THE YEAR.. EVEN IF IT STARTS IN SEPTEMBER
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Katherine has always looked beyond her singing, appearing in a cameo role in Emmerdale, alongside Matt Smith and Michael Gambon in Doctor Who and finishing runner-up on Dancing with the Stars, the US version of Strictly, in 2012.
She made her West End debut earlier this year in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical Carousel alongside Alfie Boe. It tested her.
Katherine said: “The English National Opera have a new policy of once a year, in a five-week break in their schedule, they put on something more commercial, like Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close and Sweeney Todd with Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel. I had been to see those productions and really enjoyed them and thought it was a brilliant idea to bring in a brand-new audience.
“They approached me with the idea of doing Carousel and I have to say it took a little bit of persuading on my part.
“I wasn’t completely sure I could do it but they talked me round and I am glad they did. Carousel was the first of many
Katherine said: “The show is with an orchestra and special guests and at the end I sing a couple of well-known carols, which is my chance to duet with the audience.
“I feel you have a responsibility for getting people in the spirit.” Born in south Wales, Katherine started singing in the St David’s Church choir, Neath, when she was four.
Her mother ran the Sunday school and the star still attends the church when she goes home.
Encouraged by her parents, mum Susan and dad Selwyn, a retired factory worker, she won the BBC Welsh Choirgirl of the Year competition at the age of 13.
Two years later, her father was diagnosed with cancer. He died shortly afterwards, aged 70.
At 17, Katherine won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she worked as a music teacher and a guide on the London Eye.
She also did some modelling, winning a Face of Wales competition in 2000, but decided to focus on her singing.
When she auditioned for Universal in 2003, the label offered her a six-album record deal – the largest in classical recording history.
Her first album, Premiere, was nominated for Classic BRIT Album of the Year. Her next two albums, Second Nature and Living a Dream, both won the award.
After singing We’ll Meet Again with Dame Vera Lynn at the 60th Anniversary of VE Day, she became a trustee of the British Forces Foundation in 2005. She’s travelled to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Cyprus and Northern Ireland to entertain the troops.
An ambassador for cancer charity Macmillan, Katherine raised more than £30,000 by running the London marathon for them in 2013. The proudly Welsh singer has also become a royal favourite. She has performed for the Queen many times and met her again last week, during her first public appearance since announcing her pregnancy.
Katherine married artist and film-maker Andrew Levitas in a ceremony at Hampton Court in September 2014. Their first child, Aaliyah Reign, was born in September 2015.