The latest from Ruthie: Proms in the Park

October 2003 This year I had the honour of being invited to perform at the BBC Prom in the Park in Hyde Park, London. It was an amazing experience for me, not just because to perform to a crowd that size was absolutely exhilarating, but because for years I have always wanted to attend one!

I could see the crowd before I stepped out and they were in such a great mood - and so close to the stage! So close I could actually hear what some were saying! Of course, the highlight was someone throwing a ginormous pair of Y-Fronts at Terry Wogan!

I sang Don't Rain On My Parade, As Long As He Needs Me, Maybe This Time, All That Jazz, I Dreamed A Dream, and then Not While I'm Around with the Welsh opera singer, Bryn Terfel. The orchestra were wonderful, and Lindka Cierach kindly lent me a dress of my dreams for the night. I have yet to see the video that my fella Tim took with Lily on his front in the baby carrier - apparently she had a ball, and was most intrigued and puzzled by Mummy being 20ft tall on the Jumbotron screen!

I shall always remember the afternoon rehearsing to an empty field, and then that night not being able to see a space for so far, but the best thing is what I was told before the show. Apparently when the doors opened at 4.00, grown men and women were seen running across the field, picnic hampers in hand, for the front spot while the organisers took bets on who would win!! Oh, showbiz!

Thank you all for your support, it was such a magical evening for me.

With love,


Ruthie xx