Katherine Jenkins tells of Doctor Who nerves

Katherine Jenkins said she does not consider herself an actress despite appearing opposite Harry Potter star Michael Gambon in the Doctor Who Christmas special.

The Welsh singer admitted her nerves were "far worse" than usual at the prospect of getting in front of the camera for the hit BBC1 show.

She plays a character called Abigail in the festive episode which stars Gambon alongside regulars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.

She told the Radio Times: "I spent a lot of time thinking about it.

"It's such an iconic show, and it's one that we watch as a family. I just thought 'I'd love to give it a try'. But I'm the first to say that I really don't consider myself an actress. So I asked if I could go in and read to them and I thought 'Well, if I'm rubbish they won't give it to me, will they?' So I read to them and they called me on my 30th birthday and offered me the part."

Jenkins described Gambon, who plays miserly Kazran Sardick in the episode, as a "legend".

She said: "Then there were the scenes we had together. One in particular, where it's quite intense and just the two of us - to be opposite him and to be watching him, I couldn't believe his power. He moved me so much."

The seasonal special will be shown at 6pm on Christmas Day.