Lady Gaga will sing in front of the Queen at this year's Royal Variety Performance.

Taking place on December 7 at the Blackpool Opera House, it will be Gaga's first high profile television appearance since her infamous MTV Video Music Awards show.

The 23-year-old – real name Stefani Germanotta – hit the headlines at the VMA's in September when she pretended to stab herself and bled fake blood whilst singing 'Paparazzi'.

A mental health charity in the UK, PAPYRUS, later condemned Gaga's performance for 'romanticising suicide.'

Peter Kay will be hosting the Royal Variety Performance while Bette Midler, Whoopi Goldberg, Mika, Alexandra Burke and Michael Buble will all be performing live.

(by Scott Colothan)