Huge pop star to play first UK gig in six YEARS with headline slot at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball

SHE’S not played a gig in the UK since 2018’s Witness World Tour.

So it will be music to readers’ ears that Katy Perry is just weeks away from taking to the stage in London.

I’m told that the singer will headline Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball in December.

The epic event will once again take place at The O2 Arena.

A source said: “Officially, Capital are yet to announce their 2024 line-up, but Katy has been signed up for a while.

“It’s a huge coup for the station and Katy can’t wait to be back in the UK performing.

“It’s been too long.

“She loves the UK and is already planning on how to put on the best show possible.”

The news comes as Katy’s seventh album, 143, debuted at No6 in the UK charts, giving her a fifth Top Ten record.

Keen to promote her album, Katy wore a QR code on her hand, baffling onlookers at Balenciaga’s show at Paris Fashion Week.

The singer opted for wet-look dark locks and a black corset at the VIP bash in the French capital.

But while uptight fashionistas were left confused, Katy’s savvy fans were quick to work out if you scan a picture of her coded hand on your phone it takes you to a streaming site for 143.

Katy first hinted at her plans to perform in England in July during an appearance on Heart Radio.

The Firework singer teased: “I am going to be here again before the end of the year, and that’s going to be very exciting . . . for a show, that’s all you need to know.”

After spending two years in Las Vegas with her Play residency, Katy is also on the cusp of announcing her first full UK tour in six years.

She has already confirmed she will kick off her Lifetimes Tour in Australia next June, with more dates to follow.

The singer said: “There will be a tour, it will be all over the UK. And I’ve got to go to Kent soon to see my mother-in-law, we’ve got to go down there.”

She has made no secret of her love of us Brits, particularly as she is engaged to English actor Orlando Bloom.

Gushing about London earlier this year, Katy said: “It’s one of my favourite cities.

“Beyond Santa Barbara where I live — my hometown in California — Orlando and I spend so much time in London.

“Lately, we have been thinking about maybe spending more time there.

“We love it so much, we feel like you guys are really refined.”

Katy, who has a four-year-old daughter, Daisy, with Orlando, added: “We spent all day in Hyde Park.

“We went to the Princess Diana playground.

“It’s great for kids.”