CHRIS DE BURGH - DE BURGH TO HOLD IRAN CONCERT

Irish singer CHRIS DE BURGH is to become the first Western artist to play a concert in Iran since 1979. The Lady In Red star is expected to perform at a 12,000-seat stadium in the Middle Eastern country's capital city Tehran next summer (08). De Burgh, 59, will take to the stage along with Iranian pop group Arian, who he recently recorded a single with. If the gig goes ahead it will be seen as a major step forward for the country as Western pop songs with lyrics are currently banned and any Iranians wanting to record an album or stage a concert need to apply for government permission. De Burgh is expected to visit Iran in the new year (08) to finalise discussions on the project.