Joe Bonamassa

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Catherine Zeta Jones and Katherine Jenkins come together to fly the flag for their motherland as they welcome the Ryder Cup teams to Wales

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN

Welsh beauties: Catherine Zeta Jones and Katherine Jenkins pose together at the Welcome To Wales show at the Millennium Stadium

They may now be living hundreds and even thousands of miles away from their motherland.

But Catherine Zeta Jones and Katherine Jenkins will always be Welsh girls at heart, so there was no stopping them heading home to lend a hand in promoting their fine nation.

Jetting in from her home in New York, Actress Zeta Jones, 40, joined singer Jenkins, 30, who had travelled down from London, at the Welcome To Wales concert at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

And they looked absolutely stunning as they posed for pictures, Catherine in her trademark red, her long, short-sleeved gown hugging her curves, while Katherine kept it simple and chic in a little black dress and towering animal-print heels.

Both of them were taking part in the concert to celebrate the start of the Ryder Cup golf tournament which is taking place in Wales for the first time.

And despite growing up just 12 miles away from each other near Swansea, the ladies had never met each other before - with Katherine admitting she was excited about meeting the Oscar-winning star.

Speaking to Wales Online, she said: 'Even though she is from Mumbles I have never met her and I hope that will be something that will happen.

Asked if she knew what they would talk about, she said: 'I have no idea. She’s a Swansea girl, I’m a Neath girl – I’m sure we will have plenty to talk about!'

It's so nice to meet you! The ladies greet each other warmly as they meet for the very first time

Don't you look fabulous! Catherine and Katherine admire each other's party frocks

And Katherine, who performed a medley of Welsh hymns at the event, added: 'It's going to be an amazing night and I feel honoured to be part of it. I'm so proud to see such a massive event coming to Wales.'

When she was eventually introduced to Zeta Jones, she spoke of her love for Zeta's red, satin fishtail dress and told her: 'It's lovely to meet you. You look absolutely stunning. I've always wanted to meet you!'

The event was hosted by TV presenter, and another Welsh native, Steve Jones and was opened with a welcome speech by Zeta Jones, who had left husband Michael Douglas, who is battling throat cancer, in New York with their two children Carys, seven, and Dylan, ten.

And she fought back tears as she spoke about how proud she was of Douglas, 66, her husband of ten years, as she addressed the 13,000-strong crowd.

Pride: Zeta Jones welcomed the 13,00-strong crowd to the Millennium Stadium and spoke about her husband Michael Douglas's battle with throat cancer

She said the golf fanatic actor had been forced to pull out of attending this weekend's Ryder Cup as he completes his treatment.

Douglas had hoped to watch the US team retain golf's premier trophy against the Europeans at the Celtic Manor Resort, but had to abandon his travel plans because of his illness.

And his wife was visibly shaken and her voice cracked with emotion as she spoke about her husband's positive response to his treatment.

She said proudly: 'Michael will be glued to anything that has a golf ball and a club, especially the Ryder Cup. Usually I would be watching with him.

Songstress: Katherine Jenkins performed to the crowd in a sparkly black number and a short Kylie-esque outfit complete with huge butterfly wings

Gold Singer: Dame Shirley Bassey performs to the crowd as she waves around a huge gold cape

'He would be representing the American team and I would be wholeheartedly representing the European team, but not this year, maybe next time.'

She then asked for a tissue before continuing: 'He's holding up very, very well and everyone couldn't be happier with his progress. He's holding up with great strength and dignity.'

The concert also saw performances from Cardiff-born Dame Shirley Bassey and male voice choir Only Men Aloud as they welcomed the European and United States Ryder Cup teams.

Golf's greatest event is staged every two years, alternating between venues in Europe and the United States. The tournament will take place at The Celtic Manor Resort in the City of Newport from October 1-3.

Fore! Katherine, Dame Shirley and Catherine pretend to tee off at the end of the concert

The putting's not great, Charles (but the birdies are!)

He may have showed himself up royally when it came to golfing prowess.
But there were still plenty of birdies to be seen as Prince Charles opened the Ryder Cup in Wales yesterday.

The heir to the throne caught up backstage with old friend Dame Shirley Bassey, met Catherine Zeta Jones and Katherine Jenkins and rubbed shoulders with the golfing glitterati, from European captain Colin Montgomerie to disgraced player Tiger Woods.

But despite receiving a few pointers from the pros, the 61-year-old Prince embarrassed himself on the practice green at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport - missing four easy putts in a row.