October 26, 2009

By By Richard Smirke, London

Billboard's recently crowned Rising Star of the Year Lady Gaga is to play a 9-date U.K. arena tour in February and March 2010 as part of her worldwide "The Monster Ball" solo tour.

The U.K. trek begins Feb. 10 at Nottingham Arena and culminates Mar. 7 at Sheffield Arena. The tour also includes one night at London's 23,000-capacity O2 Arena on Feb. 26. The promoters are AEG Live.

"The Monster Ball" tour kicks off Nov. 27 in Montreal, Canada and will hit over a dozen North American cities, including a two-night stand Jan. 20-21 at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

"The Fame Monster" (Interscope/Universal) -- a two-disc deluxe repackage of the artist's hit studio debut "The Fame" featuring eight new songs alongside the original studio album -- is due for international release Nov. 23.

Tickets for the U.K. leg of "The Monster Tour" go on sale 9am GMT Friday Oct. 30 via www.aeglive.co.uk.

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