Take five celebrity quotes

Out of the mouths of celebrities: As far as unexpected headlines about celebrities go, "Singer James Blunt prevented World War III" is up there with the best of them. It appeared this week after Blunt told the BBC that, while serving as a soldier in Kosovo, he refused to obey an order from an American commander to attack Russian troops. Here are five more astounding celebrity revelations:

Take Five... UFO expert: In 2008, the British singer Robbie Williams claimed he had spotted several unidentified flying objects, and went on to say he was planning on leaving pop music to become a full-time UFOlogist.

Take Four... Fountain of youth: In 2006, the magician David Copperfield claimed to have discovered the fountain of youth on one of his private islands. "I've discovered a true phenomenon," he said. "It's an amazing thing, very exciting."

Take Three... Good friends: In 2008, in the course of her infamous remarks about the earthquake in Sichuan, the actress Sharon Stone described the Dalai Lama as "a good friend of mine". His lukewarm response: "Yes, I've met the lady."

Take Two... Lawman: Steven Seagal had been famous for more than two decades when it emerged, in 2009, that for most of that time he'd had a second job: reserve deputy sherrif of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Steven Seagal: Lawman, a reality TV show following his law enforcement activities, recently aired its second season.

Take One... Stop the presses: Not all celebrities are eager to astonish. Chuck Norris became an internet legend thanks to a website filled with fabricated but hilarious information about his superhuman abilities. But he was unsuccessful in his attempt to stop Penguin from publishing a compilation of the facts, resulting in the headline: "Chuck Norris sues, says his tears no cancer cure".