Cher, who had last year's biggest-selling single with Believe, was wrapped up in a thick fluffy hat, a jacket with a fake fur collar and thick combat pants as she arrived at Heathrow Airport.

Sonny Bono: Died a year ago in a skiing accident

Last year, Cher flew to London to prepare the department store's sale, but pulled out at the last minute following the death of her first husband Sonny Bono in a skiing accident. She had her first British chart hit - I Got You Babe - with him in 1965.

However, she vowed to return to London to open the 1999 sale, which starts on Wednesday.

The trip will only be a brief one - and she went from the airport to her record label Warner Brothers to celebrate the success of the single.

Her spokeswoman said: "Cher wanted to fulfil the commitment she made last year. It's also a chance for her to say thank you to the British fans who have supported her."

Believe has now sold more than 1.5m copies in the UK since its release in October - and has now been number one in 15 European countries.