I've always been irritated by her self-pity as well as her seeming assumption that her every thought and feeling is of limitless interest to the public, and that no one else ever suffered as she has. Her early life is hardly an uncommon story, unfortunately.

The famed ripping up of the Pope's pic seems less a political statement than sheer exhibitionism. There's an element of trolling in it – you just KNOW it's going to ignite strong reaction and get everybody talking about you. I wonder how purely ideological her true motivation was, and I don't believe the attention she seeks – and manages to attract – is displeasing to her. Otherwise why do it? No one is forcing her to be so public in non-musical areas.

A good voice, yes, but I certainly don't hear greatness in it. It will be interesting to see if she means it about quitting, and how many people will be prompted by this announcement to coax and beg her to stay.