PM's wife backs her husband even if the country doesn't

Gordon Brown today pinned his hopes of political survival on an appeal to the 'squeezed middle classes' in his final conference speech before a general election.

The Prime Minister made a last-gasp plea to the vital middle-class vote as he insisted he had not run out of steam and was a leader for the future.

He accused the Conservatives of being heartless as he urged Labour to 'never, never stop believing' and unveiled a raft of new policies aimed at staving off political oblivion.

The hugely ambitious programme set out plans for free health care, free personal care for the elderly and a series of plans to address anti-social behaviour.

For the second year running, he was introduced by his wife Sarah. Her highly personal tribute, in which she described him as her 'hero', totally stole the limelight.

She admitted her husband was 'no saint' but insisted he would 'always, always' put British people first and was the right person to lead the country.

(PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

TV Paedo's school job

A child-SEX pervert whose capture was seen by millions of TV viewers last week got a job at a kids' nursery AFTER the show was filmed, The People can reveal.

ITV1's To Catch A Paedophile showed Andrew Smith, 32, being arrested last year as he tried to lure a girl of 13 to meet him.

Smith was jailed for 12 months and put on the sex offenders' register. But after being released early, the sickening pervert signed up with a recruitment agency and got a job as a chef at The Norwood Manor Nursery in West Norwood, South London.

(PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Tattoo artists leave thier mark on the capital

Thousands of tattoo artists, piercing experts, fashion designers and body art fans from around the globe have descended on the capital for an annual convention.

The fifth outing of the London International Tattoo Convention is considered one of the main events in the European tattoo circuit. Fans queued round the block for over an hour to gain entry to the convention's new location at the Victorian Tobacco Dock in London's East End. And once the doors opened on Friday morning, it was down to serious business.

Hot on the heels of the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week this is being hailed by the organisers as the next big cultural event of the season.

The 2009 convention bills itself as a celebration of an "alternative lifestyle". But nowadays more people seem to have a tattoo than not - ask around your office or friends, you would be surprised.

However, it still a bit of a leap from that drunken and well-hidden tattoo acquired as student to a wrist-to-shoulder job - the "sleeve".

(PIC: Zed Jameson/NEWSPICS)

Pixie keen on a duet

Pixie Lott has revealed that she would love to record a duet with James Morrison.

The Essex babe claims there are several people she would like to collaborate with in the future, but names Morrison as the person at the top of her list.

"I'd absolutely love to do a duet with James Morrison," she told Mizz. "That would be fantastic."
"There are loads of others, too. Stevie Wonder is one of my idols and Chris Martin from Coldplay. Oh, and Asher Roth, that new rapper. I think that'd be fresh!" She adds.

And when it comes to female artists, there are plenty of them that Pixie admits to admiring.
"Adele is my favourite female artist - just everything about her, her whole vibe! Christina Aguilera and Beyonce, too. And I like a lot of old stars as well."

(PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Gary Glitter back in court

Sporting a pink blazer and black trilby, pedophile pop star Gary Glitter looked quite the dapper gent when he attended court in West London today.

The 'My gang' crooner was applying to have his passport returned after being banned from leaving the UK last year, at Horseferry Road Magistrates Court.

Leaving court this evening with his lawyer, Glitter looked calm and relaxed, smiling for photographers as he walked to a waiting car, it was a far cry from some of his bizarre outfits and disguises he's been spotted in lately.

(PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Kelly Brook joins in 'SkyRide'

Boris Johnson was joined by cycling gold-medallist Chris Hoy and model Kelly Brook as he led more than 65,000 cyclists on a mass “Skyride” past some of the capital's most famous landmarks.

Many of the riders got into the spirit of the event, including one in an old-fashioned policeman's outfit and others seemingly hoping for some wind assistance sporting huge sails.

The Mayor described the event as the “climax of a summer of cycling”, in which he has launched initiatives to encourage more Londoners to cycle to work. Yesterday's nine-mile route took in Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London.

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Are Katie and Alex engaged?

KATIE Price cheered on her new man Alex Reid as he won his cage fight last night - and sparked rumours the pair could wed by flashing a heart-shaped ring on her engagement finger.
The 2,000-strong crowd booed as it was announced the 34-year-old had won the three-round bout on points.

