Simon Cowell has confirmed this year will be his last as a judge on American Idol but will be launching a US version of The X Factor.

The music mogul signed a contract with Fox network and the search for a new Leona Lewis, Joe McElderry or Alexandra Burke will begin Autumn 2011. The new venture also marks the first project Cowell is teaming up with Sir Phillip Green for, the business tycoon behind Topshop.  With the success of the UK version behind them, the multi miliionaires look to become even richer!

Syco, the  joint production company betweeen Cowell and Sony Music own and produce the X Factor format, meaning Simon will accumulate a more substantial amount of money via The X Factor as on American Idol he was paid only as a judge. Simon’s excitement was shown last night when he said: “‘I’m thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. version of The X Factor, and delighted to be continuing to work with Fox”.

The X Factor is shown in more than 17 countries globally and is the most popular entertainment show in the  world. The UK entertainment TV formats are fast becoming the worlds leaders. There was ‘Pop Idol’, across the pond becoming American Idol, ‘Britains Got Talent’ was so successful we now have ‘America’s Got Talent’ with old X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne holding the fort and the BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has been transformed into ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in the USA. Simon Cowell knows a good thing when he sees one!

Do you think stateside X Factor will be as successful as the UK’s? Will you miss Cowell on the American Idol panel?

To get you prepped and ready for a star spangled American X Factor in 2011, why not play one of our many X Factor quizzes? Test your contestants, judges and songs knowledge to the max!

Jonathan Ross has announced he’s leaving his job as a radio and TV presenter at the BBC.

The presenter who has worked with the cooperation for 13 years decided not to renegotiate his contract which is due to end in July.

Ross announced he would be quitting his BBC1 talk show, his Radio 2 Saturday morning programme and his late night film programme, but will be able to continue to host the BAFTA Film Awards and other specials.

Although Ross, 49, was suspended in 2008 over a series of phone calls made to the actor Andrew Sachs on Russell Brand Radio 2 show, he’s announcement has come at an unexpected time. The phone scandal “had blown over and he was getting on with things at the BBC.”

His salary a reported £18 million over the last three years has also caused controversy and he was expected to take a pay cut following other BBC stars. The presenter has said his decision is not “financially motivated”.

In a statement the presenter said: “While there I have had a wonderful time working with the BBC, and am very proud of the shows I have made while there”. Jonathan Ross is thought to already have offers from US TV and the UK’s other channels ITV and Channel 4.

Ross has thanked his fans posting on Twitter: “Thanks for all the kind words about my decision. I feel sad that I can’t keep making the shows so many of you love.””

Ahh we’re going to miss Jonathan Ross, Friday nights won’t be the same

If you’re feeling a little nostalgic, why don’t you play some of our fantastic quizzes about all the great BBC shows over the years from The Young Ones to Dragons Den.

Russell Brand is to wed ‘Waking up in Vegas’ singer Katy Perry after proposing to her on holiday in India on New Years Eve.

The eccentric funny man apparently sent a message to The Sun confirming the rumours texting in:

“It’s true. Much love”. Aww.

The news will no doubt be breaking hearts all over the country as the ‘lothario’ has been named one of the Sexiest Men in the World. Known for his crazy hair, skin tight black jeans and bed hopping antics, he has never been out of the spotlight over the last few years. His new fiancee hit the pop scene with her infectious number 1 single ‘I Kissed a Girl’ followed by some more Top 10 hits including ‘Hot and Cold’ and ‘Thinking of You’. Perry is also recognised for being one not too shy away from wearing wacky outfits on stage and hosting numerous award shows.

The couple only met 3 and a half months ago but are clearly loved up and have been inseperable ever since; Katy even managing to brave the recent cold and snowy weather in London! It seems Katy had been dazzled by Brand when they filmed a cameo together for the film ‘Get Him to the Greek’ in September saying: “My scene called for me to make out with him. And on the way down the stairs after the scene, I was hopping like a bunny. I hop like a bunny when I’m happy- I get a bit childlike”.

Well we hope they are truly happy together in Celebsville! And why not check out some of our wedding quizzes from celebrity dresses to fun trivia about that special day!

Also, fancy earning yourself some extra crowns? Then fill out our quickfire survey talking about what lies ahead for Britian in 2010!

Happy New Year and congrats to all out recent Triviala winners!

So we would just like to wish you a very Happy New Year and hope you all had a fantastic festive season, spending time with loved ones, eating and drinking loads and of course, playing on Triviala! Thanks for all your quizzes that were sent in throughout the Christmas period.

Big congratulations going out to our recent Triviala Jackpot winners:

Lucy Pesaro (grasscarp) from Middlesex pictured below won £500 a couple of weeks ago.

Well done!

Another one of our recent Jackpot winners was the lovely Susan Strong (soostrong) , from West Yorkshire who was a little shy to send in a picture but told us:

“Thank you for the prize it’s a great help for me as I’m a pensioner now. I will spend my winnings in the spring by going to France for a holiday.”

I think thats a fantastic way to spend the winnings, something to look forward to in 2010!

So if you want to be in with a chance of winning cash EVERY DAY on Triviala then what are you waiting for?! Click here for loads of chances.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter too!

The US actress Brittany Murphy collapsed at home in Los Angeles and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Cedars Sinai medical Center.  The star aged 32 is reported to have died from a heart attack.

She was found unconscious in the shower at her home which she shared with her husband British–born screenwriter Simon Monjack. Although the official cause of death is yet to be determined, the star seems to have died from natural causes.

Murphy starred in films such 8 mile, Clueless, Sin city and Don’t Say a word. Her family have said in a statement “She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time.”

