News Brief

McKee "exhausted" by HOLLYOAKS exit
Hollyoaks star Roxanne McKee has admitted that she feels "exhausted" after filming her final scenes for the soap. The actress's character Louise Summers will bow out after three years as part of a dramatic Christmas storyline next month. McKee has found the experience so overwhelming that she is delaying her leaving party while she recuperates.

"I'm absolutely exhausted. The stuff we've been filming has been very emotional," McKee told the Daily Star Sunday. "I can't say too much as I don't want to spoil it for everyone. I know it sounds lame but I needed some time off to get over it all. So I'm having a couple of weeks chilling out before I hold two parties - one in London and the other in Liverpool. I've been in Liverpool for three-and-a-half years so I want to get everyone I know together for a proper send-off. And a lot of my friends and former cast members are now based in London so I'll have another party once I move back."

Son of PASSIONS' Brook Kerr making a splash in Hollywood
At 18, Chris Warren Jr. already has a string of impressive show-business credits under his belt. But if you look at his family tree, you know where his talent comes from. His parents are accomplished actors who are devoted to each other and their son.

His mom, Brook Kerr, and dad, Christopher Warren Sr., were in Indianapolis recently to visit family, check out changes in the city, see a Colts game, talk to a few reporters and grab lunch at Steak n Shake.

Brook had a long stint portraying Whitney Russell Harris on PASSIONS and more recently has appeared in CSI: MIAMI and CANE.

In 2004-2005, Chris played Jimmy Ramírez on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.

ABC's stars hit Disney World to help celebrate final event
"We are pulling out all the stops to show our appreciation," said Cameron Mathison, 39, who is headlining the weekend by hosting some events, including The Colgate Total Street Jam in which actors will sing and perform. Sherri Shepherd, co-host of ABC's THE VIEW, will help host the jam. "(The daytime fans) are the most devoted fans in the world. We are in their living rooms every day."

Mathison of New York City, whose wife and two children also will enjoy the Disney parks, has recently been a special correspondent for GOOD MORNING AMERICA, including interviewing some of the cast of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES for a segment sheduled to air this month. He was on DANCING WITH THE STARS last year and said it was "incredibly tough." He said his partner and teacher Edyta Sliwinska "got me to move in ways I could not believe I was able to do."

DEPSERATE HOUSEWIVES keeps strong grip on viewers
"At its heart, DEPSERATE HOUSEWIVES remains what it has always been: a complex, tightly plotted prime time soap opera, with elements of An American Family and The Stepford Wives. Part satire, part farce and only occasionally tragedy, its wry take on suburbia and social mores is still fun to watch."

Ryan Kwanten: Modesty becomes him
Ryan Kwanten must be used to wearing a modesty patch by now. And just to be clear, a modesty patch is not designed to cover an eye.

"It was different going into my trailer and not seeing a full wardrobe," said Kwanten, who plays Jason Stackhouse in True Blood. "All I had was a modesty patch."

In real life, Kwanten hardly needs the blood of a vampire to expand his horizons. He grew up in a beach town in Australia; got a business degree at Sydney University; became a soap-opera star on HOME AND AWAY in his native land; moved to Los Angeles eight years ago to pursue acting; has competed in international biathlons; has become a yoga instructor; has published a book of poems; and he's writing another book, which started out as a parody of self-help books.

Jesse Mccartney's shocking TV role
Former teen music idol and ALL MY CHILDREN star Jesse McCartney is shaking off his family friendly image and giving audiences a glimpse of a new, darker side next week playing a murder suspect on TV crime drama "Law and Order: SVU."

"I have a good feeling about this role. People will be shocked by what they see," said the 21-year-old McCartney, who first stepped into Hollywood's limelight at age 12 when he joined boy band Dream Street.

CORONATION STREET and EASTENDERS' Christmas plots feel cobbled together
"But, as we take our first steps down the long road to Christmas, the soaps we love to hate are laying the foundations for their blockbuster festive storylines. Who was the hit-and rundriver who killed Street heartthrob Liam? Who was the hit-and-run driver who nearly killed EastEnders lowlife Max?"