Pop News Update...3rd May 2001

Hello girls and boys! Welcome to the very first Pupiline Pop News Update, I hope you enjoy it. In case you hadn't guessed from the title, my job is to inform you on all the latest goings on in the pop music world.

Love is in the air, as it has been confirmed that Nicky Byrne from Westlife will marry his long-term girlfriend, Georgina Ahern. Georgina is the daughter of Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, and the pair plan to marry as soon as Nicky's schedule allows it and soon start a family.

Also, wedding bells are ringing for Billie Piper and Chris Evans, who have married after just being together four months. Chris and Billie recently celebrated his 35th birthday in Paris, which was when the wedding was decided on. Their relationship has been quite a controversial issue, as there is an age difference of at least fifteen years between them!

'80s Mania is the name of a forthcoming ITV show, featuring the pop stars of today singing their favourite 1980s hits. Hear'say have recorded a version of George Michael and Aretha Franklin's I Knew You Were Waiting for the show.

"Don't drink Westlife" say Westlife's US record label, who have warned the boys to cut out all alcohol, to please strict American parents, and boost their appeal stateside. The Irish group are already planning their bid for the Christmas number one spot. They are going to record a cover of the Christmas classic, White Christmas. Others heading across the Atlantic this month are Ronan Keating, who has been told to get his teeth fixed, and Craig David, who is perfect just how he is!

Here's a riddle for you: where can you see a fun-filled show, featuring Blue, Dane Bowers, A1, Atomic Kitten, Point break, Reel, Mis-teeq and allSTARS for just £7.50? The Disney Channel Kids Awards National Roadshow - that's where! The show will visit Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Coventry, Croydon and Cardiff between May 26 and June 3. And if you can't get a ticket, you can watch the show on Sky TV. Visit http://www.disney.co.uk/kidsawards for more information.

Coming to a screen near you are half the pop stars in the world, by the looks of it! Hear'say have landed their own TV show this Autumn, Britney Spears, Dr Dre, Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Samantha Mumba are busy filming movies, Sisqo has a film out in June and Geri is busy trying to get a part in the forthcoming Catwoman film.

First, there was the magazine, then the radio show, then the TV show, and now the TV CHANNEL! Smash Hits is taking over the world! The channel will be available for all Sky Digital subscribers from May 15, and will be basically just like The Box or MTV, with non-stop music videos selected by viewers, 24-hours-a-day. You can vote for the video you would like to launch the channel, by sending an e-mail to smash-hits@emap.com with video vote in the subject line. Buy Smash Hits magazine for more details.

Pop Picks

Every fortnight I will tell you about a great UK pop music website that I've found.

For my first pop pick, I have chosen http://www.asseenonscreen.com. This is a professional website, where you can buy clothes, accessories and other memorabilia just like ones belonging to top pop stars, including Hear'say, All Saints, Samantha Mumba, Martine McCutcheon and Steps.

Well, that's all from me for now, but I'll be back in a fortnight with more of the latest pop news. If you can't wait that long, check out my personal pop musicwebsite,http://website.lineone.net/~poptastic. See ya!

Jessica