Hip-hop star to strip for charity

Gray wanted to do 'something special' to help raise cash

American hip-hop singer Macy Gray said she is going to bare all at her next London gig - but for a good cause.

The funky star promised she will be wearing nothing but a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes on stage, to raise funds for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

"Never before has a major artist gone so far in aid of a good cause," a spokesman for the singer said.

Monday's show, at The Coronet in Elephant and Castle, is the artist's first London appearance in two years.

The idea for the stunt came after Gray was invited to be part of an auction of pictures portraying celebrities wearing Jimmy Choo shoes.

"She wanted to do something special for it so she decided that in her photograph she would be naked on stage," the spokesman said.

"It is a very sexy statement."

Gray, who has played minor roles in several movies, has recently made a cameo appearance in the Jules Verne-inspired movie Around the World in 80 days, which had its US premiere in mid-June.