Murphy’s ex-boyfriend Ashton Kutcher who co-starred with her in ‘Just Married’ paid tribute to her on twitter saying  “2day the world has lost a little piece of sunshine.”

Other celebrities have also paid their respects including Hillary Duff who wrote “RIP Brittany Murphy forever in our hearts”. Jessica Simpson also said “Brittany Murphy was an incredible ray of light to so many people. Her smile was contagious.”

After an anti-X-factor facebook campaign to “spice up the charts” Rage against the machine has beaten x factor winner Joe McElderry  to the Christmas number 1 spot.

The battle against x-factor winner began as a facebook campaign by Jon and Tracy Morter of Essex  who thought “it would a bit of a giggle to start a campaign to encourage people to buy a record with pretty much the opposite vibe to the X-factor’s winner’s ballad.”.

The rage against the machine song “Killing in the name” originally released in 1992 managed  to gain over 450 000 members on facebook.  Although not a traditionally festive song the UK public has responded to the negative campaign against the X –factor.

Jon the founder of the group was fed up with  Simon Cowell’s acts gaining Christmas number ones during the past 5 years and wanted to break “the x factor monotony.”

Play the new Rage Against the Machine Quiz here!

Rage Takes Number 1 Spot

10 years after Oscar winning director James Cameron made one of the biggest films of all time ‘Titanic’, he now brings to the screen the ultiamte 3D sci- fi epic:  ‘Avatar’.

Set in the future, the story revolves around Jake a paraplegic war veteran, who is brought to another planet, Pandora. He is transformed into an Avatar, like the inhabitants of Pandora called the Na’vi, a  race with their own language and culture (cue the 12 foot blue quasi- humanoid creatures with pointy ears, flat noses and ethnic dreadlocks!)  Theres also the usual Hollywood love story so all us girls don’t  have to feel left out while all the action/ fighting/ alien stuff is going on!

The 3D spectacular reportedly cost over $300 million to make and is set to smash all box ofiice sales through the roof! The London premiere in Leicester went down a storn on thw 10th December and all the star cast turned up- Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana, Michelle Rodriguez and Sam Worthington.

James Cameron himself made an appearence and said: “Finally everyone can see what this amazing cast have managed to pull off. I want to welcome everyone to the planet of Pandora”.  Cameron does mention the serious undertones concerning the film and the messages he wanted to convey about climate change and the environment. He says: ” We are causing a global climate change that’s going to be absolutely devastating to the coral reefs. Science is unable to keep up with our industrial society. We are destroying species faster than we can classify them.”

So will you be going to see the Avatar extravaganza? If its that little too cold to venture out, stay in and play some of movie quizzes on Triviala.

If you also fancy earning yourself some quick crowns, please fill out our ‘2010 expectations’ survey here.

Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton has been snapped up to be the new judge on Dancing on Ice, hitting our screens in the new year.

The singer and Heart radio station presenter will be replacing old judge Ruthie Henshall, who also had no ice skating experience. Emma says she is there for  “the performance, the connection with the audience, the choreography. I have been performing for a long time now. I just know what I want to see in a performance. That’s going to be a big part of it for me”.

It seems Emma is catching the reality TV bug after appearing on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and coming 3rd, she helped Dannii Minogue pick out her contestants for the X Factor last year and now a judge on Dancing on Ice.

One of the reasons Emma jumped at the chance to appear on the show was so she could meet the ice skating legends Torvill and Dean, she says : “I’m so excited to be joining a show that I have been a huge fan of since it began, and to be working with Torvill and Dean, I can’t wait to get started.”

What do you make of Emma becoming the new judge and Ruth Henshall being given the cold shoulder?

“So tell us what you want, what you really really want!” We’d love to hear from you or play some of our Spice Girls quizzes at Triviala.

The Queen of pop, Lady Gaga met the real Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool after closing the famous show.

As expected, Gaga wore a show stopping outfit, a red PVC Elizabethan-esque dress with red sequinned eye make up and an over 20 foot train trailing behind her dress. She performed an unreleased track from her new album ‘The Fame Monster’ called ‘Speechless’ which she has openly said is penned for her beloved father who helped her get over a cocaine addiction before she was famous.

Lady Gaga is definately enjoying her stop over here in London after performing on the X Factor, Capital FM’s Jingle Bell Ball and also making a stop at a traditional English pub in North Acton for a quick drink!

She says on her Twitter: “Nothin like a whiskey, fish + chips in the UK to prepare for the Queen”.

Others performing alongside the crazy singer were Britian’s Got Talent dance troop winners Diversity, Miley Cyrus, LuLu, last years X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, Bette Midler and opera singer Katherine Jenkins.

Are you Gaga about Lady Gaga?! Then we’ve loads of quizzes all about the pop sensation herself. Check them out! Also follow us at Twitter for more Triviala and showbiz gossip too!

The BBC revealed today that former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will make a cameo appearence in the final episode of the popular comedy Gavin and Stacey.

Currently broadcasting series 3 of one of Britain’s favourite comedies, we will see Prescott at man eater Nessa’s wedding, who in previous episodes has alluded to him being an ex flame of hers.

Prescott has stated on his blog how it all came about: “I’d heard about this running joke about me and this woman called Nessa in the series. Ruth [Jones], who plays Nessa, got in touch and asked if I’d be a sport and play a part”. As the Series 3 DVD was released this week, the secret could no longer be kept as viewers spotted the famous face in the crowd. Prescott “thoroughly enjoyed his cameo in Gavin and Stacey” and it seems he still finds the whole idea extremely funny saying: “As for Nessa, I suppose I have to accept it appears I’ve lost out to a better man.”

What a sport!

If sitcoms are what make you laugh out loud and remember catchphrases from, why not play some of our sitcom quizzes at Triviala?