It may not be Katemas (see below) but following the storming success of Kate Bush's London concert last night we're celebrating all things Kate with a list of things you need to know about the 1980s icon.

Photo credit: REX/Peter Mazel/Sunshine

1. EMI gave Kate her first music deal in her teens – she spent the advance on mime training and interpretive dance lessons. Money well spent.

2. Kate also studied karate in her youth and was given the nickname 'Ee-ee' because of the squeaky sound she made when practicing.

3. Trivia: who was the first woman to have a UK number one with a self-penned song? Kate Bush (she’s groundbreaking).

4. In 1978 Kate’s wonderfully warbly debut single Wuthering Heights topped the UK charts for four weeks.

youtubeView full post on Youtube

5. Kate Bush shares her birthday (30 July) with Wuthering Heights' author Emily Brontë. And she has the same given name as the book's female protagonist. Seems spookily fated.  

6. Fans refer to her birthday as ‘Katemas’ – the very best day to put on a KB playlist, bust some theatrical dance moves and the occasional cartwheel.

7. Twelve long years. Fans had to endure over a decade of silence between Kate’s 1993 album The Red Shoes and Ariel – the wait inspired John Mendelssohn to write a book: Waiting for Kate Bush.

8. Kate is a vegetarian and doesn't wear fur.

9. In 1980 Kate Bush appeared on Delia Smith’s cooking show talking about her vegetarianism. Watch her appearance below, and enjoy her spectacular, spectacle-print shirt.

10. Kate has dueted with Elton John, Prince and (our personal favourite) Stephen Fry.

11. Kate’s return to the London stage this month marks the end of a 35-year hiatus.

12. Bertie, Kate’s 16-year-old son, sings backing vocals throughout the show at London's Hammersmith Apollo.

13. Kate has a whole host of celebrity fans. Lily Allen attended her comeback show and Andre 3000 once said: ‘Kate Bush’s music opened my mind up… She’s so off the radar.’