US actress Christina Applegate returned to the set of sitcom Samantha Who? in Los Angeles, People magazine reported.

The 36-year-old actress had to undergo a double mastectomy in July after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She recovered well after the operation and is now believed to be cancer free.

Applegate is nominated for one of the much-coveted Emmy Awards as lead actress in a comedy. She is expected to present at the award ceremony in Los Angeles on September 21.

*********************************************************************

Felicity Huffman says Desperate Housewife co-star "fat" =

New York (dpa) - Actress Felicity Huffman, 45, put pregnancy rumours of Wisteria Lane co-star Eva Longoria Parker to rest. Housewife-style.

"She's just fat, that's all there is to it," Huffman told People magazine. HE Desperate Housewives co-star Longoria Parker, 33, who recently married had to deny pregnancy rumours all summer because of her new curves.

Longoria Parker gained the extra pounds for her role in the hit TV series, where she also has to don a fat suit when playing an overworked housewife.

All jokes on the set are about Eva and the fat suit, Huffman said.

"She looks cute. But she's always like, 'Feel my ass! Feel my ass!'"

*******************************************************************

Shia LaBeouf is happy to be alive =

New York (dpa) - Up-and-coming Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf was is still in shock over a car crash, in which he suffered severe injuries in July.

The horrible experience was "eye opening" and today he was happy to be alive, LaBeouf, 22, said in his first TV interview after the accident.

"The car hit me at 70 miles per hour," said the actor, who co-starred with Harrison Ford in the latest Indiana Jones movie.

His truck flipped over on a street in West Hollywood. LaBeouf suffered injures on his head, left hand and knee. The passenger riding with him and the driver of the other car were only slightly hurt.

"It was one of the biggest things that's happened to me, for sure, in my life," said LaBeouf. "I'm grateful to be here."

At the time of the accident, the actor was believed to be drunk, but has not been formally charged with any crime yet. The other driver was found to have run a red light, so LaBeouf may not be at fault for the accident, People magazine said.

*******************************************************************

New Britney album to be released at Spears' birthday =

New York (dpa) - Circus, the new album by Britney Spears is to be released on December 2, the pop-star's 27th birthday, her record label Jive said.

After a mental breakdown earlier this year, Spears is well on her way towards a comeback, only seven months after she lost control of her assets and her father stepped in as conservator. She also ended the custody battle for her two boys with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

At the MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, Britney went home with three awards, among them video of the year for the single Piece of Me from her most recent album, Blackout.

The first single from Circus, titled Womanizer, will be released on September 22, produced by Atlanta-based The Outsyders.

Also working with Britney, who sold 62 million records in her career, is Guy Sigsworth, who works with Madonna, Alanis Morisette and Bjork.