Bruni, Stewart to play Mandela birthday gig

Carla Bruni and Dave Stewart will perform two duets for Nelson Mandela's birthday celebrations on July 18.

The French President's wife and the former Eurythmics star will perform Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' In The Wind' as well as Bruni's own song 'Quelqu'un M'a Dit' at the Radio City Music Hall in New York.

"Carla's excited and a bit nervous," Stewart told The Daily Telegraph. "But she thinks it's going to be great and she is really looking forward to it."

Stewart went on to defend Bruni's musical credentials and confirmed that the pair will team up again next month in France.

"Carla is a great lyricist and she was helping me write songs in French," he said. "She has always been fascinated with songwriting. She wasn't just a model who released an album. Her first one went straight to number one.

"It's important for her to keep doing this. She loves writing songs and singing and playing. Once you have that addiction, it's very difficult to stop. I know I go bonkers if I don't just don't get out and play my guitar sometimes."

President Sarkozy is expected to attend the event in honour of the 46664 Campaign, which is named after Mandela's prison number.

Other stars expected to perform include Stevie Wonder, Gloria Gaynor, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin and Cyndi Lauper.