April, 1997

X-FILES babe GILLIAN ANDERSON's childhood secrets are stranger than fiction - she used to write poetry to her pet iguana. The 28-year-old actress, voted `Most Bizarre' at school, once had short spiky red hair, a pierced nose and a wardrobe of charity shop cast-offs. But she was not just creative in appearance - Anderson penned poetic prose about her pet lizard for the school paper. She wrote, "As he spread himself unenthusiastically on his hot rock, a hint of sorrow spurts from beneath his lidded eyes. "He is no longer the plump reptile I once knew and loved."

Sulky X-FILES hearthrob DAVID DUCHOVNY has insisted his miserable personality is beyond his control. Despite being one of the world's biggest sex symbols - and best-paid actors, the star confesses nothing could ever make him look cheerful. He says, "I'm happiness handicapped. It has nothing to do with you. You are either one of those people who looks on the bright side or you're not." But the star who plays moody agent FOX MULDER can still tell a good joke. He says, "I don't know if you realise this, but I'm about to have a nervous breakdown."

X-FILES hearthrob DAVID DUCHOVNY was terrified when customs officials told him he had tested positive for cocaine. The 36-year-old actor's heart was in his mouth when he heard that minute traces of the substance had been found on his credit card. Duchovny was trying to fly from Canada to Los Angeles when he aroused the suspicions of a trained sniffer dog. He says, "The dog just came and sat down next to me. And then they brought me over to the customs guy, and he says, `Have you smoked marijuana or been near anybody who smoked marijuana in the last 24 hours?' "And I said, `I know I haven't smoked any, and I don't think I've been around anybody who did, but how can I know that?' "And he said, `This'll go a lot quicker if you just tell me the truth.' "And I said, `I'm telling you the truth.' And he says, `What do you do here in Canada?' Of course I get the one guy who doesn't watch the X-Files." Unfortunately for Duchovny, the customs official refused to accept any explanation the actor had - and searched his wallet before returning to announce there were traces of cocaine on his credit card. "I said, `What? This is not possible. I don't do cocaine,'" says Duchovny. "Which is true, but it sounds just like what a guilty person would say." However, Duchovny was not guilty - the official decided the credit card had probably been used by somebody else using the drug.

X-FILES beauty GILLIAN ANDERSON is "head over heels" in love with a hunky six foot (1.8 metre) tall bit-part actor. Anderson - voted the sexiest woman in the world - has been dating ROD ROWLAND for at least a month. The 33 year-old met Anderson when he landed a Ed Jerse role on the episode "Never Again" (97.01). Anderson, 28, dumped husband CLYDE KLOTZ last October 1996 for another X-Files actor, Brit ADRIAN HUGHES, 31. But she dumped him after it was revealed he faces sex charges in Canada.

X-FILES star DAVID DUCHOVNY is to get well over $4.8 million to play special agent FOX MULDER in a major movie. The 37 year-old actor is quitting the cult TV show, for which he gets $48,000 an episode. After five years, he is tired of playing Mulder. But 20th Century Fox producers have agreed to pay him $4 million plus a share of the profits o re-enact the role once more. The studio also hopes to sign up sexy co-star GILLIAN ANDERSON.

X-FILES creator CHRIS CARTER has experienced an out-of-this- world phenomenon. The talented TV boss has shot into the TIME magazine's new list of the most 25 influential people in America. Carter, who signed up the award-winning team of DAVID DUCHOVNY and GILLIAN ANDERSON to star in the sci-fi series, plans to add to his success with new programme MILLENNIUM. Other entertainment figures who have earned a place on the prestigious list, usually reserved for politicians, include Grammy winning record producer KENNETH 'BABYFACE' EDMONDS, MIRAMAX boss HARVEY WEINSTEIN, and PLANET HOLLYWOOD chief ROBERT EARL.

THE X-FILES stunner GILLIAN ANDERSON's two-year-old daughter PIPER is finding that life is stranger than fiction. She has spent most of her existence so far living with her star mum on the set of the spooky American sci-fi series. And now she loves the things that normally terrify children but is terrified of Father Christmas. Anderson's X-Files co-star DAVID DUCHOVNY explains, "She's been on the set since the day she was born, so she's used to seeing squirming, alien worms. She thinks that's normal. "But when she saw Santa Claus this year, she went apoplectic - screaming and crying. I'm glad I'm not going to have to pay her therapy bills."

