Pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor loves playing Dope Wars, an enthusiasm that has landed her in hot war with the Daily Record.

The mass-market Scottish tabloid accused her of glamorising drug dealing by making favourable comments about the computer game.

Ellis-Bextor said she was a regular player of the popular game Dope Wars, where players have to accumulate a fortune as dope pushers while fighting the police and staying one step ahead of loan sharks.

"I made $16.5m on a cocaine deal this morning. I am a dealer," she said. "You start off selling grams and then work your way up to running the supply for a whole city."

The Daily Record then russled up a tame drugs councillor to say that Sophie should visit addicts before she praises games featuring drug dealers.

Quite. Pop stars and drugs. That would never do. ®