Russell Crowe has been told he’s too fat for his new movie role.

The Academy Award-winning actor is due to play the sheriff of Nottingham in the upcoming Robin Hood film directed by Ridley Scott.

But the British director has reportedly told Crowe he needs to lose a few pounds for the role. Scott previously directed Crowe in the film Gladiator, a role that earned the actor his Oscar.

The upcoming film puts a spin on the Robin Hood story with Crowe’s sheriff portrayed as a noble man whose corrupt king is to blame for the oppressive taxes on his subjects. Crowe’s character will compete with Robin Hood for the love of Maid Marian, played by British actress Sienna Miller.

According to Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper, “[Scott] is one of the only directors on earth who could ask [Crowe] to slim down.”

Kate Winslet hated kissing Leonardo Dicaprio – even though her husband encouraged it.

Director Sam Mendes – who Winslet married in May 2003 – brought the award-winning actors back together on the big screen in new Revolutionary Road.

But Kate admits the pairing – which meant she had to pucker up to Leo and even romp with him in a scene in the kitchen as they play a married couple – left her embarrassed.

She tells Elle magazine, “It was more that neither Sam nor Leo seemed the slightest bit bothered.

“I was like, ‘Is it just me who feels a bit weird about this? You know. My friend. My husband’.

“But it was just me. There’s this amazing still that was taken on set of Leo and me kissing, and Sam is in the background.

“You can see this look of absolute intensity on his face and I knew all he was thinking about at that moment was the frame of the shot.”

Winslet, 33, insists she and Dicaprio have a special chemistry on screen because they have stayed close since 1997 hit Titanic.

She added, “Leo’s friendship is a major thing in my life. It’s a big relationship.

“We met when we were very young and did this incredible film [Titanic], which changed both our lives, but the best thing to come out of it was this friendship.”

Despite his apology, Matt Lauer still hasn’t forgiven Tom Cruise for calling him “glib”.

Cruise, 46, appeared on the Today Show in 2005 to talk about anti-depressants but instead launched a full-scale rant in which he heavily-criticized the TV host.

Earlier this month, Cruise held his hands up and admitted he was at fault over the infamous spat.

He said, “After looking at it, it’s not what I had intended.

“That’s one of those things that you go, ‘I could have handled that better.’

“I didn’t communicate it the way that I wanted to communicate it. That’s not who I am.”

But insiders say that Lauer and Cruise’s pally interview was all just an act – and Matt still thinks Tom is a “jerk”.

One tells the National Enquirer, “Don’t be fooled. Matt’s never going to forgive Tom – plain and simple.

“As far as he’s concerned, Tom basically told him three years ago he was an ignorant idiot – on live television.

“The December interview showed Cruise in a much better light, made Matt look good and forgiving and got the pressure of both of them.

“But Matt still thinks he’s a jerk.”

Tom Cruise said he felt a “responsibility” to his character in his new film Valkyrie.

In the film, Cruise, 46, plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg – a German army officer who famously tried to assassinate Adolf Hitler during the Second World War.

“It’s a great responsibility to the Germans, for whom a man like Colonel von Stauffenberg means so much,” said Tom. “And playing the role, I felt a responsibility to the man himself.

“The more I learned about him, the greater my respect and admiration.

“The moment I read the screenplay, I knew it was an important story. It’s a true tale of heroic resistance to one of the great villains of history.”

Jennifer Hudson is being lined up to sing at Barack Obama’s Presidential Inauguration, according to reports.

The Award-winning singer/actress – who was left devastated by the brutal murders of her mother, brother and nephew in December – is said to be be summoning up the strength for President-elect Obama.

A source tells New York Post gossip column Page Six, “Organizers want Jennifer to sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the Inauguration on Jan. 20.

“They are talking to Jennifer about it. It would be the first time she performed since the murders. She is from Chicago and a huge Obama supporter.”

Hudson sang the national anthem at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August. Her is yet to comment on the report.

