Becoming Annie Lennox

Eurythmics icon on her fight for peace, singing with legends and staying humble

- BY MARC BAKER

With her distinctive androgynous look and stunning voice, Annie Lennox is as cool and relevant today as she was when she burst on to the scene almost 50 years ago.

After her new wave band The Tourists split in 1980, she and guitarist Dave Stewart formed Eurythmics and went on to have a global breakthrough three years later with their second album, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).

Annie famously wore a men's suit and had cropped orange hair in the video for the title track - and she has been continuing to shock and surprise people ever since.

She has now re-released her 1992 hit single Why? from her debut solo album Diva in support of the Together for Palestine fund, and Annie says making some contribution to bringing peace to the Middle East is now her number one priority. Mum to daughters Lola and Tali, with her ex-husband, Israeli record producer Uri Fruchtmann, Annie says of the devastating conflict in Gaza: "I just want the war to end.

"Politicians are supposed to have dialogue and avoid conflict. We all know war is the most heinous destructive force on the planet, but I just want peace.