Best of BBC news

Sir Paul McCartney is to be presented with a Kennedy Center honour at the White House in Washington in December.

Prize win sees the xx step into the spotlight

As preparations are made for the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing, Radio 1 Newsbeat's Natalie Jamieson has a look behind the scenes.

Rugby player Gavin Henson, magician Paul Daniels and former Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams are among the line-up for Strictly Come Dancing.

The xx beat late favourite Paul Weller to win this year's Mercury Prize for their debut album xx.

The xx have won this year's Mercury Music Prize for their debut album xx.

Mercury Prize nominees, including Dizzee Rascal, have arrived in London for the 2010 award ceremony.

Mark David Chapman, who killed John Lennon, has been denied parole and will remain imprisoned for at least two more years, officials say.

Tamil director Mani Ratnam has been honoured with the Jaeger-LeCoultre - Glory to the Filmmaker Award at the Venice Film Festival.

The life of a movie star from his 11-year-old daughter's perspective is the subject of Sophia Coppola's Somewhere, which has just premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

Film director Clive Donner, who helped launch the careers of actors such as Sir Ian McKellen and Alan Bates, dies at the age of 84.

Animated film Toy Story 3 has become the second highest grossing film in the UK.

Angelina Jolie has visited Nowshera in north-west Pakistan to highlight the plight of more than 20 million people affected by the country's worst ever floods.

A guide to the authors who are up for this year's literary prize

The club for dedicated fans of Dennis the Menace is to be replaced with a website in a bid to attract more members.

The music mogul could ditch next year's X Factor and says he only has a contract with ITV1 for this year's series.

Star of Tamara Drewe Gemma Arterton has said she did not want to play the character, because "I didn't like her" - but director Stephen Frears convinced her.

Australian author Peter Carey, who has already won the Man Booker prize twice, has made the shortlist for this year's prize.

More than one million people tune in to see the launch of ITV's new breakfast show Daybreak, but the BBC wins the ratings battle.

Heather Small is joining Lula and Anastacia in this year's Here Come The Girls tour, after a hugely successful run for the show last year.