Heartbroken Katherine Jenkins sheds a tear as she returns to the stage for first time since broken engagement

By Emily Sheridan


Emotional: Classical singer Katherine Jenkins performs the first night of her UK tour at the New Oxford Theatre last night


It was only just over a week ago that Katherine Jenkins revealed she had split from ex-fiancé Gethin Jones.

But the show must go on for the heartbroken singer as she kicked off her tour in Oxford last night.

But clearly feeling emotional after a difficult few weeks, the 31-year-old singer found herself overcome as she performed her first song of the night.


After completing the song, she took a step back to compose herself and was comforted by her orchestra's conductor.

But ever the professional, the singer carried on and belted out tracks from her new and past albums to the sell-out crowd at the New Theatre.

Wearing a white gown, the Welsh star's left hand was noticeably bare after she removed her £10,000 engagement ring, which she had been wearing since Jones's proposal nearly a year ago.

Comfort: After the song ended, the 31-year-old took a moment to compose herself and was comforted by her conductor

The couple announced their split on December 30 on their respective Twitter pages.

Devastated Jenkins wrote: 'Sorry for being quiet of late, its just that I have some very sad news. Geth & I have decided to go our separate ways.

'We are both beyond broken hearted. All your hugs & support will be much appreciated xxx.'

And Jones, 33, added: 'Hi everybody. I'm deeply sad to tell you that Kath and I have ended our relationship as a couple. We are both heart broken... Gx.'


Stay strong: The couple had been together for four years and shared a £4.7million home in South West London

There, there: The conductor gives the singer some encouragement

The couple became engaged in January while on holiday in Mexico, but a close friend of Jenkins told the Mail: ‘Katherine and Gethin simply couldn’t make it work. They really did try, it wasn’t just work pressures – they had bigger problems that were insurmountable.

‘They stayed together for as long as they could, but in the end it just became clear that a wedding was never going to happen.’

The pair started dating in late 2007 after meeting on the set of Strictly Come Dancing, which Jones was participating in, while Jenkins was a guest performer.

The couple first met in 2005 when Jenkins appeared on Blue Peter, which Jones presented at the time.

Although he fancied the singer, as she was in an other relationship at the time, Jones kept his distance until fate brought them together again two years later.

Former Blue Peter host Jones has now moved out of the £4.7million home they shared in Richmond, South West London.

Last October, Jenkins told the MailOnline they were struggling to find time in their busy schedules to set a wedding date.

She said: '2012 is such a huge year, we’ve got the Olympics happening, the Queen’s Jubilee, my sister turns 30, there’s so many things happening that it doesn’t leave us with much time.

'We will do it, just not yet. There’s no rush. We will get round it.'


Belting it out: Miss Jenkins sang songs from her new album Daydream


Give us a smile: The singer did manage a smile for her audience



source:dailymail

Katherine Jenkins goes Undercover on the Underground: Singer dons a brown wig to busk on the tube

By Emily Sheridan


Who's that girl? Katherine Jenkins goes undercover to busk for charity at Leicester Square tube station in London on Tuesday morning


She's used to belting out songs in front of thousands of people in venues like Wembley Stadium and the Royal Albert Hall.

But yesterday, Katherine Jenkins gave commuters and tourists a thrill with an impromptu free 'concert' in Leicester Square tube station.

Going undercover for a feature with London's ES magazine, the Welsh mezzo soprano disguised her blonde hair with a brunette wig.


And instead of the glamorous couture she usually performs in, Jenkins looked like a struggling musician in her ripped jumper, jeans and boots.

With a cap on the ground for her busking session, the 31-year-old sang a collection of covers and tracks from her new album, including Break It To My Heart, and ended up raising £16 for charity.

Despite her disguise, many commuters soon recognised the singer and many were moved to tears as she hit the high notes.

Here's 20p love: The singer ended up raising £16 for charity during her 45-minute set


After her final song, she was met with applause by a small assembled crowd and signed autographs to those who recognised her.

Although having lived in London since her student days at the Royal Academy Of Music, Jenkins admits she rarely uses the Underground these days and doesn't have an Oyster card.

She told the Evening Standard: 'I was really really enjoying myself. On the initial first note I thought "Oh god, I don't know how this is going to work out", it was quite an operatic number and I wasn't sure how it would be received.

Wigging out: The 31-year-old covered up her blonde hair with a brunette wig

'But by the second number people were stopping and I really enjoyed it.

'The people were really lovely. One guy said I had made him late for work now, but I didn't know I made people cry, that's amazing.

'It's got a great acoustic down there, I didn't want it to end. It felt like we were doing something quite special down there.'

Before her busking gig, Jenkins admitted she had never performed in flat shoes before.

Andy McCrossen, 43, a tube worker from Dartford, Kent, was moved to tears by the performance.

He said: 'I find her music quite emotional. I saw her singing then I realised she had a wig on and I recognised her. It's unexpected to see her on the Tube.

'You can see there's a crowd building up, she's not your usual busker, she's got an amazing voice, she puts a lot of emotion into it.'

Ahead of her gig, Jenkins teased fans by posting a photo of her disguise on Twitter, writing: 'Undercover... Testing out the theory as to whether blondes have more fun?'


Drawing a crowd: Several commuters stopped to listen to the singer - causing congestion to the busy station in the process


source:dailymail