Kathy Bates recovering from surgery

Plus, French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius in talks to direct Hanks; It’s a boy for Nick and Vanessa Lachey; Klum denies relationship with bodyguard; Jay Pharoah to play Obama on SNL; Plan B nominated for Mercury prize

Kathy Bates told People magazine that she won't have to undergo radiation or chemotherapy. Katy Winn/ AP Photo

Hazanavicius in talks to direct Hanks

The French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius, who won the Oscar in February for directing The Artist, is in talks to direct the Universal Pictures adaptation of the Erik Larson novel In the Garden of Beasts, the true story of the US ambassador William Dodd's experience in Germany in 1933. Tom Hanks has already signed on to star and produce the film. Natalie Portman is reportedly being courted to play Hanks' daughter in the harrowing pre-World War II tale.

Kathy Bates recovering from surgery

Kathy Bates has revealed that she has had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The actress, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, has been silent on Twitter since May. "Hey all, sorry for the long silence. I was diagnosed with breast cancer two months ago and am recovering from a double mastectomy," she tweeted on Thursday. Bates, 64, told People magazine: "My family call me Kat because I always land on my feet and this is no exception." - AFP

It's a boy for Nick and Vanessa Lachey

Nick and Vanessa Lachey welcomed their first child, Camden John, on Wednesday. In a statement, the couple said: "Love has truly been redefined for both of us." The Lacheys wed last year. Last month, the 38-year-old Nick reunited with his band, 98 Degrees. Vanessa, 31, is a co-host on Wipeout. - AP

Klum denies relationship with bodyguard

Heidi Klum is denying that she had an affair with her bodyguard while married to Seal. On Katie Couric's talk show on Wednesday, Klum said she "never looked at another man" while they were together. But more recently, she and the family's bodyguard of four years have got to know each other "from a completely different side". Klum chose not to call it a relationship: "It's just started … He's a great man." Seal recently criticised Klum for having a relationship with the man before their divorce was finalised earlier this year. Seal and Klum had been married for seven years. - AP

Pharoah to play Obama on SNL

Lorne Michaels, the creator of Saturday Night Live, has announced that the 24-year-old comedian Jay Pharaoh will replace Fred Armisen as the show's resident Barack Obama, as SNL resumes its satirical commentary for another US presidential election. "It might be time to shake it up," he told the New York Times. Michaels confirmed that Taran Killam will play Paul Ryan and Jason Sudeikis will reprise his portrayals of Mitt Romney and Joe Biden.

Plan B nominated for Mercury prize

The rapper Plan B is the favourite among 12 finalists for Britain's prestigious Mercury music prize, honouring the best album of the year by a British or Irish band. The shortlist is heavy on emerging talents - eight of the nominated albums are debuts - and ranges across genres, from the jazz-rock act Roller Trio to the folk musicians Sam Lee and Ben Howard. The other finalists are Richard Hawley, Maccabees, Field Music, Jessie Ware, Lianne La Havas, Michael Kiwanuka, Django Django and Alt-J. The winner will be announced on November 1. - AP