TYNESIDE has long had an affection for chart-topping Katherine Jenkins. It's an affection she is happy to reciprocate especially after becoming good buddies with Joe McElderry on Popstar to Operastar.

"Joe was absolutely adorable", she tells me of the South Shields lad who won the singing contest on which Katherine was a mentor and judge.

"When you go into something like that you are hoping you get people who will be able to enjoy it and respond to it. With Joe, we couldnt have asked for any more. He has got that nice, easy voice, which was fantastic to work with.

"He came into it totally focused, did everything we asked of him and on top of all that he is a really nice guy as well. We have stayed in touch.

"He's only 20, but hes already had all these crazy life experiences with X Factor and now the Classic album. I'm really happy for him."

When it comes to crazy life experiences, Katherine is a veteran.

In the two years since she released the Believe album, life has been a dream come true. She has travelled the globe, winning new fans and gold and platinum discs everywhere she went.

She turned 30, made her acting debut in Dr Who and became a TV favourite thanks to Popstar To Operastar. No wonder she calls her latest album Daydream.

Life has changed in so many ways since the young mezzo-soprano started singing her way into our hearts to become one of the UK's first classical-crossover superstars. Yet one thing remains constant - the voice.

"I do feel that some of the more contemporary songs are the most pop I've probably done," she says of Daydream.

"But it actually started off, the idea of the album, being a bit of a return to my roots. I count my roots as being the folk songs, the musical theatre, classical and religious.

"Three quarters of the album is that. I hope the reason it feels mainstream is because of the way we approached it. I wanted it to sound like it had a modern approach to it.

"From working with (producer) David Foster, he taught me not only to get the big notes when you need them and to use that operatic voice, but to find my more intimate voice too."

Katherine is looking forward to returning to Newcastle City Hall on Monday.

"I wanted the tour to reflect the sound of the album. The last one I did was quite big and theatrical arenas with dancers.

"I wanted this to be different. I think the album is far more personal and intimate in its sound so I asked if I could do more shows but with smaller audiences so it felt more up close and personal.

"I am so excited, as these are the venues I played in the beginning, touring as a support act to other people and the first tours on my own.

"It's really nice after two years travelling the world to be coming back. I've lost my luggage in more airports than I can remember," she says before breaking into a laugh. "There were far too many times when I arrived somewhere and had to live in the clothes I was wearing."

"I've learned from the experience. Now I always travel with spare underwear and a toothbrush!"