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Depeche Mode singer has cancer surgery

LONDON, May 28 (UPI) -- Dave Gahan, the lead singer of Depeche Mode, has undergone surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his bladder, the British band said on its Web site.

The group, which canceled numerous stops on its world tour due to the singer's illness, said Gahan was initially diagnosed with gastroenteritis, but subsequent tests revealed he had a "low-grade malignant tumor."

The BBC said the tumor has been removed and Gahan ordered to rest until June 8. The canceled concerts are expected to be rescheduled, the British broadcaster said.

Gahan said in a statement on the band's Web site he "sincerely thanks his fans for their support, understanding and patience."

Photographer sues singer Chris Brown

LOS ANGELES, May 28 (UPI) -- A photographer has filed a lawsuit against Chris Brown in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming the singer's bodyguard assaulted him after he snapped a picture.

Robert Rosen, who two years ago accused Irish actor Pierce Brosnan of hitting him outside a restaurant, is suing Brown for assault and battery, E! News said.

The Brosnan case was eventually dismissed.

The Brown lawsuit stems from a March 13 incident, in which Rosen took the singer's picture during a pickup basketball game at a Los Angeles gym and one of Brown's bodyguards allegedly "picked him up by his shorts and physically assaulted him," Rosen claimed in court documents filed Wednesday.

E! said Rosen is also suing the gym where the alleged incident took place.

Brown attorney Mark Geragos told People.com: "This is a specious and frivolous lawsuit by one of the paparazzi seeking publicity and a payday. He's done this before and lost. We will vigorously defend against this."

Brown, 19, last month pleaded not guilty in a separate case to charges he beat up his girlfriend, recording artist Rihanna, in February.

Publicist: Reporter provoked Boyle

LONDON, May 28 (UPI) -- Susan Boyle's publicist says the Scottish singing sensation only cursed at a reporter in a London hotel Wednesday night after the paparazzo provoked her.

Boyle, 48, is the favorite to win the "Britain's Got Talent" competition this weekend.

The Times of London said she was heard yelling at a reporter in front of guests at the Wembley Plaza Hotel, "How (expletive) dare you! You can't (expletive) talk to me like that."

The Sun newspaper said police stationed at the hotel then approached Boyle and asked if there was a problem, to which she reportedly shouted, "Of course there's a (expletive) problem."

However, Boyle's spokeswoman is downplaying the incident and laying blame on the reporter.

"A journalist from a tabloid paper provoked her. The police just happened to be at the hotel and escorted said journalist out after making sure Susan was OK," The Times quoted Boyle's representative as saying.

Late mime's possessions auctioned in Paris

PARIS, May 28 (UPI) -- The belongings of the late mime Marcel Marceau brought about $700,000 at auction in Paris, with the proceeds to pay debts he left behind, officials said.

Hundreds of items, including his trademark white sailor suit, a red flower he once wore and a silk opera hat, owned by the famed silent entertainer were sold to the highest bidders during the two-day sale at the Drouot auction house, the BBC reported. Some were purchased by admirers who said they intend to see them preserved in a museum.

Art expert Morgane Communal told the British network France has bought some of Marceau's works, adding "people who can't afford to buy anything will be able to see his stuff in museums."

"He won't be forgotten -- quite the contrary," Communal said.

Marceau, who died in 2007 at age 84, earned worldwide fame for his silent characters, including Bip the Clown. He also was a painter and many of his works were sold at the auction.

"His paintings reflect for me the madness of his mind; whatever was going on in his head was not classical. He was surreal," said one friend, Yvan Boascher.

Time magazine reported the French mime master owed $405,000 when he died.