Hollyoaks star triumphs as Lloyd Webber's new Maria in Sound of Music

How do you solve a problem like replacing Connie Fisher? Turn to television, of course.

In his bravest experiment yet, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber merged fiction with fact to introduce his new Maria via the teenage soap opera Hollyoaks.

Instead of repeating the idea of holding the TV reality show auditions that made his Sound of Music musical such a hit, the composer worked with Channel 4 for months on a storyline in which he infiltrated his protégé Summer Strallen into the cast as a showbiz wannabe.

No problem: The Sound of Summer is here as Hollyoaks star Summer Strallen takes the reins as the new Maria in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Sound of Music last night, at the London Palladium

Cast away: Summer takes a bow onstage at the London Palladium after a successful first performance

He even made a cameo appearance on the serial when her character stalked him and demanded the chance to prove she could make it in the West End.

The 23-year-old was "given" the part - and last night the curtain went up for the first time.

Did the gamble pay off? Lord Lloyd Webber is utterly convinced. He said: "She's wonderful. It's a corny thing to say but we had the most fantastic spring with Connie and I think we're going to have a glorious Summer."

Teen star: Summer with Lloyd Webber and her former colleagues on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks

Backstage: An overjoyed Summer with her Hollyoaks pals after her first performance in the role of Maria

His wife, Madeleine, claimed her husband's bold idea had left the younger generation for dust. "Andrew at [nearly] 60 is coming up with the ideas that younger producers should be having," she said.

The critics were divided, however. The show was given just two stars by the Evening Standard's Nicholas de Jongh in his review below. But Charles Spencer of The Daily Telegraph was in raptures and called Strallen "an utter delight".

Gamble: Lord Lloyd Webber said Summer is 'wonderful' in the role and is convinced his gamble has paid off

Robert Gore Langton in the Daily Mail said she had confidence, depth and charm but "made a terrible start".

After the show Strallen said: "I feel great. I'm very pleased with tonight. I did my best and hopefully that will be good enough. I can begin to enjoy it now."

Glamorous: Summer, seen here at the after-party for her first night with sisters Zizzy, left and Sassy, right, said she was pleased with her performance and was ready to start enjoying it now

She said when she won the role, she was forced to sign an agreement that meant keeping it from her mother and sisters - including Mary Poppins star Scarlet.

"The first part of it [in Hollyoaks] was a bit crazy," she said. "I knew in July I was going to play Maria but I couldn't tell anybody."

Her aunt Bonnie Langford said the family were all immensely proud. "We know how to work. We're not starry. We know that tomorrow they have to do another show."

Musical heritage: Summer comes from a musical dynasty which includes aunt Bonnie Langford

While David's away, Posh parties in Hollywood until 2am

With David Beckham away with LA Galaxy yet again, Posh Spice was certainly not wasting any time pining at home.

The former Spice Girl was spotted enjoying a late night out with friends in Hollywood, where she emerged from a restaurant looking rather worse for wear at 2am.

And while the self-appointed fashionista is not usually one to be seen in the same outfit twice, she was seen wearing her grey cropped T-shirt, complete with a sheer gauze layer and matching pencil skirt for the second time in a month.

Late night: Victoria Beckham emerged from a Hollywood restaurant at 2am on Sunday morning looking rather worse for wear

Posh is now footloose and fancy free after wrapping her much-hyped Spice Girls reunion tour in Toronto last week.

The tour ground to a premature halt in the Canadian city, following reports the fivesome locked in a bitter feud and had suffered flagging ticket sales.

The 33-year-old mother quickly resumed promoting her dVb fashion line - she is expected to earn £15million from her brand, which now sells sunglasses, denim and handbags.

Double take: Posh wore her grey ensemble for the second time in a month

Meanwhile, David Beckham was swarmed by camera-carrying crowds as he arrived in China yesterday for a game against the Shanghai-Hong Kong United team on Wednesday.

After the team's swing through Asia, its regular Major League Soccer season will start at the end of March.

The Asian tour started in Korea, where Beckham was the only one of five Galaxy players to convert in a penalty shootout as the MLS outfit lost to South Korea's FC Seoul 2-1 in an exhibition game Saturday.

Training day: David Beckham arrived in China yesterday with his team LA Galaxy

Holly Willoughby's cleavage makes a stunning comeback as neckline plunges again

For weeks, Dancing on Ice viewers have been marvelling over and complaining about Holly Willoughby's plunging neckline look.

But last night the Dancing on Ice presenter shrugged off the criticism, returning to the busty attire she clearly adores.

Holly, 27, dazzled on last night's show with a revealing, off-the-shoulder white dress.

Back to front: Dancing on Ice presenter Holly Willoughby's plunging neckline has made a return in a stunning off the shoulder dress on last night's show

It was a marked difference from the previous week, when she chose to showcase a plunging rear view, in a dangerously low-cut backless dress.

