NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Downton Abbey’ renewal confirmed

LONDON

British television channel ITV confirmed that hit drama “Downton Abbey” will return for a fourth season.

Filming of eight new episodes for the award-winning period series will begin early next year.

ITV said Friday that as before, the opening and closing episodes will be feature-length, and that the series will continue the story of the Crawley family and their servants in the 1920s.

The third season of “Downton Abbey” will premiere in the U.S. on PBS in January.

Halle Berry’s ex arrested after fight

LOS ANGELES

Halle Berry’s ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry was arrested on a charge of investigation of battery Thursday after he and the Oscar-winning actress’s current boyfriend got into a fight at her Hollywood Hills home, police said.

Aubry, 37, was booked for the misdemeanor and released on $20,000 bail, according to online jail records. He will appear in court Dec. 13.

Berry and Aubry have been in a custody dispute involving their 4-year-old daughter, Nahla. Berry has been dating French actor Olivier Martinez.

Sale will feature Presley’s Rolex

LONDON

A watch that was one of Elvis Presley’s last Christmas presents and a corset worn by Madonna on her 1990 “Blond Ambition” tour will be featured at a London auction.

The watch, estimated to sell for $9,500 or more, is a diamond-set Rolex given to Presley by his longtime manager, Tom Parker. It is engraved, “Elvis merry Christmas your pal Col. Tom Parker.” It was the last Christmas for Presley, who died the following year.

Madonna’s corset by Jean-Paul Gaultier is of green silk with conical cups and beaded fringe.

Christie’s previewed the sale Friday. The auction will take placee next week.

Vindicator wire services