Stars tell all in on-line diaries

To know a public figure's innermost thoughts, you needed, until now, to wait for the divorce-court battle, the Andrew Morton book or the Anthony Clare interview. No longer. Today's clued-up celebrities are recording their views in intimate personal diaries and making them available, within hours, to the rest of us. Thanks to the internet, the famous can now bypass the journalists and scandalmongers who, they will tell you, get the facts wrong. As growing numbers of actors and rock stars rush to chronicle their daily lives, we offer the ultimate guide to the celebrity journals - revealing as only genuine diary entries can be.

The Setting the Record Straight Diary, by Melanie Griffith

Melanie writes to take on some "foul articles written about Antonio and I". "These so-called 'Journalists' have fabricated a story about Antonio spending a lot of time in Las Vegas, gambling and womanising," a recent entry states. "The 'Journalists' have also said that I have overdosed on pills and heroin. So I am going to tell you the truth. I love my husband more every day, as he does me. We have a fabulously deep love for each other and we never lie." She continues: "He has never been unfaithful. I have not overdosed on pills nor have I ever used heroin." By the way, she adds: "I don't expect these 'Journalists' to correct these statements because they never have and they never will." Read more at: www.melaniegriffith.com .

The Twelve Steps Diary, by Kelsey Grammer

The Frasier actor gets confessional. "I recognised years ago that I might have a 'drinking problem'," he writes. "Not until I realised there was nothing I could do about it did I have any chance of getting better; I had to get help." Then there's the shame to deal with. "Often the closest people to us attempt to shame us into abstinence ... The feeling is - words escape me - but it is lonely and scary and hopeless. Any other human being, if they felt this low, would ask for help; but the alcoholic is incapable of asking for anything but another drink." Read more at: www.kelseylive.com

The I'm Not Just a Musician Diary, by Moby

The music world's most obsessive diarist, Moby, updates his journal three or four times a day. Recent confessions concern his love for a vegan smoked-turkey substitute, a street cat that bit him and a TV programme about Mariah Carey's house. "Oh my. Did anyone else see this? She has a closet that is bigger than my home. I'm in awe. The room for her shoes is larger than my whole studio. Ethically questionable, perhaps, but isn't everything?" Read more at: www.moby.com

The Buy My Books Diary, by Delia Smith

Between plugs for Sainsbury's and her cook books, Delia shares insights from a recent holiday in Normandy. "I wasn't going to tell you this, but I will - I ate two apple tarts in one day," she reveals. " She also discloses what excites her: "I actually managed to beat Michael (her husband) at Scrabble twice. Little me who can't even spell, seeing off an Oxford classics scholar! Can life get any better?" Read more at: www.deliaonline.com

The Bill Clinton Memorial Diary, by Barbra Streisand

Not so much a diary as an outlet for her Democrat politics. Barbra refers you to recent New York Times editorials she agrees with, and writes about the evils of President Bush's policies. "Even in this time of crisis, the Republicans are back to politics-as-usual, as we can see from the 'economic stimulus bill' they are trying to pass and which gives huge tax-breaks to corporations," she writes. Read more at: www.barbrastreisand.com

Plus one honourable mention: Britney Spears's Mum's Diary

Britney's literary muse may have deserted her, but her mother Lynne files regular matriarchal wisdom. "Britney called me two nights this week from Europe," a recent entry reveals. "She makes me laugh, because she always forgets the time change. Brit called at 1.50am one morning and 4.00am the other time. It's a good thing I can go back to sleep easily!" We also learn what Britney gets up to on tour: she plays Pictionary. Read more at: www.britneyspears.com