Hallyday nationality hearing due

Hallyday is credited with introducing rock 'n' roll to France

French rock star Johnny Hallyday appears likely to find out this month if he will be allowed to become a citizen of Belgium.

The 63-year-old, whose father was Belgian, applied to change nationality in 2005, and a parliamentary panel is due to rule on his case on 27 February.

Last year, the singer announced that he would be moving to Switzerland, in order to avoid high French taxes.

He has sold about 100 million albums during a career spanning 40 years.

The bid by Hallyday, whose real name is Jean-Philippe Smet, will have to be ratified by the Belgian Parliament even if the panel approves.

But a spokesman for the country's House of Representatives said this was likely to be a formality.