But undeterred, glamour model Katie - aka Jordan - stripped down to a tiny black G-string before changing into a little black dress with the words "The Champ" emblazoned in sequins on her chest. She then stepped into the cage to help Reid celebrate his win over Jack Mason.
Katie turned up for the fight at The Troxy in East London, with pal Michelle Heaton, sporting the eye-catching sparkler, with three central diamonds surrounded by a border of tiny gems. Reid, though, had to slum it by changing and warming up in a KITCHEN at the venue while Mason, 27, a City banker, was given an air-conditioned room.

Katie watched nervously, near Mason's girl Shannon Stile, 23, as their men slugged it out for three rounds in a Thai boxing middleweight title match.

During the first round, Katie held her handbag over her face as Mason - with the crowd chanting his name - landed blows to Reid's face and left him badly cut above an eye.

During the second round the fighters kneed each other.

But in the final round, Reid landing a few blows and the judges gave him the verdict.
Asked whether Jordan was engaged, pal Michelle laughed: "Not that I'm aware of. No, she's not engaged."

(EXCLUSIVE PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Ultimate Challenge MMA 'Mayhem'!

It's the night everyone has been waiting for, Katie Price's squeeze Alex Reid takes to the cage tonight to fight his rival MMA fighter Jack Mason.

It's the hottest ticket in town and NewsPics have EXCLUSIVE inside venue access to all areas bringing the latest images of the fight and behind the scenes action to every newspaper in the UK.

Our team at The Troxy will be capturing every second of this mouthwatering bout. We'll be capturing the images that everyone wants to see!

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Jodie pops out to brothers wedding

Jodie Marsh stole the show yesterday when her little brother 'Jordan' got married to his sweatheart Karleigh at Brentwood Registry office.

The Essex celebrity wore a jaw dropping purple dress which showed off her assets perfectly while boyfriend Ryan wore a more subtle lounge suit

(PIC EXCLUSIVE: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Erin arrives in Style at London Fashion Week

Erin O'Connor arrives in style on the first day of London Fashion Week in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BlueEFFICIENCY model, the official car of London Fashion Week.

(PIC: John Clare/NEWSPICS)

Pixie's big night ruined by fire

Chart topping teen superstar Pixie Lott returned to the top of the charts tonight as her single 'Boys & Girls' went straight in at number one for the second consecutive release, but the Essex blond bombshell couldn't have the celebration party she had planned.

Her hopes of joining her friends at The Sugar Hut in Brentwood were dashed when the venue caught fire just after 6pm.

Instead around 50 of her friends joined her at her Brentwood home for a private party, her mother exclaiming, "she's exhausted, it's been a long day. She just curled up on the settee at the moment taking it all in"!

(PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Hannah Waterman's health regime

Slimmer Hannah Waterman's health regime goes up in smoke as she has a ciggie after a gym workout.

In red pants and top, she prepares to light up as she balances a mobile phone under her chin. The telly star has shed 2st this summer by pounding the streets and treadmills - and still seems to be going for the burn.

On a different occasion, this time clad in black vest and leggings, she lit up on a power walk without even breaking her stride. An onlooker near the star's home in Peterborough, Cambs, said: "She's looking so healthy right now, it's a shame she has to smoke as well." Hannah, wed to her ex-EastEnders co-star Ricky Groves, 41, took action in May after a brutal snap showing her in a bikini the previous month. She said: "I looked so huge and with such a full-on belly, everyone started speculating I was pregnant." Hannah, who's appeared with dad Dennis Waterman, 61, in New Tricks, has since gone from 10st to 8st 7lbs and clearly has no intention of running out of puffs.

(EXCLUSIVE PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Tweed's flat emptied as he sits in jail

Jack Tweed's family and friends began clearing his belongings from his Essex bachelor pad today.

His mother Mary and brother Lewis were helped by friends of the 22-year-old as they set about removing his stuff from the flat. Jack, who is currently on remand in Pentonville Prison accused of raping a 19-year-old girl, infuriated his landlady over his party antics while living at the Woodford Green address.

It was reported last month that he was being evicted after holding a string of hellraising bashes there. The club promoter was arrested last week over claims he was involved in the rape of a woman he had met at the Embassy nightclub in London. Tweed is said to have admitted he had consensual sex with her at his rented apartment, but will deny raping her when the case goes to trial.

