“It’s been the most amazing, unexpected adventure”: Katherine Jenkins reflects on her glittering career

It’s been 15 years since she released the album that was to change her life forever.

In that time Katherine Jenkins has gone from being the shy girl from the valleys with the golden voice to a global star.

Along the way she’s earned millions, married and become a mum of two.

Now she’s told P.S. about the whirlwind life she could never have imagined growing up in Neath in Wales.

“It all seems to have happened in the blink of an eye,” said Katherine, 38, as she looks forward to playing Glasgow, the city her gran, Nana Evans, was born in.

“When I look back at the 23-year-old on that first album cover I can see a look in my eyes.

“It’s half ‘can’t believe it’s happening’ and half ‘like a rabbit in the headlights’. I was overwhelmed just by the fact I’d got to make an album.

“Not one bit of me thought there would be another one after, never mind another 12.

“It has been the most amazing adventure, so unexpected.”

Katherine may have doubted her longevity, but that debut album, Premiere, was followed by one smash hit after another as she signed the biggest classical recording deal in history.

Guiding Light is her current album.

“In 2010 I was on a plane pretty much every other day,” she admitted.

“It’s a shame that in that time you are always thinking of your voice and the next performance rather than actually enjoying the moment.

“Maybe at some point I’ll be able to sit down and take it all in.”

Katherine studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, encouraged like her fellow students to go to the library and listen to great singers.

Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti were among those she marvelled at, never thinking that one day she would be performing alongside them.

“On my 27th birthday I was booked to do a concert with Placido in Athens,” recalled Katherine.

“It was such a surreal moment. He is the ultimate superstar, still working with an energy level of someone half his age. And he is the nicest to everyone he meets, from the person he’s just been on stage with to the person who’s cleaning up afterwards.

“Sometimes you are disappointed with your heroes, but not Placido.”

Katherine married American director Andrew Levitas at Hampton Court Palace in 2014 and they had their first child Aaliyah a year later. Son Xander was born last April.

And Katherine admits doubling up on the baby front has been a challenge.

“Juggling two children is definitely much harder but I wasn’t prepared for how much I’d love being a mum.

“I thought I’d enjoy it but it’s taken me by surprise how much I love it.

“Andrew and I feel the same – we are both so obsessed with our children and so hands-on. It’s amazing to know the man I chose to do that with me is exactly the right partner.

“When I’m on tour they come to the rehearsal and they’re on the stage, trying to steal my microphone or running around in the orchestra. I love that. Juggling schedules to make sure one of us is always at home with them is the hardest bit. That’s all details – thankfully my mum’s really helpful.”

© Adam Davy / PA Wire

With Andrew’s busy career and Katherine’s packed schedule, planning is critical.

“I do need to be organised,” admits Katherine, whose dad Selwyn died from lung cancer when she was just 15.

“Andrew’s career is also planned quite far in advance. When I was doing Carousel at the English National Orchestra last year it was eight performances a week. It was a really intense four or five months and Andrew held the fort.

“This year he’s been making a movie with Johnny Depp, so it’s his time and I’ll stay at home. I’d like to say I’m relaxed and just let it all happen – but that wouldn’t work out.”

Katherine has previously dipped her toe into the acting world and was tempted to work with Andrew for a cameo in his Second World War movie, Minamata.

She flew to Serbia briefly to play character Millie in the drama in which Depp plays war photographer W. Eugene Smith. But she says singing is still very much her focus.

“I did Doctor Who. It came up and I wanted to do it because it was so iconic and it turned out OK.

“When I did Carousel it required proper acting and I really worked hard on that. I’ve been asked to do other acting things but it’s never really appealed to me.”

Katherine’s latest tour started in Oxford on Friday and she’ll be at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on Thursday. Getting north of the border is something she looks forward to.

“It’s still special, not least because of Nana Evans. I’m not supposed to say I have favourites on a tour – but I always get excited to come back to Scotland. It’s that celtic connection.

“We’re joined in a love of many things, music being one. The audience has always been so friendly and warm.

“It’s been four years since my last big tour so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.”

© PA

What’s most important for Katherine, of course, is family and she says she can see a glimmer of the performing gene developing at home.

“I don’t think Aaliyah is going to be a singer but she definitely has the performing gene and has an amazing imagination,” adds Katherine.

“And if anybody’s going to sing in the house it’ll be the baby. She sings all the time. I don’t mind. I truly believe they’ll be who they want to be and I’ll have no say in it.

“I grew up with parents who never pushed me and I’m really thankful for that. If they did want to go down that line it would be fun to help and be passionate about it with them.

“But if they want to go into something different, that’s fine.”

An Evening With Katherine Jenkins, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Thur. Guiding Light is out now