Olivier Martinez cheers on Kylie as she wows Paris with EIGHT amazing costume changes

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Plum role: She started the concert in this revealing gown

Because Kylie Minogue has definitely not packed light for her tour of Europe.

The singer shimmied in and out of an impressive eight costumes during the opening show in Paris.

Watched from the audience by her ex-boyfriend Olivier Martinez, she tripped around the stage in a glittering beaded corset, slinky gowns and more fanciful outfits such as a cheerleader's uniform and a sailor's jacket.

The star, who turns 40 later this month, opened her show with her track Speakerphone from her album X, suspended above the stage in a full length spider-inspired gown amid a web of wires in a hoop.

As well as performing her past hits, including Step Back In Time, she also roused the crowd with her own version of the Barry Manilow classic Copacabana.

Kylie clocked up an impressive nine costumes changes during the extravagant performance.

All of the outrageous confections were specially designed by Jean Paul Gaultier.

At one point, she descended from the roof draped across a giant black skull.

The show has cost over £10 million to stage and includes 53 dates across Europe which will conclude with a six night stint at London's O2 Arena in August.

Olivier's presence has again sparked rumours of a reconciliation between the pair, who have occasionally spent time together in Paris in recent months after ending a year of silence.

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Give us a K: As a cheerleader (left), and scarlet woman: In red

They split in February last year, following rumours that he had been unfaithful. They dated for four years and 39-year-old Miss Minogue had treatment for breast cancer in Paris rather than in Australia to be with him.

Kylie was back in the city earlier this week and was made her Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters for her contribution to French culture.

Culture Minister Christine Albanel called the singer the "princess of pop, the uncontested queen of the dance floor" and noted that much of the star's entourage includes French artists such as clothes designer Jean Paul Gaultier, who dressed Minogue for her forthcoming tour.

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Getting down: She kneels in her jewelled corset

Going platinum: In a wig of course (left) Bootiful: Military style

However, the minister also praised Minogue for her personal courage in her battle against breast cancer. "This is an exceptional moment for me," Minogue said in French, after laughing off a gaffe which saw her medal drop on the floor.

Minogue, who began her career in the 1980s and has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, is best known for her electro dance moves and such singles as "Can't Get You Out of My Head."

The singer has made a career comeback since beating breast cancer diagnosed in 2005, coming out with hit singles and selling more than half a million tickets for her latest tour.

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Smooth as silk: Slinky blue Shipshap (left), and in a sailor suit

Especially for you: Olivier Martinez was spotted in the crowd at Kylie's show

"The heart, in French, also (refers to) courage, and I want to salute the courage you have shown in publicly revealing, three years ago, that you had been stricken with breast cancer," the minister said.

The French award is Minogue's second in recent months. Queen Elizabeth II named her Officer of the Order of the British Empire at the start of the year.

Clearly grateful for the latest honor, Minogue bubbled praise for Paris.

"I fell in love, and it's a love affair that continues to blossom like an eternal spring," Minogue said, this time in English.

Wired: Kylie's extravagant show is reported to have cost £10 million

Hoop dream: the star kicked off the show with her track Speakerphone

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