I've been through the psychological grinder and I'm pretty strong

Cardiff singer and activist Charlotte Church talks about tough times, getting to know herself better and why she’s so passionate about the world we live in

-  SUE LEE

Charlotte Church shot to international stardom at the age of 12 thanks to her astonishing soprano voice. The star went on to sell millions of records worldwide in a stellar career which has seen her perform for popes, princes and presidents.

A woman of many talents, Charlotte has moved between classical and pop and branched out into acting and TV presenting, fronting her own show Charlotte Church’s Dream Build – which is available to watch on Discovery+. The Cardiff singer has also become involved in high-profile political activism.

And life at home seems to be just as successful, having married musician Jonathan Powell in 2017 and giving birth to their daughter, Frida, in 2020. She also shares Ruby, 16, and 15-year-old Dexter with her previous partner, former Welsh rugby star Gavin Henson.

Having been at the centre of media scrutiny for decades, the 38-year-old has compared her fame to being in a “psychological grinder”. But she has since found peace in her own wellness retreat, The Dreaming, in the heart of Wales.

Here, OK! catches up with the Crazy Chick singer to talk about family, why she refused to move to LA and how her nan inspired her latest project...

Hi, Charlotte! You’ve just launched a new BBC Sounds podcast, Kicking Back With The Cardiffians. How did it come about?