Interview: Opera singer Katherine Jenkins

Katherine is relishing the return to one of her favourite venues.

She said: "I love The O2. I've been there quite a lot. The first time was to see Prince and I never dreamed I'd get the opportunity to play there as well, even though I really wanted to.

"It's a real experience, with all the bars and restaurants there, it has a real buzz. I love it."

Katherine is teaming up once more with director Kim Gavin, with whom she worked on the Viva La Diva show.

She said: "This show will be more theatrical than just me standing there singing. We're still working on it but it's very exciting.

"Kim has worked with people like Take That so it will be a real show. We've also got La Scala taking part, so it should be really good."

Before then the 29-year-old has a new album, Believe, released next week, which features a mix of classical and pop tunes.

She said: "It's been my dream album to record. It's slightly different to anything I've done before, there's more crossover although it's still important to me to keep my classical roots.

"But I loved recording songs like Queen's Who Wants To Live Forever and hopefully my fans will like it too."

Having sold millions of albums already Katherine has helped bring opera to a younger audience, something she's pleased about.

She said: "Classical music has had a bit of a makeover in recent years. People used to make judgements about how opera singers should look but we're starting to change that now. I want it to be more accessible.

"It can be intimidating for people and it shouldn't be and I think people are able to identify with the artists much more now."

Fans of the Welsh singer can catch her on Piers Morgan's chat show this Saturday. She admitted recording it was difficult.

She said: "It was quite nerve-wracking. I was really nervous about the whole thing but it was a really good interview, and parts of it were very emotional. Piers is a good friend of mine and I wanted to do it. Usually you only get five minutes when you appear on chat shows so to have a whole hour means you can really tell more of your story."

As well as her concert and TV commitments Katherine has also committed herself to being a "forces sweetheart", following in the footsteps of Dame Vera Lynn entertaining troops serving abroad.

She revealed Dame Vera is a big inspiration and she was delighted to recently present her with a lifetime achievement award.

She said: "We know each other quite well. She really is a lovely person and she deserved the award for everything she has done in her career.

"She is so loved by everybody and it was quite emotional to have the honour of presenting her with the award."

Katherine is scheduled to head to Afghanistan next year to sing for the Welsh Guards but before then she will be taking part in a fund-raising event at the Chelsea Barracks on November 23.

A hectic schedule means Katherine does not get much time to relax but she revealed how she likes to spend her downtime.

She said: "My dream night is putting on my p-j's, having some good food and sitting down to watch Strictly Come Dancing."

Katherine Jenkins's new album Believe is released on October 26. She plays The O2 on March 13. For tickets visit theo2.co.uk.