Etheridge has breast cancer
 

OCT 9: US rock singer Melissa Etheridge revealed that she is suffering from breast cancer and has scrapped a North American concert tour to undergo surgery.

"I am fortunate to be under a wonderful doctor's care and thankful that this was caught early," the 43-year-old singer said in a statement. "I am looking to a quick and full recovery."

According to a statement released by the musician's publicist in Los Angeles, "the prognosis looks excellent" for recovery for the two-time Grammy Award winner.

"As a result of early detection and progressive treatment, her doctor is expecting a speedy and complete recovery," the statement said.

The lesbian singer plans to recuperate in her Los Angeles home with her partner, actress Tammy Lynn Michaels, and her two children carried by former girlfriend Julie Cypher, from whom Etheridge split in 2000.

In order to fight the disease, Etheridge, whose latest album Lucky was released in February, has cancelled concert dates in North America, said Laura Swanson of her record label Island Def Jam Music Group.

The seven-city Lucky tour had been due to launch Friday in the eastern state of Massachusetts and go on to cities including Montreal, Washington, New York before ending in Arizona on October 30. (AFP)

Loos controversy
 

The channel has received an undisclosed number of complaints following the scenes, aired last night - but it clearly proved a ratings winner.

Rebecca, who claims to have had an affair with David Beckham, donned rubber gloves and stimulated the animal to extract semen, which will be used to inseminate sows.

A Five spokesman admitted that they had received complaints - but was adamant sexy Loos was chosen only because of her talents in the farmyard - and not her past controversies.

"The vet picked out Rebecca to do the job because she has been a very keen learner on the farm and, he felt, would be the most competent," he told Sky Showbiz.

That as maybe, but it didn't do the viewing figures any harm; a record 1.6m viewers - 9% audience share - tuned in.

The sexual tension between Bex and Stan Collymore is also crackling ensuring the show continues to pick up viewers.

Rebecca shot to fame earlier this year with her claims that she bedded England captain Beckham behind his wife Victoria's back in Madrid.