In brief: Hallelujah scores Xmas No1 and 2

The Leonard Cohen song Hallelujah, first released in 1984, is number one and number two in the Christmas week Top Ten. The version by The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke (pictured) took top spot on Sunday night, and a 1994 version by the Californian singer Jeff Buckley, who died in a swimming accident in 1997, came second.......... More frustration for Conrad Black: not only has his long-standing business partner and fellow fraudster David Radler got out of prison several years before Lord Black can be paroled, but he has announced that he intends to profit from their partnership by writing a business primer based on their 35 years together, building the Hollinger media empire. Radler, who gave critical evidence against Black in court, promises to say only "positive" things about his lordship......... Bryan Ferry is to make a last-ditch attempt today to get his son Otis bailed in time for Christmas. The 26-year-old is in jail on charges of assaulting a hunt protestor and attempting to pervert the course of justice. His mother, Lucy Helmore, has said: "I am worried sick about him being in prison without any clean shirts or socks"........... Yachtswoman Sam Davies, who diverted 500 miles from her course on the Vendee Globe round the world race to rescue injured rival Yann Ellis, has sent out a Christmas list from her onboard radio. Requests include a Gore-Tex balaclava and a 12 volt hairdryer, and she adds: "If you have a tow rope I'd love a bit of a tow to be nearer the leaders please - but only if Rudolph doesn't mind the extra weight"............ Billionaire Donald Trump has launched a $100m lawsuit against a small California town that, among other things, neglected to rename its local highway Trump National Drive.......... Model Marie Helvin, the ex-wife of photographer David Bailey, is to be the new 'face' for Marks & Spencer's range of clothes for women over 45. The high street chain is hoping that the sultry 56-year-old will repeat the huge success of the earlier campaign featuring Twiggy: last week it was reported that sales of core categories were down by 30 per cent.......... Jonathan Ross has come under fire again; this time the BBC presenter, who is on a three-month suspension following the Andrew Sachs affair, has been criticised for blogging about how much he is enjoying his time off. One post reads "Smoking a Cohiba and watching Sex and the City. Suspension is fun"........... Olympian cyclist Chris Hoy, who pedalled his way to three gold medals in Beijing, has reportedly been recommended for a knighthood in the new year's honours list. Rebecca Adlington, the teenage swimmer who won two golds, is expected to receive an OBE. Fans are hopeful that Bruce Forsyth will honoured for his long TV career...........