THE X-FILES star DAVID DUCHOVNY was snubbed by his own fans when he tried to converse with them via the internet. Duchovny was encouraged by his manager to talk to fans on his "chat room" site, where X-files fiends can hold conversations via their computers. But when the 36-year-old actor logged on for a chat, they refused to believe it was him. Duchovny says, "I typed in `Hi, it's David Duchovny. Does anyone want to talk?' And they just went on with their conversation. So I typed it again, `Hi, it's David Duchovny.' "And they all started typing back, `Yeah, I'm David Duchovny, too.' `So am I.'" But Duchovny remains philosophical about having an Internet chat room. He says, "They bring people together. It's like a church. You know, we all go there saying we're gonna pray to God, but we're actually there to meet people, right? And have a community. "I mean, that's why church is great. It's not just faith, it's about community. But I'm unnecessary at this point. They'd hate me if I showed up."

WHITE ZOMBIE rocker ROD ZOMBIE is talking to X-FILES creator CHRIS CARTER about directing an episode of the cult sci-fi show. Zombie is also about to direct a third instalment of horror movie THE CROW, which he has already written. The music will be by NINE INCH NAILS.

Actress GILLIAN ANDERSON has given fans a glimpse of the phenomenal - thanks to an X-rated file that mysteriously appeared on the Internet. Anderson, 28, prim agent DANA SCULLY in THE X-FILES, smiles and bares her breasts in the computer photo, taken when she was one of the unknown. The snap is one of six steamy pictures of the star spotted by photographers in Rome, Italy, as they trawled through shots of celebrities. They appeared last week (ends 05 APR 97) in Italian magazine EVA TREMILA. One of the lensmen says, "We came across them by coincidence browsing through the picture files on the Internet. Nobody knows who took the pictures of how they got on the 'net." The snaps are a new embarrassment for the actress, whose sci-fi show has the catchphrase The Truth Is Out There. Anderson, several times voted the world's sexiest woman, stripped at the age of 19 for a soft porn film called THE TURNING.

TV hearthrob DAVID DUCHOVNY has "had it" with THE X-FILES and has made up his mind to quit the spooky show. The actor, who plays FBI agent FOX MULDER, plans to turn his back on the series at the end of the next season, its fifth year. His decision comes after co-star GILLIAN ANDERSON revealed she wanted to leave the series but had come to terms with her feelings after talks with X-Files creator CHRIS CARTER. Duchovny says, "It's just gruelling, and it's enough already. I'm proud of the show but at a certain point it becomes just about turning out product. "The only thing that would make me consider coming back for a sixth year would be Chris leaning on me and using our friendship as a lever. And I don't see him doing that." Anderson, who plays Mulder's partner DANA SCULLY, recently admitted she shared her co-star's frustration and restlessness. She said, "I wanted out more than anything. I was so ready to walk. I have mended that feeling."

DAVID DUCHOVNY is having second thoughts about quitting THE X-FILES - because he's terrified it will lead to the end of his career. Duchovny, who plays spooky FBI agent FOX MULDER in the series, worries there's no more room for TV wannabes since ER hearthrob GEORGE CLOONEY made the switch. The actor was turned down for the BATMAN part that rocketed Clooney into the big league. And he claims one wrong move could send him into cinema oblivion with actors like former NYPD BLUE star DAVID CARUSO. Duchovny explains, "There is a lesson to be learned as far as David Caruso goes. "I remember he did one year of NYPD Blue and then wanted to take advantage of his film opportunities. Caruso could have very easily become a huge movie star. "He hasn't yet, and I think that has to do with the choices he made of the movies. The lesson to be learned is to choose good movies." Duchovny has already had parts in hit films KALIFORNIA and CHAPLIN. And he will be appearing in a movie version of The X-Files with co-star GILLIAN ANDERSON before hanging up Mulder's FBI raincoat for good. He's also hoping the ice-cool relationship between Mulder and Anderson's DANA SCULLY will get red-hot on the big screen. "In a movie we would have to do something that we never do on the show," he says. "We'd have to justify it - and sex justifies a movie." But in other movies he's not interested in playing moody and complex characters like FOX MULDER - he just wants to make people laugh. He says, "I really have a desire to try that as I admire comedic actors like CARY GRANT or JACK LEMMON. "I even find MARLON BRANDO or JACK NICHOLSON very funny at times." Duchovny is already lined up to star in a movie version of The X- Files, and also plays a junkie doctor in new film PLAYING GOD. But he won't be resting on his laurels when he finally says goodbye to Mulder. Duchovny, 36, who graduated from America's prestigious Yale University with a Masters degree, wants to write a novel. He wrote a 150-page book when he was 23, but would like to do more. "My father has been trying to write a novel his entire life," he says. "He's just finished his first at 70. So I think I can beat him. But we'll see."

