Actor Andy Whitfield, star of the TV series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, it was confirmed this weekend. The actor, who was born in Amlwch, Wales, but moved to Sydney in 1999, lost his 18-month battle with the disease. The 39-year-old actor was diagnosed with stage 1 of the disease in March 2010, but was declared cancer-free two months later after beginning treatment immediately in New Zealand. The actor’s Spartacus co-star, Lucy Lawless, also paid tribute to him on her website, saying he was a “gentle man who never had a bad word about anyone”.

Whitfield’s wife Vashti paid an emotional tribute to her husband, saying: “On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18-month battle with lymphoma cancer. He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have helped carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was.” Whitfield was a virtual unknown when he was cast as the legendary Thracian slave in Spartacus, a role made famous by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film. The series proved a breakout hit for the Starz network and made waves with its graphic violence and sexuality. Whitfield appeared in all 13 episodes of the first season that aired in 2010, and was preparing to shoot the second when he was diagnosed with cancer. While waiting for Whitfield’s treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which aired earlier this year with only a brief voice-over from the actor. But in January, after Whitfield’s condition grew worse, the network announced that another Australian actor, Liam McIntyre, would take over the role.

— Daily Mail

Rihanna goes androgynous for new Armani campaign

It looks like Rihanna needs an Umbrella to hide her new hairdo. While the Barbadian beauty looked typically striking in a new advertising campaign for Armani, her barnet didn’t do her any favours. The cropped bleached-blonde locks hung just above the brow and appeared more suited for a male model. However, the theme of the photoshoot was fairly androgynous, juxtaposing her feminine stomach and skin-tight lycra trousers with chunky leather boots while posing in front of a car with a moody expression. The photo was taken by Steven Klein, well known for his W magazine editorials with Madonna, Brad Pitt and various other famous faces. Not only is the 23-year-old fronting the Armani jeans range, but she will also pose for their underwear line.

— Daily Mail

All bagged up

She was recently criticised for being too beautiful to play the dowdy character of Emma Morley in the film adaptation of the best-selling novel One Day. And these latest pictures of Anne Hathaway prove the naysayers could be right as she looks effortlessly stunning modelling a new handbag range. In the print campaign for TOD’S, Signature Collection, the actress poses on a car bonnet with tussled hair, smoky eye make-up and striking red lipstick. The campaign for TOD’S was shot in London while Anne was in the capital to film her role as Catwoman in Christopher Nolan’s third Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. Fabien Baron, creative director of the shoot for TOD’S said the “stunningly exquisite” Anne, 28, was chosen to front the campaign because she’s “a classic beauty with a modern Italian edge — feminine and strong.” The Devil Wears Prada star said she was “very excited” to be the face of the Italian designer’s new collection. “These are bags that age with you and never let you down,” she said. “The designs are classic and the materials are of the highest quality. As a result, they don’t grow older, they only grow better just like a woman.” TOD’S Signature Collection consists of bags and small leather goods in a range of striking colours from bold tones of deep red and electric blue and to more subtle shades of lavender, beige and cream. TOD’S was first made famous by their driving shoes and this is reflected in the handbag collection as each item has a pebble motif of their most popular “gommino” driving shoe.

— Daily Mail