KYLIE TO BUY RETREAT WITH LOVER ANDRES

The singer, 41, and her toyboy lover are said to be in final negotiations to buy a property in the medieval village on the Costa Brava, where Velencoso grew up.

“I feel relaxed, happy, excited and just totally content with my life,” Minogue said during her most recent trip to Spain.

“I’m just doing things I never would give myself time to do. I’m finding my balance and I’m giving myself space just to be me.” On her first visit to the beach enclave of Tossa De Mar, she wore big black sunglasses and wrapped her head in a scarf, but by her fourth trip last weekend she apparently dispensed with any disguises, as locals barely recognise her anyway.

Minogue and Velencoso, who have bought each other matching friendship “commitment” rings, are expected to arrive in the village next week.

Friends of the couple said that while they were not officially engaged, they had discussed plans for the future and made a promise to marry.