Vinnie Jones seeks new voice

Soccer hardman-turned-actor Vinnie Jones has set himself a new goal - losing his English accent.

The star, who shot to big screen fame in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, said he was working with a voice coach to acquire an American accent.

"I'm going to work really hard, let the next two films come out, sit back and see what offers arrive," he said. "I want to be a major player and have everything that comes with that. My goal is an Oscar. It has to be.

"Hopefully, 30 movies down the line I might get offers of 20 million ($NZ65.74 million), but I'm not talking tomorrow, know what I mean?"

Jones, who stars with Nicolas Cage in Gone in 60 Seconds, said he decided to hire the voice coach after being refused a part in John Travolta's next film because he sounded too English.

Crooner Tony Bennett gave a newly married couple a special wedding present by breaking into song at their reception.

Bennett, 73, serenaded the couple with his signature tune, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, as they kissed and cuddled at their reception at the plush Midlands Hotel in Manchester.

The entertainer had just finished a sell-out show at the Palace Theatre, part of a three-week European tour, and had returned to the hotel for the night when he was approached by the bride's mother.

She asked him if he would sing for her daughter as a special gift on her wedding night.

A spokeswoman for Bennett said: "At first we didn't think he was going to do it, then just before he went to bed he got up and sang.

"The whole wedding reception and the rest of the guests were all watching and when they saw him coming to sing they were delighted.

"The bride's mother was almost in tears and the bride and bridegroom were just cuddling and kissing and saying it was amazing.

"Everyone sang along and clapped, they were just beside themselves."