91�ȱ�

Singer Charlotte Church is back in the spotlight with a new TV role and a slimmer figure but says there's far too much attention paid to how fat or thin people are.

The former child star, who's married to rugby player Gavin Henson, has often been at the centre of media speculation over her weight and finds it troubling.

She said: "I'm obviously really flattered and I have lost weight etc but I think that everybody focuses on it way too much and it bothers me a little bit.

"Especially as I do have two young children that have to grow up in this world as well and everything is so based on how you look and how thin or fat you are at any particular stage.

"I feel I have so much more to offer than just my weight."

The 24-year-old is teaming up with EastEnders star John Partridge (who plays Christian) and veteran actress Sheila Hancock to judge new talent show Over The Rainbow.

Initial hesitancy

The 91�ȱ� One programme, hosted by Graham Norton, charts the search for a new Dorothy in West End show The Wizard of Oz.

When asked if she was hesitant about taking on the role she doesn't hold back.

"Yeah, absolutely," she admits. "I just thought, 'Do I really want to go into this kind of reality TV market?' and 'Do I want to leave my babies?' but I haven't left them, they're with me all the time.

"It's pretty much the live shows and bits and bobs so it's not too much work."

The Lord Lloyd Webber show is the latest in a series of TV quests for West End talent like I'd Do Anything! and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

The panel will also be on the lookout for a dog for the role of Toto.

The Welsh singer reckons there's a big difference between shows like Over The Rainbow and other reality programmes like The X Factor.

She said: "With this Wizard of Oz show all of the girls are looked after really well, they are taught so much during this whole process.

"It's much more of a nurturing thing really to find a West End star, which I also think is really different from looking for a pop star."

Bedtime routine

Charlotte's children Ruby and Dexter play a big part in her working routine and she says they will definitely come along to the live shows.

"Generally when I'm working we're in a hotel and I stay and have breakfast with them, start work maybe about 11 and then I'm probably gone 'til about six," she said.

"Then I can go home, do the whole tea time, bath time, bedtime routine."

"So I still get to see them every day and when I'm not with them it's either my parents or Gavin's parents who look after them."

The singer has just signed a £2m deal with Power Amp Music to record and market her next album.

She released her first pop effort Tissues and Issues back in 2005 which included hits like Crazy Chick and Call My Name.

Over The Rainbow starts on 91�ȱ� One with a weekend special on 26 and 27 March, with the live studio shows from 3 April.