Melbourne, February 20 : British author Jeffrey Archer claims that Oscar-winning Australian film actor Peter Finch's father could have been the first man to conquer Mount Everest in 1924, had the UK's Royal Geographical Society not intervened.

Archer, whose claims are part of his research for a new novel titled `Paths Of Glory', says that Aussie mountaineer George Finch was set to accompany his regular climbing partner George Mallory, a Briton, on a bid to conquer Everest before the society intervened.

The writer tells in a Daily Telegraph report that they wanted Mallory to take with him another British climber named Sandy Irvine, reports News. com. au.

Washington, Feb 20 : Veteran singer Sir Elton John missed a golden opportunity to meet his idol jazz musician Oscar Peterson- because he was too shy.

The 61-year-old singer admitted that Peterson helped shape his musical style.

But failed to garner courage to introduce himself to Peterson when they both found themselves in the same Paris, France restaurant, shortly before his death in 2007, at the age of 82.

Washington, Feb 20: American rapper 50 Cent has said that his next studio album could be his last.

The `In Da Club' hitmaker has a fourth album and a hits compilation left on his label contract and he''s considering retirement for music business after that.

"It (next album) could very well be my last studio album if it doesn''t make sense for me to continue and actually do it," Contactmusic quoted him, as telling King magazine.

However, the one thing that might prompt him to forge on is the fact all his rap peers are getting old and comfortable.

Washington, Feb 20: Jennifer Lopez reckons ladies stepping out on the red carpet for the Oscars shouldn''t dress down because of the ongoing recession.

The singer insists that at least she has no plans to dress down at the Academy Awards - because wearing borrowed gowns and jewellery is fun.

"I don''t think there''s anything wrong with playing dress up right now. Who wouldn''t want to wear borrowed dresses and borrowed jewellery? Contactmusic quoted her, as telling the Women''s Wear Daily website.

Washington, Feb 20 : Nicollette Sheridan, who plays Wisteria Lane''s resident man-eater Edie Britt in Desperate Housewives, will be killed off during a dramatic finale of hit show, according to reports.

Studio bosses are making sure that the stunner's exit from the show is permanent, and so they have reportedly written her out of the programme, reports Contactmusic.

Melbourne, February 20: British author Jeffrey Archer claims that Oscar-winning Australian film actor Peter Finch's father could have been the first man to conquer Mount Everest in 1924, had the UK's Royal Geographical Society not intervened.

Archer, whose claims are part of his research for a new novel titled `Paths Of Glory', says that Aussie mountaineer George Finch was set to accompany his regular climbing partner George Mallory, a Briton, on a bid to conquer Everest before the society intervened.