HOLLY VALANCE - VALANCE TO QUIT THE UK

Struggling pop singer HOLLY VALANCE is to quit her adopted home of Britain after a string of musical flops.

The former NEIGHBOURS soap actress, 20, arrived in the UK in 2002 to launch her pop career - but, despite a number one hit with KISS KISS, Valance has failed to light up the charts with subsequent singles and her two albums FOOTPRINTS and STATE OF MIND.

Valance is eager to return to her birthplace of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and also spend time in Hollywood as she plans to relaunch her acting career, as her record deal with WARNERS is set to end this year (04).

A friend says, "She's no longer in London and her stuff is in storage."

Valance's musical dreams were dented when she launched a scathing attack on British people last year (03).

The pal adds, "She's always been seen as a bit of a madam, but many of those people saw those remarks as the last straw."

The sexy star is also facing financial problems, as she was forced to pay her former manager SCOTT MICHAELSON $950,000 (GBP500,000) in a court settlement after she fired him illegally before Kiss Kiss broke the charts.

The friend continues, "It really is crisis time for Holly. She's only got four months left on her contract and she knows it won't be renewed. She's gone to Australia to assess her options.

"She really wants to be taken seriously. She doesn't want to take her clothes off. But casting directors don't see her as a classical actress and she's really frustrated."

Her spokesperson confirmed Valance was leaving Britain, but enthused, "She's working with various producers and writers and she's looking at other projects in the film and TV world. She will record another album regardless of what label she's with."