Ally McBeal star Calista Flockhart doesn't like visiting Britain because the rainy weather leaves her smelling like a wet dog. The waif-like actress discovered the uncomfortable truth when stranded in a storm on a recent trip to London. She told talk show host David Letterman that although she liked London, the weather put a real damper on things. She said, "It was great but it rained every day that I was there." When Letterman asked, "It's supposed to rain in London, was it misty and romantic?", Flockhart replied, "It was cold and damp. Do you know what happens in London when it rains? You start to smell. It's true - you start to smell like a wet dog because what happens is you go out and you're all happy because you're in London, then it rains. And you don't have an umbrella, because I'm an American, so then it's sunny but you're wet and you smell."

Dumb and Dumber (1994) creators the Farrelly Brothers shocked their mom when she first saw one of their movies - but she now likes their films so much she stars in them. The gross humour of the brothers, who are also behind hits like There's Something About Mary (1998), wasn't entirely to Mrs. Farrelly's tastes initially. Bobby Farrelly explains, "The first time she was ever on the set we were filming Dumb and Dumber (1994). We had the Jeff Daniels scene when he was on the toilet and she was like, `This doesn't look good.'" But since then Mom has gotten used to their sense of humor to the point where she became an extra in their new movie, Me, Myself and Irene (2000). Bobby says, "Her and my Dad have been in all the movies. In this one she and her friends are in a scene where Jim Carrey flashes them. You know she enjoys it!"

Actress Claire Forlani has finally forgiven Hollywood star Freddie Prinze Jr. after he played a series of practical jokes on her. Forlani and Prinze, who both star in new movie Boys and Girls (2000), were on location in San Francisco when the Freddie set off a stink bomb in Forlani's trailer. Prinze says, "I put a stink bomb in Claire's trailer one time and she opened the door and looked like someone had punched her in the face." But Prinze admits his last practical joke had such a big affect on Forlani that she has only just started to talk to him again. He adds, "I have apologized to Claire since. It was just that she is so British, nice and sweet and gentle that I couldn't help myself... I got talking to her on the phone about serial killers. After the conversation I put on some black pants and got a big old knife and crept up the stairs to her apartment. I knocked on her door and she answered it and fell on the ground with shock. She had no idea it was me and she was mad as hell."

George Clooney is keeping ex-girlfriend Celine Balitran in the manner to which she's become accustomed - giving her cash, a house and a lawyer to make sure she stays in the country. The sexy One Fine Day (1996) star says when he split up with French schoolteacher Balitran after three years, he went out of his way to make sure she was still able to maintain her luxurious LA lifestyle. He says, "She pulled up roots and came here for me. So I felt it became something of my responsibility to make sure that even though we're not still together, her life is not bad because of that. So I made sure that she had a great place to live. And I made sure that she had cash. And still talk to her and make sure that she has a lawyer who will help her with her visa." Clooney adds that, even though the relationship had ended, he instinctively wanted to help Balitran - because he'd feel too guilty if he didn't. He says, "Quite honestly, I don't want to be sitting in the lap of luxury and hear, 'Well, Celine had to go back to Paris because of the lawyers, or because her visa kicked out or she didn't have any money.' I'm actually a much better ex-boyfriend than I am a boyfriend."

Nicolas Cage has revisited his youth by snapping up the same make of car he fell in love with as a teenager - a Triumph Spitfire. The Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) star, 36, spent hours as a youth sitting in his garage-bound car pretending the vehicle was roadworthy and he was driving along his local lanes. Cage explains, "My first car was a Triumph Spitfire. It was a beautiful little roadster in a faded yellow. But it also needed a lot of work. I couldn't get it registered, so I would sit in my car in the garage and pretend I was driving to the beach with the sun on my face. But the only light was this tiny bulb overhead." And when the car was finally registered Cage eventually gave up on his wheels. He adds, "I found out that this car was going to break down every week. So I gave up on it." But the actor is now re-living his carefree teenage years by splashing out on a newer version of the same model. Cage continues, "I found that car again a year ago and I bought it. I wanted it to know that it hadn't got the better of me."

Brigitte Bardot has been convicted of inciting "discrimination, hatred or racial violence" for criticizing a Moslem festival in which sheep are slaughtered. The one-time sex kitten and animal rights activist was fined $3, 200 for a chapter in the 1999 book Pluto's Square. In it she noted "an over-population of foreigners, especially Moslems" and criticised their practice of killing sheep for the Aid-el-Kebir festival.

Vinnie Jones stayed true to his bad boy image when asked to design a cushion cover for a prison charity - drawing a smoking gun. The soccer star-turned-Hollywood actor caused red faces at Fine Cell Work, the charity who commissioned him, when he handed over his design. The charity gives prison inmates the chance to earn money and raise their self-esteem by making embroidered items in their cells. When they asked a group of celebrities - including Vinnie - to design some covers, the idea was for them to be auctioned by Sotheby's in November. But while actress Emma Thompson came up with a cute design of a piglet in a pram and Bruan Ferry of Roxy Music drew a palm tree, Vinnie's design has caused consternation. Katy Emck of Fine Cell Work says, "It's a smoking shotgun, and to be frank my hackles rose when I first unwrapped the design. On the other hand it's a good design and will probably raise a lot of money. "In the end we have decided to send it to a women's prison to be sewn up, we don't want to give anyone ideas."

Courteney Cox Arquette, Brad Pitt and Cindy Crawford have all undergone controversial LASIK eye surgery because it makes them look good. The procedure, which many believe leads to damaged eyesight later on in life, improves vision by reshaping the cornea. But the surgery has been snapped up by celebrities because they think it improves their looks. Los Angeles doctor Robert Maloney who zapped Crawford, says, "If people are doing close-ups of your eyes you don't want the redness and irritation that comes with a contact." But crooner Barry Manilow, another to have the treatment, insists looking good was not his only motivation - he says he wanted to connect with his audiences rather than "see a blur".

Hollywood's hottest young star Heath Ledger is being bombarded by teenage fans at his New York hotel - and it's all thanks to his sister. The 21-year-old Aussie hunk's fame is rising fast after he starred with Mel Gibson in Patriot, The (2000) - and internet sites are popping up in admiration of the young star. On one site, a fan asked if anyone knew where Heath was staying. Soon after an email claiming to be from Heath's older sister Kate was sent to the site, giving fans the name of the hotel he was staying at in The Big Apple - complete with his room number. She said, "I know that Heath never checks this site so I can talk on it. I know that he wouldn't want me telling you where he lives but I know he adores all of his fans. So drop by and say hi and tell him Kate sent you."

Bill Pullman loves trying to save the world - which is why he's fed up of playing ordinary guys. The Independence Day (1996) actor says he prefers to overturn a government or fight aliens on the big screen rather than be normal. At Wednesday night's premiere for his new animated flick Titan A.E. (2000), Pullman admitted it was a dream to again fight extra terrestrials in the out-of-this-world adventure. He says, "I get to do it again which is kind of a good thing, I thought it was fun to do in Independence Day (1996). "But now I get to take on the universe and try to save the human race."