Annie Lennox: pop stars should be using spotlight to promote good causes

SCOTS singer Annie Lennox has hit out at pop stars who fail to use their fame to promote good causes.

The former Eurythmics singer, speaking ahead of her appearance at the Festival of Politics in Edinburgh, said: "It's a missed opportunity if people don't use it."

She said choosing to make a difference was her "calling", but hit out at politicians who try to take advantage of pop stars.

Lennox added: "That whole celebrity thing is a bit of a tangled mess. Remember Tony Blair with his Cool Britannia, asking Noel Gallagher to come to 10 Downing Street. It was a photo opportunity and it made him look good."

In recent years she has established The Sing Campaign to raise awareness of HIV and is an ambassador for many international organisations on the issue.

She confirmed yesterday that she would be visiting Malawi in February with former First Minister Jack McConnell in her role as special envoy to the Scottish branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Mr McConnell said: "I am looking forward to visiting Malawi with her next year, and we are in the process of finalising our plans."

Lennox will deliver the General Teaching Council for Scotland lecture about her Sing campaign at the Festival of Politics today.