KATHERINE MACALISTER finds out what life’s like for top classical songstress Katherine Jenkins.

It’s been quite a year for Katherine Jenkins. Not only has she signed the biggest recording contract in classical music history, but her private life has also been splashed across the tabloids.

Rising above it all, Katherine is just concentrating on what she does best – singing – and keeping the punters happy by charming them every night on stage.

“I am a 100 per cent person who has to do everything 100 per cent,” she said.

And doesn’t she make it look easy, her mesmerising voice earning her the fitting title ‘the angel’.

And, considering a few weeks ago she signed a record deal with Warner Music worth £5.8mn, for a girl who started life in a council house in Neath, South Wales, Miss Jenkins' story is an extraordinary tale of rags to riches.

“Dad and Mum lived 11 doors apart before they married. Everybody knew their neighbours and looked out for each other. It was a very nurturing environment,” the 28-year-old says of her home life.

A schoolgirl chorister, her mezzo-soprano voice won her a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London and, shortly after graduating, her first record deal followed in 2003.

Katherine later became the first British classical artist to have two number one albums in the same year, was the first female artist to win two consecutive Classical BRIT Awards, and has released six classical number one studio albums to date.

“I'm no Kylie,” she said shortly after signing her initial record deal. “I want to be known for my music – not for what I look like.”

Yet few would deny that her success is only aided by her good looks and stunning figure.

Currently dating former Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones, she is also landing all the best gigs; singing at the Olympics 2012 celebrations, the Festival of Remembrance, touring with ballerina Darcey Bussell in the show Viva La Diva, performing for The Queen, becoming a Forces sweetheart and official mascot for the Wales rugby team.

So will the tour affect her romance with Gethin?

"We are both busy and hardworking people but we find the time to meet up whenever we can. It's wonderful and we are enjoying being together.”

The couple have been dating since Katherine appeared as a guest performer on the Strictly Come Dancing show which starred Gethin.

“Yes, it's pretty serious, but honestly I don't want to go into it very much,” she said.

“I like to keep my private life private and I don't want people to think that I'm trying to exploit the relationship. We are together because we like each other and not because we want any publicity from it.

“I know that we are both in the public eye and there is obviously a certain amount of interest in the fact that we are together. But we just want time to get to know each other.”

As for the future, Katherine has talked about motherhood, before adding “ I think it might be a few years away because I want to get my career really established and be in a position where I can take some time off. But ultimately, I would want to be able to combine both a family life and my singing career.”

The demand for Katherine's sell-out shows is overwhelming proof of her popularity with audiences. But don’t worry, this diva’s feet are still firmly on the ground. It’s almost too much to take in,” she said. “I just can’t thank my fans enough for all their support.”

l Katherine Jenkins’ appearance at the New Theatre on Sunday has sold out.