Kylie gig put on ice

Snow stopped lavish sets being transported

Kylie Minogue has been forced to cancel the opening night of her first tour in nine years because of the severe weather sweeping the British Isles.

She was due to take to the stage in Dublin on Thursday but the closure of the Irish capital's main airport has put paid to the first night.

The former Neighbours actress has been unable to sort out transport to get her lavish stage sets and sound equipment to Dublin's RDS concert hall.

Ireland woke up to a white blanket

Promoters are now trying to work out the situation for ticket holders.

The 17-date tour will now begin in Glasgow on 3 March at the SECC.

A spokesman for the singer said: "People have looked into every means of getting to Dublin but it's just been impossible because airports are closed and ferries have been cancelled."

Shut down

Over the past decade the 32-year-old has mainly been performing at one-off gigs and personal appearances.

She has recently been turning up at Robbie Williams' live performances to join him on their duet Kids.

Dublin international airport, on the outskirts of the capital, shut down incoming and outgoing flights.

A spokeswoman for airport operator Aer Rianta said: "Snow is falling so heavily we can't keep the runway clear. It's impossible to say at the moment when we might reopen."

The Irish meteorological office reported wind speeds of more than 60 mph and said the cold snap would continue until the weekend.

Thousands of people have been left without power in Northern Ireland and Scotland, as well as the Irish Republic.