Melody Plant

Kylie Minogue joins a long list of celebrity bloggers as she takes to her official blog to update us on her upcoming tour. She says “The countdown has begun!! Not long now before opening night for KylieX2008!!!! My cast, crew and I have been working hard to really make this show a ‘Spectacular’ for you. Full production rehearsals are coming up and we are very excited to merge all the various elements of the show. If you have seen some of the behind the scene footage you will have noticed both new and familiar faces. I will update you with one more peek behind the scenes before we open in Paris, so keep a look out!” Her tour kicks off on May 6.

When most people have a bad day at work they treat themselves to a pint and fish and chips. Or the local equivalent anyway…

But millionairess Kylie Minogue plans to get over the disappointment of her failed bid to crack the US again by buying up a $6million country retreat.

She has expressed an interest in a riverside Tudor home in Sussex.

She looked at the country mansion last week after returning from the States – where she failed to break into the Top 100 with her album X, despite a huge publicity drive.

Her pal Robbie Williams had a house nearby and recommended the area. I’ve seen the pad and it certainly is a palace fit for a pop princess. It even includes a chapel, just in case the singer’s life wasn’t already wholesome enough.

The star is desperate to settle down as she approaches her 40th birthday next month.

In November, Kylie revealed: “I’m looking for a property in the country. I need to do things to make me feel whole.”

Kylie Minogue has asked Jean Paul Gaultier to design the outfits for her upcoming tour.

The renowned French designer has already met with the ‘2 Hearts’ singer, who kicks off her European tour ‘KylieX2008′ in Paris on May 6, to show her his “sophisticated” vision for her stage wardrobe.

Kylie’s designer friend William Barker revealed: “We’re working with Jean Paul Gaultier on the costumes.The outfits are incredibly sophisticated - we are moving on to the next level, which is what she did with her new album ‘X’.”

Kylie wants Jean Paul - who was behind Madonna’s show-stopping outfits for her infamous ‘Blonde Ambition Tour’ in 1990 - to create her a collection of outfits that reflect a more mature stage in her life as she is turning 40 in May.

No matter what I try to do, I just can’t escape pop wreck Britney Spears. If she’s not the one I’m writing about, I’m writing about stars talking about her. Kylie Minogue is the latest to talk about the still falling pop star saying “I wish someone would write a manual about fame because it’s not easy. I’m always loath to say that because there are a lot more difficulties out there that people deal with every day - but when fame is handed to you, it is unique. It’s not to the same extreme, but I can remember having a mini-meltdown myself - and unless you’ve got good people around to support you, you’ve got a problem. Who knows what is going on in her life? Britney Spears isn’t that young any more. I think she will still come back but it’s like she’s taken an extended holiday. Whatever help she needs, she should reach out and get it.”

The girlfriend of Kaiser Chiefs front man Ricky Wilson is in a panic because he has become pals with Kylie Minogue. The reason behind this panic is because they have an agreement that he is allowed one “celebrity shag”; and his choice is Kylie.

Ricky and Kylie hit it off after meeting twice recently, including at Jools Holland’s Hootenanny on New Year’s Eve. And both are performing at the Brits next month - giving Ricky another chance to try his luck.

He admitted at the Brits nomination bash on Monday that the first album he ever bought was by Kylie. Then he revealed: “My girlfriend Storm agreed I’m allowed one celebrity shag and mine is Kylie.”

I think stardom might be going to his head if he thinks he can pull that one off.

And when asked who his bird’s celebrity shag was, he said: “Me, of course.”

Modesty indeed.

Kylie has released her 10th studio album with more confidence than ever. And she has scooted off to Germany to promote it.

The miniature singer, most recently in the news for being humiliated by a saucy statue created by Madame Tussauds, was cleared last year of the horrible disease; Breast Cancer, which knocked her down in 2005.

And now as she promotes her new album X, she says, “I think it’s not so difficult to write a decent song but to write a great song is a difficult thing. I like the challenge of trying to find that and at the very least, writing something that I enjoy singing and all people love. It took me a number of years to find my confidence to do that but now it’s just part of me.”

What a trooper. I remember listening to Kylie when I was a kid and she is still going strong; with the right attitude and music that pleases the new generations as the times move on. You go girl!

Sad news for those that have been looking forward to seeing Kylie Minogue in concert. The Australian singer has nixed plans for a world tour next year.

Kylie recently overcame a battle with breast cancer so it’s understandable that she’s concerned that the rigors of touring would take too much of a toll on her health. On the advice of her doctors, she has decided that she will not go on the road.

Kylie has released a statement regarding the matter saying “The tour is not going to happen, it is far too soon. I can’t do it next year. It kind of breaks my heart because that is what I’m in this business for. Not being able to go ahead with my plans is a real downer. Every woman has to face up to new priorities, near the top is health. I take my health very seriously but not obsessively. Everything is about pacing yourself.”

Former Stone Roses star Ian Brown has criticized Kylie Minogue’s musical abilities, branding the pop star a “devil doll” The singer claims Minogue is not talented enough to have been awarded the gong for Q Idol at the Q Awards in London on Monday. Is he schizo? He says she’s a devil doll, that he doesn’t find her cute, and that she isn’t one of the great minds making music, then says he LOVES her…but then says he doesn’t think she should’ve gotten an award. If anyone has problems, it’s this guy. You off your zoloft, dude? And though Kylie doesn’t make intellectual music like sting, and U2, etc., she is a great entertainer in her own right. She’s beautiful, and she and her music are fun. Who are YOU, Mr. Johnny come lately, to think you have the right to criticize her? Ok, she just performs fluffy pop, but she’s lasted a long time…and this shows that people do enjoy her AND her music. Let’s see how long YOU will last.