Gangs Of New York star Leonardo DiCaprio was left stunned after British fans turned out in thousands to greet him at the film's London premiere last night. The 28-year old heartthrob arrived in the British capital's Leicester Square on a freezing January night to be greeted by the 2,000 well wishers who were delighted when he gave an impromptu five minute walkabout to sign autographs. DiCaprio, who was accompanied by co-stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Jim Broadbent, said, "It is just surreal. It was pretty intense out there. This has been the biggest crowd so far, we didn't get that in Paris or Berlin. To be honest, it's made me dizzy. It's absolutely freezing out here and the support is unbelievable." Day-Lewis also took the opportunity to deny reports that he is planning to retire from the movie business saying, "It's not so much I'm retiring. As much as I love the work I also love to stay away from it. I've really no idea what I'm going to be doing next." Other stars who turned out to the gala screening were Smallville star Kelly Brook and her The Transporter boyfriend Jason Stantham and Joan Collins with husband Percy Gibson.

The blossoming friendship between Hollywood A-list pals George Clooney and Julia Roberts is causing friction with the Pretty Woman star's husband, Danny Moder. Moder, her husband of four months, has told Roberts he is unhappy about her relationship with heart-throb Clooney, 41, and the fact they always seem to be working together. A friend of Clooney told British magazine Closer, "Julia's almost been spending more time with George than with her husband, and Danny's not happy." Having spent most of 2001 making and promoting Ocean's Eleven, they are now preparing for the release of Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, in which Clooney directed Roberts. According to Clooney's friend they were very close on set: "They were always disappearing together and when they returned, they were all smiles." Molder, 33, even visited the Toronto set at one stage to see what was happening between the pair. Clooney's friend says, "When Danny got there, Julia just laughed the whole thing off and insisted that he was being paranoid. She said she and George were doing nothing more than playing video games and making crank calls to the hotel staff."

Hollywood hunk Ben Affleck's seems to have taken his fondness for gambling a stage further - the actor and superstar fiancee Jennifer Lopez are reportedly house-hunting in 'sin city' Las Vegas. Affleck reportedly took up the expensive hobby during a holiday in the city with his beau and Jersey Girl co-star late last year. But now he's looking for a pad in the gambling metropolis, pals are worried the past-time may develop into a compulsion for Ben - who has struggled in the past with alcohol addiction. A source told American gossip website The Scoop, "I hope this isn't something that could get out of hand."

British pop superstar Robbie Williams has been offered the chance to become the new Ozzy Osbourne - by being offered his own reality TV show. The "Feel" singer was presented with the offer at the renewal of the Osbournes' wedding vows in Beverly Hills on New Year's Eve where he made a big impression on MTV executives. A source says, "Robbie rang in the New Year watching the Osbournes renew their wedding vows at a lavish ceremony. But before the night was over he was offered a deal to star in his own MTV reality show. He made a great impression on the bigwigs in the music network - doing impersonations, telling jokes. He was the life and soul of the party. And the show they propose could help him crack the US market." Williams, who signed a $120 million record deal with music giants EMI last year, would reportedly net $1.5 million per show plus a percentage of the profits. Sources close to the "Let Me Entertain You" hitmaker claim he is 'floored' by the deal and is seriously considering the offer.

The South African birthplace of Lord Of The Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien is to be turned into a site of pilgrimage for fans. Hot on the heels of the blockbusting success of the second Rings movie, The Two Towers, the town of Bloemfontein looks set to become a Tolkein tourist trap, despite the writer and academic having left for Britain when still a young boy. Marc Sholtz, the local tourist chief says, "Tolkein is Bloemfontein's best kept secret. He is regarded worldwide as the father of fantasy writing." The pilgrimage plans include highlighting Tolkein's family home, the cathedral he was baptised in and his father Andrew's grave, as well as a statue, commemorative postage stamps and an annual literacy festival. Jake Uys, manager of the local Hobbit House guesthouse says the campaign is to "promote global awareness."

International fame and fortune could be on the cards for Brit-actor Damian Lewis following the news that movie mogul Steven Spielberg is keen to sign him up for the second series of highly successful American TV program Taken. The star, who teamed up with Spielberg in his TV hit Band Of Brothers, spent an entire day with the director. A source says, "Steven pulled out all the stops to impress Damian. He believes Damian is the man to make the second series of Taken even bigger. It's normally impossible to get to spend a whole day with Steven as he's always busy. But when he heard Damian was in town just before Christmas, he invited him to spend the day at his mansion." Lewis was in Hollywood finishing off new movie Dreamcatcher, in which he stars alongside Morgan Freeman, when he got the call.

Movie legend Charlie Chaplin is to be honored with a multi-million dollar museum in Switzerland. The comic genius' family still has it's home in Vevey, where the $30 million museum will be built. A joint Quebec-Swiss consortium beat off stiff competition from both Disney and Universal. Family spokesman Yves Duran explains the aim of the museum is to, "elevate British-born Chaplin into a monument. Our approach will not be exhibitionist, voyeuristic or Hollywood." Work should begin by autumn, with opening due in 2005.

Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course star Steve Irwin has landed his own talk show - and his first guest could be as 'A' list as they come. The Aussie daredevil, famous for his encounters with a range of deadly animals, will film a series of special programs for Australian television which could be sold around the world. It is possible that his first guest could be his new friend and fellow Antipodean Russell Crowe. The pair hit it off at a recent meeting and swiftly became firm friends and the presence of Crowe on the show could guarantee its international marketability.

Justin Timberlake is still worried about ex-girlfriend Britney Spears - and even phoned her recently to make sure she wasn't offended by his steamy new video. The promo, "Cry Me A River," features Timberlake getting his own back on a Britney look alike after she apparently cheats on him. Many believe the video mirrors the reasons the pop-couple split a year ago. Timberlake claims the video is a joke about all the press intrigue surrounding his break-up, but accepts some haven't seen the funny side - feeling the video to be a shameless attack on his ex. Therefore he called to make sure Britney wasn't upset, "I didn't want things to get misunderstood. She was cool. There's no hard feelings."

Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong has been arrested in California on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The rock star was spotted reportedly speeding in his black BMW convertible and police pulled him over. The incident, which took place on Sunday morning, saw the 30-year old fail a sobriety test and be taken to Berkley County jail where he was charged. The punk frontman was later released after posting the $1,053 bail.