The black sequinned gown also came a lot higher up at the front and showed nothing of area which has caused so much controversy of late.

But this week, Holly was clearly keen to ignore all the criticism levelled at her headline-grabbing frocks, and return to the look she obviously feels comfortable in.

Holly, 27, looked stunning on last night's show in a cream-coloured low-cut gown, with a glossy sheen, revealing her shoulders and a whole lot more.

Now you see it: The television presenter has returned to the look she clearly feels comfortable in. Having last week departed from her signature plunging neckline, to cover up in front completely by wearing a backless dress

But even so, she appears to have taken on board the criticism of her racy outfits, and looked to have toned it down a tad for the popular early evening programme. The neckline was slightly more demure than has been seen in the past.

Holly's wardrobe has attracted much criticism from the shows fans. After one show, a viewer, writing on a TV messageboard, said: "Why doesn't Holly Willoughby stop messing around and just do the show topless?"

Another wrote: "My husband and I have great fun trying to bet how low her top will be each week. She does struggle to keep them in, doesn't she?"

But for her part, Holly said today she couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.

During an appearance on Loose Women recently, she said: "It's just the weirdest thing that has ever happened. It's like I'm living in someone else's world."

However, Holly's Dancing on Ice wardrobe wobbles are not the first time the former underwear model's 32D figure has got her into trouble.

In 2004, there were complaints after one of her breasts popped out as she danced on the ITV Saturday morning children's programme Ministry Of Mayhem.

Last night tennis star Greg Rusedski was the latest celebrity to receive the brush off on the Dancing on Ice show as he was voted off in the skate-off.

Rusedski found himself in the bottom two, along with Coronation Street's Zaraah Abrahams.

Katie Price goes from slinky to sleepy after a night on the town

After a night of partying at David Gest's 55th birthday at London's Royal Garden Hotel, a weary Jordan couldn't have looked more ready for bed.

The model, real name Katie Price, had arrived at the I'm A Celebrity star's bash dressed to impress in a slinky silver frock and towering peep-toe heels.

But by night's end, it was all about comfort for the mother-of-three, who slipped out of her party outfit and into a pair of flannelette pink pyjamas while in her Range Rover.

Ready for bed: Katie Price slipped into a pair of pyjamas as she headed home after attending David Gest's party on Saturday night

The 29-year-old was joined by husband Peter Andre, who rang in his 35th birthday with a party at London restaurant Scott's last week.

Jordan recently revealed the couple plan to expand their brood, which already includes Harvey, 5, - her son to former lover Dwight Yorke - Junior, 2, and seven month old daughter Princess.

She has said: "I love everything about being a mother.

Before: Jordan, accompanied by husband Peter Andre, arrived at the party in a sparkling silver number

"I can't wait to have more kids. I want to wait until Princess is at nursery though so we can enjoy the three we have now.

"I'd definitely think about adopting. We've even found a place over here where you can foster disabled kids. I want to go there on my day off and get one now."

In the meantime, the couple have been busy filming the latest installment of their reality show, Katie and Peter: The Next Chapter, which is set to air on ITV2 later this month.

Why so shy? Jordan played up to the cameras on arrival, but appeared rather embarrased to be caught in her nightwear as she made her way home

Drew Barrymore hits the beach in a teeny bikini with her new boyfriend in tow

Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore has continued her 33rd birthday celebrations with a romantic getaway to Mexico with her new love Justin Long.

The star, who had earlier slipped into a skimpy plum coloured bikini, frolicked along the foreshore with her Live Free or Die Hard boyfriend by her side.

Making a splash: Drew Barrymore with boyfriend Justin Long in Mexico last week

The pair are said to be staying at a back-to-basics $100-a-night beach resort, with simple thatched-roof huts without television or phones.

Drew recently revealed she's thoroughly enjoying her blissful new romance, telling Vogue: "My cheeks hurt, I'm so happy."

It appears the feeling is mutual, with Justin replying in turn: "She makes my cheeks hurt, too."

Asked what comes to mind when he thinks of Drew, Justin has said: "Beauty and light, and she shines it on everybody who comes into contact with her."

New love: the pair, who have been dating since August, strolled hand-in-hand along the beach front

The holiday wraps up more than a week of celebrations for the Charlie's Angels' actress, who rang in her official Febraury 22 bithday with a private party at West Hollywood's Soho House with Justin and best friend Cameron Diaz.

Drew and Justin have known each other for seven years, but they began dating last August after meeting again on the set of the movie adaptation of best-selling book He's Just Not That Into You.

It's Drew's first relationship since splitting from long-term love, Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti last year.

The former wild child has been married twice before - she parted ways from her first husband, bar owner Jeremy Thomas, after just five weeks, while second husband comedian Tom Green filed for divorce after five months.

Chilled: the couple are said to be staying at a back-to-basics beach resort

Sarah Harding shows off her blonde perm

Never one to miss out on a dodgy hair trend, Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding appears to have been bitten by the Ashes to Ashes bug as she stepped out in London on the weekend with a curly blonde hairdo.

