Actor Christopher Lee has agreed to put aside his differences with Kiwi director Peter Jackson – but will never forgive him for axing his scenes from The Return of the King. Speaking exclusively to the Herald on Sunday at the Rose d’Or festival in Switzerland last night, Lee revealed that while he was still upset by the decision to remove his character, Saruman, from the third instalment of the Lord of the Rings series, it was now time to move on. “When the third film came along and I wasn’t in it, I didn’t understand,” he said. “And I still don’t. “However, you can have a difference of opinion in any walk of life but you can’t have ongoing arguments. I like Peter very much. He’s a brilliant director. I just don’t know why he did what he did.” [More]

Stewart writes: Billy and Ali are delighted to announce the birth of their son, Jack William Boyd. Jack was born on the 26th April and weighed in at very healthy 6lbs 10oz. Both mother and child are doing very, very well and Billy is exceptional proud of them both. Great happiness!

TORN and her fans all wish Billy and Ali the best!

The folks from Billy’s Loons Charities write: We would like to announce an auction of a super cool, orginally designed baseball-style shirt (“The World is Joyful with Trees”) from the Project-Monaghan store, signed by Billy Boyd. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Scottish Youth Theatre, www.scottishyouththeatre.org, where Billy Boyd is a Patron, and Billy’s Loons Charities is a Sponsor. Many thanks to Billy Boyd for signing the shirt at the One Ring Celebration (ORC) 2006 in Pasadena, and to Auntie Nu for the photograph! Click here to see the shirt and bid. [More]

Vacaville’s Middle Earth Festival 2006 Celebriel reports: Vacaville’s second Middle Earth Festival, April 21-23, 2006, offered a weekend full of varied activities to appeal to both die-hard Ringers and novices alike, including music and song, crafts, Tolkien discussion forums, and fun stuff including a costume contest, trivia contest, Hairy Foot contest, Gollum impersonation contest (one entry form to be shared by both personalities), evening party, and slide show of the New Zealand film locations. Also on scene were lots of Ren-Faire type vendors, food vendors, and, of course, Downtown Vacaville’s own many shops and restaurants. [More]