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Nelson Mandela's funeral plans: 'Nicole Scherzinger to sing'

The former Pussycat Doll apparently met with the late South African president’s daughters at the Mandarin Hotel in London, where they are said to have discussed the potential appearance

Jenn Selby
Monday 09 December 2013 10:00 GMT
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The former Pussycat Doll apparently met with the late South African president’s daughters at the Mandarin Hotel in London, where they are said to have discussed the potential appearance
The former Pussycat Doll apparently met with the late South African president’s daughters at the Mandarin Hotel in London, where they are said to have discussed the potential appearance

Nicole Scherzinger will perform at Nelson Mandela’s funeral, it has been reported.

The former Pussycat Doll apparently met with the late South African president’s daughters at the Mandarin Hotel in London, where they are said to have discussed the potential appearance.

“During the chat Nicole had with the daughters it was mentioned she should sing at his funeral, or at least be a very prominent guest,” an insider allegedly told The Sun on Sunday.

The X Factor judge sang for Mandela previously, currying favour when she chose to perform his favourite hymn, "Precious Lord".

Get The latest X Factor News Here

''I had the honour of meeting him and I sang him my favourite hymn 'Precious Lord',” she joked recently. ''But I don't think he liked it as afterwards he said, 'Have you got anything else?'''

Representatives of Scherzinger are yet to confirm or deny the reports.

Mandela died on 5 December 2013 aged 95 years old.

South African President Jacob Zuma announced the sad news of Mandela’s passing in a moving televised address.

He said: “Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss.

World Leaders Pay Tribute To Nelson Mandela

“Our thoughts are with the South African people who today mourn the loss of the one person who, more than any other, came to embody their sense of a common nationhood. Our thoughts are with the millions of people across the world who embraced Madiba as their own, and who saw his cause as their cause.”

An official memorial ceremony will be held in Johannesberg this Tuesday (10 December 2013) in the 95,000-capacity Soccer City stadium. It is set to be one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in modern times.

The Queen, 87, will not attend in person, but a Buckingham Palace spokesperson has confirmed that Prince Charles will travel to South Africa in her place.

Mandela’s funeral will take place on Sunday 15 December in his home village of Qunu.

Video: Nicole Scherzinger's tribute to Nelson Mandela

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