ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

MUSIC/ SOLIDERS LAST WORDS TO BECOME SINGLE: The final words written by a UK guardsman killed in Afghanistan will be released as a single by chart act The Soldiers. Guardsman Neil Downes, known as Tony, from Manchester, died in an explosion in Helmand province in 2007. 2 letters to his family and girlfriend Jane, written to be opened in the event of his death, were adapted for the song "Letters Home". Ronnie Downes, his father, described the track as an "absolutely fantastic" tribute to the 20-year-old. It is common practice for serving soldiers to compose a last letter to loved ones, to be opened in the event of their death. The family of Guardsman Downes gave its blessing to production duo Nick Patrick and Jeff Chegwin to use his words. The song includes the lyrics "I'm sorry to put you through all this, I'm sorry there was no last kiss" and "I'm up here in heaven, you're free to start again. My love will never end. I'm sorry to my family and friends". Guardsman Downes, from 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, was on patrol when his vehicle was caught in an explosion on June 9, 2007. He had already completed 1 tour in Iraq with the Inkerman Company of the Grenadier Guards in 2006. The single will be released in the UK on October 25.

TV/ "IDOL" JUDGES INTRODUCED: As widely expected, the judging lineup for "American Idol" season 10 will be Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, with Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, acting as an in-house mentor to contestants, with an assist from producers Timbaland and Polow Da Don. The announcement was made before the Los Angeles round of auditions at the Forum yesterday morning. Each judge received an introductory clip reel before they were brought on stage to chat with host Ryan Seacrest; the several thousand auditioners in attendance sung along to Aerosmith's "Dream On" and screamed their love for Lopez. "I'm so excited to be here, to work with you and to watch you grow during this journey we're going to go on," Lopez said. While he didn't give specifics, producer Nigel Lythgoe said there will be some rules changes to the show, and while he's still open to celebrity visits, there will be no more artist mentors besides Iovine. Simon Cowell quit the program in May to concentrate on a US version of his show "The X Factor," while comedienne Ellen DeGeneres left in July. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi was the last member of the panel to quit, announcing her decision to stand down earlier this month.

TV/ SESAME STREET CUTS PERRY: Katy Perry has been cut from an upcoming episode of "Sesame Street" after parents complained of her skimpy, cleavage-baring top. A spokesman for the long-running PBS show, which premieres its 41st season on Monday, said in a statement: "Sesame Street has a long history of working with celebrities across all genres, including athletes, actors, musicians and artists. Sesame Street has always been written on two levels, for the child and adult. We use parodies and celebrity segments to interest adults in the show because we know that a child learns best when co-viewing with a parent or care-giver.We also value our viewer's opinions and particularly those of parents. In light of the feedback we've received on the Katy Perry music video which was released on You Tube only, we have decided we will not air the segment on the television broadcast of Sesame Street, which is aimed at preschoolers. Katy Perry fans will still be able to view the video on You Tube and on katyperry.com." The YouTube clip of Perry singing "Hot 'n' Cold" with Elmo has been seen by more than a million viewers since hitting the Web earlier this week.

FILM/ JOLIE CASTS PIC LEAD: Angelina Jolie has selected a lead actress for her directorial debut. Zana Marjanovic will play a Bosnian woman who is in love with a Serbian man amidst the war. Marjanovic, pictured, is native to Bosnia. Marjanovic said the screenplay was "fabulous" and she was eager to begin filming with "a great actress and humanist" like Jolie. Marjanovic, 27, is en route to Hungary to prepare for the film, which will begin filming later this year in that country and Bosnia. Jolie has been to Bosnia twice this year in her role as a UNHCR good will ambassador and to scout the movie. She has said she would only use actors from the region. Marjanovic starred in award-winning "Snow," which was directed by Bosnian Aida Begic.