Katherine Jenkins is not as a big a star as she used to be but she wants to be back to her old self when she performs in Preston, as Paul Mackenzie reports

Katherine Jenkins has vowed to go on the Lancashire Diet if she has not recovered her curvy figure by the time she is due on stage in Preston.The mezzo-soprano, who is headlining the Preston Proms as part of the city’s Guild celebrations, caused a stir earlier in the year when she revealed her trim new look. She put her dramatic weight-loss down to her appearance on American TV show Dancing With The Stars.

But Katherine, who was smaller than a size six when she finished the show, told Lancashire Life: ‘I prefer to be curvy and I’ll be back to my old self when I get to Preston. I’m having pizza and chips and ice cream and chocolate cake. If that doesn’t work I’ll try some Lancashire pies.’

The singer, who turns 32 at the end of June, came second in the dance show and said: ‘It was very hard work, training 12 hours a day, it was no wonder I lost weight. I was amazed by the interest in my weight loss but I promise you, I’ve not been on some crazy diet. The dance show was great fun too, though, and I would definitely like to incorporate dance into what I do in the future.’

Katherine, who sang the national anthem in front of the Queen at the Derby to launch the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, will share an open-air stage in Preston’s Avenham Park with Jose Carreras.

And she added: ‘I’m not doing many concerts this year so I’mreally looking forward to being back in Preston. Jose and I have never sung together before, but he’s an idol of mine. I grew up listening to recordings of him so to be singing with him is incredible for me.’

Neath-born Katherine was a multi-award winning chorister who won a place to study at the Royal Academy of Music and after stints as a model, tour guide on the London Eye and freelance singing teacher, she was offered the biggest contract in UK classical music history, reportedly worth �1million.

She is currently recording her ninth album, which will be out later this year but she said: ‘I can’t tell you what will be on there, it’s early days and it’s all top secret.’

And Preston Guild director Stella Hall added: ‘This is such a coup for the Guild to have two global stars sing together on stage for the first time ever. We are absolutely thrilled that Katherine has agreed to perform at the concert and this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those that are present.’

Tickets for the Preston Proms concert cost �65 each. To check availability, call 0845 344 2012 or go to www.prestonguild2012.com.