A new Britney on the block

Following a bout of Britney fever when the supposedly virginal one swept into town, a fresh epidemic could be just around the corner.

On the face of it, new sensation Shakira is a carbon copy of Spears, whose stay at Knightsbridge's Mandarin Oriental Hotel assumed the air of a state visit with ultra-tight security and an excessive entourage.

The tight frame, long blonde carefully dishevelled hair and pout are all present and correct. Even the stage routine has a familiarity - perhaps abetted by the minimalist outfit.

In commercial terms Shakira, whose latest album Laundry Service outsold Madonna in America, might do well to play on the similarities as she prepares to release her debut European single Whenever, Wherever.

Born in Columbia 24 years ago as Shakira Mebarek Ripoll, she could as easily attract Jennifer "J-Lo" Lopez comparisonsa.

However, desperate to stress her songwriting credentials, she claims to be her own woman and more rock 'n' roll than prissy pop princess.

"I was born and raised in Columbia but I listened to bands like Led Zeppelin, the Cure, Nirvana and the Beatles," she says.

"I was so in love with that rock sound but at the same time, because my father is Lebanese, I am devoted to Arabic tastes and sounds. My music is a fusion of all that."

Unlike the publicity-generating mystery surrounding Britney's boudoir activities with her 'N Sync singer boyfriend Justin Timberlake, Shakira's status is clear cut. "I only make love in Spanish," she reveals. "It's impossible not to write about love. It's the great mystery of life."

Teetotal Shakira, who received a medal from the Pope for her services to South America's music industry and a Grammy for Best Latin Album last year, wrote her first song at eight and had a record deal at 13. These days her Spanish-language CDs go platinum within days and sales stand at eight million. Laundry Service sold 200,000 copies in its first week in America and entered the charts at number three.

Whenever, Wherever will be released in Britain on 25 February and Shakira will be jetting in to promote it, probably copying Britney with a visit to the BBC's Top Of The Pops studios.