Lily Allen gets Divine Comedy seal of approval

Lily Allen can do "amazing things" when she comes out of retirement, according to Divine Comedy singer Neil Hannon.

The pop star is currently on a self-imposed hiatus after becoming disillusioned with the music business but the 'National Express' singer insists she can go onto to great things if she decides to return.

He said: "I genuinely admire Lily Allen's lyrics and sound, you know the tunes generally have a lot of people involved, but she makes some wonderfully pithy comments. I'd prefer it if they were more outward looking, rather than always inward. But she's definitely a writer who could do amazing things in the future, if she does. She doesn't seem to want to though."

Neil - who this week was nominated for an Ivor Novello award for his cricket concept album with side project The Duckworth Lewis Method - insists it's OK for Lily to take some time out as long as she keeps writing new songs.

He added to BANG Showbiz: "It's alright if she takes two years out, just keep writing."