Elton John to marry

London — Elton John intends to marry his long-term partner David Furnish sometime this year or in 2006, reports ABC News.

The British pop star told the Mirror tabloid that he and Furnish wanted to hold a civil partnership ceremony in mid-December, although publicist Gary Farrow said John had added it could take place next year.

He added that one of John’s main motivations for the ceremony was financial. Civil partnerships between gay couples will be allowed in Britain starting Dec. 5 and will give partners tax breaks available to married couples.

John, 58, and Furnish, 42, have been partners for more than 11 years.

John told the Mirror that Furnish should not expect some of the trappings of a regular marriage. “There will be no honeymoon. I’m on tour,” he said.

Ferrell to get ‘Lost’

Will Ferrell has signed on to headline Universal’s big-screen comedy adaptation of the classic tube series “Land of the Lost,” reports TV Guide Online.

Ferrell will play forest ranger Rick Marshall, who, while rafting with his two kids, gets sucked into a time vortex and transported to a mysterious world populated by dinosaurs and Sleestaks.

Cannes jury announced

Paris — Salma Hayek and Javier Bardem are among the members of the jury at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Sarajevo-born director Emir Kusturica heads the jury, which also includes writer Toni Morrison, Indian actress Nandita Das, and directors John Woo, Agnes Varda, Benoit Jacquot and Fatih Akin, organizers announced last week.

This year’s festival will run May 11-22. Twenty movies from 13 countries have been selected to compete. The awards will be announced May 21.

Emotional makeover

Lancaster, S.C. — Former televangelist Tammy Faye Messner says losing her trademark eyelashes during her struggle with cancer was a liberating experience.

“I realized I wasn’t just eyelashes,” said Messner, adding that she glued on false ones. “A person is more than just what you look like on the outside.”

Messner was diagnosed with colon cancer nearly a decade ago and last year announced that the disease had spread to her lungs.

Messner said she cannot say she’s cancer-free and has scans every three months. “Don’t let fear rule your life,” she said. “Live one day at a time, and never be afraid.”

Messner was a celebrity judge for a beauty pageant where men dressed as women Thursday at Lancaster High School. The event raised money for the American Cancer Society.