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Bonnie Tyler's 'disbelief' at Mariah Carey's comment to her on first-class flight

EXCLUSIVE: Pop queen Bonnie Tyler, 69, sipped champagne with fellow singer Mariah Carey after bumping into her on a flight from New York - and the pair hit it off straight away

[Bonnie Tyler became a huge star in the 1980s with hits such as Total Eclipse Of The Heart]

Bonnie Tyler became a huge star in the 1980s with hits such as Total Eclipse Of The Heart(Image: SWNS)

She's the husky-voiced singer who became a huge star in the 1980s with hits such as Total Eclipse Of The Heart.

But Bonnie Tyler admits she was shocked to discover she had a very famous fan superstar Mariah Carey.

The pair met on a flight from New York first class, of course and Mariah confessed the Welsh songstress was her idol.

Bonnie says: We had champagne together. She was lovely. Ive always been told she is a bit of a diva, but she was really nice and said: Oh Bonnie you were one of my idols.

I told her: I cant believe it. She sat next to me for over an hour talking.

She had an entourage of people with her and she asked me who I was with and where my crew was.

[ Mariah Carey confessed Welsh songstress Bonnie Tyler was her idol]

Mariah Carey confessed Welsh songstress Bonnie was her idol(Image: Getty Images for Nikki Beach)

I said: Its just me, my husband and my manager, and she couldnt understand why I didnt have an entourage. I said: Im not like that. I do everything myself like my hair and my make-up.

Born Gaynor Hopkins in the village of Skewen, near Neath in south Wales, Bonnies most famous hits came in the 1980s, including power ballads Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Holding Out For A Hero, which featured on the Footloose soundtrack.

She also represented the UK at Eurovision in 2013, coming 19th with Believe In Me.

Bonnie has just released her 18th studio album The Best Is Yet To Come and has no plans to slow down - despite turning 70 in June.

Ive no intention of retiring and look at the wonderful Sir Tom Jones, she says. Hes got 10 years on me, his voice is awesome, and hes still doing it. I like what I do.

These days you dont make records to make money because everybody is streaming, but Im passionate about making new records because it keeps my live shows fresh and exciting.

[Bonnie has just released her 18th studio album The Best Is Yet To Come and has no plans to slow down]

Bonnie has just released her 18th studio album The Best Is Yet To Come and has no plans to slow down(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

The star has been in the Algarve in Portugal since the start of lockdown last March with husband of almost 50 years, former judo star Robert Sullivan, 71.

Earlier this year she revealed she has finally learned to swim after spending years scared of water.

Its only taken me 69 years, laughs the singer.

Robert and my friend Sue who is a very good swimmer taught me. Before lockdown she was giving me some tips and finally it locked into place and clicked with me. I had a whole year and I was swimming nearly all summer.

At the moment, the weather is just about changing and getting better, so it wont be long until were back in the pool again.

I can do about 40 widths. Its good exercise as well. Im not in the shallow end, but I dont go right down to the deep end kind of three-quarters down the way of the pool.

Bonnies fear stems from a horror accident when she was a young girl.

[Bonnie Tyler pictured in New York in 2000 at a pre-wedding party with the families of actor Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones]

Bonnie pictured in New York in 2000 at a pre-wedding party with the families of actor Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones(Image: Getty Images)

When I was nine I nearly drowned, she says.

My cousin pulled me out of the water by the long plaits of my hair. So it wasnt very nice. My mother tried to teach me and took me to the swimming baths, but I never had the confidence but now I can. I wont be winning any competitions but its never too late to learn.

Bonnie met fellow Welsh star Ruth Jones who wrote Gavin & Stacey and plays Nessa in the show when they performed a spoof version of Islands In The Stream with Rob Brydon for a charity night in Cardiff.

They became pals and kept in touch. Bonnie says: She phoned me the other day and left me a message. Shes very nice, and so talented.

And while Bonnies not sure if Ruth and co-star James Corden will pen another series, shed love a cameo role if they do. She reckons it would be perfect for her as her Welsh accent is too strong to play other parts.

Like what you see? Then fill your boots...

Bonnie says: We dont know if theres even going to be another series. But I wouldnt mind a cameo at all.

I thought thats something we could do because of my Welsh accent. I cant get rid of my Welsh accent so I wouldnt be able to do anything else.

I have been asked to do West End shows like Blood Brothers and Hairspray but Ive turned them all down because Im not an actress Im a singer.

Ive been asked to be a judge on The Voice in Ireland, and I turned it down Im not interested in that sort of thing. Music is what keeps me young and I cant wait to get out on the road again.

Bonnies new album, The Best Is Yet to Come, is out now.

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