Russian Madonna to visit Scotland after invite from Lulu

London, Mar 5 (ANI): Considered to be Russia's Madonna, pop star Valeriya is all set to visit Scotland after being invited by singer Lulu.

Valeriya, 40, met Lulu at a London charity bash in January, and was convinced to make an appearance later this month with performer, Mick Hucknall, supporting Simply Red's Scots dates.

Valeriya met Lulu after recording a version of Stayin' Alive with Bee Gee Robin Gibb, the twin brother of the Scots star's late ex-hubby Maurice.

"Lulu told me I had to come to Scotland," the Sun quoted her as saying.

"I told her I'd never been anywhere in the UK outside of London and she wasn't happy. She said I hadn't lived unless I visited her home country.

"I met Lulu at a charity night celebrating The Bee Gees in London in January.

"When I grew up in Russia, there were few Western acts that broke through the Iron Curtain, but The Bee Gees were huge.

"When I was recording my first English-language album I was honoured that Robin agreed to fly all the way to Moscow to sing a new version of Stayin' Alive with me.

"And of course people in Russia had all heard of Lulu because she'd married one of The Bee Gees and she won Eurovision.

"It was great to meet her. Maybe we could team up in Moscow to sing one of her songs," she added.

Valeriya is Russia's ninth biggest-earning star, and counts moneybags Chelsea owner Roman Abromovich and former President Vladimir Putin as fans.

"It is obviously strange for me to have a lot of success and then start again in another country where no one knows of you," she stated.

"But at the same time it's quite exciting. I see it as a challenge.

"I'm having to get used to comparisons with Madonna in your country but I consider myself a very different person. I do not compare myself to anyone else," she added. (ANI)