Australian star Dannii Minogue is ending her pop retirement after eight years to perform at the upcoming Mardi Gras party in Sydney.

The singer/actress put her music career on the back burner to concentrate on her Tv work, and she has gone on to enjoy long-running roles as a judge/mentor on shows including Australia's Got Talent and Britain's The X Factor.

Now she is dusting off her microphone and practising her scales in preparation for a high-profile spot at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on 07 March (15).

Minogue last performed at the event in 2007 but is now looking forward to her comeback after battling several health problems including appendicitis and an underactive thyroid.

She tells music writer Cameron Adams, "I'm sure there's some people who don't know I'm a singer! I've been wanting to do music for ages but something was holding me back. Now I feel really settled.

"I feel like I'm in a personal space where I can do it and it's going to be fun. Physically, I'm really well right now. I had all these health issues in the last few years, I just want to get out there and enjoy it...

"After sitting in the judging seat on X Factor this is a chance to show people this is what I've done for my whole life... There might be people who were there the last time I played Mardi Gras, but there might be people who'll have never seen me perform."

Other acts lined up for the event include Scissor Sisters singer Jake Shears, U.S. pop star Nick Jonas, and Aussie R&B favourite Jessica Mauboy, and Minogue is hoping her superstar sister Kylie also puts in an appearance to give her moral support.

She adds, "It'd be awesome if she could be (there). I'm sure if she can she'll come. She would definitely be able to take away that nervous energy from me."