Huge pop star set to make a spectacular comeback with a string of UK gigs

SHE is one of the most resilient women in music and is still going strong after three decades in pop.

Now, eight years after she last toured the UK, Shakira is ­planning a grand return.

I’ve learned the Hips Don’t Lie singer has earmarked venues in the UK to host huge performances in 2026.

Last year it was revealed she is breaking ticket sale records in South America, where she sold out 13 stadiums in less than two hours after she put the first dates on sale for her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour.

And her fans on this side of the Atlantic will get a chance to see her too — just not next year.

My concert insider said: “Shakira is a massive force in music around the world and it’s been a very long time since she last ­performed in the UK.

“She has a new lease of life with loads of youngsters into her music now, so she is hitting the road with her most ambitious and impressive tour ever.

“Shakira is chucking everything but the kitchen sink at her upcoming gigs and wants to do a full lap of the globe. She’s going all-out.”

Tour to last years

The superstar, who headlined the Super Bowl half-time show in February 2020 with Jennifer Lopez, will kick off her gigs in Brazil in February.

I’m told she is hoping to arrive in the UK in 2026, with the tour likely to continue for years because she has seen more demand than ever before.

Shakira has had loads of hits during her career including Whenever Wherever, Underneath Your Clothes, Beautiful Liar with Beyonce, She Wolf, Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) and Can’t Remember To Forget You with Rihanna.

She recently released a new single called Soltera, too, which hit the Top 30 globally on Spotify.

Clearly she is still thirsty for more, though. She explained recently: “l always have the drive for more. There’s never a time that I come off stage and don’t think there’s something I could have done better.

“I can never say no to a ­challenge. There are always new ­mountains to climb.”

She certainly hasn’t had a straightforward few years, following her split from footballer Gerard Pique in 2022.

But it seems there’s no stopping her now.

Rita sees in New Year in styles

RITA ORA kept her stylist busy as she co-hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in the States.

She wore FOUR outfits on the night, kicking off in brown leather trousers and a black jacket with a furry, leopard print hood.

Rita then changed into pink tweed pants, before slipping on a white coat with a large floral corsage.

Her fourth and final look was a bright blue bodysuit with a long skirt, which she wore on stage as she performed for the crowds in New York’s Times Square.

Rita ran through some of her most popular hits, along with her last single, Ask & You Shall Receive, during her performance.

While DJ Diplo got trippy for his appearance on a rival TV channel, Rita stayed sober for the six-hour ABC special.

She added: “I tried once to drink before a performance when I was on tour, and it did not turn out alright for me. I have to just work and then I enjoy after.”

I imagine the champagne was popping as soon as the credits began to roll . . . 

Cardi's Miami spice

CARDI B rang in 2025 with a racy performance in Miami.

The Bodak Yellow singer slipped off her shoes and sipped a cocktail as she performed in a revealing black and purple corset dress at high-end nightclub E11EVEN.

Cardi is heading into the New Year as a single lady after filing for divorce from rapper husband Offset.

They married in 2017, but in August she shocked fans by revealing they were splitting up . . . before saying the following day that she was pregnant with their third child.

Cardi and Offset’s divorce isn’t going to be a smooth ride either, with them both trading nasty blows online two weeks ago.

She signed off her final indignant message: “F**k off and sign the papers today.”

It’s certainly to the point.

'Hend of road, Pete?

PETE TOWNSHEND has thrown the future of The Who into doubt because he needs knee surgery.

The legendary rockers toured the UK in 2023 and last performed together in March, but Pete has now admitted his health troubles could hamper a return.

Guitarist Pete was known for his wild antics, including knee-slides on stage in the band’s ­heyday, but said the moves mean he now needs an op to keep going.

Asked if The Who will keep rocking, he revealed: “They might. I’ve been saying they will, but I’m starting to regret it. I think my knees need surgery first.”

The star has been part of the group with Sir Roger Daltrey for more than 60 years, but will turn 80 in the spring and has found touring tough.

Pete also has hearing loss and tinnitus due to his exposure to loud music for years.

But I have every hope they will be back on stage before long.

Liam Gallagher successfully underwent hip surgery last year and is now ready to rock and roll with Oasis again. So I’m confident resilient Pete will be ­raring to go before long.

However, that’s unlikely to be at Glastonbury, which they last headlined in 2015. Asked if the boys fancied a return to Worthy Farm, he said: “No!”

US star Halsey is set to follow in Lily Allen's footsteps – almost literally. The Without Me singer plans to flog pics of her feet online to fetish fans.

Chatting on Instagram, Halsey wrote: “Happy New Year – my resolution for 2025 is to sell feet pics and retire. Thank you.”

Lily was said to be raking in £8,000 a month flogging snaps of her tootsies so I see the appeal.

YOU won’t catch Leo Sayer soaking his curls in the ­jungle shower on I’m A Celeb.

The singer, who had a disastrous stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, said he would never take part because he doesn’t see the point of embarrassing himself on screen.

Asked about the prospect, he said: “Oh, God, no! Having things crawl all over you? I think I’d say no to that. Would you see Joni Mitchell doing that?”

VICTORIA BECKHAM made sure 2025 got off to a Posh start.

The chart-topper-turned- designer shared this sultry snap of her unwinding on her bed in a ­personalised white robe.

Though I can’t imagine ­Victoria was completely relaxed, however. The Spice Girl's idea of light reading appears to be a twisted psychological thriller called The Wife Upstairs.

She wrote: “Happy New Year!! Starting off 2025 with a little me-time!

“So many exciting things to come . . . I can’t wait to share with you.”