The singer formerly known as Sinéad O’Connor

SAY sayonara to Sinéad O’Connor, because the singer has killed herself off. But in a move in keeping with her religious flirtations, the controversial rocker has resurrected herself as Marie-Bernadette.

She says she now plans to go back to using her middle names; give up showbiz for life and concentrate instead on having babies and recording religious music.

It’s the latest twist in the bizarre, rollercoaster life of the 37-year-old who has admitted to numerous abortions on the one hand, and has then said in a weekend newspaper report she wants more children, as long as she doesn’t have to be pregnant first.

“I love having babies. I don’t like being pregnant, but I’d have a million babies, if someone gave them to me.”

She’s even said in the past she was about to take a vow of chastity, but then gave birth to a second child. Soon after, she appeared in clerical garb. That was after she’d ripped up a picture of the Pope on stage. She then went on to have a third child, baby Shane, last March.

“As far as I am concerned, Sinéad O’Connor no longer exists. From now on, my intention is to record and perform music using my second name, Marie-Bernadette, and to only make religious music.”

Marie-Bernadette is currently mixing a new record with the monks of Glenstal Abbey and traditional singer, Nóirín Ní Riain. The album is due out in November.

The singer says she’s had enough of the limelight. “I hate being looked at. I’m 37 years of age. I’m not the 20-year-old big mouth I might have been.

“I got tired of being treated the way I was just because I was Sinéad O’Connor. I’m not a big, tough cookie - I’m a small woman.”