CHART-toppers Hear'Say and Liberty, the band formed by rejects from the Popstars TV show, are among acts headlining the annual Smash Hits tour.

Performers at the Smash Hits/T4 Poll Winners Party in London on December 9 were also announced today with Kylie Minogue and S Club 7 topping the bill. The Smash Hits tour calls at the MEN Arena, Manchester, on December 1.

BOYBAND Five has split up. The non-appearance of singer Sean Conlon for promotion of the group's latest album, Kingsize, did not cause much concern at first. But his lengthy departure from the group started to raise questions about the future.

Five said: "We felt that we had reached a point where we could no longer do justice to our fans or to each other."

INTERESTING duets for Christmas include: Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman singing Nancy and Frank Sinatra's Something Stupid; Sir Elton John performing a duet of his classic Crocodile Rock -- with top pop star Bob the Builder; And Spice Girl Melanie C singing with opera singer Russell Watson on a cover of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, also featuring MC Harvey from So Solid Crew. Plans are to release the single to mark the 10th anniversary of Freddie Mercury's death on November 24.

THE terrorist attacks in America continue to rock the music world as a host of US stars have scrapped their European tours for fear of flying. Janet Jackson cancelled her European tour, indie rock band Weezer postponed a forthcoming 16-date European tour and Shaggy postponed his few British dates until February.