Katy Perry to follow Madonna, Prince and Kanye by Brit Awards show in London
THE Brit Awards truly celebrate the best of UK music but the ceremony wouldn’t be complete without a huge international star stealing the limelight.
And this year KATY PERRY will be following in the footsteps of MADONNA, PRINCE and KANYE WEST.
The US superstar is in advanced talks to make her first performance of 2017 at London’s O2 Arena on February 22.
Katy is the box-office signing Brits bosses have been dying to add to this year’s line-up, which so far includes ROBBIE WILLIAMS, EMELI SANDE, THE 1975, BRUNO MARS, SKEPTA and LITTLE MIX.
A record label source revealed: “Katy Perry is looking likely to be this year’s blockbuster act.
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“The ceremony needs a big US name and organisers are deep in negotiations with her team to get it over the line.
“The deal is not signed and sealed yet but everyone wants the same outcome.”
Katy has a long history with the Brit Awards.
In 2009 she won her first and only trophy, for Best International Female Solo Artist.
She has been nominated three more times since and returned in 2014 for a colourful performance of Dark Horse.
Yesterday Brits bosses remained coy on her appearance, with a spokesman saying: “Nothing is confirmed.”
Big performances from international A-listers have provided the most memorable moments at recent Brit Awards.
BEYONCE stunned in 2014, while last year’s bash saw JUSTIN BIEBER perform twice.
And it will take a long time for anyone to forget MADONNA’s now-infamous tumble in 2015.
My only advice to Katy: Don’t wear a cape.
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…And ex-husband Russ is the pits
THE superstar agent who saved RUSSELL BRAND from the brink has been rewarded by being dropped.
John Noel, who also looks after DERMOT O’LEARY and SCARLETT MOFFATT, helped turn Russell into a household name.
However, the comedian – who married KATY PERRY in 2010 and divorced her two years later – doesn’t just owe his career to his former manager. It was John who forced him to go to rehab for heroin addiction in 2002.
A source said: “Russell clearly has a short memory.
“Given everything John has done for him, you’d think he’d be indispensible. It’s baffled many in the industry.”
Russell, who recently became a father for the first time with fiancée LAURA GALLACHER, is now being represented by Hannah Chambers, who also reps FRANKIE BOYLE and JACK WHITEHALL.
At least John can focus on nurturing rising talent. Unlike Russell, I’m sure they’ll appreciate his services.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE COLUMN
Jamie is on the defence
FORMER Premier League midfielder JAMIE O’HARA should have been a defender.
In an exclusive interview, Jamie, said: “I didn’t know she had a boyfriend.
“I wouldn’t have done anything differently. Once that connection’s there, it’s hard to stop it.”
The ex-Spurs star also jumped to Bianca’s defence, after her cage-fighter ex CJ Meeks claimed she “spat him out for a measly bit of fame”.
Jamie said: “Bianca’s amazing. She wouldn’t do anything for fame. She doesn’t need to.
“What we had in there is 100 per cent genuine. I’m going to sit with her over the weekend and see what she wants.
“She was definitely someone I could fall in love with.” Jamie also hit back at speculation he had already moved on after partying at strip clubs.
But he insists Bianca asked him to go to The Gaslight in London as she manages it and wanted his support.
Jamie added: “I met SPENCER PRATT, HEIDI MONTAG and JAMES JORDAN. I had her approval.”
At least she’ll be able to keep her eye on him.
Charl has Bear hug
CHARLOTTE CROSBY and STEPHEN BEAR have been trying to keep their romance under wraps – but snogging in the middle of a packed music venue is a bit of a giveaway.
The reality stars got it on, inset left, at the MTV Brand New event at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, North London, on Thursday.
Bear needed to keep the relationship with Charlotte quiet as he’s meant to be single on new E4 series Celebs Go Dating. The old romantic.
BIZ METER: CHARTS
ED SHEERAN dominates the chart for a fourth week as his singles stay at No1 and No2. And his second record x, out in 2014, has also reached No4 in the album chart.
AFTER visiting Bizarre HQ last week, DUA LIPA’s Be The One is at No11. No Lie, her track with SEAN PAUL, is at No10 and Scared To Be Lonely with MARTIN GARRIX is new at No23.
OSCAR nominated La La Land can tick off another achievement after the soundtrack topped the album charts. It is the first soundtrack to reach No1 since Les Miserables in 2013.
Biz Bit
CELINE DION has added four dates to her UK and European tour after tickets for the original run sold out. She will now perform additional shows in London, Manchester and Birmingham this summer.
Corden’s big payday
JAMES CORDEN couldn’t be further from his Gavin & Stacey alter-ego Smithy.
But it seems his wage packet isn’t far off the Billericay builder’s.
Asked if he’s the lowest paid telly talkshow host, he said: “I cannot imagine there is one paid less.
“I’m very happy with what I’m making, and then I hear what the other dudes are making and think, ‘Hang on a second!’”
Hosting next Sunday’s Grammys should earn him a few extra quid.
Biz Bit
MEL C is turning her hand to a spot of DJing. The ex-SPICE GIRL will host Magic FM’s Sunday morning slot for three months. Mel said: “I see this as a lovely opportunity.” She’s on the airwaves from tomorrow. Congrats.
Good news
Jessica suffers from cancer and all the profits raised from the bash were going to Sheffield charity Pact, which has helped her through her battle.
Now, nine months on, I am over the moon to reveal that Jessica’s appeal has smashed its target.
With the help of Bizarre and my generous readers, Jessica and her family have raised an incredible £720,000 for Pact – £50,000 more than they had planned.
The money is going towards a new outpatient and daycare unit to be called Pact’s Children’s Centre for Oncology and Haematology.
I’m also told Jessica is doing well, which is even better news.
Biz Bit
DRAKE spent just two minutes in London club Toy Room after being paid £15K to make an appearance there. The rapper, who is currently headlining the O2 Arena, left the celeb haunt due to the lack of “VIP treatment”.