X Factor contestant Chloe Mafia denies prostitute claims

Controversial X Factor contestant Chloe Mafia denied reports that she worked as a prostitute and said the claims were "heart-breaking".

Allegations about the 19-year-old's private life surfaced before she appeared on Saturday's show.

The teenager from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said she worked as a "sexy" dancer but nothing more.

MUSICIAN'S TUMOUR

Indie rockers The Charlatans have postponed the remaining dates of their US tour after their drummer was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Jon Brookes collapsed on stage during a gig in Philadelphia and is being treated in the UK.

A statement released by the band said they are arranging a "short-term replacement" for Brookes.

FOOTBALLER ARRESTED

A former England Under-20 footballer has been arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine.

Nathan Doyle, who plays for Championship team Barnsley, was stopped by police at 1.25pm on Monday after he and two other men were seen acting suspiciously in an Audi car.

Officers who stopped the men on Osmaston Road in Derby found a substance in the vehicle that they believed to be the class A drug. The 23-year-old midfielder and the two other men were interviewed and released on bail.

HANGED HUCKNALL COUSIN

The mother of a 10-year-old cousin of Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall who was found hanging in his bedroom said he was a "loving, adventurous boy".

Harry Hucknall was discovered by his next-door neighbour at his home in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Ambulance crews were called to the address in Ullswater Close but despite the efforts of family members and paramedics, the boy was pronounced dead when he arrived at Furness General Hospital. Police have launched a full investigation into the death and the coroner has been informed.

SINGER CONVICTED

The lead singer of rock band The Zutons, who broke a man's nose after his girlfriend was insulted, was convicted of assault.

Dave McCabe, 29, headbutted Peter Appleby during an alcohol-fuelled row outside a nightclub, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

McCabe, who wrote the hit song Valerie which was covered by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, reacted after one of Mr Appleby's friends mocked his girlfriend's fur-collared coat, saying it looked like she had a beard. The rock star denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm and claimed he acted in self-defence.

TV GARDEN MAKEOVER

Television's most famous garden got an early Christmas makeover when One Show hosts Jason Manford and Alex Jones visited to help launch the Blue Peter Appeal.

They joined the presenters of the long-running children's show Andy Akinwolere, Helen Skelton and Joel Defries in the London garden, which was covered in fake snow for the occasion.

The show's viewers are being asked to make homemade Christmas cards which will be sold in shops across the country to help raise money for a charity called Whizz Kidz that works with disabled children.

BIRTHDAYS SEPTEMBER 23: Mickey Rooney, actor, 90; Toby Balding, former racehorse trainer, 74; Tony Gubba, sports broadcaster, 67; Julio Iglesias, singer, 67; Bruce Springsteen, rock singer, 61; Nicholas Witchell, journalist, 57; Cherie Blair (Cherie Booth QC), barrister, 56.