Forget the antics of Joey Barton, the toughest footballers these days are to be found playing in charity games. It's something that Gordon Ramsay discovered at the weekend, after he was floored by Teddy Sheringham during the Soccer Aid event at Old Trafford.

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One Minute With: Tim Lott, novelist

Where are you now and what can you see?

Anna Calvi says of Wild Beasts: 'Their album Smother is great. It's full of subtleties; chords are implied rather than over-emphasised, and the drums are integral to the melodic interest of each song.'

The sounds and songs the stars fell in love with in 2011

Anna Calvi, Ghostpoet and Leslie Feist all made great albums this year. Here, they and others pick the music that rocked their year

Kasabian - Now it's time to conquer Europe

Having shaken off the 'lad-rock' tag, Kasabian are hoping their new album will make them superstars. Elisa Bray meets them

Kasabian, Roundhouse, London

Kasabian are one of those bands who divide opinion. They are either touted as the slick saviours of Brit rock or snootily derided as Oasis-lite. I'll be honest and admit that I used to sit squarely in the latter camp.

Periscope up: Richard Ayoade and Alex Turner unite their talents in hot new Brit flick Submarine

One is a notoriously nervous comedian, the other a pop star renowned for his reticence. Craig McLean mediates a meeting between the men behind this month's hottest Brit flick

BBC pulls plug on Electric Proms

The electric Proms is to be axed because of cuts to the BBC's budget, the Corporation has confirmed.

Kasabian to headline IoW festival

The final headliner for next year's Isle of Wight Festival was announced as Kasabian today.

Diary: Kasabian's loss, Oxfam's gain

Elton John opened his own pop-up shop in Covent Garden to sell his old outfits. Kylie Minogue's costumes were the subject of an exhibition at the V&A. Yet despite being the frontman for the band named "Best Act in the World Today" at this week's Q Awards, Kasabian's Tom Meighan chose to dispose of the contents of his wardrobe at his local branch of Oxfam, in Leicester. The singer recently made two trips to deposit more than 100 items at the charity shop, including an £800 Vivienne Westwood jacket, signed T-shirts and Leicester City football strips. Meighan wore many of the garments at gigs and festivals; they have, allegedly, been washed since. "He was quite interested in how much money we made," store manager Ahsan Sheikh told the Leicester Mercury. "I said I'd let him know." (Let us know, too!) Among the apparel from Meighan's collection available to buy online is a pair of black jeans, which staff have helpfully placed in the "Women's Clothing" section of the store's website. Hmm. I always thought they looked a bit tight.

Reformed Suede set for Q Awards honour

Reunited indie guitar act Suede are to be honoured for their musical "inspiration" at the Q Awards next week, it was announced today.

Album: Everything Everything, Man Alive (Geffen)

You have to admire the sheer originality of "pop's new Picassos" (NME).

This is the weekend for...recapturing your youth

With all those 17- and 18-year-olds out celebrating their A-level results, or drowning their sorrows – and in anywhere with a nightclub open tonight you won't be able to avoid them – this is the weekend for getting back the heady feel of your own teenage highs and lows.

Andy Gill: Glittering ceremonies cannot disguise the problems of the music industry

The nominees for music's biggest prize are announced today, but the industry is in terminable decline

Guitar greats honoured at Mojo music awards

A trio of guitar greats - Jimmy Page, Duane Eddy and Richard Thompson - were honoured tonight for their inspirational contribution at a major music awards event.

Florence And The Machine lead field for Mojo awards

Chart stars Florence And The Machine lead the field for music awards bash the Mojo Honours this year after being shortlisted for four gongs, it was announced today.

Career Services

Day In a Page

Grotty no more: How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

Lanzarote has been quietly changing its fly-and-flop holiday image, discovers Andrew Eames.
Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

It's one of Europe's smallest countries, but it packs in spectacular landscapes and glittering beach resorts.
48 Hours In: Verona

48 Hours In: Verona

Summer opera returns to the Roman arena, says Charles Hebbert.
Ten things we’re looking out for at E3 2012

Ten things to look out for at E3 2012

From Wii U to The Last of Us we consider this year's show
Come dine (online) with me

Come dine (online) with me

Move over TV chefs, hello YouTube stars
Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

'Independent' poll finds less that half want him to take throne as ministers moan of interference
Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Andrew Buncombe reports from Kaharpara on a bloody war between rustlers and border guards
Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Media tycoon's company pays £1m to cancel his order for a £36m private jet after drop in profits
How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

The artist tells Clifford Coonan how he used Skype to escape confinement in Beijing
Nature, nurture... or neither? The new twist in an age-old argument

Nature, nurture... or neither?

The new twist in an age-old argument
Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

New station controller wants to reflect the current period of 'turmoil and uncertainity'
Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

New guidelines warn Britons to drastically reduce their boozing. But is a life without liquor worth living? Hell no, says John Walsh
The Cable News Nightmare: CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis

The Cable News Nightmare

CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis
Like a barbie, but better: The Big Green Egg can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza

The Big Green Egg: Like a barbie, but better

It can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza...
The 10 Best chopping boards

The 10 Best chopping boards

Whether you want to dice veg, chop meat, or just slice up a salad, there’s a surface here to suit every culinary need.