Wednesday, 25 July 2007

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Lionel Richie: I’m only recognised for being Nicole’s dad

But he thinks it makes him cool

Lionel and Nicole Richie

He’s a soul music legend, but these days Lionel Richie says his claim to fame is being Nicole Richie's dad.

The singer, 58, says he’s still stopped by the public but people only seem interested in his 25-year-old daughter, who shot to fame starring in The Simple Life with Paris Hilton.

‘I'll be in an airport and I'll hear a bloodcurdling scream,’ he tells Australian Daily Telegraph. ‘I'm thinking, “The kids recognise me, thank you very much”.

‘And they rush over to me, and ask, “Are you Nicole Richie's dad?” and I say, “Yep. OK, I'll take that.”

But Lionel doesn’t mind, as he thinks it gets him younger fans.

‘I'm just the dad,' he sighs. 'It seems to have made me a bit cool.’