BRITNEY ALERT AS BUZZ BEGINS SHE’S ON HER WAY

News desks from Hollywood to New York and photo agencies worldwide are expecting pop-princess Britney Spears to land in Vegas any moment. There was a false alarm alert last weekend that she’d be here as George Maloof’s guest at his new Palms Place condo-tel at the Palms. However this weekend because he’s got a slew of celebrities showing for the grand opening the rumor mill has gone into overdrive frenzy.

Britain’s gossipy news photos are predicting she will wrap up a deal for a run of eight-spectacular shows here before going out on tour again. Another rumor is that she’ll be at the Palms recording studio to continue work on a new album that she’s definitely begun in Los Angeles with hit producers J.R. Rotem and Sean Garrett. At the BMI pop awards Rotem commented: “She’s a master at what she does. She’s great and has the “it” factor that not every artist has.” Sean added: “She’s recovering and I’m happy to see her back really shaping up and getting her whole situation back together.” The producers confirmed Brit’s experimental new album and that she’s been playing piano and singing a lot.

The rumors of Brit’s link to Vegas have intensified the past few days because of Palms owner George Maloof’s two dinner dates in less than 10 days with her. He has denied that the dinners were romantic or involved show projects at his Pearl Theater insisting that they are just good long-time friends.

However the Brit buzz heated this week because her manager, Larry Rudolph will be at the Palms Place gala celebrations all weekend long when his Sunset Tan boutique there joins the party. His Vegas staff will be joined by the entire cast of the hit TV show to launch their new 2008 swimwear collection of 17-different styled sexy bikinis and leopard zebra swimsuits. E! Network is filming tomorrow’s (FRI) poolside fashion show with the Olly Girls, Janelle Perry and Larry’s partners, Sunset Tan founders Devin Haman and Jeff Bozz.

Celebrities expected to walk Saturday night’s red carpet include Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz and his new wife, Ashlee Simpson and maybe her actress-pop-singing sister Jessica with reconciled beaufriend Tony Romo if their dad Joe Simpson isn’t around. With George and Larry wrangling the show don’t be surprised if the Brit alert rumors prove true!

BEYONCE FINALLY CONFIRMS “WEDDING OF THE YEAR” TO JAY-Z

Finally, some six weeks later, singing star Beyonce has confirmed her April 4 wedding in New York to hip hop mogul Jay-Z. The superstar couple run the 40/40 super sports club here at The Palazzo.

For weeks they refused to talk about the marriage, and Jay Z even told me “no comment” 50-different ways when I chatted to him at a recent Thomas & Mack boxing event before his concert. Click here for that Luxe Life report!

Beyonce has now reluctantly explained that they just want to keep their relationship free of all the drama caused by tabloid press and paparazzi. She said: “I don’t deny it. I just don’t talk about it. We’ve never talked about us and it’s kind of protected our relationship. I think it’s kept us out of tabloid drama. A lot of actresses that have had successful relationships don’t talk about them, so neither do I. We just want to keep our personal lives away from media scrutiny.”

SIEGFRIED & ROY RETURN FROM EUROPEAN MEDICAL TRIP

Master illusionists Siegfried & Roy have returned safely to Vegas from a medical trip to Austria where Roy Horn underwent knee surgery.

Their longtime manager Bernie Yuman told me when together we toured the new under-construction downtown Lou Ruvo Brain Institute: “It was an accelerated knee surgery and was successful. Roy is determined to participate in the Opportunity Village Great Santa Run this December. He’s previously walked 1 kilometer but this year he’s vowed to do the entire five-kilometer course. Its an act of extraordinary bravery and courage and he wants to be in top-shape for it. He’s already preparing with intense therapy and training and the knee surgery was one more major piece of progress in his amazing fight. He is the most remarkable man on earth and has the strength of a thousand warriors.” Bernie told me that Vegas fans and well-wishers from all over the world had flooded their home here with get-well cards and good wishes while Roy underwent the Austrian surgery.

SHAQ O’NEAL LEADS AN ALL STAR PARTY UP AND DOWN THE STRIP

Basketball hero Shaquille O’Neal took his three sons and daughter to The Beatles Love musical by Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage.

They sipped on Shirley Temples and ate popcorn during the show and afterwards all went backstage to meet the cast and crew. Once the kids were tucked up for the night Shaq went off for a late dinner at N9ne Steakhouse in the Palms with a group of five people. They took the same booth as Chelsea Handler when she finished her dinner with Shaq even sitting in her seat he had three entrees to himself including the 8 ounce filet, slow roasted organic chicken, and bow tie pasta with parmesan sauce followed by three scoops of house made vanilla ice cream for dessert!! He was so comfortable between courses he stretched his long legs right across the width of the booth.

Meantime at the Tao nightclub in The Venetian international singing superstar Josh Groban turned up at midnight in jeans and a black leather coat.

He took a VIP table in the moat water area and spent several hours dancing to DJ Five’s music with his friends. Watching the fun were Dallas Cowboys hero Terrell Owens, Kansas City Chief’s star Larry Johnson and former Dancing with the Stars actress contestant Kelly Monaco. Actress Gabrielle Union from Ugly Betty was there in a stunning black metallic dress with close friend, CSI NY actor Hill Harper.

They dined on chicken pad thai, kobe beef and lobster wantons before going up to a VIP table for Patron shots and Grey Goose vodka in the club where they sat alongside boxing champion Floyd Mayweather.

The Palms resort casino and its nightclubs were packed with a slew of stars this week. Canadian Rock Band Sum 41 band members partied at Playboy Club with three gorgeous girls who’d been waiting at a table for them to show up. However the guys wanted something extra: a charger for their low-battery Blackberry’s! It was 2 a.m. when they all left with everything, and everybody, fully charged! …. Michael Bivins, aka “Biv” and founder of the R&B group New Edition, Bel Biv De Voe, and Boys 2 Men among others, looked “fly flashy” at ghostbar with his wife and two of her friends. Biv stuck to Fiji water and let the ladies do the drinking with rounds of Lemon drop shots and Jagermeister shots. … Pro Surfer Makua Rothman, who won the Billabong XXL Big Wave Challenge Award for riding a 66-feet wave partied solo at ghostbar but quickly made friends with a group of people, also from Hawaii. … Actors Chazz Palminteri and Robert Davi (James Bond License to Kill; Die Hard; The Goonies) partied separately but both at Moon Nightclub and in the exclusive Fireplace Lounge in Playboy Club. … American Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter, and UFC champion Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn also partied at Moon Nightclub in a group of six people drinking Le Tourment Trance Absinthe, Ketel One, Redbull, and Heinekens throughout the night.

Over at the Privé nightclub in Planet Hollywood’s resort casino actress singer Mandy Moore stayed camera-shy demure chatting with UFC president Dana White before leaving early. Also there Believe, Mindfreak magician Criss Angel with girlfriend Giselle Diaz, comedian David Spade. WWE champ turned actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, singer Pink’s ex hubby Carey Hart, tough guy Chuck Zito and actors Jason Statham (Transporter), Stephen Baldwin and Eric Balfour..

Dancing with the Stars beauty Kelly Monaco also hosted the Red Bull Cola launch party there with former castmates including Kym Johnson and NFL star Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. (PHOTOS)