Singer puts Zeta Jones wedding first

Bonnie Tyler performing at BBC Music Live

Rock singer Bonnie Tyler has dropped out of a charity concert in order to attend the wedding of friend Catherine Zeta Jones in New York later this month.

The Welsh singer was due to be a guest at a show in Newport this Saturday to raise funds for handicapped children.

But the date clashed with Zeta Jones's wedding to Michael Douglas, which is set to be one of the show business events of the year in the United States.

Golden days: Bonnie Tyler on BBC Top of the Pops

Zeta Jones, 31, is a close friend of Tyler, 52.

She and her fiancee Michael Douglas, 56, spent last Christmas Day with the rock star and her husband Bob Sullivan, 54, at their home in Swansea, south Wales.

Tyler rose to fame with her chart hits Total Eclipse of the Heart and Lost in France in the 1980s.

Organisers of the charity event for Catch - Care and Action Trust for Children With Handicaps - said the absence of Tyler would be an upset.

But Catch has already lined up a top replacement - film star Joan Collins.

Singer Mica Paris will also perform in the absence of Tyler, who was one of the stars who took part in this year's BBC Music Live festival.

Catch spokeswoman Margaret Barrett: "Bonnie was very kind to offer her services and charges nothing for her performances.

"This wedding is a once in a lifetime opportunity for her. We don't blame her for the decision."

Catch organisers hope the gala event will raise £50,000 for the charity.