Sophie Ellis-Bextor Refuses To Expand Her Brand

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is tired of seeing other pop stars build up business empires - because friends assume she should be doing the same.

The Murder On The Dancefloor hitmaker is preparing to launch her fourth album, Straight to the Heart, later this year - and she's adamant she's just concentrating on her music.

She says, "People say to me, 'What are you up to at the moment?' I say, 'I've got my fourth album', and they'll go, 'What else have you got - a clothing brand or launching a new hotel?' You can't be seen to be doing one thing any more."

But Ellis-Bextor admits there is one venture she wouldn't mind exploring: "A perfume would be quite fun!"