A bombshell biography of Tom Cruise could put muckraking author Andrew Morton back in the cross-hairs of the megawatt star and Scientology bigwigs who are pilloried in the tell-all.
"Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography," by Morton - who penned a biography of Princess Diana - is due in bookstores Jan. 15. The Post obtained copies through online retailers.
With its claims about the influence of Scientology in the star's life and loves, the book could kick up a storm of controversy with the sect.
The book ... contains ... startling allegations, including:
* In 1999, Scientologists asked Cruise to take a course that would help pinpoint "those in his life who create problems and difficulties," the book says. That person, Morton claimed, was Nicole Kidman. Cruise divorced Kidman in March 2001.
* Cruise hooked up with Spanish screen siren Penelope Cruz but, the book claims, the high-profile relationship ended after Cruz's dad - who the book claims was outspoken against the sect - had a heart attack in December 2003.
* In 2005, weeks before Cruise first met Katie Holmes, Colombian model Sofia Vergara abruptly stopped seeing Cruise and, according to the book, "disappeared" to a secret hideaway after allegedly concluding she was being used "as a high-profile Scientology recruit who would be an alluring figurehead for a future recruitment drive in Latin America."
"Some sect members sincerely believed that Katie Holmes was carrying the baby who would be the vessel for L. Ron Hubbard's spirit when he returned around the galaxy," Morton writes.
According to Scientology principles, Cruise maintained a silent household for the expectant mother, reports said. Cruise put up 6-foot boards to remind people to keep quiet and forced cleaning crews to work from midnight to 8 a.m. without speaking so as not to disturb the couple, according to the book.
Cruise even slept in a separate wing of their LA estate, citing his snoring habit as the reason.
Suri was born in April 2006, and a simple wedding ceremony followed.
Morton, who devoted two years of research to the book, claimed in a Daily Mail interview that he feared the exposé would anger some Scientology devotees.
"I've sold my flat, and I'm not telling anyone where I'm moving to," he told the newspaper. "I intend to disappear for a while."
The book will not be published in Britain, where libel laws are notoriously celeb-friendly.
