Keira Knightley has claimed corsets are the reason women were always considered "the weaker sex."

The 23-year-old actress - who has donned the restrictive undergarments in period dramas including "Pride and Prejudice" and "The Duchess" - says the waist cinchers stopped oxygen getting to the brain, making females seem less intelligent than they were.

Russell Brand has been "dressing as a pirate every day" to get into character for the new "Pirates of the Caribbean" film.

The British comic star - who has previously starred in movies including "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and the upcoming "Bedtime Stories" - is doing everything he can to secure the part of Johnny Depp's on-screen brother in the fourth film in the franchise.

Dame Helen Mirren has a crush on Russell Brand. The 63-year-old actress was flattered by Russell's recent flirtatious praise for her and has returned the compliment.

She said: "I heard he fancies me. I fancy Russell too."

Keira Knightley was only born because her mother won a bet. "The Duchess" actress - who is dating her "Pride and Prejudice" co-star Rupert Friend - has revealed her playwright mom Sharman Macdonald only fell pregnant after she triumphed in a wager with her husband, actor Will Knightley.

Keira is quoted as saying: "The reason I was born was because they had one child but my mum wanted another baby and they did not have very much money."

Keira Knightley "enjoys" swearing. The 23-year-old star - who claims she doesn't drink, take drugs or smoke - revealed she picked up her only bad habit from her mother, playwright Sharman McDonald.

Keira, who has appeared in period dramas including "The Duchess" and "Pride and Prejudice," told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "That is my vice, swearing, and I really enjoy it. And you know what, my mum swears quite a lot, while my dad does not swear."

Miley Cyrus and Daniel Radcliffe are among the hottest stars under 25, according to a new poll.

The 15-year-old star made film website Moviefone's Hottest 25 stars under the age of 25 list thanks to the popularity of her hit Disney show "Hannah Montana" raising her profile to bring "Miley Mania everywhere."