JAMES BLUNT - BLUNT TO EMIGRATE

BLUNT TO EMIGRATE

British singer JAMES BLUNT is turning his back on the UK to live in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier. The YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL hitmaker has already registered with the local tax office and but it's unclear whether he'll receive preferential tax treatment in the alpine country. Blunt, who earned GBP5 million ($9.8 million) from his debut album BACK TO BEDLAM, is the latest in a long line of high-earners to quit their homeland for Switzerland - PHIL COLLINS resides there and French rock legend JOHNNY HALLYDAY set up residence in Gstaad only last month (DEC06). When he moved, Hallyday said, "Like many French people, I've had enough of the taxes we are forced to pay."