Rockers Slipknot have scrapped their upcoming concert in Israel - blaming “personal and family conflicts” for the cancellation.

The nine-strong band - known for their elaborate on-stage ‘death-masks’ - were due to play in Tel Aviv on November 2.

But now the gig has been cancelled by the group “as a result of sudden personal and family conflicts”, according to Blabbermouth.net.

Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs has expressed his fury at comedian Russell Brand for playing an “offensive” prank on the star.

Brand was joined on his BBC Radio 2 programme by British chatshow host Jonathan Ross on 18 October, when the funnyman bragged about sleeping with Sachs’ granddaughter.

The pair then left a series of crude voicemail messages on Sachs’ phone, suggesting Brand had bedded 23-year-old Georgina on a sofa and a garden swing.

Singer Craig David is to add ‘doctor’ to his resume - he’s to receive an honorary degree from a UK university next month.

The Walking Away hitmaker will be recognised for his contribution to the music industry and made a Doctor of Music at Southampton Solent University in south-east England.

The ceremony will take place on 7 November, when the university’s students celebrate their graduation.

American Idol judge Paula Abdul has sent thoughts and prayers to the reality show’s former contestant Jennifer Hudson - who is mourning the death of her mother, brother and nephew.

Abdul helped Hudson reach the American Idol final 12 back in 2004. It proved a launchpad for the star and she went on to win an Oscar for her role in movie musical Dreamgirls just three years later.

Dustin Hoffman and Ben Stiller were among the stars honoured at this year’s Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala in Los Angeles.

The celebrity-studded event in Beverly Hills on Monday night saw Hoffman receive the Hollywood Career Achievement Award. Ben Stiller took home the Comedy of the Year Award.