Northern Ireland

Co Antrim nurse and singer 'amazed' as Chris Evans invites her to support Michael Bublé

Ballycastle woman Katrina Turner. Picture courtesy of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio with Sky
Ballycastle woman Katrina Turner. Picture courtesy of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio with Sky Ballycastle woman Katrina Turner. Picture courtesy of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio with Sky

A NURSE and occasional pub singer who phoned the Chris Evans Breakfast Radio Show for a chat is "buzzing" after she ended up being offered a gig supporting Michael Bublé.

Katrina Turner from Ballycastle in Co Antrim had contacted the Virgin Radio show on Friday morning with the intention of requesting a song.

When the conversation turned to weekend plans, the 37-year-old revealed that she was playing that night in the Harbour Bar in Portrush.

She said: "Chris was asking me what kind of music I played and I mentioned classics by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton, Bon Jovi, Snow Patrol and Imelda May."

After promising to play Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark at her gig that night, Katrina was preparing to hang up when Chris Evans interjected 'Hang on a minute, don't go anywhere'.

A surprised but delighted Katrina was then invited to play at the Chris Evans Dine & Disco for Children in Need at the end of May to which she replied, "Are you serious?"

Katrina, who documented her fight with breast cancer in an online blog, will be performing music for the afternoon section on the Isle of Wight before Liam Payne and Michael Bublé take over in the evening.

She said: "I didn't have a clue that was going to happen. I haven't been able to think of anything else since.

"I have been listening to Chris Evans for years and I had heard them before Christmas auctioning off places for the gig.

"I don't know why I was asked to do it. I assume they had maybe looked at my Facebook music page so knew I had a few notes."

Audio courtesy of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio w/ Sky

Katrina, who has recently recorded several covers and has some new material of her own, also plays the odd weekend at the Harp Bar in Belfast as well as at friends' weddings.

She is determined to make the most of this unexpected opportunity and enjoy the moment.

"It will be the biggest gig I have ever played and an amazing thing to be asked to do. I am going to sing my heart out," she added.

A women's health nurse, Katrina also works hard to raise awareness of breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease at the age of 35.

She discovered a lump during a routine personal check and underwent surgery and radiotherapy but was warned the prognosis could have been much worse if she had not been so vigilant.

She documented her experience in her blog katrinakickingcancer.com as as means of helping others and also fundraises for cancer charities. "It's a very big part of my life now," she added.

DJ and presenter Chris Evans in action. Picture courtesy of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio, with Sky
DJ and presenter Chris Evans in action. Picture courtesy of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio, with Sky DJ and presenter Chris Evans in action. Picture courtesy of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio, with Sky