George Craig, the lead vocalist of Brit indie rock band One Night Only, insists he and Harry Potter actress Emma Watson are merely close friends.

The two “friends” reportedly met on the set of a Burberry photo shoot, back when Watson was representing the high end clothing brand. At the time, Craig was being featured in an advertising campaign for a Burberry fragrance. The two were also later linked to each other after Watson appeared in the music video for One Night Only‘s latest single, Say You Don’t Want It.

However, at the recent UK Reading Festival, the young musician denied being romantically involved with Watson when he said: “It doesn’t really matter what I say, I’m always going to say we’re just friends and we are, we’re just really good friends.” The singer added: “Emma’s a great person and I don’t mind talking about her, I’ve got a lot of respect for her, she’s great.”

Even if it was for one night only, I have five words for you George… say you don’t want it!

After months of rumours and speculation about which actress will play the title character, also known as Lisbeth Salander, in the Hollywood remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the role has finally been assigned to a relatively unknown American actress called Rooney Mara. Reportedly, Mara beat out a number of more established actresses for the part, including Scarlet Johansson, Ellen Page, Natalie Portman, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Watson.

Mara will co-star alongside James Bond thespian Daniel Craig in the film and most likely in two sequels, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest. The rising star can next be seen in the film called The Social Network, about the founders of Facebook, along with new Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo begins shooting next month in Sweden and is scheduled to be released in December of 2011.

Congratulations to Rooney for seizing one of the most sought after jobs in Hollywood!

When Emma Watson shockingly revealed her new shorter-than-short haircut a few days ago by posting a photo of her trimmed locks on Facebook (pictured left), the implication of the message included along with the head shot was that Watson got the cut to get real… not to get a job. For instance, on her Facebook page, the Harry Potter star wrote: “Cut my hair off a few days ago … Feels incredible. I love it. I’ve wanted to do this for years and years; it’s the most liberating thing ever. Hope you like.”

However, sources are now reporting that in addition to (or instead of) “liberating” the British actress, the hair hacking was executed to make Watson look more like the character Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, for Watson’s alleged audition for the forthcoming Hollywood film. To The Sun, an industry insider said: “Emma has auditioned with director David Fincher and cut her hair to look the part.” In the story, originally written by Stieg Larsson, the character is depicted as goth, bisexual, dangerous, and as having spikey hair.

If the rumours are true, Watson, who was recently dropped as the face of Burberry, is reportedly competing with nearly every young A-list actress for the role, including Ellen Page, Natalie Portman, Carey Mulligan, and Kristen Stewart. Furthermore, whoever wins the part of Lisbeth Salander is likely to be contracted to co-star with Daniel Craig in two additional sequel films.

Given the high stakes and fierce competition, Emma’s bold decision to cut her long flowing tresses is certainly comprehendible. Brave choice Emma! Hold nothing back. Good luck!

I’d call this the ultimate class divide…While Jason Statham‘s ex – down-market model, Kelly Brook has resorted to posing naked to promote Reebok EasyTone trainers, his current squeeze – up-and-coming A-lister Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is set to replace Harry Potter star Emma Watson as the new face of Burberry.

The decision to drop Watson for the Transformers actress has come as a bit of a surprise as Burberry’s sales were boosted during Emma’s year-long stint.

My fashion spy said: “Emma was a huge success. Everyone expected her to be used again. But it seems Rosie’s career is about to explode”

Rosie is best known as a Victoria’s Secret model, and will unveil Burberry’s autumn and winter collections later this year.

It seems Transporter hunk Jas’ hit on the right girl!

These days we are more used to seeing starlets falling out of cars sans underwear but class act Emma Watson wasn’t left red-faced (or red-cheeked) when she had a wardrobe malfunction on Tuesday.

Talking on the David Letterman show last night Emma was confronted with a picture of her adjusting the vintage Ossie Clark dress she wore to the London premiere for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince…