The Voice of an Angel sings again: Charlotte Church performs for the first time in four years on Over The Rainbow

By Paul Bentley

Back where she belongs: Charlotte Church showed off her new slimline figure in a pair of black trousers and a spiky vest as she performed on Over The Rainbow


It has been more than a decade since she first wowed an audience with her stunning voice.

The sound may be more sultry than angelic these days but Charlotte Church proved she still has star quality tonight.

The Welsh diva picked up the microphone to perform live for the first time in four years and received a standing ovation.

She joined the remaining contestants on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s talent show Over The Rainbow to sing Donna Summer’s No More Tears (Enough is Enough).

Church is a judge on the BBC show, which aims to find an undiscovered female talent for the role of Dorothy in an upcoming West End production of The Wizard of Oz.

Church appeared centre stage, dressed in skinny black trousers and a black vest top adorned with punk-style spikes. Her eye make-up was heavy and dark and her hair a crafted mess on top.

The remaining contestants then joined her from a staircase to the right of the stage and they danced in a coordinated routine.


Group effort: Church sung with the eight remaining Dorothy hopefuls before Emilie Fleming was voted off


The sultry performance was met by a standing ovation from the studio audience. Graham Norton, who presents the show, said: ‘They are loving it!’

Church is hoping the performance will help reignite her faltering music career.

The singer parted ways with her record company Sony in November 2006 before falling pregnant with her first child Ruby Megan, who was born in September 2007.

She then became pregnant again with son Dexter who was born in January 2009, her second child with long-term boyfriend, rugby player Gavin Henson.

Now, as well as judging Over The Rainbow, she is back in the recording studio for the first time since she made her 2005 album Tissues and Issues, which spawned four top twenty singles including Crazy Chick.


Belting it out: Church puts her heart and soul into the song


Church has started writing and recording her sixth album, which is due out at the end of the year. She said it will have a different sound to her previous offerings, with a mature but 'kooky' vibe.

She has also been showing off a new slimline figure, after years battling with her weight.

The comeback is timed to coincide with boyfriend Henson’s return to rugby this summer, after an 18 month sabbatical.

Last night, viewers saw Church train the Dorothy wannabes for the performance and said she was looking for ‘tone, pitch and whether they can hit the note bang on.’

‘I’m just in awe of her:’ said one of the potential Dorothys.

Church said to another: ‘You look a bit scared.’


Guidance: Earlier in the week, Church hosted a masterclass with each contestant


Viewers also witnessed Lord Lloyd Webber attempt to find a Toto for the Wizard of Oz.
He selected a final line-up of five dogs after ten hopefuls - and their owners - visited his mansion in Hampshire.

Lord Lloyd Webber said: 'I somehow could never quite imagine myself being in this position - choosing a dog for one of my shows - but I've rather enjoyed the process.

'It hasn't been an easy decision for me, selecting the final five, but I was particularly drawn to the dogs I have chosen.

'Each of them could be a Toto in their own way. However, as adorable as they are, I remain a confirmed cat man.'

The dogs were selected after the BBC held open auditions earlier this month. More than 1,000 pets took part.

One dog will be chosen to perform at a one-off West End charity gala performance of the show.


Growing up in public: Church at one of her last performance in 2006 (left) and a a 14-year-old in 2000 (right)


source: dailymail