AKON is one of the biggest music stars on the planet with millions in the bank.
But after he kicks off his first European tour in more than a decade in April, don’t expect to see him in any posh restaurants.
The Locked Up singer told me that, during his 17-city jaunt across the UK and Europe, he wants to try out all our best junk food — including a battered Mars bar.
Akon said: “On this trip I am going to make sure I experience real English cuisine.
“Often when I’m in England I’m taken to some fancy restaurant that’s not quite England but it’s in England.
“But this time I want to be in more of the rural areas of England so I will have more choices to have more local foods.
“I definitely want to take a shot at it this time.
“In Glasgow I’ll definitely try a battered Mars Bar.”
My recommendations for Akon included a balti in Birmingham and an Eccles cake in Manchester.
Oh and a proper pie, liquor and mash when he heads to London on his Superfan tour.
Akon is now preparing to spend the next few weeks travelling around on a tour bus, which he says he’s packed with home comforts.
He added: “I have a pimped-out bus this time.
“I do get hotel rooms in each city to wash and get changed but the bus is fully pimped out.
“I like to spend more time on the bus than I do in my hotel rooms.
“The bus feels like my room. I have a full bedroom in there, a living room, a refrigerator, microwave and a big-screen TV.
“It’s almost like a studio apartment actually.”
It probably costs less than living in one in London, too.
As well as sorting out his home comforts, Akon — who is working on new music following his last album Akonda in 2019 — said he’s spent the past few months getting his body ready for hitting the road.
And for a man who will turn 51 days before his first gig in Birmingham on April 27, he is in decent shape.
He said: “I have never smoked in my life, or drank or done any drugs.
“The only thing that I have on my rider and that gets me hyper is candy. I love candy. I love sweets.
I have never smoked in my life, or drank or done any drugs
Akon
“But in my dressing room I have an area for my push-ups and my pull-ups to get my body right and to get my heart beating so I don’t get tired when I come off stage.
“I have a lot of fun things in there as well like television and juicer to make my shakes.
“I hit the hot tub if it’s available after a show.
“If not, whatever tub is available and if there is no tub available, then I just take a shower and go to sleep.”
Good luck with that after smashing a battered Mars bar, Akon.
Maybe add some Rennies to your rider, ASAP.
MY one to watch this week is rising star Myles Smith.
The singer/songwriter from Luton has already notched up 50million streams thanks to his singles Solo and My Home.
New track River, a stripped-back Mumford & Sons-style single, is out on Friday and it’s tipped for big things. I’ve been told Sony Music is focusing all its efforts on Myles in the hope he can emulate the success of the likes of Lewis Capaldi.
Myles said: “River is about understanding your own emotions and reaching the point of being comfortable with them.”
I recommend you give his stuff a listen.
SHE’S madly in love with her new boyfriend Benny Blanco – and it seems Selena Gomez is channelling some of that romance into new music.
Insiders told me the American singer is following in Beyonce’s steps and will drop a surprise new single.
The track, aptly called Love Again, is set to be released on February 22.
Selena and producer Benny were first linked in December but tried to keep their relationship quiet.
That didn’t last long and Selena was soon telling fans: “He is my absolute everything in my heart.”
It’s great to see Selena in love again after her rocky romance with Justin Bieber.
And given Benny’s at the heart of her new music, he could be the one for keeps.
JAYNE MIDDLEMISS has outed herself as a Robbie Willams superfan, just like me.
The presenter, standing in for Chris Evan Virgin Radio’s Breakfast Show said: “His Netflix documentary is one of my favourites.
“He is so honest.
“You can tell he has done work on himself, with his addictions and everything, but he has done it and I am so happy for him.”
POOR old Dua Lipa is having a right mare with the renovation of her London mega-mansion.
The Houdini singer had to wait two years to get the plans on her £6.75million house approved, but now she’s facing more grief from a local conservation group, who want her to install a pond in her back garden.
According to a complaint by Redington Frognal Neighbour-hood Forum, Dua’s plan for a green roof on her new basement does not go above and beyond “supporting wildlife” and she should give consideration to a “small natural wildlife pond”.
I’d take a leaf out of Ed Sheeran’s book and build an enormous one to take a dip in when her pool on the roof gets too busy.
It’s a First World problem, but I feel for her.
DANNY DYER might act out being the ’ard man on the set of his new film Marching Powder but he still doesn’t like his hair getting wet.
The actor was seen tying up a nana’s rain bonnet when it started lashing down in London during filming.
He is reprising his role as a footie hooligan from 2004’s The Football Factory, and was seen back in action kicking seven bells out of some extras.
I first revealed last year how the former EastEnders star was working on the film.
It takes its title from the characters’ love of sniff, and I have no doubt Danny will be in his element taking on the part of a tanked-up sports fan.
He is back working with The Football Factory director Nick Love for the project, which is expected to be released this year.
He said of Marching Powder: “There’s going to be more crime, more drugs, some serious ultra violence, and you’re going to love it.
“I can’t f***ing wait.”
