Mariah Carey 'bans' family and friends from wishing her happy birthday

Pop diva Mariah Carey has banned her family, friends and staff from wishing her a "happy birthday".

The All I Want For Christmas Is You singer, 55, has ordered them to use the term "anniversary" instead of "birthday".

When asked is any of the people in her life would be "allowed" to mark the occasion with the traditional words, she said: "Oh, they know better than that. They've learned to wish me a happy anniversary. It is an anniversary!"

The mother of twins Monroe and Moroccan, 13, with former husband Nick Cannon, once famously declared herself to be "eternally 12 years old".

She insisted she does not celebrate birthdays but calculates her life by "creative experiences and accomplishments".

And the singer was barely more enthusiastic about celebrating the 30th anniversary of her album Merry Christmas, featuring her most iconic track. Mariah said: "Songs and albums having anniversaries - things of that nature - that's all good. I just don't have them myself."