Raffaello, who'd been dumped by the Devil Wears Prada actress just prior to the bust, was in nothing but his jocks when the FBI nabbed him at the door of his fancy New York apartment. Granted, probably expensive jocks, but jocks nonetheless!

His claims of being the Vatican's Chief Financial Officer found him in hot water on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, and set bail of US$21m. While Anne criss-crossed the globe promoting her new flick Get Smart, Follieri spent his 30th birthday behind bars. He had planned a fancy-ass party on the Italian isle of Capri, but, you know. Shit happens.

There was initial concern for the welfare and custody arrangements for the couple's chocolate labrador, Esmeralda. Well, maybe not custody. It's not like her dad could have her for weekends in the pokey. Ironically, misappropriating funds for dog walking services was on of the many things Follieri was accused of.

"My client is a formidable and resilient young man who is vigorously addressing the strident terms of the bail," says his rep Melanie A. Bonvicino at the time. "He looks forward to overcoming the current allegations."

He pleaded guilty later in the year.

He was about to embark on the awesome, epic journey that was fatherhood, but that didn't stopped our favourite little-limbed bongo playing dude, Matthew McConaughey, from living it up.

Leaving his pregnant missus, Camila, at home in LA Matt headed for Nicaragua, where he spent his nights hitting on birds and downing booze. The enjoyment factor was high - so much so, in fact, that on one particular night of merriment the McConaughey got completely plastered and parted ways with one of his jandals.

Where his dignity ended up is, as yet, unknown.

And in a refreshing turn for a gossip story, Matt actually confirmed the shoe-losing incident.

"Drunk? Absolutely!" he admitted. "Nicaragua is a beautiful place, epic waves, the best surfing (trip) I have ever been on. And yes, I'm still looking for my flip flop."

George Clooney, who several months ago had squired retired cocktail waitress girlfriend Sarah Larson up the Oscars red carpet, sent the leggy brunette a one way ticket to Dumpsville in June.

While Larson tried in vain to start rumours that she broke up with the rich, good looking Oscar winner, notorious commitment-phobe George reportedly ran for the hills when word reached him that his missus had been spreading pregnancy and engagement rumours round town.

There had always been whispers of unhappiness in the Ciccone-Ritchie marriage. That's par for the course of a celebrity relationship, but June brought news that maybe gave the whispers some weight.

A prestigious English broadsheet (ie, a paper that by and large prints the truth) reported that Madonna had retained the services of big shot divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton - who had represented Paul McCartney in his divorce from That Horrid Woman. So if all was happy at the Ritchies, why did Madonna have a divorce lawyer - and an expensive one at that - on staff?

The plot thickened.

Kate Hudson, the girl that dates like a guy, hooked up with her latest piece of man candy, cyclist Lance Armstrong, and the pair were spotted everywhere from dancing in Austin to smooching in Cannes. He was snapped out carrying around her son, Ryder. She was snapped cycling and playing tennis through the California summer in sports gear made by her man's sponsor. Ah, corporate-sponsored love!

The Hudson-Armstrong romance did nothing to dispel the Hollywood myth that pretty much everyone goes out with everyone there. One of Kate Hudson's previous boyfriends was Owen Wilson, who dated Sheryl Crow...who was once engaged to Lance Armstrong.

And June was the time that Hollywood's summer baby boom launched into full swing. While the gossip world waited on edge for the arrival of the Jolie-Pitt twins, in June they had to make do with Maddie Briann Aldridge, born to teenage babymama Jamie Lynn Spears and her drainlayer fiancé Casey Aldridge, and Honor Marie Warren, daughter of Jessica Alba and husband Cash.

And, before I forget, merry Christmas y'all! Have the merriest and happiest of festive seasons. The Smut will return in full force on January 5 next year.