In pictures: Kate Bush at 50

Singer-songwriter Kate Bush, who has turned 50, has been part of the UK music scene for more than 30 years, scoring a string of memorable hit records and securing a loyal fan base.

The musician was catapulted to fame in 1978 when her ethereal tune Wuthering Heights topped the charts - the first self-penned song by a UK female artist to achieve that feat.

Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour was an early supporter of Bush's work after being impressed by a demo tape. He recommended her to EMI records when she was 16 - where she has remained ever since.

Bush became renowned for her extravagant, bohemian performances but has only toured once during her career, retreating into her studio to concentrate on the craft of making music.

The initial period of Bush's musical journey saw her regularly attend awards ceremonies and appear on TV, with her own BBC Christmas special in 1979. In later years, the singer became more enigmatic.

Bush has never shied away from offbeat subject matter, challenging lyrics and a host of unusual musical collaborators, including Rolf Harris and Bulgarian vocal ensemble the Trio Bulgarka.

The singer returned to television in 1990 with an appearance in The Comic Strip Presents. Her co-star Miranda Richardson (second left) later appeared in a short film for Bush's 1993 album The Red Shoes.

Bush faded from public view for 12 years while making her 2005 album Aerial and raising her son Bertie, born in 1998. But she was still held in high esteem, being honoured at the Q Awards in 2001.

The 50-year-old contributed a track to the Golden Compass soundtrack in 2007, but there is no indication how long her next album will take to materialise.

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