She may be a huge pop star and said to be dating a Royal, but for Natalie Imbruglia, it seems Oxford is next on her agenda...

SHE’s one of the biggest pop stars on earth, a heartthrob to millions, and (shhhh!...) rumoured to be stepping out with a member of the Royal Family.

Yes it’s Natalie Imbruglia. And guess what? She’s only heading here for a special intimate gig!

Yep, the pulchritudinous antipodean songstrell is eschewing such cavernous venues as London’s O2 arena, the Hammersmith Apollo, or Wembley, and heading to little old Oxford for a warm-up gig ahead of her appearance at V Festival.

The show at the O2 Academy Oxford on Thursday, August 6, will see the former Neighbours star, and rumoured new ‘bezzie mate’ of Prince Harry, trying out material from her long-awaited new album, Come To Life, due out later this year.

“We have reached the really exciting stage of choosing singles, putting a great team together to create the artwork, photos and videos and are thinking of exciting ways to get the music out there,” says Natalie.

“As you know, this record has been a long time coming. But I feel it has been worth the wait and the extra time I spent on it. I am very proud of it.”

She goes on: “The album is going to include tracks I have written with Ben Hillier, Dave McCracken, (former husband) Daniel Johns, Gary Clark, Jamie Hartman, Paul Harris and Shep Solomon amongst others.”

Her Oxford appearance follows an intimate semi-secret gig at the same venue, earlier this year, by gossip mag favourite Lily Allen, and cements Oxford’s reputation as the stars’ destination of choice for testing the water.

“This proves that Oxford is a cool town and a place where bands and big artists want to come,” says industry insider PC Rae of East Oxford-based promoters TCT Music, which is staging the gig.

“Big artists know that people here are interested in music, and can be sure of getting a big crowd.”

He adds: “Everyone knows how many people want to come and see her, yet she isn’t doing this at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

“This is the perfect place to come. It’s a good venue with a decent promoter. It’s regional and she can test her new stuff on a slightly different audience than she’ll get in London… but without having to go too far out of town!”

“Besides if she did play in Shepherd’s Bush, it would probably be full, wall-to-wall, with Australians!”

The gig is a showcase for the new album, but, is expected to feature a clutch of old favourites.

PC adds: “While she has to play her new stuff, she’ll have to play a smattering of hits, and give people what they know they want, as opposed to just what they think they want!”

And who can we expect to snap up tickets? “Well, hopefully not just avid Neighbours fans, as that was a long time ago,” he grins. “There should be quite an interesting cross-section. Tickets are selling really well, and you just don’t know who might turn up.”

So any other celebs then? PC is uncharacteristically quiet. “I couldn’t possibly say,” he whispers.

Natalie Imbruglia plays the O2 Academy Oxford on August 6.

Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 in advance by calling 0844 477 2000, or going to tctmusic.co.uk