Pop diva Whitney Houston is to play her first ever Newcastle show, we can reveal today.

The chart-topping superstar will appear at the Metro Radio Arena on April 22 next year, with tickets on sale from Friday.

The gig is a coup for the Toon, with only four other cities being included on the singer's British tour.

The dates will mark Houston's first live performances in this country in over a decade, and follow years of turmoil in her personal life.

Houston has battled against drugs and booze and will make her first UK TV appearance in 12 years on the X Factor this weekend.

"This is my first full tour since the My Love Is Your Love tour and I am so excited to be performing for my fans around the world after all this time," she said.

"I am putting together a great show and cannot wait to perform the songs from my new album I Look To You along with some of your favourites."

Today's announcement comes a week before she releases her long-awaited new album, I Look To You.

Her European tour will see her perform in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium as well as the UK.

In the 25 years since she recorded her history-making debut album, Whitney Houston has become something of an icon.

One of the best-selling female artists of all time, she has sold over 140 million albums worldwide and is the most awarded female artist in history - with 411 gongs to her name.

Her longtime producer Clive Davis encouraged her to hit the comeback trail after more than a decade away form the business.

Houston will also play Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and London as well as Newcastle on the UK leg of the tour. (Source: Daily Record)