MARIAH CAREY - CAREY'S NEW SUIT GIFT TO ELLEN

Generous MARIAH CAREY said thank you to US talk show host ELLEN DEGENERES in style on her daily show yesterday (18NOV05) - by giving her a white Dolce + Gabbana suit.

Carey claimed she was inspired to smarten up her image after wearing a suit Ellen loaned her the last time she appeared on her show - and wanted to repay her for her kindness.

The singer asked to borrow a black suit from the comedienne's backstage racks when she arrived for her show without the outfit she planned to wear - and DeGeneres made her a gift of the jacket and trousers.

Grateful Mariah made sure Ellen's generosity was rewarded yesterday when she presented the host with a brand new D+G suit design that has yet to hit the fashion house's stores.

Thrilled DeGeneres said, "I love this. I'm keeping it on, I'm keeping the tags on too because that's cool... Thank you so much, that's sweet."

DeGeneres had a surprise in store for her guest - she invited a group of Los Angeles foster children who have adopted Carey as their living saint onto the show. The singer was scheduled to meet with the children at a special party recently but had to cancel at the last minute to head off on a press tour of Japan.