Lulu criticises sexist, ageist music industry

Lulu believes there is too much pressure on female singers to strip.

The 'Shout' hitmaker rose to fame in the 1960s but believes it is far more difficult for older artists to garner success because music "is not an easy business".

She explained: "The music industry is not an easy business, never has been, and the bosses aren't rushing to sign you if you're over a certain age because it's all about young people."

However, the 66-year-old star continued to say she believes there is growing pressure on young artists to "strip off" and said if anyone had asked her or 'Son of a Preacher Man' singer Dusty Springfield to do so during their early careers, they would have "killed ourselves laughing - then told them where to go."

She added: "Do you know what I really dislike? Female singers thinking they have to strip off when they've got talent."

Although the musician - who is gearing up for the release of hew new album 'Making Life Rhyme' - has not been vocal about her opinions on female stars in the past, she admitted she admires fellow singer Sinead O'Connor, who wrote an open letter to Miley Cyrus in 2013 in which she warned her not to let the music industry pressure her sexually exploiting her body.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, she said: "I'm with Sinead [O'Connor] on this. I might not go about it in the way she has, but I admire her bravery for writing to these young women and expressing her concern."