Kylie buys 85-strong crew Xmas dinner

Kylie Minogue has treated her 85-strong crew to a Christmas dinner during the Australian leg of her 'X2008' tour.

The singer took her entourage to a South Melbourne gastro pub to enjoy a traditional festive meal costing just under $10,000 (£4,616).

The mainly British staff, made up of acrobats, dancers and cameramen, were treated to a specially-designed menu that served up a typical English Christmas dinner, according to The Herald Sun.

The star opted for a more reserved meal with an entree of zucchini flowers and a main dish of calamari. She feasted on a chocolate pudding for dessert.

Minogue joined the crew in singing Christmas songs and party games. She then decorated her dress with flowers taken from the restaurant table.

"She apologised to me for taking the flowers," owner Victoria Lambie told the newspaper. "Of course we didn't mind, she was absolutely divine."

Kylie releases remix album Boombox on January 5, which includes remixes by Chemical Brothers, Mylo and Fischerspooner.