NEWS

Here is a sneak peak at a couple of new items from the Baby K Autumn/Winter collection 2010. Offering style, fashion and bold colours, the collection is an exciting mix of different fabrics and patterns.  This season sees bold injections of vibrant colours such as electric blue, bright red and yellow are key across the collection.

Speaking about the new collection Myleene said: ‘This season’s collection is everything you've come to expect from Baby K.  Its bold colours, classic shapes and practical designs will have your little ones looking fun, fabulous and ready for Autumn!’

The Baby K Autumn Winter collection will be available shortly from Mothercare stores and online, visit the Baby K section to learn more.

As mentioned recently in her blog, Myleene has been away filming for a brand new documentary "The World's Youngest Daredevils". The show, to be aired later this year on Sky1, follows Myleene across the globe as she meets some of the world's bravest youngsters. Myleene traveled to a Mexican bull-fighting school that trains children as young as three; met a 12-year-old lion tamer; and encounter two pre-teen cage fighters in the US.

Talking about the show Myleene commented "I thought I'd seen some things in my life, but nothing prepared me for this show. Watching tiny kids fighting in a huge cage in Tennessee in America was a real eye opener, so shocking,"

The show will look at how the children are held in great acclaim in their own communities and cultures, despite their dangerous lives. We'll update you with transmission dates later this year.

Myleene returns to our screens on 2nd August resuming her role as presenter of 10 Years Younger on Channel 4. Following on from the success of the last series, the show features two women going head to head with one goal – to look younger. It's non-invasive techniques versus surgery – but which will get the best results?

The show features a new time slot airing at 5pm every week night for two weeks starting on Monday 2nd August 2010. We've added the transmission dates to Myleene's Schedule – so make sure you tune in to what is shaping up to be a very exciting series!

Learn more about 10 Years Younger at the Channel 4 website.

Myleene has partnered with Casio to celebrate the company’s 30 year anniversary of producing world class digital pianos.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Casio launch their new Pianos for Schools initiative, aimed at encouraging children’s involvement in music and our very own Myleene will be fronting the campaign. This will see 50 pianos given to children in schools throughout the UK to enhance their music education experience, give them the chance to learn the piano and ultimately get them playing.

Speaking about the project Myleene said “The Pianos for Schools project is something I feel passionate about and it’s a great chance to get the message out there that music in education is a great thing.

I’m really pleased to be a part of this scheme as it’s so important to encourage music in schools and to give children the tools and passion for learning where we can.  Even though she is very young I encourage my daughter to play the piano and I would be so pleased if she has the opportunity and support to continue in school throughout her education.

Schemes like this can also give children who may not otherwise get the chance to engage with music in school the opportunity to and this can only enhance their all round learning experience.”

The 30th anniversary campaign will also see limited edition Casio products being released, with Myleene involved in the launch of stunning new anniversary additions to Casio’s Privia and Celviano ranges.

The Spring Summer 2010 Baby K collection goes on sale today, offering clothing for boys and girls from 0 to 3 years.  Drawing on key trends and catwalk classics, bold injections of colour can be seen throughout, while encompassing the core values of Baby K – quality, fashionability and affordability.

Speaking about the new collection Myleene says: “I’m exceptionally proud and excited to reveal the new Baby K SS10 range. There are items in the collection that I’ve had a vision to produce for some time now and to see them in actuality, looking incredible is beyond my wildest dreams. The colours, textures and quality are all true to what Baby K stands for and as always, its kind on your pocket!

I’ve always said that the Baby K range provides what mummies ask for and what babies love to wear and this collection is no exception. The range, with your support, has grown and gone from strength to strength and I’m sure your little ones will look as adorable as ever in their new Baby K pieces”

New for this season is the Baby K swimwear.  Little boys will be safe in the sun with the all in one fish print swim suitor the funky shortsthat can be topped off with the fish print keppi hat.  Little girls will be chic in the black and gold spot swimsuit  with ruffle detailing and the coordinating spot black and gold swim hat that is a real shop stopper!

You can preview the collection over at the Baby K page on Myleene's site, or visit BabyKWorld.com to order your Spring Summer items today!

Myleene is returning as the host of the Classical Brit Awards for a third consecutive year. Anchoring the ceremony with both style and genuine excitement each year, Myleene suggests her biggest challenge will be acquiring an outfit more stunning than the last!

The 11th Annual Classical BRIT Awards with NS&I will be a glamorous and spectacular night of music, a tradition that started back in 2000. Nominations for the awards will be revealed on Monday 12 April 2010 with the main awards ceremony taking place at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 13 May 2010.

For more information visit the Classical Brits website, for highlights from the 2008 and 2009 shows visit our Classical Brits section.

Starting on 15th January on ITV1 at 9PM, Popstar to Operastar is a brand new series for ITV1 in which best-selling recording artists from the world of pop discover if they’ve got what it takes to perform as opera divas. Hosted by the lovely Myleene Klass and Alan Titchmarsh, Popstar to Operastar will see the contestants rehearsing with their mentors and vocal coaches before taking to the stage for a live Friday night performance which will see one singer voted off each week.

