ROLLERGIRL INFORMATION

There are many skills inheritaded by women through the feminine gene pool, that frankly baffle men. Darning socks, baking carrot cake, and the mystical world of the horoscope are prime examples, yet all pale in comparison to the speedy, but undeniably girly world of the rollerskate. How do they balance? Why do they insist on wearing pink lycra? What on earth is the point of performing the splits at three miles an hour? Yet it is on these very shoes of mobility that trilling beauty Nicci Juice - better known as Rollergirl - has carved her name in the world of Europop, with her remake of Madonna´s Dear Jessie, and new single Superstar.

Having learnt the art of gravity defiance in north Germany with the Waltrop Roller Skating Club, Rollergirl - as the 24-year-old insists on being known - decided on a career as a warbler after cutting her teeth on a variety of wonderful jobs, from a blockprinting apprenticeship to a part-time toilet cleaner: "I had two pairs of rubber gloves and held the loo brush by the tip. I hate even being reminded about it." Not a shy girl by any means, the singing blonde is now as well known for her outrageous outfits as her ability to hit a note. Very short skirts are prominent, and any mention of her impossibly tight trousers results in a saucy giggle: "Are you talking about my trousers that are so tight I can´t even wear my pink string tanga briefs? I think my bum looks really good in a lot of trousers. They say that men always look at your bum or your tits first - well, I´ve got both, just to be on the safe side."

And her favourite stage outfit? "It´s the chain dress. I wore it with nothing on underneath, and believe me, it was cold. I also like the army look. I would love to be a first lieutenant, doing drill exercises with lots of good-looking men." Before the nations squaddies jump to answer the damsel´s call however, they should be aware that she likes her men tanned, tall and un-macho, though happily she´s not put off if a guy is a few pounds overweight. Boozy chat-up lines, however, won´t do: "There are a lot of guys in Germany who go out and get absolutely plastered and then try it on with a chair because they can´t see that there are four legs instead of two."

Sadly, fame in the music business has come with a price, with Rollergirl facing the jealous wrath of the posse of cud-chewing, hicksville contemporaries she left behind. "Someone in the small town where I used to live spread a rumour that my family worked in a brothel, that my sister had hung herself there and that I was working as a prostitute. At first I found it really hurtful, but then I thought, ´What the hell!´. Just because I wear short skirts and have always liked wearing make-up. These peasants dream up this kind of stupid smut." And she really cheers up at a polite mention of her deep tan: "When I´m sunbathing, I like to get an all-over tan, and wear nothing but a tong. If I have to go to the pool bar, I´ll just pull on a short skirt or someting."