Katherine Jenkins goes Undercover on the Underground: Singer dons a brown wig to busk on the tube

By Emily Sheridan

Last updated at 8:15 AM on 24th November 2011


She's used to belting out songs in front of thousands of people in venues like Wembley Stadium and the Royal Albert Hall.

But yesterday, Katherine Jenkins gave commuters and tourists a thrill with an impromptu free 'concert' in Leicester Square tube station.

Going undercover for a feature with London's ES magazine, the Welsh mezzo soprano disguised her blonde hair with a brunette wig.

Who's that girl? Katherine Jenkins goes undercover to busk for charity at Leicester Square tube station in London on Tuesday morning

And instead of the glamorous couture she usually performs in, Jenkins looked like a struggling musician in her ripped jumper, jeans and boots.

With a cap on the ground for her busking session, the 31-year-old sang a collection of covers and tracks from her new album, including Break It To My Heart, and ended up raising £16 for charity.

Despite her disguise, many commuters soon recognised the singer and many were moved to tears as she hit the high notes.

Here's 20p love: The singer ended up raising £16 for charity during her 45-minute set

After her final song, she was met with applause by a small assembled crowd and signed autographs to those who recognised her.

Although having lived in London since her student days at the Royal Academy Of Music, Jenkins admits she rarely uses the Underground these days and doesn't have an Oyster card.

She told the Evening Standard: 'I was really really enjoying myself. On the initial first note I thought "Oh god, I don't know how this is going to work out", it was quite an operatic number and I wasn't sure how it would be received.

Wigging out: The 31-year-old covered up her blonde hair with a brunette wig

Do blondes have more fun? Jenkins showed off her wig on Twitter

'But by the second number people were stopping and I really enjoyed it.

'The people were really lovely. One guy said I had made him late for work now, but I didn't know I made people cry, that's amazing.

'It's got a great acoustic down there, I didn't want it to end. It felt like we were doing something quite special down there.'

Before her busking gig, Jenkins admitted she had never performed in flat shoes before.

Andy McCrossen, 43, a tube worker from Dartford, Kent, was moved to tears by the performance.

He said: 'I find her music quite emotional. I saw her singing then I realised she had a wig on and I recognised her. It's unexpected to see her on the Tube.

'You can see there's a crowd building up, she's not your usual busker, she's got an amazing voice, she puts a lot of emotion into it.'

Ahead of her gig, Jenkins teased fans by posting a photo of her disguise on Twitter, writing: 'Undercover... Testing out the theory as to whether blondes have more fun?'

Drawing a crowd: Several commuters stopped to listen to the singer - causing congestion to the busy station in the process

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2065399/Katherine-Jenkins-dons-brown-wig-busk-tube.html#ixzz1ebpWcecK