Pavarotti plans starry wedding

Rome — Opera star Luciano Pavarotti will marry longtime partner Nicoletta Mantovani today in the tenor’s hometown before celebrities including Bono and fashion designer Donatella Versace.

Pavarotti and Mantovani, 34, have been living together since 1996, when their love story took gossip columns by storm. The marriage will take place in the Teatro Comunale in Modena.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, a London-based gospel choir, and children’s choir from Modena will perform at the ceremony.

NBA rookie deemed ‘fascinating’

Cleveland — Barbara Walters made LeBron James a top pick again.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ rookie guard has been named one of the “The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2003” for Walters’ upcoming network TV special.

James was the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft last June.

The 18-year-old James said he was surprised to make the list, which includes California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Nicole Kidman and lifestyle maven Martha Stewart.

“I don’t know who votes on something like that,” James said.

James’ interview with Walters will air at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 on ABC.

Nicholson touts co-star

New York — Jack Nicholson giggles when he talks about his “Something’s Gotta Give” co-star Diane Keaton, swears he dates women of all ages — despite his reputation — and claims he’s a true romantic.

“I’ve always been a romantic,” Nicholson told AP Radio recently. “I’m a deep, sentimental romantic. ‘Lassie’ will still get me.”

The 66-year-old actor said he’d done some silly things for love, including jumping through windows and hiding on a roof.

Nicholson is almost giddy about his 57-year-old co-star.

“Don’t she look great? Just look at her. The woman’s in tremendous condition,” he said.

Depp named entertainer of year

New York — Piracy was lucrative work for Johnny Depp this year: E! Entertainment Television named the “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” star as its entertainer of the year.

The network bestows the award in a special at 8 p.m. Monday.

Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Knowles, Colin Farrell, Will Ferrell, Queen Latifah and Arnold Schwarzenegger are among the other celebrities E! found particularly intriguing this year.

“I want my kids and my grandkids someday to be able to go, ‘Yeah, Pops, he really held it together and he did the right thing,”‘ Depp told E! “‘He didn’t stray from the path, and he didn’t sell out and go for the big dough early on or anything.’ I would be very, very proud if they felt that.”