Katherine Jenkins busks at London Tube station

Famous mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins normally fills concert halls. But today her audience was bemused London commuters passing through Leicester Square tube station, as the singer, in a partial disguise, took a turn as a busker.

The 31-one-year-old performed for 45 minutes singing some of her biggest hits including "Time To Say Goodbye" and a cover of "Bring Me To Life" by rock band Evanescence.

Jenkins earned about £10 (which she will be donating to a homeless charity) from passersby. Several people were stopped in their tracks by the quality of the singing - one girl was even reduced to tears.

Many people recognised Jenkins despite attempts to give herself a "make-under" by hiding her trademark blond locks behind a scruffy brunette wig and wearing casual clothes. The opera singer's distinctive vocals fooled few.

""I was really really enjoying myself. On the initial first note I thought 'Oh god, I don't know how this is going to work out', it was quite an operatic number and I wasn't sure how it would be received. But by the second number people were stopping and I really enjoyed it," The Welsh singer told the Evening Standard.

"The people were really lovely. One guy said I had made him late for work now, but I didn't know I made people cry, that's amazing."

Those who paid around £5 for their travel cards and caught a few of Jenkins' songs bagged themselves a bargain as tickets to see her in concert cost around £100.