Arts Diary: Will Marriott

Mulligan was surprisingly surprised by her gong, and fumbled her way through a thank-you speech which failed to mention Lynn Barber, the Observer's star interviewer, whose autobiographical book (adapted by Nick Hornby) had given Mulligan the chance to sparkle so brightly. Barber, sitting down there in the stalls, can be forgiven if she feels a tad miffed...

It's been a long time in the waiting, but Wally are about to release

their first album in 36 years. Back in the days of platform heels and outlandish costumes, the Harrogate-based band were on the brink of stardom. Backed by the likes of Rick Wakeman and TV presenter Bob Harris, Wally shared a record label with Led Zeppelin, but following a series of backroom wranglings, their dream fell apart, their record deal collapsed and a planned US tour was cancelled. The band went their separate ways.

Until last year, when original Wallys Roy Webber and Nick Glennie-Smith decided to get back together after a chance meeting. A successful reunion gig followed and the pair have since gone back into the studio. Their new album, Montpelier, is dedicated to late band members keyboard player Paul Gerrett and guitarist Pete Cosker and, as they used to say, it's now available in all good record shops.

Facebook imposters are nothing new, but it seems Daniel Kitson has had enough.

A regular on the Yorkshire comedy circuit, the stand-up emailed Arts Diary recently to set the record straight. "Apparently, there is someone on Facebook claiming to be me and saying that he wants to get to know 'da fans'. Obviously, this is a bit peculiar and to be fair, seems like a strangely pointless deception rather than anything malicious. But then again, who knows, maybe this joker is sucking up all my sweet corporate gigs and advertising work. Moonwalking around the place endorsing products, irresponsibly impregnating women and admiring Jeremy Clarkson. All in my name. IT WILL NOT STAND."

For the record, Kitson isn't on Facebook, has no plans to become a member and when he's finally calmed down details of his next tour should be available soon.

Art gallery owners have a reputation for being serious types, pompous even. Not it seems Greg McGee. The man behind Artspace in York is currently starring in a music video which has been shortlisted for a national competition. The former drama teacher clearly hasn't forgotten his acting skills, and plays an obnoxious city type in Remember My Face! The video is currently in the finals of a short film competition run by the recruitment company Reed. Visit www.reed.co.uk/film

A group of lawyers from Leeds are also hoping for their share of the limelight. When not defending clients, four of Ford and Warren's finest regularly take to the stage as Red Light Revival. The band has just made it through to the regional finals of the national Live and Unsigned competition and drummer Charles Heppenstall describes

the outfit as "prime Americana beef with the bones left in."

The regional finals take place at Sheffield City Hall on Mar 21.