Sea crossing solves Whitney Houston's problem

SINGER Whitney Houston was forced to ditch the trappings of stardom for a car ferry across the Irish Sea to perform in Dublin.

The 46-year-old star, who is in the middle of her Nothing But Love world tour, said she opted for the boat yesterday after no-fly orders shut down airports across Ireland and the UK.

She was due to play the first of three nights at The O2 in the Irish capital tonight.

Stenaline said it received a booking for Houston's entourage on the Nordica superferry into Dublin Port. The boat ride takes about three hours 15 minutes.