MARTINE TURNS BACK ON CITY FOR SECOND TIME

Martine, who played Tiffany in the top soap, was due to join former Take That star Gary Barlow at the top of the bill for the Southampton Common event.

But at the eleventh hour her managers have told organ-isers Power FM that the artist will not make it to the city in time for the show, which is set to attract tens of thousands of people.

Three years ago Martine also pulled out of appearing in Christmas pantomime at the city's Mayflower Theatre - and now eager fans, keen to hear her sing My Perfect Moment live, will be left feeling let down.

Power FM programme controller Mark Sadler said: "Obviously we're disappointed Martine will be unable to join us. But she is in New York at the moment recording her album - which is obviously the priority for her.

"Her management were desperately trying to get her back to Southampton in time for us, but the recording has over-run and it just wasn't going to happen."

A spokesman for Martine's record label, Virgin, said her apperance was never confirmed and Power FM had jumped the gun in announcing it.

The blow to organisers of Power in the Park - now in its fifth year - came on the same day that extended discussions with pop outfit Steps ended in the band deciding not to take the headline slot.

It was in 1996 when Martine was due to appear in Lionel Blair's production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that the actress turned her back on the city the first time.

Earlier that year it was announced she would take the starring role of Snow White, but by June - when the show was officially launched - unknown actress Lisa Kay had stepped in to the goody-two-shoes role.

Now Power bosses have been forced to book yet another upcoming pop outfit, Pacifica, who are currently promot-ing their debut single, which includes a sample of the Blondie classic Heart of Glass.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.