KYLIE MINOGUE - MINOGUE RECEIVES TOP FRENCH HONOUR

Australian pop star KYLIE MINOGUE has been awarded one of France's top cultural awards for her "contribution to the enrichment of French culture".
The Spinning Around star will receive the Chevalier dans L'ordre des Arts et Lettres from the French government at a ceremony in Paris on 5 May (08), the day before her world tour, KYLIEX2008, opens in the capital (06May08).
She says, "I am deeply honoured to be recognised in this way. French culture has influenced me greatly and I have always had colossal respect for the arts and people of France".
Past recipients of the award include Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Dylan, Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.
Minogue is also set to receive a prestigious honour in the U.K. later this year (08) - she will be awarded the Order of The British Empire (OBE) by British monarch Queen Elizabeth II for her services to music.