A SINGER who has toured the world with the critically acclaimed Irish dance shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance is to perform at a Worcester church.

Colette Todd was flabbergasted when she landed her first professional job as part of the choir in the world-renowned phenomenon Riverdance immediately after graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

She was doubly taken aback when her talent was quickly spotted by Riverdance bosses who plucked her from the choir to sing the lead role in the show, performing nightly to thousands.

More than one million people watched her in Riverdance during the two years she toured with the production, which also saw her performing in 18 countries across the globe, including places such as Paris, Hong Kong and Dublin.

"By 2001 she had become a well-respected and highly capable performer with her name known in the touring circles," said a spokesman for Colette.

It was at this point that she was head-hunted by Irish dance show rival Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance and she quickly accepted an offer to join the troupe as their solo singer.

This then saw her performing at some of the most prestigious venues across the world, including London's Hyde Park and stages in South Africa, America and Australia to name a few.

"It was a fabulous time," said Todd. "I stayed in some of the world's best hotels and got to travel a lot. But after a while, spending so much time on a tour bus can really get to you. That's when I decided enough was enough." Now Colette has sought some "peace and quiet" in Cleobury, near Bewdley, and plans to marry next year.

But she hasn't quit the stage entirely, and will be performing at a special charity concert at St Stephen's Church in Droitwich Road, tomorrow night at 7.30pm.

The concert will also feature local singer Margaret Peters, a mezzo soprano who has sung with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Organisers hope the concert will appeal to people of all tastes, from lovers of Schumann to Cole Porter and Flanders and Swann.

Colette hopes her debut in Worcester at the church will be the start of many now that she has formed a band called Lyck.

"Lyck's a rock band which is quite a departure from opera and classical music, which is what I normally do," said a bemused Colette. "But I'm looking forward to doing something a little bit different. It's very exciting."

l Tickets for the concert at St Stephen's Church are available at Johnson's Newsagents in Ombersley Road or on the door.