Dido is nominated for three Brit awards this year

The 32-year-old singer, whose second album Life For Rent was last year's biggest seller, is placed at number 10 in Heat magazine's annual rich list.

The Rolling Stones top the list having earned �55.3m last year - mostly from their lucrative world tour.

Sir Paul McCartney - last year's number one - was second with earnings of �40m, followed by Sir Elton John with �34m.

Robbie Williams was fourth, following his record-breaking Knebworth gigs last year accompanied by a live album and DVD.

Heat magazine's Top 10 rich list Rolling Stones �55.3m Sir Paul McCartney �40m Sir Elton John �34m Robbie Williams �30m Coldplay �25.3m Sting �25.1m Phil Collins �25.1m Fleetwood Mac �23.5m Iron Maiden �17.9m Dido �15.8m Source: Heat magazine

The magazine's rich list is based on estimated earnings from record and DVD sales, merchandising, tour revenue, music publishing royalties and other income.

Dido is nominated for three Brit awards on Tuesday but has pulled out of an appearance at the ceremony in London because of rehearsal and writing commitments for her upcoming world tour.

The singer is up for best female, best album for Life For Rent and best single for White Flag.

She said: "Although I'll be sorry to miss all the fun and celebrations at the Brits, I look forward to seeing everyone on tour soon.

"The last year has been absolutely fantastic for me. However, the continual commitment to events, promotion and TV appearances has meant that any time for being creative has been non-existent."

She hit the big time in 2000 when her track Thank You was used as the backing for Eminem's single Stan. Her first album, No Angel, has gone on to sell 12 million copies.

She scooped best British album and best British female at the Brits in 2002.