(PIC EXCLUSIVE: Ammy Phull/NEWSPICS)

Legends gather for Children in Need

His dulcet tones may be leaving the breakfast airwaves but Sir Terry Wogan was using them today to help record a charity version of a Beatles classic.

The broadcaster joined stars including Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman at London’s world-famous Abbey Road studios to lay down tracks for an album raising money for Children In Need. The “supergroup” came together to perform a version of All You Need Is Love, which will be used on the forthcoming Bandaged Together album.

The project has been organised by Terry Wogan fans known as The TOGs (Terry’s Old Geezers and Gals). Sir Terry said: “Last year thanks to the TOGs we raised about £3 million for Children In Need. We had Bandaged One which sold an awful lot and made hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity. “The idea this year is Bandaged Two and we are hoping to raise even more money.”

Sir Terry also performed with the Irish singer Finbar Furey on a version of The Fields of Athenry for the album. He said: “The singing was brilliant but I was held up by these professional musicians.” Hellen Bach from the TOGs explained: “Stars are giving us their time and their talent. We are eternally grateful as are the children who will benefit from their efforts. “We were delighted with the reaction to last year’s release and we thought we should try and go one better this time around.”

Some of the world’s biggest and most influential bands have recorded at the Abbey Road studios including the Beatles and Pink Floyd. Pink Floyd manager Mr Mason said there was always a special atmosphere attached to the studios. He explained: “In terms of musical importance this place would rank somewhere between Hampton Court and the Houses of Parliament.
“The greats have all been here and the place just exudes atmosphere. “I was lucky enough to see the Beatles recording here and it was literally like watching royalty.”

The album, which also includes tracks by the singer Aled Jones and others will be released next month.

(PIC EXCLUSIVE: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Sir Terry Wogan announces retirement live on air!

Sir Terry Wogan arrives this morning at The Abbey Road Studios in West London after having announced on his BBC Radio 2 show that he was set to hand over the reigns of his breakfast show to Chris Evans.

Sir Terry was at the studios to record some songs for the BBC Children in Need album which will be called 'Bandaged TOGether' released in October.

(PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

The Great British Duck Race

You would be quackers not to have entered the Great British Duck Race this year, as the prize money is a whopping £10,000.

Last year’s race down the Thames set a Guinness World Record, with 175,000 bobbing down the river towards the finish line.

Shanghai smashed the record by 25,000 in May so organisers were keen to get their title back for the world’s largest plastic duck race which they did with over 200,000!

DJ Norman Jay MBE launched the race at noon from Molesey Lock, close to Hampton Court bridge. Mike Scott, managing director of the Great British Duck Race, said: “The duck race is a fantastic opportunity to have some fun, raise some serious money for a range of good causes and have the chance to win £10,000, as well as take part in a Guinness World Record attempt.

(PIC: Zed Jameson/NEWSPICS)

Katie and Alex at Extreme Brawl

Alex Reid and Katie Price laid rumours of a split to rest last night when the pair arrived at a West London hotel together hand in hand for the 'Extreme Brawl' Cage Fighting event.

Katie wearing a black dress, heels and black stockings sat on Alex's lap when they arrived and seemed to enjoy the evening, chatting to friends and fans.

The couple left at around midnight, the end of another day in the life of Katie Price!

(PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

UK proposals backed at finance summit

Government proposals to defer bankers’ bonuses and maintain fiscal stimulus have won approval at today's G20 summit.

The finance ministers of the world’s richest countries are backing the UK’s plans for global economic recovery.

A draft proposal outlining a system of deferred bonuses for bankers and continued public spending was agreed at today’s meeting in London.

The agreement is a victory for Gordon Brown and chancellor Alistair Darling who have been resisting calls, led by France, to cap bonuses, claiming they were unenforceable.

(PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Tweed remanded in custody

Reality TV star Jade Goody's widower Jack Tweed has been remanded in custody until September on a rape charge, a court heard today.

The 22-year-old, who wore a blue hooded top, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth at Redbridge Magistrates' Court.

He was taken into custody until September 21 when he will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court, the Press Association reported.

