Helen Mirren may have tea with the queen, palace says

London – Helen Mirren, who won the best actress Oscar for playing Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen,” may be invited to tea, Buckingham Palace said Monday.

The film’s director, Stephen Frears, has already suggested that he, Mirren and screenwriter Peter Morgan would visit the queen at the palace next month.

“It is speculation, but we are looking at a number of options,” a palace spokeswoman said Monday.

Mirren won the Oscar on Sunday night in Los Angeles for playing the monarch in “The Queen,” which retells the aftermath of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in a car crash 10 years ago.

The Oscar ceremony began at 12:30 a.m. Monday in England and was broadcast only on a pay-TV movie channel – making it difficult for most Britons to see it live.

But news of Mirren’s win was inescapable Monday, dominating newspaper front pages and television newscasts.

“I’m sure that the queen will be pleased,” the palace spokeswoman said.

Mirren, 61, saluted the queen in her acceptance speech for maintaining “her dignity, her sense of duty and her hairstyle” for more than 50 years.

Bobby Brown to remain in jail until child support is paid

Canton, Mass. – Bobby Brown was ordered Monday to remain in a county jail until he pays $19,000 in late child support and court fees, his lawyer said.

“We’re diligently working on getting those funds available from outside sources,” said Phaedra Parks, an attorney in Atlanta where Brown currently lives. Parks doubted Brown would get out of jail before this morning.

Parks said the rhythm-and-blues singer has been struggling to meet monthly payments to Kim Ward, of Stoughton, the mother of his two teenage children.

“Although this agreement was put in place when he was Bobby Brown the star, this agreement is being enforced when he is not always able to find work,” Parks told The Associated Press. “He hasn’t made an album in quite some years.”

A judge in Norfolk Probate and Family Court ordered Brown held in the county jail in Dedham on Monday, one day after the singer was arrested while he was watching his daughter’s cheerleading competition at Attleboro High School.

Adam Loomis of All State Constables in Weymouth said he served an arrest warrant against Brown for failing to appear at a child support hearing in October.

Rapper Ludacris thanks fans for support after father’s death

Atlanta – Ludacris has thanked his fans for their support and asked for privacy to grieve following the death of his ailing father.

Wayne Brian Bridges, 52, died Sunday in an Atlanta hospital after a long illness, said Barry Florence, a publicist for the rapper.

At the Grammys earlier this month, Ludacris, 29, dedicated his award for best rap album for “Release Therapy” to his father, saying his dad was in critical condition and fighting for his life.

“Mr. Wayne Bridges, I love you to death,” he said at the televised Los Angeles ceremony. Ludacris, whose real name is Chris Bridges, also won a Grammy at this year’s awards for best rap song for “Money Maker.”

“We are overwhelmed by the generous outpouring of love, condolences and support from family members, friends, fans and the many well-wishers,” said a statement released Monday by Ludacris’ family. “We thank you for your prayers and hope you will understand our need for privacy during this sorrowful time.”

The statement said Wayne Bridges was “a great influence on his son” and had exposed him to music as a young child.

Florence said the family had chosen not to publicly announce the cause of death and was planning a private funeral in Atlanta.