Scissor Sisters' album sold almost 1.6 million copies in the UK

The gig will be held at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire over the weekend of the 20 and 21 August.

Other bands have yet to be announced but previous acts include Snow Patrol, Jamie Cullum, The Strokes and Dido.

Scissor Sisters topped the UK album charts in 2004 and had hits including Comfortably Numb, Laura and Mary.

Their performance at the 2004 V Festival was recently voted Gig of the Year by a poll of Virgin Radio listeners.

Brit success

DJ Pete Mitchell, who announced the headline act live on Virgin's Pete and Geoff Breakfast Show said: "They were my tip to be the hit of the V Festival last year when they played on a warm afternoon on the NME stage and they didn't disappoint, their stage antics were strictly X-rated.

"This year they get a headline slot on the main stage and are going to whip the audience into a frenzy with their filthy and gorgeous routine, perfect festival material."

The Scissor Sisters are currently nominated for three Brit Awards, including best international album and best international group.

The group is made up of lead singers Jake Shears and Ana Matronic, alongside Paddy Boom on drums, Del Marquis on guitar and Babydaddy on bass.

They were propelled to fame with their second hit Comfortably Numb, an eccentric remake of Pink Floyd's original.

The group take to the main stage during the two-day festival with a promise to perform new material.