Shane flew out to the USA today to take part in the World Series of Poker, held annually in Las Vegas. The series culminates with the $10,000 no-limit hold’em “Main Event”, which since 2004 has attracted entrants numbering in the thousands with the victor receiving a multi-million dollar prize.

The winner of the World Series of Poker Main Event is considered to be the World Champion of Poker. However Shane reckons he’ll be playing a couple of hands before retiring gracefully to the bar!! You never know though, he may have the luck of the Irish with him ..

On the other side of the world Ronan has started his stint on X Factor, he reports back ..

“Auditions going great. Sydney was full of great people some with huge potential. Feel this show will be huge. My co judges are fantastic and we are all getting on really well. Next stop Melbourne.”

For those of you who have been asking we have now added the second date at Glasgow on 13th March to our Brother Tour registration page.

If you would like to register your tickets for a chance of winning a prize on the night of the show, you can do so here.

Keith, who plays barman Ciaran McCarthy in Coronation Street, is forced to strip off after failing a challenge he set himself.

He told Inside Soap:

“I’m shooting some scenes where Ciaran offers to cook Michelle a meal, and he tells her that if it’s not the best food she’s ever tasted, he’ll work a shift behind the bar wearing just his boxers.”

I’m looking forward to seeing what the wardrobe department have come up for me.”

Viewers will soon see Ciaran’s flirtation with Michelle (Kym Marsh) step up a gear when he organises a speed-dating night at the Rovers.

Mean while, Ronan flies out to Australia today to start his stint as a judge on the X Factor.

Ronan has met his fellow judges,including Natalie Imbruglia, before so is looking forward to re acquainting with old friends and also seeing what talented people there are in Australia!

Here’s an update on the invaluable work the Marie Keating Foundation has been doing with Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Awareness Roadshow.

This partnership began in 2006 with an aim to raise awareness of the avoidable risk factors of cancer and the importance of screening and early detection.

The units funded by the partnership received over 25,000 visitors last year alone with just under 5,000 people having nurse consultations.

Since the conception of these units they have seen over a hundred thousand people. The units continue to do amazing work and the plan for 2010 is to build on and develop this success.

But the real success can be measured in quotes like this from visitor feedback ….

“I made an appointment at my surgery after seeing the nurse about my lump. I hadn’t bothered before because I don’t like to waste the doctor’s time. She made me realise how important it is to get these things checked out.”

Last night Ronan co-hosted an evening to celebrate Lucian Grainge, head honcho of Universal Music, as he is departing to America to start his new job as CEO at Universal Music Group International.

Bob Geldof, Amy Whitehouse, Jamie Cullum, Scissor Sisters and Enrique Iglesias were amongst the many stars who attended the party. Lucian was the A&R man for boyzone when they very first signed in the UK so he and the boyz have a long history and they wish him luck in his new role.