Global pop charts and star news

Madonna is desperately trying to shake off the increasing rumours of troubles in her marriage to Guy Ritchie. Ritchie, ten years her junior, has seen his career take a nose-dive whereas the Queen of Pop is currently enjoying what must be her twentieth resurgence. Working on her latest hit album, Confessions on a Dance Floor she seems to have developped a special relationship with a 28 year old music producer called Stuart Prince. Friends of Madonna have been reported as saying that Prince has been a Rock for the Hung Upsinger. Hmm… Let’s hope that she wasn’t looking out for her marriage on this particular rock.

Madonna will open the Grammys this Wednesday/Thursday with an animated appearance by the Gorillaz [Explicit Lyrics] [Bonus Tracks], Damon Albarn’s group who are brought to life by the animator Jamie Hewlett.

Other performers at the Grammys will include:

Kanye West
U2
Coldplay
Mariah Carey
John Legend
Bruce Springstein
Paul McCartney

John McCartney will be giving his first live performence at the Grammys having been nominated for three awards including the album of the year for Chaos and Creation in the Backyard. The ceremony starts at 0100 GMT Thursday!