastri, 58, who lost a foot after stepping on a landmine in Bosnia in 1997 said yesterday”’’s decision has made “all my pain worthwhile.”

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UK actress Lumley begged for Gurkha settlement rights

After making everyone dance to her tune, Cheryl Cole now has a new job. She is all set to present a new series of hit British matchmaking show ”Blind Date”.
The Girls Aloud beauty is being lined up to play the show’s host and follow in the footsteps of Cilla Black, reports Contactmusic.
“Cheryl would be an ideal host - she’s young and sassy and both men and women love her. Her own love life’s been a bit up and down, but hopefully she can play cupid for the show’s contestants,” a source said.
Cheryl’s huge success on UK TV talent show ”The X Factor” has inundated her with loads of offers, including some from the US.
Her fellow judge Simon Cowell is keen to help the 25-year-old singer achieve worldwide fame.
He previously said: “I would say she’s a star, and she’ll work as well in America as she does here. She’s definitely got a shot.”

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“Blind Date” offer for Cheryl Cole

Actor cum comedian Adam Sandler has pledged that he would never perform stand-up comedy again, after he played a comic in new movie ‘Funny People’.

Flashback shows that the actor began his career at comedy clubs while studying at New York University and was eventually spotted by a talent scout, before being hired as a writer on hit U.S. satirical show ‘Saturday Night Live’.

Later the star abandoned stand-up as his movie career took off, but returned to his performing roots with a role in Judd Apatow’s new film, in which he plays a stand-up comedian.

The funny man had to face live audience during the shoot and Sander has confessed that the experience has put him off comedy routines for life.

“Adam hadn’t done stand-up comedy for 12 years. We arrived unannounced at a lot of clubs around town and I remember we were driving to one place and he just said, ‘This is exactly why I don’t do this - I so do not want to do this!” Contactmusic quoted Apatow as telling Empire magazine.

And the moviemaker is not quite happy with his pal’s decision; because he is convinced Sandler is a brilliant performer.

Apatow added: “Adam was one of the best stand-ups around. He has this gift that no one remembers. He killed (was brilliant).”

As per the report ‘Funny People’ is scheduled to hit big screens later this year

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It’s not funny for Adam Sandler

The toxic hitmaker has once again invited a lot of controversy. Britney Spears left little to the imagination after stepping out braless during the filming of new video.

The pop princess was said to be taking a quick coffee break when she nipped out while shooting for Radar.

The Womanizer hitmaker was reportedly dressed down and in a pair of joggers, which were put together with a lilac vest, reports the Sun.

The singer allegedly flaunted her great shape while her blonde locks courted the wind.

Britney was previously spotted showing off a slender physique on a beach in a sexy brown bikini as she relaxed in the Caribbean after completing the North American leg of her Circus world tour.

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Britney Spears strips for “Radar”

Co-actor Denzel Washington has revealed he spoke at length with his pal and Hollywood actor John Travolta, who is trying to cope with death of his 16-year-old son Jett.

The two-time Oscar winner revealed he mostly listened while Travolta poured his heart out during their long phone chat.

“Needless to say, he’s struggling. So more than talking to him, I listened to him, for about two or three hours,” People quoted him as saying.

Washington, who co-stars with the grieving star in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, further said Travolta’s healing process is “going to take time”.

He added: “What can you say, really? Just be there as a friend, because he’s such a sweet, sweet person. Our prayers are with him and his wife.”

Jett died from a seizure during a family holiday in the Bahamas on January 2

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John Travolta in trauma over his son’s death

The news of Indians being attacked in Australia has left the star of millennium on a miff, actor Amitabh Bachchan has written on his blog that he wants to turn down an honorary Australian doctorate.

In his blog on Saturday he has posted his dilemma over accepting an honourary doctorate degree conferred on him by the Queensland University.

He has written: “My conscience does not permit me to accept this decoration from a country that perpetrates such indignity.”

Bachchan has put this up as a poll question on his blog and requested readers to comment so that he can take the right action… whether to refuse or accept the honour.

After a spate of attacks on Indian students in Australia over the last month, questions are being raised about whether the continent has always been racist or whether these are stray incidents.

Shravan Kumar from Hyderabad is still fighting for his life in a hospital in Melbourne. He was brutally assaulted by 2 young Australians who gatecrashed a party of Indian students.

Indian student Baljinder Singh was stabbed by two men in the abdomen as he was leaving a railway station. The two attackers apparently asked Baljinder to hand over his wallet, but even before he could do so they stabbed him in the stomach.

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Amitabh Bachchan turns down an honorary Australian doctorate

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie prefers to stay away from limelight and protect her family’s privacy.

The ”Lara Croft” actress hates the attention she attracts when she appears in public, so prefers to spend time at home.

“She’s not a big fan of going out in public with the kids and encouraging the stares and whispers of the public,” Contactmusic quoted a source as saying.

“She does it all the time, sure. But she’d rather live in a more private, insulated world,” the source added.

The 33-year-old actress’ favourite getaway is the private estate in France she and partner Brad Pitt bought last year.

It has 35 bedrooms and acres of outdoor space.

Pitt is equally as happy to remain private, although he is determined to give his children a normal upbringing and not hide them away.

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Angelina Jolie prefers life in isolation

Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox enjoyed a thrilling girls” night out in Los Angeles recently.

The pair looked in a great mood.

As per report they first had dinner with Cox’’s husband David Arquette at L.A.’’s Water Grill and headed to Staples Centre to catch a Fleetwood Mac concert later.

“They totally looked like they did back on Friends - two women having a girls night out,” Us magazine quoted an onlooker as telling X17.

“Other diners at the restaurant were definitely looking at the pair, but it didn”t seem to bother them.

“They were both in a great mood! They were even holding hands on the way out of the restaurant!” the onlooker added.

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Jennifer Aniston and Cox have a blast night out