X-FILES hearthrob DAVID DUCHOVNY is inseparable from partner GILLIAN ANDERSON on screen - but in real life he is desperate to avoid being seen with his sexy co-star. The couple go to great lengths to dispel the image that they are simply a double act. Duchovny, 36, who plays Agent MULDER in the hit series, has just agreed to team up with Anderson for their second dual magazine interview since the programme started. He says, "I'm my own person, and Gillian is her own person, why should we do interviews together? "There's enough anxiety about the fact that Mulder and Scully seem to be one entity anyway."

X-FILES hearthrob DAVID DUCHOVNY is terrified of being manipulated by people who claim to be his friends. The 36-year-old, who plays paranormal investigator FOX MULDER in the hit show, is paranoid that many of the people who claim to be pals are phoney. And since he has reached international fame, Duchovny has learned to trust no-one. He says, "Three times in the past couple years, I have been in a completely open, trusting situation with a friend and just been in shock that they were a different person than I knew. "It's scary because you don't want to be so guarded in your personal relationships, but I have not and will not talk to anyone about anything." Duchovny adds, "There are only two or three people in my life that I know I can trust."

X-FILES duo DAVID DUCHOVNY and GILLIAN ANDERSON make a harsh distinction between business and pleasure - by never socialising outside of work. The couple, who play investigators MULDER and SCULLY in the hit TV series, have refused to go out together since the start of their partnership. And their working relationship is often fraught with tension. Duchovny, 36, admits, "It's a difficult relationship because it's like an arranged marriage. We didn't choose to be together. "It's like any relationship, only intensified, because we can't take a break. I can't say `I'm going for a walk.' He adds, "We've never socialised. Since the pilot, we've never gone out even once."

X-FILES pin-up DAVID DUCHOVNY is desperate to escape being typecast as paranormal investigator Agent MULDER. The 36-year-old actor finds he is often eclipsed by his own screen role. And he now wants to prove that he is bigger than Mulder. Duchovny says, "When I first came to notoriety with the show, I struggled against it. "I wanted to say, `I'm smarter than Mulder, I'm more interesting.' His frustration has led the star to take a part in new black comedy PLAYING GOD. Duchovny says, "You're Mulder to so many people that you want to say. I'm a Chippendale's dancer, for God's sake. Let me be. "The movie was my way of saying, `I'm not Mulder - hear me roar."

The truth may not be out there - but THE X-FILES is taking over the world. What began four years ago as a bizarre cult show is now shown in more than 50 countries. A deal with a major Hollywood studio for three films will see The X-Files balloon into an $800 million a year industry. Shooting on the first X-Files movie begins in Vancouver, Canada, in the summer (97) - after GILLIAN ANDERSON and DAVID DUCHOVNY complete the fifth television series.

Fans of THE X-FILES have turned a low-budget thriller video into a best-seller - because it features sexy DANA SCULLY topless. Gorgeous GILLIAN ANDERSON strips off for her only nude scene in the obscure movie THE TURNING, which has just been re-released. She stars as a sex-starved waitress who peels off for a kitchen romp with a psycho played by actor MICHAEL DOLAN. Her appearance lasts only 30 seconds - but thousands of devoted X-Files fans are paying $22 a time to get their hands on the sizzling scene. Video bosses say they are selling 1,000 copies a week. A spokesman for Anderson says, "Gillian is very embarrassed. She would rather this film disappeared without trace."

Sexy sci-fi star GILLIAN ANDERSON has swapped THE X-FILES for some sex files - by romping with robots. Anderson, who plays sceptical DANA SCULLY in the TV series, is seen smooching with a robot in the video for her debut single EXTREMIS. A source says, "Gillian's investigated some strange creatures on the X-Files but has never got into bed with one before." Music from the single was used in her recent FUTURE FANTASTIC TV series.

Four years starring in THE X-FILES has done nothing to change DAVID DUCHOVNY - he still doesn't believe in UFOs. The star, smoothie agent FOX MULDER in the series, has dismissed the possibility of life on other planets. British actor ANDREW TIER says, "I told David how I'd seen a UFO flying over Devon. "But he said it was all rubbish. I was surprised. He just doesn't believe in that sort of thing."

The moment fans of THE X-FILES have been waiting for has finally happened - but no one will get to see it. The sci-fi show's creator CHRIS CARTER reveals FBI agents FOX MULDER and DANA SCULLY, played by DAVID DUCHOVNY and GILLIAN ANDERSON respectively, kiss in an episode in the new series. But he says, "It was a purely impromptu action and certainly wasn't scripted. "It took us all by surprise and just shows the natural affinity between Gillian and David. "But it was only a friendly kiss and bore no relation to the action - so we cut it." Carter has previously said he wouldn't want Mulder and Scully to get together in the series - because it would ruin their working relationship.