Britney Spears is putting her comeback in jeopardy by binging on fast food, it has been claimed.

According to Britain’s Daily Star newspaper, the singer, 27, is ignoring the 1,200 calories-a-day diet devised for her by her managers by gorging on burgers and chips.

A source tells the publication, “Britney’s been eating burgers and chips for lunch in complete defiance of the strict eating plan worked out for her.

“It’s as if she’s trying to defy her father and bosses, and break out of the controlled environment by turning away from the healthy lifestyle they’ve put in place.”

“Every decision in her life is made for her and she’s kept under the strictest watch to make sure her comeback is a success. Eating her favourite foods is one of the few ways she can control things.”

Spears – who has been under the conservatorship of her father, Jamie, since her high-profile breakdown earlier this year – has shed 28lbs since July after being put on a strict exercise regime and diet as part of her continuing recovery.

However, she recently claimed the strict conditions of her new lifestyle make her feel trapped.

She said, “When I tell people the way I feel, they hear me, but they aren’t really listening. I’m sad. Even when you go to jail, there is always the time you know you are going to get out, you know? But in this situation, it’s never ending. “

Nicole Richie is getting ready to have another baby, according to tabloid reports.

The former Simple Life star – who welcomed daughter Harlow Winter – her first child with beau Joel Madden – in January this year – “is taking vitamins, eating healthy and designing trendy maternity wear in preparation for her second pregnancy,” Star magazine reports.

A source tells the publication, “Nicole simply told Joel that she wants another baby – right away.

“He was a little overwhelmed at first, but now he’s with her 100 percent. They’re both thrilled about adding to their family.

“They went through a rough patch, but now things are amazing between them.

“Nicole knows it’s because they’re both so happy with Harlow, and she truly believes another baby will double their commitment.”

Victoria Beckham plans to buy less shoes in the New Year.

The former Spice Girl – who is married to soccer star David Beckham – is known for her high-heeled footwear.

But Victoria is planning to cut down on the amount of shoes she buys in 2009 – because her massive collection is becoming a “joke”.

She says, “I just adore them but I’ve bought so many. And I only really wear them a few times.

“My shoe wardrobe can’t contain any more, so it’s becoming a bit of a joke.

“I think I need to draw the line somewhere and lose some shoes.”

Amy Winehouse plans to give up junk food in the New Year.

The Rehab singer – known for her drink, drug & food binges – says she plans to lead a healthier lifestyle in 2009.

She explains, “I love junk food, always have. But it ends up making me feel sick. So I’m going to try to eat boring sh*t like fruit and veg instead of crisps, curries and fried chicken.

“Just talking about it makes me want it.”

It was recently claimed that Amy, 25, was addicted to eating sweets.

A source said in November, “Amy’s been told to give up the smoking and is trying to cut down. She’s replaced the fags with traditional pick ‘n’ mix, installing a £5,000 ($10k) fairground sweetshop in her pad.

“She’s been gorging herself on candy but we’d rather she was overdosing on sugary cola bottles than crack cocaine.

“Amy’s put on around a stone in weight and is now a much healthier 8 stone. She’s still very slender – just not worryingly skeletal.”

Rock matriarch Sharon Osbourne is desperate to become a grandma – and is pushing daughter Kelly to get pregnant.

Kelly, 24 – who is currently dating British model Luke Worrall – says her feisty mom is determined to see her daughter give birth.

She tells British magazine Closer, “Mum’s been trying to get me to have a happy accident for ages.

“She says, ‘Go on Kelly, just one little baby.’”

But Kelly has no intention of having a child before she’s good and ready.

She added, “I’m not ready to have children yet. I’ve always wanted to have them – but not yet.”

Speaking of her hunky beau, Kelly gushed, “I’ve never been this mushy with anybody ever before. But this time I can’t help it. He’s perfect. Everything about him is brilliant. I love him and I’d do anything for him.”