Katherine Jenkins forced to abandon fans at Norfolk concert because of torrential downpour

The singer was performing at Sennowe Park, Guist, on Saturday night.

But just five minutes into the concert, the mezzo-soprano singer and National Philharmonic Orchestra, which was accompanying her, had to 'run for cover' because of horizontal rain, according to a reviewer.

The singer and orchestra returned 30 minutes later to continue the performance for fans.

Not all concert-goers stayed after the delay though.

Sally Storr tweeted: 'Katherine Jenkins concert sadly washed us away after first five minutes. Too wet and cold to stay.'

But others remained at the park to hear the singer.

John Owen-Jones tweeted: 'Congrats to the audience at Sennowe Park in Norfolk tonight for enduring a TORRENTIAL downpour with laughter and smiles during tonight's @KathJenkins concert. A memorable night for all!'

And Deborah Norwood tweeted: '@KathJenkins has such an angelic voice, that the heavens opened up in tribute! After no rain for two months we certainly got a good downpour!'

The opera star later thanked her fans on Twitter and wrote: 'I need a hot bath! Thanks for being such a good sport and staying... not get warm!'

Paul Jones, 39, from Norwich, who was in the crowd, said: 'It was sunny, then a rain cloud came over just before her set, then five minutes in we had the biblical torrential downpour. It only lasted 10 minutes but she was drenched, bless her. She apologised and left the stage with the orchestra. They really could not stay up there. It was a proper downpour.

'There was an announcement from the PA that she would be back after she had changed clothes and dried off.

'She was really apologetic when she came back on and asked everybody if they were OK. A lot of people went to their cars to dry off, or hid in the tent at the bar. I didn't see anybody leave.

'The organisation was good and I saw rain ponchos being handed out. Plus some more elderly people were looked after and had blankets or towels to dry off.

He added: 'It really was a good atmosphere and everybody seemed keen to soldier on.

'Katherine seemed in a great mood, very concerned for the audience. She made few jokes about the weather being very Welsh.'

Mr Jones also reviewed the concert. His full review is below:

'A large crowd were surprised by a sudden torrential downpour this evening at Sennowe Park in Norfolk, unfortunately occurring just five minutes into Katherine Jenkins' performance. The horizontal rain lashed the audience, the National Philharmonic Orchestra and Katherine alike before they ran for cover.

'A consummate professional, the Welsh mezzo-soprano super-star emerged half an hour later looking her usual, perfectly presented self to sing her enraptured, albeit slightly soggy fans, an hour and a half of hits from the world of Opera and the West End, alongside numbers by Tom Jones and Queen for good measure.

'With no intended irony the first song after the restart was Judy Garland's 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'.

'After a few more songs she was joined on stage by the charismatic John Owen-Jones, famous from starring roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables over the years. Together they delivered a perfect rendition of Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé's 'Barcelona', before a couple of solo numbers from his repertoire.

'The damp crowd were in good spirits and they thoroughly enjoyed his performance. 'However they were here for Katherine Jenkins and she was welcomed back on stage to rapturous applause.

'In a third dress change she was in high spirits, and between songs seemed humble and down to Earth, mentioning that she would certainly always remember her drenching at this concert.

'Following further magnificently performed songs including 'And Did Those Feet In Ancient Times' her set came to a crescendo with impeccable renditions of 'You'll Never walk Alone', 'Jerusalem' and 'Rule Britannia', before signing off with Vera Lynn's 'We'll Meet Again'.

'Despite a water damaged electronic piano being out of use for second half the orchestra performed magnificently and deserve credit, especially considering most of their instruments had also been soaked, alongside their sheet music.

'There was a definite spirit of togetherness between the performers and the audience, none of whom escaped the deluge. It was a wonderful event, with an enthralled crowd singing along until the end. Bravo Katherine Jenkins.'