Celebrity chef sorry for stealing food
LONDON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Television chef Antony Worrall Thompson has apologized publicly for stealing cheese and wine from a Tesco store in Henley-on-Thames, England.
The 60-year-old star of "Ready, Steady, Cook" was arrested last Friday and issued a ticket after he was captured on video not paying for items at a self-service checkout counter in the shop on five separate occasions between Dec. 22 and Jan. 6, The Daily Telegraph said.
"I am so sorry for all my recent stupid and irresponsible actions; I am, of course, devastated for my family and friends, whom I've let down and will seek the treatment that is clearly needed," Thompson said in a statement posted on his Web site Monday. "I am not the first, and I certainly won't be the last person to do something without rhyme or reason -- what went through my head, only time will tell. Of course, I must also apologize sincerely to Tesco, with whom I'm had a long and genuine working relationship, and to all the staff at the Henley branch, many of whom I've got to know over the years. Once again, I am so sorry and, hopefully, in the future I can make amends."
The restaurant owner is a married father of two, who has appeared on BBC's "Food and Drink" and ITV's "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!"
The Telegraph said he also is the godson of late actor Richard Burton.
Katy Perry cancels People's Choice appearance
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Katy Perry says she will not be attending Wednesday's People's Choice Awards ceremony in Los Angeles as planned.
Perry is nominated for seven prizes.
"Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the People's Choice Awards," she said via Twitter Monday. "I want to thank u all for voting for me, fingers crossed! #KATYCATS."
E! News said Perry did not offer a reason for her cancellation, but noted the awards show was to be Perry's first public appearance since her husband, comedian Russell Brand, filed for divorce late last month after a about 14 months of marriage.
Josh Lucas gets engaged
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Josh Lucas says he is engaged and expects to marry this year, but he hasn't divulged any details about his bride-to-be.
Lucas, 40, is the star of a new TV drama based on John Grisham's legal thriller "The Firm."
The actor announced his engagement Friday on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," but didn't mention his fiancee's name or occupation.
He later told UsMagazine.com he intends to "get married over Christmas."
"We've been engaged for awhile, but honestly, the show has been a bit of an epic undertaking, to say the least," the celebrity news Web site quoted Lucas as saying. "We want to do it when we can enjoy it and take our time. We don't feel any stress or pressure right now and we want to make sure it stays that way."
Bacon and Sedgwick's pooch Paulie dies
NEW YORK, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Kevin Bacon says Paulie, the Lab mix dog he and his wife Kyra Sedgwick adopted in 1999, has died.
"Paulie 1999-2012. Sleep well old friend," Bacon wrote on his WhoSay Web page Monday, alongside a photo of the pooch.
People.com said the dog, who was named for a character in the movie "Rocky," had been suffering from unspecified health issues in recent months.