Mentored by classical hit-singer Katherine Jenkins and famed tenor Rolando Villazon, the eight contestants will be trained to perform world famous opera songs – many of them learning to not only sing in a completely different style, but also a completely different language than they are used to.

After their performances the pop stars will be critiqued by a panel made up of their mentors Katherine and Rolando and two critics, international award-winning rock musician Meat Loaf together with TV presenter and Classic FM radio host Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Those taking part are:

• Alex James, who found fame as the bassist in Blur. The band had five number one albums and in 1995 won four Brits breaking a record for the most awards won in one year.
• Bernie Nolan, who sold over 25 million records worldwide as vocalist in the Nolan Sisters.
• Danny Jones, of hit boy-band McFly, who have had seven number one singles and hold the record for the youngest band ever to top the album chart twice.
• Darius Campbell (formerly Danesh) who rose to fame in ITV’s Pop Idol show and had number one hits in the UK with both his debut single and album.
• Jimmy Osmond, who sold over 100 million records worldwide as part of the Osmonds and is also a platinum selling solo artist.
• Kym Marsh, the Coronation Street star who found fame when she won ITV’s Popstars and became part of the band, Hear’Say, enjoying two number one singles and a number one album.
• Marcella Detroit, who was one half of the band, Shakespear’s Sister and sang lead vocals on their hit ‘Stay’ which was number one for eight weeks in the UK charts.
• Vanessa White, from the girl-band The Saturdays, who have had five top ten singles since their debut in 2008.

Myleene thinks the pop stars’ personalities are key to them being successful on Popstar to Operastar “a good voice is obviously essential but I think personality is more important. You have to be a good story teller and be able to translate extreme feelings and stories, often in other languages, to the audience and still remember your breathing.

“Their biggest challenge will be learning a completely different technique in such a short time span then having to fight the urge not to revert back to 'what's comfortable' – their pop voice – when faced with a live audience and millions of viewers. “

Myleene says she can’t wait to be involved with the series and thinks it will open the world of opera up to a whole new audience.

She adds, “It’s a series of perfect combinations for me. Classical and pop music, so both my worlds colliding into one. It’s also live TV so anything can happen as genuinely talented singers push themselves and their boundaries to see what they can achieve.

“I am extremely fortunate with the projects I’m offered as they're always 'one of a kind'. I'm excited that this kind of thing has never been seen on TV before, although I've had the chance to work with both opera and pop singers and the process and techniques are fascinating. It’s no mean feat to learn a different craft and then perform and take charge of it whilst also competing. It should prove interesting and entertaining.

“Large ladies warbling with horns on their heads has sadly given opera a misguided image. It’s simultaneously expressive, dramatic, tender, fierce and bold. Irrespective of the language it’s sung in, the message is always powerful and strong. You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by some incredible pieces. It’s basically a direct line tothe heart.

“So this series will absolutely bring a wider audience to opera as it’s fascinating to see people challenge themselves as well as make some silly noises along the way! Plus, 'crossover classical' or 'popera' is everywhere now from Paul Potts to Susan Boyle.

“Also not forgetting tons of musicians like The Chemical Brothers are classically trained and that football fans sing along to opera all the time, probably not even realising it. TV ads and popular TV shows like The X Factor opening would be lost without opera and everyone from Kylie, Oasis, Celine Dion and Eminem have plagiarised the classical world.”

Myleene, whose debut solo classical album ‘Moving On’ entered the classical charts at number two and went on to break records in all genres, says opera could change the pop stars lives. She adds, “Well, it changed my life! My grandmother was an opera singer so I was raised on Wagner, Lehar and Strauss! I didn't always appreciate it when I was younger, but now I'm so thankful I've had it in my life. The sheer power, work and talent that's involved when singing opera is admirable and the stories, depth and characters are mesmerising. It’s no wonder that so many pop artists are either classically trained or take their influences from that world as its epic and has lasted generations.”

Make sure you tune in! Popstar to Operastar starts on the 15th January 2009, 9PM on ITV1.

Myleene is featured on the cover of February's issue of Cosmopolitan. In the issue Myleene discusses her career, Ava and partner Graham. You can view a behind the scenes video from the cover shoot on the Cosmopolitan website.

The February issue of Cosmopolitan is out now.

Myleene has caught up with Gurgle.com for the latest installment of her blog 'It's nearly Christmas' in which she talks about Ava, Baby K and her preparations for Christmas. You can view this blog entry on Myleene's Blog at Gurgle.com.

Myleene will also be joining Gurgle.com for a web chat on Wednesday 9th December 2009 at 2.00pm to answer your questions. Can't make it? You can submit your questions to Myleene before the web chat and catch up with the transcript later! To take part head over to the Gurgle.com web chat page.

We've got an exclusive competition for Myleene Klass fans. We're giving away £100 of M&S Vouchers and £100 Baby K vouchers to one lucky competition winner for just being Myleene's fan on Facebook! All you have to do is become a fan of Myleene on Facebook and send through your name and e-mail.

For more information about the competition and how to enter visit Myleene's Facebook Page.