Fire-breathing dragons, vicious beasts and epic battles are promised in director Sir Peter Jackson's final Hobbit instalment, the first trailer for the fantasy film reveals.

Jackson uploaded the teaser trailer to his Facebook page with the cheeky comment: "I think one or two of you asked to see this?"

The post has amassed 170,000 likes and 147,000 shares, with fans like Beatrice Angonang writing "OMG I'M DYING! YEEES!". "One word. EPIC," added Jessyka Jessy from Romania of the two-minute sneak peek of the film.

The trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies opens with Bilbo, played by Martin Freeman, talking about how the battle will decide how future generations remember the good, the bad, those who survived, and those who didn't.

After flashing through a series a tantalisingly brief scenes it closes with Richard Armitage's Thorin asking Bilbo: "Will you follow me one last time?"

The trailer was first released at the pop-culture convention Comic-Con in San Diego at the weekend where Jackson and the key cast members gathered to celebrate all things Hobbit.

The film is set to debut in cinemas on Boxing Day.

The director has promised the last instalment will offer action and heartstring-tugging moments, with a high chance characters will be killed off.

The movies are based on J.R.R. Tolkien's books. After turning the author's The Lord of the Rings trilogy into three movies, Jackson stretched the The Hobbit out to three movies also.

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Hawkins gives advice to modelling hopefuls

Jennifer Hawkins says any hopefuls heading to Australia’s Next Top Model auditions should practice their walk and be confident.

The former Miss Universe winner and host of FOX8’s modelling reality competition is travelling around the country in August for season nine auditions.

Hawkins’ first stop will be her hometown of Newcastle in New South Wales on July 31.‘‘I’m really excited about (it),’’ she told NOVA 96.9 on Wednesday morning.

‘‘I love being able to see new talent and if they’re from Newcastle, yaaay.’’

For all those wannabe models who think they are the right age and height, Hawkins has some advice.

‘‘If that’s their dream of becoming a model and not just famous, I think give it a go, just be yourself... rock up and be confident,’’ she says, admitting ‘‘it’s nerve-racking’’.

Her other tip is to practice your ‘walk’.‘‘Some of these girls, they look like Bambi because they are so young and maybe they wear flats all the time.’’  

*Australia’s Next Top Model auditions will take place from July 31 throughout August in Sydney, the Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne.

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Ashley Hart makes brushing teeth romantic

Aussie model Ashley Hart is so loved up even brushing her teeth is a romantic occasion.

Hart recently became engaged to fellow model Buck Palmer in the south of France and told AAP she dreams of a barefoot Australian beach wedding.

Clearly missing her fiancee while away, Hart posted a photo to Instagram on Wednesday showing her and Palmer brushing their teeth together in a steamy shower.

‘‘My happiest Place,’’ Hart said followed by emoticons and hashtags including #fiance and #grateful.‘‘#6sleeps till im back with you (smiley face) #myOne.’’

Hart is the ambassador for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week that runs from August 30 to September 7.

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Madden Brothers announce Australian tour

The Madden Brothers are fast becoming more Australian than Vegemite - reaching No.1 in the ARIA singles charts, appearing together as judges on The Voice Kids and now they’re about to embark on a national tour.

Joel and Benji Madden will take the music from their upcoming album, Greetings from California, out on the road this October.

The boys have been riding high with their single We Are Done which reached No.1 in the ARIA singles charts and has gone platinum.

Joel, in particular, has settled in nicely to Australian life having appeared as a judge on the Nine Network’s The Voice for two seasons and Benji has got in on the action as a coach on The Voice Kids, alongside his brother.

The brothers will kick off their tour in Melbourne and will release their album Greetings From California on September 12.Tickets go on sale on August 4.

Madden Brothers tour dates:October 31 - Hisense Arena, Melbourne; November 1 - Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney; November 2 - Gold Coast Convention Centre; November 6 - Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre; November 7 - Crown Theatre, Perth.

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Kylie bares bottom on GQ cover

Kylie Minogue has bared her famous bottom on the cover of GQ Italia.

The 46-year-old Aussie pop icon rocks a teeny black bikini with pink polka dots on the cover of the magazine’s August edition.

On the cover that imitates a 1950s Coppertone Suntan ad, a naughty poodle tugs off Minogue’s skimpy bikini bottoms, revealing a snowy white bum contrasted against a golden tan line.Minogue posted a teaser of the cover shot to Instagram on Tuesday.

‘‘It’s Summertime!!’’ the glamorous blonde said of the post that attracted more than 10,000 likes.

‘‘Stunning as always kylie xo,’’ buckers78 commented.Carmen Electra and Jim Carey have posed in similar covers for Esquire magazine and Rolling Stone.

Minogue is due to perform at the closing ceremony of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games on Sunday.Her Kiss Me Once world tour begins on August 22, Ibiza, Spain.

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