Talk of the town: KT's a long way from Hollywood

EDINBURGH-born singer KT Tunstall has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame, from busking on the streets of the Capital to Brit Award and Ivor Novello-winning stardom.

So when she told Twitter followers: "Ok folks, one of the most exciting afternoons ever - I am filming my 1st ever acting role . . .", they might have been forgiven for thinking she had been wooed by Hollywood.

But no, our KT is far more down to earth, it turns out.

Instead of glamming it up as the lead in a new superhero flick, she is taking on a more low-key role - as a ginger, bearded, male folk singer called Briiian Raggatan in comedy series This Is Jinsy.

We've seen the pictures, and all we can say is - you're a brave lass, KT.

England coach is after a royal seal of approval

HE will have been happy with the win, but England coach Martin Johnson has probably done his chances of a knighthood no harm after picking Mike Tindall as team captain for the Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff.

Possibly with Tindall's Canongate Kirk marriage to Zara Philips in mind, Johnson made the decision to give the rugby star the captain's armband for the first time with a future goal in mind.

No doubt being in good favour with the Queen's grandson-in-law must have its benefits.

Let off the leash

YOU can't beat a good analogy, and it seems no-one likes them better than the city's councillors.

During a lengthy debate on plans to re-tender advocacy services for vulnerable people, Tory councillor Cameron Rose, who supported the plans, described it as a "pedigree process".

"I'd call it a dog's breakfast," responded Labour leader Andrew Burns.

What's that smell?

THE science of shopping is one that retailers are constantly struggling to unravel through exhaustive research into how to improve the shopping experience.

The latest advice, courtesy of a no-doubt exhaustive study by chemists Semi-Chem, contains some frankly startling advice - that men and women prefer shopping together.

Yes it seems when it comes to shopping, or at least when it comes to shopping for perfume, men would rather have their partners on hand for advice rather than picking up the one with the nice bottle.

A handy hint then, even if it does leave out the rather obvious fact that most men would rather not shop for perfume at all.