Carla plays second fiddle to Sir Paul

Carla Bruni, France's First Lady, may get top-billing on the world stage when she's accompanying her husband, President Sarkozy. However, when the model turned chanteuse appears on the British music programme Later . . . with Jools Holland next month for her live UK debut, it seems she will be treated like any other hopeful newcomer.

It was thought, given her status, that she might get the top slot on the show, but that honour will go to Sir Paul McCartney, who has been invited to showcase his latest project, The Fireman, a collaboration with the producer known as Youth which is said to be a cross between "Arcade Fire and Led Zeppelin". Carla, who is hoping to spark some British interest in her latest CD Comme si de Rien n’etait ('As if Nothing Happened') will have to content herself strumming away between thrash metal rockers Metallica and wild blues rockers Kings of Leon.