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Ian McKellen says he has prostate cancer

LONDON, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- British actor Ian McKellen, 73, says he was diagnosed with prostate cancer "six or seven years" ago, but isn't undergoing treatment.

McKellen is best known for his work in the "X-Men" and "Lord of the Rings" movies. He will be seen starting Friday in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

"I've had prostate cancer for six or seven years," he told The Daily Mirror newspaper in London. "When you have got it, you monitor it and you have to be careful it doesn't spread. But if it is contained in the prostate, it's no big deal.

"Many, many men die from it but it's one of the cancers that is totally treatable so I have 'waitful watching.' I am examined regularly and it's just contained, it's not spreading. I've not had any treatment," he said. "You do gulp when you hear the news. It's like when you go for an HIV test, you go, 'Arghhh, is this the end of the road?' They come and say you have cancer of the prostate and then they say you can have it zapped, you can have it snipped, but you are not a candidate for that.

"You are waitful watching," he said. "I have heard of people dying from prostate cancer, and they are the unlucky ones, the people who didn't know they had got it and it went on the rampage. But, at my age, if it is diagnosed, it's not life-threatening. ... You are told what the situation is: you can have an operation but there is no point me having an operation because there is no need for it. What they are concerned about is the cancer going to spread outside the prostate? If it doesn't, you are fine. How do you know if it is spreading? You keep being tested."

Meredith Vieira to guest star on 'GH'

NEW YORK, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Broadcast journalist Meredith Vieira is to reprise her role of Bree on the New York state-set soap opera "General Hospital" this week, TVGuide.com said.

The former co-host of "Today" and "The View" first guest starred on the ABC daytime drama nearly 10 years ago.

Back then, Bree was the owner of an upscale call-girl service, but she will have a new job when she appears on Friday's episode.

"Well, she's no longer providing comfort to men," Vieira told TVGuide.com. "Lynn Herring returns to the show as Lucy Coe [also Friday] and it turns out Bree is her senior vp of marketing at CoeCoe Cosmetics. ... But, really, not much has changed for Bree. Prostitution. Makeup. Hey, it's all sales."

Asked if she is disappointed Bree switched careers, Vieira replied: "Well, maybe it's not as juicy to be in cosmetics but it would be so pathetic if Bree was still in the madam business 10 years later, sitting there with her scotch and her cigarettes.

"It would have been creepy. I'm just so surprised they're bringing her back at all. I just assumed something bad had happened to her. Or that she was like that famous kid in soaps who went upstairs to get his skis and never came back," she said.

Nicole Aniston named 2013 Penthouse Pet of the Year

NEW YORK, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Penthouse Magazine said Tuesday it has named California model Nicole Aniston Penthouse Pet of the Year for 2013.

"I am honored to be chosen as the 2013 Penthouse Pet of the Year and I'm excited to spend the upcoming year representing the Penthouse brand," Aniston said in a statement. The title of Penthouse Pet is one of the most prestigious titles I've earned in the adult industry, and now being named Pet of the Year really raises the bar for me as an entertainer."

"Nicole is gorgeous from head to toe, inside and out, and we're happy to showcase her in an all-new 10-page pictorial in the magazine," said Barbara Rice Thompson, executive editor for Penthouse Magazine. "She's also personable and articulate, and looking forward to meeting Penthouse readers at her upcoming appearances. Nicole will be a wonderful representative of the Penthouse brand and we can't wait to feature her in the magazine and in videos throughout 2013."

The January issue of Penthouse, featuring Aniston's pictorial spread, is on newsstands now.

Hayden Panettiere and Scotty McKnight break up

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Television actress Hayden Panettiere has ended her yearlong romance with New York Jets wide receiver Scotty McKnight, People.com reported.

The 23-year-old actress remains friends with the 24-year-old football player, the celebrity news website said. No reason was given for the split.

Panettiere is best known for her work on the TV shows "Nashville" and "Heroes."