CelebSpice

Actress Julie Benz, whose character was recently killed off the U.S. drama "Dexter," is joining the cast of "Desperate Housewives," sources told EW.com.

Benz is to play "Debbie, a stripper with a heart of gold and a master's degree in education" in at least three episodes of "Housewives," starting next month, the entertainment magazine's Web site said.

The actress has previously had major roles in TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel," as well as in the movies "The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day," "Rambo" and "Saw V."

All Saints "will never" get back together again, says Melanie Blatt.

The star has ruled out reuniting with her former bandmates - Nicole Appleton, Natalie Appleton and Shaznay Lewis - insisting she is more interested in partying than performing.

She said: "All Saints are never getting back together again. I never want to sing again."

Melanie also revealed she and Nicole enjoyed interviewing stars on the red carpet at the BRIT Awards last February and she is considering pursuing a career in TV.

The 34-year-old beauty added: "I did the BRIT Awards with Nicole and we just went round chatting to people and then got drunk.

"That's my goal - to get paid for chatting to people and getting drunk!"

Melanie and Shaznay founded the All Saints in London in 1993.

After recruiting the Canadian-born Appleton sisters three years later, the female group enjoyed chart success. However, increasing tensions and rivalry within the band led to their split in 2001.

Liam Gallagher is a "fantastic babysitter".

Former All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis - friend and ex-bandmate of the Oasis rocker's wife Nicole Appleton - often leaves her three-year-old son Tyler with Liam because he's such a "natural with kids".

Shaznay said: "Liam is a fantastic babysitter. When our kids get together, he takes charge. He's amazing with children, they love him."

Liam - who is famous for his rock 'n' roll lifestyle - has three children, Lennon, nine, with ex-wife Patsy Kensit, Gene, eight, with Nicole, and 11-year-old daughter Molly whose mother is singer Lisa Moorish.

Although Liam is well-behaved with children he got into trouble on an 11-hour flight to Japan last month, after embarking on a "mammoth" drinking session with Lily Allen.

Liam - who had been drinking champagne in the Upper Class lounge at London's Heathrow airport ahead of boarding the flight - and the 'Not Fair' singer spent most of their time on board drinking together, despite the best efforts of their entourage, who had warned cabin crew as they boarded to "keep those two apart".

Julie Benz has been branching out beyond her "Dexter" role -- and how! In "The Boondocks Saints II: All Saints Day," due in September, "I get to play a badass. I've always been the damsel in distress. In this I play this really, really phenomenal FBI agent who's smart and sexy and feminine. She can shoot a gun better than the guys. She wears pink rubber gloves and stiletto heels to a crime scene, but she can hold her own with the fellas, no problem."

"It's a highly-anticipated sequel. They've done an amazing job," she adds. "I can't give anything away, but it's such a cool movie. There's one stunt in it that is so amazing and we only had one take to do it. It's probably the coolest thing I've ever gotten to do."
Benz notes, "I didn't have any time to train for it because I was wrapping for the last season of 'Dexter.' They put a gun in my hand on the first day and I had to break into a room and start firing away like a pro. That's when your acting technique and sheer will kicks in."
MEANWHILE: Benz has also branched out to star in the Lifetime Movie Network's TV movie "Held Hostage," airing July 19, in which she plays real-life kidnapping victim Michelle Renee. "Michelle and her daughter both came on set for a couple of days so I got to meet them. I was so overwhelmed when I met Michelle I started to cry,"
Benz tells this column. "Her story of being kidnapped and having a bomb attached to her and her daughter and having to rob a bank -- it so deeply touched me and moved me that I was at a loss for words when I met her. She complemented me on my work and what was I supposed to say, 'Thanks for going through such an awful thing so I could have a great role to play. No,'" she notes. "The whole thing was just very intense. There was a lot of sensitivity in developing this project and really being as true as possible to what happened, and I'm really proud of the movie."