Clive Owen bunks off premiere for football

CLIVE Owen bunked off from the London premiere of his own film - to go and watch his beloved Liverpool on the telly. 

Football-mad Clive and his co-star Julia Roberts were at the world premiere of steamy corporate spy story Duplicity in Leicester Square.

But the red-carpet bash clashed with the Reds' Champions League meeting with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

He admitted he openly planned to sneak off a bit early from the premiere, joking: "I've seen this film before".

Happily for Clive, Rafael Benitez's men didn't disappoint, humbling the La Liga champions in a 4-0 rout.

The movie Duplicity reunites the two actors for the first time since 2004 in the Oscar-nominated Closer.

Jenson Button keeps his lady at arms length

FORMULA One driver Jenson Button and leggy beauty Tamsin Egerton went to great lengths last night to avoid being photographed together.

After helping raise money at The Prince’s Trust Invest In Futures gala dinner in Old Billingsgate, the pair enjoyed a night out at Covent Garden’s Bungalow 8, partying until past 3am.

When they left the swanky venue and Tamsin, 19, saw the waiting cameras and shrieked: “Oh no!”.

Jenson, 28, then walked ahead of the St Trinian’s star and got into a car, before Tamsin joined him at the bottom of the street.

theBuzz revealed how the twosome hooked up in September, but since then Tamsin tried to brush off talk of a relationship and said: “We’re just good friends and really enjoy one another’s company.”

Beckham in talks with Italian club

MAJOR League Soccer have confirmed David Beckham is in talks over a possible loan move to AC Milan but insisted any deal would only be short term.

AC Milan confirmed on Wednesday their desire to sign Beckham in January with initial speculation being that Becks would head to Italy for six months.

However, in a statement issued late on Wednesday night, MLS said the deal would be restricted to around two to three months to allow him to return to Los Angeles in time for the start of the 2009 MLS season in late March.

"Discussions have taken place between AC Milan and the Los Angeles Galaxy regarding the possibility of a short-term loan agreement that would allow David Beckham to play for AC Milan during the MLS offseason," MLS commissioner Don Garber said.

"Those discussions are ongoing. David remains an LA Galaxy player and will be here for the start of the 2009 MLS season."

The Los Angeles Galaxy have so far declined to comment on any possible deal.

Top goss: We hear that...

•Chelsea and Portugal star Deco (pictured right) took girlfriend Ana Paula Shiavett to Whisky Mist on Park Lane last night...

• Party-loving Kate Middleton’s sister Pippa  prefers to spend her evenings working. theBuzz spotted the brunette catering at the Links of London Driver Chicane Watch launch  in Sloane Square last night...

• Natalie Portman is single again after splitting with singer Devendra Banhart...

Jonny Wilkinson turns to Buddhism

Well it had to happen. There's no way a man could concentrate that hard on a ball and not reach enlightenment.

England rugby hero Jonnny Wilkinson, famed for his unparalleled kicking ability, has turned to Buddhism to help him with his obsessions and morbid fear of death.

The 29-year-old who used to spend hours practising his kicks decided his obsessiveness had reached an unhealthy level and turned to the eastern religion to help him cope. He said: "I spent my time in fear of not reaching my goals.

"Failing at something is one thing, but Biddhism tells us it is up to us how we interpret that failure."

Think you got what it takes to bend it like Beckham?

If the answer is no, then maybe your young nephew, son, cousin or next-door neighbour does.

The David Beckham Academy will be running free coaching sessions for kids at The O2 in Greenwich, London as part of A Summer of Sport.

Instructors hand picked by Golden Balls himself will be on hand to give special advise and help to wannabe footballer stars.

For full listings visit http://www.theo2.co.uk

Is Frank Lampard looking to make amends?

Maybe he’s just an old romantic, but judging by that scowl, it looks like Frank Lampard might be in the doghouse.

The Chelsea star was spotted buying flowers, presumably for fiancee Elen Rives, yesterday.

He turned down the chance to join Inter Milan, deciding to remain with his family in London.

But life could have been very different for the £11m-rated midfield player if he had pursued his love of languages.

Speaking to Nuts, he said: "I’d like to have been a translator. My best mark at school was an A* in Latin and I speak Spanish because of the missus. I enjoy languages, so that would be a good profession."

Beckham baffled by award as son steals limelight

He may be a Californian boy, but David Beckham showed he is a London lad at heart when handed a surfboard at a US awards ceremony.

The England footballer looked baffled when he was presented with the board at the Teen Choice Awards.

One onlooker said: "It looked like he didn’t know what to do with it. The board was the prize for being favourite male athlete but all it showed is that Becks comes from Leytonstone, not LA."

It was his youngest son Cruz, though, who stole the show.

Click below for pictures

So what planet are you on Ron?

FOOTBALL ace Cristiano ­Ronaldo may be out of action for a while, but that hasn’t stopped him indulging in some other sports – namely shopping and women.

The severely tanned Manchester United player, holidaying in LA, stepped out to pick up bits and pieces with an entourage of friends.

Shopping in West Hollywood’s trendy Ed Hardy store, the star, 23, shelled out £5,000 on clobber. Certainly a sight for sore eyes, Ronaldo, recovering from a recent ­ankle operation, bared more flesh than necessary when he wore a bright-pink girly T-shirt and tight hot pants which showed off his remarkably smooth, aubergine-coloured legs.

Rafa courts respect on the beach

Rafael Nadal shows off his more relaxed approach to tennis as he chills out on the beach in his native Mallorca.

The Wimbledon champ proves he can handle any surface as he impresses his stunner of a girlfriend, Maria Francesca Perello. 

The 22-year-old tennis champion showed off to onlookers on the Spanish island as he enjoyed a break following his spectacular win against Roger Federer.

Click below for more pictures of Nadal.