Earlier the Metropolitan Police said Tweed had been charged with one count of rape in connection with an incident in the early hours of Friday. The court heard how the suspected offence took place at Tweed's home in Woodford Green, east London. Police arrested Tweed and another man in his twenties on Friday after a teenage woman reported she had been sexually assaulted. The second man has been bailed.

Officers investigating the alleged rape said in a statement they had arrested a third person, aged 25, on Friday night. He is being held at an east London police station.

Tweed's mother Mary along with his brother Paul were in court for the short hearing.

(PIC: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)

Sophie Reade has won Big Brother!

Glamour girl Sophie Reade has won Big Brother!

The stunner, who has thrilled fans in her bikini, was told by Davina that she had won. She immediately broke down in tears after beating Siavash in the vote.

The 30GG babe has vowed to split from love-interest Kris Donnelly when she leaves the house..
The pair had shared steamy clinches in the house but things started to go wrong after Kris was evicted from the show. Sophie, from Cheshire, blew her top when she read a magazine interview with Kris. She was furious he had not denied the pair had sex in the house - and said she was going to split with Kris when she leaves the show.

But before that, she will finally split from the house ... as the WINNER.

"I never thought I'd win," she told host Davina McCall. "I didn't think i'd get on the show, let alone win. I thought it would be Rod or Charlie." "I just feel really accepted by people. "Because I get my boobs out, I thought people would think I was tacky. "I didn't think people would see past that." But they did and — even wearing one of the tackiest eviction outfits ever seen on Big Brother — she has shown herself to be one classy babe.

(PIC: Zed Jameson/NEWSPICS)

Boris launches 'low carbon zones'

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced 10 areas of the capital that will become low carbon zones.

Barking Town Centre, Muswell Hill, Archway, Brixton, Lewisham Town Centre, Wandle Valley, Ham and Petersham, Peckham, Hackbridge and Queen’s Park will benefit from the mayor’s funding.

The 10 winning boroughs will be awarded at least £200,000 each to pioneer energy-busting measures in their chosen low carbon zones. The zones, which have a target to deliver 20.12 per cent of carbon emissions savings by 2012, will cover more than 13,000 residential properties, about 1,000 shops and businesses, 20 schools and a hospital – as well as places of worship and community centres.

Mr Johnson said: “I am delighted to unveil the top carbon-busting neighbourhoods in London. There was a high calibre of bids from across the boroughs and it was a difficult choice, but the winning entries are championing the latest technologies, which will help us to become a leading low carbon city.”

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NewsPics to use state of the art re-touching software

As we strive to bring our clients the very best service available in all aspects of the business, we have invested in the latest, state of the art, digital re-touching software.

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All you have to do is choose how much to enhance the skin texture, smoothing and reducing wrinkles and spots, and how much you want to subtly re-sculpt the subject's face to make it look slimmer or more youthful.

We really are capable of giving our portraits a top class makeover. The software really can make your portraits look as good as a celebrity in a magazine.

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Kim bags a freebie!

IT’S a hard life having freebies thrown at you from all angles – just ask Pussycat Dolls babe Kimberly Wyatt, 27 and ex-Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams, 29.

The two hip-thrusting R&B bling bags went on a huge complimentary shopping binge in the Puma concept store on London’s Carnaby Street. Our mole said: “They left with bags and bags of clothes – Kimberly took 15 pairs of trainers. “She said she’s desperate to leave America and move to London full-time. “And Michelle tried on trainers, saying: ‘They make me feel like dancing.’ “Then she started dancing around the store and left wearing her new shoes.”

(PIC: Zed Jameson/NEWSPICS)

Pixie has 'Bags of Cash'!

Pixie Lott is in for a bumper payday after Simon Cowell confirmed one of her songs will feature on X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's debut album.

Chart-topping teen Pixie told me: "I got asked to write for Simon when I was more focussed on being an artist and I didn't have any time.

"But now I've pitched hundreds of songs and they've gone to other people. A couple of days ago I found out one is on Alexandra's album. I wrote it and sang it on a demo so she could learn it from my voice. It's called You Broke My Heart.

"I knew she had recorded it but now it's confirmed it is on the album, which is out next month. Simon listened to thousands of songs and it made it. When I heard it was going on I was over the moon."

Pixie's latest single 'Boys & Girls' is out on Monday.

(PIC: Zed Jameson/NEWSPICS)