Crystal Gayle's recording career is approaching the same length as her famous long hair.

The country superstar said: "I'm still recording, touring and just doing different things really - still having fun. Where did all the time go?

"I have not thought about retiring because I think if you enjoy something then why should you quit - and that's how I feel at the moment.

She added: "Of course there will come a time when I'm ready to put my feet up and call it a day but at the moment, I'm having just too much fun being able to visit friends all over the world.

Hits like I'll Get Over You and Don't Make My Brown Eyes Blue shot Crystal to country music and global stardom.

But despite her long list of hits, it is the length of her hair that she has arguably become more famous for.

"I know I should cut it, but it's so hard to get rid of it. It's a trademark of mine. I remember when my kids were younger and they said to me mum you can't cut off your hair because you won't be Crystal Gayle anymore'."

Crystal's older sister Loretta Lynn has also had a long and distinguished country music recording career but, contrary to reports, Crystal insists there was never a sibling rivalry between the Southern Belle's "I've always read there was a rivalry between me and my sister, but we were never together enough for there to be a feud. We are sisters and we have so much fun when we actually see each other.

"Our styles are totally different. My sister is why I decided to do the middle of the road music because she told me if I did just pure country, I would always be compared to her and she's right."

The Kentucky-born singer also revealed another family member could be about to continue the strong singing family tradition, she said: "My three-year-old grandson Elijah has a really pretty voice - so you never know, maybe there's another one coming through."

The 56-year-old, who was christened Brenda Gail Webb, admits she is thankful for her gradual route to fame before her first number one single I'll Get Over You.

"A lot of people think that I'll Get Over You was my first success but I had a few hits before that which left me in good stead for my first number one.

"I needed that background because I was a very shy person and I need that build up to the number one to prepare me for it all. If that was my first hit, I would have been terrified."

It's going to be a hectic year for Crystal, a year which will include an induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The singer admits she cannot wait to have her own star alongside other showbusiness legends.

"It's so exciting," she added. "It's happening later this year but it will be incredible to have my name alongside all those greats."

  • Crystal Gayle; Tuesday, April 2; 8pm; Fairfield Halls; 020 8688 9291; fairfield.co.uk.