The Girls Aloud singer's hair had been transformed into a Keeley Hawes-style eighties perm similar to the style worn by the female TV cop in retro-themed BBC1 show Ashes to Ashes.

Curly locks: Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding unveiled a new curly perm hairstyle which appears to be influenced by retro-themed programme Ashes to Ashes, as she enjoyed a night out at Mahiki in London

The 26-year-old took her new hair out for dinner with bandmate Nicola Roberts then on for cocktails at Prince Harry's favourite haunt, Mahiki in London's West End.

Thankfully it appears Sarah's style change is just temporary as the Manchester born singer had kept her curly hairdo after appearing on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway with her bandmate, while performing their new single Can't Speak French.

Girls night out: Sarah and bandmate Nicola Roberts enjoyed dinner together, and then hit Prince Harry's favourite West End bar Mahiki, as she took her perm for a road test

Bandmate Cheryl Cole joined the group having returned from America to patch up her marriage. And according to a report she is demanding cheating husband Ashley makes a grovelling public apology or their marriage is over.

Cheryl, it's claimed, is insisting the love-rat footballer must issue a statement in the press admitting his romp with hairdresser Aimee Walton.

Saucy: Sarah, far right, and the rest of the Girls Aloud appeared in their saucy French maid costumes for an appearance on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway show on ITV

All smiles: Cheryl Cole rejoined the band after returning from the US where she fled to consider the future of her marriage to footballer Ashley Cole following his infidelity

Meanwhile, Sarah's relationship with DJ love Tom Crane is going from strength to strength, with Sarah revealing the pair plan to build their own home - in the country.

She told the Sunday Mirror: "We've got plans to move out and build our own place. There's some land we've got our eye on.

"I want to be out in the country, riding horses, sitting by a big log fire and being a home bod," she said.

Which might come as some surprise, considering the hard-partying persona she has worked hard to cultivate over the last few years.

Loud and proud: Sarah said the focus on her party lifestyle was annoying and said she parties like most 26-year-olds, just to let off steam

And she admitted: "It does annoy me. When I go out, I let off some steam. Most 26-year-olds in London are doing that every night.

"I'm an exhibitionist and I can be really feisty because I don't like people to see my vulnerabilities.

"The people who see the soft Sarah are those close to me. I've got to have something for myself. But when I go up on stage it's like I'm possessed.

"I become the loud, lairy gobshite, it's like, 'F***ing hell, let's have it'."

Vive la resistance: Girls Aloud show off their permed hairstyles in a new look in the video for their single Can't Speak French

Paris leaves little to the imagination in her raciest photoshoot yet

She may be over-exposed, but Paris Hilton reveals even more of herself in what could be billed her raunchiest shoot yet.

The star of film The Hottie and the Nottie showed off her enviable figure in a cover shoot for the new issue of American magazine 944.

And she may not be known as a woman of many talents, but it's clear that she has one or two other attractions.

Naughty but nice: Paris Hilton reveals why she has a legion of fans, in a raunchy photoshoot for US magazine 944. But she said she's not just a party girl

Peek-a-bra: The Hollywood socialite said she gets angry when she's dismissed as a party girl and as well as revealing her enviable figure, revealed plans to start her own charitable foundation

Clad in skimpy underwear, Paris practically reveals all in the steamy shoot, which is bound to please her male fans.

Last year she was voted Woman of the Year by Harvard University. And these new photos might give as an insight into just why.

In the interview with 944, the heiress revealed she is planning to start her own charity named The Paris Hilton Foundation to "take the charity work I want to do to the next level".

She also admitted that she gets furious when critics claim all she does is party.

"It makes me angry because people don't know the real me, and I'm a very hard worker." Says the 26-year-old.

"I travel around the world constantly promoting my projects and endorsing products.

"Yes, I do get paid to go to parties; in fact, I'm the person who started the whole trend of paid appearances.

"But when you see me at a party, I'm always working or promoting something."

Smouldering: A topless Paris poses in just a pair of Calvins for the cover of US magazine 944

She also discusses her numerous products and endorsements which include hair straighteners, a drink, a new perfume, a dog clothing line, and a jewellery and shoe line.

Meanwhile the former girlfriend of her new beau, Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden - has denied that she was dumped in favour of the heiress.

Australian actress Sophie Monk said: "Let me make this as plain as possible, Benji did not leave me for Paris Hilton. Benji and I did not break up badly or anything like that.

"We both decided as adults our relationship had run its course and decided to move on."

"I feel no animosity towards Benji and Paris at all and am very happy with life at the moment."

Benji, 28, is the twin brother of Joel Madden who is engaged to Paris's best friend Nicole Richie. The couple have a daughter - two-month old Harlow - together.

New love: Paris Hilton debuted her latest romantic interest Benji Madden during a shopping spree in Hollywood earlier this week