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Last Updated: Tuesday, 13 February 2007, 17:22 GMT
Hallyday nationality hearing due
Johnny Hallyday
Hallyday is credited with introducing rock 'n' roll to France
French rock star Johnny Hallyday appears likely to find out this month if he will be allowed to become a citizen of Belgium.

The 63-year-old, whose father was Belgian, applied to change nationality in 2005, and a parliamentary panel is due to rule on his case on 27 February.

Last year, the singer announced that he would be moving to Switzerland, in order to avoid high French taxes.

He has sold about 100 million albums during a career spanning 40 years.

The bid by Hallyday, whose real name is Jean-Philippe Smet, will have to be ratified by the Belgian Parliament even if the panel approves.

But a spokesman for the country's House of Representatives said this was likely to be a formality.


SEE ALSO
Country profile: Belgium
12 Dec 06 |  Country profiles
Country profile: France
30 Nov 06 |  Country profiles
Hallyday recovering from surgery
11 Jan 07 |  Entertainment
Hallyday exile row gets political
18 Dec 06 |  Entertainment
French icon wants to be Belgian
11 Jan 06 |  Entertainment
Johnny Hallyday: Le roi du rock
29 Apr 00 |  Entertainment



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